ADVENT ~ Day 9
The Hebrew words for "ways" (derek) and "paths" ('orach), have virtually the same meaning: direction, road, way of living, manner.
In today's reading passage, King David is crying out to God in the midst of his distress. While it is obvious that David is under attack, he makes a strong proclamation of faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And then he humbly, yet boldly makes fervent requests for God to teach him the road, the way, and the manner of the Lord God Almighty. As we know, our Lord Jesus is The Way of God, revealed to us in the birth, death and resurrection of our Savior.
David even goes as far as stating his confidence in God's righteous judgment of those who reject His gift of salvation - whether witnessed here on earth, or ultimately, when Jesus will make a distinction between those who truly knew Him vs. those who only claimed it with their mouths, but their hearts testify against them; as their lives contradict what they professed to believe.
Chaff is like our bodies - it is what encases that which is of great substance; our souls. And like chaff, our bodies, our earthly "tents" will one day return to the ground from whence it came. But our souls will live forever - somewhere; either in Heaven with God or in Hell with the demons.
The impetuous professions of false converts, who come to Christ, only in hopes for the betterment of their lives here on earth, are like chaff to God: useless and without substance; therefore, they are easily blown away in every direction, with whatever teaching the winds of the times might carry them.
But for those who have come to Christ, with a grateful, humble and repentant heart, recognizing the magnitude of His holy sacrifice, cry out daily, not just for protection and salvation from trials, but for personal refinement and discipline through knowing God more, in order to love Him better.
May we all learn to faithfully "wait" on the Lord; that is, intently watching Christ, fixing our eyes on Him, like a good waiter in a restaurant. A good waiter closely studies the one he/she is waiting on so that they may be ready in an instant to respond to any request being made of them. And when they are called, they rise immediately to serve with great joy and gladness.
Thoughts to ponder:"His (Christ's) winnowing fork is in His hand, to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire."
~ Luke 3:17
Chaff is like our bodies - it is what encases that which is of great substance; our souls. And like chaff, our bodies, our earthly "tents" will one day return to the ground from whence it came. But our souls will live forever - somewhere; either in Heaven with God or in Hell with the demons.
The impetuous professions of false converts, who come to Christ, only in hopes for the betterment of their lives here on earth, are like chaff to God: useless and without substance; therefore, they are easily blown away in every direction, with whatever teaching the winds of the times might carry them.
But for those who have come to Christ, with a grateful, humble and repentant heart, recognizing the magnitude of His holy sacrifice, cry out daily, not just for protection and salvation from trials, but for personal refinement and discipline through knowing God more, in order to love Him better.
"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long."~ Psalm 25:5
May we all learn to faithfully "wait" on the Lord; that is, intently watching Christ, fixing our eyes on Him, like a good waiter in a restaurant. A good waiter closely studies the one he/she is waiting on so that they may be ready in an instant to respond to any request being made of them. And when they are called, they rise immediately to serve with great joy and gladness.
Am I so close to the Lord that I can hear His every heart beat; His will and direction for my life? Do I daily cry out to God for personal refinement and discipline, or am I afraid of it? Do I see my life and those around me from a worldly/self-centered view, or from God's view?
Printable Version
Lord of hosts, blessed be Your holy name!
Teach me to know You more, so that I can love You better. Remind me that You have ordered all my days even before one began.
What is my life Lord, but a breath? The older I get, the better I realize how quickly time flies. And if I don't count every breath with thanksgiving and praise, I am wasting my life.
Regardless of my circumstances, You Lord are always with me, so what am I afraid of? Teach me to live in such a way, that if I lost everything: my husband, my children, my extended family, friends, house, reputation - everything, that though I would cry out to You in my distress, like David, I would also proclaim Your sovereignty and goodness in my life.
Oh Jesus, precious Redeemer, thank You! Thank You for teaching me Your ways and Your paths by dying for me, so that our Father God might credit Your righteousness to me! May I in turn, die to self, so that Your life will be fully manifested in me! Blessed be Your holy name Jesus! Amen.
Teach me to know You more, so that I can love You better. Remind me that You have ordered all my days even before one began.
What is my life Lord, but a breath? The older I get, the better I realize how quickly time flies. And if I don't count every breath with thanksgiving and praise, I am wasting my life.
Regardless of my circumstances, You Lord are always with me, so what am I afraid of? Teach me to live in such a way, that if I lost everything: my husband, my children, my extended family, friends, house, reputation - everything, that though I would cry out to You in my distress, like David, I would also proclaim Your sovereignty and goodness in my life.
Oh Jesus, precious Redeemer, thank You! Thank You for teaching me Your ways and Your paths by dying for me, so that our Father God might credit Your righteousness to me! May I in turn, die to self, so that Your life will be fully manifested in me! Blessed be Your holy name Jesus! Amen.
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