lifetime – Praying Pint

80. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

Judges 2:6 After Joshua had dismissed the Israelites, they went to take possession of the land, each to their own inheritance. The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heres in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them. They aroused the Lord’s anger because they forsook him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. In his anger against Israel the Lord gave them into the hands of raiders who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist. Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress. Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders. Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the ways of their ancestors, who had been obedient to the Lord’s commands. Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.

In one generation God was forgotten and what He had commanded was discarded. How can this happen? How can a generation of believers and followers be succeeded by a generation that does not know God or what He had done for them? If you laid out a plan for this to happen what would absolutely need to happen to be successful.

Get people comfortable with life by giving them prosperity and ease of life. Introduce some other thoughts and religions into their culture so that they question what and who to worship. Erode away the truth of God by tolerating complacency and neglect in your life. Do not think or speak of what God has done in the past, nor look for His hand in your life today. Do not speak of God’s warnings. Do not speak of sin. Do not speak of God’s promises.

There is a reason we are told to faithfully walk with Jesus Christ. There is a reason we are to meditate on His word when we wake, throughout the day, and when we lie down at night. There is a reason we are to speak of His awesome deeds and wonders. There is a reason we are to place His word around out neck and over our doorposts. There is a reason we are to seek and desire to know Him more and more each day. There is a reason we are to be faithful in humble service, reliance, and obedience to Him.

5. Weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you

Luke 16:19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’”

Malachi 3:18     Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.

2 Thessalonians 1:8   in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.  They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,  when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.

James 1:11-12    For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 5:1-7     Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.  Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.  Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.

Psalms 50:22    “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

I wonder if we see the significance of intentionally desiring, following, honoring, and obeying God. I wonder if we think our commitment is close to giving our whole heart, mind, and soul to Him. Reading these verses give me concern with what I see in our culture of what it means to live for God. When the culture waters down this commitment, people live more for self and less for God. Pleasing themselves with what is satisfying to their eyes, yielding to the desires of the flesh, and giving God not more than a glance most days.

It is sad but so true, that we find every reason and excuse to live for self rather than seeking what is pleasing to God. Prosperity seems to always lead people away from God and adversity, for the most part, brings them toward Him. I heard a radio preacher this week say “if you are always walking in the sunshine, more than likely you are walking in a desert void of living water and food. Prosperity can have a “desert” effect on our lives. It doesn’t have to be that way. We can choose to live for God, seek after God, desire to humbly serve God, worship God, honor God, follow God, listen to God, obey God. This choice has to be heart, mind, and soul deep.

.Hell is real. Separation from God is real. Torment is real. There is no second chance once you die. How many people went about their day today not thinking it would be their last? How many people think they have time to spare before they will fully commit to God? If they knew the day and the hour(no one does) certainly they would be ready but they never are. We don’t choose God to avoid hell. We choose God because of who He is. We choose God because of the great mercy, grace, and love He has given to us in and through Jesus Christ. We choose God because He first chose us.

God is not mocked and our lives should not mock the great grace, mercy, and love given to us by which we may be saved. Search your heart and you will know the level of commitment you are living to God. Don’t make the mistake of using what the culture says is commitment. Use His word and see where He leads you into this commitment. Do not delay another day.

Fortress of Faith

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalms 21:13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Psalms 106:8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.

Psalms 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Psalms 31:7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 61:2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

2 Corinthians 1:10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

These verses just lift your soul don’t they? It is very easy to be overcome with the trouble at hand. Even if we have a relationship with God it seems the only way to know how strong our faith is, is when we have exhausted all of our personal power and strength, and have no where else to turn. Things outside of our control can and do affect us. Try as hard as we can we simply do not have power to control much of it. However God has control of it all. He has a purpose and plan for each of us. His plan never fails. His plan and purpose is perfect. He can do all things. And above all of this He loves us and will lead us. It is easy to say all of this but in the time of trouble our heart and mind find it hard to let go and say “God is in control and I am content”. These times will show the weakness of the fortress of our faith. This is life and our walk with God. Precept upon precept, line upon line, we grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. Peter put it this way: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” We all have room to grow – let it start with praise and commitment to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God.

Number my Days

“Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.”

“making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Psalms 39:4 “O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!

Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Job 28:28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 2:2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Proverbs 3:13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend,

Proverbs 8:32 “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD, but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Proverbs 22:17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

How are we to gain this understanding and wisdom? It comes from choosing it, applying it, seeking it, listening for it, holding firmly to it, and making the best use of our time. Note David asking got to show how fleeting his time on earth is. And again he asks God to teach us to number our days. Why? Because life teaches us (the older we get) that life is short and we find our path is much better, our lives more fuller, and our purpose more clear when we choose to stay close to God. When we seek more than anything else to humbly serve, honor and obey Him. Keep these scriptures close and review them often.

Joy comes in the morning

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Psalms 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

2 Corinthians 4:17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

Isaiah 57:15-16 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.

Isaiah 54:7-8 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.

Psalms 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

Psalms 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

2 Corinthians 7:9-10 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.

But joy comes in the morning. It is not fun spending time grieving, in distress, weeping, and having heart deep hurt. Yet in this life it seems as though it does find us when we do not expect it. Where do we turn in these times for comfort? Who is able to ease the burden in our heart? It is God. We have seen those who do not trust God and their grief and anger over the distress they are in never goes away. We see others and possibly ourselves that have passed through this time of trouble and recognize it was God who carried us. The night time of trials, grieving, distress, and heart deep hurt is followed by “joy in the morning”. I am not sure how or what God is able to do that turns these heart hurts into joy but I know it happens. We have all seen loved ones who are in times of hurting and our soul would do anything to remove it. It is God who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death onto green pastures. It is He alone who lifts us up out of the darkness into light. No one likes going through these times alone and it surely seems like that at the time. God is there. We should be ever ready to be used by God to be an encouragement and help to those hurting.