Aaron Hufty

Welfare of the City

Re:Verse reading–Jeremiah 29:1-14 (day two)

Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.’ Vs. 7

I write this post in Seattle, Washington at the beginning of the week as the Chapel Singers begin their week of service with the Seattle Union Gospel Mission. This organization seeks to engage the enormous plight of homelessness in the city by meeting physical needs and addressing their spiritual condition. We are called to engage, to help, to care for these people. Their welfare is our welfare. Will you pray for these young people as they expand their hearts this week? Please pray that God will continue to stretch them for continued service throughout their walk.

Worshipping Warrior

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 27 (day two)

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple. vs. 4

David was a king who was well acquainted with conflict. He knew what it was to be chased and hunted. He also knew what it was to taste conquest and victory. His story is filled with great victories on the battlefield. At his heart however, he was still a shepherd who longed for the quiet and solitude that caring for sheep provided him. That time where he could sing his songs of devotion to the Lord.

No matter what may surround you, or how the world buffets against you may your testimony be more concerned with longing to be near the Lord than to be victorious.

Want

Re:Verse reading—Psalm 23 (day two) I shall not want. vs. 1b

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

One of the things we teach our children is the difference between need and want. Recognizing a desire from a necessity is not always easy when our emotions get involved. One of the by-products of dwelling with Jesus is a way to help clearly differentiate the two. Being content is not about being apathetic, it is about understanding a dependency upon Christ for our source of fulfillment. Ultimately we will want what he wants for us. That leads to a restored soul.

Methods of Miracles

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 5 (day two) But Naaman was furious and went away and said, “Behold, I thought, ‘He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.’ vs. 11

Naaman was a leper. How much worse could it get? His affliction would have been a constant aggravation a source of revulsion from others. Even so, when offered a cure Naaman is displeased with the method of miracle. He had it in his head that Elisha would stand over his head and utter the magic words. It never occurred to him that he had no idea how the cure would come, Naaman was sure he knew how the whole thing would play out.

Sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? And yet…how often do we miss the forest for the trees? We get an idea in our heads and hold on so tightly that we simply cannot, or will not open our minds to the best way forward. What gave Naaman the idea that he knew how to cure leprosy? Why wouldn’t he be open to any remedy offered to him? Why aren’t we? This is surely one of this times where we should let go of preconceptions about God and his sovereignty, and allow his Spirit to do the work in our lives.

Reward

Re:Verse reading–Ruth 2:1-12, 17-23; 4:1-14 (day two)

May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge. vs. 12

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men…Colossians 3:23

Can you think of a more beautiful blessing for your labors than what Boaz gave to Ruth? Word of her faithfulness to her mother-in-law had reached the ears of many. Ruth’s commitment to Naomi was not for financial reward or gain. She did not seek to “get ahead” by a political alliance. She did what was right. Her focus was not on herself. The Lord honors that. Not always financially, but in kingdom-sized investments that cannot be measured. Where is your heart? Where is your treasure? Find your reward where the Lord is waiting.

Easy Sin – Hard Life

Re:Verse reading–Genesis 37:14-28, 50:15-21 (day two) When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong which we did to him!” 50:15

Jacob/Israel had been the buffer between Joseph and his brothers. At least, that is what the brothers had come to believe. Years had passed, but they had never moved past that violent and heinous act against Joseph. Although God had used and shaped Joseph’s life since being sold to the Ishmaelites, the brothers were caught forever in that moment. It had likely shaped everything they did since that moment of sin. It surely impacted their relationship with their father. They had to lie to him and watch him grieve the loss of a child.

Sin is often easy, but truly never is. The sin of Joseph’s brothers would shape most of their adult lives. How you you ever expect to live, really live if you are haunted by your choices. We are not perfect. Joseph was not perfect, but Jesus is. Wouldn’t you much rather have your life shaped by Jesus, than by your sin?

God First

RE Verse reading–Genesis 22:1-19 (day two)

He said, “Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you.” vs. 2

Our RE:Verse study this quarter begins similarly to the beginning of our last study in 1 Samuel. A parent after desperately longing for a child, gives that child back to the Lord.

For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 27-27

Hannah and Abraham understood the role of God in their lives. Once we have children we often order everything in our lives around them, not so for Samuel and Isaac. Everything was surrendered unto God’s plan and authority. How would our children characterize our actions surrounding them? How have we given the Lord a preeminent place in their lives, or have we put our children ahead of him?

Comfortless Ghosts

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 28:3-20; 31:1-6 (day two)

Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your adversary? vs. 16

There was a time when Samuel had a good word for Saul. A time when the words of the prophet brought comfort to the king, but those days were long past. Saul, so desperate for a word of comfort again, was willing to evoke Samuel’s spirit via a seance. And Samuel, as true to the work of the Lord as ever, was clear: the Lord had departed from Saul. If Samuel had ever spoken peace to Saul, it was at the bidding of the Lord, and if had ever been cold toward the king, that too was from the Lord.

If we don’t hear what we want, how low are we willing to go? Saul cried out to the Lord, and his did not respond. It should have ended there. Are we sometimes so desperate to have our plans vindicated that we will summon the dead? Probably not a good idea.

Samuel’s Example

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 25:1-34 (day two) Then Samuel died; and all Israel gathered together and mourned for him, and buried him at his house in Ramah. vs. 1a

Samuel: prayed for before birth, dedicated to the service of the Lord, clearly discerned the voice of the Lord as a child, lived a life with unwavering faith.

Much of what we read about Samuel deals with his frustration regarding Israel. He was often encountering roadblocks or stubborn hearts. Rarely do we hear of Samuel celebrating a triumph of faith, or rejoicing in the nation’s obedience to God. Through it all, however, Samuel is undeterred. His commitment is not based on the approval of men. Even as the people around him ran counter to the will of God, he was faithful. How do we measure our effectiveness for the kingdom? What happens if things don’t turn out the way we plan? Samuel continued to chase after God. Whether kingdoms rise or fall on our watch is not so much the point as how we serve.

Timing

Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 24 (day two)

“Now, behold, I know that you will surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.” vs. 20

…and the next day David became the King of all Israel. Nope, that’s not how it happened. David’s obedience did not produce the immediate effect that most of us would expect. In fact it would be some time before David ruled over a united Kingdom. David was not in it for his own glory, rather he clearly discerned the timing was in God’s hands. Isn’t that an incredible lesson? If we hear from the Lord, our expectation needs to be that he will see us through on his timing alone. Every moment until then is about preparation for the task. Submit your calendar to God today.