Author: kezha1

As Believers, we know God can heal, deliver, and perform miracles…but what we are praying for may not be within His divine plan. We then need the kind of faith that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had…the kind of trust in God that even if they were not rescued in the way they had in mind, their confidence in Him would not falter. For in the end, we will be ultimately rescued on the Day of Resurrection…or as Daniel 12:1-2 tells us, “But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the Book – will be delivered.” Lord, help us to have that kind of “even if He doesn’t” kind of faith!

Across the Bible, from the Old to New Testament, we hear God giving the commandment to not expand on nor remove His Word from what He’s given us in the Bible. (Deuteronomy 12:32, Revelation 22:18-19) But despite that, we still have the audacity to think we need to make it more “Politically Correct” for modern times. “Every Word of the Lord is flawless.” (Proverbs 30:5) and He doesn’t need our help tweaking it to make it more palatable or inclusive. No, our job is to fear God and obey His Word, not rewrite it to fit our whims…or sins.

We live in very evil times and we need each other to be that “Plumb Line” of Truth in order that we not be deceived by the cunning duplicity of the world.  For the sin in the world is crafty but subtle, never over the top, to raise red flags.  It takes concepts which sound good and right in part, but then twists them ever so slightly that unless you are familiar with God’s Word it would almost sound Biblical.  This type of worldly sin doesn’t ask for outright rebellion on your part…it just wants you to question what you once professed and accepted as God’s Truth and instead relegate it to historical lore.

The twelve year old Jesus had traveled with His parents and a large group of people to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover, but was somehow left behind in the journey home. In their desperate search, His parents found Him days later in the Temple debating with the Teachers of the Law. When Jesus asked them these questions He wasn’t doing it out of disobedience…it was more out of surprise or amazement …something like, “Where else do you think I’d be?” For to this young Jesus He was simply being about His Father’s business. Something that had been planned before the beginning of time and assigned to Him solely. For Jesus had been sent to earth as the only one who could perfectly accomplish His Father’s Will.

The covenantal relationship God had with His people was one of unspeakable love and tender mercies on His part.  He loved them as only a Father could love his children…in a close and intimate relationship.  But just like toddlers, as soon as they gained some independence, they started testing out their autonomy.  And the louder God called to get their attention…sadly, the further they wandered away.  Or as Hosea 11:7 laments, “My people are determined to turn from Me.”  

Before I drew my first breath, my days were numbered. “Man’s days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” (Job 14:5) So are all the changing events of my life…they are all in God’s hands, so like David, my dependence needs to be in Him alone. And there in His Presence, I can bow down humbly…grateful for His deliverance into everlasting salvation, His kindness, and His mercy. I place all my days in Your hands, O Lord, do with them as You see best. Amen.

Many places throughout the Bible we are told to Honor our Father and Mother. But for many, this is a most difficult thing to do. Maybe you didn’t even know your Dad. He abandoned your Mom early on and was absent most of your childhood…popping in a few times, but then disappearing only to reappear months or years later. You were then left with feelings of confusion, shame, and invalidation…wondering what you had done to make him leave. Or maybe your Dad was part of your family but very distant and unattached. You longed to have a relationship like everyone else had, but every time you tagged along…he shunned you. I can understand completely your reluctance to honor someone who has hurt you…but look at it from this angle. Romans 12:10 says, “Honor one another above yourselves.” This type of honoring is unselfish, self-sacrificing, and looking for the good in people despite what they’ve done to you honoring. It’s simply showing common respect, kindness, and decency from one human being to another…and that’s what God wants us all to do.

Isaac was Abraham’s son of promise…a dearly loved son in his old age, but more importantly, the future promise of the Jewish Nation. But here, God is asking Abraham to surrender this precious promise, not out of temptation, for God cannot be tempted, nor tempt anyone to do evil (James 1:12-13) but in order to refine Abraham’s character. God was asking Abraham to totally give up this promise…to relinquish all rights to it…and to remain loyal and obedient to God, not the promise. Maybe the Lord has asked you to do the same thing…surrender a promise He’s given you to see where your loyalties lie…in that promise or in Him.

It’s in our hearts that the natural knowledge of God resides. (Romans 1:21) And it’s within our hearts that God’s Agape love for us is truly realized. This knowledge and influence moves us on as the glory of God shines through the face of His Son Jesus Christ. (II Corinthians 4:6) And it’s through Jesus that we develop the character of perseverance. For Jesus is the perfect example of endurance, patience, and suffering in the faith without surrender…it’s hope under pressure with steadfast certianity, or as David prayed in I Chronicles 29:18, “Lord, keep our hearts loyal to You.”

Spiritual adultery was the first sin God’s people committed. They willfully turned their backs on God and followed after their own devices…leading us to the second sin. Cisterns were pits cut out of limestone rock and lined with plaster to collect rainwater. God tells His people here that their attempt to circumvent His authority and rebel by trusting in their own understanding would only result in cracked and leaky cisterns that wouldn’t hold water. Jesus talked about this to the Samaritan woman drawing water at the well when He compared how its water could only temporarily quench thirst, compared to the spring of water welling up to eternal life – called Living Water – that would quench one’s spiritual thirst forever. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of Salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)