Children of Israel

Has anyone seen August? Now, where did that guy go? I turned around & he was just up & gone. May I also be the bearer of ~~bad~~ good news that Christmas is only 17 Fridays away. Lord help us all.

I did want to make mention of something that’s been on my mind lately. I believe if you take a poll with Christians everywhere, I bet everyone would say they trust in God. They trust in God’s providence, they trust in God’s ability, they trust in God to take care of the world. But really do they? Y’all, I’ve always heard people say,

“Your actions are speaking so loud, that I can’t hear what you are saying.”

When we get in a bind, do we pray? When we aren’t in a bind, are we praying? Are we complaining about our blessings? I think sometimes, I would be right in there with the children of Israel, sadly.

The children of Israel were quite a fickle group. Even though, Moses, through the power of God had just parted the Red Sea for them to walk over on dry land. Safely. From the Egyptians. (Exodus 14:21-24) Even though, God gave them everything they needed. Their clothes never wore out, (Deuteronomy 29:5) they never had to worry about shelter, & they had food every morning (Exodus 16:35). Even with all of these miraculous happenings , they still weren’t happy. They just didn’t get it. They grumbled & complained. And when they did, God heard them & made sure they were provided for(Exodus 16:13) But you know what? Their needs weren’t met right when they thought it should happen or in ways they thought it should be, it was on God’s time.

We have to remember that, too. But just like the children of Israel, I know how desperate a situation can become before it gets better. And then what do we do? We start to question God, y’all. That is just the human side of us. Our trust might just need a little dusting off every once in awhile. (I know mine does.)

Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You. (NKJV)

We might need reminding that God is able to help us every day of our lives. We just have to do our part by obeying & asking.

Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (NKJV)

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.(NKJV)

I hope you all have a blessed Labor Day weekend. We will be doing the norm, cooking, eating, & visiting with friends & family. My Daddy’s birthday was this past Thursday. So, we will throw in a little birthday celebration in the mix. Until next time, I love all y’all & will be thinking about ya while I should be washing clothes.

photo credits: http://www.lovethispic.com

Few things take me by surprise, anymore. However, this week, as I was into the Word, I had an “Aha!” moment. I had been studying in the Old Testament about Moses, Aaron, & the Levites. During my study, I was curious to what Moses & the children of Israel were learning. They had plague, after plague, then fussing & griping & in the end poor Moses still did not even get to see the promised land. I got to thinking why in the world would God treat his children like this? Shouldn’t they live a life with no worries or heartaches? No pain & sorrow. No problems to be burdened with? After all, they were God’s chosen people. God chose those people. Then all of a sudden it hit me:

Moses killed a man.

Noah got drunk after he left the ark.

David commited adultery.

Paul persecuted Christians.

Peter denied he even knew who Jesus Christ was.

I have been divorced, my Mama died at an early age (after years of needless suffering), my relationships have been strained with some of my family, I have been through my share of trials. But God is still good. Even though He lets tragedies happen to the best of us. He could be doing this to mold us into the people He needs us to be so that He can use us. Otherwise, we may get so full of life & pride that He can’t use us for His will.

I read in Hebrews 12 starting with verse 6

For whom the Lord loves, He chastens….(0r corrects)- so then the Lord must love me, ~~more that your average bear~~ ALOT.

verse 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful:nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

How many times do we say, “Thank you Lord for all these problems, because I know this is going to help me be more like you want me to be?” Uh, yeah, not me. But that’s what He says is going on (Heb 12:11) My deal is I need to submit more to His will in the 1st place, then, maybe I won’t have to endure such correction from the Lord (in the form of troubles). My “Aha!” moment made me realize I need to thank God for thinking enough of me, to not let me remain as I am. That I am worth His time, effort, & energy to be disciplined by trials to make me into what He wants me to be. For that I am truly humbled.

I will be linking up with Falen & Laura at Upward Not Inward’s Into the Word Wednesday. Come on over & see what’s going on. We always have a good time sharing what the Word of God is saying to us. Thanks for stopping by to visit! I have to be going now, because I should be washing clothes.