Wednesday, July 30, 2008

but the righteous live by FAITH

Jeremiah 22:1-17; 2 Kings 23:31-37; 2 Chronicles 36:2-5; Habakkuk 1:1-3:19

The following selected verses paint a picture of a life by FAITH:

Jeremiah 22
3 This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. ...
15 "Does it make you a king
       to have more and more cedar?
       Did not your father have food and drink?
       He did what was right and just,
       so all went well with him.
16 He defended the cause of the poor and needy,
       and so all went well.
       Is that not what it means to know me?"
       declares the LORD.

Habakkuk
1:12 O LORD, are you not from everlasting?
       My God, my Holy One, we will not die.
3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud
       and there are no grapes on the vines,
       though the olive crop fails
       and the fields produce no food,
       though there are no sheep in the pen
       and no cattle in the stalls,
 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
       I will be joyful in God my Savior.
 19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
       he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
       he enables me to go on the heights.


When I was in high school, these last few verses of chapter 3 were my youth minister's favorite verses in the Bible.  It is so easy to get caught up in the things of this world: a big fancy house, your professional life, money in the bank, etc.  But knowing God is simple, and delighting in Him is not only emotionally stabilizing, it changes us from who we were into: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Out of that AGAPE flows tangible actions that demonstrate the AGAPE of God (e.g., compassion for the needy).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that I will not get bogged down in the things of this world, or even the "good" things in this life.  I pray that my focus will always remain steadfast on your identity and the incredible love and mercy you have demonstrated through Jesus Christ.  I pray that you will continue to grow my faith and lead me to pursue you more and know you more so that I will behave like you - demonstrating your Agape love. Yahweh, you are my strength, and you enable me to go on.  I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.  Amen.

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