"Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Tag: Proverbs

“Rabbit Chasers” Pro. 4:11-12

“I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom [which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God]; I have led you in paths of uprightness. When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.”

Ephesians 6:11 tells us to: “Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

Two of the many tricks of his trade—his schemes, is distraction and busyness.

He, the enemy of your soul, will do everything in his power to distract you. Firstly, from your main reason for being alive—to worship God. To enjoy an intimate, loving, nurturing, trust-filled relationship with Him.

And secondly, is to keep you busy—even, if it is serving God…

What’s wrong with that you may ask? And the true answer is, nothing. That is, if it is God alone who is the One calling you into a particular form of service or ministry…

I am not a hunter, but I had an uncle who was. I heard a story once that the dogs they used to hunt birds eventually, out of instinct, ended up chasing rabbits.  The term, “chasing after a red-herring”, was used. Red- herring is a general figure of speech used to describe a false trail that leads nowhere, rather, it draws attention away from the main thing…

In the case of these dogs, away from the scent of the birds. And, when it comes to you and I, the devil uses red-herrings to draw us away from what God intends for us to do and into busyness and distractions.

And, though I have a personal issue with the thought of killing animals for pure sport, I supposed, if one were a hunter, that chasing game was just that—chasing game, right?

Wrong!

Why? Because allowing the dogs to chase after something other than the specific prey they were taken out to hunt communicates to them that it is acceptable to do as they please. That it’s okay to go astray and not follow the scent they were given to track when there’s a lull in their activity. The urge to track and chase prey is ingrained in the canine psyche. So, they will, if not course corrected, chase Thumper and not the pheasant that they were brought out into  the field to scare from the brush.

Let me pause here for a two-fold purpose. Firstly, to apologize to anyone who is reading this and understands my glaring ignorance of both dog ‘speak’, as well as, my apparent hunting/tracking ignorance. And secondly, to point out my allusion. That we, like these dogs, were created with a specific purpose—we weren’t created to just run about all willy-nilly, doing whatever feels right to us.

Because whatever distracts us from God’s best— might be good, but it isn’t what’s best for us…

Yes, we too, have a visceral nature—a God given desire to serve has been placed within us. After all, we are made in the likeness of Our Father. Who, donning a suit of flesh, left heaven and came to earth, both to serve and to save us. So, our desire to serve isn’t a bad thing…

However, like the above-mentioned example with the dogs, we aren’t meant, were not created to, serve just anywhere—or, at any time. He—Jesus, and our relationship with Him, is—and always must remain, our top priority. Over our service to Him—and, to others.

My point is simply this. Distractions. Our going after anything other than what God has called us to do—in the name of service to Him, is, a red-herring. We’re chasing rabbits—not birds. “God did not create you to live a distracted life. God created you to live a Jesus-infused life.” -Margaret Feinberg.

Proverbs 4:25 says it this way: “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.”

Jesus has called you to Himself that you might have right-relationship with The Father, be filled with The Holy Spirit, and, be led by Him alone. To remain focused on what He has called you to do with the life, time, and, talents He has given you. You were created with a purpose, and no one other than you, can fulfill that purpose! “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” (Proverbs 20:5).

One great example of how we miss what God has for us—is calling us to, is the busyness we witness in the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus and His disciples are coming to dinner and the women are hard at it preparing their home, and the meal, for their expected guests. The time is at hand and the guests arrive. Mary ceases all her activity and sits at the feet of Jesus—drinking in His every Word. Martha, still busy running about in service-mode, admonishes Jesus for not telling Mary to get up and help her. Cheeky on Martha’s part.

And, though Jesus had every right to scold her impertinence, His Words were not cross, but were spoken to course-correct her, and us—they were used to re-calibrate. “But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; There is need of only one or but [a]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Scripture doesn’t inform us if Martha ever followed the Words Jesus spoke to her and ceased from her ‘busy service’. How about you? Did you hear His Words? Will you cease from your ‘busy service?’

And then there’s Peter. Who, along with the other Apostles, thought they were seeing a ghost walking on the water—actually, it was more like a stormy, tumultuous sea. Jesus bids Peter to get out of the boat and come walk on this turbulent sea with him. And Peter does. Until that old devil did what he does best. He saw an opening and used it to cause a distraction…

Mind you, the sea was no less turbulent, the winds no less violent and gusting, then when Jesus said, “come”.  So, what, if not the current conditions—the circumstances surrounding Peter, would the enemy use to distract Peter away from a beckoning Jesus?

People. He used Peter’s brothers calling out to him. Screaming out that he was a mad man, that he was going to die. He, satan, used them, along with the frightening natural occurrences that surrounded Peter, to cause him to take his focus, his eyes, off  of Jesus… (Matthew 14:28-31).

Busyness, and distraction. Not keeping our eyes, ears, and, hearts fixed on Jesus. These are just two of the schemes used by the enemy of our souls— two ploys He will use to keep us from spending quality time at Jesus’s feet; allowing Him—within that time, to revel to us what is our reasonable service to Him—and to others…

Beloved, don’t allow the enemy of your soul to turn you into a rabbit chaser. Stay on course, run after Jesus alone.

“You also possess endurance and have tolerated many things because of My name and have not grown weary.  But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:3-4).

 

 

“Assurance, He Is Sovereign” Prov. 8:27-29

sunrise-1756274_960_720 “When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth” ( Proverb   8:27-29).

