Genesis 34, Mark 5, Job 1, Romans 5

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Genesis 34          Dinah … went out to see the daughters of the land. And when Shechem … saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. …And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing … Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give…. but give me the young woman as a wife.”

               But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem … spoke deceitfully, … “on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised,” … Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males…. and they plundered even all that was in the houses. Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land,” …But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?”

               Revenge –  Taking matters of justice into our own hands. We use our logic, our will, our provision, our anger and our vengeance. The result? Death and further separation from God. Revenge never teaches righteousness. But God’s revenge, that teaches Righteousness! (1)

              Lord God, I can be angered by the leaders in my nation and by people who lie, deceive, steal, maim and seek to destroy Truth, babies, relationships and Your Word. But Lord God, You are have the Last and The True Word (2). Right now You are teaching me that what I say and do DO matter. That while I can call congressmen, sign petitions, donate to just causes – my speaking, living and loving Truth (You Jesus) will heal the broken hearted and cause conviction of sin to the wayward for their repentance and reunion with You. My being Salt and Light will heal the wounded and dispel darkness so less people may be deceived. I am not useless, but useful IF I follow You Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You! (3) 

            Rape is horrific! But revenge does not heal or restore righteousness. But You, God, and Your Ways do! I seek Your counsel and the Holy Spirit Power to fulfill Your deepest desires for a bounteous harvest here and now. Amen   

            Lord God, I pray for Revenge Your way! Lord God Almighty, hunt down the people who harm others so that they know that there is no escape from You! Soften their heart, convict them of sin, and have them repent of all the wrong they have said, done, thought, etc. Lord Jesus, make them New Creatures in You so they will be so in love with and submitted to You that they will never harm anyone like that again! Bless them with salvation and bless those whom they have harmed, in this very same way, for Your Glory alone! (4)

Mark 5            immediately there met Him …a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs .. crying out and cutting himself with stones.  When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. … he cried out with a loud voice, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?”… He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” …And at once … the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine … and ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

                Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed …sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.…Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.

          when Jesus got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus … said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

              Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, the One worthy of worship, did not have revenge. Lord Jesus, You had compassion and renewed! You did not torment the insane man. Instead You set him free! Demons and sin had claimed the man as their victim. But Only You, Jesus can set him free from both. Lord Jesus, thank You for setting me free, too!

 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2

               But the bystanders could only see their money going down into the sea. Where is my focus? On the here and now? The physical? Or am I Seeing with God’s Eyes a man free from hell, a man now with friends, a hope and a future, a man clothed and in his right mind, a man with incredible value because he shares the reality of God’s compassion and deliverance with ten cities! Lord Jesus, may I not be sold out to the slavery of money or blinded by the values of this world so that I would not keep and maintain the principles of Your Word every moment of my life!

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things … When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” … And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”… He looked around to see her who had done this thing.But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

            Lord Jesus, I hold onto Your cloak. I seek the hem of Your garment. For I am in need. You know my needs. They are many. And there is no one who can fill them for me. They are deep, they are real, and they are life sustaining in so many ways. Lord Jesus, I look to You, I seek Your Face, and I desire to know You in Your fullness so that I may relate with You more intimately, effectively and submittedly. Yet You come to me, seeking me and the “lost areas” of my life to cleanse, restore, realign and sanctify me. Thank You Lord Jesus. Lord God, make my faith sight while I live so that I may do Your bidding just as You ask. May I never be ashamed of the gospel or of Your reality in life. May I live a life flowing from Your Sacrificial Blood, filled with the Holy Spirit and pouring out Your True Love always. May Faith in You and Your perfect Love cast out all my fears. I praise and worship You Lord God Jesus Christ! Amen (5)

 And He said, “Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:33

Job 1                Job … was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. … Job would send and sanctify them, … For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly. …  And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

                 While he was still speaking, another also came and said (x 3!) … Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

             How encouraged am I! Job did not have the full Bible. Job did not have the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Job did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit for counsel and power. Job did not have the fellowship of sanctified believers. Job did not have all these things that I have. I have hope!

