This is a second devotional from this week so don't forget to read the other one.
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 17th
S - Matthew 14:25-33
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
O - This is one of my favorite "miracles" of Jesus. I have somewhat of a fondness for Peter because he was a great leader and yet acted impulsively and with great passion/emotion (not always thinking first) - I guess I feel that I can relate to him. In giving credit to John Ortberg's book of the same title, the key to this passage is "If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat." Peter showed great faith and yet he let his eyes get in the way because he saw his fears (the waves). I also find it kind of humorous though that at the end of this passage, the disciples say "You really ARE the Son of God!" And it's like, "You're just now realizing this???" What does God have to do to get through to us?
A - This is a story of faith and facing our fears. If we are to do what God is calling us to do we must first get "out of the boat" and then we must fix our eyes on Jesus, being blind to our fears. As we face big steps with adopting our daughter "A", we must ignore the big waves coming at us and focus on what Jesus is calling us to do. We have already stepped out of the boat...now we must realize who God is and fix our eyes on Him.
P - Lord Almighty, I believe that you will help us and "A" walk on water. I trust you and give you the glory in advance for what you are doing and will do in our lives. Amen.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
on making poor choices to protect ourselves
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 16th
S - Exodus 1:8-10a, 15-17
"8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous..."
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live."
O - The key word in this passage for me is "threat". The new King was threatened by the number of the Israelites. Why? Because they had different customs, they worshipped God, and perhaps they were not loyal to Egypt? Really, he FEARED they would turn against them. The King sought a way to oppress them through slavery, hoping to kill their spirit and stop their growth. His paranoia and oppression escalated to murder when he asked the midwives to start killing baby boys. He asked the wrong ladies though for their faith was strong and they risked their lives to do what was right.
A - This passage reminds me of the genocide that has taken place throughout human history in places like Poland, Rwanda, Darfur, and the Holy Land...and even here on American soil with gang violence and abortion. In each of these situations, someone made themselves and their own interests a priority. We as humans really are a savage people. For when we get so focused on our own desires and what is in the way of getting what we want or what we see as a threat, we simply will destroy it. It's not just murder that destroys. The destruction of a threat happens every day with "civilized" individuals too. Like those that will gossip to destroy a reputation, or cheat others simply because they "deserve" it or to advance their own economic status/career. We are ALL guilty at some point of making poor choices for the sake of bettering ourselves. Are we really that much different in God's eyes from this pharaoh or Hitler when we put our own best interests ahead of others and perform selfish acts?
P - God of LIFE! You have put us on this planet to test the boundaries of love. Will you help me to love those that are a "threat" and help me to always seek your wisdom, goodness, and glory regardless of the personal cost.
S - Exodus 1:8-10a, 15-17
"8 Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt. 9 "Look," he said to his people, "the Israelites have become much too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous..."
15 The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, 16 "When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." 17 The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live."
O - The key word in this passage for me is "threat". The new King was threatened by the number of the Israelites. Why? Because they had different customs, they worshipped God, and perhaps they were not loyal to Egypt? Really, he FEARED they would turn against them. The King sought a way to oppress them through slavery, hoping to kill their spirit and stop their growth. His paranoia and oppression escalated to murder when he asked the midwives to start killing baby boys. He asked the wrong ladies though for their faith was strong and they risked their lives to do what was right.
A - This passage reminds me of the genocide that has taken place throughout human history in places like Poland, Rwanda, Darfur, and the Holy Land...and even here on American soil with gang violence and abortion. In each of these situations, someone made themselves and their own interests a priority. We as humans really are a savage people. For when we get so focused on our own desires and what is in the way of getting what we want or what we see as a threat, we simply will destroy it. It's not just murder that destroys. The destruction of a threat happens every day with "civilized" individuals too. Like those that will gossip to destroy a reputation, or cheat others simply because they "deserve" it or to advance their own economic status/career. We are ALL guilty at some point of making poor choices for the sake of bettering ourselves. Are we really that much different in God's eyes from this pharaoh or Hitler when we put our own best interests ahead of others and perform selfish acts?
