Wrong Chapter

Have you ever worked diligently to complete something but realized after you were “done” that you had been striving over the wrong thing. That happened to me early today.

This morning I sat down with a cup of coffee and my laptop for some uninterrupted time of Bible study. I attend Bible Study Fellowship. Tonight the discussion and lecture are over Isaiah Chapter 49. My intent was to complete homiletics for this chapter. But that did not happen. I did homiletics for the last half of Isaiah Chapter 54. I did not realize I was studying five chapters ahead of where I thought I was. How can that happen? How did I respond to the “waste” of my precious time caused by carelessness on my part?

First of all, for those of you who do not know about Bible Study Fellowship International (BSF), it is the best Bible study available. BSF is worth the time and effort to go through its eight courses of study. Biblical truths are taught in such a way, if you participate in completing the lessons and attending class, you will become very knowledgeable about the whole Bible and how to live a Christian life. God works through BSF. If you want more information about a class close to you, visit BSF International .

Homiletics is a fancy word for a systematic, in-depth method of studying a passage of scripture. BSF classes teach how to do homiletics. BSF discussion leaders and administrative staff volunteers do it in preparation for training and discussion. Homiletics, as taught by BSF, involves carefully examining what a passage of scripture says, dividing the passage into topic areas, stating in very concise terms what is said, stating the aim of the whole passage, and writing questions for applying the lesson to life. I have found that when I take the time to let God lead me through this process, I actually quit looking at a passage as boring or irrelevant to me. The Bible takes on a vibrant relevancy to my life.

Now back to my mistake. As I was completing the examination of the content of the verses using a word processor and Bible software on my computer, I had a question which for me is easier to decipher when looking at a printed page. So I opened my Bible to discover Chapter 49 did not say what I had been studying!

Wasted time? Anger over my mistake? No. I was blessed by the study of the last half of Chapter 54. I feel reassured and closer to God. I had been struggling with Chapter 49 and will go back to it at another time. But today, God knew I needed his encouragement found in a different passage.

…”’no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,’ declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17 NIV

So what did I learn? In the future when I find I have made a mistake, I need to seek God’s desire for my response. What attitude should I have? What action is God leading me to take? This morning God orchestrated my error so he could bless me early this morning. I serve an amazing God.

“’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10 NIV

Lord, thank you for your direction and encouragement. Create in me a desire to see you in everything even if it is not what I had planned.

Resolved 1 Again--Wisdom God's Way

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” Proverbs 1:7a NIV

So fearing God is the way to wisdom. Now that does not mean shaking-in-your-boots fear. Although we should have gigantic trepidation at the thought of encountering God’s wrath, righteous fear means love, respect, praise, worship, and devotion to the one and only God of Creation. Kenneth Boa has an excellent description of the biblical meaning of wisdom. “Wisdom is skill in the art of living life with each area under the dominion of God. It is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best means.”

King David, a man with a heart for God, prayed for God to bless him with fear for Almighty God. Many of the chapters in Psalms are David’s prayers. They are full of worshipful adoration, petition for relief from bad situations, and pleading to be pleasing to God.

“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 NIV

David is known as the man with a heart for God. I sometimes wonder what people say about me? Do they say I have a heart for God? God has a rebuke for anyone who negatively answers this question.

“How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?... Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them;” Proverbs 1:22, 29-32 NIV

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrated how to seek God and how to live out God’s commands in the first four chapters. The apostles in much of the rest of the New Testament devote their writing to teaching us how to gain knowledge and live righteous lives. In the Book of James, the characteristics of wisdom are listed.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom… 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.” James 3:13, 17 NIV

So having wisdom is more than having much knowledge. It is living life with God at the center. It is doing things his way—using God’s means, at God’s time, in God’s way.

Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, teach me to live life as you desire. Make me wise.

Resolved 1--Wise Up

None of us set out to be fools. We all want to be considered wise—with it—in the know. Since we do not want to be fools that must mean we want to be its opposite—wise. But what constitutes being wise? Is it having lots of information? Is it knowing how to do things? Is it being clever in our business dealings? Is it being able to control others? Is it being prosperous? Does one have to possess knowledge to be wise? God has a very clear definition for what constitutes knowledge and for the characteristics of the fool.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 NIV

Most Bible translations say “fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Instruction makes better sense to me in this verse. No one likes discipline, but if we have the right attitude, learning is something to be pursued and enjoyed.

The parallelism used in this verse helps with the meaning. As is often done in Hebrew poetry, the first phrase is explained by making the same statement from the opposite position. Here it is comparing a wise person having knowledge and a fool.

The Bible repeatedly defines wisdom and foolishness. One example is when God is addressing Job during his most difficult trials.

And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord — that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'" Job 28:28 NIV

So it is very clear. To be wise we must fear the Lord, seek wisdom, and shun evil. It sounds so simple; however, living it out requires the power of the Holy Spirit working in us for we are so inherently selfish by nature. We naturally gravitate toward gratifying ourselves instead of wisely fearing God.

Lord, give me the wisdom and strength to seek wisdom and shun evil.

Resolved

Each year I make resolutions for the new year. And each year I break at least one of my resolutions before January 1 is over. This year I broke the resolution to eat no sweets by mid-afternoon the first day.

My human will power is almost nonexistent at times. In the past I have thought of my inability to keep a New Year resolution as a weakness of will and maybe it is. But more than likely I cannot follow through with my good intentions because I have been trying to achieve in my human power and not achieve as the Holy Spirit directs when I rely totally on his infinite strength.

