Psalm 18:25-26 KJV
25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;
26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.
This passage is pretty straight forward. I believe that it speaks of your attitude and how God responds to your attitude. It shows that if your goal is to be merciful, upright, and pure that the Lord treats you in kind. Not to get too confusing, but I use the word "goal" because I believe that the only way to have those aspects in your life is to have a total reliance on Christ to infuse those qualities in your life.
The last line is a little difficult without looking at the Hebrew or another translation. Both instances of "froward" do not come from the same Hebrew word. The first instance refers to being crooked or deceitful. The second instance refers to struggle, to wrestle or to be unsavoury. With this being the case it makes perfect sense: if you are trying to be deceitful, the Lord is not what is pleasing to you - you will be butting heads with Him.
Now the tough part. Be honest with yourself. Which end are you on? Don't automatically dismiss the "froward" reference because you know the Lord. I say that because we tend to do that when we read His word.
Has there been times when it feels that you've been wrestling with God? Or times that you didn't want anything to do with Him? I believe this scripture reference is a "check yourself" or "red flag" more than a condemnation. If you're struggling with God, check to see what you may be hiding from Him. Then take the time to strive for mercy, righteousness and purity: put on Christ (Rom 13:14).
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Reliance on the Lord
Psalm 143:10 ESV
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Sometimes, I believe, we get so caught up in doing what is right, that we forget to let God lead us in doing right. Yes, we have a responsibility, but it is a very simple one - obey the Lord. As scripture opens up to us, it becomes very clear that we have two choices on every issue: obedience or disobedience.
Now for those of you, and I know you are there, who think this is too simple to be operable, please hear me out. You may indeed think you are correct in your assumption, but hopefully, by this short piece of scripture and some digging you will be able to get your priority down so this is a simple choice. I believe that this goes beyond doing right or doing wrong.
This one verse gives a window into the dilemma we face. "Teach me to do Your will." Where is God's will found? Where is the instruction manual? Of course, its the Bible. Having problems understanding the Bible? "Let your good Spirit lead me..." 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us the Holy Spirit dwells in us and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 assures us that the Bible is from God and that it instructs us in making the right decisions. We can pray for wisdom, James 1:5 says God will give it to us. So, we have God's inspired Word, the writer of the Word within us, and access to abundant wisdom - can we learn God's will?
How does this address the "in between" areas we face? Where it doesn't seem like there is a clear obey or disobey decision. Let me present my opinion that there will always be a decision and the reason it is not clear is that we don't have the mind of Christ in the matter. Romans 8:6-7 clearly relates the fact that the one who is not spiritually minded will not obey God. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 in a nutshell tells us we are to judge things with the mind of Christ which we have been given.
That being said, if a situation is unclear, pray for the wisdom, leading in His will, and that you rely on the mind of Christ on judging that situation. Go to the Bible to see what His will is on the subject. If that subject is not addressed take in consideration the outcome of each decision - what is God's will there? Galatians 5:13 lets us know we have much freedom in actions, but not to use that freedom for ourselves but to love others. I find that verse clears up much when I can't discern many situations.
It comes down to the fact that God has given us the tools and resources to follow Him. The best resource is that He gave Himself to us; so we just need to stop relying on our own will and just follow His.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!
Sometimes, I believe, we get so caught up in doing what is right, that we forget to let God lead us in doing right. Yes, we have a responsibility, but it is a very simple one - obey the Lord. As scripture opens up to us, it becomes very clear that we have two choices on every issue: obedience or disobedience.
Now for those of you, and I know you are there, who think this is too simple to be operable, please hear me out. You may indeed think you are correct in your assumption, but hopefully, by this short piece of scripture and some digging you will be able to get your priority down so this is a simple choice. I believe that this goes beyond doing right or doing wrong.
This one verse gives a window into the dilemma we face. "Teach me to do Your will." Where is God's will found? Where is the instruction manual? Of course, its the Bible. Having problems understanding the Bible? "Let your good Spirit lead me..." 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us the Holy Spirit dwells in us and 2 Timothy 3:16-17 assures us that the Bible is from God and that it instructs us in making the right decisions. We can pray for wisdom, James 1:5 says God will give it to us. So, we have God's inspired Word, the writer of the Word within us, and access to abundant wisdom - can we learn God's will?
How does this address the "in between" areas we face? Where it doesn't seem like there is a clear obey or disobey decision. Let me present my opinion that there will always be a decision and the reason it is not clear is that we don't have the mind of Christ in the matter. Romans 8:6-7 clearly relates the fact that the one who is not spiritually minded will not obey God. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 in a nutshell tells us we are to judge things with the mind of Christ which we have been given.
That being said, if a situation is unclear, pray for the wisdom, leading in His will, and that you rely on the mind of Christ on judging that situation. Go to the Bible to see what His will is on the subject. If that subject is not addressed take in consideration the outcome of each decision - what is God's will there? Galatians 5:13 lets us know we have much freedom in actions, but not to use that freedom for ourselves but to love others. I find that verse clears up much when I can't discern many situations.
