Numbers 22: Balaam and Balak

Scripture:

“This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, ¹⁷ because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”

¹⁸ But Balaam answered them, “Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God.

Observation:

So Balak is the Moabite king who is afraid of the Israelites camping on his land as they wait to enter their Promised Land, so he sends a message to Balaam, clearly a diviner or sorcerer of some kind, but one who hears from God, to come and curse the Israelites for him. Before he goes anywhere, Balaam hears from God who basically says, “Don’t bother. They’re my people so you can’t curse them anyway.” So we get the verse above, and Balaam sticks to his guns and does what God says throughout. If you read on to chapter 24, we discover that God lets Balaam go to Balak, but then he gets hit by the Holy Spirit and pronounces three blessings on Israel and a bunch of messages of destruction for the nations around. Not quite what Balak had in mind!

Application

I love the fact that Balaam says what he needs to say to this king, is fearless about it (a king could have you killed in an instant if he wanted in those days), and sticks to it throughout the whole story – “I can only do and say what God tells me to.” I want to have that kind of determination. We know, as Christians, that God is on our side (Romans 8:31), and that being true, we have nothing to fear. Easy to say in a country that doesn’t persecute its Christians. But no matter what happens, we need to have Balaam’s determination to stick with what God has imparted to us in his written word and through prophecy, whether it leads us towards good times or bad.

Prayer:

Lord God, help me to focus on what you have said and stick with it no matter what; give me the strength to be determined I pray, especially when times are tough. Amen.

 

Numbers 11

If you’re a regular reader here, sorry it’s been a while. Ironically, being on holiday (as I have for the past 2 weeks) makes me worse at reading my Bible regularly, and terrible at blogging about it! Anyway, starting a new plan today, based around ’30 stories I’ve probably never heard’ according to Zondervan. I think I’ve heard them all, but it may be unlikely I’ve considered them recently, for sure! So here we go, with Numbers 11, and a chapter where everyone speaks grumpily to each other!

Scripture

¹⁶ The LORD said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

¹⁸ “Tell the people: ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, when you will eat meat.

Observation

So the chapter starts with fire being sent to the Israelites’ camp as a punishment for grumbling about hardships, but the people carry on. Specifically moaning that they don’t have any meat to eat, only manna. They go to Moses about it, and he complains to God that he can’t bear the burden of leading this people alone (interesting that he starts there, rather than repeating their complaint about meat). So God deals with both problems at once – he sends his spirit to 70 other leaders of the tribes AND gives them so much meat that it starts to kill them (v33 says that God struck them with a severe plague after they each collected over a ton of quail – I wonder if it was simply that the meat started to rot and make them ill?).

Application

Well, it’s probably not best to focus on all the grumpiness. Moses is a leader who is never afraid to say what he’s thinking, or to question God about whether his decision is a good one, but as you may know from the rest of his story, not trusting God is what leads Moses to die before the people reach the Promised Land. I think a good focus we can bring out of this chapter is the fact that God, with all the people clamouring for something better, and two different requests being made, is generous enough to grant both (though he doesn’t leave the ungratefulness of the people unpunished). And what’s interesting is that he starts with the request that is more important – that of sharing the leadership responsibilities. We can trust God to know which prayers to answer and which prayers to leave for now when we call on him; he knows what’s best for us, and what is most important in our lives when we are too engulfed in a situation to see what are the vital things to focus on.

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you know better than I do, and that you can see the whole of my life and situations when I certainly cannot. And thank you that you are generous enough to grant prayers when you know what’s best for me. Amen.

 

Mark 12:13-27 – Wisdom under Pressure

Scripture:

Well, this is odd, because I’ve put one reference in the title of the post, but I’m using a linked verse here because it was in my Bible reading notes and spoke to me more than the passage in Mark. So it’s James 3:17-18 - But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Observation

Just the combination of verses here: James talks about peace bringing a harvest of righteousness – see below for an example of this working in my own life – and Jesus gives us a great example of this peaceful wisdom under pressure. As the Pharisees are trying to trap him over taxation, and the Saducees are trying to trap him over the resurrection, Jesus remains totally calm and answers both out of his God-given wisdom, and it says ‘they were amazed at him’.

