May 1, 2012

Judges 13:1-14:20, John 1:29-51, Ps 102:1-28, Pr 14:15-16

12 Then Manoah asked, “When Your words come true, what will the boy’s responsibilities and mission[c] be?”

 13 The Angel of the LORD answered Manoah, “Your wife needs to do everything I told her.

18 “Why do you ask My name,” the Angel of the LORD asked him, “since it is wonderful.”

22 “We’re going to die,” he said to his wife, “because we have seen God!”

(I love the humanity found in all of these verses.  Manoah appears to be a very practical man, longing for knowledge.  You have given us a great gift now please explain it to us.  Yet faith is what is required.  The Angel quick to only repeat what he was instructed to say.  Lord let us learn from both the Angel and the man.  Let us have faith to believe that God will supply the answers in due time and let us be careful to only say what God has instructed us to share.)

But Samson told his father, “Get her for me, because I want her.”[g] 4 Now his father and mother did not know this was from the LORD,

(Thank you Lord that even the longings of our flesh can be placed in us by you.)

 17 She wept the whole seven days of the feast, and at last, on the seventh day, he explained it to her, because she had nagged him so much.
(As a wife this is both funny and sad to me.  How many times has my husband just given in to my nagging voice just to have peace.  I thank you Lord that you have shown me that my nagging is best done in prayer before you rather than before him.  Even those naggings you have begun to teach me to refrain.  For it is your presence not my words that brings about your will.  For my heart may have good intentions yet the path to achieve them is much higher than my thoughts.  Lord let me seek you for what your word says is your will yet have faith regarding the journey to get their.)

John

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

(What eyes John had.  Seeing both the natural and supernatural at the same time.  Lord let me have such eyes.)

50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You[k] will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You[l] will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

(I just love this.  we are so easily amazed.  Yet praise God that he did not leave him thinking this was all.  Lord let me not be content with what i know of you and your majestic ways.   For mountains still need be moved and I stand believing that your holiness with reign supreme in my heart and my family.)

Psalm

27 But You are the same,
and Your years will never end.
28 Your servants’ children will dwell securely,
and their offspring will be established before You.”

(thank you Lord.  I take comfort in this promise.)

Proverbs

16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[b]

(I may be cautious and turn from evil.  Yet my anger has gotten the best of me at times.  Lord I thank you that my hard circumstances has given room for me to build an obedient heart, that dare not lash out in anger.  Please Lord continue to root out any foolish ways within me that lead me to into careless ways and cause me to lash out in anger.  Lord put a guard over my eyes and ears that those things that would aggravate me are passed through your grace and your word.  Let me see others the way you do.  That in the moment, it can feel as if you have stopped time, that I may sit at your feet and seek you for direction.)