Judges 17; Acts 21; Jeremiah 30 & 31; Mark 16

This guy was about to learn what I learned in kindergarten from the song “Oh, you can’t get to heaven, on roller skates…” and it’s accompanying silly verses:

“…a carved image and a metal image. And it was in the house of Micah. And the man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and household gods, and ordained one of his sons, who became his priest.  In those days there was no king in Israel.  Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  Judges 17:5-6

God will not be just another good luck charm.  We might do what is right in our own eyes, adding an appearance of religiosity to the mix, but we cannot expect to appease Him into prospering us (read what happens to Micah in chapter 18).

But in contrast, neither is living a sacrificial life a guarantee that you or I will prosper according to this world’s definition…

“…When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.  Then Paul answered, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?  For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of Jesus Christ.'”  Acts 21:13

Christ never promised his disciples an easy life.

But as I come to the Father according to His prescribed instruction, through the only Mediator, I am given a hope that is absolutely sure… an eternal prosperity:

“Their children shall be as they were of old, and their congregation shall be established before me, and I will punish all who oppress them.  Their prince shall be one of themselves; their ruler shall come out from their midst; I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me, for who would dare of himself to approach me?  declares the Lord.”

And you shall be my people,
and I will be your God.

Jeremiah 30:20-22

One day God will prosper His people.   You and I must make sure we are one of them!

“Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry.  I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.”  Jeremiah 31:13

“He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:4

He has already completed the work to make our hope sure by sending his Son, the Prince of Peace, who came in flesh, out of the midst of Israel, “Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He has risen; he is not here…” (Mk.16:6)  He is able to draw near to God on my behalf having made peace through His blood.

Father,
I trust in the blood of Christ,
and I am waiting for You.
Thank you for Your Spirit in the meantime.
I can’t wait ’til that day when You will come and dwell with us.
Help me to remember to look for the prosperity that will never perish, spoil or fade… every day.

amy in peru

Deuteronomy 27-28:19; Psalm 119:1-24; Isaiah 54, Matthew 2

God’s words are important.

Obey be blessed, disobey be  cursed.  Clear and simple.  (Deut. 27 & 28)

God’s words are precious.

With my whole heart I seek you!  Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.  My soul is consumed with longing!  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.  (Psalm 119)

God’s words are gracious.

“In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.  (Is. 54)

God’s words are true.

…for so it was written by the prophet.
…this was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken through the prophet.
…then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah.
…that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled.  (Matt. 2)

God,
You are our Maker.
We are sojourners on the earth.
You are the God of the whole earth.
We want to seek You with our whole hearts.
You are the Lord, our Redeemer.
We want Your words to be our delight.
Teach us.
Deal bountifully with us that we might live and keep your word.
Amen.

amy in peru

Deuteronomy 12, Psalm 97 & 98, Isaiah 40, Revelation 10

To whom then will you liken GOD?

…would you compare HIM with worthlessness? the work of our own hands?

Even the best we could make… wood that is costly is overlaid golden, chained in silver, crafted with skill… an abomination cast in order to see and to touch… it. will. not. move.  worshipers of things shall be put to shame.

…would you compare HIM with one of us? the work of His own hand?

Even the best of us… like grass withers, like flowers fades, even the whole lot are but a drop in a bucket, dust on the scales… nothing. In comparison, less than nothing and emptiness. weary. weak. wicked.

Haven’t you been told, and heard and known?

Get you up to a high mountain!  Lift up your voice with strength, say…

“Behold your God!”*

The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth* and everything in it!
He does NOT tire, nor grow weary, with understanding unsearchable, He gives power and increases strength, His right hand has worked salvation for Him.

He has done MARVELOUS things*…

…measured the waters in the hollow of hand, stretches heavenly curtains and spreads them tent-like over us, the world is lit up by His lightnings; the earth sees and trembles …mountains have been moved and will melt like wax …brings the mighty to an empty nothing …He blows, they wither.

