Patsy Clairmont said yesterday that God was full of surprises. Paul in chapter 6 says that God is full of oxymorons. To the world it appears Christians are poor, but we're extremely wealthy; "ignored by the world, but recognized by God;...immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all". (v7-10) He definitely wasn't worried about what he had in this life. His goal was heaven, then he'd get the creature comforts & way more! He didn't care what people thought, just his Savior. Can't say I'm all the way there yet. Fortunately, I know God hasn't given up on me! :D This is a great appeal in v11-13 to open our hearts to Christ & therefore to others. "I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" This comes when I open my heart & abandon myself to Him. I live small & confined when I try to defend & protect myself & my agenda. Pretty stressful too. And then it can get judgmental of others...because I'm upset they're so happy & I'm not because I'm closed.
Love this jealous picture of God in v17 "I want you all for myself". Isn't that what we want in a relationship? Someone totally committed to just us? I have to change my view of commitment or maybe find a better word. Don't like that one.
I like this picture in 8:12 (I think it's 12 anyway)"The heart regulates the hands". So if God has my heart...the hands will be ok. If I just worry & try to control my hands (works) I go back to the closed, self preservation mode & judge/criticize others. Vicious cycle.
Commitment? (it's a great word if you have 3 m's in scrabble!) I find commitment hard to do, but in a relationship - - it gives me peace of mind to know that someone is committed to me and will think the best of me in the good times and the bad times. It's a rare find (other than God), but when you find someone you can trust; it brings peace. Maybe commitment is something we like to experience, but are cautious to give. Sounds like that is the one way street Paul's talking about in 6:12 - - hmmmm, gotta think some more on this.
I like Paul's word picture in 6:7 We use weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense (thinking of you Chris packing around the guns you were talking about!!) Paul definitely pictures the life as a battle -- not a game, but a battle.
Thinking of the validation Patsy C talked about yesterday -- Paul has it down! Look at 7:4 (way to go Paul). Validation inspires!
It's good to know that Paul is one of us (7:5) battles on the outside and fear on the inside. I guess it seems like sometimes Paul is never afraid -- apparently he is. I LOVE how he reflects Titus showing up as all part of God's plan.
Sometimes there has to be church discipline - - and it's tough. On one hand you think "who are we to judge?" On the other hand you think, "God has certain rules He's carved out for the abundant life and for showing love and respect to others"
7:8-10 shows why discipline can be a saving tool - - "the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation". So sometimes discipline is necessary for one to experience repentance. Repentance is the key! Turn away from the sin and turn to God. What do you guys think?
"Sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death" Those are pretty somber words.
O! and one more question I had. 6:17 - - What do you think he's talking about here? Marriage? Business Deals? It couldn't be redemptive friendships -- as Paul was right in the middle of non-believers all the time!
God gave the people common sense rules. Had to spell it all out for them. I think this should have made it easier on Moses & the leaders to deal with the people as well.
I would have responded the same way the people did. All God has said, I will do. And I would mean it. I'd be sincere. But I wonder how the people were to learn about a heart relationship with God. I guess it would have taken initiative on their part. Obviously there were some that did & found it (Joshua/Caleb come to mind)
That was what God really wanted but He had to start somewhere & be simple at the beginning. As the years went along, those that didn't seek the heart of God, made the simple rules He gave more complicated. That was where their initiative took them. And all the time they thought they were getting more religious because their "do's & don'ts" were getting more complicated. But their heart was the same or worse, actually. Same thing keeps happening today.
So the leaders actually saw part of God! They ate & drank in His Presence! Wow, how awe inspiring! And since I know the Golden Calf moment is just around the corner, I'm amazed that Aaron could go from God's Presence to building an idol 40 days later. I can do it in less than that now unfortunately.
I'm just amazed at God's mercy towards me. As a human race we're getting worse & worse but instead of getting more impatient, it seems as if God has even MORE patience!
God really cares about people -- about animals -- about making things fair. He cared about the slaves, and made a way for them to have hope and go free. He cared about people that were abusted, he cared about respect. I was a bit confused on 21:20-21, though; couldn't figure out why he'd allow beating at all -- that was the only one that was a mystery to me. O, I guess 22:3 was a mystery as well -- if someone is caught stealing at night, let them have it -- but if it's during the day, make sure you don't kill them?
Even God gets into the act in 22:7,9,11 as far as the judging. It would be interesting to know if that took place all the time or only on blatant issues or what. Sometimes, it would be really handy to have God doing the judging now -- so many issues are soooo complicated, and there's no way that we'll ever know the heart of the matter!
I wonder if Jesus thought back to 23:1-3 while He was having his trial.
God even cares about the wild animals (23:11 -- very cool thought.