Application

I currently teach RE to teenagers, and on occasions, they don’t particularly want to be there. This doesn’t make me feel bad, it happens all the time to every teacher. That’s fine. What isn’t fine is when a class becomes so disruptive that you don’t feel you can teach them properly, and when it goes badly, you just end up yelling at them, sending someone out or finishing the lesson wondering why they have these pesky laws about not killing your students. I have had a couple of those days this year. And then it struck me (goodness know why it took so long) that if I prayed before those lessons, God might just help me. So I did, and I prayed for peace. I prayed that I would be able to conduct myself peacefully and calmly, because students so often take their behavioural cues from their teachers. Some totally ignore them, but hey, you do your best. Anyway, God gave me the most peaceful, calm lesson I had had so far this year. Yes, some kids still did things wrong, but remaining calm and peaceful myself ensured we could all work together amicably. Those classes still aren’t perfect, but I am trying, with God’s help, to change myself before I go nuts trying to change them.

Prayer

Thank you Holy Spirit that when you come into a room, peace reigns. And thank you Jesus for your example of wisdom when everyone around you was out to get you. And thank you Father, that when we come to you for help, you begin to change us so that the situations around us change. Continue your work in me, Lord, and give me more of your peace and wisdom. Amen.

 

Mark 11:20-26 -The Withered Fig Tree

Scripture

²⁴ Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Observation

I don’t want to talk about the fig tree at all, except that it is the lead-in to Jesus’ talk to the disciples about faith (they are somewhat amazed by the fact that the tree he cursed yesterday has now withered, and he simply says that faith in God can change massive situations). But what I noticed is the tense of the verb ‘receive’ in v24. We are to pray as if the deed we need to see done has already been done, and believe that that is the case – and Jesus says it will be done.

Application

I seem to need constant reminders of things like this. I often pray along the lines of “if it’s your will, God…” without necessarily claiming something in prayer that I really want to see done. I know that God knows the desires of our hearts before we verbalize them, and that his will is paramount, no matter what we pray for, but he likes to hear determination and true faith in our prayers, and releases the blessings of heaven when faith is revealed. Faith is the thing that brought miraculous healing to so many around Jesus, so we can trust him when he tells us to have faith!

Prayer

Lord, increase my faith to pray honestly, diligently and perseveringly about the things I want to see you do, and the difficult situations I want to see you changing. I trust you Father God, and want to know you better. Amen.

 

Mark 11:1-11 – The Prince of Peace comes

Scripture

¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

Observation

So I have temporarily left the reading plan I was following (http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/Bible/Plans.htm?QueryStringSite=Zondervan#Advanced) in favour of Bible notes linked to what we’re studying in our church housegroups for the next six weeks, a series by Jeff Lucas called Singing in the Rain (http://www.cwr.org.uk/store/p-103-life-journeys-singing-in-the-rain-dvd.aspx). The notes deal with a chapter from Mark’s gospel that we have already looked at as a group, and then break it down more for some in-depth study. This section (chapter 11:1-11) shows Jesus in total control of himself and what was going on around him, and the notes demonstrate his peaceful entry into Jerusalem. What I noticed though is this verse at the end – he went into the temple courts in the evening and took note of what was going on there (the money-lending and general fleecing of people that got him so upset the next morning), but went away as it was too late. We talked in our housegroup about the incident with the fig tree that comes straight after this (which, reading on in the chapter, becomes a message about faith to the disciples) – is it possible that the righteous anger Jesus later displays is already being felt, from the evening before, and that the fig tree bore the brunt of it in the curse Jesus speaks over it? I am not suggesting that Jesus was not in control of his own feelings or actions – in fact, if this was the case, I would suggest that this shows Jesus to be supremely in control. We don’t hear of him snapping at any of the disciples as a result of what he saw in the temple but had no chance to do anything about, which is surely how it would have come out if it was me.

Application

The supremely self-controlled and peaceful example of Jesus is obviously a great one to follow, and here I’d just like to give a testimony of the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace in my life recently. I am a teacher of teenagers, and I have one class this year that cause me no end of problems. On a few occasions I have simply asked God’s peace to be in my classroom, and for him to help me react well to whatever situation comes up in the lessons. And since I have started doing that on a more regular basis, the lessons have totally changed (it could be helped by the fact that one pupil seems to be excluded every time I teach them, but hey). There is so much less stress around, and I have found ways to deal with the times when they are less than perfect students.

