If That's What It Takes

Have you ever been treated unjustly? Have you ever received a punishment that you didn't deserve? Do you ever wonder, while in the darkest moments of pain and suffering, why? Why do I deserve this? Why me? Why not someone that is awful and hateful and deserves this kind of treatment, sickness, trial or pain? Why now, why this? What is it all for, anyway?

I remember a long time ago when I was the "boss lady" at a small business. I was doing everything I could to keep the place running smoothly. Everything in my limited power. I was so busy that I didn't even notice that the crew was spreading rumors about me. What I did know, was that I was having a hard time getting people to have a decent attitude and get their work done without complaining. But I had no idea that there was such bitterness and betrayal brewing.

Then one day the CEO came into town to have a surprise meeting. I didn't know anything about it until he walked through the door and called the meeting. He revealed the rumor that was being spread about me... while everyone looked on as I was shocked to my core and overtaken by betrayal and humility. I've always thought of myself as a pretty moral person... the false behavior that was being rumored was far from moral. My boss revealed the lies in this manner to prove my innocence and to shame those that were hurting me and our working relationship. There wasn't a shadow of a doubt that the accusations were false when the crew saw my reaction to the "news."

I felt unjustly treated. Betrayed. It was extremely difficult and emotional. In fact, we had to re-staff almost entirely, due to the employees' pride and not wanting to accept their wrong and apologize. The verse that I clung to during those days, weeks, and months after that humiliating time was Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." And God did work through those difficulties and bring goodness. Mostly, He began a good work in me. In hindsight I can see that it was the beginning of a rather long training program that God has been taking me through to shape me into a more compassionate and understanding leader.

What does all this have to do with thanks, you say. Psalm 95 is a call to worship the Lord and it contains a sharp reminder that Israel's sense of security under God's rule is justified only if they prove themselves to be God's loyal and obedient servants.

"Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song." Psalm 95:2

In my office story the staff was far from loyal and obedient. Not that I am worthy of the honor of God by any means... but what I am trying to illustrate is that they lost their security, their jobs, because of their being disloyal and disobedient.

Moving on...  I love the word extol. It's so powerful and right for our Sovereign Lord. It means to lift up, to praise highly, to glorify. When I looked it up I found the word 11 times in the NIV.

Who should extol the Lord?
  It is we, all you peoples, your saints, and O Jerusalem.
How should we extol the Lord?
  With music and song, with my mouth, with all my heart, at all times, for ever and ever.
Why is the Lord to be extolled?
  For His work and because He rides on the clouds.

Yes, He rides on the clouds! He is the Almighty! And He, indeed, brings both sun and rain from behind those clouds. It is our job to praise Him and extol Him even through the rain. The song, Bring the Rain by Mercy Me says it so well:

And I know they'll be days

When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to praise you

Jesus, bring the rain

Bring the Rain by Mercy Me:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSypzOZmWgM

What I'm learning, through this life and God's grace, is that I am given much more opportunity to grow closer to Jesus during the rainy seasons than in "pleasant weather." If that's what it takes to know Him and praise Him more... I guess I'll take the rain... cuz one day my reward waits among those clouds.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

For Your Own Good

"It's for your own good." We've all heard that one a time or two. Usually when we don't agree with the statement. It's dished out by parents, to their children, when they are giving them medicine that tastes horrible. Or when they have given or are about to give out a punishment. Many times the statement is made to teenagers when parents have to disagree or say no to a request to go out somewhere or hang with someone they don't know. It's an order of protection.

In studying this next verse of thanks I looked up oodles of cross-reference verses. I dug deep into the meanings of the name of the Lord and of His awesome title, O most High. This digging usually, and quite clearly, allows me to hear the Lord's message and go from there. This time, I have to tell you, I got nothin'.

After denying my personal drive to make a post happen... submitting to the Holy Spirit and waiting on the Lord's prompting... I heard God speak deep in my spirit. Yes! That Deep Call that many times stirs up uncomfortable discontent or even pain or grief.

