February 2014

Alright, hot off the press...February's reading list...again, if you're not using this model, choose another, or make up your own.  The main thing is...are you eating spiritually every day?

2014 - Day 24

Exo_14:31  And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses.

First usage in the OT is:

Gen_15:6  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

And is the same Hebrew word.

H539 - A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (in Isa_30:21; by interchange for H541) to go to the right hand.

This is the same word used 22 times and verses in the OT.

Exodus 14:31 had a cross referenced to John 2:11 and 11:45 in my Bible.

Joh 2:11  This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Joh 11:45  Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

A few other verses from the OT regarding believing – which I’m finding convicting, especially after having read through Exodus 13-16.

Psa_27:13  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

It’s easy to scoff at the Israelites, weak, recently released slaves, we don’t really think of ourselves as slaves, do we?  Having, by the grace of God, been released from the bondage of the enemy.

Here they’ve been set free, went out with a ‘high hand’ – wealth poured onto them in gold, silver, goods, they’ve watched the plagues happen.  They were exempt from many of the last plagues.

Watched, collected and eaten of the quails and manna – manna from heaven which rained down on them daily (eventually for 40 years).  Saw the cloud or fire pillar, leading them.  Saw, felt, experienced His deliverance from the Egyptians.

Yet, they, like us, continue to bemoan their situations and circumstances.  When adversity hits, or pain/suffering, or things just aren’t going the way ‘I’ want, how easily do I fall into the same moan/groan/complain mode?

Why isn’t my focus more heavenly versus inward or at the wind and waves buffeting and soaking?

Lord, help me to learn the lesson and example You’ve provided.  Help me Father to focus on You versus the situations, circumstances (and sometimes people).  Help me to fully throw off the chains of bondage and fear, disbelief and doubt.  Lord help me to walk victorious, not for myself, rather to give You glory and honor as a King and Master worth serving.

Spotless

I asked this question recently, "What does it mean to keep oneself unspotted from the world?" There was some discussion about the word, unspotted, Jesus was the spotless lamb of God. The Israelites were to offer only those animals which were spotless.

Here lies some of my ponderings and discoveries, the verse from which the word sprang to mind:

James_1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

G784 - From G1 (as a negative particle) and G4695; unblemished (physically or morally): - without spot, unspotted.

• G1 - Of Hebrew origin; the first letter of the alphabet: figuratively only (from its use as a numeral) the first. Often used (usually “an”, before a vowel) also in composition (as a contraction from G427) in the sense of privation; so in many words beginning with this letter; occasionally in the sense of union (as a contraction of G260): - Alpha. 
• 4695 - From G4696; to stain or soil (literally or figuratively): - defile, spot.
• G4696 - Of uncertain derivation; a stain or blemish, that is, (figuratively) defect, disgrace: - spot. 

1Ti 6:14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

The Greek word 784 is used only 4 times, once about the Christ, thrice directed toward the sojourners.

Unspotted from what? The world.

Keeping this commandment (which one) without spot.

Diligent to be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.

So the question remains...how does one live in this world, yet apart from it?  Does being spotless mean never mingling with the people or ways of the world?

1Co 5:9-10  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

Yet the Lord exhorts us:

2Co_6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

So how is this walk in Christ balanced?  Do we watch the movies and shows of the world?  Listen to the music?  Is that 'renewing' our minds in the ways of the world?  How do we balance being spotless, yet living in a very defiled world?

Is there some quota or ratio?  I can watch 10% secular movies/tv, but the other 90% must be 'christian' - which leads to the question, if something has the word 'christian' in or on it, does that really mean its been sanctified and set apart for Him, by Him and to Him?

Or is it each person has limits to what they can or cannot allow in their lives, some can listen to secular music and it has no detriment to them...yet others have to be more restrictive in their selection of music?

I'm interested in hearing from others how or what you consider being spotless to mean - how is that worked out in your everyday lives?

2014 - Day 21

Exodus 1-4 - ahhh...and we come to the passage where the midwives are told to kill the baby boys:

Exo 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

According to the dictionary - the definition of a lie is:

1.a false statement made with deliberate intent to deceive; an intentional untruth; a falsehood.

