So I don't have anything insightful to share about today's passage. (Not that I think I'm particularly insightful...I guess a more accurate way to say it would be that this post has absolutely nothing to do with today's passage.) I will say, though, that I see amazing parallels between Jeremiah 26:3-6 and the Gospel.But this is more of a personal reflection. I've become more and more convinced that my ability to clearly hear God's voice is dependent on how much private time I have with him. To put it another way...if you want to want to hear God's voice clearly, you have to practice listening.
Think of being an offensive lineman in an away game. Your team is down by 1, in field goal range, 4th down. A stadium is never louder than it is that day. The fans are going ballistic. The linebackers on the opposing team are yelling. The coaches are screaming. And you're trying to make sure you don't miss the count or somehow misinterpret the potential audible call.
Now, in that scenario, imagine if you, the offensive lineman, had never spent a day in practice. You'd never been in the huddle. So amidst all the resounding voices, you can only hope that you'll somehow be able to make out the quarterback's voice. And oh my gosh, is it a one count? Two counts?
Too late...that kind of clarity comes in practice.
That's how I feel about privacy with God. At this point in my life, it's not just the Christian thing to do. It's necessary. So last night, while my wife was gone, instead of turning on the TV or getting on my laptop, I prayed. I talked to God about my day, my concerns, my future. And with all the noise in my life, I'm learning to hear His voice above all the others.
**By the way, if you did in fact have something insightful to share about today's passage, feel free to get the convo going.
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well, today's passage was really interesting to me. i think it's worth noting that an omnipotent being that knows the end from the beginning said, "perhaps."
ReplyDeletei've been looking into the passage and really thinking about the implications. first of all, god had a plan of destruction for them. wow. he was poised to blow up their spot for real, but through it all He was looking for a chance to not put them on blast. it reminds of Ezekiel 22:30 where god was looking for stand between the people and the impending destruction that was brought on by their sin. for that matter, it's the same as abraham when god talked to him concerning sodom and gorrmorrah. and the same thing when moses convinced god not to kill the people in exodus.
our actions mean more than we think...and i believe more happens not because god willed it, because we didn't stand in the way. wow.
Testing 123...
ReplyDeleteOhhh yeah it worked ....lol ok tnx for putting the blog up during the fast I can't wait 2 c how God is gonna move! But yes I totally agree about our alone time with God....I hate it when I feel like I've put it on the back burner....When it is really life saving!
ReplyDeleteBut n e who...todays scripture just reminded me of the days we see in front of us. So many people just feeding into the very things God is trying to pull us away from. I see it as He is just allowing. So much to happen but its His wrath is right round da corner...kinda scary
SHUT-UP Verdell... I was REALLY blown by the perhaps or as it appears in the Amplified "It may be..." God is truly concerned about what we do in response to instruction and as Kelsey put it, we must listen carefully to God and that is only possible when we spend private time with him learning his voice. I was shut-up by this scripture... God is so compassionate towards us and I am overjoyed by His Grace to think that he would spare us the destruction we are promised through disobedience if PERHAPS we would just listen and do what He says. I have been guilty of not listening and have suffered severe consequences, mostly because I had to learn AGAIN how to hear his voice clearly after I worked to silence it and have it blend in with the background through disobedience.
ReplyDeleteThe perhaps hit me hardest, because it was about our duty in the relationship we have with Him... like my mother saying "Perhaps I won't have to punish him the entire marking period if I actually show that I pulled my grades up and improved in the classroom when she gets my progress reports." God wants us to listen!