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High" Psalms 92:1 KJV

What I heard was that God wants us to take this verse at face value. It is for our own good to praise Him. Re-dedicating a portion of the time that the Lord generously and lovingly gives to us each day in praising Him gives us, in return, His protection. A divine order of protection. Give thanks to God, get protected by His mercy, grace and peace. Seems pretty simple, right? Then why, oh why do we toil so?

Back to the verse that gave this blog it's name - Deep Calls Unto Deep.

"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls: all your waves and your billows are gone over me." Psalm 42:7

In this verse the deep calls of the waves are afflictions, comparable to the deep waters of the sea, for their multitude and overwhelming nature. One affliction comes immediately after another, as if it were called for by the previous wave. The psalmist calls afflictions God's water spouts, and "his" waves and "his" billows; because they are appointed, sent, ordered, and overruled by him, and made to work for the good of his people: and now, though these might seem to be a good reason to get depressed, they were not, as appears from the next verse; "By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life." Psalm 42:8

I shared this with you because we get sucked into the difficulties in life only to think that is all there is. Just wave after wave of hard living. Bad news. Pain. Agony. Despair. That, my friends is not true. Not true at all. We have a God that sees us through these trials. He can turn our frown upside down into a beautiful, joyous smile with the simple act of praise. Refusing to be dragged down into the muck and mire, or under the waves, as stated above, by praising and thanking God for the good, the bad and the ugly... no matter what. God is sovereign, to put it simply, He's the man in charge.... of everything. He's got it. It's our greatest privilege to praise and thank Him for His goodness every day. Here's the only catch... YOU HAVE TO MEAN IT. You have to trust that God can and will protect you. That's all. :)

My BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) teaching leader put it perfectly... "The antidote to despair is praise." Try it. Trust me. It works. If you can muster up the strength in your depressed state of mind to look up and praise God through the storms of life... I'm telling you... He will lift up your sorry, sad self and put peace in your soul! It is a very good thing to praise God. Every day. He's got your back. Love Him, Trust Him, Praise Him - He will lift you up.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Pass It On

From my childhood I have this very nice memory from Bible Camp. I was about 10 years old, sitting around a campfire, near the beach, with oodles of other kids about my age. There was a leader playing the guitar and we were singing. It was so beautiful and moving. I remember getting the goose bumps and wishing that warm and comforting feeling would never end. We were singing... come on, go ahead, you know it, sing along with me:

It Only Takes a Spark

It only takes a spark,
To get a fire going.
And soon all those around,
Can warm up it it's glowing.

Chorus:
That's how it is with God's love,

Once you've experienced it,

It's fresh like spring, you want to sing,

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is Spring
When all the trees are budding.
The birds begin to sing,
The flowers start their blooming.

Chorus

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found
You can depend on Him
It matters not where your bound.

Last chorus

I'll shout it from the mountain tops
I want the world to know
The Lord of Life has come to me
I want to pass it on.

As I re-read these lyrics, I have to giggle, because it is April 18th and all I can see out my window is white snow everywhere. We are in the middle of a snowstorm. All anyone can talk about lately is how much they are tired of all this snow. Well, I've decided not to complain about it. It's hard. I have to bite my tongue sometimes. But God knows what He's doing and He has a good reason for giving us snow in late April. There, I said it.

In our next verse of thanks, the psalmist is making a vow to praise God for His mercy and deliverance once again.

"Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will thank you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise." Psalm 79:13 ESV

Psalm 79 is Israel's prayer for God's forgiveness and help and for his judgment on the nations that have so cruelly destroyed her, showing utter disgrace for both the Lord and his people. Israel acknowledges that the Lord has used the nations to punish her for her sins, so she pleads for pardon. But she knows too that the nations have acted out of their hostility to and contempt for God and his people; that justifies her plea for God's judgment on them.

To shed some light on the term, "sheep of your pasture" I will lean on Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible: 
   So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture,.... Who were the people of God, not by creation and providence only, as all men are, being his creatures, and provided for by him; but by special choice, and by covenant grace: and "the sheep of his pasture"; whom he feeds as a shepherd does his flock, provides good pasture for them, and leads them into it.  

