Good

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
~ Psalms 136:1 (NKJV)

The Hebrew word ṭôb (or tov) from the above passage means "good" in the very broadest sense of the word. Tôb is beautiful, righteous, kind, loving, wise, valuable, glad, strong, gracious, joyful, well-pleasing, profitable, precious.

We hear that God is good. We sing it. We accept it.

And then we suspect otherwise.

Like the child who is must learn the disciplines of life with correction and sometimes thinks the whole affair unpleasant, we catch ourselves thinking that maybe God isn't really good.

He seems mad at us when we don't deserve it. We see His discipline as too harsh. We judge that He isn't fair with us, and it isn't right for Him to not explain things we think we have a right to know. We'd bet that He's not as forgiving as He says and is just waiting for us to mess up so He can get back at us for all the other stuff. We may think He's simply toying with us, that He's mean and ugly. (Maybe He's not good?)

The Bible is filled with countless testimonies from real people who endured all that we endure—and worse. They saw God's goodness at work and tell us to remember ~

God is good.

If we are smarting from our Father's discipline or having a tantrum because we didn't get our way, perhaps we simply need to read some of those testimonies and then go talk to our Father. If we are willing to get as close to Him as we know how and listen to Him, He has loving words of comfort for us—good words.

Our Father in Heaven, You are good above all goodness we know. You are all good, only good, all the time. Please increase our faith to believe that even when we're too small to comprehend Your goodness.

Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

New Every Morning

"This morning as you awakened, God's eyes swept over you;
He called you by name and said, 'Come, follow Me.' "
~ David Roper

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
~ Lamentations 3:22-23

Every morning is a new day. We begin afresh as we rise, with forgiveness for what has been, strength for what is, and bright hope for what is to come. We do not exhaust the Lord's mercies.

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the LORD.
~ Lamentations 3:25-26

Yesterday's grace is not for today. The soul needs to quietly wait upon the Lord with each new dawn, receiving fresh daily bread and living waters to replenish dependent relationship.

It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth.
Let him sit alone and keep silent,
Because God has laid it on him;
Let him put his mouth in the dust
There may yet be hope.
Let him give his cheek to the one who strikes him,
And be full of reproach.
~ Lamentations 3:27-30

The world is filled with suffering, disappointment, and people who let us down (or worse). Here is our job description: accept it all as allowed by God, trusting His purpose without complaint.

Though He causes grief,
Yet He will show compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies.
For He does not afflict willingly,
Nor grieve the children of men.
~ Lamentations 3:30-33 (NKJV)

Here is our hope: God's mercies are greater in scope and mightier and more abundant than the griefs and afflictions. We rest in the assurance that He asks far less than He gives and loves.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: jeffpaschall.com

Lie of Hell #4: God Doesn’t Like You

A recent "Question of the Week" at Bullets & Butterflies listed five of the devil’s lies which sound close enough to the truth to make them believable. This week addresses them in more detail:
• Monday – "You'll never be worthy of God's grace or love."
• Tuesday – "If you have faith, it doesn't matter if you sin."
• Wednesday – "Following Jesus solves your problems."
• Thursday – "Problems indicate God's condemnation."
• Friday – "If you love others then you're loving God."

: : : : :

"Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there,
You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief
can I play on My friend Tevye?"
~ Tevye to God, from the movie Fiddler on the Roof

Lie of Hell #4: God’s Doesn’t Like You

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
~ Hebrews 12:5-6 (NKJV)
[Full context: Hebrews 12:5-11]

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
~ Romans 8:32 (NKJV)

Christian, the devil wants you to believe that your problems are because even though your sins are forgiven for eternity, you're still condemned for them while you're on earth; that God is angry, unfair, mean, and picks favorites for His blessings and curses; that He plain doesn't like you.

My five kids have thought the same of me. My youngest's latest response to most every situation that doesn't go his way is, "You're being mean!" Any of my darlings can unfavorably compare their circumstances with one of the other's.

Our sense of entitlement will continually trip us up.

