How long will we wander, before returning to Him?

Posts tagged ‘foundation’

126) Living a Life of Great Thanksgiving

Day 126 reading: Psalms, chapters 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, & 132

Friends, is it all right to admit that sometimes it’s a little difficult to focus, even on the daily, living, breathing Word of God? This evening I am distracted by sore throats and crying and up and down and bathroom breaks and excuse after excuse…and that’s just from one of our five children… Focus, Marilyn….think happy, calm thoughts…

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The heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones.

For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?

In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him. (89:5-7, NIV)

I am so grateful to serve a loving, caring, just God. He is judge and jury, but He is fair, whether we like to accept it in our own human boundaries, or not. Righteous and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. (89:14, NIV) I love this, though.

A little later in the reading, we are told that even when we mess up, even when we forsake His laws, even when we violate His decrees, even when we fail to keep His commandments, but I will not take my love from him (US!), nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. (89:33-34, NIV) He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations. (105, 8, NIV) 

Friends, it is refreshing to me that my God loves me as a father. He truly loves me like I love my own children. No matter how many times they mess up (or get out of bed long past bed time), I will punish but I will not remove my love from them and He will not ever stop loving you and I.

Isn’t it amazing how the scriptures open themselves up to us at exactly the time we need them most. My own heart is gushing with love after reading that, even sitting and stewing in my parenting frustrations (and still hearing the occasional scamper of tiny feet through the house).

He will judge the people with equity. (96:10, NASB)

TV mush brainI know I have expressed my complete dislike of televisions here before, but I have to get on that bandwagon–briefly–here again.

When I hear or read the word “idol” I don’t think of the music reality TV show, or golden calves, or money, or mansions on the hill; I think of the television first and foremost. It just may be the most distracting thing in my life and certainly the distraction that never adds but only takes. Sure, the occasional family movie is fun sitting around the living room, but that rarely happens at our house. I have a few television shows that I watch, but for the most part I have little use for the TV, and the shows I watch aren’t of any great importance to my quality of life, either. But in our house there are televisions in every room except the bathrooms and at least two are on at all waking hours. It drives me absolutely bonkers! It doesn’t bother my husband; he’s the one who turns them all on. And it’s not the TV’s fault or my husband’s fault, even, that I have such a grudge against television.

My BIG issue is that if it’s on and I’m in the room, I can’t keep from staring at it. I will stop dead in my tracks and stare at whatever is flashing up on the screen. Commercials. Sci Fi. News. Weather. Sports. I really don’t care, it’s not the show itself, it’s the IDOL. It angers me that I can’t ignore the television like my husband does. For him, it’s background noise (and I won’t go into the theories I have about people who can’t just be in silence…ever). For me, it’s like a magnet drawing my eyes in. So, I do my best to stay away from rooms where there is a television on, lest I become a human statue.

For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him, strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. (96:4-6, NASB)

As idiotic as my TV idol is, this is the effect idols have on us and it is up to you and I to keep ourselves from the temptation.

I will walk in my house with blameless heart; I will set before my eyes no vile thing. (101:2-3, NIV)

I do my best to stay out of rooms if there is a television on. What do we do to combat other idols in our lives? How do we quench the ever-growing thirst for more and more…money, possessions, idols?

Worship the Lord in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth. (96:9, NASB)

P.S. “holy attire” doesn’t give you permission to go out on an over-the-top shopping spree! :-)

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. (100:4, KJV)

Praise Him! Be thankful and–dare I say–content with all that He has already blessed you and I with. Like a parent, He does not have to give us the things we want, He does so out of His love for us when our desires and His path merge. Just like those parents among us do for our children, there is method to His seeming madness, too. There is justice in His punishment. There is righteousness to be found in our obedience.

God is the ultimate artist; His work is showcased every day in the big and small things.

God is the ultimate artist; His work is showcased every day in the big and small things.

Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land. (101:8, NIV)

Isn’t that beautiful? What a wonderful verse and thought: not only should we start our morning with prayer and thanksgiving, but every morning we should put to silence all the wicked in the land.

Silence the gossip and terror and bad reports in our own heads and look at each day as a completely new day and a completely fresh start.

Ahhhh. I’m feeling more relaxed and more thankful already (even though there are STILL footsteps around the house…)!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 127 reading: 2 Samuel, chapter 7; 1 Chronicles, chapter 17

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Children, Faith, Forgiveness, Praise, Psalms, Seeing God

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55) The Levites & their Service

leviDay 55 reading: Numbers, chapters 3-4

I just want to jump right in because today’s scripture passage is so interesting to me, especially on the heels of our Day 54 passage.