And again, the call to lay aside work for yourself and not make work for others in 23:12. What a gift; and we take that weekly vaca for granted or abuse it -- I wonder why we do that?
Yeah -- I guess I never realized before that 74 people actually SAW God! I can't even imagine what that would be like! Awesome - with a capital A. They gazed upon God!
It would have been amazing for Moses and the people watching to see him enter into the all consuming fire. Hard to believe that was a scene they could so easily forget. But -- I bet I would have been right there, one of the crowd trying to "fix" the situation on my own.
I like the fact that David's servants can question him about his actions & he talks with them about it like it's a family household. He doesn't seem to treat them like master/slave. That's pretty rare in authority figures.
I wonder what Bathsheba said to David, did she protest or resist? With all the arraigned marriages of the day, did she love her husband? At least with Tamar it tells us a little of what she felt like. An object to be used & rejected at will. No rights & no vindication. I wonder if the women felt like it was part of the punishment of Eve falling on them. Seems like the men made sure of it. I hear it today as well from religious men.
As for the army stuff, I wonder if the Arameans knew why they were running? I get the idea that they didn't know what had come over them & then regrouped & it happened again! Pretty humiliating for mercenaries. They had to of been fierce warriors if they were hired.
I like Joab's trust in God taking care of things with his statement of "...God will do whatever he sees needs doing." (10:12) He had learned something from David in this I'm sure.
Why did the kings all gear up to go to war in the spring? Why didn't they stay home and plant Barley? It's like conquering or be conquered was on everyone's minds - - maybe it's not so different now; only we have more high tech conquering.
I think God was discouraged with David, because David was so flippant about other's lives. Not only did he mess up another's sacred marriage -- but even his murder (which no doubt resulted in many deaths) and then "tell Joab not to be discouraged - - the sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow) It's as if people's lives meant nothing to him; all because he was caught in a love trap he had created.
Nathan was a very bold prophet - he sure didn't mince words - calling the king a thief and a murderer.
I wonder what caused God to love baby Solomon? What made him stand out above all the others?
Poor Tamar -- that's all I have to say; and I'm pretty miffed that even though David was angry, it doesn't say he did anything to avenge her disgrace. What kind of dad was that?
David knew Absalom was up to something -- even back in 13:26 "Why Amnon?" the king asked. (Maybe he should have been asking "Why Tamar" back when Amnon wanted to have her bring him his supper -- that snake!
David also knew Joab was up to something, setting up the woman of Tekoa -- he had a pretty good pulse on what went on in his kingdom. I get the idea, tho, that David was a people pleaser; and the only way he knew how to deal was something was to ignor the problem, or cut off someone's head. He needed better conflict resolution skills.
What could have been such a simple shepherd's life for David -- sure turned into a complicated family battle for power. Human power corrupts.
I'm playing catch up here because although I've been doing my daily readings, this is the first day this week I've read the blog. But one of Linda's questions caught my eye back in the beginning of the week. She said:
'O! and one more question I had. 6:17 - - What do you think he's talking about here? Marriage? Business Deals? It couldn't be redemptive friendships -- as Paul was right in the middle of non-believers all the time!'
I believe the verse here is speaking about those who worship Satan. In 6:14 it says --How can light live with darkness? I just don't believe ordinary unbelievers are walking around in complete darkness. They usually have some knowledge of the truth in them, but could care less either way about spiritual issues.
However, I for reasons which I wont delve into at this time, have spent time with true Satanists. They practice and study their beliefs and worship Satan and his demons. They want demonic power to inhabit them, just as we Christians study the Bible and live and breathe for Jesus and want the Holy Spirit to inhabit us. They look and act like you and me and many of us work with them and are surface friends with them and don't even know it. But when our friendship with these people deepens and we become more intimate, of course we become acquainted with their beliefs. This is where the problems begin and I believe that this is where we are told to separate ourselves from them.
The Message has Ps 54 written like David is crying out for help, then starts to see he's getting it & at the end he says he's ready to worship now & how good God is for delivering him.
I can relate to that. It's how I am & when I see God "start" working for me, I have a grateful heart. But I thinking now, God didn't just "start" working for me when I realized it, it's more like He opened my eyes to realize that He WAS already working for me & always had been. I was the one who just "started" realizing it. Duh!
55 is my heart too. I'm so tired of all this bother, pain, gossip & just the general pain of being alive in this world & being a Christian. I just want it easy & quiet. I love running from the noise & confusion & hurt to quiet places. I'm easily scared by man as David in v3. I've had people who I thought were my best friends turn on me & slander my reputation. It's very painful & I wanted to confront them & defend myself but never got the chance. Instead I was believed guilty without a hearing by those above me. Now, I'm just tired of it all & realize that those that really know me, know the truth & that's all the matters. God knows the truth too.