Prayer

Praise you Lord, for your peace. Send it more. Amen.

 

Exodus 33: Moses meets with God

Scripture

¹² Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favour with me.’ ¹³
If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Observation

Moses was pretty fearless, wasn’t he? This is a man who grew up in the Egyptian court but then led the Hebrews out of slavery and towards the Promised Land, stopping off at Sinai for some very important rules. And in the chapter directly before this one, he has witnessed the people he is leading committing one of the worst sins they had committed to date as a people, and their subsequent punishment. And then in this chapter here, he speaks incredibly boldly to remind Yahweh of the task He has given Moses, and really doesn’t hold back, finishing with what comes across as a very demanding ‘Now show me your glory’! Now this may be a translation issue, but it doesn’t diminish Moses’ boldness in prayer.

Application

So simple really – let’s not be timid in our coming to God! Let’s persevere in prayer when it is needed, as Jesus instructed us to as well. And let’s remind him of the things he has said to us that we haven’t seen yet – I write this to myself as much as to anyone else reading it, because I am too prone to giving up when it comes to prayer, or simply get distracted.

Prayer

Thank you Lord, for the example of Moses, and that it is clear form the Scripture that you honoured his boldness in coming to you. Do the same for us please, Father, when we persevere and remind you of the promises you have made and what we need to see those come to fruition. Amen.

 

Romans 3: God’s provision for sin

Scripture

³ What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴
Not at all!

Observation

This chapter contains some of the most well-known verses that summarize what Jesus did to save us (check out v. 21-26 – brilliant stuff), as Paul explains step by slightly confusing step the meaning of Jesus’ sacrifice – I have always found Romans is best read s-l-o-w-l-y! Anyway, the verse I’ve selected above simply encouraged me, and even though Paul is discussing the Jews here, and their history, I think that the verse can be equally applied to our experience today – however well or badly we behave or conduct ourselves, God doesn’t change. Our conduct might or might not help people to find him, but it doesn’t change how forgiving, faithful and loving he is.

Application

Now, the next logical step in the argument is to say, well, if God can carry on fine with or without my good behaviour, why should I bother being ‘a good Christian’? What difference does it make if my sexual conduct is pure or not? And so what if I don’t live ethically, or generally be nice to people – doesn’t change God, does it? No, but this is where we can be grateful that the Bible is not just a chapter long! God knows what’s best for our lives, and he reveals it over and over again through the rules he gave his people, through the stories of people who behaved well and badly, through the way Jesus healed bodies and lives. The way we choose to behave as children of our earthly parents has a deep effect on our relationship with them, and the same is true of our relationship with God. Whether we behave well or badly doesn’t change who he is or how much he loves us, but it almost certainly will have an effect on how we are able to relate to him – and that is his goal, to have lots of people with him. Again, this isn’t quite what I was struck by when I first read the verse (the post was going to be about being grateful that we can make mistakes without needing to feel hopelessly guilty – our mistakes don’t change God, and when we ask for forgiveness he has already given it through Jesus), but never mind. Hopefully that was the Holy Spirit guiding my fingers in some way…

Prayer

Father God, thank you that you are you and you are constant no matter what my behaviour is like. And thank you that forgiveness is offered for all and any mistakes. But please help me to live in a way that does bring glory to you, and enables others to see you more clearly. Amen.

 

Acts 26: Paul testifies of his conversion

Scripture

¹ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”

Observation

This statement jumped out at me straight away this morning, so much so that I almost didn’t read the rest of the chapter, in which Paul explains why he’s been doing what he’s been doing preaching about Jesus. He explains how he changed from being a Christian-persecutor to a Christian himself, and then someone who takes the message out to those who don’t yet believe. But what an invitation to open the chapter with – and for those of us who live in a country where explaining our faith is legal (which, obviously, is not everywhere), we have the same general invitation.

Application

All Paul does, really, is explain what happened to him and the difference it has made in his life, in terms of his beliefs and subsequent life. At this point, he doesn’t go into a major explanation of how Jesus fulfils Old Testament prophecy, or the theological implications of this, that and the other – which I’m sure he could have done, being the learned Jew that he was! But no, he tells Agrippa and Festus just enough to let them know how important Paul considers his new faith, and explains that he may not have done enough persuading to get them to convert straight away, but that he’s praying they might in the future. What a great example. God doesn’t call us to know EVERYTHING about the Bible, or the ins and outs of Jewish law, but he does ask us to speak about him when we can, especially when invited, and tell people what difference it has made in our lives. Personal stories cannot be denied, and there may be enough of a seed in the telling that encourages others to keep thinking about Jesus.