He created the hosts, brings them out, calls them by name, not one is missing.
As shepherd, He will tend His flock, gather the lambs, carry and gently lead them.
Those that wait for Him shall renew strength, mount up, run, walk and not be weary.

Rejoice!

Behold, the Lord God comes with might, his reward is with Him*…
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together…
The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice!*

Oh God, how we DO rejoice! How we must!
We rejoice because we know and love You.
Our hearts sing that we are Yours!
We worship, for You are our God!
We can’t keep from making joyful noise!
For You have made known Your salvation,
revealed Your righteousness for all to see,
You remembered your steadfast love!

“Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and all who dwell in it!
Let the rivers clap their hands;
let the hills sing for joy together
before You, for You come to judge the earth.
You will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.”*

Come Lord Jesus, we are waiting.
Amen.

amy in peru

*Is. 40:9 — Is. 40:28 — Ps. 98:1 — Is. 40:10 — Ps. 97:1 — Ps. 97:7-9

Numbers 34, Psalm 78:38-72, Isaiah 26, 1 John 4

The life and love of God made flesh…

who dwelt among us*

which we have heard,

which we have seen with our eyes,

which we looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life –

the life was made manifest*…

placed tiny in a mother’s womb,

born a helpless babe,

a firstborn growing boy with a heart that pumped and lungs that filled;
doing the things that boys must do.

He looked with eyes that really saw, spoke words that went straight to the heart and walked on feet that got dirty. He sat when he was tired, was thirsty and drank, hungered and needed to eat. He slept and got up early and knelt down to pray. His lap held children, his hands touched lepers, the blind, the deaf , and lifted a dead child to life.  He got angry, he spoke, he marveled, he suffered, he cried, he loved…

He died.

He rose.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us…

God sent His Son into the world.*

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought to love one another.*

God You ARE love.
You love abides in me as I abide in You.
Because of this I have confidence for the day of judgment, and will not fear.
I have come to know and believe the love You have for me.*
I love because You first loved me.*
Perfect Your love in me as I love the people You love.

Oh Lord, we wait for You;
Your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul.
My soul yearns for You in the night;
my spirit within me earnestly seeks You.*

amy in peru

*Jn.1:14; 1Jn.1:1-2; 1Jn4:9; vs11; vs16; vs19; Is.26:8-9

Numbers 20, Psalm 58 & 59, Isaiah 9:8-10:4, James 3

I started off today’s reading in the wilderness, with grumbly mumbly Israel.

Moses and Aaron are thrown on their faces in the presence of Glory. The Lord spoke,

“Take the staff… tell the rock…”
but instead, Moses told the people, and struck the rock, twice!

Then God said,

“Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy… therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.” Num.20:12

At that moment surely Moses was wishing he’d stayed on his face a little longer where the Glory was. I’m like Moses, often. I say too much. It was natural for Moses to be frustrated with those obstinate, whining, forgetful people… but the only appropriate place for retching frustration is while face down, before the LORD.

“God, I get tired of boiling over, scalding the people around me…”

For wickedness burns like a fire;
it consumes…
it kindles…
rolls upward in a column of smoke. Is.9:18

…how great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire…full of deadly poison. James 3:5-6,8

David sings denouncing his enemies and demanding justice (aka: complaining). In the very last part of his song I learn a secret. While waiting for the Lord to act…

“I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.” Ps.59:16

When things get tough and I’m about to leak out verbal vengeance onto these precious rebel children who daily surround me… In meekness of wisdom, I must fall down on my face in the presence of Glory, hand over control and uphold holiness by exchanging pain inflicting words for songs of praise to God.

“…the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18

Lord, I need You desperately.
You are holy.  I am a sinner. You know me well.

I fall face down in the presence of Your glory.

Thank you for sanctifying this sputtering spring.
I long to overflow purely fresh and sincere praise.

amy in peru