Yesterday, the Levites were excluded from the census…but that was a census of those males 20 years old or older for use in the Israelite army. That delineation of “army” just caught me today as I was reading. The Levites weren’t being excluded yesterday, but being saved for the most critical of jobs in God’s realm of delegating work. Yes, I knew that Moses and Aaron descended from the Levite tribe, but that didn’t register yesterday like it has today.

The Lord said to Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him.” (3:5-9, NIV)

“The Levites are mine, for all the firstborn are mine.” (3:12-13, NIV)

Would you rather serve in God’s army or as one of His priests?

The Lord said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai, “Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.” (3:14-15, NIV)

This point alone speaks volumes to me: yesterday’s census was of males 20 years old or older to serve in the Israelite army; today’s census is of males only one month old or older to serve, preserve, and care for the holy tabernacle.

These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

These were the names o the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei.

The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. (3:17-20, NIV)

The total number of Levites counted at the Lord’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000. (3:39, NIV)

THE GERSHONITE CLAN

Numbers 7,500 males one month old and older

Numbers 2,630 males aged 30-50 years old

The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. (3:24, NIV)

THE MERARITE CLAN

Numbers 6,200 males one month and older

Numbers 3,200 males aged 30-50 years old

The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail. (3:35, NIV)

THE KOHATHITE CLAN (The clan which Moses & Aaron descended from)

Numbers 8,600 males one month old and older

Numbers 2,750 males aged 30-50 years old

The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. (3:30, NIV)

The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. (3:32, NIV)

The Levites were given jobs within the Tent of Meeting, and specific jobs were given to those men ages 30-50. I love this because I can’t think of a more able-bodied age than that age range. Sure, 20 year olds are strong, but really aren’t usually as careful as they “should” be. And 60 year olds have wisdom but maybe after a lifetime of hard labor their bodies weren’t as steady as they once were. The 30-50 age range would ensure able bodies and even minds to handle the most precious of the Lord’s earthly possessions.

At the Lord’s command through Moses, each [male of the Levite tribe aged 30-50 years old] was assigned his work and told what to carry. (4:49, NIV)

The descendants of Abraham are the Lord’s people.

More specifically, the descendants of Abraham through Isaac are the Lord’s people.

Actually, the descendants of Jacob through Isaac and Abraham are the Lord’s people.

But to be the Lord’s chosen people, descended from the Kohath clan, through the Tribe of Levi, through Jacob/Israel, through Isaac, through Abraham–now there’s a family tree!

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 56 reading: Numbers, chapters 5-6

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Children, Faith, Genesis, Numbers, Seeing God, Service

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30) “The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread”

We are 30 days in and on into the Book of Exodus; this is a very exciting day!

Today’s reading: Exodus, chapters 1-3Snapshot_20121230_6

OK, so today we have baby Moses in his basket and Pharaoh’s daughter, and the Lord speaking to Moses out of the burning bush. We’ve heard these pieces preached, we’ve discussed them in Sunday School classes. But one particular verse caught my attention and I would like to focus on that for our chronological post of the day.

But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites and worked them ruthlessly. (1:12, NIV)

Doesn’t this hold true still today? When we stand firm on our beliefs, no matter how the oppression comes at us and no matter what form it comes in, we will remain empowered.

The more they were oppressed. On journeys like the one we are on together, we are bound to find oppression coming on us because the evil one does not want our foundation to be strong. He wants us to be weak and easy to push around, so he’s going to bring his oppressive forces out against us more and more, the stronger we are and the more focused on the Lord that we become.

The more they were multiplied and spread. In all that we do, it is our primary duty as God’s children to spread His good news. This is one reason I have chosen a public forum to move through through this chronological Bible study journey (but mainly it’s so that I am held accountable every day to read and journal), and I am so appreciative for all the positive feedback I have received from those of you who are journeying with me. When the good news of the Lord our God spreads, as those who know and believe His Word are multiplied, He is glorified. That is our duty.

[The oppressors] came to dread [the oppressed] and worked them ruthlessly. Evil dreads being around those who walk with the Lord.  I imagine it’s like in the movies when Holy Water is splashed on a demon-possessed character and there are shrieks of pain. We can defeat evil with Good, and this foundation that we are building together is such a critical step.

I’m glad we’re on this road together.