The Lord stirred in my spirit the most when I dug into the last part of this verse. The part about "from generation to generation." I just felt this pressing on me to share what God was telling me about the importance of sharing our faith with the next generation. This makes complete sense since I am a mother of four young kids. I have spent the last decade learning more about God, the Bible and how to form a more deep and meaningful relationship with Jesus, my Savior. While learning this for myself, I have also been growing my kids up in the love of Jesus and teaching them about His ways and how to be Christian.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Or in more modern terms: "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."

Great concept right? Thankfully, many children grow up and stay on the straight path of basic obedience to God's laws and principles. However, we are all born into a sinful flesh, we live in a fractured world, therefore temptation is at every turn. I think we've learned this well in following God's chosen people... His children. We are all bound to step off the good straight path from time to time. God is patient and good. He waits and woos us back to His love and protection. Sometimes our slips are momentary, sometimes they last for years, and sometimes, sadly, free-will takes over and self-sufficiency wins and the Lord sheds tears over the lost souls. Each and every time.

Our job is to keep the momentum going. Keep the faith alive and beautiful, as God intended it. Not self-righteous. Not perfect and unachievable. But real, honest, compassionate and caring. Reaching out to those around us in God's love and power. We are not able to do any of His good work on our own strength, but in partnership, relationship with Jesus - our Good Shepherd.

This commentary about "from generation to generation" explains the deeper meaning and importance of keeping God's Word in context and passing in on to the next generation:

   From Barnes' Notes on the Bible:  That is, we will make arrangements that the memory of these gracious acts shall be transmitted to future times; to distant generations. This was done by the permanent record, made in the Scriptures, of these gracious interpositions (or interventions) of God, and by their being carefully preserved by each generation to whom they came. No work has been more faithfully done than that by which the records of God's ancient dealings with his people have been preserved from age to age - that by which the sacred Scriptures have been guarded against error, and handed down from one generation to another.

Pass it on. God's love. His Word. Our stories and testimonies about real life and how knowing Jesus made a difference in our experiences. Today let's thank God for His love and mercy. Let's thank Him for His sovereign power (and the snow in April ;) ). For giving us His love letters (the Bible) to guide us and give us hope for the future. Give Him thanks for teaching us what it means to give thanks.

In a children's book that I recently read called, The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood, it was put so well:

"We don't give thanks because we're happy,

We are happy because we give thanks."

Amen to that. Pass it on.

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

What is Near?

Have you ever felt Jesus' presence so much so that it seemed like you could reach out and touch Him? Actually touch Him. Your senses were stimulated so that you just knew in your deepest inner being that Jesus is really real, really near. A time when your faith went from "unseen" to a personal form of "seen." I have. A few times, in fact.

The first time was shortly after I dedicated my life to Him. I was in labor with one of the kids. I was struggling tremendously. This child was, apparently, quite comfortable in my womb and not ready to make the journey out into the world. The baby's comfort was giving me extreme discomfort and was completely tapping me of my strength and endurance. I was "this close to an emergency c-section," claimed my mom later. I was sent to the whirlpool to try to find some possible relief from the pain, to comfort and perhaps relax me a bit as well. While praying and meditating there, I saw Jesus' deep brown eyes looking directly into mine. It was amazing. He felt so incredibly near.

My second encounter was moments after I found out that my 11 year old nephew was taken from this life by an ATV accident. I was pretty much hysterical. After getting off the phone with my brother, I went outside and looked up to heaven. I said, "God, how are we going to do this?" In my mind came the most clear answer, almost as if I actually heard audible words, "Merrie, don't worry, I know what I'm doing." A sense of peace came over me that I can't explain. His presence was very real, very near.

Then there was the more recent time this winter, when I rolled my husband's car (see Trust - The Heart of the Matter, Feb. 5, 2013). It was as if Jesus were right there with me the whole time. Near.

What does near mean?

    near 1. close; to a point or place not far away: Come near so I won't have to shout. 2. at, within, or to a short distance. 3. close in time: The New Year draws near. 4. close in relation; closely with respect to connection, similarity, intimacy, etc. (often used in combination): a near-standing position.

In this next verse of thanks, I'd like to highlight a few words; thanks, Name, and near.

