Spam... no, not the mystery meat in a can! E-mail spam...
Last week, I sat reading e-mail, as any normal person would, when God began to speak. (When God interrupts a perfectly mundane daily task, I am surprisingly caught off guard at the sound of His voice.) The e-mail was not unlike most forwarded e-mail. It told of some sort of gloom and doom and the readers should be very aware. However, my sense of awareness was not only heightened, but I was struck with fear.
This fear is what prompted God to speak to me. "Do not be afraid..." Then He took me to Isaiah 8: 12-14, "Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don't live in dread of what frightens them. Make the Lord of Heaven's Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble. He will keep you safe."
He then asked me, "Are you going to fear what the world fears or do you believe Me?" Faith... believing God at His Word... even when checking e-mail.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Prepare the Way
Sometimes I feel as though I’m wondering aimlessly through life, filling my days with mundane tasks that matter little to the bigger picture. I have a sense of purpose, but I wonder if what bombards me each day as necessity (i.e. cleaning out the litter box, making lunches, sweeping, reading children’s books, playing transformers, etc.) is really part of what helps me fulfill that purpose. I would like to propose that it does.
God prepared the Israelites for His purposes for them in the Promised Land. "While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses..." (Numbers 35:1) The land of Canaan which God had promised to them as their inheritance was across the Jordan River. They had yet to attain their promise. When He speaks to Moses in the following verses of chapter 35, He passes down more instruction. The instruction is not what caught my eye. It was the phrase, "While Israel was camped..." which is very similar to verses 9 & 10 later in the chapter, "The Lord said to Moses... 'When you cross the Jordan in to the land of Canaan..." Before ever entering into God's promise for them, He prepared them for life inside that promise.
God has prepared me for His purposes as well. Writing here has brought about times of reflection recently. I have wondered how I got here. God has shown me that it has been no secret. Normal everday activities have played their part in readying me for His work. Memories flood my mind... journaling to God as a tweenager and high schooler... my English comp teacher at Auburn attempting to persuade me to change my major... a dear friend commenting on the gift God has given me to express myself in written form in my journals... His Word drawing me into intimacy with Him through those journals... He had prepared me all along to write for Him.
When my days are often scheduled to the hour, so full that I seem to be running perpetually, I often don't consider that what God is teaching me through everyday activities is preparation for where He is taking me. Life comes at me quickly and waiting is something there is little time for. But, if ever I take a moment to reflect through the pages of my journals or take hold of memories as they pop up out of nowhere, I see that even in my hustle and bustle He was there preparing me.
God prepared the Israelites for His purposes for them in the Promised Land. "While Israel was camped beside the Jordan on the plains of Moab across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses..." (Numbers 35:1) The land of Canaan which God had promised to them as their inheritance was across the Jordan River. They had yet to attain their promise. When He speaks to Moses in the following verses of chapter 35, He passes down more instruction. The instruction is not what caught my eye. It was the phrase, "While Israel was camped..." which is very similar to verses 9 & 10 later in the chapter, "The Lord said to Moses... 'When you cross the Jordan in to the land of Canaan..." Before ever entering into God's promise for them, He prepared them for life inside that promise.
God has prepared me for His purposes as well. Writing here has brought about times of reflection recently. I have wondered how I got here. God has shown me that it has been no secret. Normal everday activities have played their part in readying me for His work. Memories flood my mind... journaling to God as a tweenager and high schooler... my English comp teacher at Auburn attempting to persuade me to change my major... a dear friend commenting on the gift God has given me to express myself in written form in my journals... His Word drawing me into intimacy with Him through those journals... He had prepared me all along to write for Him.
When my days are often scheduled to the hour, so full that I seem to be running perpetually, I often don't consider that what God is teaching me through everyday activities is preparation for where He is taking me. Life comes at me quickly and waiting is something there is little time for. But, if ever I take a moment to reflect through the pages of my journals or take hold of memories as they pop up out of nowhere, I see that even in my hustle and bustle He was there preparing me.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Under Pressure
Pressure seems to push on us from all directions. We all face it continuing to add stress with more and more demands in our schedules. Even for those striving to simplify, pressure still remains. No matter your status or career, we all face pressure. Some comes from outside sources, and at times we put pressure on ourselves. It is sometimes healthy and sometimes not. Regardless, what do we do when we are under pressure?