             Job, a prayer warrior and one who feared God and lived to honor Him, had humility – and that is good with me! Micah 6:8

 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He Who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4

Romans 5            having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

             Character – only one way to attain it: God’s Way – within the Potter’s Palm! Lord God, I am grateful for Your gift of faith by which You have justified me, given me access to You, peace with You and continually show me “factually” of Your real Presence! (6)

            And because of You, Lord Jesus, I have particular tribulations. Things occur which show that I am in a war of good versus evil. If I wasn’t Your child, I wouldn’t desire greatly nor be able to successfully pursue Your righteousness amidst the enemy’s tactics. (Thank You for saving me! Please bring many others to repentance to You so that they, too, will be new creatures and able to truly live by, for and with You, Lord Jesus Christ, with peace, hope and Great joy!)

              As I am obedient to You while in these tribulations, You display Your glory, for which I greatly rejoice! And as I go through them with, by and for You, You produce in me the stamina to persevere. My impetus to continue is because I want to see Your righteousness more and more within me and around me! By these things You sanctify and develop in me Your character. So as I more and more deeply see Your good results despite the strife, I hope in You more and more greatly! Thank You, thank You, thank You for Your All Powerful Love Lord God Almighty!  (7)

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit Who was given to us. Romans 5:5 

Bible insights –

 1 – Ezekiel 18:32, Deuteronomy 32:35 , Romans 12:19 , Hebrews 10:30

2 – Revelation 1:8, John 1:1-3,14

3 – Matthew 5:11-16

4 – Matthew 5:43-48, Matthew 6:10

5 – Philippians 2:12, Psalm 2:11, Mark 2:17, Luke 19:10, Matthew 18:10-14, Matthew 10:32-33, Mark 8:34

6 – Isaiah 64:8, Isaiah 49:16

7 – 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:5-21, John 1:12-14, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:1

 Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

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Ezekiel 27,28,29; 1 Peter 3

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)

Is it my imagination, or am I getting an awful lot of those tough commands on my assigned writing days? I approached today’s reading with a hope of meditating on some feel-good verses, to quiet my soul at this hectic time of year. While God provided that as I read verse 8, dreaming of a world where everyone was like-minded, sympathetic, loving, compassionate and humble, I read on in verse 9 and I am hit with one of those hard sayings: “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing…” Replay evil with blessing.  Really??  Come on!!

I remember several times when this was certainly a challenge. I remember one time in particular; my husband gently reminded me of this when I was fuming at an injustice done to me at work and what I was planning to do about it. I was five timezones away, and I wanted to pretend I couldn’t hear what he was saying. I mean, come on, this person declared war!! I was fed up, hurt, angry, and exhausted. It took everything I had not to seek revenge. But to repay with blessing?  I don’t think I managed to go that far.

I will say, though, that my husband is one of the best people I know at living this principle (along with several others of these “hard sayings”). It used to make me crazy, but as I mature in my walk I am coming around. Maybe as I get older I can see the wisdom in this firsthand. I have seen situations escalate, and I can see where if this principle had been applied it would have avoided a world of hurt. I also see how the “evil” done to us is often a perception problem or a miscommunication. Other times it is done as a reaction of pain by the other person. Inflicting pain back does not accomplish any good. I can start to see how our lives would be so much more peaceful if we not only avoided revenge but paid it back with a blessing. It also makes me wonder how many blessings that others have bestowed upon me were actually a response to a perceived evil on my part?

Lord, strengthen my resolve to seek peace and pursue it by repaying evil with blessing. You are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. You promise that I will inherit a blessing by trusting you in this. Let me find my peace in that.