"We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds." Psalm 75:1

In this verse, as with many of the others we have already looked at (especially in the Psalms), the thanks being referred to is thanksgiving in the form of praise. This song was written out for reassurance when arrogant worldly powers threaten Israel's security. When, because of the upsurge of evil powers, the whole moral order of the world seems to have crumbled, God still guarantees its stability. Thanksgiving and praise were sung in worship to God, our protector and sovereign judge.

Name is capitalized in this verse. The NIV (New International Version of the Bible) capitalizes "Name" when it stands for God's presence at the sanctuary. God was present. God was near.

As I dug into the word "near," the Lord began to reveal His true message to me for this post. There were two main points that God showed me. First, that He is with them or near them (Israel, in context) - with me or us in application to our lives today. Near means ever-present.

"God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1

Secondly, that God's time is near, or Jesus' second coming is near. Referring to time in this case. That is hard for us limited, finite humans to understand. We feel like we have forever before the end of the world comes. Before we are united with Jesus in the realms of glory and re-united with our loved ones of faith that preceded us in death. But, do we really have "forever?" We are not promised tomorrow... "the day of the Lord will come like a thief." In this meaning of "near," what is near? From God's vantage point, a thousand years are as a day. God does not view time as humans do. He stands above time, with the result that when time is seen in the light of eternity, an age appears no longer than one short day, and a day seems no shorter than a long age. Since time is purely relative with God, he waits patiently while human beings stew with impatience.

"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:8-9

So, what is near? I think the lesson that the Lord taught me here is that not only is He close to me all the time, but He is coming to claim His kingdom and conquer death for good sooner than we think. I'm not making a prediction of any sort here. What I'm learning and trying to share is that we need to be prepared. We need to work every day at our relationship with Him and share why we want that blessed relationship with Jesus with those around us.

"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40

On the way into church today I heard a fairly new release of a song that struck a chord in my spirit. I wrote the words below that got me to thinking (the link is also below, if you'd like to hear it too):

Here are some of the words from a new single just released on April 1, 2013 by Mikeschair called

"All I Can Do (Thank You)"

All I can do is thank you

for this life I never deserved

Wanna thank you for the grace

I know I don't have to earn

You love me, you love me,

your mercy is proof

All I can do is say thank you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ53dor3ihU&nofeather=True

The Lord is near! The Lord is near! Thank you, Jesus, all I can do is say thank you. In my encounters of nearness with Jesus, the truths from the following verse became very intimate, very honest, very real, very near and dear to my heart and to my life. I have felt, experienced and applied these things and you can to, through Christ Jesus, your Savior.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

Confidence

Recently, while caring for my sweet, little niece, she prayed her bedtime prayer;

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray, Thee Lord, my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray, Thee Lord, my soul to take.

If I should live for other days,

I pray, Thee Lord, to guide my ways.

I smiled and said, "Ah, you say the prayer that I prayed when I was little. I taught my kids a similar prayer but changed the part about dying before they wake. That always freaked me out." She looked at me, and with unquestionable confidence said, "Oh. That doesn't freak me out, cause I know where I'm going." Confidence. Trusting, not doubting at all, that she WILL BE in heaven when she dies... even if that means it's that very night! Wow! Confidence.

If you haven't already figured it out, the word of the day is confidence. As I've been studying the next verse of thanks, the theme continues to be revealed... confidence.

Confidence:1:freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities; 2:a feeling of trust (in someone or something); 3:a state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable; 4:a trustful relationship

It's so interesting to me that, in the definition of the word that God has been continuously putting before my eyes, there are so many attributes of God's very character; freedom, trust, hopefulness, favorable, relationship. Hmmmm...

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

At first when I read this verse, and when I read Psalm 69 in its entirety, I was feeling sort of "ahhh, same old, same old." To be honest I wasn't very excited or stirred to pursue God's message here. I thought I already knew the answers... I know... a little cocky... a bit arrogant. However, God has blessed me with a bit of tenacity and a desire or curiosity to know more. I'm a nerd in that way... I like to understand... fully understand... to feel a sense of satisfaction that what I know, I really know. I suppose that's that underlying confident thread that God has created me with. That alone is something to be thankful for.