These were the questions I asked myself when reading about Balaam in Numbers 23 & 24. Balaam is under tremendous pressure from another person, an important person, to perform a certain way. (Boy, can't I identify!) Instead of being overcome by the pressure or allowing the pressure to stress him out, he takes time away from the situation to be alone & seek God's guidance. "So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill, and God met him there." (Numbers 23:3,4) (A tangent: I saw here that when I choose to make time to be alone with God with no distractions, He will meet me there. What a comfort to my soul!) We see Balaam do this a second time. He leaves the demanding situation to seek God's direction. (Numbers 23:15) "And the Lord met Balaam and gave him a message." (Numbers 23:16) (Another tangent: Not only will God meet us in this place, but He will give us answers specific to the situation.)
But interestingly, Balaam makes a different choice the third and fourth times he is put in the hot seat over the same situation. "By now Balaam realized that the Lord was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before... Then the Spirit of God came upon him and this is the message he delivered..." (Numbers 24:1,2) When we are pushed and pressed on every side by worldly human demands, we need to take time, just as Balaam did, to be alone with God, seeking His guidance and instruction, His voice. But, when we leave, we should know better the heart of God. We should begin to learn His desires, so that, when faced with yet another similar pressure, we already know what He wants from us. Then being filled by His Spirit we can act accordingly in His will.
These were the questions I asked myself when reading about Balaam in Numbers 23 & 24. Balaam is under tremendous pressure from another person, an important person, to perform a certain way. (Boy, can't I identify!) Instead of being overcome by the pressure or allowing the pressure to stress him out, he takes time away from the situation to be alone & seek God's guidance. "So Balaam went alone to the top of a bare hill, and God met him there." (Numbers 23:3,4) (A tangent: I saw here that when I choose to make time to be alone with God with no distractions, He will meet me there. What a comfort to my soul!) We see Balaam do this a second time. He leaves the demanding situation to seek God's direction. (Numbers 23:15) "And the Lord met Balaam and gave him a message." (Numbers 23:16) (Another tangent: Not only will God meet us in this place, but He will give us answers specific to the situation.)
But interestingly, Balaam makes a different choice the third and fourth times he is put in the hot seat over the same situation. "By now Balaam realized that the Lord was determined to bless Israel, so he did not resort to divination as before... Then the Spirit of God came upon him and this is the message he delivered..." (Numbers 24:1,2) When we are pushed and pressed on every side by worldly human demands, we need to take time, just as Balaam did, to be alone with God, seeking His guidance and instruction, His voice. But, when we leave, we should know better the heart of God. We should begin to learn His desires, so that, when faced with yet another similar pressure, we already know what He wants from us. Then being filled by His Spirit we can act accordingly in His will.
If... then...
When I read in the Old Testament, I am face to face with a people, a chosen people, who are so incredibly human. I quickly begin asking myself questions of these people as I read wondering how in the world... Then like a ton of bricks, I am hit with the realization that I am no different. My want for them to be different stirs in me the same desire for God to transform me.
Now I am faced with the words on the page. "The the people of Israel made this vow to the Lord, 'If you will hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy all their towns.'" (Numbers 21:2) These Israelites are playing the game I so often participate in with God. "God, if you will just __________, then I will __________ ." Will I ever come to God without an agenda? An agenda of my own humanness? Oh, how I wish to die to this self-righteous, self-seeking flesh!
In my desire to be different, more than slave to this human, sinful nature, I am looking directly at God wanting to answer. I knew without reading any more just how this story would end, but just in case He provides the inevitable ending so we are sure to get the message. "The Lord heard the Israelites' request and gave them victory..." (Numbers 21:3) God answers! He gives! How do I repay Him? Much like the Israelites I'm sad to say. "Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor... But the people grew impatient with the long journey, and they began to speak against God and Moses." (Numbers 21:4,5) Little needs be said... (I can only hope I allow Him to transform me before He sends snakes. "So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6))
God desires to be a visible force in my life, blessing me and thus drawing me unto Him through those blessings. May I remember it is a relationship He desires. The blessings and answered "prayers" are a means of showing His love for me, a wooing of sorts.
Oh Lord, if you love me like Your Word says, then I too desire to share in relationship with you.
