Okay...I spent the last couple days breezing through the rest of Hosea. Then Amos, Obadiah, Micah, and Nahum. Is it jus me or are the Minor Prophets really depressing??? I mean, I know that every Scripture is God-breathed and He has included it for a reason. Nonetheless, I breezed through them.
But Habakkuk...he's different. I only got to the introduction before I had to wake kids, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow. And the introduction alone got me thinking. It looks like Habakkuk stands apart from the other prophets because he questions God. He questions why God judges the way He does. And I started thinking about other questions...
This time of year makes this easy. Zechariah questioned God and was denied his voice for months. Mary questioned God and was given a reasonable answer. Habakkuk questions God and is given the answer to clarify the same question others are asking. So, what's the difference? Is it ever okay to question God?
Sure.
But I think our examples here show us that God looks at our motive and intention when questioning Him and His choices.
Zechariah questioned out of doubt and disbelief, and was punished.
Mary questioned out of realistic curiousity, and was clearly given the explanation.
Habakkuk questions, knowing that the people are looking for some sort of explanation and God answers him accordingly.
When we question God's decisions, do we do it out of anger or bitterness? Doubt and disbelief? Simple curiousity?
Maybe it comes down to the way we start our question. "Why?" is often followed by doubt or disbelief. "How?" is asking for realistic explanation. We can never expect God to fully give us His answers. Our feeble minds couldn't comprehend His ways if we tried! (And oh, how we've tried...)
But asking, "How can I get through this?" as opposed to, "Why did this happen to me?" seems reasonable, don't you think?
I do. I've been doing a lot of questioning in my life lately, and it's good to remember that my questions, though justified in my mind, need to start out right and come from the right place. Only then, will I get the answer that God knows I need right then.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Simple Thought
Good morning!
Just some simple thoughts for you this morning....meant to strengthen your walk and encourage your day...
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (I Peter 5:8-9)
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Have a wonderful morning and be encouraged that though our enemy is trying to entrap us, God is right there, waiting to give us the strength we need to resist him.
Just some simple thoughts for you this morning....meant to strengthen your walk and encourage your day...
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. (I Peter 5:8-9)
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)
Have a wonderful morning and be encouraged that though our enemy is trying to entrap us, God is right there, waiting to give us the strength we need to resist him.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Happy December!
Well, it's official. Whether the calendar admits it or not, it's winter here. The ice, plus 8 inches of snow, plus ice makes it official. Neener neener! I'm lovin' this... Although my husband would say I only love it because I wasn't the one out there trying to clean it up for four hours yesterday.
Anyway, I'm still reading in Hosea and this morning I made it through chapter 4. I'm amazed at the way that God is delivering this message to Israel through Hosea. Many would read this section, the language, the description of Israel's wayward choices, and say that God is being harsh. He uses some pretty strong metaphors against His people here.
But I'm still intrigued by Hosea's position. It's one thing to have to proclaim God's strong words to the people. But to be asked to live it out by his choices?! I wonder if Hosea thought it was "fair."
I've never been a fan of putting myself in the place of others in the Bible. Through various Bible studies I've been asked things like this. "How would you feel in John's position?" "Can you imagine being Daniel here? How would you have reacted?" I never like these questions because I'M NOT THEM. I'm not even in the same category as these Godly people. On a number of levels, I can't compare myself to them and I don't like being asked to do so.
But I do wonder what Hosea thought. I mean, he was a man of God. A prophet. He knew he was called to do things other people wouldn't have to do. And I can't help but think he just knew he'd always have to put God's will and God's words first. He'd have to put his own will and his own thoughts aside so that God's could shine through. He had to know there wouldn't be room for himself.
This is hard to imagine. In today's society where we are overwhelmed with self-serving messages such as "You're worth it," it's a daily choice to put God's will first. But it seems harder when we're faced with tough life changes. There is a good possiblity my sister and her family will have to move out of state. My selfish side wants to find someone to "blame" or to get upset with. I wonder why God would do this to our family and why He would cut off my left arm by taking my sister away.
This is when Hosea's unselfish attitude is encouraging. If my sister has to move away, I have to choose to remember that this move has nothing to do with me. Moving would be the career answer we've been praying for in regard to their family.
Our society wants us to think everything is about us. Things can impact us, but it doesn't mean it's about us. Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'm saying it right. (My headache is getting in the way this morning.)
When my husband found out he was losing his job 2 weeks after we moved into a new home in a new town an hour away from our families, it wasn't about me. But it did change me.
When my dad tragically fell and was taken Home, it wasn't about me. But it did change me.
When my mom struggled with depression years ago, it wasn't about me. But it did impact me.
When my best friend made poor life choices that broke her family's heart and ended her marriage, it wasn't about me. But it did impact me.
God has His will for every person on this earth. And though those decisions may impact us, it's not always about us. It's hard to remember that in the midst of trials, but if we are looking to Him, we can choose to remember it.
Have a great wintery morning!
Anyway, I'm still reading in Hosea and this morning I made it through chapter 4. I'm amazed at the way that God is delivering this message to Israel through Hosea. Many would read this section, the language, the description of Israel's wayward choices, and say that God is being harsh. He uses some pretty strong metaphors against His people here.
But I'm still intrigued by Hosea's position. It's one thing to have to proclaim God's strong words to the people. But to be asked to live it out by his choices?! I wonder if Hosea thought it was "fair."
I've never been a fan of putting myself in the place of others in the Bible. Through various Bible studies I've been asked things like this. "How would you feel in John's position?" "Can you imagine being Daniel here? How would you have reacted?" I never like these questions because I'M NOT THEM. I'm not even in the same category as these Godly people. On a number of levels, I can't compare myself to them and I don't like being asked to do so.
But I do wonder what Hosea thought. I mean, he was a man of God. A prophet. He knew he was called to do things other people wouldn't have to do. And I can't help but think he just knew he'd always have to put God's will and God's words first. He'd have to put his own will and his own thoughts aside so that God's could shine through. He had to know there wouldn't be room for himself.
This is hard to imagine. In today's society where we are overwhelmed with self-serving messages such as "You're worth it," it's a daily choice to put God's will first. But it seems harder when we're faced with tough life changes. There is a good possiblity my sister and her family will have to move out of state. My selfish side wants to find someone to "blame" or to get upset with. I wonder why God would do this to our family and why He would cut off my left arm by taking my sister away.
This is when Hosea's unselfish attitude is encouraging. If my sister has to move away, I have to choose to remember that this move has nothing to do with me. Moving would be the career answer we've been praying for in regard to their family.
Our society wants us to think everything is about us. Things can impact us, but it doesn't mean it's about us. Does that make sense? I'm not sure I'm saying it right. (My headache is getting in the way this morning.)
When my husband found out he was losing his job 2 weeks after we moved into a new home in a new town an hour away from our families, it wasn't about me. But it did change me.
When my dad tragically fell and was taken Home, it wasn't about me. But it did change me.
When my mom struggled with depression years ago, it wasn't about me. But it did impact me.
When my best friend made poor life choices that broke her family's heart and ended her marriage, it wasn't about me. But it did impact me.
God has His will for every person on this earth. And though those decisions may impact us, it's not always about us. It's hard to remember that in the midst of trials, but if we are looking to Him, we can choose to remember it.
Have a great wintery morning!
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