Tip of the Tongue

"The king said to me, "What is it you want?" Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king"- Nehemiah 2:4-5a (NIV). 

Nehemiah had been distressed after hearing the temple was in ruins. He was a man who wore his heart on his sleeve. King Artaxerxes noticed the change in Nehemiah's countenance and asked what was wrong. Before Nehemiah answered the question he prayed about his answer. I'm sure Nehemiah had the answer on the tip of his tongue, but he knew God was in control of all things; and He still is. God wants us to look to Him before we act, before we even speak. He has all the answers and all the best plans (Jeremiah 29:11). The king ended up allowing Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, gave him the lumber for the building of the temple, gave letters to provide secure passage through other territories, and sent along troops to protect him (vs.7-9). Nehemiah was the king's cupbearer, a servant, a slave...not his son, his relative, or any person deserving notable respect of position. But Nehemiah was God's own and God reacted to Nehemiah's prayer. The next time you are in a position to make a statement, pray before you answer, even if the answer is on the tip of your tongue, and leave the rest to your Heavenly Father. Let us pray as King David did: "Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).  

Onward

"You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand"- Psalm 16:11 (NIV).

What path is that? It's the Path of Righteousness referred to in Psalm 23. The Good Shepherd uses His rod of goodness and staff of mercy to keep the momentum in the right direction, at the right speed. Eternal pleasures await those obedient to His commands. Any area off the path is deadly. Just one glance reveals the depravity of this world, the sins that so easily ensnare, all of which cries out for one more follower, one more victim. Stopping to indulge, either as participant or spectator, is followed by the nudging of the Lord to move on, be patient, eyes front...keep going. Sometimes the journey is tiresome, long and boring, not at all like what sin promises. We have a promise though: "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Look behind you and you will see others who have chosen to join you on the path. Praise God; because, at some point you made the same decision. Did you feel that nudge? Onward then!

Time to Abdicate

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"- Matthew 6:33 (NIV).

God's kingdom should be on the forefront of our mind. Each word or action should be founded upon bringing God glory, not self-glory. The world's ways have us more self-centered, self-promoting, self-gratifying...self-focused. Life is so competitive; we're born with it. Have you not noticed children at play? They're very competitive. That's how games like "King of the Hill" came into existence. We want to be king in our world and among our fellow human beings. It bleeds over into our adult pursuits, too: jobs, sports, hobbies, belongings, relationships, etc. Yes, relationships. A childhood conversation: "My dad is stronger than your dad." Into adulthood, our relationships compete with other people's relationships. Our kids are better. My spouse makes more money. My team is best. It goes on. There is only one King of the hill and you are not it. "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a(n) [adult], I put the ways of childhood behind me' (1 Corinthians 13:11). We need to abdicate our throne and recognize the only true King: JESUS. To Him be the glory forever. 

Rotten Spot

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased"- Hebrews 13:16 (NIV).

Four apples were lined up on the table; one for each of us four siblings. I grabbed the biggest apple feeling like it made sense: I was the oldest, I was the biggest, and I was given first choice. Why not choose the biggest and best? That was 10-year old logic at its finest. Even as an adult, I still try to reason why I deserve so much more, and so much better, to feel justified in the choices I make. Lot was given the choice of which land he wanted when he separated from his Uncle Moses. "Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere," basically choosing the better real estate (Genesis 13:10). Like my apple, which turned out to have a rotten spot, Lot had moved to Sodom and Gomorrah, literally on God's list for upcoming destruction. The moral is not, "what seems like the best choice is the worst;" Listen, the point is, we please God when we make decisions on the principles of goodness and sharing....they are sacrifices. The Apostle Paul said, "We are not trying to please people [which includes you and me] but God, who tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Seek to please God and you will not end up with a rotten spot on your heart.

His Eye

""Am I only a God nearby," declares the Lord, "and not a God far away? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord"- Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NIV).

Does God not see what is happening? To me? To others? Is He distracted by bigger problems than my troubled heart? Michael Quoist is quoted as saying, "We have been in God's thoughts from all eternity, and in His creative love, His attention never leaves us." It's so true. My father and step-mother lost my little sister, age four, at the airport in Seattle, Washington. She was quickly found, but how harrowing were those few moments for both parent and child? They only took their eyes off of her for one moment. That's all it took and she was out of sight. God never takes His eyes off of us. Our Heavenly Father never loses sight of even the least of His children. We can with all certainty sing the song "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" by Civilla Martin, 1905: "Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav'n and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." God fills all of heaven and earth and He will never, no never, take His eye off of you.