Depart from us – Praying Pint

Good old age

Genesis 15:15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

Genesis 25:8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years,

Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers

Judges 2:10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD or the work that he had done for Israel.

Job 21:14 They say to God, ‘Depart from us! We do not desire the knowledge of your ways.

Exodus 5:2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”

1 Samuel 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD.

1 Chronicles 28:9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.

Isaiah 5:12 They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.

Galatians 4:8-9 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

We know one thing for sure – we do not get out of this life alive. How blessed to live to a ripe old age in peace. There is a peace that passes all understanding that comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit and can only be understood when experienced first hand. Though life may throw trials and trouble our way, peace is found in trusting God and putting it in His hands.

How sad would it be to go to your grave knowing that the next generation would not know God or that if they did know Him they would choose not to regard Him or righteous living to honor Him. Sadder yet would be to know of Him and choose to disregard and neglect Him.

We are called to be a light – be that light, used by God, to encourage others to walk a life worthy of honor and glory to God. Let it be on our head should we choose to neglect this calling from God of proclaiming salvation and the wondrous works of God.

Choices of others are not our responsibility but the choices we make are. Complacently is a choice to lukewarmly follow God. Be on guard of being so busy that God is but a second thought and the peace, joy, power, strength and hope found in serving Him are not experienced, proclaimed and cherished.

Be Strong

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”

“for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Joshua 1:6-7 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Isaiah 43:1-5 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you;

1 Chronicles 22:13 Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.

Isaiah 51:12 “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass,

Deuteronomy 4:31 For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.

1 Chronicles 28:20 Then David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.

Isaiah 41:13-17 For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

I wonder why fear, confusion, dread, worry, and anxiousness seem to find a way into our thoughts. Clearly God is our helper, defender, keeper, strength, encourager, and ever present. Yet we seem to allow circumstances diminish our trust in what He can and will do for those who love, honor and obey Him. We do not wait to see God’s mercy, love, and care for our problems and concerns. We want action and we want it now.

Our faith grows with every minute waiting when our waiting is in hope and trust of the love and power and sovereignty of our heavenly Father. In him we find strength and peace for the day at hand. Be Strong in the Lord. Trust in Him. Rely on Him. Cling to Him alone who is more than able to hand what ever problem or concern we face.

Behold it was corrupt

“And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”

Psalms 12:1
Save, O LORD, for the godly one is gone; for the faithful have vanished from among the children of man. Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

Psalms 6:4
Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

Psalms 54:1
O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.

Proverbs 20:6
Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Genesis 6:12
And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

Isaiah 1:9
If the LORD of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we should have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.

Matthew 24:12
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Isaiah 59:4
No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

Job 22
They said to God, ‘Depart from us,’ and ‘What can the Almighty do to us?’

At times we feel alone and like the only one who is in need of God, who trusts Him, who calls out to Him. We don’t hear many speak of the fact that they call out to God in their distress/trouble/issues. What we do hear is how they have reached out to everyone or anything but God in search of help. What would our lives look like if we continually reached out to God first and then patiently waited for Him. Would we speak of how we cried out to Him? Would others be encouraged to seek God? Would we find our path and issue more of a blessing than a curse? I am thankful for how David calls out to God and that God’s word tells us what others think and do apart from Him. They do not think God exists, or if He does He does not have any control, power, or strength over the situation. We can be the one that proclaims His love, mercy and grace to a lost world, but first we must believe it, grow in it, and obey it.