Yesterday's post established that yes, Christians will have problems, which God uses to show His might and grace, and to bring praise to Himself. But it's not about Him alone. The Lord is continually at work to bring us into closer relationship with Himself so that He can bless us more abundantly. He is a good Father willing to use whatever means necessary.

It's said the Lord accepts you as you are and loves you too much to leave you that way. Fair enough. So how easily do we change? We tend to follow the path of least resistance unless we face unpleasant consequences which compel us to do otherwise.

There is a coming day of judgment for those who are condemned because they have not reconciled themselves to God through Jesus Christ. In the meantime, our God adopts those with faith in His Son as His children. Then He disciplines with difficulty and uses it for our benefit.

And it really does hurt Him more than it hurts us.

Father, I don't understand everything You allow in my life which causes pain. I know I'm responsible for some or most of it myself. I really am sorry for the grief my sin causes You. Please help me to always trust Your love for me and cooperate with You. Please do the same for everyone reading this post. Please open our eyes to how loving You really are, and how much You long to bless us, even when tough love hurts.

Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Endure Chastening

Note: Be looking for new thoughts on praise and suffering as we work our way through Psalms 101-125 til about Christmas. This week will focus on giving thanks.

"I like to see the Beauty in everything,
the blessings disguised in conflicts and struggles,
and because of that, life kisses me often."
~ Maura Casey @mauraaura

Endure Chastening
#discipleship

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever...
Remember me, LORD,
with the favor that you show to your people.
Visit me with your yeshu'ah [salvation],
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen.
~ Psalms 106:1,4-5 (HNV)
　
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons ... But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
~ Hebrews 12:6-8,11

How does a good parent demonstrate love?

I sometimes run across a commentary which captures something as I wish I had already written. Consider the words of Albert Barnes (1798-1870) on this passage from Hebrews:

It is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves... If he did not, he would let us go on without any attention, and leave us to pursue a course of sin that would involve us in ruin. To restrain and govern a child; to correct him when he errs, shows that there is a parental solicitude for him, and that he is not an outcast. And as there is in the life of every child of God something that deserves correction, it happens that it is universally true that 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.'

We are assured that the Lord is good. He loves His children, and shows favor to those who are His. His favor includes chastening, because His chastening is intended for our prosperity.

His chastening is love as surely as is His kiss.

[Additional note of interest on Psalm 106:4, from the Hebrew Names Version: the word for salvation here is the Hebrew yeshu'ah—also the Hebrew name of Jesus.]

Father in Heaven, You are all goodness and loving kindness. You show us grace and mercy in abundance. Please enable us to understand Your chastening, and to give you thanks for it as Your kiss upon us.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

Let Go and Let God

"Learn to forgive your enemies,
it will drive them up the wall."
~ Unknown

Let Go and Let God
#discipleship

And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, but they said, "We will not come up! Is it a small thing ... that you should keep acting like a prince over us? ... " Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, "Do not respect their offering. I have not ... hurt one of them." ... And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households.
~ Numbers 16:12-15,32 (NKJV)
　
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
~ Romans 12:19-20 (NIV)

Among some three dozen posts offered on the subject of "trust" for yesterday's blog carnival (hosted by Bridget Chumbley), a number mentioned our trust in others being disappointed.

Has someone violated your trust with unrighteous behavior, and you find it difficult to recover?

Have you suffered physical injury or emotional trauma?
Been stolen from or cheated?
Been lied to?
Has an employer or business caused financial loss or overwhelming stress?
Have your rights been violated?
Has government oppressed you?
Have you been betrayed by a friend?
Scorned by a person you've loved?

Moses was slandered and faced open sedition. Much was at stake. He took no action against men who might have caused much harm, but turned the entire matter over to the Lord. The earth literally split open to take the men away.

Release to the Lord whatever harm has been done you. Allow Him to guide your words and actions. Do good to, bless, pray for those who harm you, to put entirely in His hands any necessary retribution.

There are many ways enemies might be destroyed. Perhaps we'll even see the day when we might say, as Abraham Lincoln did, "Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?"

