Psalm 33

 If Psalm 33 had been written today, the Psalmist might have said, "A fighter jet is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength, it cannot save." We work really hard in our world to protect ourselves and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The problem comes when we depend on what we have done and not God. I have seen signs saying things like "God, guns, and the constitution," the problem is only one of those can ultimately be trusted and it isn't the last two. God is the one who will ultimately save us from our troubles. It is God who works the bad to good, who rescues the martyred by leading them into paradise. It is God who opened doors we can't and stops the enemy of our soul at times we don't even know about. A gun may have some strength. The U.S. Constitution may protect some freedoms (but what about the rest of the world?), but it is God who always saves.  

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Exodus 36

This last year Selma Christ Church helped the city by storing much of what had been given to those who had been devastated by the tornado. We quickly realized that we had far more than we needed and called other communities nearby and asked if they needed what we had too much of which was almost everything. We had to quickly put up signs saying we were not accepting any more donations of food, clothing, and other supplies. We had way too much. It was amazing. At that time, I could understand Moses trying to tell people, "Please, quit giving." There were actually people upset that they couldn't give but the needs as the community leaders saw at the time were met. They were sure as I was that there would be other needs later but there was no place to store it all. It was great to see. 

It is a reminder that when people have something they believe in and they can help, people do. 

Side note: The extras, it was decided by those in charge (not me thankfully) were to be dispersed among other charitable agencies that could use them. 

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Exodus 35

 I notice that God didn't just give talent to Bezalel and Oholiab but God also gave them the ability to teach. The work that needed doing was greater than the two of them could do alone so God wanted them to teach others and share the load. This applies to us today because the work of God is greater than any one or two of us can do alone. It is important not just to do work but to be willing to share the knowledge with others so the work of God can be accomplished. A refusal to share the load is an example of pride and selfishness which should never be in the life of a believer. 

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Isaiah 41

 The king coming from the north is according to many scholars Cyrus. Cyrus would be the king who allowed the Jews to return from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple giving the people the opportunity to worship God as they had before. Since this was prophecied years before it took place, it was to give proof that God was true and real, unlike the gods of the pagans.  This however as with many other things God did to prove himself didn't convince everyone of the power and presence of God. Even today if God did some mighty act there would be those who refuse to believe, but God is not like other gods he fulfills His promises. 

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Job 36

 

In verse 15, Elihu says that God "by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity" (NLT). I have to agree with Elihu, God often gets our attention when things go wrong. This is why it is often said that someone has to hit rock bottom before they will look up. There are times when adversity is the only thing that will get our attention or correct our behavior. I think of the people who ignore their doctor until something goes wrong and then all of a sudden they are willing to listen. It is the same with God. In fact, I would say that in this affliction may be our friend and a gift from God.  Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn (The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956) said “Bless you prison, bless you for being in my life. For there, lying upon the rotting prison straw, I came to realize that the object of life is not prosperity as we are made to believe, but the maturity of the human soul.” 

Sometimes the greatest pain gives the greatest good when God is in it. 

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Acts 16

 

We see here that there are times when God stops us from doing good work. Where do you say? Paul and his compatriates were planning to preach through Asia (Asia Minor, we would call it), but as good as that may have been it wasn't where God wanted them to go. Paul when God first prevented them didn't stop and do nothing we can assume he used their minds and thoughts and went to the next obvious place but God stopped them again. I noticed both Paul's unwillingness just to wait (God didn't tell him to do that) and Paul's complete willingness to allow God to change his plans.  

Today, I have seen both extremes. People doing nothing but waiting around until God gives them the vision and the perfect plan before they even start doing anything and those who once start on a plan won't stop even if it's clear God isn't in it. God has given us abilities and passions and we need to use them in the ways He would. He gave you the tools to use them. However, some get their ideas on what needs to happen and ignore God. They are the opposite because they have a plan and want God to bless it even when He has been saying STOP. Let's use Paul's example and find the balance. 

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Proverbs 8

Several years ago, I began a project with my wife called Wisdom For My Daughter. It was to be and hopefully will someday be a paraphrase of Proverbs to what it may have been if Solomon had penned it for his daughter rather than his son.  Here is our first attempt at Proverbs chapter 8. 

8:1  Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise his voice?

2  On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, he takes his stand;

3  beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, he cries aloud:

4  "To you, O women, I call out; I raise my voice to all people.

5  You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

6  Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

7  My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

8  All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse.

9  To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

10  Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold,

11  for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with him.

12  "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.

13  To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

14  Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power.

15  By me queens reign and rulers make laws that are just;

16  by me princesses govern, and all nobles who rule on earth.

17  I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

18  With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.

19  My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20  I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,

21  bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.

22  "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;

23  I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.

24  When there were no oceans, I was given birth, when there were no springs abounding with water;

25  before the mountains were settled in place, before the hills, I was given birth,

26  before he made the earth or its fields or any of the dust of the world.

27  I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 When he established the clouds above and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29  when he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30  Then I was the craftsman at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence,

31  rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

32  "Now then, my daughters, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.

33  Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

34  Blessed is the woman who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.

35  For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.

36  But whoever fails to find me harms herself; all who hate me love death."

 

Exodus 34

 

Moses coming?

