He Leads us with a True Heart and Skillful Hands

Today's Reading:

• Psalm 78:56 - 78:72
• Proverbs 12:24

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Psalm 78:56- 78:72
This psalm continues to tell the tale of how the people of Israel fall out of the Lord's favor and into destruction.  The psalm is full of imagery and beautifully told, even if it is a sad story.  The people rejected the Lord, as He said they would, and the anger of the Lord poured down over them.  We are told that the people fell to their enemies, which the Lord allowed because he was so angry with them.

This was not to be the end, however, because eventually the Lord rose up and returned to His people.  The Lord chose David to be the "shepherd of Jacob's descendants" (78:71) and had a shrine built on the top of Mount Zion.  The Lord then "cared for [the people] with a true heart and led them with skillful hands" (78:72).

Even when the Lord is angry with us, He is always faithful.  Always.  He leads us with a true heart and skillful hands.
 
Proverbs 12:24

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.

God never tells us to be idle and lazy.  We need to work, He expects us to work.  And if we want to be a leader, we should work hard.  If we do only what we need to slide by, then we are becoming slaves by our own accord.  Don't sitting around waiting for something wonderful in life to happen to you -- get out there and make something happen for yourself.

Quiet Reflections

Today's Reading:

• Psalm 78:32 - 78:55
• Proverbs 12:21 - 23

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Psalm 78:32 - 78:55
This psalm continues the story of all things the Israelites did to grieve the Lord and invoke His wrath against them. It invokes the same feelings I spoke about just a few days ago-- and since it angers me I'm not going to repeat my rant so soon.  I will say that this story is being told beautifully, and I am really enjoying how this story is being told.  I think I have two more reading sessions before I am finished with this psalm.

Proverbs 12:21 - 23

21  No harm comes to the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22  The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.

23  The wise don't make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their foolishness.

 Be godly.  Speak the truth.  Be wise.  These things are pleasing to the Lord. 

I don't have many words to speak today on these readings. The proverbs give great advice and the psalm is beautifully written. I guess I am just in more of a quiet reflection mode today.  Quiet, peaceful reflection.  It's a good place to be :-)

When God Offers Hamburgers

Today's Reading:

• Psalm 78:1 - 31
• Proverbs 12:19 - 20

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Psalm 78:1 - 31
This psalm of Asaph is broken into a few parts.  Today's reading covered the first 20 verses of the psalm.  This part of the psalm serves as a reminder to the people what the Lord has done for the Israelites.  The people are told not to forget the rebellious things that their ancestors did.

Looking back at these things, at the way these people challenged God -- it still angers me, almost as much as when I was reading it in the Old Testament.  I will never understand the way those people acted and how they could be so full of rebellion and to keep challenging the Lord and complaining about absolutely everything.

I know a few people like that -- no matter what you do for them, you just can't do enough.  And the moment something isn't exactly how they want it, then to them it seems there is nothing good left -- everything is a bust.  I've been dealing with some very hard people this past week, and someone said to me:  "They don't want the hamburger unless they can have the whole cow."  I thought that was a hilarious and very fitting analogy.  Sometimes the Lord give us hamburgers instead of the whole cow.  And you know what, I'm okay with that -- at least that means I am provided for, and that I get to eat.  That my family gets to eat.  So thank you, Lord, for giving us hamburgers!

Proverbs 12:19 - 20

19  Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

20  Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

 Simple lessons here -- speak the truth and not lies.  Plot for good things and not for evil schemes.  The result is life that is happy is filled with much more joy.  I like joy, what about you?!