Prayer

Father, remind me to speak about you whenever I can, to tell my story and what you have done for me. And when we are invited to explain our faith, let us not shy away from that responsibility, even though we may not feel like we know enough about you to do that. Frankly, we will never know enough about you until we get to heaven, so help us not to waste time! Amen.

 

John 3: Jesus explains being ‘Born Again’

Scripture

¹ Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ²
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Observation

Okay, I have to be honest, I don’t feel all that inspired by this chapter this morning. I know it contains the verse that is incredibly well know for explaining the basics of why the gift of Jesus is such an amazing one, and great though verse 16 is, I’m sure enough has been written about it by greater people than me! So I wanted to look at Nicodemus’ courage. He was a Pharisee, a group of Jews who truly set themselves up against Jesus in the gospel accounts, who mistrusted and attacked him, trying to trip him up on matters of Jewish law all the time. But this guy has heard a little bit of Jesus’ message, and is desperate to know more – so desperate that he comes to him at night. Now, you might think that’s the coward’s way – coming to Jesus in secret, when no-one can see him – but nevertheless he comes. He HAS to know what Jesus is getting at, and can’t wait for a more convenient time, and Jesus is perfectly happy to answer his questions and show him the wonderful message of hope that he embodies.

Application

I agree that as Christians, we should be bold enough to live out our Christian lives un-secretly, and to ask God for strength and courage if we find that difficult. And we all do, at times. But I don’t think God has any problem with anyone coming to him and asking to be born again in secret, in public, in their own home, in the street, at a meeting, on holiday, while on the loo – God’s intention has always been to have a BIG family, and he’s not going to turn anyone away because of where they are physically or the moment at which they ask Jesus to forgive and accept them. So, following on somewhat from what I wrote yesterday, if you’re thinking of taking that step and seeking Jesus seriously, like Nicodemus was, go for it – don’t let circumstances, time, place, mood, or anything else distract you from that purpose. I’d love to hear comments from anyone in that situation – just click the ‘reply’ button at the top of this post and leave a comment.

Prayer

I pray again, Father, that if there is someone reading this thinking of coming to you and letting you into their lives, that you would give them the courage to do that, wherever and however they come. Amen.

 

Luke 15: Three Stories about God’s Love

Scripture

²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Observation

As the subtitle above says, this chapter is all about the overwhelming love of God for people who turn away from sin and towards him. He is the shepherd who searches far and wide for his sheep, and calls his friends and neighbours together to celebrate when the sheep is found. He is also the woman, searching frantically for the coin that is the equivalent of a day’s wages (which tells you how much value God puts on us), and having a party when it’s found. And he is the father of the prodigal son, keeping watch for his errant son, even though he, as revealed through the verse above, basically considers him dead until he comes back.

Application

These stories speak of God’s love; they are also a very helpful reminder of just how much we mean to him, of the value he puts on our lives and the lives of everyone he has created. He thinks you are worth going to the ends of the earth for, whether you’re a Christian or not reading this, and if you’re not, he is seeking you! He wants you to be with him and receive all the good stuff that’s waiting for you. He knows that whatever sin you may have committed, whatever mistakes you may have made, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has dealt with all of them, and all you need to do is turn and say Sorry, Thank You, Please.

Sorry for the things I’ve done that haven’t pleased You, Thank You for the gift of Jesus and his death and resurrection, Please come and turn my life around.

And he has great, fantastic freedom and eternal life to give you in return!

Prayer

Lord, I pray that someone reading this today will pray that prayer and turn to you. Thank you so much for the day you found me and celebrated over me – do the same for someone else today I pray. Amen.

 

Isaiah 52: Salvation prophesied

Scripture

² Shake off your dust;
rise up, sit enthroned, Jerusalem.
Free yourself from the chains on your neck,
Daughter Zion, now a captive.

³ For this is what the LORD says:

“You were sold for nothing,
and without money you will be redeemed.”

⁴ For this is what the Sovereign LORD says:

“At first my people went down to Egypt to live;
lately, Assyria has oppressed them.