To some it may cause a discordance within themselves to think the midwives 'lied' and yet God rewarded them.

Exo 1:20-21 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

If (notice IF) the midwives were breaking the 9th commandment (which hadn't technically been given yet):

Exo_20:16  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

What does it mean to bear false witness?

My pastor, and his instruction regarding the midwives and Rahab the harlot, challenged my understanding about a false witness. His devotional on Proverbs (which can be viewed here) makes valid points about the issue.

Pro 14:25  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

The midwives (and Rahab) delivered the babies (as well as the spies) from destruction.  Interestingly as I researched this topic 'lies' I came across several articles based upon a recent study on how lies negatively impact one's health.

Study Finds That Avoiding Lies Can Improve Your Health

Little White Lies May Be Bad For Your Health

Thought provoking about how many lie - or hedge the truth, side stepping responsibility or potentially 'throwing someone under the bus.' The challenge is to be as honest as possible, while not endangering lives obviously, but accepting responsibility for one's words, actions or deeds.  I'd like to think I don't lie...but do I?  Do I hedge the truth, or 'run around' or not speak directly either to avoid confrontation or risk hurting someone?

Is it easier to NOT be honest, remaining silent when something should be said, or padding or white washing what is said...how direct and honest am I?  Without being callous or hard?  Do I accept the responsibility to speak, and then willingly give the time and effort to work through the ongoing conversation or other responsibilities for following through?

And...flipping the coin...how willing am I to hear a true witness?  To examine myself when someone speaks (either lovingly or not)?

Grace

I'm not sure which verse 'popped' out at me with the word - grace.  When I did a search on E-Sword there are 39 matches in 37 verses in the Old Testament.  The first one is in chapter 6, verse 8 of Genesis - But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

Interestingly - in the eyes of God.  Then in this verse Joseph finds grace in the sigh of Potiphar.

Gen 39:4  And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Grace - H2580 - From H2603; graciousness, that is, subjectively (kindness, favor) or objectively (beauty): - favour, grace (-ious), pleasant, precious, [well-] favoured.

• H2603 - A primitive root (compare H2583); properly to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (that is, move to favor by petition).
• H2583 - A primitive root (compare H2603); properly to incline; by implication to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or siege)

Using H2580 as the search criteria - 69 matches in 67 verses - the word is also translated as favor, still using it coupled with sight or eyes most of the time.  A few passages which are translated using a different word.

Pro 5:19  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. 

Pro 11:16  A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

Pro 13:15  Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 

Pro 17:8  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. 

And every woman's favorite verse:

Pro 31:30  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 

This passage in Ezra uses a different Hebrew word. 

Ezr 9:8  And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 

H8467 - From H2603; graciousness; causatively entreaty:

Which circles back to the definition above.  Interesting when the word grace is used in Psalms and Proverbs it does not use the word sight or eyes.  So would that be "view me with grace?"

Psa 45:2  Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. 

Psa 84:11  For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 

Pro 3:34  Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

May the grace and favor of the Lord be upon each of us as we seek to study and know Him more intimately.

Pain In The Neck

Literally...I've had Torticollis before and thought that was painful.  I'd gotten a 'kink' in my neck and had been to the chiropractor and seemed on the mend...thought one more adjustment ought to do the trick...only problem, regular chiro out, sub in.  Not a good adjustment.  Magnified the problem (and the pain), necessitating a trip to the ER for pain medicine (which didn't work) and weeks of lying either flat or reclined with ice.

Follow up appointments with regular chiro and 4 weeks later I can actually comb my hair!  And feed myself with my right hand!  I truly do not know how people with chronic pain manage...I do not handle pain well...nor lack of sleep.  The sleep issue is the next big ticket item to deal with.  Because of the ongoing pain I had been waking up about 4 hours needing 'fresh' ice packs.  Now my body is in that mode.  I'm open to suggestions on how to reboot my sleep cycle.

Here is some information I found on cervical subluxations from Spine-Health:

"Symptoms of a Cervical Herniated Disc

A cervical herniated disc will typically cause pain patterns and neurological deficits as follows:

C4 - C5 (C5 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the deltoid muscle in the upper arm. Does not usually cause numbness or tingling. Can cause shoulder pain.

