Walk God’s Path

Have you ever felt like everything, and everyone is against you? Have you struggled through a time when everything you did seemed to be wrong? Are you struggling through such a time now? How do you get yourself out of the struggle? Have you considered turning to God?

We all go through struggles. Yet, there are some struggles we bring on ourselves. Often, those struggles are due to going our own way rather than following God’s way. This not only applies to us as individuals but applies to families, cities, and nations as well.

God had led the Israelites out of captivity. He had provided them with a country of their own. He had even destroyed their enemies for them. Yet, they still turned to their own desires. They didn’t turn away from God overnight. It took several years of living in comfort and peace. During those years, they began to think it was their doing that brought them peace rather than God.

God was patient. He kept yearning for them to turn back to him. Eventually, he allowed their bad decisions to catch up with them. He allowed them to be defeated. He allowed them to be taken captive again. Even as he allowed it, he continued to yearn for them to turn back to him. If only they would turn back, he would bless them and rescue them again.

Have we learned the lesson the Israelites had learn the hard way? Or have we turned away from God to follow our own counsel? Perhaps we should take a hard look at our lives. Perhaps we should determine if we are following God’s way. The sooner we make the decision to follow God’s way, the sooner we will see our lives get better with the blessings from God. But even has it took time to slowly turn away, it will take time to experience the good. God is patient and he ensures our hearts have truly turned to him.

I pray we all take time to evaluate our lives. I pray we evaluate our families, cities, and nation. I pray each one of us will submit to God’s ways and ask God to keep us on his path. Evaluate your life. Evaluate your family life. Evaluate your community. Submit to God. Walk God’s path.

Psalm 81:10-12

I am the Lord your God, 

who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 

“But my people did not listen to my voice; 

Israel would not submit to me. 

So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, 

to follow their own counsels.”

Sarcasm and Truth

Do you ever speak facetiously? Do you use sarcasm? Do you use them to make a point, to show there is an obvious answer? Have you heard others do so? Did you wake you up? Did you have an ah-ha moment when you heard it? Have you considered that God does so?

We sometimes say things with sarcasm or facetiously when we know the answer is obvious and we want the other person to know that we know. We want to drive home a point. We want them to realize they cannot pull the wool over our eyes, and they should not take us for a fool.

God used the same method to drive home a point to the Israelites through the prophet Jeremiah. Read today’s passage. See how it drips with sarcasm. The God of all creation who can do no wrong and speak only truth asks a sarcastic question. He knows the answer. He knows the Israelites know the answer. He is driving home the point that they had been foolish, that they had mistakenly walked away from him.

I wonder, if God were to speak to us today, would he use the same sarcasm? Would he ask what he had ever done to cause us to turn away from him? Do we even realize we have turned away? We pursue many things in our lives. We seek to climb the corporate ladder. We seek to make more money.

We don’t think to make God our priority. We don’t think to make a budget to live within our means and stick to it. We have not realized that we can live much better lives by putting God first. Yet, God still loves us. He still wants us to turn to him. He waits patiently. It is our decision to make. When we do fully turn to him, we will realize the freedom we have in him.

Jeremiah 2:4-5 Hear the word of the Lord, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. Thus says the Lord: 

What wrong did your ancestors find in me 

that they went far from me 

and went after worthless things and became worthless themselves?

The Suffering Servant

Do you like to suffer? How is your pain tolerance? Can you tolerate large quantities of physical pain? Can you tolerate mental anguish? What allows you to withstand the pain you experience? Do you pull from a bigger and deeper source?

Being able to endure physical pain and mental anguish is very difficult to do. There are some professions that train regularly to be able to do so. They may seem to be superhuman. But for most of us, we struggle with enduring the physical pain and mental anguish.

Isaiah speaks of a suffering servant who suffers from both. He is beaten and afflicted. He is wounded for our transgressions. But the physical pain is not the worst of it. It is His mental anguish over our transgressions that causes Him the greatest pain.