Now I am faced with the words on the page. "The the people of Israel made this vow to the Lord, 'If you will hand these people over to us, we will completely destroy all their towns.'" (Numbers 21:2) These Israelites are playing the game I so often participate in with God. "God, if you will just __________, then I will __________ ." Will I ever come to God without an agenda? An agenda of my own humanness? Oh, how I wish to die to this self-righteous, self-seeking flesh!
In my desire to be different, more than slave to this human, sinful nature, I am looking directly at God wanting to answer. I knew without reading any more just how this story would end, but just in case He provides the inevitable ending so we are sure to get the message. "The Lord heard the Israelites' request and gave them victory..." (Numbers 21:3) God answers! He gives! How do I repay Him? Much like the Israelites I'm sad to say. "Then the people of Israel set out from Mount Hor... But the people grew impatient with the long journey, and they began to speak against God and Moses." (Numbers 21:4,5) Little needs be said... (I can only hope I allow Him to transform me before He sends snakes. "So the Lord sent poisonous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died." (Numbers 21:6))
God desires to be a visible force in my life, blessing me and thus drawing me unto Him through those blessings. May I remember it is a relationship He desires. The blessings and answered "prayers" are a means of showing His love for me, a wooing of sorts.
Oh Lord, if you love me like Your Word says, then I too desire to share in relationship with you.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God's Choice for President
I remember reading the book of Jeremiah in the fall of last year. It was at the same time our country was beginning to anticipate the Presidential Election. Within the book of Jeremiah, God spoke peace to my heart about whomever was elected as our country's next president. "I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge me? What ruler can oppose my will?" (49:19) Today, in the history of the present events, He reminded me of His peace.
Can I really believe these words in Jeremiah are meant also for our country's president? Yes! Because my God is a faithful God! It was here, another day in Numbers, that He vividly displayed His faithfulness and reminded me of His peace. "God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19) Essentially, I heard, "Cara, because of my faithfulness you can trust that I have placed Barack in this place, and he cannot help but do my will."
I know that even if my choice for president was not elected, the chosen man was put in place by God. What comfort in the fact that no matter what Barack H. Obama does or says in the next four years, he cannot oppose God's will!
Because Barack is God's man for this job, Barack is also my man for this job. I need not agree with all his policies and opinions, but prayer, loyalty, and respect are what I will give my new President.
Can I really believe these words in Jeremiah are meant also for our country's president? Yes! Because my God is a faithful God! It was here, another day in Numbers, that He vividly displayed His faithfulness and reminded me of His peace. "God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23:19) Essentially, I heard, "Cara, because of my faithfulness you can trust that I have placed Barack in this place, and he cannot help but do my will."
I know that even if my choice for president was not elected, the chosen man was put in place by God. What comfort in the fact that no matter what Barack H. Obama does or says in the next four years, he cannot oppose God's will!
Because Barack is God's man for this job, Barack is also my man for this job. I need not agree with all his policies and opinions, but prayer, loyalty, and respect are what I will give my new President.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Getting Caught Up in God's Call
I have been absent from this place for a few days. I would like to tell you it is because I was spending so much time in the Word that I didn't have time to get back here. I'd like to say that life has just been crazy busy. I'd like to say anything, but what I'm about to write. But, write I must in order to remain true the calling behind this blog, a calling not of my own desire, but given by God.
I have been absent because, in my time with Him this week, I have not felt those moments to be worthy of writing here. Unknowingly, I have come to love this place. Writing just the right words to express myself and my time with Him has become my satisfaction. I find myself reading and rereading and rereading my posts, so proud of each word published by my hand. (Are you becoming as sick of me as I am?)
How could I not have seen such pride growing within? Yet today, I began first with some time with Him asking desperately for His forgiveness. I quote from my journal, "After reflecting over previous entries from this week, I ask for Your forgiveness. I have continued here in these journal pages because that's where you meet me; it is the essence of our relationship. All-the-while, doing it to attain something good to carry into my blog. Not really feeling this week's writing was blog worthy, I began to not love these pages as much as I love the writing in my blog. Oh, forgive my pride. Do not allow that blog to become my god! May the blog only be an extension of these pages not an avenue for me to worship myself more. May I write because you are calling me, not to impress or acquire human approval. Writing there is obedience to Your call and therefore it matters not what anyone thinks, bad or good. All is well with my soul because I have obeyed."