I want to get to the place David does in 56 of saying all the time "When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God; fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?" I am getting there bit by bit.
People are too fickle & I struggle so much with the balance of letting them in/keeping them out. Trusting only in God/trusting in people. I have seen how He uses people so much in my life to show me His love & to keep me from life ending choices. I'm just seeking balance. He's helping me get there.
I think some of these last verses is for here on earth but can't wait to do it in heaven with Jesus & the Father too! And God is doing everything He's promised in me...as I trust Him. :D "God, you did everything you promised, and I'm thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life."
That makes sense Sher -- that the light and the dark can't co-exist together. Really appreciate your thoughts on that one!
This passage in Psalms seems to swirl with 3 different groups. David's mind goes to his enemies, who are out to get him; his God, who is is only hope and refuge; but also someone special in David's life -- a companion that David once trusted and shared life with, but has now turned against him.
There is nothing that hurts more than when someone you consider your true friend turns against you. We've probably all had it happen one time or another; and it hurts so much. David voices that in 55:13-14, 20
I love the way David keeps coming back and taking control of his mind. By praising God, he rebukes Satan and all of Satan's depressing mental attacks. "I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should i be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?"
I've felt like David many times in 55:6-8. Just get me out of here!!! Even though David feels like that; he remains in his situation, trusting in God to rescue him. I'm not that patient, I typically run!
FINALLY! Someone who makes sense! And I'm not talking about the rest of Elihu's speech. Although, I like how he talks about God's miracle-wonders. He's also very sarcastic to Job & condescending unless that's just the Message version.
I've always enjoyed reading God's answer to Job in 38-41. It always puts me in my place when I'm whining.
This time I'm wondering if the translators made a mistake though in saying God answered Job. The way He starts out I'm wondering if it was to Job's "friends". Then again, God has a way to talking to your heart & not the words that come out of your mouth. Like the woman at the well.
I am in awe of His power & majesty, wisdom & forethought as I read of His creative genius at work. Can't wait to watch Him recreate the earth!
It comes across as sarcastic in NLT too, Chris - especially 37:19 "So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We're too ignorant to make our own arguments"
I was wondering if the group was listening in on that whirlwind voice of God. I was thinking that if so -- Job's friends were probably feeling smug that God was putting Job in his place.
I think God was just building trust up for Job. Like Jesus did for John the Baptist when he was in prison. Tell John everything you've seen & then encourage him to believe.
Same here: God's saying, I have control over the weather, the animals, the birds, the universe, men's heart & mind. You can trust me - - now believe that I am in control of what's going on.
Guess they nixed our May 12 comments & even after the maintenance it still has the same problem! Such is life.
Linda – I like your take that God is encouraging Job through what He’s saying. Hadn’t thought of it that way.
Jeremiah now could really use some encouragement. He’s not complaining tho he’s in jail but listening to God. Important thing to do when we’re not where we want to be! I think it’s encouraging that God’s talking to him there. God tells him to buy a field. That, to me, would signal that I’m gonna live thru this & would be very encouraging!
32:41 “Oh how I'll rejoice in them! Oh how I'll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I'll plant them in this country and keep them here!” Great promise, even for me today – how God delights in doing good for me!
I have always liked 33:3 & use it often in my work, God always helps me out too! “Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”
The promises that God will keep His word in 33 about day/night failing to happen, etc., then His promises will fail. Impossible that THAT would happen, so of course we can trust God! Why don’t I always then? Circumstances always cloud my judgment instead of seeing the Big picture. Gotta get past that so even if I’m not where I want to be (like jail!) then I don’t whine, but just LISTEN to God.
Nice compliment to the Recabites in 35. Why is it that we will obey humans more than God? Great comparison there by God.
I wonder if Zachariah tried to play off his prayer request of having a child. Back then it was a big deal to have someone carry on the family name. But since they were both old, he’d probably stopped really praying about it, just wishing it would have happened & having a little cinder of hope left in his heart though it looked impossible. So when Gabriel said you’re prayer has been heard & Elizabeth will have a baby if his trying to play it off caused him to doubt. Does that make sense? I know I do it a lot with people, but it’s hard to put it in words.
And then Mary was told about it & told that NOTHING is impossible with God. And it all happens in Great example!
I like Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in v28 “Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” I know I’d have the same initial reaction Mary did wondering what was behind this type of greeting. But she wasn’t as skeptical as I am which shows in her ultimate response of faith “Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say”. Great example given to us all.
