Identity

Focus Verse: Isaiah 43:1

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou are mine.

I can think of no better way to start the new year than by remembering exactly what and whose we are. We belong to God. We are his adopted children. He created us. He has plans for us. He has only our best interests at heart.

If we are his, we should seek to make our lives consonant with his thoughts and plans. Therefore we begin the year seeking him - and him alone. As we seek him, everything we need will be added to us.

We need not make resolutions that are abandoned by February. We won't have to try to force ourselves into molds that he didn't design for us. We need simply to seek to be closer to him, not for what he can do for us, but simply to be near him, in his presence. Or more accurately, to be aware of his presence in our lives.

So this year, my goal is to be more of a Mary and less of a Martha. With Brother Lawrence, I will try to practice the presence of God.

Father, God,

Help me to sit at your feet and listen. Keep me still until I know what you would have me do. Help me to instantaneous obedience when I know what that will is.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Promise Of Restoration And Prosperity

Focus verses: Jeremiah 33:10-13

After all the gloom and doom and judgment and retribution we've read, it comes back to the fact that God still loves this headstrong people he covenanted with. He has plans to restore them to their former well-being and prosperity.

Even in the midst of the judgment and retribution, he has plans for the children of Israel.

In the towns of the hill country, of the western foothills and of the Negev, in the territory of Benjamin, in the villages around Jerusalem and in the towns of Judah, flocks will again pass under the hand of the one who counts them.

The shepherd would find a sheltered place for the sheep at night - generally a cave or other kind of sheep fold - which was protected on all sides from marauding predators. As they entered, the shepherd would make them pass - one by one - under his hand. He checked the sheep for foreign objects entangled in the fleece. And it gave him the opportunity to verify that the sheep was not lamed in some fashion from the day's travels.

While this passage seems to be talking about the sheep of the shepherds, it can also be an allusion to the people of God. The children of Israel have been faithless, straying hither and thither to whatever new god or idol struck their fancy. Passing under His hand, they are individually tended and checked.

Of course, the sheep have to walk under the hand of the shepherd. And the people need to walk under the Hand of God. They can do this by reading His word, singing His praises, and listening for His Holy Spirit.

Father, God,

Bring us back into the sheepfold when we are led astray. Grant us the wisdom to check with You before undertaking any path, no matter how beautiful it seems at first glance.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

The Torch Is Passed

Focus verses: 1 Chronicles 28: 1-10

We read today of an orderly transition from one king to another. David had set the house of Israel in order, jobs were defined and fillled. The plans for the temple were completed to the last detail.

Solomon listened as David told him to acknowledge God and seek Him with a whole heart and a willing mind, because God searches the hearts and motives of the people. If you seek Him diligently, you will find Him because He wants you to find Him.

If, however, you reject Him, He will reject you as well. He will not force you to love Him. Because He gave you a free will, He wants you to come back to him of your own accord. You are able to choose freely whether you are among His people or not.

After the bloodshed of the years, David was not to be allowed to build the temple because he was a warrior and had shed blood. But Solomon had been chosen to build the temple. God set a philosophical king over the land to replace the warrior king.

David's battles had cleared the way for Solomon's peace.

Father, God,

Help us to understand that Your plans are perfect. That no matter what we think or say, Your precepts are the foundation of all our faith. Keep us rooted and grounded in Your peace.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

A House Divided

Focus verses: 2 Samuel 2:1-10

Life is messy. Even when things are progressing toward fulfilling God's plans, man generally finds a way to complicate the issue.

The nation of Israel had been divided into two nations: Israel and Judah. David was make king over Judah, but God had anointed him to be king over all Israel.

Today's reading encompasses the seven plus years from David's coronation in Judah to his being crowned king of Israel. The passage chronicles a civil war between the house of Saul and David. Filled with treachery murder and revenge, it seems like chaos reigns.

Even when circumstances look bad, God is in control. Our sovereign God gave man free will, so we can mess things up royally, but He will see His plans come to fruition.

David did one thing right. He sought the Lord's counsel before undertaking any actions. He was constantly mindful of God's authority and God's presence. In another place, he is called a man after God's own heart. David sought the heart of God and was content to wait until God brought about His plans.

Father, God,

Imbue us with a hunger for Your heart. Keep us seeking to know You better, to know Your will in all our lives. Grant us the patience to wait upon Your timing, to be content to let You have Your way in our lives.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Called Forth

Focus verses: Judges 13:2-5

The story of Samson is another familiar tale. Here we are told of God's plan for this child before his birth. He will begin the deliverance of Israel from the Philistines.

But Samson was not the ideal man of God. He did not hold fast to the Lord's commands. He womanized among the Philistines. He seems to have had a volatile temper. A woman's soft voiced pleading led to his downfall.

All of this, however, is beside the point.

God announced, before Samson was conceived, that this child would be born and what his role in Israel was to be. This is not an isolated incident. God announced that Abraham and Sarah would have a son who would people the nation of Israel. The angel of the Lord announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah.

These are not the only examples, but they are enough to establish that God has a plan for the infant before he is conceived.

We, however, live in a society that doesn't value the life that God gives. We decide to choose whether to let the infant live or die according to what is expedient or convenient for us. How long will God withhold His righteous anger before allowing us to reap the consequences of usurping His authority?

Father, God,

Forgive us our hardened hearts. Soften us and make us receptive to Your plans. Convict us of our indifference, and lead us to remedy the situation that devalues human life.

In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.

Finite Reason or Infinite Wisdom

Focus verses: Genesis 16: 1 - 5.

Does God really need our help?

When God promises something, we are foolish and impatient to try to hasten its fulfillment.

Look what happens to Abram and Sarai. Sarai knew about God's promise of a son. But she convinced herself and her husband that God was too slow and needed their help.

How many time do we do this? We hear a call of God upon our lives, and we start off well. But when things seem to be moving too slowly we decide we know how to help God make things work faster.

God knows hearts. We just know appearances. God has reasons for His time line we know nothing of. Sarai's proposition seems to make sense from a human standpoint. But she doesn't figure on the human emotions Hagar's pregnancy can stir up in both women. And even in Abram.

You see, God has His own plans and doesn't need our help to bring them to fruition.

What he does require is our patience and faith.

We need to draw closer to Him to bring our will into line with His, to reinforce our faith in His steadfast love, and to strengthen our patience to wait upon His timing.

Father, God,

Help us to understand that Your will for us is perfect, that Your timing is perfect, and that all we need to is wait upon You.

In Jesus' most precious name,
Amen.