Give thanks always
In the first chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul addresses the sinfulness of people, who failed to glorify God and failed to thank Him:
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21).
“They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice” (Romans 1: 29).
“This is the place where the Lord Jesus was born.”
“This is the place where they crucified the Lord Jesus.”
“And this is the place where they laid the body of the Lord Jesus.”
Our guide, Ruthie, consistently referred to Jesus as “the Lord” all through our visit to Israel. Yet I knew she wasn’t a believer. She had her “degree in Christianity,” but she wasn’t a Christian. She was certainly knowledgeable about the life and times of Jesus, but there was no spark of faith in her.
If you are a leader, you will face turbulence in your ministry or organization. Sometimes the turbulence feels so intense that leading seems impossible. If you’re currently facing turbulent times in your role, consider what one of the most revered men in history did when he faced such times.
The God of the Old Testament, El Roi is still “The God Who Sees.” But sometimes we feel distant from God. In Psalm 43:2, David cried, “You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” He sees us in our depression, desperation, and difficulty. If you’ve ever felt rejected by God, you are in like company. God wants us to press into Him. He wants to be invited to take us to a deeper walk with Him. El Roi sees everything and knows everything; He knows and understands all that happens.
There seems to be only one subject on everyone’s mind. People are worried for themselves, their loved ones, acquaintances and we seem to be hunkering down for the long haul.
You sit in a restaurant when suddenly a child begins yelling to get the attention of a parent. As if rehearsed, the parents turn and say, “use your inside voice.” If you are a parent, or have cared for a child, you’ve had a similar circumstance; they can be frustrating and annoying. Yet, some of us have been the child, screaming and ranting at God because of our misfortune. We say to ourselves, if only God had warned us; but the truth is. we are surrounded by warnings. If only we had paid attention to them.
“No! This is unacceptable!”
In his disgust my father tossed the porcelain crown onto the dental cart. It was a front tooth replacement, whose shade would be obvious to anyone looking at this woman’s smile.
“This is the third time they’ve messed up! Okay. I’ll send the exact shade sample, not just the reference number, and see if they can finally get it right.”
I remember a time when my son, when he was younger, got into trouble. I don’t even recall what he did. What I do remember, is him asking me, “Did you punish me because I did something wrong or because I embarrassed you?” He was a very strong-willed child and always wanted to buck the system. But his question did make me think about my motive.
Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land
God’s decision to deny Moses an entry into the Promised Land was a significant decision (Numbers 20:12-13) because God reminds Moses of this decision multiple times (Numbers 20:24; Numbers 27:14; Deuteronomy 32:51, 52). Further it is noted in Psalm 106:32, where it says, “By the waters of Meribah they [the Nation of Israel] angered the Lord, and trouble came to Moses because of them...”
Several years ago I visited the preschool that my church ran, which included a kindergarten class. The morning I peeked in I noticed that all 10 kids were sitting in a circle holding hands. Their teacher, Autumn, invited me in to join them in their morning prayer. Delighted to do so, I sat between two dainty girls, one with long curly blond hair, the other with glasses and a patch over one eye. As the children prayed, God reminded me about some important life lessons.