P - God of LIFE! You have put us on this planet to test the boundaries of love. Will you help me to love those that are a "threat" and help me to always seek your wisdom, goodness, and glory regardless of the personal cost.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
God ALWAYS uses the bad for good
I am again posting 2 devotionals this week because they go well together, so read the previous one I posted today from Feb. 8th first and then read this one.
My SOAP devotional from Feb. 12th
S - Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [a]
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
O - Joseph's brothers were tired of his bragging and being their father's favorite so they tried to be rid of him. They had ill intent but God took their jealousy and extreme lack of concern for his life and used it for THEIR good, and the good of future generations. If you read ahead, God had a big plan and turned evil into amazing goodness. The brothers did not deserve salvation and yet that is exactly what God did in eventually bringing them to Egypt during the famine. Joseph put his eyes on God, in spite of his family being against him. And he showed amazing forgiveness because he saw first hand God's plan laid out in front of him.
A - Isn't it just like God to give us a story that happened many, many years before Jesus as an example of what He does in our life even today. These brothers made terrible choices. We make terrible choices. They did not deserve salvation from the famine. We do not deserve salvation. And yet, God provided a way through Joseph, the victim of their evil choices. And for us, God has provided a way through Jesus.
It is easy really in hind sight to see how God has been at work in my life and to give him glory and praise for the bad situations He has turned to good. It is also easy to forgive people for their hurtful ways when we can see how God is using it for His purposes. I'm not sure if I'm a big enough person to always forgive as Joseph did (at least not right away), nor that I am always able to give God the glory in the midst of the struggle. I have been weak at times in holding onto my pride when others have hurt me. However, I have also seen that just as I wrote earlier this week about placing Jesus first in my life, regardless of what even my family/friends choose to do, I too can experience this same peace and forgiveness that Joseph had in his situation. I AM able to forgive and see God's plan BECAUSE I look for God at work in the middle of a struggle. Amazingly, I have always found that I can find peace in any situation when I trust God.
P - Give me God a faith like Joseph's, to see your provision even in the midst of challenge and crisis. Help me to trust that you are always at work in my best interest, preparing your great plan for my life to unfold. I am SOOO thankful that you are always taking the bad of this world and turning it into amazing goodness. How lucky we are to call you Lord of the universe!!! Amen.
My SOAP devotional from Feb. 12th
S - Genesis 45:4-8
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. [a]
8 "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
O - Joseph's brothers were tired of his bragging and being their father's favorite so they tried to be rid of him. They had ill intent but God took their jealousy and extreme lack of concern for his life and used it for THEIR good, and the good of future generations. If you read ahead, God had a big plan and turned evil into amazing goodness. The brothers did not deserve salvation and yet that is exactly what God did in eventually bringing them to Egypt during the famine. Joseph put his eyes on God, in spite of his family being against him. And he showed amazing forgiveness because he saw first hand God's plan laid out in front of him.
A - Isn't it just like God to give us a story that happened many, many years before Jesus as an example of what He does in our life even today. These brothers made terrible choices. We make terrible choices. They did not deserve salvation from the famine. We do not deserve salvation. And yet, God provided a way through Joseph, the victim of their evil choices. And for us, God has provided a way through Jesus.
It is easy really in hind sight to see how God has been at work in my life and to give him glory and praise for the bad situations He has turned to good. It is also easy to forgive people for their hurtful ways when we can see how God is using it for His purposes. I'm not sure if I'm a big enough person to always forgive as Joseph did (at least not right away), nor that I am always able to give God the glory in the midst of the struggle. I have been weak at times in holding onto my pride when others have hurt me. However, I have also seen that just as I wrote earlier this week about placing Jesus first in my life, regardless of what even my family/friends choose to do, I too can experience this same peace and forgiveness that Joseph had in his situation. I AM able to forgive and see God's plan BECAUSE I look for God at work in the middle of a struggle. Amazingly, I have always found that I can find peace in any situation when I trust God.
