I need to get back in the habit.
Isaiah 53
This is a prophetic chapter concerning Jesus, and the pain and sorrow He would bear on our behalf. It talks of His piercing and rejection, His offering and suffering.
In hindsight, it seems amazing to think that no one saw the signs when they saw Jesus; He was the epitome of this chapter and so many others. Yet to fulfill the chapter, He had to be rejected rather than received. It's such a paradox: God gave the scriptures so that they might know Him when they saw Him, but to fulfill those same scriptures He had to be rejected by them. Incredible love.
He loved me THAT much. Indescribable.
God, I want to be in love with You again. I want to accept Your love and to stop falling short. Help me. I cannot do this on my own. I want to recognize you when I see you, not unknowingly reject you. How many times have I seen You and not known? Show me where you are.
Amen.
4/13/09
3/27/09
Day 43 - March 27/09
Ruth 2
For no apparent reason, Boaz, a wealthy relative, takes notice of Ruth. When he realizes who she is, she is given more than what she deserves and is protected from danger.
Normally for young women it would have been very dangerous to do what she was doing, in following the plowers to pick up the gleanings. The men who did the plowing often "harmed" those young women if they weren't servants in the owner's household. Ruth was done a very great kindness by being allowed what she was, especially as a foreigner.
I don't think I often enough notice the people who are off to the side, in the background. And even if I do, I am not quick enough to help them and be kind. I want that to change.
God, open my eyes to the hurting people around me and give me grace for them even when I don't think they deserve it. Show me how to love the way that You have loved me.
Amen.
For no apparent reason, Boaz, a wealthy relative, takes notice of Ruth. When he realizes who she is, she is given more than what she deserves and is protected from danger.
Normally for young women it would have been very dangerous to do what she was doing, in following the plowers to pick up the gleanings. The men who did the plowing often "harmed" those young women if they weren't servants in the owner's household. Ruth was done a very great kindness by being allowed what she was, especially as a foreigner.
I don't think I often enough notice the people who are off to the side, in the background. And even if I do, I am not quick enough to help them and be kind. I want that to change.
God, open my eyes to the hurting people around me and give me grace for them even when I don't think they deserve it. Show me how to love the way that You have loved me.
Amen.
3/25/09
Day 42 - March 25/09
Ruth 1
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (1:16b).
Ruth came from Moab, had other families and other gods. Once her husband died, she had no reason to stay with Naomi, but something compelled her to. She forsook it all to be with Naomi, and she chose to honour God.
What am I willing to give up? Would I forsake it ALL for God? Not just the easy stuff, but the really hard stuff too. It's an interesting question, and it's been making me wonder.
God, help me to realize that all these things in life are not my own. Even my relationships and my own life aren't mine, so why would I ever hold them back from you? Please help me to grasp exactly how much you bought when you paid for me on the cross.
Amen.
"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God" (1:16b).
Ruth came from Moab, had other families and other gods. Once her husband died, she had no reason to stay with Naomi, but something compelled her to. She forsook it all to be with Naomi, and she chose to honour God.
What am I willing to give up? Would I forsake it ALL for God? Not just the easy stuff, but the really hard stuff too. It's an interesting question, and it's been making me wonder.
God, help me to realize that all these things in life are not my own. Even my relationships and my own life aren't mine, so why would I ever hold them back from you? Please help me to grasp exactly how much you bought when you paid for me on the cross.
Amen.
3/22/09
Day 41 - March 22/09
John
This has actually taken the last few days while I was gone on retreat. What I love so much about John is the eloquent way he presents everything about Jesus. He does not seem rushed to fill every page of every book about everything Jesus ever did, but rather to put out the knowledge that there is a Saviour and He has come.
Every time I read John, I am once again astounded by its difference from the rest of the Gospels. Rather than facts or events or specifics, he is concerned with recording Jesus' words, because to him they seemed to be the most important.
I fall short of how God wants me to live every day. I read the story of Jesus, how amazing He was, and I am blown away...yet I can't seem to turn that into more positive life change. I think I'm in a rut that only He can pull me out of.
God, I want to draw closer to you. I don't know how to pin down what it is that's holding me back, or how to let go of those things, but I know that You're the only answer. Help me to take these words and take them to heart. I don't want to lose them in the mess of everything else.
Amen.
This has actually taken the last few days while I was gone on retreat. What I love so much about John is the eloquent way he presents everything about Jesus. He does not seem rushed to fill every page of every book about everything Jesus ever did, but rather to put out the knowledge that there is a Saviour and He has come.
Every time I read John, I am once again astounded by its difference from the rest of the Gospels. Rather than facts or events or specifics, he is concerned with recording Jesus' words, because to him they seemed to be the most important.