And Elizabeth knew that it was her Savior Mary was carrying or going to carry as her response to Mary’s greeting shows in v42-45. Instead of being upset that Elizabeth said her big news before she got the chance, Mary again shows her humbleness & joins her in praising God. There’s no showmanship here, just wanting to be with others that are praising God, gotta share Good News & praise God about what going on in each other’s lives.
So if Zachariah hadn’t named him John, would he have been able to speak? Just wondering…
It struck me as I read about Joseph going to Bethlehem with his pregnant fiancée that he really opened himself up to ridicule & gossip. Why didn’t he just marry her quick when he found out she was pregnant? Now he traveled to a strange city & is looking for a place to stay cuz your wife..oh, she’s not your wife? But she’s pregnant? OOOOHH, ok….hey guys, guess what’s up with that couple? They’re not married but she’s due any minute, yada yada. Wow! Back then it was probably really bad & had social/religious implications we can’t even imagine. Gives me a lot more respect for Joseph. If he had married her, then that could have always been something the religious leaders & skeptics today could have thrown back at Jesus. You’re not really God because Joseph is really your father.
Finally 2:35 “But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are”. What seems like failure to us/me because of rejection is actually working God’s purpose to reveal true motives in others/myself.
I found Jeremiah fascinating this morning (didn’t know I would! God must be working through His word!) First of all, First of all: I was inspired by Jeremiah’s prayer in Chapter 32. He was confused why God had directed him to buy that piece of property. But unlike myself, who would immediately start whining and questioning – Jeremiah spends the majority of his prayer praising God and talking about how totally amazing He was! My prayer life needs to center WAY more on the greatness of our God – once that happens, I can relax in my life, knowing He is totally capable of handling ANY situation, as long as I am listening for His guidance. I was also touched by God’s love for his people. Even tho they had rejected Him – His big plan for them was to bring them back, to restore them, to give them (as in 29) a future and a hope. Not too different from our situation - - there will be tough times ahead during the end of this old world; but He has a bigger plan for us; our future and hope! I love 33:9 The world will tremble with AWE at the peace and prosperity I provide for my people. I think that is what attracts others to the Christian way of life – the peace they feel. Maybe there isn’t always prosperity at this point – but there is always that fruit of the Spirit that draws others. I wonder if Jeremiah or anyone understood the prophecy of Jesus in 33:15+ or, maybe it was a word of encouragement for Jesus as He studied the scriptures when He was on earth? God even showed mercy to Zedikiah - - I’m not sure how Jehoiakim was related to Zed – was that a son? We’ll get to Jeho later. Love the faithfulness of the Recabites - - what an inspiration; God must have loved them. This world was not their home. Baruch was a brave scribe – had to have taken guts to read those prophecies in front of the people & officials. Apparently the officials took it seriously - - amazing that Jehoiakim wouldn’t listen to his leaders. He must have been crazy with the throne/power. Again, what touched me through this whole narrative, was Jeremiah’s prayer. He lived in Awe of God - - today, I want to live in Awe of God. I’m going to read that prayer again, just to remind myself☺
First of all -- the Holy Spirit is really busy here in Luke 1 & 2) He's filling everyone!
Did you notice the difference in the reaction of the angel towards the somewhat similar questioning of Zach and Mary?
For Zach -- the angel is filled with amazement of Zach's unbelief: I'm Gabriel! I stand in the presence of God! He sent here with this message and good news -- and you doubt me????
For Mary -- an explanation of how the physical phenomenen (how do you spell that?) works. It makes me think that Zach was doubting God's ability to do it; meanwhile Mary believed God could do it -- she just didn't understand how it could happen physically. That bears out in the song of Elizabeth in 1:45 "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said"
When I came across the Angel's words in 1:33 "And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end" I remembered we'd just read that in Jer 33:17. Love how God in so many places makes reference back to the OT prophecies concerneing this miracle birth. Also 1:76 is comparable to Malachi 3:1. I think there are others too -- in Zach's prophecy 1:69, 78, 79.
I loved 1:76, as I get a picture of Zach holding little John and speaking right to him -- sweet pic.
I wonder if Jesus picked out His own name: 2:21
another thing I didn't notice before is Simeon's private words with Mary in 2:34. I always thought Sim just proclaimed these words to the whole temple gang.
God did a lot to let the people around know that this was God's gift - -
Patsy Clairmont said yesterday that God was full of surprises. Paul in chapter 6 says that God is full of oxymorons. To the world it appears Christians are poor, but we're extremely wealthy; "ignored by the world, but recognized by God;...immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy; living on handouts, yet enriching many; having nothing, having it all". (v7-10) He definitely wasn't worried about what he had in this life. His goal was heaven, then he'd get the creature comforts & way more! He didn't care what people thought, just his Savior. Can't say I'm all the way there yet. Fortunately, I know God hasn't given up on me! :D
ReplyDeleteThis is a great appeal in v11-13 to open our hearts to Christ & therefore to others. "I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!" This comes when I open my heart & abandon myself to Him. I live small & confined when I try to defend & protect myself & my agenda. Pretty stressful too. And then it can get judgmental of others...because I'm upset they're so happy & I'm not because I'm closed.
