Choices, Choices!

Here in the land of plenty, we have choices. We have resources and distractions, and the leisure time to consider them. I need to make a conscious decision to prepare my heart so that I will NOT follow the example of God's people in ancient times (see Psalm 78:8, 33).

They had everything they needed at their disposal, yet ended up wasting all their time. Lord, let me be wise enough to consciously and intentionally choose to prepare my heart to seek and follow you today. (See also 1 Cor. 10:1-13) for an overview.

This blog post based on today's reading.

Power to Help or Overthrow

May the Lord hide his followers “from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows . . .” per Psalm 64. God can and often does take 'em down suddenly and with poetic justice, “with their own tongues turned against them.” And He can do it without any help from you and me!

2 Chronicles 25 illustrates the monumental truth that God has the power to help -- or to overthrow. Sometimes our job is as simple watching His justice play out. This passage contains the factual account of a Hebrew king who was serious about his goals. He had a war to fight, and had even hired mercenaries to march with his army. The only problem: God wasn't in on the plan! A prophet warned and encouraged him with words that still ring true:

But a man of God came to him and said,
“ . . . Even if you go and fight courageously in battle,
God will overthrow you before the enemy,
for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

Amaziah asked the man of God,
“But what about the hundred talents I paid
for these Israelite troops?”

The man of God replied,
“The LORD can give you much more than that.”
- from 2 Chronicles 25:7-9

May we not doubt God's power, nor count the cost! Let us not be concerned with what we could lose, but count it a joy to lay claim to the promise that the LORD can give us more, so much, much more than anything we could lose for following Him.

God says, “Be still, and know that I am God . . . ” (Psalm 46:10). Let's listen!

P.S. See also, Job 12:14-16

God's Good Motive

Why should I trust God enough to do what He says? Today's reading reveals God's motive for my obedience: it is for MY good. God lays out the ten commandments not because it does anything at all for Him, but as a solid framework for my happiness. He has no selfish motive but is simply looking out for my welfare, success, and security. He wants things to go well for me. How do you like that? God says:

"Oh that they had such a heart in them,

that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments

always, that it may be well with them and with

their [children] forever!" - Deuteronomy 5:29

If I truly trust in God's good motive, then maybe I could at least claim complete willingness to obey. But even then, I would lack the power! Today's New Testament portion reveals my own weakness -- not just Peter's. We are all in the same situation as Peter in the garden, wanting to do what's right, but unable to stand up to even the simplest test. When Jesus found him asleep at the switch, his response was not condemnation, but a comment:

" . . . the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - from Mark 14:38

I pray that God will give you and me the motivation and power to do as we should today, and that He will grant us the humbling awareness that He alone is the source of both willingness and strength to comply.

P.S. March 17, 2011. As I've continued through Deuteronomy, I have noticed again and again God's good motive for my obedience. Another specific example is in Deuteronomy 30:6. Even my love for God is for my own good, that I may live.

TRUST AND DO GOOD!

The people of Israel were dismayed when they heard the reconnaissance report: they were sadly dwarfed and outnumbered by their enemies, a multitude who were taller and stronger than they. Joshua and Caleb tried to bolster their brothers' sagging self-confidence with encouraging words:

If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land
and give it to us . . . Only do not rebel against the LORD.
And do not fear the people of the land . . . the LORD
is with us . . . " - from Numbers 14:8-9

It is not when we're surrounded by giants and far away from home that we're in a bad place, but when we retreat or refuse to march forward. Do we trust our perceived security, or will we trust the Lord? I pray we will trust Him, and walk according to His marching orders in spite of feelings of fear and unease. There are brave examples in today's reading.

There was Aaron. Do I love anyone enough to run into the path of destruction in order to save them? Yet the priest, Aaron, did not hesitate to do as he was instructed, and his intervention was effective. He "stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped" (see Numbers 16:47-48).

Then there was Jesus. He knew everything, so when he felt critical eyes watching, He might have said to Himself, "Uh-oh! I want to heal this man, but Wait! It's a trap, I'd better hold back." In retrospect that would have been ridiculous! We know Him better than that. His response was this:

Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus,
so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him
on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand,
“Stand up in front of everyone.” - Mark 3:2-3

Very rarely does the Lord call us to walk into a trap -- or into any danger whatever -- in order to do the good He has called us to do. Nor does he often ask us to walk the thin line between the living and the dead like Aaron did. So what's our excuse to hold back the good news? Lord help us move out of our comfort zone with a prayer, a word, or a deed to promote the good news of grace.

YouVersion Reading - Time Well-Spent

Today's reading took me 21 minutes and 55 seconds. I know, because I timed it. With all the cold stillness of my city during these past few days, I really have no excuse NOT to spare the time, even if this year's YouVersion plan is five or ten minutes more than I would normally spend in daily reading.

I pray that those the Lord has called to follow this plan will find themselves mysteriously unhindered to do so! I pray that He will bless and multiply the REMAINDER of the day to accomplish even more than we had hoped, and that in short, the fruits of this labor of obedience will be imminent and obvious.

. . . The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD
are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD
are radiant, giving light
to the eyes.
- from Psalm 19:7-8

MY INHERITANCE

Part of the calendar reading for today was Psalm 16:6, where David exclaims, ". . . indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." It reminded me of Sunday's sermon at church.

The message was about Jesus' blessing for the meek from the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:5), " . . . for they will inherit the earth." My pastor pointed out this was a reference to the doormats and the dirt of society, people much "less fortunate," and to those who choose to humble ourselves.

I was thankful for the reminder that YES, I want to be included in that group called the meek, and that YES, this inheritance is the gift of grace, and not something I could ever earn or merit. I have a beautiful inheritance, indeed! It will take a lifetime to discover the depth of it.

Permanent Scars

Do you think Jesus bore the scars of torture only on his hands and in his side? We're told he was beaten so severely he was barely recognizable as a human being.

I am not at all surprised that the two followers walking along the road to Emmaus failed to recognize him for a long while. Surely he was greatly changed.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. - Luke 24:15-16

. . . his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance,
and his form beyond that of the children of mankind . . . - Isaiah 52:14

See also the story of Dallas Wiens.

P.S. This is my first blog post since I joined a new reading plan. Check out Life Journal plan (second on the YouVersion list). Today's reading was Exodus 9-11 and Luke 24. That's a bit more reading than what I'm used to, but only takes 15-17 minutes a day. Plus, the Life Journal community page is a wonderful way for like minds to share notes.