P - Give me God a faith like Joseph's, to see your provision even in the midst of challenge and crisis. Help me to trust that you are always at work in my best interest, preparing your great plan for my life to unfold. I am SOOO thankful that you are always taking the bad of this world and turning it into amazing goodness. How lucky we are to call you Lord of the universe!!! Amen.
On the same team when Jesus is on FIRST!
Here is my SOAP devotional for Feb. 8th
S - Matthew 10:34-39
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
O - This is a challenging passage because it appears to be a contradiction. Jesus is drawing a line. Most would say "how can Jesus who is the supreme example of love, ask you to go against your own family, especially when it is one of the original 10 commandments?" What Jesus is saying is that people are flawed and not dependable. They will let you down but Jesus will never let us down. Jesus has proven to be dependable and has sacrificed much in spite of people that even deny who He is. So if we place our faith in people instead of Him, especially those that are not following His ways, then we will always find disappointment. Sometimes love means making tough choices if that is doing what is best. Jesus is always going to choose to love us, therefore we must choose to put Him first in our life...to choose His way over the way of people.
One note of interest is that Jesus quotes Micah 7:6 here. Micah is a book in the Old Testament and he was a contemporary of Isaiah. He is considered one of the "minor" prophets and he spoke of God's judgment and the offer of pardon to all those who repent. The book of Micah contains many prophecies about Jesus, the Messiah, who will come to unite all of God's people. He writes of God's extreme dislike of pride and injustice, and also His willingness to provide a way to forgiveness and mercy. It is clear to me that Jesus IS the only way that God could be both the judge and merciful.
A - We cannot control the choices of the people in our life. If we cling to what is actually temporary on this earth, we will miss the purpose of Jesus' coming. Jesus is not asking us to NOT love people - He is asking us to love Him MORE. He calls us to choose His way above any earthly way as the way to eternal life with Him. Jesus brings a "sword" against anything that seeks a path of destruction, and the enemy prowls in an attempt to take us with him (1 Peter 5:8). In our human nature we will not always be "on the same path"...some will have their own best interest in mind, or be blinded by the enemy's schemes, even if we are family. Therefore, in order to fully love each other, we must FIRST love the Lord of Life. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we will always be on the "same team".
P - Oh Lord, I plead with you to strike the heal of the enemy and keep him far from me and my family. When the enemy seeks to destroy, he will put us against each other. But putting our eyes on you (Hebrews 12:2) as the author and perfector of our faith, we will experience a peace beyond understanding, (Philippians 4:7) for following your ways ensures that we are always on the "same team". I pray most earnestly for protection and that each of those I love, and that I call "family", will put YOU first in their lives so that we might cling to your promises together. I am truly thankful that you found a way to be both the judge of all evil and yet sent Jesus to show us mercy. Amen.
S - Matthew 10:34-39
34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn
" 'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law -
36a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'[a]
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
O - This is a challenging passage because it appears to be a contradiction. Jesus is drawing a line. Most would say "how can Jesus who is the supreme example of love, ask you to go against your own family, especially when it is one of the original 10 commandments?" What Jesus is saying is that people are flawed and not dependable. They will let you down but Jesus will never let us down. Jesus has proven to be dependable and has sacrificed much in spite of people that even deny who He is. So if we place our faith in people instead of Him, especially those that are not following His ways, then we will always find disappointment. Sometimes love means making tough choices if that is doing what is best. Jesus is always going to choose to love us, therefore we must choose to put Him first in our life...to choose His way over the way of people.
One note of interest is that Jesus quotes Micah 7:6 here. Micah is a book in the Old Testament and he was a contemporary of Isaiah. He is considered one of the "minor" prophets and he spoke of God's judgment and the offer of pardon to all those who repent. The book of Micah contains many prophecies about Jesus, the Messiah, who will come to unite all of God's people. He writes of God's extreme dislike of pride and injustice, and also His willingness to provide a way to forgiveness and mercy. It is clear to me that Jesus IS the only way that God could be both the judge and merciful.
