RE Verse Reading–Genesis 24:34-67 (day two)
“’Will you go with this man?’ She replied, ‘I will go.’” (Genesis 24:58-59). A marriage vow is either a preposterous assumption about what the future holds or a powerful declaration of faith in the One who holds the future. For Rebekah, it was the latter. Marriage in any age is an act of faith. Consider the promises: to remain faithful to someone whom you’ve only known for a limited time and in limited conditions, to care for someone who may not be willing or able to return care to you and to join your life to someone who may act foolishly or not at all. Despite the romantic declarations of an engaged couple, it is not faith in their future spouse that justifies a lifelong vow. It is faith in the one who answers prayers prayed only “in the heart” (Genesis 24:45). Is marriage to be avoided because of the certain uncertainty that accompanies it? No! It is a cowardly, selfish and unbelieving generation who avoids marriage. While not to be entered “unadvisedly,” marriage ought to be entered…and entered faith-full-ly.
Author: guest
The Pit
Re: Verse reading–Genesis 37:2-14, 18-28, Genesis 39:1-12 (day two)
“Then they took him and threw him into the pit” (Genesis 37:24). The pit. The darkness was blinding. The jagged walls tore at his flesh. The dust choked his breathing and caked inside his mouth. The isolation gave birth to a loneliness he had never known. The futility of escape let in the first creeping shadow of hopelessness. Escaping the pit and going home was his first priority. But God had another first priority. The pit was the safe haven preserving his life from the murderous intentions of his brothers. The pit was the purifying fire out of which would emerge the pure gold of moral integrity. The pit was the pathway to humility and clarity of insight that would lead a nation. The pit was the servant of God who would rescue His people from starvation and keep the promise to Abraham. Accomplishing salvation for the world was God’s first priority, and He would do it through the pit. God’s priority hasn’t changed, so what is He accomplishing in your pit?
Wants vs. Wisdom
Re: Verse reading–Judges 16:4-30 (day two)
None of us get into our deepest problems all at once. We take baby steps towards destruction and tell ourselves that it’s not that big of a deal. Samson was no excuse. His dad had told him to stay away from the idol-worshipping girls, but Samson chose his wants over wisdom (Judges 14:3). Just like Eve and all the rest of us who willingly replace the wisdom of our Father for the wishes of the moment, Samson walked one step at a time down a path of destruction. Will you live by His wisdom or your wants? It’s a choice we make over and over again every day. Listen for the Father’s voice saying, “My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s body. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life” (Proverbs 4:20-13).
Are You Hopeful?
Re: Verse reading–Daniel 1 (day two)
“…The Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him…” Jehoiakim’s name means “the LORD raises up.” He didn’t choose to be king of Judah. His father, King Josiah, was killed in battle. His brother lasted as king for 3 months. Then the conquering ruler made Jehoiakim king (see 2 Kings 23). In defeat, Jehoiakim’s name rang true although he was no longer “raised up.” Daniel is clear. It is the Lord who “raised up” this conquering king of Babylon. The Lord gives the city over to defeat. Ironically, this is the note of hope amidst crushing defeat. If God was sovereign in defeat, then God will be sovereign in restoration. Perhaps this pattern was on Jesus’ mind when he said, “I lay down my life-only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:17-18). In a surprising way, the pattern applies to us as well. “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” (1 John 3:16). The greatest evidence of a hopeful Christian is sacrificial service. So are you hopeful?
Paper Prayer Chain
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 118 (day two)
It’s not the prayer chain that consists of five people I call to alert everyone of a need for prayer. It’s a prayer chain hanging from the wall in my kitchen. Each paper link represents a specific prayer that my young boys have prayed and seen God answer. The latest addition to the chain reads, “God, bless our family with a baby.” Around November, we are expecting our family to grow, and our prayer chain is growing too! Psalm 118 serves as a paper prayer chain too. Recited every Passover, Jewish families would recall the Lord’s miraculous deliverance from Egypt. Remembering the answered prayer stirred up thankfulness, and thankfulness stirs up joy. Maybe that’s why the apostle Paul taught his churches to be thankful (Philippians 4:6)? He knew that thankfulness was the pathway to the joy he expected from them…and us (Philippians 4:4). Start your own paper prayer chain or answered prayer list. It is a simple step down the path of life long joy.