C5 - C6 (C6 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the biceps (muscles in the front of the upper arms) and wrist extensor muscles. Numbness and tingling along with pain can radiate to the thumb side of the hand. This is one of the most common levels for a cervical disc herniation to occur.

C6 - C7 (C7 nerve root) - Can cause weakness in the triceps (muscles in the back of the upper arm and extending to the forearm) and the finger extensor muscles. Numbness and tingling along with pain can radiate down the triceps and into the middle finger. This is also one of the most common levels for a cervical disc herniation (see Figure 1).

C7 - T1 (C8 nerve root) - Can cause weakness with handgrip. Numbness and tingling and pain can radiate down the arm to the little finger side of hand.

It is important to note that the above list comprises typical pain patterns associated with a cervical disc herniation, but they are not absolute. Some people are simply wired up differently than others, and therefore their arm pain and other symptoms will be different."

Mine was a C-6, which has 'worked' its way down, thank God.  Unfortunately I've experienced all the symptoms described above, including the inability to write or hold anything with any weight.  I wasn't even up to typing or sending text messages!

I'm still not a hundred percent - and this information from another page at Spine-Health

"The nerves heal from the top down, and depending on how much damage is done at the time the nerve becomes impinged (pinched), it may take weeks to months for the nerve to fully to heal."

Sums it up well.  I'm definitely past week 4 now...and my chiro has recommended exercises to strengthen my neck.  These pages show some of the exercises I was given, as does this one, and this one.  I found a few more, here and here, these are segments of a lengthy article.

It is advised to NOT self diagnose, always seek appropriate medical care.

2014 - Day 16

Pro 16:4  The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 

Musing upon this verse, coupled with my reflections about God allowing Hagar and Ishmael to live and prosper.

Genesis 40-42 covers Joseph in jail - without cause, yet God allowed.  Then ministering to the chief of Pharaoh's butler and baker.

Noticed Joseph made his request for remembrance after interpreting the butler's dream - did he already know the baker was doomed?

The butler doesn't immediately 'remember' Joseph...takes another two (2) years and then only because Pharaoh needs someone to interpret his dreams.

Nothing happens by accident - I truly believe in divine appointments - God has a plan and purpose for everything.

Pro_21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 

I wonder if during those years after being in prison the butler reflected upon what had happened...did the thought scurry through his mind about 'owing' Joseph?

Joseph in prison...in a trial, tribulation, testing...what does this say about suffering?  Joseph was still trusting the Lord, still giving Him glory.  Still reverencing Him...accounting Him as the true interpreter of dreams.  What is God allowing in my life that is a 'prison'?  Yet is designed to remove dross and glorify Him?

Am I truly submitted to His will - to loving and serving Him even when I 'feel' forgotten in 'prison'?

Interestingly first time the actual word 'birthday' is used - and someone is killed.  Hmmm.

Chapter 42 ends with Joseph meeting 10 of his brethren - those who were jealous and evil treated him, God allowed to cross his path.  Joseph gives them a 'taste' of bondage...I find it hard to imagine it was done with malice or evil intent.  Purposeful yes, revenge, doubtful, after all the time Joseph's spent being a servant to Potiphar, in prison, God has refined him.  Would that difficulties create positive changes in all of us.

Are we less slow to accuse or demand our 'rights'?  Are we less apt to complain when circumstances and/or people are less than 'ideal'?  I have to admit, I fall short in this area - I expect perfection out of myself and others.  Lord, help me to be more accepting of where you have me, to know, no matter how 'bad' it may look, You are still in control and I am always required to give you glory in and through each and every situation.

And Reuben offering to be surety for Benjamin - the unstable offering to be stable.  Jacob doesn't put his trust in someone whose shown himself to be unfaithful.  Chilling lesson - Reuben's obviously been forgiven, he's still part of the family, living in community with them; however, Jacob's not going to trust what he esteems as a 'precious treasure' to Reuben.  Thought provoking - there is forgiveness and healing, but boundaries in the relationship, trust isn't fully given.