A - We cannot control the choices of the people in our life. If we cling to what is actually temporary on this earth, we will miss the purpose of Jesus' coming. Jesus is not asking us to NOT love people - He is asking us to love Him MORE. He calls us to choose His way above any earthly way as the way to eternal life with Him. Jesus brings a "sword" against anything that seeks a path of destruction, and the enemy prowls in an attempt to take us with him (1 Peter 5:8). In our human nature we will not always be "on the same path"...some will have their own best interest in mind, or be blinded by the enemy's schemes, even if we are family. Therefore, in order to fully love each other, we must FIRST love the Lord of Life. If our eyes are fixed on Jesus, we will always be on the "same team".
P - Oh Lord, I plead with you to strike the heal of the enemy and keep him far from me and my family. When the enemy seeks to destroy, he will put us against each other. But putting our eyes on you (Hebrews 12:2) as the author and perfector of our faith, we will experience a peace beyond understanding, (Philippians 4:7) for following your ways ensures that we are always on the "same team". I pray most earnestly for protection and that each of those I love, and that I call "family", will put YOU first in their lives so that we might cling to your promises together. I am truly thankful that you found a way to be both the judge of all evil and yet sent Jesus to show us mercy. Amen.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Your name is Israel
I'm posting 2 devotionals this week because I thought that these two went together so well. We are seeing the transformation of Jacob and I don't want anyone to miss it! Please read the other post from today first.
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 5th
S - Gen. 32:28
"Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
O - God comes in the form of a man to physically struggle with Jacob himself. Jacob had been a deceiver and we find him on the eve of reconciliation, or war, with his brother, whom he stole his Father's (Isaac) blessing from. We don't know yet what the outcome will be between these two brothers but we already see a glimpse into Jacob's change of character. He has recognized God's provision in his life and is physically making a move toward not only obeying God but reconciling with his brother. God's physical struggle with Jacob is significant in representing the struggle the Hebrew people and ALL of us have with God. The name change is also a mark of transformation - a sign given by God of a fresh start, perhaps equivalent to a baptism.
A - We all struggle with God in a sense when we make daily choices to follow His path or not. We struggle against unnecessary obstacles when sometimes the obvious path is to choose God's way. We also embrace a name change in a sense when God claims us as His own and we finally recognize it. "Child of God" and "friend of Jesus" are added when we recognize our struggle and accept Jesus as Lord of our life.
P - Lord Jesus, I embrace the claim you have on my life and on my name. I thank you Father that we even have the opportunity to wrestle with you and you don't just give up on us and leave us. You have provided a way to be with us, and to overcome the challenges of this dark world. Amen.
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 5th
S - Gen. 32:28
"Your name will no longer be Jacob,' the man told him. 'It is now Israel, because you have struggled with both God and men and have won."
O - God comes in the form of a man to physically struggle with Jacob himself. Jacob had been a deceiver and we find him on the eve of reconciliation, or war, with his brother, whom he stole his Father's (Isaac) blessing from. We don't know yet what the outcome will be between these two brothers but we already see a glimpse into Jacob's change of character. He has recognized God's provision in his life and is physically making a move toward not only obeying God but reconciling with his brother. God's physical struggle with Jacob is significant in representing the struggle the Hebrew people and ALL of us have with God. The name change is also a mark of transformation - a sign given by God of a fresh start, perhaps equivalent to a baptism.
A - We all struggle with God in a sense when we make daily choices to follow His path or not. We struggle against unnecessary obstacles when sometimes the obvious path is to choose God's way. We also embrace a name change in a sense when God claims us as His own and we finally recognize it. "Child of God" and "friend of Jesus" are added when we recognize our struggle and accept Jesus as Lord of our life.