Love this jealous picture of God in v17 "I want you all for myself". Isn't that what we want in a relationship? Someone totally committed to just us? I have to change my view of commitment or maybe find a better word. Don't like that one.
I like this picture in 8:12 (I think it's 12 anyway)"The heart regulates the hands". So if God has my heart...the hands will be ok. If I just worry & try to control my hands (works) I go back to the closed, self preservation mode & judge/criticize others. Vicious cycle.
Commitment? (it's a great word if you have 3 m's in scrabble!) I find commitment hard to do, but in a relationship - - it gives me peace of mind to know that someone is committed to me and will think the best of me in the good times and the bad times. It's a rare find (other than God), but when you find someone you can trust; it brings peace. Maybe commitment is something we like to experience, but are cautious to give. Sounds like that is the one way street Paul's talking about in 6:12 - - hmmmm, gotta think some more on this.
ReplyDeleteI like Paul's word picture in 6:7 We use weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense (thinking of you Chris packing around the guns you were talking about!!) Paul definitely pictures the life as a battle -- not a game, but a battle.
Thinking of the validation Patsy C talked about yesterday -- Paul has it down! Look at 7:4 (way to go Paul). Validation inspires!
It's good to know that Paul is one of us (7:5) battles on the outside and fear on the inside. I guess it seems like sometimes Paul is never afraid -- apparently he is. I LOVE how he reflects Titus showing up as all part of God's plan.
Sometimes there has to be church discipline - - and it's tough. On one hand you think "who are we to judge?" On the other hand you think, "God has certain rules He's carved out for the abundant life and for showing love and respect to others"
7:8-10 shows why discipline can be a saving tool - - "the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation". So sometimes discipline is necessary for one to experience repentance. Repentance is the key! Turn away from the sin and turn to God. What do you guys think?
"Sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death" Those are pretty somber words.
O! and one more question I had. 6:17 - - What do you think he's talking about here? Marriage? Business Deals? It couldn't be redemptive friendships -- as Paul was right in the middle of non-believers all the time!
God gave the people common sense rules. Had to spell it all out for them. I think this should have made it easier on Moses & the leaders to deal with the people as well.
ReplyDeleteI would have responded the same way the people did. All God has said, I will do. And I would mean it. I'd be sincere. But I wonder how the people were to learn about a heart relationship with God. I guess it would have taken initiative on their part. Obviously there were some that did & found it (Joshua/Caleb come to mind)
That was what God really wanted but He had to start somewhere & be simple at the beginning. As the years went along, those that didn't seek the heart of God, made the simple rules He gave more complicated. That was where their initiative took them. And all the time they thought they were getting more religious because their "do's & don'ts" were getting more complicated. But their heart was the same or worse, actually. Same thing keeps happening today.
So the leaders actually saw part of God! They ate & drank in His Presence! Wow, how awe inspiring! And since I know the Golden Calf moment is just around the corner, I'm amazed that Aaron could go from God's Presence to building an idol 40 days later. I can do it in less than that now unfortunately.
I'm just amazed at God's mercy towards me. As a human race we're getting worse & worse but instead of getting more impatient, it seems as if God has even MORE patience!
God really cares about people -- about animals -- about making things fair. He cared about the slaves, and made a way for them to have hope and go free. He cared about people that were abusted, he cared about respect. I was a bit confused on 21:20-21, though; couldn't figure out why he'd allow beating at all -- that was the only one that was a mystery to me. O, I guess 22:3 was a mystery as well -- if someone is caught stealing at night, let them have it -- but if it's during the day, make sure you don't kill them?
ReplyDeleteEven God gets into the act in 22:7,9,11 as far as the judging. It would be interesting to know if that took place all the time or only on blatant issues or what. Sometimes, it would be really handy to have God doing the judging now -- so many issues are soooo complicated, and there's no way that we'll ever know the heart of the matter!
I wonder if Jesus thought back to 23:1-3 while He was having his trial.
God even cares about the wild animals (23:11 -- very cool thought.
And again, the call to lay aside work for yourself and not make work for others in 23:12. What a gift; and we take that weekly vaca for granted or abuse it -- I wonder why we do that?
Yeah -- I guess I never realized before that 74 people actually SAW God! I can't even imagine what that would be like! Awesome - with a capital A. They gazed upon God!