Make it a great day,

Marilyn

Day 31 reading: Exodus, chapters 4-6

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Exodus, Perseverance, Trust

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20) Know Better, Do Better

First and foremost, let’s take a moment to celebrate 20 days together in God’s Word! Woohoo! I’ve heard that if you do one thing every day for three weeks, it becomes a habit. Well, friends, tomorrow is our three week mark together. And, whether you were already spending daily time with God, or if this is just an addition to your routine, I’m excited that we are going through this journey together. Let’s jump in to today’s Word.

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 25-27

God told Abraham back in chapter 21 that “it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (21:12, NIV), so even though he had other children from his concubines, Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac (25:5, NIV). I wonder if familial hierarchy was such then that Abraham’s other children didn’t feel slighted, or if it was much like now where being cut out of the inheritance would really hurt. There’s no further mention of it, and what it does mention is pretty matter-of-fact, so what do you think, is it more of the latter???

Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years (25:8, NIV). I imagine that Abraham had a real peace about him, particularly in his final years on earth. He and God had a true relationship, and I would even venture to say that I imagine Abraham knew when he was going. I bet he was among the “lucky ones” with no pain, he just faded into a peaceful sleep, never to wake. Wouldn’t that be the way to go? To die at a good old age…full of years, and memories, and love, and contentment, and secure knowledge of exactly what heavenly place he was going to next.

Now, Abraham and Isaac interest me in one particular way. Both had beautiful wives; apparently the kind of Miss America wives that men drool over. The father and son, when travelling, told their wives to say that they were siblings so as to spare the lives of the husbands. And, both said these things to a ruler named Abimelech. Now, I would love for someone to clarify this point for me. In Abraham’s case, in chapter 20, Abimelech is king of Gerar (20:2). Later, in Isaac’s life, in our current day’s reading, Abimelech is king of the Phillistines (26:8). I have never had a mind of geography or history, so this matter is a double-edged sword for me. Is this the same Abimelech? Gerar is mentioned later in chapter 26, so I questionably assume this is the same king, just another generation older.

This is one of those times when I may just be obsessing over something that really makes no real difference, but these similarities strike me as so odd. There is no mention of God instructing either Abraham or Isaac to lie in order to save their lives. So, why would these protected, God-fearing, God-abiding men feel the need to do anything manipulative? Don’t they know by now that God is going to protect them no matter what? I suppose this is proof that even Abraham and Isaac were only human. That’s kind of a comforting thought for me, as I tend to think I have to do this and that in my own human way, when it’s something God can easily handle and He really doesn’t need my help. In fact, like with Abraham and Isaac, our human ways usually end up throwing added wrenches into the gears of God’s plan.

Further, IF Abimelech, king of Gerar is the same as Abimelech, king of the Phillistines, is the same man…just how dumb was this guy? At what point would he learn his lesson? AND, as much as oral history was critical in the times before computers, styluses, and notebooks, wouldn’t Isaac have heard the story of the time he lied to a king and said he was his wife’s brother? Don’t our parents tell us of the stupidity of their youth so we won’t repeat the same mistakes? In both cases, God had to keep the king from consummating things between Abimelech and each of the wives. Like I said before, so often He has to fix the messes that our human errors make.

My pastor often says how much easier it is for us, as Christians, to forgive a “sinner” for doing something wrong than for us to forgive the “saved.”

It’s the “he didn’t know any betters” vs.

the “he should have known betters.”

But the truth is that we are all sinners, we all make human errors. At some time in our lives, we all make errors that make the Lord sad, but no matter what His mighty grace saves us. Just as Isaac returned to the land of Abraham and began working to re-dig the wells that his father had dug, you and I must return to the safety and direction of our heavenly Father’s care.

Maybe you were raised in the church like I was, maybe you’ve never really had a time when you didn’t know of God, and didn’t know the stories; but that doesn’t mean that, just like me, you didn’t stray. Friends, I fell off the path of righteousness with God, but I am here to tell you that I crawled back onto the path and I don’t ever want to fall away from Him again.

PATH CSLewisMaybe you have never known God until recently, maybe you were raised under a different set of guidelines or maybe you were never raised with training in any religion at all; if this is the case in your life, this is where your path begins. As the munchkins said to Dorothy, “Just follow the yellow brick road.”

No matter what your past experiences are, today is a new day in God’s house and today can be the day that you make Him priority over even your earth-bound world. We are building our foundation, and this is a great opportunity for us all to start fresh and leave all of the mistakes of our sinful past behind us. Are you with me?

