O God, fill me with confidence and trust that in knowing your will, I may follow it, and that in following your will, I will find joy, through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.
Psalm 121, Jeremiah 30:1-11, Romans 10:1-13, John 9:18-41
Psalm 119:145-176, Jeremiah 31:1-14, Romans 10:14-21, John 10:1-18
If you haven't gotten it yet, this is a combination of yesterday's lesson in Ashes To Fire and today's, because I didn't have a chance to post it yesterday, but it was too good to not talk about it! :)
"I lift up my eyes to the hills-- where does my help come from." (Psalm 121:1)
Wow! Did I ever forget the answer to this question yesterday. A lot of not cool things happened yesterday which left me feeling like I did not know where my help was coming from. I felt utterly hopeless, until I went to More Than a Meal yesterday afternoon. It was so God, because I hadn't even planned to go there until next week, but, as usual, He knows exactly what I need, when I need it. As soon as we walked in the door the LORD showed faithful and true to His word that says,
"The LORD will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
(Psalm 121:7-8)
When we walked into those doors of More Than a Meal I was filled with anxiety and stress thinking about things that I have to do before the end of this very busy semester: group projects, reciting poetry, tests, writing papers, more tests, meetings, bills. Right there, on that table, the very first thing that I noticed was the scripture which was out for everyone to see:
"Cast all your anxiety upon the LORD, for he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
Isn't it good to know that even-- no, especially when I forget where my help comes from, He is patiently standing right there beside me, still assuring me that He has it all under control? I let out a sigh of relief, and stared at the sign probably over 100 times over the next couple hours that I was there.
The story of the blind man has been dissected by many different people of all ages and time, but last Wednesday Pastor Chet took a more in-depth look into this passage. After the blind man's eyes were helaed, he was not only no longer blind, he was no longer considered a beggar or a sinner. He needed nothing from any earthly being any longer, so what was left for him to do, get down on his knees, and worship God (John 9:38). The realization of this totally transforms this man, even within the amount of intelligence and wisdom he shows in the way that he speaks:
"The man answered, 'Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobobdy has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." (John 9:30-33)
The intelligence and honesty found in this speech by the once-blind man infuriated these "disciples of Moses" (v. 28). The blind man spoke earnestly to them becasue he knew firsthand that he had been physically blind. He had been blind, literally. But, the same was also true for the Jews as it concerned their spiritual lives. They were experiencing a blindness which is much more dangerous/hindering than the actual physical blindness of the once-blind man. This spiritual blindness is discussed in verses 35-41 in which Jesus says to the Pharisees:
"If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains."
How can my walk be blameless if I step right over the Son of Man who is always standing right in front of me? If I refuse to recognize and acknowledge Him in my daily life, whether it is through meditating on His Word, or praying, or however I spend time with Him, then how can I truly expect to be clothed in the armor of God, and have the confidence which He says belongs to me? It is impossible. Trust me, I have tried many alternatives. But, there is absolutely no substitute for the Word of God, not now, not ever. I think I need to hear that again:
"All your words are true; All your righteous laws are eternal." (Psalm 119:160)
All of His Words are true, not some of them, not half. ALL.
"Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. I hate and abhor falsehood but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. I wait for your salvation, O LORD, and I follow your commands. I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you." (Psalm 119:161-168)
These are stressful times, but always, ALWAYS, remember these things:
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." (1 Corinthians 15:58)
This song is pretty important to me right now:
EVENING PRAYERS: O Lamb of God, give me grace throughout my whole life, in every thought, and word and work, to imitate your meekness and humility. May I go through all the scenes of life not seeking my own glory, but looking wholly unto you, and acting wholly for you, through Christ my Lord, Amen.
Father, grant me forgiveness of what is past, that in the days to come I may with a pure spirit do your will-- walking humbly with you, showing love to all, and keeping body and soul in sactification and honor, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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