God is so amazing. He loves to keep things interesting and keep me a little off kilter by showing me new ideas and truths even in the simplest areas... or especially when I think I'm "on top of it." He always shows me Who's boss. (not me... He's gotta keep me humble, right?.. and relying on His strength and not mine).

In cross-referencing this verse I came across a study note that said, "Joyful praise, in confidence of being heard." That our prayers will be or have been heard... by God. That small phrase about knowing - with confidence - that I'm being heard. That my prayers are not in vain. Or falling on deaf ears. Or just floating off into unconnected space... basically a waste of time. That was HUGE to me. Not that I didn't already know this truth about God... it just made a deeper, more connected, intimate reality come to my understanding of the Lord and who He is. Also, that my prayers are not just "maybe" being heard... but they are definitely being heard by my God who is trustworthy and wants only what is best for me. I can have confidence that in my daily relating with God; my creator, my father, my savior, my friend, that not only is He hearing me, but I can know that I know He will also answer me!

This verse also makes a very important point about God's name... praising and thanking God's name. The name of the Lord is the manifestation (or visible expression) of his character. It has no separate existence apart from the Lord, but is synonymous (the same) with the Lord himself in his gracious manifestation and accessibility to his people. We can pray to him by calling on his name. The name of the Lord protects. The Lord saves by his name; and his saving acts testify that his name is near. Accordingly, the godly trust in his name, hope in his name, sing praise to his name and rejoice in his name. Both the love and the fear that belong alone to God are similarly directed toward his name.

"God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers - the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob - has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." Exodus 3:14-15

"I AM WHO I AM." The name by which God wished to be known and worshiped in Israel - the name that expressed his character as the dependable and faithful God who desires the full trust of his people.

The worship song, "Your Name" begins to play in my head. Take a little break and listen to it now - then click the back arrow to return here.

"Your Name" by Paul Baloche:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5i2pELpqBg

"And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6-7

The Lord's proclamation of the meaning and implications of his name in these verses became a classic exposition (explanation or description) that was frequently recalled elsewhere in the Old Testament. A well-known example is when Jonah was angry at the Lord's compassion for Nineveh (and the wicked ways of it's people). Jonah prayed when the Lord did not bring His threat of destruction on Nineveh. "O Lord, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." Jonah 4:2

The Lord's name gives us confidence, freedom from doubt, a feeling of trust, a state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable, a trustful relationship. He is who he says He is and does what He says He's going to do.

You may well know how drawn I am to Sarah Young's #1 selling, Jesus Calling, daily devotional. Well there is great news! She published a sequel called, Jesus Today. A dear friend recently gifted me a copy of this hope-filled collection of devotionals. Here is one that I recently pondered while I was preparing for this post:

   I AM the Lord of Peace. I give you Peace at all times and in every way. There is a deep, gaping hole within you that can be filled only by My peaceful Presence. People who don't know Me try to fill that emptiness in many different ways, or they simply pretend it isn't there. Even My children often fail to recognize the full extent of their need: at all times and in every situation. But recognizing your neediness is only half the battle. The other half is to believe I can - and will - supply all you need.
   Shortly before My death, I promised Peace to My disciples - and to all who would become My followers. I made it clear that this is a gift; something I provide freely and lovingly. So your responsibility is to receive this glorious gift, acknowledging to Me not only your need but also your desire. Then wait expectantly in My Presence, ready to receive My Peace in full measure. If you like, you can express your openness by saying, "Jesus, I receive Your Peace."

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16

"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 NKJV

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Believing and waiting expectantly for the Lord to supply all our needs. That is confidence... and that ONLY comes from the name of God! Praise His name and give Him thanks!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him." Jeremiah 17:7

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

I Swear...

"I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So help me God." "I swear over a stack of Bibles." "I swear on my mother's grave." These are statements that are made when someone vows that what they are saying is the truth, or they are making a promise that they plan on keeping. Keeping... the key word here.