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 27-29

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Faith, Genesis, Trust

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16) He is our Reward

www.ROADSIGNSTOHIM.com

ROADSIGNSTOHIM.com

Today, we return to Genesis; back to the beginning. We are strengthening our foundation more every day, as we continue to read, study, and pray the inspired Word. As we continue to read through the Bible chronologically, we are back in Genesis, studying Father Abraham and his many sons.

Today’s reading: Genesis, chapters 12-15

What first strikes me today, as it has many times already over the course of the first two weeks of our journey, is the obedience of select people. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord…and did everything just as God commanded him (6:8 & 22, NIV).

As much as I attempt to do everything exactly as I know the Lord wants me to do them, my human sin nature gets in the way A LOT! For example, I have been working on my potty mouth for years. I’ve gone through phases in my life that have placed four-letter words on the tip of my tongue, and in most conversations. I have to give myself a little pat on the back, as I have really reigned my tongue in, but the truth is there are still slips. And even when I don’t let the ugliness come out of my mouth, there are still plenty of times I think them but don’t say them. As much as I want to congratulate myself for that achievement, it’s really no achievement at all! God knows my thoughts so even though the rest of the human race doesn’t have to hear those things come out of my mouth, the most critical being of all still knows they’re there. It excites me to even consider how blessed life would feel to know that I found favor in the eyes of the Lord BECAUSE I did everything just as He commands me.

Abram is one of those wonderful role models for our Christian walk of faith.

The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.” (12:1, NIV)

As I have written previously (and will likely mention again and again because it’s just that important to me), I believe in giving 10% of our time back to God, as well as 10% of our money. (See previous post, 10% of me) That said, the obedience factor comes into play in my life a lot. I love to do a little celebration dance in my head when I know I am doing something in obedience to God, that will please Him; and I hate the gut knot I get when I know I have made the disappointing choice but am too lazy to undo what I’ve done. I would compare giving 10% of my time back to God to doing housework or some nasty chore that I don’t enjoy, but that’s not fair to Him. I actually enjoy the time I give back to Him more than any other time in my day. I don’t look at it as something I will be punished for not doing, but I do feel so rewarded when I do give that time back.

There are still times, however, that I end up on the couch watching TV with my husband, just chillaxin’ and being completely mindless…when I could/should be using that time more dutifully but don’t. There are times when I feel the urge to pray for some special need that has just come into my heart, but I allow myself to get distracted and don’t end up praying at all, much less for this special need that was apparently very important. Thankfully, God knows that I am only human. He knows that my first reaction is one of selfishness, and He still doesn’t hold that against me…I like to think He does still appreciate my efforts to do “good.”

In my heart, God is not an angry God looking to punish us at every wrong move. He is a loving and very gracious Creator who has already put up with so much from me, yet still loves me and gives me every breath, every moment. I know there are times when He steps in and corrects me, which my human nature may not always enjoy, but just like when a disrespectful child is straightened up by loving parents, I turn out better in the end for the lessons.

All that to say: Abram/Abraham was obedient in all he did and he was blessed as a direct result of his obedient heart and action.

“I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (12:3, NIV)

So, what did Abram do? He left, as the Lord had told him. (12:4, NIV)

There have been times in my life when the Spirit has whispered to me to do something specific and I complied. But, I cannot imagine the human struggle that would go on if I got a word to, literally, drop everything and everyone and just follow. Now, that takes some trust! About half the time that I feel that specific pull on my heart like He is whispering to me, I doubt that it’s not just my human sin nature trying to trip me up on my walk with Him. I tend to second-guess and doubt more often than I drop everything in dutiful obedience. But when I pray, I pray specifically that God not allow me in all of my stubborn glory to miss the signs He has put out for me. I ask Him to make them big, obvious, flashing neon if necessary, just so I don’t miss a turn or a split in the road (hence the “Road Signs to Him”). My greatest fear is that I am not going to live up to the potential of what the Lord has in store for my life. So, I pray in faith and trust Him to make it all obvious to me where He wants me.

Much of the story of Abraham and Sarah we will continue to reference in the days ahead. So much of it interests me, especially in relation to the way the story reveals itself on down the line. But, also, so much of it has been so over-stated in church, Sunday school and other Bible lessons that I don’t want to go into overkill over some of these passages. Just as I was determined to do, I have enjoyed reading these familiar stories with fresh eyes. I have picked something up each day that I truly had never noticed before or that had never struck me in the same way as it strikes me now. The Bible truly is the Living Word of God, as it continuously applies to our current situation, it always has the lessons we most need to learn, and it always teaches us something new with each turn of the page.

