The king’s wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
This is the third day of journaling in the Holiday Inn Hotel dining room. Just as I’ve done in many, many places across my travels. Used to be my open bible was always an introduction to conversation with passer by’s. If for no other reason curiosity. But no more. Perhaps it’s our sense of privacy, but I don’t think so.
I don’t think the people around me fear the wrath of God or desire His blessing. But rather are believing in their own power, humblerise.com. Enjoying their own world. But whether or not they believe…
He’s still the Lion
Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
I’m not saying they’re not saved or that they’re not good people. I’m not judging. Just observing. No one bowed their heads to bless their food or took note that I studied the Word of God. They just went merrily on their way, enjoying their breakfast. But whether or not they took notice…
He’s still the Lion
I won’t judge. But Jesus will. He’s coming again. And this time He will not be meek as a Lamb; no, this time they’ll know and understand that He is the Messiah. They will know
He’s still the Lion
Meanwhile, I’m enjoying the dew that falling on me this morning.
It’s true. As I wrote the outline for this blog, I
arrogantly thought, “Oooo that’s good, I didn’t deserve that.”
And then I heard in my soul… “No. You didn’t.”
And I knew in my heart that this was going to be a
teachable moment between me and the Lord. As a “Father and child. Go to your
room and I’ll be in later.” Kind of moment.
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord,
that is wisdom; and to depart from evil
is understanding. ~ Job 28:28
A Healthy
Respect
I’d lost it. The (fear). I’d grown selfish in my walk
with Christ as I grew weary from responsibilities. And not overwhelming responsibilities,
just your ordinary, everyday life kind of duties. I’d finish doing what had to
be done and I’d think, “I deserve a break.” And that break would consist of
mindless television (Netflix) or a game on my phone rather than going to the
word of God or simply having a conversation with Him.
This morning I came to my desk knowing what was on
my heart and before me was a bluegrass song I’d been working on the chords for,
and lo and behold I got out the guitar and figured them out. Knowing that the
Bible was laying there beside me and the Lord wanted to talk.
So… when I finally decided that I could spare a few
moments for Him, the conversation turned very serious. I had been disrespecting
the Savior.
I don’t believe that God wants me to set with the
Bible every second of the day, He knows that life happens and that I need to be
with people, else, how will they see Jesus. But there comes a time that He and
I should be conversing along the way.
When He speaks, regardless of what’s going on around
me, I should pause to listen. Unfortunately the world was too loud in my ear
because I had opened that door.
A
Hallowed Reverence
Matthew 6:9
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father
which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Note that Hallowed is capitalized. It’s
a part of God’s name, meaning Holy. Separate (depart) from the world.
There comes a time when God expects us to shut the
door to the world and be separate from those things that draw our minds away
from Him. Things that when we see them we know in our heart of hearts, this isn’t
good for me. This takes my mind to places it should not be.
For example. Netflix.
I’m not talking R rated movies but just the average
sitcom is filled with content not fit for the mind of a child of God.
I love to laugh. It allows me to forget about the
cares of the world and escape reality for just a bit. But that bit can turn
into hours on Netflix because it literally doesn’t stop. And I get wrapped up in
it and ignore the calling of God. I forget that God said, Be ye holy; for I am Holy. ~ 1 Peter 1:16
To be holy is to separate ourselves from everything
worldly. Including the mindset that “I deserve this.”
I don’t deserve anything more than God. That’s a
hallowed reverence.
A Heavy Reliance
A reliance is a belief and dependence (understanding)
on the Lord Jesus Christ for every breath of life. After all, He holds it all
in His hand, does He not?
THAT IS WISDOM
Job was so much wiser than his friends who looked at
life from a very human perspective. As if they could see inside the mind of Job
and know who he was in the secret hours of the days and nights before that
dreadful day when he lost it all.
To them, it was surely because of sin. But it was
not. It was because God knew the inward strength and character of Job.
We’re not God to know the hearts of other men and
women. It’s our own hearts that we have to be concerned about. I’m not Job. I
doubt my character would stand the testing and trials he experienced. I don’t
want to know if it would. I can’t even resist Netflix. How on earth would I
submit to the level of testing that Job did?
This morning God needed me to understand that I was
not submitting to Him as I should be. Not even close. I want Him to fix all of
my life’s woes: take care of my family, fix my finances and make me healthy,
wealthy and wise. And yet when He call on me, I turned a deaf ear.
Without fear.
Without reverence.
Without understanding.
Forgetting that He gave His all, so that I could
have life and have it abundantly.
