The Everyday Prayer

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day four)
Moses was 120 years old.  He had learned to submit to God and His plan.  Even though Moses’ strength was not abated and his eye was not dim, he did not argue with God about not going into the promise land.  Moses knew he should not argue.  He had questioned God in the past as to why God had done things the way He did (i.e. – why did you send me out here with these obstinate people?).  Now, at the end of Moses life, he accepted that he would not be able to do some things he wanted to do…like go into the Promised Land.  There was no man like Moses.  He had been used powerfully by God.  How do we grow old?  Do we continually try to play younger than we are?  Maybe our health does not allow us to go and do like we used to.  Billy Graham has said, “one thing I can still do is pray.”  Our most important work of our life may still be before us.  Don’t miss it by looking back!

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day three)  “He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.”  God buried Moses.  Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus.  What was not well-understood by the Hebrews and what was only dimly understood by Jesus’s contemporaries is what we now know full well from the resurrection of our Lord: Those whom death seems to have claimed will live again.  God placed the body he had made into earth that he had formed.  The source of life will not be thwarted by death.  Jesus’s grieved not because death had bested his ability (indeed, he raised Lazarus), but because death had become a way of life for the human race.  The Lord is Lord of all.  From Moses to Lazarus, and before and beyond, death will give way to him.

 

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day two)
Although Moses wasone hundred and twenty years old when he died, his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated.

Talk about running your race well! Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit where we were able to hear the hearts of some truly Godly leaders on a variety of subjects. At the end of the summit we were introduced to the “new” head of the international arm of the organization. As he began his new position he was 70 years old, and in his opening remarks he said, “if you’re not dead, you’re not done.” This was certainly the case with Moses, who to the end was leading, teaching, and listening. He knew that the end of his earthly journey would not be the end of the journey for God’s chosen, so he continued to serve. Eventually we will all slow our pace with regards to work and career, but we should all look to Moses’ example for service in the Kingdom. We may all not have undimmed vision or unabated vigor, but we can still serve. What leg of the journey are you currently on? Stay in the race!

Re: Verse reading–Deuteronomy 34 (day one)
“When I come to die, yes, when I come to die, give me Jesus”–Jeremy Camp.  For 12 weeks we have surveyed the stages of life.  (Thank you, Baptistway –excellent summer study)  We have looked at youth, marriage, the birth of children, family tensions and retirement.  This week we come to the end of life–the experience of death.  What will death be like for the believer?  The biblical report is mixed.  Some struggle–Moses still wanted to live, prayed for the privilege to go into the land promised. ( See Deuteronomy 3)  Significant satisfaction–Moses’ last act was to teach Israel a new song of praise. (see Deuteronomy 32)  Praise indicates the gratitude of his heart as he prepared to meet the Lord.  The lesson for us?  An end to denial!  We will die.  Unless the Lord comes beforehand, we will all experience what Moses did.  Are we ready?  What can we do, pray or resolve so that we can be?  (Personal note–I will be so glad to be back in the FBC pulpit this coming Sunday.  Looking forward to seeing you there!)

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day seven)
“Appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”  (8:5)  Serious mistake.  Common.  Wanting to be like “everyone else”.  An expression of insecurity, really.  Unconscious (and false) thought that other people are “more together”.  If I could only have what they have or live where they live, things would be better.  The problem?  Israel already had a king!  Just not one they could see.  God was their king.  Had been every step of the way.  Present.  Powerful.  Competent.  Compassionate.  Wise.  Better leadership than they would ever get from a person!   But the people of God couldn’t see what they had, their unique calling, their opportunity to “example” this spiritual life to all others.   Their eyes were too focused on other nations.  Do I do this?  Do I chase after possessions and security, just like everyone else?  Do I recognize the unique opportunity I have to walk with the Spirit?

Re:Verse passage:  1 Samuel 8:1-10; 12:1-5  (day four)
What does the term ‘patient’ or ‘longsuffering’ mean to you?  In our fast-food society and mindset, ‘to be patient’ means we give them two or, maybe, three chances to do it right before we react.  In 8:7-8, God says, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them.  Like all the deeds which they have done since the day that I brought them up from Egypt even to this day—“  God had endured the continued rebellion of Israel for nearly 400 years!  His focus was on His divine plan to restore mankind from the ravages of sin…not on the perceived loss of a ‘right’.  Do we keep our eyes on God’s divine plan?  Are we looking at the events of the world, the relationships around us, the pressing problems of the day?  God has a plan…let’s discern where we fit into it, in our small slice of history!

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel chapters 8 and 12 (day three)
“And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”  God gave the people what they wanted.  Isn’t that how we often define the success of prayer?  Consider the words of C.S. Lewis:  “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, “Thy will be done,” and those to whom God says, in the end, “Thy will be done.” All that are in Hell, choose it. Without that self-choice there could be no Hell. No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. ”

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day two)
Transitions are tough. Tougher still to watch something you have devoted yourself to for a lifetime go in a direction that points anywhere but up. Maybe you can relate. Have you witnessed a career’s worth of work dissipate due to lack of vision by successive leadership? Perhaps you have poured into your children’s spiritual development only to have them recalcitrant and unredeemed. It is certainly enough to make you want to throw your hands in the air. Surely Samuel felt this tension. His life’s devotion to the Lord on behalf of the nation of Israel was seemingly lost on his sons and the people. But how often do we have to be reminded to be responsible for ourselves? We cannot change the minds and hearts of others, we can only be accountable for our response to the world. It may be frustrating, but it is often enough just to handle what is on our plates rather than try to worry about everything else. God is still in control. The people of Israel cried out for a king. God did answer, but certainly not like they expected. This is why on Sunday we will sing “Rejoice, the LORD is King”.