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Isaiah 12, Ephesians 2, Isaiah 13, Isaiah 11

Behold, God is my salvation, Isaiah 12:2

 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13

 The Lord of hosts musters The army for battle. They come from a far country, From the end of heaven— It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13

  With righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; Isaiah 11:4

  Read Bible Passage – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2012,%20Ephesians%202,%20Isaiah%2013,%20Isaiah%2011&version=NKJV

             Amazing progression by each Bible Chapter!! ~ God says He is Savior. ~ The Lord God Jesus Christ is the Blood Atonement to accomplish Salvation. ~ God commands His raptured people who are dwelling in heaven to war against the ungodly on earth for the great and terrible day of the Lord. ~ The Millennium Reign of the Lord Jesus Christ is over His peaceable kingdom on earth!! ~ The Lord God Almighty rules throughout All Time and Space!! Amazing progression in Scripture!!!  Joel 2:1-11

             Lord God, You know the place I am in today. Troubles of life and death swirl about in my head incessantly. Ponderings of the present and future’s uncertainty grip me; about my family, friends, nation and Israel. Curious of what You will have me do, How it will occur, couched with fears.

 Yet when I STOP. And ponder Your Word. All Time stands Still. You, O LORD, are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

              What a Relief!! What Joy! This is Just what I want. That is the desire of my heart!! (Psalm 37:4) This lesson teaches that very thing! You tell me past, present and future all simultaneously! You Lord Jesus are the Owner and Definer of All things!

  Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; Isaiah 12:2

             You saved my soul from certain death, from eternal damnation, hell. I didn’t even do anything to earn it!! You did it ALL for me.

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

               And how I live is Still Your responsibility!! Wow!! But I so yearn and pray incessantly to be within Your Holy Will, empowered by Your Joy, and filled with Your Wisdom and Holy Spirit my Beloved Savior!  

 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

             Is it really that easy LORD? Is it really just a matter of You “Speak” and I “Go!” ? It has operated that way for a long time. But should I fear when the lions and bears turn into Goliaths? Of course not! I am continuously in training for larger conquests and more fruit by You, my Master. The Goliaths of yesterday will seem like Lilliputians tomorrow because of Your lessons Lord. 1 John 4:4, 1 Samuel 17:34-37, John 15

 I have commanded My sanctified ones; I have also called My mighty ones for My anger— Isaiah 13:3

             How glorious to You Mighty King!! Swift Justice, Righteousness and Victorious Truth!!

 I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; Isaiah 13:11

             These days I “see” clearly Your handwriting on the wall. Now it is not so far off, like the persecution of the Chinese Christians. For now I can “see” persecution coming close in my own homeland.

 He will destroy its sinners from it. … Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place. In the wrath of the Lord of hosts And in the day of His fierce anger. Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Isaiah 13

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:19

              I rejoice in Your exaltation my King!

             But knowing Your mighty effectiveness Lord, the Certainty of your Successful Hand for Good, and my position of lacking fear, now that You have spoken: I beg of You for Mercy on all the people who are not yet Your people. Just as You did for me, Please Merciful King, Please soften many hearts, draw multitudes to Yourself, and bring them to the full Salvation by the Blood of Your Appointed Anointed Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. Job 42:1-6, Hosea 2:23       

 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1

             How glorious it will be when all of us, the multitude of saints, are living with King Jesus on the earth during His 1,000 year reign! Revelation 20:4

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon (King Jesus), The Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. His delight is in the fear of the Lord, with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,   Isaiah 11

              The Rod of Your mouth, Lord Jesus, is correction! Thank You for teaching us! And we shall learn ever more easily because “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord As the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11

            Oh, want a fabulous time we shall have!! The animals will have a Peaceable Kingdom! And I can pet them all!!

            “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,

            Lord, my troubles have seemed to vanish as I ponder Your Word. Your Power, Your Majesty, Your Control for All Good! The God of the millennium, far off in the future, is still my God at this very moment!

