3/29/11 - The God who meets us where we are

Judges 6:14: The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

Observation: Gideon had a serious confidence problem. God was calling him to step away from his family idols and believe Him so that He could use him to save his people from the Midianites. Gideon had every excuse in the book, and almost no faith, but God knew him better than he knew himself. He asked him to step out, believing that he was being sent. In fact, all the way through this story, time after time, God proves to Gideon that He is with him.

The first time Gideon realizes he had seen God, he responds with fear, but God reassures him, and he builds an altar to Jehovah Shalom - the God of Peace (6:22-24), then he tears down the family altars to the idols. The second time, after Gideon runs the fleece experiment, he decides to start gathering his army. God proceeds to tell the reluctant leader that there are too many in his army! By Judges 7:10, God gave him a sign without his even asking.

Application: The God who accepts us the way we are calls us to step out, believing that we are being sent, and knowing that He will be with us. All He wants is one step at a time - "go in the strength you have". The key to taking each step is believing we are sent and knowing He is with us.

Prayer: (from Psalm 52:8-9): Lord, I trust in your unfailing love for ever and ever. I choose to cast away everything I place too much importance in, and take another step knowing you are with me. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. Jehovah Shalom, Jehovah Nissi, Emmanuel, God with us, I will hope in your good name forever!

Psalm 37:23-24

23 The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;

24 though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

3/16/11 - Matters of the Heart

Scriptures: Psalm 40:6-8

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart."

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Observation: In both Psalm 40 and in Deuteronomy 30, obedience is tied to an attitude of the heart. This attitude comes directly from God: "my ears you have opened" (Psalm 40:6). The psalmist had just praised God for all He had done for him and offered himself as a living sacrifice (verse 7-8).

Application: Above all, God wants our hearts to be right before Him. He loves us too much to see us walking around in blatant disobedience or even obeying through clinched teeth. God is the only one who can clean out our hearts.

This morning, one of my girls was looking for a uniform shirt to wear to school. I have explained to her (more than once) that her responsibility was to bring the shirts to the laundry room so that they could be washed. In fact, endless reminders to pick up clothes don't seem to work. Because she had not brought the shirts in a timely manner and some of the shirts were probably missing somewhere in her room, she would have to wear a different color shirt than she wanted to wear, and she had no time to straighten her room before we left for school so the cycle continues...

The truth is that I am not that much different than my daughter. A bad attitude can kill any desire to follow God. Real obedience requires a trust that the authority has your best interest at heart. Real obedience requires an attitude of thankfulness that recognizes all that has been done for you.

Prayer: Lord, my God, you are my Savior, my King, and you love me more than I can possibly imagine. Thank you for opening my ears and cleaning out my heart. I desire to do your will, my God, your law is within my heart through your Holy Spirit. Guide me through this day, Lord! Lead me as I lead my kids.