God has to 'work' on Jacob before he's willing to 'release' his treasure.  Had he placed Benjamin above God?  Made him and idol?  What do I have in my life which is competing for the affection, attention, devotion to God?

The fear of Isaac

Gen 31:42  Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.

Gen 31:53  The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac. 

Those are the passages which started the inquiry...wait, what...the fear of Isaac.

Went browsing and came across some interesting information.  Ligioner brought up how Laban and Jacob were now on equal terms.  How Laban had not respected Jacob, but was now willing to treat him as an equal.

This article highlighted how we are to fear God - which Isaac most certainly did!  Think about it, he was very much aware of what was going on when Abraham took him up to the top of the mount.  Willingly allowed himself to be tied up and placed on the alter, knowing his father intended to sacrifice him.  What trust!

I thought this article, Names of God and The Fear of Isaac were thought provoking as well.

Would that we all feared and trusted God.  Lord help us to have a proper reverence for You. To bring honor and glory to You in how we treat others.

Hagar

Musing on Hagar at this juncture she's been in Abram's household at least 10 years (if not more), so she's had an opportunity to witness his faith and devotion.

One of the interesting things I found as I looked for the meaning of Hagar's name was the idea that she was remarried to Abraham as Kenturah!  Uh...no, I don't think so.

Once she conceives she disdains Sarai, who becomes upset and complains to her husband Abram, who tells her to do as she pleased.  Sarai pleased to deal 'hardly' with Hargar, who then fled.

I was captured by the phrase 'angel of the Lord' - Hagar wasn't out looking for God.  Though interestingly she was by a fountain of water when the angel of the Lord 'found' her.  Whereas when she and Ishmael are turned out, she cant find water.


Gen 16:7  And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 

Gen 16:9  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 

Gen 16:10  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 

Gen 16:11  And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

angel - H4397 - From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically of God, that is, an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher).

of the Lord - H3068 - From H1961; (the) self Existent or eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: - Jehovah, the Lord.

Gen 21:12  And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. 

Gen 21:16  And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

Gen 21:17  And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. 

H430 - Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative.

God's definitely looking out for Hagar and Ishmael...which is interesting.  God didn't have to 'find' Hagar out in the wilderness (not that He had to really 'look').  He didn't have to send her back, allow Ishmael to spend 13+ years living under the dominion of Abraham.  He didn't have to 'hear' the voice of the lad and show Hagar the water.

Yet He did...He has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens, even allowing the bondwoman's child to become a nation.  A nation that would cause problems for His chosen people.  All to glorify Him...all the trials and tribulations of our lives are designed by Him to purify and purge us...He could allow life to be 'easy' yet He doesn't.  The question is always, "Do you trust me?"

Do I?  Do I trust God to work everything out to His good will and glorification?  Even when I don't like it? Or it doesn't 'feel' good? So much growth, so little temporal time.  *sigh*

The LORD said in HIS Heart...

...I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

This was Day 3 - from Genesis 8:21 - I know God is not a 'physical' being, He doesn't really have any physical attributes, yet numerous times in Scripture He refers to body parts. Yet He records for us that He 'spoke' in His heart.

Another vein of thinking - who or where else did someone 'say in their heart' and what does it mean to 'say something in your heart?'

Abraham - Gen_17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

Esau - Gen_27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

David - 1Sa_27:1 And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coast of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand.

Jeroboam - 1Ki_12:26 And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

Wicked - Psa_10:6 He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Wicked - Psa_10:11 He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.

Wicked - Psa_10:13 Wherefore doth the wicked contemn God? he hath said in his heart, Thou wilt not require it.

Fool - Psa_14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Fool - Psa_53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Now the question, what am I saying in my heart?  Am I meditating upon His Word? Taking every thought captive?  How about you?

2014 - Day 2

Caution:  This could be habit forming.  Or could it?  I'd heard the old adage, 21 days (or sometimes 40) to form a new habit. Really?

According to this article: Is It True... and this: Habit Formation, the 21 Day Myth, that's not the case.  I enjoyed both articles and found them to be encouraging.  Setting goals and changing patterns isn't easy.  It requires prayer, diligence and accountability.

