Tag Archives: voice

Humility

 

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God

 

How many times I have read the history of Israel and wondered how they could have missed it. How many times they heard absolute clear instructions from God and decided to rather go the other way. Here is such an account I read today.

 So Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces and all the people did not obey the voice of the Lord, to remain in the land of Judah.  But Johanan the son of Kareah and all the commanders of the forces took all the remnant of Judah who had returned to live in the land of Judah from all the nations to which they had been driven—  the men, the women, the children, the princesses, and every person whom Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had left with Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan; also Jeremiah the prophet and Baruch the son of Neriah.  And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the Lord. And they arrived at Tahpanhes. – Jeremiah 43:4-7  ESV

It kind of reminds me of some of James Dobson’s materials on how to raise children. I wonder how much attitude plays a role in how I engage sin. I am learning more and more these days that humility, the actual act of humbling myself, has really helped me avoid such obvious rebellion to God’s Word.

 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. – James 4:6-10  ESV

 

 

 

Standard

Come with me

 

Come Away

 

I can hear Jesus’ voice this morning – come away from all your busyness, crowded life and your overburdened thoughts and come away with Me. Leave the temptations and find rest in Me.

Come with me from Lebanon, my bride;
    come with me from Lebanon.
Depart[b] from the peak of Amana,
    from the peak of Senir and Hermon,
from the dens of lions,
    from the mountains of leopards. – Song of Solomon 4:8  ESV

In the midst of reading this morning, I found this quote from a missionary to China. It is a weave of story and it speaks to a disciple’s heart and where that heart receives its strength.

J. HUDSON TAYLOR (1832-1905): “‘Come with me.’ It is always
so. If our Savior says, ‘Go ye therefore and disciple all nations,’
he precedes it by, ‘All power is given unto me,’ and follows it by,
‘Lo, I am with you always.’ Or if, as here, he calls his bride to
come, it is still ‘with me,’ and it is in connection with this loving
invitation that for the first time he changes the word ‘my love,’
for the still more endearing one, ‘my bride.’ ‘Come with me…
from the lions’ dens.’ What are lions’ dens when the Lion of the
tribe of Judah is with us; or mountains of leopards, when He is
at our side! ‘I will fear no evil, for thou art with me.’ On the other
hand, it is while thus facing dangers, and toiling with him in
service, that he says—‘thou hast ravished my heart, my sister,
my bride.’ Is it not wonderful how the heart of our Beloved can
be thus ravished with the love of one who is prepared to accept
his invitation, and go forth with him seeking to rescue the perishing?”

My Catholic friends, the priests whom I admire so much for the dedication and commitment to serve have taken this call to come with such an extreme measure. They want to model a life wholly devoted to God, as a matter of lifelong calling. They want Jesus to be their sole master with no turning back in their ministry. They see themselves called to radical commitment involving even leaving possessions and their entire families.

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have? – Matthew 19:27  ESV

It may not be such an extreme calling for most of us; however, I believe that Jesus promises to make us into who He wants us to be. Remember the rich young ruler…

 “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” – Matthew 19:21  ESV

  

 

 

Standard