Ever wonder why Pharaoh told Moses to wait until tomorrow? Look at what it says: Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray ... to be rid of the frogs... "Tomorrow," Pharaoh said. What?! Apparently, the frogs were everywhere; in their beds, their kitchens, their hair... Well, God did say that they would go up on them :) Why would he be so ridiculous? Why wouldn't he have said, "Right now"? Anyway, this word 'tomorrow' has been intriguing me lately. Maybe it's just me, but I find that I am either putting off what I should do today or thinking (worrying) too much about tomorrow. Sounding familiar anyone out there?? The thought occurred to me that maybe if I really learned how to do today, I'd be right where I am supposed to be... tomorrow. Find peace today, my friend. Trust God with tomorrow. It'll be a today soon enough... Here it is in full:
Moses said to Pharaoh, "I leave to you the honor of setting the time for me to pray for you and your officials and your people that you and your houses may be rid of the frogs, except for those that remain in the Nile." 10 "Tomorrow,"Pharaoh said. Moses replied, "It will be as you say, so that you may know there is no one like the LORD our God. 11 The frogs will leave you and your houses, your officials and your people; they will remain only in the Nile." I was reading Genesis 31-33 today and noticed something in Jacob that sounded way too familiar to me!! Take time to read through this story if you haven't done so in a while. Jacob would often respond to God obediently, but his methods of response were frequently dictated by fear. ...before you read on I'd like to define the fear that I am referring to first. I am not talking of the reverential fear/respect for God that we all need. I am talking of a fear/worry/terror of what others think or of what we imagine circumstances to bring us. As I was reading along, it struck me... guilt produces fear! Does that seem right out of the blue? Think about it. Years earlier Jacob had run from his brother Esau because, well, Esau wanted to kill him. It was probably a good thing that he ran; but he ran with the guilt of why his brother wanted his life. Jacob had deceived him & essentially robbed everything from him. Jacob's actions didn't produce remorse, they produced fear and fear flees. Now, in chapter 31, Jacob is faced with another relational issue, this time with Laban. The difference here is that this circumstance was probably not Jacob's fault. God tells Jacob to leave and go back to his homeland. Jacob obeys... but he obeys with fear operating. Instead of leaving with confidence in the care of God, he fears the worst reaction that Laban might possibly throw and tries to sneak away. It's funny to me how he thought he could do this without being noticed (all the flocks & herds & wives & kids :). Anyway, Laban asks Jacob why he did this and Jacob's response was this, "Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.' " (Genesis 31:31) Fear can sound quite noble. Fear tries to mimic wisdom. BUT, there is a difference! Wisdom and fear cannot operate in peace together. Both are masters, and both will compete for control. Wisdom is sound and confident, daring and peaceful all at the same time. Fear is irrational and anxious and extremely short sited. Here's the lesson I learned today from Jacob:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.." Ephesians 1:17
And I bowed down my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, Who had led me in the right way... Genesis 24:48 I've just finished reading the story of Abraham's servant going to find a wife for Isaac (I'm glad times have changed!), and was so impressed by this man's reliance on God. He asked God for direction, was thoughtful in discerning it, and gave immediate credit and worship to Him when the answer came. No wonder Abraham could trust his servant with this huge task! It's caused me to reflect on my own life and recall the several times that God has obviously directed me and our family over the years. A lot of these instances resulted in significant course changes for us. I remember the moment that Bruce & I knew we were meant for each other, the time when we knew we were to go to Israel, the way He led us to one of our homes, the purchase of a property for our church, etc., etc. I can also remember some instances that surprised us, but God has shown that He was closing a door (I think it was right on our foot!) only to open another one. Do you remember such times? Why not take some time to write them down and worship God for His intervention in your life. Encourage someone else by posting a brief comment here to give testimony of God's faithfulness in your life. Train me, God, to walk straight;
then I'll follow your true path. Put me together, one heart and mind; then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear. From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord; I've never kept secret what you're up to. You've always been great toward me—what love! You snatched me from the brink of disaster! God, these bullies have reared their heads! A gang of thugs is after me— and they don't care a thing about you. But you, O God, are both tender and kind, not easily angered, immense in love, and you never, never quit. So look me in the eye and show kindness, give your servant the strength to go on, save your dear, dear child! Make a show of how much you love me so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed, As you, God, gently and powerfully put me back on my feet. Psalm 86:11-17 MSG Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard my supplications!
The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices and with my song I will praise Him. Psalm 28:6,7 Bless Him today. Don't just think of all of the hard stuff of life. Take notice of how He has made Himself known in your life; how He has shown up in every situation. As I reflect on mine I can see Him there in every turn of events -- positive or negative -- waiting to prove Himself strong & loving on my behalf. Praise Him today. He has heard your cry for favour & grace (supplications). Trust Him today. He will help you indeed. I can give testimony to that!! Sing to Him. Let your heart burst out with joy toward Him. "But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. Deuteronomy 34:10
I've just been in front of the TV watching two people having great conversation. As I engage in their discussion, I become part of it as if I were there... but I am home, alone. What a great advantage we have as we can connect & interact with people that we've never met before! The backyard fences of our society have tumbled down in so many ways over the past few years with the development of so many social networking mediums. But, is it enough? God gave us something very similar, but even more powerful when He left His Spirit here to dwell inside of us. We are told that His Spirit is like a deposit guaranteeing what we will actually know & have in Heaven one day! (check out 2 Corinthians 5:4-6) I can't wait! In fact I think about this a lot. I really crave what Moses had... meeting God 'face to face'. I've heard His voice in an instinctive sort of way, I've felt His presence in a spiritual & penetrating way, and I've seen evidence of Him all around me; but I have never tangibly seen Him with my eyes, touched Him with my hands or heard His audible voice. I long for that moment. The more I get to know of Him now, the more my heart yearns to know Him fully. This is a good thing, for my heart stays on the right path as I continue to seek Him and know Him. So, be encouraged today. Continue to seek, to reach, and to reason with Him. He is your God & He loves you. I believe He is longing for that 'face to face' moment as well. For right now "we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 I received this note in an email from my sister-in-law and just had to share it with you all...