In my Bible study we've been studying Jacob's life in Genesis. As Jacob is fleeing from the wrath of his brother, Esau, whom he deceived, he rests at a place later known as Bethel. At this place Jacob has a very vivid dream and when he awakes he declares, "Surely the Lord is in this place!" (Gen. 28:16a) Then Jacob makes a vow to God that if He will be with him and watch over him on his journey and provide for his needs he will declare that the Lord is his God. He also sets up a stone as a pillar and vows that it will be God's house. The third part of his vow to the Lord is that in whatever the Lord gives him, he will return to Him a tenth (or a tithe). (Gen. 28:20-22)

Jacob was overcome by this dream. He was stirred to his very core. God became, not only his parents' God (Isaac and Rebekah), but his own personal, very real God on that day. So much so that Jacob made a vow to the Lord. A vow he planned on keeping.

In our verse of thanks from my last post, A Proper Relationship (April 3), I focused on the first half of the verse. I tried to explain what I had learned about a worthy sacrifice and the condition of our hearts when making our offerings to our holy God. The obedient, repentant, devoted heart bringing an offering of thanksgiving, praise and service to the Lord.

This post is going to focus on the second half about fulfilling our vows to (the Most High) God.

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High" Psalm 50:14

In this verse from Psalm 50 the psalmist is presenting a vow to praise. Many prayers in the psalms include these such vows in anticipation of the expected answer to prayer - like Jacob was demonstrating in the above story about his experience with God's revealing Himself in the dream. These vows reflect the idea that praise must follow deliverance as surely as prayer springs from need - if God is to be truly honored.

Here are a couple other examples of these such vows of obedience, dedication and praise:

From Psalm 66, possibly about Judah's remarkable deliverance from the Assyrians (2 Kings 19) we read the following verse:

"I will come to your temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to you - vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble." Psalm 66:13-14

From inside the fish Jonah prays to God. Here is the end of his prayer, with his vow in place, before the Lord commands the fish to spit Jonah onto the shore:

"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord." Jonah 2:8-9

Let's go back to Genesis and find out if Jacob followed through with his vow. Sadly, I have to tell you that Jacob was not immediately obedient. In fact, it took him about 30 years, 2 wives, 11 sons, at least 1 daughter, many herds, a family tragedy, a family reunion and a couple reminder calls from our Almighty God. (Gen. 31:3, 35:1). Even our patriarch, Jacob, or as God renamed him, Israel, had a problem with procrastination. Delayed obedience is disobedience... disobedience does not set well with God. Procrastination is sin when it comes to fulfilling your promises before God.

Here's what God has to say about breaking vows:

"When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said." Numbers 30:2

A vow is not to be made rashly, and a vow to the Lord must be kept.

"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it." Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

In Scripture the fool is not one who cannot learn, but one who refuses to learn. To break a vow is a serious matter and can have disastrous consequences.

Jacob and his family suffered the consequences of delayed obedience... of tarrying in fulfilling a vow. Thankfully, however, they ridded themselves of their idols, cleansed themselves and repented and went back to Bethel where God had called Jacob to live. To take possession of the promised land. God blessed Jacob and his family. 

How seriously do we take the vows we make? Are we flippant with our words of promise? When God gets ahold of us, like Jacob, do we pledge our praise, devotion, money, or service? Do we bargain with the Lord? What steps do we take to live out these vows in our everyday lives?

God is patient and kind. He is merciful and just. Only He is holy and worthy of our praise... ALWAYS. Always. How about starting with obedience and follow through? How about offering up thanks in an earnest prayer realizing all that He has given us. How about thanking Him for the things we so often take for granted like life, salvation, sunshine, and so many other things He has given us?

"Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;" Psalm 76:11a

God blesses obedience. Be obedient, fulfill your vows and be blessed... then offer your thanks to the God who loves you!

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b

A Proper Relationship

I am feeling so very convicted these last few days. I have a need to confess that I have lost my focus somewhat... my focus for the reason for this blog... how to be thankful (to God) in the everyday. I guess God is bringing me back to that place of repentance (like I had back on Oct. 26, 2012 in "Don't Be In Such A Hurry"). I guess I'm just like the Children of Israel, or the sheep that keep being led astray.

