Author: Aaron Hufty

Aaron Hufty is the Associate Pastor for Worship and Music at FBCSA.

Consequences

Re:Verse passage – Judges 3:11-30 (day two) 

Now the sons of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the Lord. vs. 12

Let’s be clear: God’s ways are not our ways. In his infinite wisdom, he allowed an enemy of Israel to gain strength in order to subdue them because of their sin. It is not a wise idea for us to try and draw a straight line between suffering and sin. But we should be honest with ourselves enough to realize that our neglect of God has consequences, and sometimes that means he allows us to stumble. The path forward is always the same, however. Repent. Recognize your departure from where you were intended to be, and he is faithful to restore. Don’t get to the point where you have to wonder if your struggle is because of sin. Stay centered on Jesus.

Stuck in a Rut

Re:Verse passage – Judges 2:11-20, 3:5-11 (day two) Yet they did not listen to their judges, for they played the harlot after other gods and bowed themselves down to them. They turned aside quickly from the way in which their fathers had walked in obeying the commandments of the Lord; they did not do as their fathers. 2:17

During the filming of our last RE:Vlog special this past winter Chris, Bryan, Jeremy, and I spent some time in Colorado. It was a real treat to worship on the mountains and marvel at God’s handiwork. One day we came upon a stranded motorist who had been forced off the road to make way for another oncoming vehicle on a narrow road. She was unable to get back on the road, and was stuck. By the time we came upon her she had tried, unsuccessfully, for some time to get her car out of the rut she had created. No matter how she tried she was only making her situation worse.

The end of the story involves Pastor Bryan saving the day, but I’ll let him tell it. The nation of Israel was in the same situation. Even when they seemed to course correct, they would fall back into the patterns of sin and destruction. Sin is insidious. The familiar grooves will call you back to a routine that will continue to lead to ruin. The judges were temporary fixes. Our need is to get clear of those ruts, and drive away from the pattern of sin. A changed heart from Jesus is the only way forward.

Caleb

Re:Verse passage – Judges 1:1-2, 8-13, 20 (day two)

Then they gave Hebron to Caleb, as Moses had promised; and he drove out from there the three sons of Anak. vs 20

But My servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it. Numbers 14:24

What do we know about Caleb? His life coincided with some of the Patriarchs of our faith. He was delivered out of Egypt by Moses. He entered the Promised Land with Joshua. He followed Aaron as high priest. Yet Caleb was not listed as a political or spiritual leader. His contribution to Israel was not his skill as an artisan, or priest, or judge. Caleb, however, was faithful and obedient. Regardless of his power and prestige, each time we meet Caleb he is trusting that the Lord would deliver on his promises. Caleb’s life is a testimony to trust. To be sure, this was a LONG game approach to faith and life, but to Caleb it was worth it. We may not be called to be a Moses or Joshua, but we are all called to remain faithful.

Godly Counsel

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 9:13-31 (day two)

And all the kings of the earth were seeking the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart. vs. 23

Are you that person that people seek out for counsel? Perhaps you’re a good listener, or maybe people trust your discernment when tackling tough issues or decision. Regardless of why they seek you out, it is quite a responsibility to help others navigate their lives and choices. You must always take those opportunities with care and recognize the burden of wise counsel requires humility on your part. There can be a tendency to think you are the dispensary of knowledge and wisdom. The truth is that we are simply the vessel the Lord has chosen to use at a particular time. Take great care to always keep that focus, and he may, perhaps, continue to use you!

Credit Where Credit is Due

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 9:1-12 (day two)

…because your God loved Israel establishing them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness. vs. 8b

This is an incredible observation by someone outside the faith. The Queen of Sheba was amazed at all she saw and heard on her visit. It is interesting that she gives the credit for this, not to Solomon, but to God. This, of course, is where it belongs, but it is striking that it was so evident to someone not a part of the faith community. We are a credit-hungry people. We want others to notice our hard work, our good deeds, even our humility (think about that one for a minute). We should always be quick to remember that the Lord placed us in our seat of blessing. It should be so obvious that others can’t help but notice God’s hand in our lives. Reflect for a moment on where God has placed you, and how incredible his mercy has been towards you. Then say thanks.