When we look at the meaning of the original language, His mental anguish is so horrific that He becomes unrecognizable. So much so that He doesn’t even resemble a human being. His face is contorted, distorted, and transformed. This is not how Jesus is portrayed in the movies.

We must recall an image of extreme pain from mental anguish when we remember Jesus going to the cross. It is this picture, a view of our Savior who is virtually overcome with despair, that changes us. If is by viewing Him being totally distraught because of our sin that He bore for us that will cause us to pause the next time we go to commit our favorite sin.

I pray we all gain a new perspective of our Savior. I pray we see His mental anguish written on His face. I pray each one of us will change our ways because of the pain He felt for us. Jesus faced physical pain. Jesus faced mental anguish. He bore your sins. He loves you.

Isaiah 53:3

He was despised and rejected by others; 

a man of suffering and acquainted with infirmity, 

and as one from whom others hide their faces 

he was despised, and we held him of no account.

Hypocrites

Yesterday, we discussed whether certain activities, places, or artifacts were sacred or holy. I didn’t give answers but intended to cause people to consider what they think is sacred. Why? Well, let’s take a look at how Jesus answered the synagogue leader’s reaction to yesterday’s passage.

Remember that yesterday Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled for eighteen years in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The Sabbath was sacred or holy, and the Jews were not to work on the Sabbath. There were significant restrictions on what they could do on the Sabbath.

Jesus’ answer to synagogue leader’s outburst against people coming to be healed on the Sabbath is immediate and harsh. Why? He spoke the truth. He wanted to grab their attention. They were being hypocrites, holding a double standard. Though the Jews could only walk a specific number of steps on the Sabbath without it being considered work, they would lead their work animals to water. Typically, wells or streams were outside the towns of Galilee requiring them to walk further than allowed on the Sabbath.

What are the double standards we see today? How are we being hypocritical? Are we being hypocritical? As I observe the behavior of people, I see hypocritical behavior regularly. It’s alright if I commit my favorite sin but it’s not alright for someone else to commit theirs. I’m struggling with mine and praying about it but I don’t consider they are doing the same.

If we are going to call out someone else, we need to do so with love. We might consider confessing our own sin before we mention their sin, then agree with them to help one another overcome them. Rather than thinking we should impose rules on others, we might consider partnering with them for accountability. It will amaze us how well it works.

I pray we all recognize our own sin. I pray we approach others with love to discuss their sin. I pray each one of us with give up our hypocritical behavior and seek loving accountability instead. Recognize your sin. Do not be hypocritical. Seek an accountability partner.

Luke 13:15 But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it to water?”

Sacred or Not

Some of us grew up in a time when almost everything was closed on Sunday. There was no shopping. There was no going out to eat at a restaurant. It was even rare to find a gas station open to get gas for your vehicle. There might be a small convenience store open.

It was a different time. It was long before the 24/7 on the go culture we experience today. There was no internet. There was no cable television. We had four television stations, if we were lucky, and the radio. Even some radio programs were prerecorded to play on Sunday.

I can remember the outcry when stores started to stay open on Sunday. Many considered it sacrilege. “Sunday is the Lord’s Day,” was their cry. Needless to say, the battle for the almighty dollar won out. When Jesus was walking the earth, it wasn’t Sunday that was sacred but the Sabbath (Saturday).

The Jews held the Sabbath sacred and restricted what a person could do. A person could work. If you walked more than a certain number of steps, it was considered work. So, people could not travel away from their homes very far. With that in mind, imagine the gasps and outcry made by many in the synagogue and especially the leaders when Jesus healed a woman on the Sabbath.

We still consider some things sacred. For those of us who attend Sunday worship, we consider it sacred. Some of us consider the church building sacred. Some may consider certain adornments in the sanctuary as being sacred. Each of them should be treated with respect. But we also must remember that Jesus worked on the Sabbath.