P - Lord Jesus, I embrace the claim you have on my life and on my name. I thank you Father that we even have the opportunity to wrestle with you and you don't just give up on us and leave us. You have provided a way to be with us, and to overcome the challenges of this dark world. Amen.
Sin comes back around
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 2
S - Gen 29:25
"Jacob raged at Laban. 'I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?"
O - In this part of the story, Laban has tricked Jacob by giving him his oldest daughter Leah instead of the 2nd daughter, Rachel, who Jacob loved. The deceiver who stole his older brother's blessing has become the deceived. Jacob was given this name "one who deceives" and he lived up to it. However, we see that when our sins come back around it doesn't feel very good. We often cannot see our sin and how it hurts others when we are the sinner. But God's way is fair and good because He shows us how sinning for our own benefit is always hurtful to someone. Following God's way is love without pain. Jacob finally saw how deception is not the best way to get what you want.
A - It is important to approach a situation with God's eyes and look for how my choices could potentially hurt others, and not just be for MY benefit.
P - Open my eyes Lord to see clearly how my choices are affecting those around me. Make me aware and give me the guidance to know when I am sinning. I love that your word promises that there is ALWAYS a way out from a temptation. Give me the strength to choose the right path.
S - Gen 29:25
"Jacob raged at Laban. 'I worked seven years for Rachel. What do you mean by this trickery?"
O - In this part of the story, Laban has tricked Jacob by giving him his oldest daughter Leah instead of the 2nd daughter, Rachel, who Jacob loved. The deceiver who stole his older brother's blessing has become the deceived. Jacob was given this name "one who deceives" and he lived up to it. However, we see that when our sins come back around it doesn't feel very good. We often cannot see our sin and how it hurts others when we are the sinner. But God's way is fair and good because He shows us how sinning for our own benefit is always hurtful to someone. Following God's way is love without pain. Jacob finally saw how deception is not the best way to get what you want.
A - It is important to approach a situation with God's eyes and look for how my choices could potentially hurt others, and not just be for MY benefit.
P - Open my eyes Lord to see clearly how my choices are affecting those around me. Make me aware and give me the guidance to know when I am sinning. I love that your word promises that there is ALWAYS a way out from a temptation. Give me the strength to choose the right path.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Mission Impossible Faith
My SOAP devotional for Jan. 26th
S - Genesis 24:10-14, 26-27
"Then the servant took ten of his master's (Abraham's)camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
"Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
O - The servant that goes out to find a wife for Isaac is a strong believer. The servant was in some respects not living in Abraham's household by his own will, because he is a servant, but yet he embraces fully his God. He has so much faith in fact that he believes that God will prompt the RIGHT girl that will say exactly the RIGHT thing, and also happen to be one of Abraham's relatives. This is what he sees as success. He is giving God a tall order and we see the miracle, by my definition, that God delivers exactly what he asks for. In addition, the servant gives God the credit and praise for his provision. Later in this passage, Rebekah is happy to go with this stranger because she too is perhaps inspired by the faith of this servant and sees how God is at work in her life as well.
A - This passage reminds me of the Tom Cruise Mission:Impossible movies when the bad guy says "go to this certain street corner and ask the man on the bench for a stick of gum" and then it happens to be exactly the RIGHT guy who wisks him away to meet this secret person. I always thought it wouldn't be a very good movie if it ended up being the wrong guy and he actually hands him a stick of gum. Tom Cruise would be left standing there blowing bubbles. Actually, that would probably be the Ben Stiller version.