My Name

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:11-22 (day two) 

and My people who are called by My name…vs. 14a

I don’t remember the exact way that he used to phrase it, but I certainly remember what he meant. Whenever I would go on field trip, or to a camp, or just out with a group my dad would say things like: remember where you’re from, act like you should, and remember…you’re a Hufty. My actions, whether I wanted to accept it or not, were a reflection on my family. In a small town, that meant something. We weren’t Kennedys, Rockefellers, or Bushes, but my character was inevitably tied to my family name. Do you see how profound that is? God doesn’t just say if my people humble themselves. That would be something, wouldn’t it? We speak in terms of my team, or my ministry, or my country and we do so with affection and endearment. There are many things that bind those groups together, but God takes it a step further. He says, if my people who are called by my name…We have been grafted into a family whose head is the creator of the universe. That carries a different weight and authority altogether. Remember today that you bear the name of the LORD.

Lifeline

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 7:1-10 (day two) 

Then on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people to their tents, rejoicing and happy of heart because of the goodness that the Lord had shown to David and to Solomon and to His people Israel. vs. 10

Not every day is a festival day. Not every experience is on the mountain. These are moments that when totaled are far outnumbered by the regular, the mundane, and even the bleak, but they matter. They matter because of their uniqueness. Those times when you feel so near to the Lord can be a lifeline for the times when you are searching for his presence. It doesn’t mean that the Lord has left you, but perhaps you have allowed other things to cloud your vision. If you are in one of those times of distance right now stop and remember when you felt the overwhelming presence of God in your life. May that serve as a buoy for your heart right now, and inspire you to move once again toward him.

A Way Back

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:12-42 (day two) 

…if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been taken captive, and pray toward their land which You have given to their fathers and the city which You have chosen, and toward the house which I have built for Your name, 39 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer and supplications, and maintain their cause and forgive Your people who have sinned against You. vs. 38-39

In the midst of all the wonderful descriptions about the Temple and all of its contents, this stands out to me the most. The building is vast and grand beyond description, but the message of forgiveness is greater than any amount of gold. Solomon recognizes here that God’s people will not always dwell in the magnificence of the building; they will eventually come off the mountain and lose sight and memory of the closeness they once had with the Lord. There is a way back,  however, and that is the theme of the Gospel. God has made a way for those who love and follow him to be restored. It is through repentance. Have you forgotten the wonder of the presence of God, do you need forgiveness? Good news, it is waiting for you.

What Part Will You Play?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 6:1-11 (day two)

 But the Lord said to my father David, ‘Because it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. vs. 8

According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

Isn’t it so gracious of the Lord that he remembers the hopes and dreams of King David? Solomon is also quick to acknowledge that the vision of a Temple was his father’s dream. This kind of generational legacy is not lost on the Apostle Paul. He reminds us that we are all playing a crucial role in the working out of God’s plan. We may have a great vision, and it is important that we give voice to it, but that does not mean that God will use us to complete it. Frustrating? Possibly, but remember the promise God gave to David. The role we ultimately play in this may not exactly fit our plan, but remember what a privilege it is to play a part at all.

What Fills You Up?

Re:Verse passage – 2 Chronicles 5:1-14 (day two)

…the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud…vs. 13

What fills you up? Not in the sense of cuisine, but what occupies the most space in your heart? The idea of the presence of God filling a space so completely that there is room for nothing else is overwhelming. That, however, is the hope of our relationship with Jesus. When we give him our hearts, are we simply rearranging furniture, or are we turning over the keys to the apartment? I continually struggle to turn over those stubborn areas of my life to Jesus, but my desire is that when I am confronted with them I will act in a way that prefers him and not me. Have you taken an inventory of what occupies your heart lately? Have you tried turning over everything to him? When he fills you, there can be no room for anything other. May we continue to work for a full heart of Jesus.