I pray we all show proper respect for Sunday worship. I pray we understand what is truly sacred. I pray each one of us know that Jesus is always at work, regardless of the day. Respect Sunday worship. Know what is sacred. Know that Jesus is at work. Trust He is working with you.

Luke 13:10-12 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.”

Consuming Fire

How are things going? Are you doing well? Does it feel like you are holding on by a thread? Are you searching for solid ground to stand on? Do you wonder when your struggles will end? What is your perception of God? Do you view him as a genie in a bottle? Are you in awe of him?

Life can be tough. We can face numerous struggles during our lives. Loved ones will pass from this world. Relationships get broken. Jobs are lost. There are tough financial decisions to be made. All of it can cause us to think things will never get better. We seek something solid to hold on to.

It is when things are at their worst that we often turn to God. We cry out for help. It is important that we already have a relationship with God. It is important that we understand who he is. It is important to know his promises and trust in them. Jesus tells us that we will face troubles in this world, but He has overcome it (John 16:33). He promises we will be with Him.

The kingdom we will inherit is unshakable. We must understand that God is unshakable. As we seek out God, we must do so with gratitude and humbleness. We think of God as being love…and he is. Yet, God has awesome power and is a consuming fire. Revering God with awe, amazement, and wonder is not only appropriate but expected. In doing so, we can be more thankful and appreciative of all that God has done for us.

I pray we all seek to build our relationship with God. I pray we go to God with reverence and awe. I pray each one of us know that God is love, all powerful, and unshakable. Build your relationship with God. Revere God. Be in awe of God. Understand God. Trust God.

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire.

Obtain Peace

What is your definition of peace? Is it the absence of war? Is it merely not fighting with someone else? Have you considered your definition of peace does not align with God’s? What if you have pursuing incomplete peace? Would you like to have the peace of God?

We see negotiations for peace when nations are at war with one another. We may make our children stop their fighting, thinking that is peace. Yet, there is an underlying turmoil continuing in the hearts of those who are at odds with one another. The peace is temporary.

The peace of God is different. It is built on the trust that God is in control of all things. It is not merely the absence of war or strife but the indwelling and control of the Holy Spirit. Yet, we can be robbed of God’s peace with worldly worries, bitterness, hatred, anger, frustration, and failure to forgive. Holding onto grudges robs us of the peace God is willing to grant us.

When bitterness grabs hold of us, God’s grace does not reach us. Why? We reject it. The same is true anytime we fail to trust God is in control. We like to think that God’s grace is shed across us no matter what…and it is true, except we often reject it due to our worry, bitterness, hatred, anger, frustration, and failure to forgive.

If we will give up our negativeness and accept God’s grace, we will have peace that is beyond understanding. Not only will we have peace, but we will obtain the holiness we need to see Jesus for who He really is. Our picture of Him will become clearer. It compounds itself. The more negativeness we are willing to give up, the more peace and holiness we have, and the more we see Jesus.

I pray we all seek to trust God is in control. I pray we decide to give up our negativeness. I pray each one of us will accept God’s grace and see Jesus for who He is, gaining a clearer picture of Him. Trust God. Give up negativeness. Accept God’s grace. See Jesus. Obtain peace that is beyond understanding.

Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with everyone and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble and through it many become defiled.

Flee from the Wicked

Are you in need of rescue? Do you find yourself in a dangerous situation? Are you involved with the wrong kind of people? Have you gotten mixed up with people who are mean, cruel, hateful, or vengeful? Do you feel like there is no escape? Will you turn to the one who can rescue you?

There are more of us in bad situations than we like to admit. We may not associate with hardened criminals, but we do hang out with people who hold prejudices and can be hateful. Our friends may not appear dangerous on the surface but may subtly be a bad influence on us.

Though we do not have a choice in where we grow up, we do have a choice once we are adults. We may stay in the same town or county. Yet, we have the choice of continuing to maintain the same friendships or making new ones. In our disconnected society in which we spend far too much time on computers, tablets, or smart phones, that can be a challenge.