 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist. Isaiah 11:5

                  Lord God Jesus Christ, You are Pure Righteousness and Faithful! Whom then shall I fear? No one But You! (1) I shall,

Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; Isaiah 12:5 

Through All My Past, Present and Future!!

 (1) Job 28:28; Psalm 19:9; Psalm 34:11; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:33; Proverbs 19:23; Proverbs 23:17; Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

Deuteronomy 30, Psalm 119:73-96, Isaiah 57, Matthew 5

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, … to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, … that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you.” Deut  30:15, 20

 “Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:44-45

 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut.%2030;%20Ps.119:73-96;%20Isa.%2057;%20Matt.%205&version=NKJV

 Deuteronomy 30

                My God and Master, You make my choices clear. I can whole heartedly follow and obey You, or not. “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off.” V. 11 (Ha ha ha! You are not calling me stupid! Thank You!!)

                 IF I “obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” V. 2,10    THEN “The LORD your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, … “ v. 9  —  I see this in my life Lord God! And I give You all the Glory, as is Your due!

                 I regret I was here before You changed me: “your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish;” v.17-18  Please continue to seek after the multitudes that are here right now. Soften and change them to draw near to You and You will draw near to them. Please use me and send many more workers into the ripe harvest souls field!!   Luke 15:1-7; Luke 15:10; James 4:7-10; Matthew 11:28-30; Matthew 9:38

                 Vs. 6; I yearn to continually hear and obey Your Voice, that I may cling to You Jesus, for You are my life! You lay out my freewill and freedom in Christ options. Only in Christ am I free to live the blessings You lay out.

2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 1:23; John 1:12-14; John 3:5; Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Ezekiel 36:25-29

 Psalm 119:73-96     The Word of God –

                 I cherish and delight in Your Word, Lord God! And I am comforted and cheered by Your people, those who fear You. V. 74,79 Your Spirit testifies between us that You are our God! You are in the midst of us when we are together! We sense Your Presence joyously! Romans 8:16, Matthew 18:20,

                 Thank You for faithfully afflicting me, to change me to be more Your desired vessel.  Truly, “Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.” I praise You Jesus for Your tender mercies which come to me, so that I live In You. I trust that You will  continue working on, in and through me so “my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes” v.80 Hebrews 4:12-13, Philippians 1:6

                 I praise You, Lord Jesus Christ, because “Forever, Your word is settled in heaven.” And “I am Yours”! v. 94 Thank You for saving me from hell!! Romans 8

 Isaiah 57

                 I finally understand, my Teacher, the difference between the wicked and the backslider. The first You cast to hell. The second is Your wayward child whom You correct to bring back to Yourself. You correct your own. Hebrews 12:5-11, Revelation 21:5-8

                 I know a “backslider” very well. Your Word comforts me, “For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, … I have seen his ways, and will heal him… lead him, …restore comforts to him And to his mourners. … I create the fruit of the lips …”  v.17-19 I am a backsliders’ mourner, and I rejoice in Your Promise! Thank You Father!

                 “But the wicked are like the troubled sea,  When it cannot rest, … There is no peace,”  Says my God, “for the wicked.”  V. 20-21 The only hope for the wicked is to choose You through Jesus Christ and be transformed into Your Child. John 14:6, John 14:27, Ezekiel 18:32, Acts 3:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 5:6-11, Psalm 51, Colossians 3:9-10

 Matthew 5

                 Such a rich chapter! ~Only studying one section: my enemies.

Deuteronomy 30:7; Psalm 119:84-86; Psalm 119:95; Matthew 5:44-45, Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19 

                 Oh My Sovereign God!! I understand. You curse, judge and have revenge. That is NOT for me to do. And I, too, was Your enemy before You saved me by the Blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore You command me to minister and pray for my enemies’ salvation. I am to do good for them to the point of them surrendering their sins to Your Son Jesus Christ. I am to love them as You direct for the Holy Spirit to reveal the saving knowledge of You, so they will be delivered from the evil one. When they are transformed into Your child, then I, too, will be blessed!!  And You, my Father, will be glorified!! Matthew 6:10

 Lord God Almighty, enable and empower me to do as You command in all of these passages. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would hear Your voice and do Your will for Your glory alone. I praise You Lord Jesus Christ!! Amen.