The one resolution that I thought was in the will of the Holy Spirit was to write a blog post every day. I even had a plan which I thought had been given me by the Holy Spirit. I had toyed with several ideas but kept coming back to writing something about the chapter in Proverbs I am reading during my quiet devotional time. God has been actively teaching me through this study of Proverbs. But the first-day post did not happen. When it did not happen, I started to doubt the plan and direction of the Holy Spirit. I prayed. I reflected. And I had to confess my sin of procrastination to God. Then I could change my “I thought” comments to “I know” convictions.

So as long as God directs, I will be posting daily from my nightly scripture readings. Currently I am reading and meditating in Proverbs. What a rich book in biblical principles it is! God instructs us to follow his commands and explains many of them in Proverbs.

“ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,” Proverbs 3:1 NIV

Lord, as I study Proverbs and as I reflect what you teach me, may my words and actions perfectly reflect your will.

How Great Is the Love

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1a NIV

I keep hearing songs. I cannot get them out of my mind. But why should I try? The messages in the content of the verses and choruses are so encouraging. They remind me of God’s love.

“Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so…Yes, Jesus loves me.”

These words from the song “Jesus Loves Me,” which I learned as a child, encourage me. When life is rough, I know I am important to someone just as I am. “Just As I Am” is another one. Yes it is usually sung as an invitation to accept Jesus as your Savior at the end of a church service. But the words often bring me comfort when I am facing challenges or have just made a sinful error. It reminds me that Jesus loves me even in my imperfection.

“Just as I am though tossed about with many a conflict , many a doubt…Just as I am thou wilt receive-- wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve…Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down.”

The songs I learned as a child keep coming to mind. They have so much depth—so much richness—so much truth. My heart yearns to be closer to Jesus. I made that plea to God as I prayed this morning through the words of another song learned long ago—“Just a Closer Walk With Thee.”

“I am weak, but Thou art strong. Jesus, keep me from all wrong. I’ll be satisfied as long as I walk, let me walk, close to Thee. Just a closer walk with Thee. Grant it, Jesus, is my plea. Daily walking close to Thee. Let it be, dear Lord. Let it be.”

Another song I find inspiring, which is not quite as well known but has been coursing through my mind, is “O Victory in Jesus”.

“O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood; He loved me ‘ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him. He plunged me to victory, beneath the cleansing flood.”

So, check out the words of your favorite hymns or praise songs. Verify the words for biblical accuracy then let God speak to you through his music.

Lord, thank you for your songs. Through them you have shown me your love this week. How you could love me as you have demonstrated you do is unbelievably amazing. I praise your love. I thank you that you love me. Now, Lord, draw me to you that you may use me to demonstrate your love to others.

My Attitude Should Be

What should my attitude be? I have been struggling with one area of my life. God has been so good to me in so many ways, and he continues to bless me. How can I complain? God has given me a fantastic husband (I may get irritated sometimes, but he is truly amazing.), a loving family, a comfortable home, a dependable car, decent clothing, plenty of food (Okay so I abuse this blessing and eat too much!), good health, the right to worship him openly, and many Christian friends. No complaint should come from my mouth or be entertained in my thoughts. Yet I fail in this area. I have been complaining because it has become clear to me that God is requiring me to give up my cherished Bible study class. Why is he taking this away? It feeds me. It nourishes me. Why?

The answer is I do not know, and it should not matter. My God loves me as evidenced by the many blessings he has heaped on me. It would be massive unbelief in his power and love if I asked for another sign by demanding to know why before I obediently respond. I must trust that God is in control and knows better than me what is best.

“’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

So what is my response to this new frustration? I am beginning to release my disappointment and turn to him in praise.

“In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.’" Isaiah 12:4-6 NIV

Lord, forgive my unbelief. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, use me daily to praise you and sing for joy about your many blessings.

Sporadic

It is a word that applies to my writing during this season of my life. If you have been following my blog for a while, you will know that when I am not posting each day, something out of the ordinary is happening in my life. If you do not see something posted for several days, generally that means there has been a change in the condition of my mother-in-law. That is my current situation. She has had hospital stays and is experiencing declining health. Hopefully, things will level out a bit in the next few days so I can get back to sharing with you what God has revealed to me in my quiet time about how to live an exemplary Christian life. Not that I do. But that is my aim. My desire is to grow closer to God and therefore to please him as I go through my earthly life.

I am not complaining about any challenge God has placed in my life at this time for that would be an egregious sin. It would be like thumbing my nose at a God who has given me so much and continues to bless me even now. I think about Job and how God allowed sadness and difficulty to test Job’s devotion to him. I have been reading the last five chapters of Job where God speaks to Job. It is four chapters of God reminding Job who he is before finally, in the last chapter, Job truly recognizes God is in control of all things.

“Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’” Job 42:1-2 NIV

Job then goes on to admit he had a knowledge about God before God’s instruction, but finally Job truly believed in him. Job recognized his position as a sinful man and repented. It wasn’t a surface, for the moment, repentance. It was a change of life experience. Job now understood who God is and placed God first in his life.

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6 NIV

So I challenge you to read Job 38-42. See God for who he is.

Lord, thank you for the many precious moments you give me during the storm of challenges this life presents. I ask that you continue to show yourself to me. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, give me the insight, knowledge and strength to place you in your proper position in my life—FIRST.