It would have been amazing for Moses and the people watching to see him enter into the all consuming fire. Hard to believe that was a scene they could so easily forget. But -- I bet I would have been right there, one of the crowd trying to "fix" the situation on my own.
I like the fact that David's servants can question him about his actions & he talks with them about it like it's a family household. He doesn't seem to treat them like master/slave. That's pretty rare in authority figures.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what Bathsheba said to David, did she protest or resist? With all the arraigned marriages of the day, did she love her husband? At least with Tamar it tells us a little of what she felt like. An object to be used & rejected at will. No rights & no vindication. I wonder if the women felt like it was part of the punishment of Eve falling on them. Seems like the men made sure of it. I hear it today as well from religious men.
As for the army stuff, I wonder if the Arameans knew why they were running? I get the idea that they didn't know what had come over them & then regrouped & it happened again! Pretty humiliating for mercenaries. They had to of been fierce warriors if they were hired.
I like Joab's trust in God taking care of things with his statement of "...God will do whatever he sees needs doing." (10:12) He had learned something from David in this I'm sure.
Why did the kings all gear up to go to war in the spring? Why didn't they stay home and plant Barley? It's like conquering or be conquered was on everyone's minds - - maybe it's not so different now; only we have more high tech conquering.
ReplyDeleteI think God was discouraged with David, because David was so flippant about other's lives. Not only did he mess up another's sacred marriage -- but even his murder (which no doubt resulted in many deaths) and then "tell Joab not to be discouraged - - the sword devours this one today and that one tomorrow) It's as if people's lives meant nothing to him; all because he was caught in a love trap he had created.
Nathan was a very bold prophet - he sure didn't mince words - calling the king a thief and a murderer.
I wonder what caused God to love baby Solomon? What made him stand out above all the others?
Poor Tamar -- that's all I have to say; and I'm pretty miffed that even though David was angry, it doesn't say he did anything to avenge her disgrace. What kind of dad was that?
David knew Absalom was up to something -- even back in 13:26 "Why Amnon?" the king asked. (Maybe he should have been asking "Why Tamar" back when Amnon wanted to have her bring him his supper -- that snake!
David also knew Joab was up to something, setting up the woman of Tekoa -- he had a pretty good pulse on what went on in his kingdom. I get the idea, tho, that David was a people pleaser; and the only way he knew how to deal was something was to ignor the problem, or cut off someone's head. He needed better conflict resolution skills.
What could have been such a simple shepherd's life for David -- sure turned into a complicated family battle for power. Human power corrupts.
I'm playing catch up here because although I've been doing my daily readings, this is the first day this week I've read the blog. But one of Linda's questions caught my eye back in the beginning of the week. She said:
ReplyDelete'O! and one more question I had. 6:17 - - What do you think he's talking about here? Marriage? Business Deals? It couldn't be redemptive friendships -- as Paul was right in the middle of non-believers all the time!'
I believe the verse here is speaking about those who worship Satan. In 6:14 it says --How can light live with darkness?
I just don't believe ordinary unbelievers are walking around in complete darkness. They usually have some knowledge of the truth in them, but could care less either way about spiritual issues.
However, I for reasons which I wont delve into at this time, have spent time with true Satanists. They practice and study their beliefs and worship Satan and his demons. They want demonic power to inhabit them, just as we Christians study the Bible and live and breathe for Jesus and want the Holy Spirit to inhabit us. They look and act like you and me and many of us work with them and are surface friends with them and don't even know it. But when our friendship with these people deepens and we become more intimate, of course we become acquainted with their beliefs. This is where the problems begin and I believe that this is where we are told to separate ourselves from them.
The Message has Ps 54 written like David is crying out for help, then starts to see he's getting it & at the end he says he's ready to worship now & how good God is for delivering him.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to that. It's how I am & when I see God "start" working for me, I have a grateful heart. But I thinking now, God didn't just "start" working for me when I realized it, it's more like He opened my eyes to realize that He WAS already working for me & always had been. I was the one who just "started" realizing it. Duh!
55 is my heart too. I'm so tired of all this bother, pain, gossip & just the general pain of being alive in this world & being a Christian. I just want it easy & quiet. I love running from the noise & confusion & hurt to quiet places. I'm easily scared by man as David in v3.
I've had people who I thought were my best friends turn on me & slander my reputation. It's very painful & I wanted to confront them & defend myself but never got the chance. Instead I was believed guilty without a hearing by those above me. Now, I'm just tired of it all & realize that those that really know me, know the truth & that's all the matters. God knows the truth too.
I want to get to the place David does in 56 of saying all the time "When I get really afraid I come to you in trust. I'm proud to praise God;
fearless now, I trust in God. What can mere mortals do?" I am getting there bit by bit.