Lord, thank You for proving Yourself perfect, the only One Who will not disappoint our trust. Thank You for holding our lives and everything in them in Your hands. Please enable our hearts to trust You for restoring to us anything lost through disappointed trust in anyone else.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from coolantarctica.com

An Eye For An Eye

Then they put him in custody ... And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "... as he has done, so shall it be done to him—fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth ... whoever [murders] a man shall be put to death."
~ Leviticus 24:12-13,19-21 (NKJV)

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."
~ Matthew 5:38-39 (NKJV)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.... If you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
~ Romans 13:1,4 (NKJV)

So what does the New Testament teach—allow the evil person to do as they wish or execute wrath upon them?

There is no conflict between the passages in Matthew in Romans, nor even between Old Testament and New Testament. We are not to seek vengeance on our own against those who wrong us; those in authority are charged with holding a wrongdoer accountable and executing justice—with fairness: an eye for an eye, a life for a life.

There is no conflict between accountability and forgiveness. Ideally, one who belongs to Christ is willing to support accountability while also expressing love and forgiveness; we are willing to forgo retaliation, but need not stand still and allow ourselves to be abused. To love neighbor as self treats both neighbor and self appropriately.

Father, You know well we do not behave ideally. In the power of Your Spirit we can do all You ask. Please enable us to release to authority all that is not right in our lives, all that is not right in the world. We trust You to execute perfect justice. We trust You to dispense mercy as is fitting.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Justice

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,
or his ear dull, that it cannot hear ...
Justice is turned back ...
truth has stumbled in the public squares ...
he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
Isaiah 59:1,14-15 (ESV)

But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! ... Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? ~ 1 Corinthians 6:6-7 (NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Romans 12:18-19 (NKJV)

Should the innocent make himself prey for the wicked? Should Christians always turn the other cheek? When and how may we seek justice?

Paul clearly frowns on Christians taking one another to court, seeing it preferable to be cheated. He teaches us to live peaceably with "all men"—which includes the unpleasant, the unreasonable, and the unrepentant.

Jesus established well-defined steps in Matthew 18:15-17 for Christians to deal with sin among themselves. Those who call themselves believers but are unwilling to be accountable to the church may be treated as unbelievers.

When accountability is rightfully requested at court, we are to have absence of malice, and seek not vengeance but only the justice pleasing to God. And regardless of what happens inside or outside any human court, the Lord's hand is not shortened. He is the final Arbiter of justice, in this world and the next.

Judge of all the earth, You will surely do what is right and execute perfect justice and perfect mercy for each of us. Thank You that the blood of Jesus Christ has paid the just penalty for my sin. Please give us love of justice and mercy. Please enable us to live peaceable lives.

"When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." ~ Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV)

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

There is No Other

"I, even I, am the LORD,
And besides Me there is no savior...
And there is no one who can deliver out of My hand;
I work, and who will reverse it?...
I am the LORD, your Holy One, The Creator of Israel, your King...
But you have not called upon Me ...
Do not fear, nor be afraid ...
Is there a God besides Me?
Indeed there is no other Rock."
Isaiah 43:11,13,15,22; 44:8 (NKJV)

Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said: "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it." ~ Job 40:1-2 (NKJV)

But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and had committed great blasphemies, you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. ~ Nehemiah 9:17-19 (ESV)

In Isaiah 44:8, the Hebrew word for God is Eloah (thought to be the singular of the plural noun Elohim). It appears in Scripture only a few times, in poetry and prophecy, and is used four times by God Himself. Its context is usually passages which emphasize fear of God for His ability to deliver—or His ability to bring down.

God here reminds His people that there is no other to save but Him, and there is no other to save from Him. It's no good to call 911, or the doctor or the plumber or anyone before calling upon Eloah. Any of those people may be His instruments to save from trouble, but they cannot reverse God's work if He is behind what we see as trouble.

Nehemiah 9:17 is another of the few instances using Eloah. It is a humble call upon God carrying the reminder that even when He needs to rebuke us, He shows great mercy and grace.