One of the purposes of God’s creation is to showcase both His majesty and power—His wisdom. This is how David explains it: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Ps.19:1).

Job, found in the Old Testament, saw great value in witnessing God’s power displayed through His creation. Even during the time of his great loss, Job displayed great patients. But, he also expressed a desire to understand the why of what God had allowed to happen to him—he could not understand God’s actions—nor his own losses (Job 1:13-19).

And so, Job goes to God asking why …?

And even though Job didn’t get the answers he was looking for, he did walk away with a greater—a renewed, appreciation for God’s Sovereignty.

We must never forget that though God is loving, kind, merciful, slow to anger, and, full of patients—He is, and will eternally be, Sovereign over all creation. He is God—we are not.

And Job knew God. Trusted in Him. In His Sovereignty. We see evidence of Job’s great faith in Job 1:20-21. “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job understood nothing  is owed us…

Yet, in response to Job’s faith—in the last chapters of this book, God comes and speaks to Job. But, not in the way Job thought He would—nor wanted Him too.  Rather, God spoke at length concerning His power demonstrated through His Creation…

Creation? Why are you talking  about creation when all I want to know is why you did what you did? Why did you take all I held dear away from me? Why did you change everything up on me God, I don’t understand?

As with Job, many today, the day after what will surely go down in history as a conflict-ridden election, are asking why? Many are seeking answers to ease their confusion, anger, and disbelief. Many are grieving today, feeling a genuine sense of loss…

And, as with Job, they want to know the purpose of it all.

Yet, God does not always answer people in the way that they would like Him to—nor expect. That is where faith comes in. Why it is so very needed. Faith that the God who created us, along with everything seen, and, that which is unseen—has everything under control…

He has a purpose for the momentary pain—the seeming confusion. Listen: “You are fortunate when God corrects you. So, don’t complain when God All-Powerful punishes you. God might injure you, but he will bandage those wounds. He might hurt you, but his hands also heal” (Job 5:17-18).

When speaking to the Prophet Jeremiah concerning the false prophets the Lord says of Himself, “Am I a God at hand, declares the Lord, and not a God far away” (Jer. 23:23)? What is He saying?…

God is telling Jeremiah,  that He is right here with us in the thick of things. That nothing happens without His knowledge or permission. And, that as with the false prophets of old, many today are feeling that God is nowhere to be found. That He is unseeing, unknowing—unconcerned. I am certain Job must have felt this way for a moment or two himself…

Yet nothing is further from the Truth. And the creation spoken of in today’s proverb testifies to that. God is still in control, still on His Throne, still very involved and concerned with man and this world.

God’s Providence and Sovereignty—His ever-present Hand is clear daily in all His creation. And, as we witness it, we will find Him clearly evidenced throughout… If we are looking for the comfort and surety demonstrated in God’s consistency.

Creation is a gift to us—a declaration.

Job did in fact get answers to his questions, as we will get ours. But, we must first come to God as open vessels—tucking away our wants and ideas. Our limited notions of how it is we believe He will come to us—answer us. Remembering that our scope and knowledge are limited—finite…

He alone is infinite—Omnipresent, able to see the beginning and ending of all things…

Job says it this way, “I know you can do everything. You make plans, and nothing can change or stop them” (Job 42:2).

And, as with Job, when we are experiencing—witnessing, difficult times, we too can look to creation and take comfort—solace in, an ever-present God who indeed has all things in hand. We may not understand the reasons for the happenings going on about us—in the world, in our present sufferings or angst…

Why? Because of our limited knowledge—our finite minds cannot—will never be able, in their present state, to take in the thinking and plans that God has for us in their entirety…

But, we, like Job, can experience a renewed—refreshed, re-calibrated, relationship with God. If we choose to place and keep our focus—our trust, not on our circumstance, but rather on the greatness—the Providence of God.

Knowing the truth of creation and witnessing the demonstration of God’s powerful Sovereignty—His abilities displayed all around us, should strengthen our faith and encourage us to trust the One True God who is all-knowing and able…

And, it should guide us into trusting in each of His plans and promises for us—for our Nation, for our futures….

Yet,If you, like Job, find yourself questioning God. Asking where He is amid a world that seems to have temporarily been thrown into deep chaos, I suggest you listen to Job himself—follow his example…

Listen to his reply to God after He came to Job personally and revealed that He alone is God…

Additionally, that He alone created this world and all that’s in it… “I know you can do everything. You make plans, and nothing can change or stop them. You asked, ‘Who is this ignorant person saying these foolish things?’ I talked about things I did not understand. I talked about things too amazing for me to know. “You said to me, ‘Listen, and I will speak. I will ask you questions, and you will answer me.’ In the past I heard about you, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. And I am ashamed of myself. I am so sorry. As I sit in the dust and ashes, I promise to change my heart and my life” (Job 42:1-6).

Through God’s lesson Job figured out that God owed him nothing. No explanations. Yet, in His great love, He came and showed Himself. He explained Himself through His Sovereignty, His Omniscience, His Being the One True God all by Himself. Through His creation that surrounds us daily—for a season. That we might witness it and be reminded of His great nearness—His Omnipresence daily.

And through our witnessing— be assured and draw strength. Increase in faith, in relationship.

“The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear.  But their message goes throughout the world. Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth. The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens” (Ps.19:1-4).

 

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