Psalm 78:9-20
Common English Bible (CEB)
9 The children of Ephraim, armed with bows,
retreated on the day of battle.
10 They didn’t keep God’s covenant;
they refused to walk in his Instruction.
11 They forgot God’s deeds
as well as the wondrous works he showed them.
12 But God performed wonders in their ancestors’ presence—
in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
13 God split the sea and led them through,
making the waters stand up like a wall.
14 God led them with the cloud by day;
by the lightning all through the night.
15 God split rocks open in the wilderness,
gave them plenty to drink—
as if from the deep itself!
16 God made streams flow from the rock,
made water run like rivers.
17 But they continued to sin against God,
rebelling against the Most High in the desert.
18 They tested God in their hearts,
demanded food for their stomachs.
19 They spoke against God!
“Can God set a dinner table in the wilderness?” they asked.
20 “True, God struck the rock
and water gushed and streams flowed,
but can he give bread too?
Can he provide meat for his people?”
***************
More.
We always want just a little more, just to be sure God is really there, to be sure he really cares, as though all that God has done is not quite enough. Just a little more, God, our hearts cry. Just a little more. I need it.
What we do, if we're not careful, is set up God to be little more than a vending machine. We go back to God every time we need something, but we forget that our faith is a relationship to be nurtured, a life-giving cord that continually reminds us of all that God has done, preparing us to be certain of all that God will continue to do.
God has never let us go, and he will never do so in the future. God is ever faithful, and so let your anxious heart rest in him.
May you find trust in God
Monday, September 8, 2014
Thursday, September 4, 2014
Psalm 78:1-8
Psalm 78:1-8
Common English Bible (CEB)
How do children learn things?
They learn by watching. Caleb & Danielle watch how Rachel and I interact. They watch what we say and what we do. It's scary, sometimes, because I'm imperfect, but it certainly guide me toward more upright action. The other day, I dropped something very hot and burned myself, and I was very, very aware that Caleb was watching my reaction. Kids pick up on and imitate us.
So when we praise God and teach the next generation about God and his marvelous grace, our kids are watching, and what we teach them, what we show them, will influence their relationship to God.
What is your life teaching the next generation? An attitude of dependence or an air of indifference?
May we lead lives worthy of imitation and filled with humility
Common English Bible (CEB)
How do children learn things?
They learn by watching. Caleb & Danielle watch how Rachel and I interact. They watch what we say and what we do. It's scary, sometimes, because I'm imperfect, but it certainly guide me toward more upright action. The other day, I dropped something very hot and burned myself, and I was very, very aware that Caleb was watching my reaction. Kids pick up on and imitate us.
So when we praise God and teach the next generation about God and his marvelous grace, our kids are watching, and what we teach them, what we show them, will influence their relationship to God.
What is your life teaching the next generation? An attitude of dependence or an air of indifference?
May we lead lives worthy of imitation and filled with humility
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Psalm 77:10-20
Psalm 77:10-20
English Standard Version (ESV)
The key to this Psalm, I believe, lies in the end. The footprints of God were unseen--the people were led by Moses and Aaron. God used Moses and Aaron to lead the people. Anybody who has read the Bible will know that Moses and Aaron are imperfect, and yet God used them to do great things for the people.
So there are, I believe, at least two questions for us.
1) Will you allow yourself to be used, without worrying so much about how unworthy you are?
2) Will you look for the voice of God speaking and leading you through others? God continues to use people to lead others. Perhaps God is speaking to you through another person. Will you humbly listen?
May God help you see with new eyes today
English Standard Version (ESV)
The key to this Psalm, I believe, lies in the end. The footprints of God were unseen--the people were led by Moses and Aaron. God used Moses and Aaron to lead the people. Anybody who has read the Bible will know that Moses and Aaron are imperfect, and yet God used them to do great things for the people.
So there are, I believe, at least two questions for us.
1) Will you allow yourself to be used, without worrying so much about how unworthy you are?
2) Will you look for the voice of God speaking and leading you through others? God continues to use people to lead others. Perhaps God is speaking to you through another person. Will you humbly listen?
May God help you see with new eyes today
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Psalm 77:1-9
Psalm 77:1-9
English Standard Version (ESV)
I like to do things on my own. Maybe it's pride or stubbornness or an innate curiosity to see if I can manage, but it's nice to be independent. It's not that I don't feel like I need God... I just seem to trust my own efforts more naturally.
But in the midst of the storm, I realize how insufficient my efforts are. Even when God doesn't answer as dramatically as I might like, I realize that God's strength is so much greater than my own. I need God. I need his wisdom and leadership and Holy Spirit. My own resources will tumble--but with God, I can endure to the end.
May you trust God more than you trust yourself
English Standard Version (ESV)
I like to do things on my own. Maybe it's pride or stubbornness or an innate curiosity to see if I can manage, but it's nice to be independent. It's not that I don't feel like I need God... I just seem to trust my own efforts more naturally.
But in the midst of the storm, I realize how insufficient my efforts are. Even when God doesn't answer as dramatically as I might like, I realize that God's strength is so much greater than my own. I need God. I need his wisdom and leadership and Holy Spirit. My own resources will tumble--but with God, I can endure to the end.
May you trust God more than you trust yourself
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