Eloah, You are our Creator. You are our only God, our only Savior, our only King. There is no other God besides You. Please forgive us when we rely upon others for deliverance. Please help us be discerning when You would use others to help us. Please remind us to call upon You first.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

We Will Rebuild

The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel ...
who say with pride and arrogance of heart,
"The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone;
the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars."
Isaiah 9:8-10 (NIV)

Everything is dependent not on man's will or endeavour, but upon God who has mercy. For the Scripture said to Pharaoh, "It is for this very purpose that I have lifted you so high—that I may make manifest in you my power, and that my name may be proclaimed far and wide in all the earth." ~ Romans 9:16-17 (WNT)

You may ask me, "Then why does God still find fault with anybody? For who can resist his will?" On the contrary, who are you—mere man that you are—to talk back to God? Can an object that was molded say to the one who molded it, "Why did you make me like this?" A potter has the right to do what he wants to with his clay, doesn't he?
Romans 9:19-21 (ISV)

Suppose for a moment that God has allowed the present economic distress for His own purpose. Suppose bailout efforts resist His will, defiantly retorting, "The bricks have fallen ... trees have been felled [but] ... we will rebuild ... we will replace."

If there's bitter medicine to swallow, why not get it over with and move on. Why resist the inevitable? Why draw out consequences? Why repeat painful lessons? When a mistake is made—and absent repentance—it seems downright impudent to even think, "We will rebuild" unless God so blesses.

We need frequent reminders that we neither belong to ourselves nor control our circumstances. We are created—owned by Another who loves us more than we can comprehend, and who is in control.

Whether we are lifted up or brought low, our first purpose is to glorify Him; to make His name known and His power manifest.

Almighty God, You alone are God. You alone are exalted. Please help us know Your will and cooperate with it. Please help us accept the trials and tests You use to refine us and make us more desirable to You. Please give us wisdom to respond as glorifies and pleases You.

"Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ... For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." ~ Jesus

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Fear of the Lord

The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow;
Let Him be your fear, And let Him be your dread.
Isaiah 8:12-13 (NKJV)

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,
And His children will have a place of refuge...
The fear of the LORD leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil...
By humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches and honor and life.
Proverbs 14:26; 22:4; 19:23 (NKJV)

The LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome [terrifying] One.
Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail...
O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous,
And see the mind and heart ...
I have pleaded my cause before You.
Jeremiah 20:11-12 (NKJV, amplified)

My husband is a police officer—a civil warrior. As confident as our children are of his love for them, they fear his anger, for it brings unpleasant consequences to their wrong behavior. Criminals run from him in fear, but those seeking his protection call him to run to their side.

The Lord of Hosts—Commander of the powerful hosts of angelic warriors—is to be feared by His children. Our nature is to please ourselves rather than Him, and then reap the consequences of such folly. Fear of His loving discipline encourages us to humbly trust His way is best and to walk in it, and to thereby grow in confidence, satisfaction, riches and honor and life.

To walk in His way is to abide with Him. With the mighty, terrifying God of the universe at our side, we need fear NOTHING else. Neither physical nor spiritual enemy can touch us apart from His will to work all things for good.

Father in Heaven, You are mighty, awesome and terrifying. Your perfect and complete goodness—Your holiness—is without limit. Thank You for calling us to Your side. Your Word says that perfect love casts out fear. Please perfect Your children in both fear and love.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Broken Heart

A Psalm of David.
Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire, Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.
(Psalms 69:1-3 NKJV)

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
(Psalms 34:18 NKJV)

[The Lord] may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.
He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.
(Lamentations 3:32-33 GNB)

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV)

No child ever understands the parent who inflicts corporal punishment with the words, "this hurts me more than it hurts you." Truth be told, the spirit with which it is appropriate for parents to administer a spanking is when they don't want to inflict pain, because love is in control.

Our children don't think we understand them, though we do know what it's like to be a child. Jesus knows exactly what it is to suffer pain, weakness and temptation as a human. He knows what it feels like to be punished for sin. His heart was broken for sin as no other human heart could be.

We often regret sin outwardly to avoid unwelcome consequences, or mentally to think of ourselves as good, or in apology with guilt for the pain sin causes another. But only the heart truly broken for sin can really repent of it, initiating an end to the pain and death sin causes.