⁵ “And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD.

“For my people have been taken away for nothing,
and those who rule them mock,^[a]”
declares the LORD.
“And all day long
my name is constantly blasphemed.
⁶ Therefore my people will know my name;
therefore in that day they will know
that it is I who foretold it.
Yes, it is I.”

Observation

I’ve just been watching the news this morning, and heard the stories of a third Middle-East country rising up against their government – so far we’ve had Tunisia, and Egypt, and now it’s Iran’s turn. And then I read this passage which mentions Egypt and Assyria, and God’s people shaking off their captors when the LORD rescues them. I’m not going to make anything more of that than I should (the golden rule being, of course, that nothing in the Bible can mean now what it didn’t mean then), but I found it interesting to read that alongside stories of people in countries in that area shaking off their oppressive governments. Anyway, I actually particularly noticed verse 3, which talks about the redemption of Israel being completed without money – and yet, for God, who is speaking here, the cost was very high – his son’s perfect life.

Application

It’s worth stepping back sometimes and considering the cost of our salvation. For Israel, coming back to their land after the exile cost the world a whole regime change: the Assyrians had destroyed the Northern Kingdom, Babylon had taken the southern Kingdom into exile, and it was the Persians taking over from the Babylonians that enabled the Israelites to go back home. The cost in lives must have been pretty high in all those battles and wars. But one man’s life was given to redeem the whole of humanity – your life and mine are redeemed by the blood of one man who had done no wrong, and WAS God, and had no reason to die, especially in the horrific way he did (whatever else you may say about Mel Gibson, he gave us a picture of Jesus’ death in The Passion of the Christ that shows you exactly how much Jesus suffered for us, and for that I will always applaud him). So let’s not go through today without being grateful for that sacrifice, and whether we say thank you in a big way or a small one, let’s say thank you.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you so much for being willing to die for me, to eradicate my sins and enable me to come to God. And thank you that that is true for anyone reading this now – help us not to forget your sacrifice. Amen.

 

Isaiah 40: Words of Comfort from God

Scripture

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.

Observation

Several things:

1. It’s a bit odd jumping into this chapter without having read the rest of Isaiah, which predicts the punishment of Israel by being taken into exile in Babylon – without that, the words of comfort don’t quite have the same effect. But I am in the middle of a reading plan that is picking key bits from the Old Testament at the moment, and it is a key chapter – just look at all the sections that are really familiar from other sources, or worship songs, or just from this chapter!
2. This chapter covers some of the same ground that the one I blogged about on Wednesday did (Job 38), especially in verses 12-14 – just a reminder that God is in charge, and no-one else. You get that theme coming through quite a lot in the prophetic books.
3. The verse picked out above is another one of those famous ones I was talking about, and is a really good one to remember!

Application

This is not going to be profound, but I just felt it’s really worth reminding ourselves of God’s eternal strength and support when we might feel weary and run-down. I personally am 1 week away from half term, and feel like I’ve marked every exercise book in the world this week – and I still have more I have to do today. I could really do with a break! But this chapter reminds me that when I go to God, he provides all the strength I need, and renews my body. And I believe that – for one thing, I have totally seen answers to prayer in one of my classes this week – I prayed for peace and extra grace and patience on my part for the kids, and the Lord provided, so I absolutely believe he will give me the renewal of strength this passage promises. I pray he does for you, too.

Prayer

Father, as we find ourselves in the third month of winter and spring still a little way away, please give all who call on your name the strength and power to not only continue when their personal strength fails, but to make the most of every God-given opportunity to find your Holy Spirit at work in their lives. Amen.

 

Job 38: God’s answer to Job

Scripture

¹² “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place,
¹³ that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wicked out of it?

Observation

I’d like to do something a bit different today, and just pay tribute to  some people whose names I don’t know and whom I have never met, and that is the Bible translators. This chapter is amazing in its poetry in English (and I always feel for Job here as God unleashes a barrage of questions designed to show just who is in charge), and I especially loved the verse I picked out above. These translators work incredibly hard, with ancient, sometimes incomplete texts, and the Holy Spirit, to come up with the best version they possibly can of what has already been agreed by church fathers in the past to be the holy Word of God to his people – what a responsibility! And they are continually aware that MILLIONS of people around the world will be using their work to get closer to God, especially if they know that their translation will be online.