Knowing He would meet me at this same spot in His word, I turned to Numbers 17 &18. There in chapter 18 verse 20 I read, "And the Lord said... 'I am your share and your allotment.'" I will quote what I believe God spoke to my desperate soul in that short sentence. "My dear one, it is because of Me that you are even writing. Without me there would be nothing for you to pen. Because this is my doing, I have given you both the ability & desire, I am all you need. 'I am your share and you allotment.' I am your satisfaction. It is knowing Me more that draws you to write because there I reveal myself to you. Know me. 'I am your share and your allotment.' I am all you need. "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:13) You will find life... your life & the specific tasks I am drawing you to. I love you, my dear. I love you!"
For His purposes, not my own...
I have been absent because, in my time with Him this week, I have not felt those moments to be worthy of writing here. Unknowingly, I have come to love this place. Writing just the right words to express myself and my time with Him has become my satisfaction. I find myself reading and rereading and rereading my posts, so proud of each word published by my hand. (Are you becoming as sick of me as I am?)
How could I not have seen such pride growing within? Yet today, I began first with some time with Him asking desperately for His forgiveness. I quote from my journal, "After reflecting over previous entries from this week, I ask for Your forgiveness. I have continued here in these journal pages because that's where you meet me; it is the essence of our relationship. All-the-while, doing it to attain something good to carry into my blog. Not really feeling this week's writing was blog worthy, I began to not love these pages as much as I love the writing in my blog. Oh, forgive my pride. Do not allow that blog to become my god! May the blog only be an extension of these pages not an avenue for me to worship myself more. May I write because you are calling me, not to impress or acquire human approval. Writing there is obedience to Your call and therefore it matters not what anyone thinks, bad or good. All is well with my soul because I have obeyed."
Knowing He would meet me at this same spot in His word, I turned to Numbers 17 &18. There in chapter 18 verse 20 I read, "And the Lord said... 'I am your share and your allotment.'" I will quote what I believe God spoke to my desperate soul in that short sentence. "My dear one, it is because of Me that you are even writing. Without me there would be nothing for you to pen. Because this is my doing, I have given you both the ability & desire, I am all you need. 'I am your share and you allotment.' I am your satisfaction. It is knowing Me more that draws you to write because there I reveal myself to you. Know me. 'I am your share and your allotment.' I am all you need. "If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me." (Jeremiah 29:13) You will find life... your life & the specific tasks I am drawing you to. I love you, my dear. I love you!"
For His purposes, not my own...
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Sunrise
I awoke this morning before the sun and spent the first moments of my day with my God outside on the back porch as He beckoned the bright star to bring forth His glory. Silent... watching the earth reveal each piece of His glory as the sun struggled to shine amongst the cloud cover. Even when the imminent storm seemed to block out all rays of light, the light was still there. His light is still there because He promises, "As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night." (Genesis 8:22) ... "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:22-23) ... "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5)
(Arise by Chris Sligh played on XM radio just after I wrote this blog.)
Arise by Chris Sligh in "songs of the moment"
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Let's Party!
In the hustle and bustle of being slammed back into the real world after rebelling from all minor responsibilities over the holidays, I could sure use a good pick-me-up. The first few weeks after Christmas are always a real downer for me. I often struggle to fight the effects of the big let down. Life after Christmas seems to be far less exciting and more demanding than the days spent celebrating Christ's birth.
Well, today is my lucky day! As I trudged on into Numbers 9 & 10, God sent me that little lift for which my soul so desperately longed. I read as God gave Moses what seemed to be more regulations to follow until I noticed... " 'Tell the Israelites to celebrate the Passover...' So Moses told the people to celebrate the Passover... And they celebrated the festival." (Numbers 9:2, 4, 5)
I frequently avoid seeking God's guidance because I assume His input will include a long list of thou-shalt-nots and must-dos. It never enters my thinking that He might actually want me to celebrate the slavery from which He saved me and the freedom He provided in its place. This life, this "Christian life," He desires for me to celebrate.
Often I look at "living for God" as strict and solemn. It may be, as in the case of the Passover for the Israelites, I do not celebrate enough this life He breathes into me. I get caught up in performing to a certain standard, a standard that consists of some imaginary list of good Christian must-dos that only a perfect person can keep. Realizing my humanness and forever failing to measure up, I will live my days with less enthusiasm knowing I will never be good enough.
But to celebrate the life He provides me, changes my mental state. Life, all of life because all of it counts, even the most mundane daily tasks, should be celebrated because God has provided it. A celebration! A party! Each day lived with excitement, praising Him for the freedom He bought for me at such a high price.