A broken heart is good.

Father, we cause You so much grief, first with our sin, and then when You afflict us for it. Thank You for loving us enough to suffer so much more pain for our sin than we do. Thank You for loving us enough not to allow us to sin comfortably. Thank you for understanding our misery.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Affliction

Therefore [the Egyptians] set taskmasters over [the children of Israel] to afflict them with their burdens... But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. (Exodus 1:11-12 NKJV)

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word ... And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21 NKJV)

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes...
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me...
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
(Psalm 119:71,75,92 NKJV)

Couch potatoes feeding on chips do not become strong, and if they grow it is to their detriment. Healthy growth and strength are the result of disciplined exercise and nutrition.

Affliction is the Lord's discipline and exercise to make us strong. Discipline is not bad. It can be synonymous with either "punishment" or "instruction," and Webster also defines it as "training that corrects, molds, or perfects." DISCIPLes in training are made strong through the discipline of affliction, and the nutrition of God's Word to sustain them.

True peace lies in strength not gained while at rest. And good rest will surely follow a good workout and a healthy meal.

Father in heaven, You afflict in faithfulness and love. It is indeed good that I have been afflicted, and I thank You for it. Please let me not shrink at Your good discipline. Please feed me with Your Word, help me respond to Your instruction, and make me strong as Your disciple to better serve You whom I love.

Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Fear of the Lord

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:18-19 NKJV)

Behold, the Lord God shall come with a strong hand … He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young.
(Isaiah 40:10-11 NKJV)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV)

The love He pours out upon us can give us reason to forget our fear of the Lord. Yet the same God named “Good Shepherd” is also named “Mighty Terrifying One.” The same Father who covers us with His wings in protection chastens His children.

Perfect love casts out fear. Our love is not yet perfected, and it is good to cling to our fear of the Lord even in the midst of our love and praise, looking forward to the day love is perfected.

Lord YHWH, Your might and righteousness are good and inspire our awe. Your love and tenderness comfort as much as Your gentle discipline. Teach us love You as perfectly as heart, soul, mind and strength are able.

"He's not safe, but he's good." — C.S. Lewis

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Plans for the Future

Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."... So [Rebekah] sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "... Arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran. And stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury turns away ... then I will send and bring you from there."
(Genesis 27:41-45 NKJV)

Some of you say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money." But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away. So you should say, "If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that." (James 4:13-15 NKJV)

It’s been said that sin "will take us farther than we want to go, keep us longer than we want to stay, and cost us more than we want to pay." Rebekah’s deceit resulted in the need to send her son away for "a few days" that turned into twenty years. (There’s no indication she saw him again.)

Isaac anticipated his death and lived some fifty more years. We know neither how long or short life may be, nor how our lives will be used by God. We do know that living in step with the Lord is the means of true fulfillment.

Father, Your sovereign will over the events of our lives is perfect. Please give us hearts to make You Lord over each choice, to trust You for Your timing.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Full Grace

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. (Psalm 6:1-3 NKJV)

There is great comfort in a loving Father’s discipline. Chastening does not feel good in the moment I am pained. Confronting the sin that clings to my flesh shames me. Realizing how weakened I am by pride is necessary. Yet the love with which I am rebuked convicts and cleanses rather than condemns. It humbles without humiliating. It fills me with loving gratitude for the grace of blood that has already covered my guilt — grace which made me a child of the King.

Father, how merciful You are to love Your child too much to spoil me. How precious is Your will for me to receive what is truly best. Thank You for not leaving me as You find me.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy

Standing Brings Falls

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NKJV)

One of the many ironies of belonging to Christ is that my strength is not measured by personal growth, but by my ability to see my weakness. The greater my awareness of my inadequacy, the more I understand my need to be dependent on God’s strength. Yet the longer I walk with Jesus, the more inclined I am to see myself as strong. I can see no choice for God but for Him to allow me to falter, stumble, even fall so that I will remain freshly mindful of my need to hold tightly to His hand as I walk.

Father, thank You for being so merciful and gentle with me as You teach me discipline. Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise to never leave my side.

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