2 Samuel 14:14 - Returning to God

Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

One of David's son killed his brother for an atrocious act. This son flees from David and is essentially banished. After mourning the son who was dead, one of David's men shows him it is ok for his son to return. God desires reconciliation. He knows of our sins, but he wants us to return to him and will create a path for us. The great path was the death of his son so that our sins could be forgiven, but he also devises a personal path for each of us to return to him if we will follow it.

Lord, thank you for making a way for us to return to you. Please help the lost to open their eyes and see your plan for them. Amen.

Amos 4:6 - Hardships from the Lord?

“I gave you empty stomachs in every city
     and lack of bread in every town,
     yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord.

Several verses in Amos chapter 4 reflect the same sentiment as the verse above. God allows his wayward people to suffer hardships in an effort to get them to return to him.  Have you ever suffered a hardship which brought you closer to God?

Lord, thank you for doing whatever it takes to bring us closer to you. Please help us to see all things in our life as a way to develop a better relationship with you. Amen,

Psalm 107:23-34 - Miracles?

Psalm 107:23-32New International Version (NIV)

23 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
32 Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.

The other day I was talking with my sisters about miracles. Do miracles happen today? Are people miraculously healed because they have prayed? Do people find their keys because they prayed to find them? Does God work that intricately in our lives? I think yes and no. I think miracles are for God's purposes, not mans. The passage above to me perfectly explains a miracle. The Israelites were rebellious and God was attempted many things to bring them back to him. He put them in a situation of peril and when they cried out to him, he rescued them. It was a miracle! He calmed the seas! They gave thanks to the Lord. So, do miracles happen today? I think yes, but God's not our miracle maker in the sky. Miracles are for his purposes.

Lord, thank you for showing us examples of miracles in the Bible. Please help us to rely on you for all things and trust in you always. Amen.

Psalm 106:13 - God's timing

But they soon forgot what he had done
     and did not wait for his plan to unfold.

Psalm 106 tells of the repeated forgetfulness of the Israelites. So many times God's people disobeyed him and broke their covenant with him. They repeated the cycle over and over of disobedience, struggle, and returning to God. We also quickly forget what God has done for us: how he has made a plan for the forgiveness of our sins, helped us and comforted us. Then we get impatient and forgetful and rebel again. God's plan is not something we always see. We have to focus on God regardless of our circumstances and wait on his timing.

Lord, thank you for your plan. Please help us to be patient and fully reliant on you. Amen.