Angela Benson
It’s now early Monday morning which means I’m about a day late posting this week’s 90 Day Bible Challenge reflection. I had a pretty hectic week with an out-of-town conference and a short visit with my three nieces. Though I got a little bit behind in my reading, thanks to the Bible on CD that I keep in my car, I should be caught up tomorrow.
Now on to the readings. This week was Isaiah and Jeremiah. As I read (and listened to) these passages, I very much appreciated how fresh Kings, Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah were on my mind. Having read those books, I had a very good context from which to read and understand this week’s two books.
What was really clear to me in both books, but especially in Jeremiah, was how much God wanted relationship with the Israelites. He wanted to be good to them, to love them, to call them friend (yes, I’ve been listening to a LOT of Israel Houghton and New Breed), and to be their Father, but they wouldn’t let Him. I felt His frustration as He looked on His creation, the people He had chosen and saw them behaving so foolishly. I could almost see Him scratching his head and going, “Huh?” Well, maybe not exactly, but you get my drift.
He watched these people build their own dead and powerless gods and choose to serve them rather than Him. He wanted them turn to enemy nations for help, rather than turn to Him. Then, to beat all, he watched Judah continue on her path of destruction after seeing where that same road had taken Israel. Why couldn’t Judah learn from what happened to Israel? Beats me, and I get the feeling that God felt about the same way.
Then you have God giving them chance after chance (even 26 chances for you New Breed fans) to get right with Him and then finally having to let them have their way and receive the fruit of their destruction–capture and enslavement. This was certainly not God’s plan for them, but ultimately their choice for themselves. I won’t even go into the parrallels we see in our own lives as our personal choices lead us down paths that God never intended for us to travel. Yet, He is there to lead us out. Every time. Do you hear me? Every time.
What I saw this week so much was the love of God. Yes, there was His wrath, but that wrath was shrouded in His love. It made me realize how little I love God in comparison to the depth of His love for me. There is no comparison. The good thing is, He doesn’t want a comparison. All He wants is a people who will love Him and show that love by obeying Him. I want to be in that number. How about you?
Before I close, I want to share a scripture that caught my eye this week because it was a bit funny and a bit sad. Isaiah 4:1 (NLT):
In that day few men will be left alive. Seven women will fight over each of them and say, “Let us all marry you! We will provide our own food and clothing. Only let us be called by your name so we won’t be mocked as old maids.”
I don’t know if this passage was prophetic or not, but it stands as a strong commentary on relationships today. Have a great week and don’t forget to share what you’re learning.
You know something Angela…..through my reading of the Old Testament, not only am I learning just how much God loves us and just how merciful He is, I’m also still learning how much we take that love and forgiveness for granted.
I’m SO thankful to God for allowing His Son to die on the cross for us, but at the same time I believe we take advantage of how easy it is to ask for forgiveness. I’ve really been thinking about that lately. To TRULY repent for something means to turn away from it; not to do it again, so when we continuously repeat the same sins over and over, that’s just what the Israelites did….and we read how much it grieved and sometimes angered God.
If we can imagine that every time we come to God to repent for the same things over and over, that He feels that way, will it be so easy for us to commit the same sin over and over again? I know this may sound funny but sometimes after my reading, I feel like I need to just dedicate a DAY and just spend time in true repentance and fellowship with God. I want my life to be one God can reference long after I’m gone–like He did with David. There’s so many places where the Word states that there was none like David, and so-and-so didn’t uphold the law like David.
I want to take my walk with God to another level-a level where I’m no longer repenting for the same things time after time, and I believe this is very doable. If we totally submit our lives to God and ask Him to help us, I believe we can live a better Christian life.
As part of my morning prayer, I ask the Holy Spirit to prompt me before I do, say or think anything contrary to the Word of God or the will of God for my life. And I’ve noticed that BEFORE I get ready to say something contrary to what I should, I feel this small, still pull/voice that reminds me “Geigh, that’s not something you should say”….and that’s how I want my life to be–so connected to God that my desire is to always please Him….and as I do that, more of Geigh will die, so more of Him can live in Me.
I’m about ready to go and get some sackcloth and ashes, go in a corner and “rent my own clothes”!! 🙂 That’s how determined I am to live this Christian life to the fullest. Before I was a Christian, I didn’t HALF-STEP at ALL!!! I lived in sin to the fullest—so if I can do that in the world, I can totally commit to now living my life for God!
Geigh, thanks so much for sharing. Your words hit the spot with me. The word “determined” that you used has been in my spirit as well. Who ever “thunk” God could use a group of women who haven’t met each other to minister to each other this way?
Yeah, in today’s world, you have to CHOOSE, every DAY, to live for God. So many distractions, so many temptations–everywhere you turn–TV, radio, music, media, the Internet, people…..life!!!!
But I decided that I was going to serve God til my final breath and I make this confession to Him often. And there’s such power in words…the more I confess this, the stronger I become and the closer I feel to Him. It’s awesome!!
And reading the Bible everyday has CERTAINLY helped me grow stronger. Now I understand that scripture better about having the Word hidden in your heart. I love being able to recite God’s Word back to Him during my prayer time. I’m so thankful that you recommended this Bible!!! 🙂
I was having trouble praying every morning, but it’s something that I really wanted to do. It’s how I wanted to start my day; I wanted to give God the “first fruits” of my day, but I was still struggling to do it. So now what I’ve done is connect my prayer time to something I enjoy doing. I chose eating!!! 🙂 I don’t allow myself to eat anything until I’ve spent time with God in prayer. I know I shouldn’t need a motivator, but until I get into the habit and become more disciplined, I needed a little help! 🙂
So praying and reading God’s Word every day has strengthened my relationsihp with God is so many ways. Thank YOU for being instrumental in making this happen!!!!
And thank you for encouraging me on the journey. We’re moving each other forward. Amen!