 Crystal (PsalmThirty4)

Exodus 14; Luke 17; Job 32; 2 Corinthians 2

Arrogance v. Stubbornness

When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials change their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!“ Exodus 14: 5

Amazing isn’t it.  The Pharaoh had lost his son, Egypt had witnessed plagues.  Enough! “Let them go” said Pharaoh. But regardless of all the suffering brought upon him and his people the Pharaoh was angry that no one would be there to serve him.  Is this not narcissism at its finest.  Can you imagine his anger…I envision and toddler throwing a temper tantrum because he didn’t get his way.  Pharaoh had issues with  natural consequences would you not agree. What was his answer to soothing his wounds?  Get angry and get even.

The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.  The Egyptians – all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops – pursued the Israelites and overtook them as the camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon. Exdodus 14:8-9

I suppose when we read about God hardening someones heart that also means all reasoning has left them.  Now why Pharaoh and his men could not figure out by this time that they were fighting a losing battle; I’m not quite sure.  To say Pharaoh was blinded by pride is a slight understatement.  I mean seriously…plagues of giant locusts, raining frogs, the death of the first born sons.

On the other hand…

God had instructed Moses to tell the Israelites to tun back and where to set up camp.  He was very specific and even gave a detailed account as to what he was about to do in order to reveal his glory.  So there they were, following Moses, receiving instructions from God through Moses…let’s not forget that the Israelites had witnessed all of God’s wrath on Pharaoh, I would imagine they were very aware of his reach.

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them.  They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.  They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?  Didn’t we say to you in Egypt. ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Exodus 14: 10-12

Really?  They said that?  They would rather be under the hand of Pharaoh as a slave than to be free and follow God? Was it so comfortable in slavery that the cost of freedom was too great? Whine, whine, whine!    I really don’t know anyone like that, do you?

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Exodus 14:12-14

Do you imagine by now that Moses is thinking why did I bother?  Do you ever feel that way…why do I bother trying to be a witness when no one cares?   They would rather wallow in their misery than to hear about a way to freedom.

So on one side you have the prideful Pharaoh whose heart is so hardened that all he sees is anger and revenge. Then on the other side you see the Israelites who are so comfortable as slaves they think freedom is too uncomfortable and not worth risking their lives for.  Neither side seeing what was right before them.  Even though the signs were all around them.  I’m thinking a pillar of smoke and fire would clue me in there was a greater power at work here.

But that’s just it isn’t it? We are so enslaved by our sin and it blinds us to the fact the freedom is worth the cost of our false comfort.  And how many times have you thought you were cheated out of something, someone had wronged you and all you could think of was getting even?  Taking back what was rightfully yours?  Well that plan didn’t work out so well for Pharaoh and I’m pretty sure it won’t work for us either.

And when the Israelites saw the great power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. Exodus 14:31

Wow…it only took the parting of a massive body of water by a man and his stick to convince them to put their trust in the Lord.

Please know that my sarcasm is directed towards myself as I laugh at how many times God has shown himself in magnificent ways and I still question or doubt or I’m too comfortable to change my habits.   How many times have I taken it upon myself to show someone I’m right or that they won’t have the last laugh at my expense? Do I really wish to stay enslaved to sin?

No…I really wish to run toward my Abba with my hands lifted high, surrender all unto Him and bask in His glory.

Will I be uncomfortable at times?  Yes, but God will comfort me.

Will I feel the urge to get even?  Yes, but God will fight for me.

Will I ever be blinded by pride? Yes, but God will soften my heart and set me straight.

And He will be glorified!

Cindi