journey onWord with us

Sunday, while flying to Georgia, I was drawn to an interesting perspective. Our plane lifted off under ugly clouds and rain. Eventually we moved above the clouds, to a place where the view was entirely different. Heading toward my destination, I was looking down on majestic white capped clouds. Most would admit that our lives tend to get bogged down with the cloudy days. But what is the view from above those clouds where our Creator lives. Do you think He cares that the rain comes and the clouds depress?  Of course!  And His purpose through those dreary days is to build our lives for His glory and our good.

Paul had a thorn in the flesh!  The clouds in his life must have produced some pretty dark views. But God’s view was: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ (II Corinthians 12:9)  I believe the thorn was used by the Father.  Don’t you?

Moses lived on the backside of the desert. I picture lots of cloudy days.  Later in life he was … ”a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3)  The view of the Father from above the clouds during those long years must have been perfectly clear.  I believe the Father knew what He was doing. Don’t you?

When Abraham was ready to slay Isaac, I can picture the ultimate cloud. From above the clouds, the Father knew what to do. (Genesis 22) The place of ultimate sacrifice was in God’s design.  I believe Abraham trusted the Father.  Don’t you?

Finally, from the topside of Peter’s denial, the Father was in control.  And knew that one day healing would come, and Peter would be used to change the world.  He saw, knew and cared about the clouds and the rain.  He has that same care for us.

Honestly, I would say we all have a personal story of how the Father has used some imposing clouds to redirect, sharpen and bless our lives.  Our stories can be of great help, but given the choice, we would prefer only sunny days for our tomorrows. Just as too much sun leaves us parched and burned, having only sunny days would cause us to depend on our ability to make life work. The view from above the clouds knows better.

Be encouraged that He is in control.  He will provide and can make crooked paths straight; then embrace your clouds and think of the view from above.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

And remember …

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me,
And those who seek me find me.

Simple words, but how profound!  Speaking of wisdom, the author of Proverbs tells us that wisdom is there for the taking.  The entire book is laced with the theme of wisdom.  In fact, the word itself appears at least 125 times.

From my study, I have found that the Hebrew word for wisdom (hokhmah) means “skill for living”, which is something that I believe we all desire.  If the Father tells us that skill for living is available, then why not go for it?  The sad truth, is that most believers fit Christianity into their world, without ever seeking Him and His Wisdom as a treasure.  I have read through Proverbs many times.   But, never with the intent of seeking wisdom as a treasure.  This year the Father is changing me through this great book, and I want to share with you what He is teaching me.

Our verse from Proverbs says, that those who love and seek wisdom will find her.  As you read this short devotional, ask yourself the question, “Am I really seeking after wisdom?”

And in your quest, is it a her, or Him that you are seeking?  In this life, you find her apart from Him.  But the skill for living kind, the only true kind, can only be found in Him.

Proverbs 9:10 (niv)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 (message)
Skilled living gets it start in the Fear-of-God,
insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It’s through me, Lady Wisdom that your life deepens.

To me, the Message provides a great picture of what we all seek as believers.  We want wisdom that manifests itself as a skill for living.  A wise friend said to me recently, that he thinks the reason that Christians don’t get the wisdom of God is because the fear of God is missing.  Is there a real reverence for God in every part of our lives?  Do we seek His Word and Will in every situation?  I am convinced that skill for living is there for the taking when believers thirst for God, and seek His Word and His Wisdom as hidden treasure.

Our verse says that “those who seek me find me”.  Don’t put those words through a filter and rationalize your weaknesses.  Accept them as a child would, and realize that the Father is just waiting to give you His wisdom.  I picture wisdom in the corner calling out … ”here I am!” …  As a believer in Jesus, when you seek wisdom, start with the Wisdom giver, and ruthlessly apply His counsel to every aspect of life.

Whatever your profession, teaching, business etc… today and this week you will be confronted with relational issues, hard choices, moral and ethical conflicts.  If you seek wisdom in these areas, believe He will give it to you, and see what happens.

Saying the words “yesterday ended at midnight” is an easy go-forward kind of statement. Our struggle is that “yesterday” issues try desperately to invade our new day. Now no matter where you are on the journey of life, from a seeker examining the claims of Christianity to a fully devoted follower of Christ, “yesterday” habits, issues and actions tend to pull at the joy we want for our next step. God’s love is unconditional and His power is available to those who have come into a relationship with Him through Christ. I am sure the Father is pleased when we start a new morning with the words from Psalm 118:24, “This the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” That is the heart of Christ followers.  But “yesterday” emotions will throw baggage at the new day like:
     … the job opportunities aren’t there, and someone is struggling
     … taking a pay decrease has created a bit of uncertainty
     … a car wreck throws life into turmoil
     … they said it was cancer

The above are struggles that I encountered last week on my journey.  Can I still challenge my friends to rejoice and know God can be trusted?  Absolutely, but the only hope to experience this is going forward God’s way.  Look at what the Father tells us.

Psalm 119:65
Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.

Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

His peace is available His way.  So rejoice, and today hold fast to His Word.  Accept His counsel and truth (no matter what your feelings say), pray about everything and then by faith, wait for the peace that only God can provide. 

Smile …

Today’s comments will begin a journey of writing about a deep passion that my wife, Genel and I share.  To know God through the pages of His Word.  Most people would ascribe to an intellectual value that the Bible is powerful and helpful. They have been taught about it’s relevance and power.  But it is the Word of God, and why would I ever want to seek peace, joy and direction for life without examining what God says.  For the next few weeks, we will challenge you from a often referred to, but little known chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119.  It is the longest chapter in God’s Word and almost every verse deals with the Word. Psalm 119 has 22 stanzas with eight verses each. We are not sure who the author is, but you can relate to his life.  You will see trouble and affliction and a man who holds on to the Word of God.  The reading assignments for the rest of August will include a one stanza a day from this insightful chapter.  Start the journey with us.

Psalm 119:71-72
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

In my study this morning I was struck by the verses listed above. It may be easy to say like the psalmist, that it was good to be afflicted. But do I really believe it? And does the affliction help me learn the Word (decrees)? Difficulties in life tend to put a spotlight on our true feelings, our selfishness, and on who we really trust for guidance. Obviously, affliction had great value in the life of my friend the psalmist, and I can echo that refrain in my own life.  It caused him to learn the Word, and therefore he felt it was good. I have experienced the blessings of going to the Word in tough times, but too often my heart reflects a different attitude.

Looking at the next verse reveals more about our real focus in life. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. It is simple to ascribe intellectual value to God’s Word. I am sure you would agree with me that you struggle with the psalmist’s depth in valuing it.  But the journey is not over, and the Father is full of grace, ready to share with those who will admit weakness.  And then push forward to know Him through the pages of His blessed Book.  You may be struggling on the journey of really knowing the Father through His Word. Begin today with a new commitment to seek Him.

After all …    

We plan to post a few times each week. It is our desire that you check back often. Use the resources that the blog posts such as scripture readings, memory, and meditation verses .  We believe that God’s Word is the sole and definitive source of truth.