Grief

-
Sometimes the news comes quick. Sometimes the news comes slow. No matter how or when it comes, grief travels in the wake of the news. Grief is heavy, weighty, a burden, especially when it involves someone deeply loved. Grief is not meant to be carried alone. It’s too heavy and may last a while—and that’s ok. That’s what family and friends are for, to share the load. Jesus stood outside the tomb of his friend and wept but He did not weep alone. It was a deep, human moment. “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted ” (Matt 5:4). If anyone knows how we feel in grief, it’s Him. But His grief did not linger long, as at the mention of his name, Lazarus came forth. We are not meant to dwell in grief, but should leave room enough for it. Let it run its course. Like the song says, “ Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain .” Another song says, “ The storm We will dance as it breaks The storm It will give as it takes And all of our pain is washed away Don't cry or be afraid Some things...

Thinking about Holiness

-
Some thoughts concerning Holiness as I read and work through the study guide:

Exodus 15:11, "Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?"

God has just delivered Israel (from the beginning of the plagues to the destruction of Pharoah's army through the closing of the Red Sea waters) whereby they saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, resulting in their fearing and believing in the Lord (Ex. 14:31). Their jubilant song celebrating God's deliverance contains this declaration concerning the incomparible nature of God: He is not on the same level (to be worshipped as) a mere god of water, frogs, insects, cattle, health, weather, light or darkness, life or death. This God has no comparison. Any other god is an idol, competing against another, lacking in majesty, without awe or praise and working no wonders. The true and living God is separated out, far above and beyond.

Leviticus 19:1-2, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy."'"

This holy, incomparible God calls His people to be like Him. God's people are not like other people, counted among the rest but separated out, different by His doing.

Psalm 89:35, "Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David."

God's Word is established on His Holiness--it does not waver nor change. This promise rooted in His holiness refers to the covenant that the throne of David will stand forever, referring ultimately to the Messiah. In other words, the one who sits on The Throne will be representative of God's unchanging perfection.

Isaiah 57:15, "For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is holy, 'I will dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite."

God is far above and beyond, yet He is in the midst; that is, God is everywhere, but not simply anywhere. The one who sees his heart as God sees it, and turns from his sin, allowing God to bring him to life again, will be made into God's exalted dwelling place. This no mere "asking God into your heart" or "we all have a divine spark."

1 Peter 1:14-16, "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.'"

Simply upholding the moral law will not erase the damage done through those former lusts which were ours in ignorance. The Holy One Himself does not merely call us to "clean up our act" but to be cleaned by Him. We are no longer bound to the power of sin, but are free to do everything Holy.

Habakkuk 1:13a-b, "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor."

The justice of God is built on the foundation of His Holiness. He cannot simply ignore or dismiss sin.

Zechariah 8:17, "'Also let none of you devise evil in your heart against another, and do not love prejury; for all these are what I hate,' delcares the Lord."

When I lay down at night, what goes through my head?

James 1:13, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone."

God will only do that which conforms to His nature, and He expects the crown of His creation (man) to be like Him: Holy.

Popular posts from this blog

Rock Me, Epictetus!

-
Image
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 
Read more

The Smooth-flowing Life

-
Image
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
Read more