I fall short of how God wants me to live every day. I read the story of Jesus, how amazing He was, and I am blown away...yet I can't seem to turn that into more positive life change. I think I'm in a rut that only He can pull me out of.
God, I want to draw closer to you. I don't know how to pin down what it is that's holding me back, or how to let go of those things, but I know that You're the only answer. Help me to take these words and take them to heart. I don't want to lose them in the mess of everything else.
Amen.
3/18/09
Day 40 - March 18/09
Judges 21
More things happen to end off judges, such as the stealing of virgin girls from other cities for the Benjamites, and the book ends with the same verse: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" (21:25).
There was no leader/mentor/guide to bring the people into a place of rightness with God. They did whatever they wanted because they did not feel accountable to God. Samson was the last of the judges, and even he did not do right in the sight of God.
Sometimes I wonder if I need a mentor or someone over me to keep me accountable to God, or if I just need to be reading the Bible more often and praying. I'm going to start reading The Divine Mentor soon, and I hope that will shed some light on this issue for me.
God, I've given certain things into Your hands, and I'm trusting You with them. Please keep them safe.
Amen.
More things happen to end off judges, such as the stealing of virgin girls from other cities for the Benjamites, and the book ends with the same verse: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit" (21:25).
There was no leader/mentor/guide to bring the people into a place of rightness with God. They did whatever they wanted because they did not feel accountable to God. Samson was the last of the judges, and even he did not do right in the sight of God.
Sometimes I wonder if I need a mentor or someone over me to keep me accountable to God, or if I just need to be reading the Bible more often and praying. I'm going to start reading The Divine Mentor soon, and I hope that will shed some light on this issue for me.
God, I've given certain things into Your hands, and I'm trusting You with them. Please keep them safe.
Amen.
3/16/09
Day 39 - March 16/09
Judges 20
Civil war is once again upon Israel. Because of the act from the previous chapter against the Levite's concubine, all of Israel came out to fight against Benjamin. The first two days of battle, it appeared as though God would not carry them through. On the third day, though, God delivered Benjamin into their hands for victory.
Even after the first and second days of slaughter, Israel continued to trust that God would have their back. They had faith without seeing.
I used to think I had a lot of faith, and at the time I probably did, but now it feels as though I don't know what to trust anymore. I know it should be God, but I still feel like I don't hear Him clearly. It's so confusing.
God, I'm trying to walk in Your ways, but I could use some serious guidance. I don't want to mess everything up.
Amen.
Civil war is once again upon Israel. Because of the act from the previous chapter against the Levite's concubine, all of Israel came out to fight against Benjamin. The first two days of battle, it appeared as though God would not carry them through. On the third day, though, God delivered Benjamin into their hands for victory.
Even after the first and second days of slaughter, Israel continued to trust that God would have their back. They had faith without seeing.
I used to think I had a lot of faith, and at the time I probably did, but now it feels as though I don't know what to trust anymore. I know it should be God, but I still feel like I don't hear Him clearly. It's so confusing.
God, I'm trying to walk in Your ways, but I could use some serious guidance. I don't want to mess everything up.
Amen.
3/13/09
Day 38 - March 13/09
Judges 19
A Levite is staying in Gibeah when the house he is staying at is surrounded by the men of the city who demand to have sex with him. Instead, his concubine is tossed out and they rape her and she dies. In retaliation, he sends a piece of her body to each of the tribes of Israel.
This is only the precursor of the full story, but it just amazes me how such little value was put on the concubine. Although she was only a concubine, her life was considered forfeit.
How do I apply this to me? My life is supposed to be forfeit to God, dying to myself daily. I don't want to be literal with the story, but shouldn't I consider my life as nothing if it means serving Him? I don't know, that's the best I got.
God, show me Your purposes and plans. Help me to daily die to myself and live fully for you. And help me to prioritize in these stressful times.
Amen.
A Levite is staying in Gibeah when the house he is staying at is surrounded by the men of the city who demand to have sex with him. Instead, his concubine is tossed out and they rape her and she dies. In retaliation, he sends a piece of her body to each of the tribes of Israel.
This is only the precursor of the full story, but it just amazes me how such little value was put on the concubine. Although she was only a concubine, her life was considered forfeit.
How do I apply this to me? My life is supposed to be forfeit to God, dying to myself daily. I don't want to be literal with the story, but shouldn't I consider my life as nothing if it means serving Him? I don't know, that's the best I got.
God, show me Your purposes and plans. Help me to daily die to myself and live fully for you. And help me to prioritize in these stressful times.
Amen.
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