People are too fickle & I struggle so much with the balance of letting them in/keeping them out. Trusting only in God/trusting in people. I have seen how He uses people so much in my life to show me His love & to keep me from life ending choices. I'm just seeking balance. He's helping me get there.
I think some of these last verses is for here on earth but can't wait to do it in heaven with Jesus & the Father too! And God is doing everything He's promised in me...as I trust Him. :D
"God, you did everything you promised, and I'm thanking you with all my heart. You pulled me from the brink of death, my feet from the cliff-edge of doom. Now I stroll at leisure with God in the sunlit fields of life."
That makes sense Sher -- that the light and the dark can't co-exist together. Really appreciate your thoughts on that one!
ReplyDeleteThis passage in Psalms seems to swirl with 3 different groups. David's mind goes to his enemies, who are out to get him; his God, who is is only hope and refuge; but also someone special in David's life -- a companion that David once trusted and shared life with, but has now turned against him.
There is nothing that hurts more than when someone you consider your true friend turns against you. We've probably all had it happen one time or another; and it hurts so much. David voices that in 55:13-14, 20
I love the way David keeps coming back and taking control of his mind. By praising God, he rebukes Satan and all of Satan's depressing mental attacks. "I praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should i be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?"
I've felt like David many times in 55:6-8. Just get me out of here!!! Even though David feels like that; he remains in his situation, trusting in God to rescue him. I'm not that patient, I typically run!
FINALLY! Someone who makes sense! And I'm not talking about the rest of Elihu's speech. Although, I like how he talks about God's miracle-wonders. He's also very sarcastic to Job & condescending unless that's just the Message version.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed reading God's answer to Job in 38-41. It always puts me in my place when I'm whining.
This time I'm wondering if the translators made a mistake though in saying God answered Job. The way He starts out I'm wondering if it was to Job's "friends". Then again, God has a way to talking to your heart & not the words that come out of your mouth. Like the woman at the well.
I am in awe of His power & majesty, wisdom & forethought as I read of His creative genius at work. Can't wait to watch Him recreate the earth!
It comes across as sarcastic in NLT too, Chris - especially 37:19 "So teach the rest of us what to say to God. We're too ignorant to make our own arguments"
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if the group was listening in on that whirlwind voice of God. I was thinking that if so -- Job's friends were probably feeling smug that God was putting Job in his place.
I think God was just building trust up for Job. Like Jesus did for John the Baptist when he was in prison. Tell John everything you've seen & then encourage him to believe.
Same here: God's saying, I have control over the weather, the animals, the birds, the universe, men's heart & mind. You can trust me - - now believe that I am in control of what's going on.
Good advice for me today!!
Just listened to this to cap off my study today:
ReplyDeleteI KNOW my Redeemer Lives!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpCaNBhK4S0
Guess they nixed our May 12 comments & even after the maintenance it still has the same problem! Such is life.
ReplyDeleteLinda – I like your take that God is encouraging Job through what He’s saying. Hadn’t thought of it that way.
Jeremiah now could really use some encouragement. He’s not complaining tho he’s in jail but listening to God. Important thing to do when we’re not where we want to be! I think it’s encouraging that God’s talking to him there. God tells him to buy a field. That, to me, would signal that I’m gonna live thru this & would be very encouraging!
32:41 “Oh how I'll rejoice in them! Oh how I'll delight in doing good things for them! Heart and soul, I'll plant them in this country and keep them here!” Great promise, even for me today – how God delights in doing good for me!
I have always liked 33:3 & use it often in my work, God always helps me out too! “Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.”
The promises that God will keep His word in 33 about day/night failing to happen, etc., then His promises will fail. Impossible that THAT would happen, so of course we can trust God! Why don’t I always then? Circumstances always cloud my judgment instead of seeing the Big picture. Gotta get past that so even if I’m not where I want to be (like jail!) then I don’t whine, but just LISTEN to God.
Nice compliment to the Recabites in 35. Why is it that we will obey humans more than God? Great comparison there by God.
I wonder if Zachariah tried to play off his prayer request of having a child. Back then it was a big deal to have someone carry on the family name. But since they were both old, he’d probably stopped really praying about it, just wishing it would have happened & having a little cinder of hope left in his heart though it looked impossible. So when Gabriel said you’re prayer has been heard & Elizabeth will have a baby if his trying to play it off caused him to doubt. Does that make sense? I know I do it a lot with people, but it’s hard to put it in words.
ReplyDeleteAnd then Mary was told about it & told that NOTHING is impossible with God. And it all happens in Great example!
