I will lift my eyes - to the hills and their Creator, who made all heaven and earth. For He watches me; never sleeps, no never slumbers - He's ever over me.
As I come and I go - I am safe for I know - that His grace is sufficient for me. Winter warmth and light - and a shady place in summer; He's ever over me!
It is sad to be rejected; that appears to be what Paul is up against - and he is so passionate for the Corinthians connection to "the Way"
ReplyDeleteHow amazing it must have been to be caught up to the third heaven - to get a glimpse of what is in store for all believers - no wonder Paul was so passionate; this world must have seemed so dark, so evil after seeing the pureness of Heaven.
I hadn't thought before that Paul begged 3 times, and Jesus begged 3 times for release from the anguish - - after Paul received the answer from God - that His grace was enough to cover - it is as if Paul welcomed the intervention of God because of his weakness -- even though it was tough for him to carry, it meant more connection with the Eternal - - "I am at peace and take pleasure in any weaknesses" I wonder if I will ever have that level of submission -- please work on me dear Jesus
the blood on the earlobe, the fingers, the toes of the priests -- all the areas that can work against us with sin -- I need Christ's blood on all those avenues as well.
ReplyDeleteI appreciated the commentators thoughts on the animal sacrifices -- we think of animals as pets, I guess -- back then, they were the means of survival -- and they had to surrender the best of their survival means to God -- total surrender; the hardest piece of our emotions to surrender -- survival.
Thought it was interesting that the rich will not pay more than the poor when it comes to the offerings in vs 14 -- wish taxes were that way; I think more people would have more incentive to work!
Interesting that myrrh, frankincense and gold are present in the temple building (we see them again when God is physically present as a baby:)
God gave us Sabbath to refresh us -- not as a burden; hmmmm - wonder what "rest" can mean? We've boxed it into our traditions -- it could be so much more, but I wonder what it means to God?
I see Aaron as the main person at fault in the Israelite fall -- if he had been strong, I believe the Israelites would have followed his lead. If they had revolted, I think God (who was totally aware of the situation - big surprise) would have stepped in. Aaron, even in his defense, is so weak)
It must have really hurt God that the Is's credited that gold calf for all the powerful miracles He had done in Egypt
But the Levites were willing to follow God's commands - I think they only way they could have done that, is if they had been horrified at the actions of the rebels -- consumed with horror for the affront to God.
So many times I have made my choice based on what I see, instead of Who I say I believe in. It's little things too, the every day things. These type of choices are what lead to the big mistake that Aaron made with the calf. It's what leads me to make the big "oops" choices I have made in my life as well. I'm so thankful God keeps giving me opportunities to make the right choices, to see that I need to surrender more deeply to Him, moment by moment.
ReplyDeleteDavid is another great example for us. He had incredible moments of surrender to God and also surrender to the circumstances that he saw. He wasn't perfect by any means. He kept going back to God though and that's the key for me. I'm sure satan tried to throw his guilt and shame back in his face like he does to me, to all of us. Anything to keep us from seeking healing. David still turned back and I need to do the same. True healing can only come from God. Everything else is so empty.
can't help but feel sorry and horrified at how David's concubine's were treated - left for Absolum, abused; then shut away as if it was all their fault - - not a happy picture for me.
ReplyDeleteDavid's psalm has some Davidic lines "He stands and shields all who hide in Him . . . the True God who circled me with strength . . . You taught me how to walk with care"
That last phrase seems especially true -- it's when I strike boldly out on MY mission that I mess up; if I am still, if I step cautiously - praying through each step, I come out ahead (course -- cautious is my middle name)
800 men with a sword? Josheb-basshebeth must have been as strong as his name is long! The 3 mighty men must have loved and respected David so much - wanting so much to please him.
and I DO like David's understanding of worship and offerings: "I will not make an offering to the Eternal One, my True God, that has cast me nothing" it reminds me of the commentator yesterday - noting that to sacrifice a perfect animal was taking the best of a man's survival tools; showing honor to and trust in the Eternal
62:5-8 is where I reflected on most today. I do wish I could say my soul quietly waits for God. Usually that lasts about 5 minutes in crunch time. Because it is crunch time after all! At least that's what I think. When I quietly wait even in MY crunch times, then I will truly have learned to trust God at all times. Still learning.
ReplyDeleteIt's easier to realize that my salvation comes from God alone; but my significance? Learning this as well. It's not what I do, but who I am that makes me special. I am a child of the One True King! I am a princess and my Father is a very rich King who loves His children. He makes me special, beautiful and significant. Without Him, I am nothing.
OOOO! I am relating Chris -- yes; that's where I am too! With your words I realized that I was leaning on God for my salvation -- but, as you say -- he is the core of my significance -- why did I not see that before? Thank you for wording that
ReplyDeleteAlong with sitting for awhile on the verse you pointed out Chris; salvation and significance; I also liked:
ReplyDelete"Shoulder me to the rock above me" What a word pic -- God hoisting me up to a higher place -- reminded me of when I was a kid and we would lock our fingers to make a stepping stool for the other person and hoist them on the back of a horse -- a higher place, a better place -- while the person below stays lower to serve; what a God we serve -- hoisting us up to a better place, a safer place
"Open up your heart to Him" when I read that -- I physically made the motions of opening up my heart and letting Him in to see, to clean, to re-arrange; my job is to let Him do the decorating, the sorting, the eliminating and not grab all that stuff back.
and finally - "the True God shelters us in HIs arms" I want to wait there - - relax in His sheltering arms today . . .