The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (15:1, NIV)

He is our shield, as well. In fact I want to re-read that passage, inserting our own names into those words from the Lord, substituting ours for Abram’s. Ready?

The word of the Lord says to you, “Do not be afraid, _________________. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Friends, God wants to be our reward! In Him there is no fear. Even living among the evil as we do, we will be strong in the Lord and not be afraid. He is our reward. HE IS OUR REWARD!

Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis, chapters 16-18

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Blessings, Faith, Genesis, Prayer, Quiet time, Seeing God, Trust

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14) Word of God, speak!

Our last two days in Job are the most exciting to me. Today and tomorrow are like a Part 1 & Part 2, as the Lord speaks to Job and his friends. I almost hate to even break the last portion of the book of Job up into two parts at all, and am tempted to knock two days off together in this one day’s study, but I am going to stay true to the chronological reading, and am sticking to the plan set forth. Today, the beginning of the Lord speaking to Job, then, tomorrow, Job’s feeble response and more lessons from God.

Today’s scripture reading: Job, chapters 38-39

It all begins: Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. (38:1, NIV)…and that’s where Job gets interesting!

Today, I am so excited that God is answering all of the accusations and excuses that we have been reading for days. We have today and tomorrow still in the book of Job, and they are filled with direct words from the Lord.

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? 
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” (38:2-3, NIV)

How would you have expected God to answer after all of the ranting and raving that we’ve been reading? With all the Lord has heard said about Him by now, it’s amazing to me that He didn’t just wipe everyone out with a lightning bolt and make that the end of the lesson! But it makes me so thankful that He loves us all so much that we can mess up, speak against Him, act in ways so far from righteousness, and yet He loves us so much that He wants us to learn from the lessons rather than doing what would be easy, which would be to just wipe the slate clean (…again).

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone–
while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (38:4-7, NIV)

He knew us before Creation; we were a thought or a spark in His eye, but we were no more than that. We weren’t there. We cannot take credit or power from Him for really much of anything. All that we have, He has given us. All that we know, He has instilled in us. Free will? Yes, He gave us free will, but who do you think puts all of the knowledge in our heads in the first place?

“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” (38:36, NIV)

I get teased for saying things like, “That’s why God invented plastic” or “That’s why God invented computers,” but it’s the truth! Man does not invent things on his own! God creates all! PERIOD! This brings to my mind the quote from a source unknown to me that says, “Just because you don’t believe in God doesn’t mean He doesn’t exist.” He creates things, He is evolutionary and revolutionary, and He is behind every great invention and life-changing experiment. Without the knowledge and understanding (there are those words that we’ve been discussing for a couple of days, now) that He gives us, we wouldn’t have a single idea or thought. It’s humbling and empowering at the same time.

“Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, 
that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?” (38:12-13, NIV)

No, but wouldn’t you love to shake the wicked right out of this world? Wait! Would that include me??? I think on impulse how I would love to see all wickedness and evil and cruelty be shaken right out of our world, and then I realize that I have lived a less-than-pristine life, myself, and I want every opportunity I am given to prove to God that I can try harder this time, do better, make more of my gifts, think nicer things about people, say kinder words, and do kinder actions. We want the wicked to be eliminated until we realize that would include us, too.

“Have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?
Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (38:17-21, NIV)

I love this tongue-in-cheek way that God is dealing His one-two punch to Job, his friends, and to us, the readers of His Word. As a parent, for those of you who are parents, isn’t that just the only way to get through to the kids sometime? Stating all of the obvious? Sometimes yelling and spankings and anger and fire and brimstone just don’t cut it. Sometimes, it’s the eerie calm and “just the facts, ma’am” attitude that makes the greatest impact…with children and with us.

“Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” (38:33, NIV)

Yikes! Wouldn’t you hate to have God say these words directly to you? I know I would. I would be shaking in my sneakers!!! But, the fact is, my friends, God does speak these words to us, still. We know what we are supposed to do, we know how we are supposed to act, we know the steps we could be taking to a deeper relationship with God, but sometimes, don’t we let our human nature and what we perceive as our own knowledge get in the way? Don’t we all tend to think ourselves ruler every now and then (some more often than others)?

He knows the number of stars in the sky, while we can only guesstimate.

He counts the grains of sand that cover the earth with just a moment’s thought, and we couldn’t even begin to know.