Application

To me, that’s a pretty heavy load to bear. Choose the right word, the right turn of phrase, and people all around the world benefit. Choose the wrong one, and you lead others away from what God wants to do in their lives – potentially. As a trained linguist and now an RE teacher, this leads me to wonder – does my work lead people closer to God? I have the amazing privilege at the moment of being employed to teach children about God – what a fantastic opportunity for a Christian! But no matter how well I plan my lessons, I keep asking myself, ‘is it making a difference’? Will any of the 200 or so children I see in a week come any closer to God through what I do (please, Lord, let the answer be YES) – so far I know of one who has actually started asking herself some deeper questions due to what we’ve been studying. But that’s my work – does yours lead people closer to God? I’d love to hear comments…

Prayer

Lord, make a difference through what I do – guide me and all reading this to use our work to honour you, and lead people to you in whatever way we can.

 

Exodus 20: the gift of the Ten Commandments

Scripture:

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Observation

The Ten Commandments are so often used as evidence that God is the great finger-wagging killjoy in the sky, telling us ‘no’, ‘no’ and thrice ‘no’, and all in the context of thunder, lightning, clouds and general scary portentousness. And to be fair, the Israelites clearly were scared if you read v18-19. But the second commandment, which is about not creating idols and worshipping them, comes with this double-edged warning and promise. Do it, and there will be punishment for you and the next four generations. But love me and worship me, and there will be love shown to you and the next thousand generations – a far greater promise than threat.

Application

So many of the problems with the public perception of God is the age-old thing of taking it out of context. There is simply so much to get to grips with in the Bible that it’s easier to pick out some key bits, comment on those and say ‘ha! I know what God is like now’. It would be like coming over to my house for an evening, having a meal and some chat, and going away saying ‘I know exactly what he’s like now, his values, his likes and dislikes, what he stands for and whether he can cook a decent meal or not’. You wouldn’t claim to knowing everything about a person after only a few hours, so why do some people do the same with God? A relationship with God is a long-term journey of discovery, similar to a marriage, and we can’t pretend to have ‘got’ him without being part of that relationship. A few minutes ago I hadn’t intended to write this – I was going to talk about how great it is that we have a God who wants to love and bless us far more than  he wants to punish us. Anyway, that too!

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you are not simplistic or always easy to understand. What kind of God would you be if you were just like us? But rather, I ask for your help for myself and anyone reading this, that you would enable us to see the benefits of following you for a long time, and that a life with you then turns into eternal life with you, and there’s not going to be anything better than that. Amen.

 

Genesis 22: Abraham & Isaac

Scripture

⁹ When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

Observation

Quite a few things to say here, and a few questions. Firstly, Abraham is well known for this story as a demonstration of his faith. He had already been promised descendants that would be uncountable, and he and Sarah were both very old by the time Isaac was born. Isaac was their hope for this promise to be fulfilled, and yet he does what God asks him to within 24 hours and is willing to give up that hope if that’s what God tells him to do. And this scene that I have picked out in verse 9, must have been heartbreakingly painful. Isaac must have been crying, asking his Dad why, and Abraham carries on tying him and getting  ready to kill him, presumably crying all the time too. I certainly would have been. And why does God ask him to do this? Because as he’s God, he already knows how much faith Abraham has and what the outcome is going to be.

Application

I confess, I don’t really have a great answer to this question. My guess is to show Abraham how much faith he has himself, so that in the future when God asks him to do hard things he knows that he was willing to go through with this, and God provided, so why not trust God again. And also, it gives us a picture of the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus, who dies in our place, as the ram dies in Isaac’s place. And despite all that, I still read this and ask myself, ‘Could I do that?’ Could I have that much faith and trust in God? Thankfully, he has never asked me to do something like that, but my answer at the moment is, ‘I’m not sure.’ And yet I know God’s provision in my life; even in the last 6 months I have seen him come through for me with work, with money, and both just at the right time. But I do wonder. Hmm, this isn’t the kind of thing I would usually write in the Application section, but it’s going to have to do.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your provision in all sorts of situations. Thank you that you have never asked me to sacrifice one of my own children for you! Please help me to trust and have faith in you, no matter what you ask of me, and to believe that you are all I need. Amen