I have become more Martha than Mary lately. That is my natural bent, even though my name is Merrie (pronounced Mary), I tend to be more task driven - - thus, like Martha from the Bible. She's the sister of Mary and friend of Jesus' that gets all bent out of shape because she's doing all the work to be properly hospitable to Jesus and the gathering at her house. Meanwhile Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet "loafing" (my word) around listening to His teaching. Jesus prefers Mary's attitude... resting, learning, relating, over Martha's business of doing the "right" things.

I have also related myself to Rebekah, Jacob and Esau's mother and Isaac's wife, in that I have, in my sinful nature, found that I "needed" to "help God out" to get His blessing for my son (or my blog, in this case). When I began this ministry I vowed to make this not about me and my words, but wait on God for His messages to be revealed. I haven't been patient. Lately, I haven't been waiting on Him. I'm seeking forgiveness.

As I studied this very short verse of thanks, I found so much rich truth. So many reasons to change my ways and try to become more worthy of doing God's will (not my own). The song "The Motions" by Matthew West came to mind when I considered my inappropriate attitude of "going through the motions" and not truly giving it my all and worshiping with a thankful heart, through the study of God's Word. Listen to this song by clicking on the link (below), and then when you're in the same mind-set as me, click the back arrow to get you back here. OK?

"The Motions" by Matthew West:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaHmiFaX_pk

So... now that you might be ready to NOT just go through the motions, I'll start getting into that verse I promised you.

"Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High" Psalm 50:14

Sacrifices. What are sacrifices in the eyes of God? In earlier posts I have gone into depth with details of different types of offerings of thanks and fellowship. In this psalm God is calling for thank offerings from Israel to acknowledge her dependence on Him. Dependence on His mercies and their need for the privilege of being able to pray to Him in times of trial. Those who do so may expect God's gracious answer to their prayers. God also desires obedience to his moral law. He is calling his covenant people into account. They are being addressed by a Levitical leader on behalf of the Lord. In its rebuke of a false understanding of sacrifice the psalm has a close relation with the prophecies of Isaiah, Amos, and Micah. Herein lies the problem. The problem of the heart. The "going through the motions" or the Mary-style of doing the stuff or practicing the religious rituals but not possessing the "right spirit within." Here's what God has to say about unworthy sacrifices:

From Isaiah 1:11-17

13 “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations – I cannot bear your evil assemblies.” 15-17 “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.”

In this verse the moral character and conduct of the worshipers, not the number of their religious activities, are most important.

Amos 5:21-24

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.”

Please make note of the words justice and righteousness. Prerequisites for acceptance by God. As plant and animal life flourishes where there is water, so human life flourishes where there is justice and righteousness.

Micah 6:8

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

It is said that this is the most memorable statement in the Old Testament defining a proper relationship to God.

  

Our relationship with God... just, merciful, and humble. God is holy. We are sinners. How do we make ourselves worthy of God's blessings or a relationship with Him? We can't really. This makes me think of this song:  What Do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6J5TzSE_18

What do I know of holy? I know that I am not holy. But I also know that God desires for me to try to be more like Him. To work towards righteousness and obedience... knowing full well that I will fail. That's what makes our God an awesome God... He wants us to be just and merciful because that's who He is. His grace covers us time and time again. He wants so badly to bless us, that He is prepared in advance to forgive us when we fail, repent and ask for His forgiveness AGAIN. And AGAIN.

There is hope for us in 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." You see... He will PURIFY us from all UNRIGHTEOUSNESS!! That, my friends, is HOLY!

If you're stuck and don't have the words to confess your sins, just pray the prayer from Psalm 51:10-12

"Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

God has certainly gotten ahold of me... again. I want to let go of my pride. I want to bring a worthy sacrifice of thanks and worship and obedience before Him. I know that there is no life apart from God... I need Him to guide me and direct me and forgive me when I fail. I want to do His will... not mine.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Hebrews 13:15

Today I am thankful that God knows my heart. He created me, and He's not willing to leave me alone until I become more like Him. And as I become more like Him, I can't help but develop a close relationship with Him... a proper relationship.

“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, buy my ears you have pierced, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:6-7

"Lay Me Down" by Chris Tomlin:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N2SbY3dJuM

"And be thankful." Colossians 3:15b