He knows the number of hairs on our heads, even as they change, fall out, grow back, and thin out every hour of every day.

He knows the number of breaths and heart beats and seconds of your lifetime.

He cares about every detail and has dominion over all simultaneously. Just when I thought I was a multi-tasker, I go and think of all that God juggles effortlessly.

Friends, I am tickled that you have come along with me on this journey, and further thrilled that you are still hanging in there. Daily steps like this one bring each of us closer to a relationship with our Lord and Creator. And, as is our goal in this undertaking, we are building the stable, unshakable foundation that will be there for the rest of our natural lives, as we continue to build up our temples to Him. We are temples of His power, grace, and love; we are living proof that He loves us and forgives us for all of our human sinfulness. This is the end of two weeks together. We have 50 more weeks to go, but this is not a daunting task, it’s an uplifting journey. Two weeks down, one more and psychologists will consider what we are doing a “habit.” And, friends, unlike so many habits that break down our physical bodies and will power, this habit is uplifting, bringing us ever closer to the knowledge and understanding He has in store for each of us. Praise God and keep reading!!!

Tomorrow’s reading (Part 2 of our one-two punch!): Job, the final chapters, 40-42

Make it a great day,
Marilyn

Category:

Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Creation, Eternity, Job

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10) Dominion and awe belong to God!

We’ve reached the double-digits, my friends!!! Have there already been days of struggle for you in the reading? Have there already been days when you really just didn’t feel like picking up the Good Book and reading any more of Job’s ranting? Well, I am so pleased with you and with myself that we kept going, even when distractions have reared their ugly heads. I know there are always things that will distract us all from the things we know we “should” be doing; the key is standing strong and doing what we know we need to. And this is definitely one of those “need to” kind of things. This is our foundation. This is our solid ground. Without our Lord and Maker, we are dust. And without His inspired Word, we know nothing of our beginnings. Without our perseverance, we will go to our graves still knowing nothing of our Creator. So, dear friends, keep up the good work! I am so proud of us!!! (and I know He is smiling at us, too!)

Today’s reading: Job, chapters 24-28

Marilyn’s youngest daughter, Charlotte, standing on the promises of God!

Wow! Today’s passage is so powerful! I hope you are as excited and moved by it as I am, or what comes through my typing may never make sense. First of all, this line spoken by Bildad: “Dominion and awe belong to God” (25:2). Isn’t that the truth, friends? He created you and I, He is the Maker of Heaven and of Earth, He grants you and I free will, but He has dominion.

And I love all of the discussion of wisdom and true understanding that follows. I can’t even explain or commentate, I can only re-type the inspired Word:

“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.” (28:11-13)

“God understands the way to it and He alone knows where it dwells, for He views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When He established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when He made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He confirmed it and tested it. And He said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’” (28:23-28)

Isn’t that just beautiful? To fear the Lord is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding! Don’t you want wisdom and understanding? I do!!! He brings hidden things to light (28:11). This is why standing on the Word is of critical importance in our lives. Doing what is nice and what is kind is lovely, but to truly do what is right and what is just and what the Lord is leading us to do takes a strong foundation in Him. He will grant us wisdom and understanding through our reverence of Him. Dominion and awe belong to God! (25:2)

Repeat after Job: “As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit.” (27:3-4)

Wouldn’t it be lovely (I’m already writing words of defeat, knowing in my human nature this is a virtually impossible task) to NEVER speak wickedness or deceitfulness? NEVER! Through God nothing is impossible, but don’t start beating yourself up already over the almost-certain failure of these NEVER’s for God is like a gentle caretaker. He is our Creator God and even when we do wrong against Him, He loves us and forgives us without holding a grudge. “But God charges no one with wrongdoing” (24:12).

Like when my children have one of those days when I am about ready to pull my hair out and go screaming out of the house, that’s just when He gives me new-found patience, and within moments or (at it’s worst) hours, the memories of those crazy times have faded and I hold no grudges against my children for being children. God holds no grudges against humans for being human. Glory!

“How faint the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?” (26:14)

We may never truly grasp all the power within His mighty hands, but maybe He will give us a taste as eternal celestial beings. I know that my human brain cannot comprehend His power, but in that lack of comprehension comes the awe and reverence that He deserves above all.

“The fear of the Lord–that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” Amen!

Make it a great day, Marilyn

Tomorrow’s reading: Job, chapters 29-31

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Bible in a Year-Chronological Study, Job

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