Moses stayed up on the mountain for another forty days and nights except this time Israel didn't look to make another idol. I account for this as they learned something from the last time. We often need multiple mess-ups before we learn from our mistakes/sins. Yet I give Israel credit that this time they waited and boy did they get something they weren't expecting, a radiant Moses.

Moses came down from the mountain and this time there was something different, Moses' face shined with the radiance of God. Why didn't he the first time? My guess it was the fact he was angry but that is just my thought. It could have been that this time God showed on Moses' face because the people were ready for it when they weren't when they had a golden calf. Whatever the reason Moses' face shined and served as a reminder he was in the presence of God. We may not have a literal shine on our face but people will know if we as Christians spend real time in the presence of God. 

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Exodus 33

 

There is much in this chapter but the verse that stands out to me today as I read is verses 15-16, "Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”' 

Moses asks the question that I believe is relevant in the church (gatherings that claim Christian roots) today. Is the presence of God with us? If He isn't, then Moses is correct there is nothing that distinguishes us from anyone else. A church without the presence of God is no different from a Buddhist temple or a Muslim shrine. This is why some people see all religions as the same, man's attempt to seek God. Moses knew otherwise without the presence of God even when it meant judgment when they sinned was better than not having it. 

This should be our heart cry today. God send your presence into our church even if it brings correction and judgment for your judgment/correction is better than the mercy of the world.  

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Isaiah 40

 

If you are doing the Bible Reflections Journaling program you just read Job yesterday. As I read verse  27, Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God” I can see Job saying these words. Yet the answer is found in this chapter. The answer is having hope in God. Job lost his hope. He had his integrity, but he lost hope in God. This chapter is meant to give hope to Israel and that hope is found in God. 

Too often we look for security, money, relationships, political parties, and the like for hope but ultimately they all fail. The only place we can find hope isn't in a place but in the person of God and I would add as a New Testament believer that person is Jesus, God incarnate. 

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Job 35

 "He (God) does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it." Elihu is pointing out that there are times when God doesn't answer the cries of the oppressed because their hearts are wicked. Though this isn't the case with Job, Elihu is making the point that though there are times when it seems God is allowing the wicked to triumph, but if the other side would gain power they would be just as bad. It's like asking which drug lord we should support in a gang war. Neither because both are just as bad. There are times according to Elihu that God doesn't answer because those crying to him are really just as wicked as the other. We may think that God isn't helping but that is because we can't see into the heart of others. 

To take this on a personal level, I would say there are some fights we just need to stay out of. Unfortunately, we don't. We don't on the personal level and we don't on the national level. Too often, we try to decide who is the "least bad." However, that is like saying would you rather die of a gunshot from a 38 or a 44, when we should say neither. Sometimes the right answer is to not get in the fight. 

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Acts 15

 Paul and Barabas according to some were sinning at the end of this chapter. How? Some see any form of disagreement and separation as a sin. If that was the case then God would have corrected them, but we don't see that. What we do see is two people who could not come to an agreement on how to proceed together and thus going separate ways. I have talked before about the Mezpha, Genesis 31:49, and that God at times calls for people to be separate. In Genesis, there was never a reconciliation but later Paul will say that John Mark is fit for the ministry and asks for him. In this world, there may not be reconciliation due to differences or even sin, but for the Christian, there will ultimately be a day when we are in the presence of God and then we will be able to perfect unity.   

Another note to add here is that when Paul split for Barnabas and John Mark, he didn't go out alone. He found another person to work with him. This is another reminder to me that in the New Testament, we rarely see anyone going out alone to do ministry. We need people to help us and to keep us true to God's Word. We need accountability and partners to help carry the burden of ministry. 

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Psalm 32

 

The greatest gift that a person can have is when God forgives them. We may think our sins are against other people and in some way they are but the ultimate crime of sin (disobedience to God, selfishness, etc) is against the one who made us. When we do evil against a person we do evil against the God who created them. At the end of the day or perhaps I should say at the end of our lives it will be God that we stand in front of and it is he who will judge us. That is why we can be glad if our sins are forgiven because on that day there will be no excuses and no justifications. After all, then the real motives of our hearts will be known not the ones we tell ourselves and those around us. For myself, I'm glad my sins are forgiven and that the Spirit of God is working in my life to make me a better person. 

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Exodus 32

 "It's not my fault." How often do people say that and here Aaron, one of the ones left in charge, is saying it. I appreciate democracy but if you are a leader and the people want something wrong you are not free to give in to their demands. Aaron blamed the people and flat-out lied about where the calf came from. He had shaped it and now he is looking at Moses and claiming it supernaturally came out of the fire. The excuse is laughable but when someone is caught it is amazing the excuses we make. I wish I could say I have never made such lame excuses but I am sure I have thankfully I don't think I have presently, but I'm not looking too deep into my memories, I don't want to feel dumb right now. However, it is predictable. Didn't Adam and Eve first do it? and we have been following their example ever since. 

Maturity comes when we are willing to admit we did wrong. Thankfully, Christ has given His Spirit to those who follow Him and if we let Him then we can have the wisdom and the courage to confess. The great this is when we are willing to confess and repent then God is willing and happy to forgive. 

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