Human beings are fascinating creatures. God gifted us with intelligence and the ability to reason and in turn, we often use His gifts in rebellion against Him. The irony is unfathomable.
The chapter today speaks over and over of what happens when we use our God-given brain to think we are smarter than God or to think we know what is best for us more than He does.
What seems especially profound to you in this chapter?
Vs. 2-3
ReplyDeleteAll a man's ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
These seem to be a thought on God's view of "right" and man's.
It is easy to get to the point where I think I have it all "right," but there is a great need for me to keep seeking and allowing refinement, allowing Him to move me toward opportunities to do what is right and just. That this is more acceptable to him than sacrifices is another reminder to me that the position of the heart when I worship is not just important, but essential.
Verse 1--I saw this in my study Bible notes that God controls the lives and actions of everyone, including everyday people and those in authority. Verse 3 is profound because the first thing that came to my mind is the difference between Cain and Abel. Abel's had pure and sincere motives; Cain did not. I think you know what happened there. Verse 4--I have a proud heart at times because I act stubborn and don't follow advice because I want to prove I can any and everything by myself and I don't need help. Boy, am I wrong. Verse 16--Lord, please keep me on the path of understanding. Verse 19--Lord, I repent of my sin for stirring up dissention among some people that are near and dear to me in my life. Lord, please help me to continue to pursue righteousness and fill me with your Holy Spirit to control my tongue because I can suffer from "Open Mouth, insert foot" disease from time to time. Lord, keep me from being a sluggard. Give me your strength, guidance and wisdom.(vv. 21,23). Help me to remove the mask and bold front against someone that is dear to me and help me rest in the "victory of the LORD."(vv. 29, 31).
ReplyDeleteOur kids have had occasion to hear many passionately-expressed opinions (both pro and con) about the recent presidential election. In the arena of politics, we have always told them "If you do not cast an informed vote, then you forfeit the right to complain about the result." But while we take seriously our responsibility to research the issues and each candidate's position on them along with Scripture and our own consciences, let me add that it is possible to become too concerned with the outcome! I find verses 1 and 30 particularly pertinent:
ReplyDelete• The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
• There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
Is it too much to substitute the word "president" for king in this passage? The message: it doesn't matter one bit whether "our" candidate is in the White House if God is not on the throne. The reassuring implication: if God is on the throne, that is all that matters! Our job is to keep Him there. No idol in the form of an issue, a candidate, a proposition or a referendum should be of more concern to us than the One against whom "no wisdom, no insight, no plan" can succeed. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD" writes David in Psalm 33. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you. (Psalm 33:22)