Something to think about as you start a new week

Monday Meditations are quick posts designed to get you thinking about God. They provide a fresh perspective as you jump into your routine.

God Takes Notes

By Paula

"Then the Lord took note of Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had promised." Genesis 21:1 (NAS)

Then – When the timing was right. When the events lined up. When Sarah and everyone else affected was ready to receive.

The Lord took note – His attention focused on her.

Of Sarah – a specific individual whom Jehovah God knew by name.

As He said – 25 years earlier God made a promise to Sarah and to Abraham that they would have a son.

And the Lord did – He took action.

For Sarah – A personal intervention on Sarah's behalf. God brings all His sovereign power to Sarah's situation.

As He had promised – God never spouts vain words or makes empty promises. He keeps and fulfills everything He says.

God knows us by name and thoroughly understands our situations. He keeps His promises and He acts on our behalf. We must take care not to lose faith in Him in that time before the "then".

Fire Genesis 22 is one of my favorite chapters. It tells the wrenching story of God's test of Abraham. "Take your son, your only son, whom you love … and offer him …" Just a few quick thoughts from my most recent reading of that chapter-

In verse 5, Abraham tells the young men accompanying them to wait. "I and the lad will go over there, and we will worship and return to you."

The first time the word worship appears in Scripture, it is here. Worship and sacrifice. What about sacrifice?

The sacrifice was loved. God didn't ask for lambs or gold or grain. He asked for what Abraham held most dear.

The sacrifice was offered, not taken.

Without the sacrifice, the offering, worship is a burden. It's carrying wood up the mountain, just to burn it. It's empty.

Knowing this, have I ever truly worshipped God?

Hesitating

By Paula

"…he hesitated…" Genesis 19:16

Lot. The destruction of Sodom was imminent. His instructions were clear.
Save yourself. Save your family. Flee.
But he hesitated.
Why?

Maybe he felt conviction. Why should he escape when everyone else faced judgment?
Maybe he didn't feel worthy. How could God spare him?
Maybe it was too much to believe. Did God really mean the things He said?

I've hesitated. Even when the direction was clear. I've staggered at the promises of God rather than move forward.

"…the compassion of the Lord was upon him..." Genesis 19:16

And on me.

In spite of my hesitation, God put me where He wants me.

He chose me. He declared me worthy. He kept His word.

Realignment

By Paula

A quiet place I lose heart when I forget to look for the goodness of the Lord.
I get so near-sighted and so focused on the here and now and on myself that I lose sight of GOD,
His holiness
His call on my life.

But when I forget …

He will realign my thinking from a safe place.
A place where not too many others can reach me.
A place with tremendous perspective.
A place prepared for just that purpose.
He won't hide me and leave me, but He will hide with me.

If I let Him …

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. (Psalm 27:5)

Distress

By Paula

Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:16-18

So many times, distress brings on sin.

The sin of wrong thinking about God.
The sin of ascribing improper, unloving motives to His actions.
The sin of demanding explanations or fixes for the situation.

Instead, Lord, let hard times be a time of examination and confession.
A time to break down the barriers to comfort.

The Day Jesus Stood Between Me and a Pit Bull (juliegillies.com)

My Psalm 78

By Paula

Sunlight breaking thru trees I, like Israel:

Did not keep the covenant (Because He saved me, He is my Lord.)
Refused to walk in His law (I know to do good, and don't.)
Forgot His works (I accuse Him, and slip into doubt.)
Rebelled against Him in the wilderness (Doubt and hard times bring rebellion rather than communion.)
Tested God (I challenged His authority.)
Did not trust His salvation (I did not believe His promises.)
Flattered Him with my tongue (I said all the "right" things.)
Lied to Him with my mouth (But I didn't believe them in my heart.)
My heart was not steadfast (My faith wavered.)
Grieved Him (My refusal to obey and the trouble I brought on myself grieved His heart.)
Limited Him (I didn't even ask, sure He couldn't or wouldn't.)
Forgot His power (How many times has He been there for me, but I chose to wallow.)
Turned to idols (I looked elsewhere for comfort and strength.)

But He, being full of compassion, forgave [my] iniquity, and did not destroy [me].
Yes, many a time He turned His anger away,/ And did not stir up all His wrath;
For He remembered that [I am] but flesh,/ A breath that passes away and does not come again. (v.38-39)

(This is mostly a repost. Thanks for understanding!)

Something to think about as you start a new week

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