Just writing these words promotes a spirit ready to overflow with His glory. I have turned on Chris Tomlin's song Holy Is the Lord and sit here with a smile on my face, head bouncing, hardly able to contain myself. Celebrating... living... cooking dinner... playing "Star Wars" with HG... getting beat at the board game Sorry... water skiing... watching football... hanging with friends... chatting with a dear, far away friend... random acts of kindness to strangers... blogging... sitting quietly... This is the life He calls me to daily. This is the life I celebrate!
Well, today is my lucky day! As I trudged on into Numbers 9 & 10, God sent me that little lift for which my soul so desperately longed. I read as God gave Moses what seemed to be more regulations to follow until I noticed... " 'Tell the Israelites to celebrate the Passover...' So Moses told the people to celebrate the Passover... And they celebrated the festival." (Numbers 9:2, 4, 5)
I frequently avoid seeking God's guidance because I assume His input will include a long list of thou-shalt-nots and must-dos. It never enters my thinking that He might actually want me to celebrate the slavery from which He saved me and the freedom He provided in its place. This life, this "Christian life," He desires for me to celebrate.
Often I look at "living for God" as strict and solemn. It may be, as in the case of the Passover for the Israelites, I do not celebrate enough this life He breathes into me. I get caught up in performing to a certain standard, a standard that consists of some imaginary list of good Christian must-dos that only a perfect person can keep. Realizing my humanness and forever failing to measure up, I will live my days with less enthusiasm knowing I will never be good enough.
But to celebrate the life He provides me, changes my mental state. Life, all of life because all of it counts, even the most mundane daily tasks, should be celebrated because God has provided it. A celebration! A party! Each day lived with excitement, praising Him for the freedom He bought for me at such a high price.
Just writing these words promotes a spirit ready to overflow with His glory. I have turned on Chris Tomlin's song Holy Is the Lord and sit here with a smile on my face, head bouncing, hardly able to contain myself. Celebrating... living... cooking dinner... playing "Star Wars" with HG... getting beat at the board game Sorry... water skiing... watching football... hanging with friends... chatting with a dear, far away friend... random acts of kindness to strangers... blogging... sitting quietly... This is the life He calls me to daily. This is the life I celebrate!
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Voice of God
I am amazed each time I journal. I read from the Bible thinking, "I don't have much to write about today..." or "Do I even need to take the time to write today because I just didn't get much out of what I read?" or even "I'll write about this, but I'll never be able to write more than one or two sentences." Today was another of those days.
It is hard for me to really get deep into this book Numbers. It could be all the legalism no longer necessary for us as Christians because of Christ's perfect sacrifice, or just a hard heart thinking this Old Testament "stuff" doesn't matter any more so why take the time, or somewhere in between. Regardless, I found myself with little self-discovery this morning after reading chapters 7 & 8. Yet, as I wrote the Holy Spirit lead me to a little nugget of wisdom.
It began with verse 89 of chapter 7, "Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark's cover - the place of atonement - that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him there." Moses was the only Israelite allowed into this most sacred place and therefore the only one allowed to hear the voice of God.
If you are a dear friend of mine, you will occasionally hear me say, "God told me..." I was struck by this verse because the Israelites heard from Moses what God said, but never heard God speak directly to them. I do believe that I "hear" from God. It may not be an audible voice as Moses most surely heard, but it is God's voice nonetheless. I am addicted to hearing from Him. It is when He falls silent in my personal time with Him that I begin to struggle.
Realizing not everyone hears God's voice like I do, I thought about my life before I began listening to Him speak. When reading a passage from the Old Testament, I might lament about wishing God were more audible or visual like He was here with Moses or in parting the Red Sea. Surely then I could not deny the very presence of God in my life. How lucky those of the Old Testament must have been to see such glorious miracles! (Enter the Holy Spirit...) God acted so boldly for them because they did not have personal access to Him. His actions confirmed for them that Moses was actually hearing Him and speaking His Truth. His actions in miracles brought credibility to Moses' time with Him in the Tabernacle.
Now each of us has personal access to this most amazing God. Because of Christ we can boldly approach His throne for intimate time with Him. ("And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus... And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him." Hebrews 10:19,21-22a) While you are there, ask God to speak to you. You will know it is His voice as He reveals Himself in your circumstances that miraculously confirm the voice you heard.