My prayer isn't so much to post daily, rather to spend time with Him.  Becoming more intimate and knowledgeable about who He is (as much as possible this side of glory) AND for my fellow sojourners to enjoy the same.

I know I've written this before, but I'm still surprised when I 'see' something 'new.'  You'd think after years of reading through the Bible I'd have mined it thoroughly.  Oh, so not true!

Isa 55:8-9  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Deu 29:29  The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

A never ending delight of discovery awaits you...if you haven't started, or started, stopped, started, stopped, ect.  Don't be discouraged, jump in - ANYWHERE!  Unless you were with God in the beginning we're ALL behind!  Take the challenge of getting to know your maker, He's provided His Word, preserved it for well over 5,000+ years.

Today I was reading Genesis 4-6, a few thoughts:

The word respect captured me today.  God had respect.  Think on that for a bit...God had respect, He also had NO respect.

Respect - H8159 - A primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly for help); by implication to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered.

Not - H3808 - lo; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abstract negation); by implication no; often used with other particles.

I've been reading several commentaries on the above - most are too lengthy to post here; however, this portion from Kiel and Delitzsch (K&D) made me think about habits:

Cain is to rule over the sin which is greedily desiring him, by giving up his wrath, not indeed that sin may cease to lurk for him, but that the lurking evil foe may obtain no entrance into his heart.

I'm using the commentaries contained in E-Sword (which is a free Bible download - for both Windows and Mac) or you can view K&D here, here or here.

I can't say it definitively, and haven't researched it extensively; however from the flow of the verses Cain (after slaying Abel), married, had children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, etc. etc.,then Adam and Eve had Seth years later?

Gen 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 

Gen 5:3  And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: 

So was there a major time lag between Cain and Abel's birth and Seth?  Scripture doesn't say how old Adam (or Eve) were when conceiving and bearing Cain and Abel - since they were made as adults they could have been as young as 1 year old!

Adam and Eve obviously had other children after Cain and Abel = Cain had to get his wife from somewhere!  I'm pondering upon this...Cain, Abel, a baby a year - Cain is about what 20, maybe 30 or above and slays his brother...did Eve quit bearing children at that juncture? Or continue on and then when Seth was conceived somehow it was known this was the line from whom the Messiah would enter?

Ah...one of those ponderables which will be revealed in heaven perhaps?

2014 - Day 1

Don't get comfortable, this may not be a daily occurrence.  :-P

Pondering upon my reading this morning...

I started with Genesis (chapters 1-3) - contemplating on the issue of trust.  Eve didn't trust God or Adam, Adam didn't trust God.  I'm more focused on the woman though - God hadn't ever been 'bad' to her, unless you count the lie that the enemy planted.  Adam hadn't been 'bad' to her, unless you count his lack of protection from the enemy.

When we don't trust God, or the men He's provided (or allowed) in our lives, we can really go out of bounds.  Thinking of Sarah, how she didn't trust God and went her 'own' way, and we have the nation from Ishmael.

Lot's daughters who didn't trust and conceived seed of their father, following their own inclinations, and produced Moab and Ammon.

I'm sure there are other examples; however, I'm focusing on how distrusting I am of my heavenly Father.  How disrespectful and disobedient that attitude is to Him.  He, who has provided all I will ever need. When I begin to fret or worry over some situation or circumstance, allowing my thoughts to ricochet off one side of my mind to the other, not taking (or bringing) every thought captive.



The verse below captured my attention and not until writing this post did I realize how well it tied into the trust issue.

Pro 1:33  But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Hearkeneth - H8085 - A primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively to tell, etc.

This word is used 1158 times in 1072 verses - the first occurrence is when Adam and Eve 'hear' the voice of the Lord in the garden (Gen 3:8).  The Psalms have many references to the Lord "hearing" a prayer.  It's reassuring to know the Lord hears His children...and answers.

Interestingly this verse caught my attention on being quiet from fear of evil - notice quiet from fear.  Isn't that what we have when we don't trust Him?  Fear?  Not that there won't be evil - tests and tribulations - but a settled stillness which comes from knowing He is for us, not against us.

Psa_46:10  Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Oh Father, help us Your children to HEAR you, to obey, to trust and believe You can and will work all out for our good and Your glory.