January 25, 2014 Genesis 16-18, Praying for Israel, Being Still and Knowing

Last night I attended the visitation for Jack Clark. Today they lay his body to rest. I was up late thinking about a lot of things. It was a good thinking. However, this morning I am running late, but even when I am running late, the first place to run to is Him.

 

PRAYER

Today is Sabbath for Jews and Messianic Jews alike. While we as Christians are grafted into the family of God, the Jews are still the chosen people, and we are told two things in the Bible that should keep the Jewish people and Israel in our prayers.

1.     I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”—Genesis 12:3

2.     Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
  “May those who love you be secure.
May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”—Psalm 122:6-7

 Father, this morning I lift up Jerusalem to you, and I ask that you would grant it peace within its walls and security within its citadels. I ask you to stand against the enemies of Israel and pass judgment on them accordingly. I ask you to raise up your people to be a blessing. There are so many answers to the world’s problems within your people. I ask you to make them a showcase. Lord, forgive our country where our leaders have not supported Israel. I ask you to give them a change of heart and turn their hearts to you and your people. I pray that the blessings of Heaven would be poured out on Israel and your people. Reveal your Son to your people and unleash the Holy Spirit as never before so that an even greater harvest of souls unto salvation would come. May you be glorified and exalted among your people and throughout the earth. Amen

BIBLE READING

Genesis 16—I’ll be honest. I think Abram and Sarai are a mess. I mean really. He says, “Lie and tell them you are my sister,” and leaves her to the hand of other men. Thank goodness God  thought more highly of her than Abram did. Then she has this great plan to let him sleep with her maid so the maid would get pregnant. The plan works perfectly, and then, she gets mad and blames Abram. Talk about a dysfunctional couple! And, yet, out of this craziness comes the people of God…and the Savior that allows God to reach people. Oh. My. Lands. Their family line went from an amazing mess to an amazing Messiah. Only an amazing God could pull something like that off. And He is MY amazing God. I wonder what He wants to do with me.

Genesis 17—My take away? Abram did it at once. He didn’t lollygag around. He didn’t give himself time to rationalize not doing it. He didn’t ask for confirmation in fifteen different ways because, really, surely God would never ask for THAT. Nope. He was all in right then. So you know, now I’m asking, “Lord, forgive me for excuses and ignoring you. Can you please repeat anything that I didn’t listen to the first time so I can hear you and do it now?” Yes, I know. If you prayed that, you are really hoping there is nothing. I know. Me, too.

BUT, can we talk about the name change a moment? I am now officially in my mid-40s, and one of the mental torments the enemy likes to toss my way is my age and how much of my life is used up. I want to point out something really big here. Abraham was nearly twice my age when God changed his name. The issue was Abraham’s age. It was God’s plan. NEVER let worldly circumstances dictate heavenly outcomes.

Genesis 18—Fifteen or more years after the original promise of a baby…Sarah laughs at the idea that the promise still holds its power. It is easy to sit here and question how she could doubt God, but the real question is: How can I?

MEMORIZATION

Today I am just simmering in God’s power and faithfulness, and I am challenged. I know some of the promises He has spoken to me, and as I read through Genesis, I am convicted. Am I believing or laughing? Have I let circumstances affect my expectations? As these thoughts roll through my mind, I also hear a verse I memorized two weeks ago.

Be still and know I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the earth.
--Psalm 46:10—

BIBLE STUDY/JOURNAL

Be still.

And know I am God.

The stilling is first. Then the knowing.

From my journal…

It is tiresome trying to hold onto a promise that never happens…but hurts you, and this just hurts.

Last night I was reading Genesis 13-15, and God made a monster promise to Abram. “Children numbering more than the stars.”

I cannot imagine how hard that was. He and Sarai wanted a baby so badly. It must have been the most raw and painful part of his heart, and God laid it wide open.

Then they waited.

 

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From My Journal--A Love that Expects Nothing

I'm still stuck on that tree in the Garden.

I can't get it out of my head because here is the thing. God really had to put that tree in there. Think about it. Without that tree, Eden suddenly goes from paradise to a spiritual whorehouse with one doozy of a powerful pimp on a domination kick. The tree had to be there.

Except, it didn't.

If God wanted to play the God-All-Mighty-and-don't-you-forget-it card, He could have. He not only had the power, but He had the right.

Instead, He planted a tree.

To read more, please join me at Undaunted Reality.

From my Journal--Love That Puts a Tree in the Garden

I find that I am fixated on Genesis 2 and the fact God did all those things--choosing specific plants and food for their beauty and flavor for mankind--out of love. He gave the very best He had because He loved them, and He gave the option not to choose Him.

He put all that great stuff in the garden...and then He put a tree that gave them the ability to reject it all.

Was the very best love, the love that gives knowing someone has the option to leave?

Is the deepest love the one that loves greatly knowing the other may choose not to love at all?

Is that perfect love? If Eden was perfect, and that is the love He gave, it has to be.

To read the rest, please join me at Undaunted Reality.