I’m Tired. Are You?
I’m tired. I don’t mean that in any metaphorical sense. There is no deeper meaning here. At the moment that I’m writing these words, I find myself physically and emotionally worn out. To read, “they will not enter My rest” (95:11) is for me particularly disturbing! Who is it who doesn’t find rest? I don’t want to be that guy! The one who misses rest is the one who misses worship. Worship isn’t first about singing songs about God or to God. Worship is first about seeing God as He really is, Creator and Ruler, and second about submitting to Him. “Let us worship and bow down; let us kneel…” (95:6). The real problem for the guy who won’t rest is that he won’t submit. How can he rest if he has to act as creator and ruler in all or some area of his life? So why am I so tired? Is it because I have failed to rest? Have I failed to rest because I have failed to worship? I’m tired. Are you?
Where Do You Live?
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 91 (day two)
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 91:1). Where do you live? Throughout the Bible, God is described as a refuge, a fortress, a strong tower, strong embracing arms, a rock, a shield, a rear guard, a shelter, a place of safety, a protective covering. He meets people in a tent, a Temple, a cave, a threshing floor, the belly of a fish, a campsite and a prayer room. The metaphor of a dwelling place is so important that the apostle John would write, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14). Dwelling with God is what we were created for. Under His authority and protection, we find refuge. Living there requires humble, submissive trust (91:2). We are free to choose where to live. However, if we choose not to live under His authority and protection, we will discover ourselves living under His judgment and wrath. Where do you live?
Conflict: Inside and Out
Re: Verse reading–Psalm 69 (day two)
Conflict. Most of us are experts at avoiding it. Some of us are experts at winning in it. All of us face it. We are treated unjustly (69:4). We are insulted (69:7). We are overwhelmed and cry out for escape (69:1). Is there hope? Jesus says, “Yes!” “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you” (John 15:19). When we clash with those outside the community of faith because of our faith, we have an opportunity be a living example of Jesus. But what about our conflicts with those within the community of faith? The Apostle Paul applies the same logic. When I clash with a church member, receive angry emails and even endure thoughtless comments, I have an opportunity to give my brother a living example of Jesus. “Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, in order to build him up. For even the Messiah did not please himself…” (Romans 15:2-3). Conflict may be unavoidable, but it is never unredeemable when Jesus followers follow His example.
Confessions of a Functional Atheist
Re:Verse reading–Psalm 53 (day two)
Over worked, over stressed, always rushing in to save the project, the friend in need, the person in crisis. This is the life of the functional atheist. He serves his church, his family, his work, his community…yet secretly he resents those he serves. “Why can’t they take care of themselves? Why won’t they step up and take responsibility? Why aren’t they more like…more like me?!” Now the heart is being exposed. He would never say with his lips, “there is no God,” but his heart has said, “I must be the savior, the deliverer, the problem-solver, the provider.” His heart has said, “there is no God, so I must do the best I can to be god.” He is a functional atheist even while being a confessing Christian. A wrong idea has infected his heart, and only replacing it with a right idea will restore his being. There is a Savior, Deliverer, Problem-Solver and Provider. His name is Jesus.
When bombs go off…
RE Verse reading-Psalm 40 (day two) My thoughts were interrupted as I wrote this by the sudden and sad news from Boston, and this week’s passage became even more significant. “I waited patiently for the Lord, and He turned to me and heard my cry for help” (40:1). As senseless suffering and death again strike our people, can we find help? The song writer says, “Yes.” “He brought me up…making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth.” Easy for him to say, right? God helped him, but what about those people in Boston? Not so fast. The song writer’s story is not finished. “Troubles without number have surrounded me…my courage leaves me” (40:12). This is not a song about rescue from trouble but rather rescue through trouble. Help is needed precisely because troubles are still present. The hope is that help has come, a help that carries us through. Perhaps Jesus had this on his mind when he said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).