So, how do we go about reorienting ourselves and seeking new friendships? Our first step is to recognize our current situation. We can do so by asking God to open our eyes and reveal to us the true nature of our current friendships. We then ask God to guide us away from people who are cruel and unjust while guiding us to healthier relationships.

Some of us will desire to change the attitudes of our friends. Though that is a great goal, we must properly assess ourselves. If we are not equipped to influence them, it is better we step away until we are properly equipped. God can help us with that as well. Go to him with your plea to open your eyes, reveal the truth of your situation, and to remove you from a bad situation.

I pray we all ask God to open our eyes to see as he sees. I pray we ask God to remove us from bad situations. I pray each one of us will seek out healthy relationships by following God’s guidance. Open your eyes. See your situation. Ask for God’s help. Seek healthy relationships.

Psalm 71:4-5

Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, 

from the grasp of the unjust and cruel. 

For you, O Lord, are my hope, 

my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

God’s Purpose

Do you consider yourself successful? Do you believe you are doing what you were meant to do? If not, what are you doing to determine what you were meant to do? Do you know you were designed for a specific purpose? Do you know that God formed you in the womb?

Many people in this world have no idea what they are meant to do. They wander through life randomly bouncing from on job to another, from one place to another, all the while feeling lost or unfulfilled. Yet, they have not sought the Creator to ask for their purpose to be revealed.

God very plainly tells Jeremiah what his purpose was. Though Jeremiah, much like Moses, attempted to argue with God, God quickly told him he was to do what he was told. Some of us would love to have our purpose so plainly laid before us. However, when the purpose God has for us is a major role, we may balk at it, too.

The best thing about doing what God designed us to do is that we please him. The next best thing is that we are pleased and feel as though we are not working at all. When we do what we are designed to do, it flows from us naturally with no struggle. It may still be challenging, but the challenge is so rewarding that we thrive in it.

Just as God tells Jeremiah, he knew us even before he formed us in the womb. He has set us apart for a purpose in his will, doing his work, in a way that is pleasing to him. We may not have the role of a prophet, but we have a role to fulfill. So, we should seek to fulfill the role God has for us and receive the blessings that come with it.

I pray we all know that God has always known us. I pray we know that God formed us in the womb. I pray each one of us seek to know God’s purpose for our lives and fulfill it. God knows you. God has always known you. God formed you. Seek God’s purpose for you. Fulfill God’s purpose for you.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 

and before you were born I consecrated you; 

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”    

The Servant

What does being a servant mean to you? Do you think of someone who is a household servant? Do you think of a waiter or waitress? Do you think of a butler? Do you think of a chauffeur? Do you think of Jesus as a servant?

We, often, do not want to be a servant. We would much rather be the boss or commander or owner. We want to be in charge rather than being told what to do. Yet, we are called to be servants, just as Jesus was a servant.

Being a servant does not mean we must allow ourselves to be walked on by others. After all, Jesus was stern when needed. We are to be servants of God, following Jesus’ example. This means that we need to know what God wants us to do and do it. To know that we must know God.

Getting to know God requires us to read his Word, spend time in prayer, and listen for God to speak to us. Whoa! Listen for God to speak?! Yes. He may speak to us through others. He may speak to us through a sermon. He may speak to us by giving us thoughts we would never come up with on our own. As we learn to listen and hear God, we will learn what it is God desires us to do.

I pray we all seek to be a servant of God. I pray we follow the example Jesus demonstrated for us during his time on earth. I pray each one of us will listen for God to speak to us through various means, including others, sermons, and an inner voice. Be a servant of God. Follow Jesus’ example. Listen for God to speak. Walk the path God has for you.

Isaiah 42:1

Here is my servant, whom I uphold, 

my chosen, in whom my soul delights; 

I have put my spirit upon him; 

he will bring forth justice to the nations.