I think this is an interesting passage because we have to be careful not to be selfish in our requests of God. When we ask for too many specifics we are perhaps trying to put God in a box...please do this, but only if this happens. On the other hand, I think that it is important that I make specific requests of God and ask Him to give me a clear sign when He is working in my life, just as Abraham's servant did. It is important to know who's voice you're listening to...even the enemy knows my desires and offers good things. All too often however I am afraid to make requests that are not in line with God's plan so I don't make them, or I make requests that are attached to a selfish agenda, and I am disappointed when I don't get the answer I want or the answer doesn't come at the right time. I must do both...ask and believe, with an attitude of acceptance in His provision. We can only find true peace in God's plan when we believe in the power that we are asking for and trust Him to work in our best interest, down to the small details like providing gum from some guy on a park bench. Sometimes our requests might seem like "mission impossible" but that is only because our sight is limited. God sees all things and I can find satisfaction in knowing that the plan He has laid out for my life is the BEST plan, regardless of whether it's what I've requested or not. I think the key is trust. Do I trust God enough to be bold in my request and then hand it over to Him to work it out?
P - I do believe Lord that I have a strong faith. I believe your promises and that you have my best interest at heart. At times though, God, I have in my heart requests that seem too detailed and too "impossible". I should not be afraid to ask you, nor should I doubt that you would grant these requests if they are in line with your word and your will for my life. I pray Lord that I am always seeking your voice and that you would give me clear signs that you are speaking and moving in my life so that I can give you the credit and all the glory. At the same time, may I always accept with grace when your answer is no. Amen.
S - Genesis 24:10-14, 26-27
"Then the servant took ten of his master's (Abraham's)camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
"Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."
O - The servant that goes out to find a wife for Isaac is a strong believer. The servant was in some respects not living in Abraham's household by his own will, because he is a servant, but yet he embraces fully his God. He has so much faith in fact that he believes that God will prompt the RIGHT girl that will say exactly the RIGHT thing, and also happen to be one of Abraham's relatives. This is what he sees as success. He is giving God a tall order and we see the miracle, by my definition, that God delivers exactly what he asks for. In addition, the servant gives God the credit and praise for his provision. Later in this passage, Rebekah is happy to go with this stranger because she too is perhaps inspired by the faith of this servant and sees how God is at work in her life as well.
A - This passage reminds me of the Tom Cruise Mission:Impossible movies when the bad guy says "go to this certain street corner and ask the man on the bench for a stick of gum" and then it happens to be exactly the RIGHT guy who wisks him away to meet this secret person. I always thought it wouldn't be a very good movie if it ended up being the wrong guy and he actually hands him a stick of gum. Tom Cruise would be left standing there blowing bubbles. Actually, that would probably be the Ben Stiller version.
I think this is an interesting passage because we have to be careful not to be selfish in our requests of God. When we ask for too many specifics we are perhaps trying to put God in a box...please do this, but only if this happens. On the other hand, I think that it is important that I make specific requests of God and ask Him to give me a clear sign when He is working in my life, just as Abraham's servant did. It is important to know who's voice you're listening to...even the enemy knows my desires and offers good things. All too often however I am afraid to make requests that are not in line with God's plan so I don't make them, or I make requests that are attached to a selfish agenda, and I am disappointed when I don't get the answer I want or the answer doesn't come at the right time. I must do both...ask and believe, with an attitude of acceptance in His provision. We can only find true peace in God's plan when we believe in the power that we are asking for and trust Him to work in our best interest, down to the small details like providing gum from some guy on a park bench. Sometimes our requests might seem like "mission impossible" but that is only because our sight is limited. God sees all things and I can find satisfaction in knowing that the plan He has laid out for my life is the BEST plan, regardless of whether it's what I've requested or not. I think the key is trust. Do I trust God enough to be bold in my request and then hand it over to Him to work it out?
P - I do believe Lord that I have a strong faith. I believe your promises and that you have my best interest at heart. At times though, God, I have in my heart requests that seem too detailed and too "impossible". I should not be afraid to ask you, nor should I doubt that you would grant these requests if they are in line with your word and your will for my life. I pray Lord that I am always seeking your voice and that you would give me clear signs that you are speaking and moving in my life so that I can give you the credit and all the glory. At the same time, may I always accept with grace when your answer is no. Amen.
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