"I just read this story of a man from the 1600s, named Blaise Paschal. He was a brilliant mathematician and scientist and has done lots of things that are still valued today. Anyway, he wanted to write a Christian apology for the church of the day. He figured it would take 10 years and was very committed to the project. He spent 2 years writing up his notes and then he became sick and never fully recovered. He prayed, "Prayer for the right use of illnesses." Instead of writing he devoted his life to the poor. The author says this, "As I read his biography I am moved to tears by the heart of this man who was so surrendered to God. He surrendered the glory of a particular service to God. Everything was placed on the altar and there was no bitterness at all when God decided to keep it. Paschal just kept serving the Lord. God, make me like that man! It has taken me some time to learn that the real test of true faith is not how successful we are, but how surrendered we are."" "It came to pass that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah went to dwell in the country of Moab, he & his wife and his two sons." Ruth 1:1 Have you ever wanted to run? I have many times and I must say, the times that I gave in to the urge did not prove to be profitable! The book of Ruth opens with this type of dilemma. We read of a family that left home, but more than that, they left the covering of God that was over that home. Judah was a land established by God through Abraham. (Times of famine usually occured due to disobedience, but they always remained under the promise of covenant that God established with Abraham. God always turned things around when they came to Him in repentance.) Anyway, Elimilech & his family left Judah and went to Moab. Moab was a nation that descended from Lot's son; a son that was born to him through his daughter. Yup, that's what I said. (see Genesis 19:30-38) Are you getting the picture? God plants, establishes and promises to take care of His own. We are to trust Him in the place that He leads us. He will make good on His Word. I can't help but think of Job here, when he cried out... There's a verse in Isaiah 41 that has messed with my head for a long time! You see, in this portion of scripture, God is busy assuring Israel of His help, comfort and deliverance. He repeatedly encourages them, telling them not to be afraid of the future and that He is holding them. Then, in verse 14 He comes out with this, "Fear not, you worm Jacob...!" Why would God say that to them?! So, I went searching and found the meaning of the word... The original word (Towla) according to Strong's is: worm, scarlet stuff, crimson. Now this gets really good, so keep reading... Listen to what is written as explanation to the above meaning: "the worm "coccus ilicis" ++++ When the female of the scarlet worm species was ready to give birth to her young, she would attach her body to the trunk of a tree, fixing herself so firmly and permanently that she would never leave again. The eggs deposited beneath her body were thus protected until the larvae were hatched and able to enter their own life cycle. As the mother died, the crimson fluid stained her body and the surrounding wood. From the dead bodies of such female scarlet worms, the commercial scarlet dyes of antiquity were extracted. What a picture this gives of Christ, dying on the tree, shedding His precious blood that He might "bring many sons unto glory" (Heb. 2:10) (from page 73, "Biblical Basis for Modern Science", 1985, Baker Book House, by Henry Morris) Isn't this amazing! This word wasn't used by God to mock or shame Israel, but to purposely prophesy & affirm that He had chosen them to be the very lineage of Jesus.
Take time to ponder this passage. Jesus has laid His life down, shed His crimson blood for us to have life now & forever. He protects us (Psalm 36:7), died for us (John 12:24), shed His blood for us (Colossians 1:19-21) and now lives again through us (Colossians 1:26-28). What a wonderful Saviour! What incredible love... "Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob? Don't be afraid. Feel like a fragile insect, Israel? I'll help you. I, GOD, want to reassure you. The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel." Isaiah 41:14 MSG People came to Jesus from every direction.
Jesus responded to them from every direction. Maybe that's the definition of grace! He came to serve. He came to us on our playing field, as a human being. He was tempted as we are and experienced life just as we do. He, Himself covered every direction and has complete understanding of our hopeless situations. But, just as He understands our need He also has the answer to it, for He is the answer. What a wonderful Saviour!! "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:15-16 Ever do something that you've come to regret? Did it have awful consequences?
Take time and read this account of David in 1 Chronicles 21. Please stop and take the time... David seemed to have a bit of a knack for arrogant decisions that resulted in heavy consequences. This sounds much too familiar to me! sigh. BUT, here is what struck me in this story. When David repented before God, God relented on carrying out the full punishment. The place where God stopped, was the very spot that the Tabernacle was built in Jerusalem... where God's presence would dwell! Do you see it?! God's place of dwelling is at the point of His Mercy. It is found in our humility & brokenness. This is where He delights to be. This is where we experience the beauty of His holiness. How great God is and how feeble I am. I am a pendulum in my head, but God is my Rock. I am no better than those who frustrate me, but God is my Rock. Hang on to those who live like David. They may do foolish things, but they always come back to God in extravagant surrender. |
Inquiring MINDS
Please inquire for the word of the LORD today. 1 Kings 22:5
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