It is hard for me to really get deep into this book Numbers. It could be all the legalism no longer necessary for us as Christians because of Christ's perfect sacrifice, or just a hard heart thinking this Old Testament "stuff" doesn't matter any more so why take the time, or somewhere in between. Regardless, I found myself with little self-discovery this morning after reading chapters 7 & 8. Yet, as I wrote the Holy Spirit lead me to a little nugget of wisdom.
It began with verse 89 of chapter 7, "Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark's cover - the place of atonement - that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him there." Moses was the only Israelite allowed into this most sacred place and therefore the only one allowed to hear the voice of God.
If you are a dear friend of mine, you will occasionally hear me say, "God told me..." I was struck by this verse because the Israelites heard from Moses what God said, but never heard God speak directly to them. I do believe that I "hear" from God. It may not be an audible voice as Moses most surely heard, but it is God's voice nonetheless. I am addicted to hearing from Him. It is when He falls silent in my personal time with Him that I begin to struggle.
Realizing not everyone hears God's voice like I do, I thought about my life before I began listening to Him speak. When reading a passage from the Old Testament, I might lament about wishing God were more audible or visual like He was here with Moses or in parting the Red Sea. Surely then I could not deny the very presence of God in my life. How lucky those of the Old Testament must have been to see such glorious miracles! (Enter the Holy Spirit...) God acted so boldly for them because they did not have personal access to Him. His actions confirmed for them that Moses was actually hearing Him and speaking His Truth. His actions in miracles brought credibility to Moses' time with Him in the Tabernacle.
Now each of us has personal access to this most amazing God. Because of Christ we can boldly approach His throne for intimate time with Him. ("And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus... And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him." Hebrews 10:19,21-22a) While you are there, ask God to speak to you. You will know it is His voice as He reveals Himself in your circumstances that miraculously confirm the voice you heard.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Organization 101
I began reading in Numbers today. I tackled chapters 1 & 2. As I read, my eyes seemed to reveal, in all the mandates from God, His specific organization of all those people. The Israelites have escaped from Egypt and are now wandering the wilderness in search of a "land flowing with milk and honey." In my mind, I picture several hundred people of which Moses and Aaron are given charge. But, as Moses and Aaron and Aaron's sons "record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families" (1:2), they discover themselves leading over 600,000. (Note: The 600,000 counted are only those that fit the warrior description. This excludes women, children and the elderly men)
Keeping this number in mind I read on to chapter two. "The Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron. 'When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it... All the tribes are the travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.'" (2:1-2, 17) God was interested in the details. He was organized and knew that organization was far better than over 600,000 people wandering in chaos.
If He was this specific with such a large group of people, wouldn't it be so much easier for Him to be concerned about organizing the specifics of little ole me? After all, the Israelites were merely 600,000 or so "little ole me's." Do I take the time to listen to His specific plans for my life? Do I even take the time to ask Him what His specific plans are for me?
What if I did listen? What if I did hear and follow through? What would be my fate? I only know, "...the people of Israel did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them." (2:34) (At least they followed instructions at this point in their wandering.) Life was good. If God can make life move smoothly for that many, what could He do with my life if I allowed Him the opportunity to organize my specifics?
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT)
Keeping this number in mind I read on to chapter two. "The Lord gave these instructions to Moses and Aaron. 'When the Israelites set up camp, each tribe will be assigned its own area. The tribal divisions will camp beneath their family banners on all four sides of the Tabernacle, but at some distance from it... All the tribes are the travel in the same order that they camp, each in position under the appropriate family banner.'" (2:1-2, 17) God was interested in the details. He was organized and knew that organization was far better than over 600,000 people wandering in chaos.
If He was this specific with such a large group of people, wouldn't it be so much easier for Him to be concerned about organizing the specifics of little ole me? After all, the Israelites were merely 600,000 or so "little ole me's." Do I take the time to listen to His specific plans for my life? Do I even take the time to ask Him what His specific plans are for me?
What if I did listen? What if I did hear and follow through? What would be my fate? I only know, "...the people of Israel did everything as the Lord had commanded Moses. Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them." (2:34) (At least they followed instructions at this point in their wandering.) Life was good. If God can make life move smoothly for that many, what could He do with my life if I allowed Him the opportunity to organize my specifics?
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT)
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