I like Gabriel’s greeting to Mary in v28 “Good morning! You're beautiful with God's beauty, beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” I know I’d have the same initial reaction Mary did wondering what was behind this type of greeting. But she wasn’t as skeptical as I am which shows in her ultimate response of faith “Yes, I see it all now: I'm the Lord's maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say”. Great example given to us all.
And Elizabeth knew that it was her Savior Mary was carrying or going to carry as her response to Mary’s greeting shows in v42-45. Instead of being upset that Elizabeth said her big news before she got the chance, Mary again shows her humbleness & joins her in praising God. There’s no showmanship here, just wanting to be with others that are praising God, gotta share Good News & praise God about what going on in each other’s lives.
So if Zachariah hadn’t named him John, would he have been able to speak? Just wondering…
It struck me as I read about Joseph going to Bethlehem with his pregnant fiancée that he really opened himself up to ridicule & gossip. Why didn’t he just marry her quick when he found out she was pregnant? Now he traveled to a strange city & is looking for a place to stay cuz your wife..oh, she’s not your wife? But she’s pregnant? OOOOHH, ok….hey guys, guess what’s up with that couple? They’re not married but she’s due any minute, yada yada. Wow! Back then it was probably really bad & had social/religious implications we can’t even imagine. Gives me a lot more respect for Joseph. If he had married her, then that could have always been something the religious leaders & skeptics today could have thrown back at Jesus. You’re not really God because Joseph is really your father.
Finally 2:35 “But the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who they really are”. What seems like failure to us/me because of rejection is actually working God’s purpose to reveal true motives in others/myself.
I found Jeremiah fascinating this morning (didn’t know I would! God must be working through His word!) First of all,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all: I was inspired by Jeremiah’s prayer in Chapter 32. He was confused why God had directed him to buy that piece of property. But unlike myself, who would immediately start whining and questioning – Jeremiah spends the majority of his prayer praising God and talking about how totally amazing He was! My prayer life needs to center WAY more on the greatness of our God – once that happens, I can relax in my life, knowing He is totally capable of handling ANY situation, as long as I am listening for His guidance.
I was also touched by God’s love for his people. Even tho they had rejected Him – His big plan for them was to bring them back, to restore them, to give them (as in 29) a future and a hope. Not too different from our situation - - there will be tough times ahead during the end of this old world; but He has a bigger plan for us; our future and hope!
I love 33:9 The world will tremble with AWE at the peace and prosperity I provide for my people. I think that is what attracts others to the Christian way of life – the peace they feel. Maybe there isn’t always prosperity at this point – but there is always that fruit of the Spirit that draws others.
I wonder if Jeremiah or anyone understood the prophecy of Jesus in 33:15+ or, maybe it was a word of encouragement for Jesus as He studied the scriptures when He was on earth?
God even showed mercy to Zedikiah - - I’m not sure how Jehoiakim was related to Zed – was that a son? We’ll get to Jeho later. Love the faithfulness of the Recabites - - what an inspiration; God must have loved them. This world was not their home.
Baruch was a brave scribe – had to have taken guts to read those prophecies in front of the people & officials. Apparently the officials took it seriously - - amazing that Jehoiakim wouldn’t listen to his leaders. He must have been crazy with the throne/power.
Again, what touched me through this whole narrative, was Jeremiah’s prayer. He lived in Awe of God - - today, I want to live in Awe of God. I’m going to read that prayer again, just to remind myself☺
aaaand on to Luke 1 & 2:)
ReplyDeleteFirst of all -- the Holy Spirit is really busy here in Luke 1 & 2) He's filling everyone!
Did you notice the difference in the reaction of the angel towards the somewhat similar questioning of Zach and Mary?
For Zach -- the angel is filled with amazement of Zach's unbelief: I'm Gabriel! I stand in the presence of God! He sent here with this message and good news -- and you doubt me????
For Mary -- an explanation of how the physical phenomenen (how do you spell that?) works. It makes me think that Zach was doubting God's ability to do it; meanwhile Mary believed God could do it -- she just didn't understand how it could happen physically. That bears out in the song of Elizabeth in 1:45 "You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said"
When I came across the Angel's words in 1:33 "And He will reign over Israel forever; His Kingdom will never end" I remembered we'd just read that in Jer 33:17. Love how God in so many places makes reference back to the OT prophecies concerneing this miracle birth. Also 1:76 is comparable to Malachi 3:1. I think there are others too -- in Zach's prophecy 1:69, 78, 79.
I loved 1:76, as I get a picture of Zach holding little John and speaking right to him -- sweet pic.
I wonder if Jesus picked out His own name: 2:21
another thing I didn't notice before is Simeon's private words with Mary in 2:34. I always thought Sim just proclaimed these words to the whole temple gang.
God did a lot to let the people around know that this was God's gift - -