Leviathan -- maybe, as the commentator pointed out - the same 7-headed beast in Revelation -- I wonder if it's a symbol of the evil that lurks to destroy us; and "any expectation you could subdue it will be shattered" The description of this beast is overwhelming when you think of overcoming it (the beast or evil) on your own -- only God; I think I don't realize the extent of His salvation for me "Nothing on earth is its equal, this creature fashioned without fear"
ReplyDeleteand Job "I see that I spoke of -- but did not comprehend -- great wonders that are beyond me. I didn't know" boy - isn't that each of our stories? We think we have answers, but really -- we don't know. God is on a different dimension - and we simply "don't know" and we too - daily, need to "repent in dust and ash" for being daily know-it-alls! He must just shake his head (but in compassion, not in despair -- because He loves us)
I appreciate the Eternal restoring Job's fortunes, but even more -- his respect. This done by having Job pray for the 3 guys. I think loss of respect was probably one of the hardest losses Job faced. Nice that he gave his daughters a share of the inheritance -- his "losses" maybe gave him a deeper understanding of being the underdog.
Job died and was satisfied with his days -- how many people can say that? Satisfaction comes from powering through the hard hits and learning from them, growing from them instead of caving to them - - a lesson I hope to learn
I was reminded of the "shouldering" verse today in JC where God said let Me "shoulder" you to that Rock that is higher than you and your circumstances. Another call to trust and be thankful. To rest in His sovereignty.
ReplyDelete"When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you think you could run the world better than I do. From your limited human perspective, it may look as if I'm mismanaging things..."
I'm sure this is what Job saw/felt as well. As God blew his mind with things of nature, Job realized how little he knew and he repented. This is why I like going hiking. It always gives me a glimpse into the bigger picture, helping me get my perspective back. It's a marvel that God is so interested in 1 little speck in the universe. Yet, He longs for a deep relationship with each little speck.
I concur with Job and say I spouted off about things I had no clue. When You speak to me Lord, you blow my mind, I have nothing to say back to you. I just submit to Your incredible knowledge, love and plan for me. I'm sorry I had the audacity to criticize You and for my complaining. I trust You Jesus, thank You for the patient ways You teach me.
JC & Ps 16 today. The call in JC where God says He's training me in steadiness, to constantly be aware of His Presence even in chaos was good. That's what took me back to Ps 16. Too many thoughts and not enough time to write them. But I was blessed.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we had similar thoughts on Job yesterday. :D
The Judeans were not looking for God's direction - they wanted His blessing on their plans -- ooooo that sounds so familiar to how I operate so many times:(
ReplyDeleteI need to remember to surrender each minute and keep my eyes open - His plan is the one that leads to blessings
"move into deeper water" that can mean a lot of things in ministry; when the nets are dry - ususally a sign that we are fishing on our own skills and power - pretty bleak - "move" He commands
ReplyDelete"the weightiest evidence that God's Son is on the move" that would be forgiveness of sins - a call to start over; but I think the people back then (and it wouldn't be any different today) were much more moved by the physical miracles.
The friends that lowered the man had one goal in mind -- to get him as close as possible to Jesus -- that should be our method too.
I didn't realize that Pharisees were lay people (commentator) powerful comment that the Pharisees were looking for a Rescuer that will judge and destroy sinners - - certainly not One to forgive them and enjoy their company! and again -- I gotta look deep deep in -- where do I stand in all of this - - I want evil to be destroyed, but then how to relate to the people around me (me included) I think it's the paralytic friend approach -- keep moving closer to Jesus
"those who've never tasted the new wine won't know what they're missing; they'll always say, "The old wine is good enough for me!" nough said --
"Jesus refuses to be intimidated" I think that's what really attracted people to Him -- they were so used to being intimidated by the leaders - it wore them out. Jesus accepted them, loved them, cared about them -- how refreshing! Yet He held firm on being a moral person.
"The Pharisees think they have God all figured out" Yikes -- what a scary trap -- putting God in a box.
"Jesus responds with questions . . . challenging them to think" awesome!
Seems like a big group of disciples followed him, He prayed through the night - I'm thinking He was talking over each name with his father to figure out which would be the 12 -- interesting that Judas was one of them - - this is a different picture than reading that the 12 just starting being his closest 12 from the get - go.
"Calling together a new twelve, Jesus seems to be dramatizing a new beginning for the people of God" new thought for me -- the 12 dis were an illustration of something new.
So much to say about the sermon on the mount -- really appreciate the call to surrender and love.
Some of the same things jumped out at me and you commented on them nicely. I will only comment on 6:35 "lend with abandon"
ReplyDeleteIf I do this, really, I'm not lending as I'm expecting nothing back. This reminds me then to live with abandon, hold nothing back. God definitely gives me with no expectations. I need to learn deeper self LESS ness and stop holding on to everything, including my time and abilities.