It comes down to the fact that God has given us the tools and resources to follow Him. The best resource is that He gave Himself to us; so we just need to stop relying on our own will and just follow His.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Revenge: Not Needed
1 Samuel 11:12-15 ESV
12 Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is it that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death." 13 But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel." 14 Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom." 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
In the light of Lord's mighty act of saving Israel, Saul refused to take revenge on his "backbiting enemies." Israel was ready to put this group of people to death. Saul chose to focus on the mightiness of God instead of focusing on a personal vendetta.
So have you reflected this on yourself yet? If you follow this blog you know I'm going to ask you to do so. Is there that one person among the brethren (remember the group that was against Saul were Hebrews) that you think would make life better if they were just not around? That person who you don't talk around and if you do you measure every word carefully for fear of your words being turned around? Or that person who makes you feel less than who you are? Or that person who is just like fingernails on a chalkboard around you?
Now that you have thought through and identified those of the brethren that you don't want to be around, take the time to identify where your focus is. Do you focus on the almighty God, Christ crucified, the indwelling Holy Spirit? Or do you focus on your personal comfort? All Christians are at different levels of maturity in their walk; you may want to pray for or even pray with these people. You may want to go out of your way to show love to them. If Jesus could die on a cross for these folks, you probably can surprise them by taking them a dinner or taking them out. Just a suggestion, but you see where I am going with this. If Christ was willing to die for His enemies, and even Saul, an imperfect king, was willing to overlook attacks, can you look past personality differences and put God first in all your relationships?
12 Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is it that said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death." 13 But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has worked salvation in Israel." 14 Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom." 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
In the light of Lord's mighty act of saving Israel, Saul refused to take revenge on his "backbiting enemies." Israel was ready to put this group of people to death. Saul chose to focus on the mightiness of God instead of focusing on a personal vendetta.
So have you reflected this on yourself yet? If you follow this blog you know I'm going to ask you to do so. Is there that one person among the brethren (remember the group that was against Saul were Hebrews) that you think would make life better if they were just not around? That person who you don't talk around and if you do you measure every word carefully for fear of your words being turned around? Or that person who makes you feel less than who you are? Or that person who is just like fingernails on a chalkboard around you?
Now that you have thought through and identified those of the brethren that you don't want to be around, take the time to identify where your focus is. Do you focus on the almighty God, Christ crucified, the indwelling Holy Spirit? Or do you focus on your personal comfort? All Christians are at different levels of maturity in their walk; you may want to pray for or even pray with these people. You may want to go out of your way to show love to them. If Jesus could die on a cross for these folks, you probably can surprise them by taking them a dinner or taking them out. Just a suggestion, but you see where I am going with this. If Christ was willing to die for His enemies, and even Saul, an imperfect king, was willing to overlook attacks, can you look past personality differences and put God first in all your relationships?
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Obeying the Land's Law
Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
I find this portion of the Word particularly convicting. The reason why I find this convicting is that I don't follow every law of the land to the letter. This should not be too surprising as the Old Testament shows us that we can't even follow God's law.
I'm going to bring up the most common example for most of us and that is obeying the speed limit - there may be others, but in my opinion this is one that gets many Christians. I believe that being subject to government authorities includes obeying the laws made by those authorities. The only exception would be when the government's law interferes with God's law (Acts 5:29). BUT, if I say I believe it and don't act it, I'm a hypocrite. If I'm following Christ, I need to be without hypocrisy (James 3:17). So, when I drive 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, I am basically going against scripture.
Now, I know we try to justify our actions on the road. "I need to keep up with the flow of traffic." If you break this law because everyone else does do you do the same with God's law? "The speed limit is not enforced here." Do you have the same attitude towards sin? ("I got away with it so I guess it's okay"). "Nobody uses this road so I'm not putting anyone in danger." Once again do you use this with God? ("I'm not hurting anybody, so it's okay").
See devotional Monday, June 9, 2008 - Driving Out the World - Judges 1 If we let the world influence our behavior towards the government can't it be said that we let the world influence our behavior towards God? God instituted government, so we need to be consistent with our obedience to the laws and our obedience to God. We are to be different: a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9).
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
I find this portion of the Word particularly convicting. The reason why I find this convicting is that I don't follow every law of the land to the letter. This should not be too surprising as the Old Testament shows us that we can't even follow God's law.
I'm going to bring up the most common example for most of us and that is obeying the speed limit - there may be others, but in my opinion this is one that gets many Christians. I believe that being subject to government authorities includes obeying the laws made by those authorities. The only exception would be when the government's law interferes with God's law (Acts 5:29). BUT, if I say I believe it and don't act it, I'm a hypocrite. If I'm following Christ, I need to be without hypocrisy (James 3:17). So, when I drive 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, I am basically going against scripture.
Now, I know we try to justify our actions on the road. "I need to keep up with the flow of traffic." If you break this law because everyone else does do you do the same with God's law? "The speed limit is not enforced here." Do you have the same attitude towards sin? ("I got away with it so I guess it's okay"). "Nobody uses this road so I'm not putting anyone in danger." Once again do you use this with God? ("I'm not hurting anybody, so it's okay").
See devotional Monday, June 9, 2008 - Driving Out the World - Judges 1 If we let the world influence our behavior towards the government can't it be said that we let the world influence our behavior towards God? God instituted government, so we need to be consistent with our obedience to the laws and our obedience to God. We are to be different: a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9).
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