Tag Archives: knowing God better

SIMPLY Zephaniah 1

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Why do I make life more difficult than it already is?  I’ve earned my dishonorary doctorate in catastrophizing and nail-biting from the unaccredited, no profit, no good University of Hard Knocks!  Something a tad dodgy becomes devastating to my emotions, loosely held together by chewing gum.  What’s seemingly bad graduates to far worse without even lifting a finger or batting an eyelash.  Am I alone in this?

When it comes to our relationship with the Lord, simplicity should rule day and night.  Did you know that that last phrase is technically called a ‘merism’?  Two opposites that signify totality.  Day and night=all the time.  There I go again.  Muddying the waters.  Discombobulating what should be easy as pie.  After all, who gives a flying fig?

See what I mean?  I make things all tangled and tied up in knots.  Anyway, reading the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah, there’s hope.  As in God wanting my relationship with Him to be out in the open, no bones about it, a snappy walk in the park.  Really?  Yes indeed.  Simply enjoying my loving relationship with God.

Zephaniah 1: 6–‘…those who have turned back from following the Lord, who do not seek the Lord or inquire of him.’  Turning that verse’s negative into a positive, I’m assuming that we all want to follow the Lord Jesus.  But let me be up-front–I’m a poor example.  Flawed, cracked, and broken.  You say that you know that about me?  Thanks.  With friends like that you, who needs…!

So, don’t follow me.  Follow Jesus.  For it’s the will of God that we do just that.  Get behind Jesus allowing Him to take the lead.  Follow the leader.  Stop trying to do what only He does best.  God wants more followers than leaders.  Get out of His way.  But don’t lag too far behind.  Use the gifts given you by you-know-who, doing what He wants.  Simply follow.

Then seek Him.  Pray.  Talk it over.  Not like He’s clueless, as if your bad news comes as a shocking surprise to Jesus.  Hardly.  Seek Him.  He’s all ears, eager to help in His way, in His time.  Lay it all at His feet.  Hold nothing back.  Simply seek.

Then inquire of your Lord.  This means getting into your Bible and having it get into you.  Not long ago, a professor at my old Bible school tells me that today’s Bible student knows so little about the Bible.  Say what?  Clogged ears?  No.  These are coeds at one of the leading and oldest Bible schools in our nation.  The cream of the crop, so to speak, may have soured a bit, sad to say.

Get serious about inquiring of the Lord.  See which way His wind blows.  Pay rapt attention to your Bible.  Immerse yourself.  Wonder why we know so little?  Any ideas?  You know.  Simply inquire.

Follow…seek…inquire.  God’s will, with all its simplicity, that even I can understand.

Lord Jesus, I want to know you better.  Amen.

BEST WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR!… Psalm 4

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Let me offer you the very best wishes for this new year!   What would it look like if the very best year of all?   Would it not involve family and friends?  Your health and happiness?  Financial success?  Job security?  How about a substantial raise?  Could be one of many things.

King David in Psalm 4 offers some hints about what’s best for any new year.  In spite of scoffers, David knows that the Lord hears all his prayers (verse 1).  He knows that the Lord cares enough to help him in times of need and ‘distress’.  That’s pretty good–God hears us and responds.

Verse 3 adds more best wishes for all who trust in Him– that He ‘…has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.’   He hears us.   We are His.  We belong to Him.  He takes care of His own.  Could there be a better new year’s wish for you and me?

David takes it another step higher.  Verses 4 and 5 speak of worship that is simply trusting in the Lord.  David has much he can be angry about in his life.  So do you and I.  But, in worship of our Lord, we move beyond hostility to holy leaning on our God, placing our hands in His, taking His yoke upon us.  ‘Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.’  That’s a best wish for any year.  Anger will not win out.

Verse 6 echoes those scornful laughs of unbelievers who wonder if there really is any good in this world.  David responds with the best wish of all– seeing the Lord’s loving face gazing down upon us.  To know that He will never go away.  Never disappear or abandon us.  That His smile is one of love and affection.

Like our grandchildren, all of them, equally, without comparison.  To look at them and marvel at them!   Know what I mean?  Nothing could be better.

Verse 7:  ‘You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.’  More than a fine meal with a special bottle of vintage wine.  Much more.  After all, these are the best wishes for the new year– God’s hearing us, His taking us to Himself as His own, and then to be with Him forever.  That’s the very best of all!

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord,  for all the best wishes you have for us in this new year.  Help us to trust you more and more.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.