Promised Land

"When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel,

he said to them,

'Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared

to you this day,

so that you may command your children to obey carefully,

all the words of this law.

They are not just idle words for you--

they are your life.

By them you will live long in the land

you are crossing the Jordan to possess.'"

Deuteronomy 32:45-47

It had been 40 long years of wandering in the wilderness.  Soon, the entire generation who first received the promise of a land of their own would pass away; all but two who were faithful and never doubted God's ability to deliver on His word.

There was no uncertainty that the entire nation of people were God's own; chosen by His hand, but their adulterous way-of-thinking set them on a path that kept them in the desert, away from the Promised Land.

It's not so different with me.  There is no doubt that I belong to God, chosen by His own hand to be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but my adulterous way-of-thinking has set me on a path that keeps me out of the way of life. (Romans 8:28-30, John 6:44)

I am drawn toward pleasing my self and following my own desires and the ways of this world.  I am easily led down the path of worldly success, reassuring comfort and a steady diet of entertainment that looks so promising but leads to death   If I would only choose life, otherwise known as God's way, then I would truly live in the Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

Abundant Life

She was an outcast, forced to go to the communal well to draw water in the heat of the day when the gossiping women would be resting in the cool of their homes.  Her life was not what she had expected it would be when she was a young girl dreaming of the future.  In those days she was sure of her worth and knew that a man waited for her, desiring nothing more than to spend his time making her happy.  Children's laughter was always a big part of those dreams and friends would often cross the threshold of her imaginary home.  And fantasy it did turn out to be, for reality was harsh and cruel.

Husband after husband had treated her cruelly until she gave up all feelings of self-worth, devoting herself instead to the oldest and most reliable vocation women through the ages turned to in order to try to support themselves.  She didn't care anymore.  What did it matter how she was treated?  Her life was a shambles; there was no way to improve her situation.  It was just her lot in life.

Then she met a Savior who offered her living water that would lead to an abundant life.  This was something she wanted more than anything: not just existing, but flourishing!  She accepted the gift Jesus offered and her life was never the same.  (John 4, John 10:10)

As a follower of Jesus, I too have been offered a full and meaningful life overflowing with joy and peace.  This, however, is not the life I always experience.  Many times its more of an existence filled with regrets, discouragement and sadness.  Either that or I'm trying desperately to keep my head above water, struggling to keep from drowning in commitments, activities and obligations.  Other times it doesn't seem to make sense, as if there were no rhyme or reason for all the heartache I go through.  Whichever way my life seems to be going right now, I would usually not describe it as being rich and abundant.

Choosing life means reminding myself of the Gospel on a daily basis, remembering that, "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)  I am free from the burden that comes with carrying my sins and I no longer need to fear God's wrath.  The blood of Jesus releases me from guilt.  

Walking the path toward the Promised land means following Jesus step by step, making my relationship with Him the most important thing in my life.  I no longer need to prove myself as His disciple.  Instead, I am free to live my life in direct obedience to Him, answering only to Him and not all the dissenting voices that tell me another story.

Picking His way means I must constantly remember that God has a plan for my life.  Everything that happens is a part of that plan, not some kind of punishment or even payback for past sins.  I am free from senseless suffering and have entered into the realm of significance.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am offered the abundant life found in the Promised Land if only I would choose it.

Profound Peace

Beauty pageant contestants are usually asked what they want most in life and some famously say they want, "World Peace."  No one likes war or conflict; we would all love to live in a place where true peace existed.  Unfortunately, with the state of the human heart as it is, there is just not a chance.  Sin rules every persons' flesh.  We are innately selfish, each wanting our own way.  How can we hope to get along when no one naturally has compassion or empathy?

There is another kind of peace that is impossible to obtain in and of ourselves.  This is the harmony with God that can only be found through faith in Jesus Christ.  My sin makes a relationship with a holy God impossible.  Not only that, but I am actually considered to be His enemy because of my rebellious nature.  (Romans 5:10)  To have any hope of reconciliation with God, I need a Savior. Thankfully, Jesus is the perfect lamb of God who gave His life as a ransom for mine.  He took the punishment meant for me, thus making a way for me to have peace with God.

In order for me to live in this promised peaceful state, though, I need to turn over all that causes turmoil in my heart.  Instead, I like to mull over all the possible scenarios for every potential situation, coming up with several promising solutions that could be put into action if need be. (Philippians 4:4-7)

If I'm going to experience this land of peace, I need to live authentically in relationship with God.  Many times I try to put up a front that everything is okay and that I'm not struggling with a thing.  Soon I find myself curled up in a ball on the ground as the facade crumbles all around me.  I can't fake peace: it only comes with trusting Him enough to share my true feelings, hurts and pain.

A peaceful state will come as I stop trying to impress God and others and start living in relationship with Him.  Just as a parent doesn't want their children to jump through hoops to try to earn their love, so God wants me to just accept His love freely.  I am loved because God is love, and this is why I can have peace with Him.  (Matthew 11:28-30)

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am offered the peace that passes understanding if only I would choose it.

Astounding Joy

One of my husband's favorite songs early on in our marriage was the old Bob Marley song, "Don't Worry Be Happy" performed by Bobby McFerrin.  Although it has a catchy tune and feel-good lyrics, the message doesn't ring true.  I can't be happy just by trying to not worry.

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit that comes with trusting Him as the Lord of my life.  It doesn't mean I have to walk around with a smile on my face at all times, but it does mean it is possible to carry a carefree attitude as I go through my days.

Joy is not dependent upon my circumstances.  The prophet Habakkuk seemed to understand this as he recorded a prayer regarding hard times.  He said even if all his crops failed, he had no source of income or anything to eat, still he would rejoice in the Lord and be joyful in God his Savior!  (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

Joy is not happiness, but a sense of delight in Who God is and in who I am in Christ.  I am free from the burden of sin.  No matter how bad things look, I am set free from the punishment my sins deserve.  I don't have eternal damnation hanging over me as I live my life but instead have the hope of heaven to spur me on.

God is a good God who will never let me down.  Because of this truth, I can always say, no matter my circumstance, that the joy of the Lord is my strength.  (Nehemiah 8:10)  As I trust in Him, His joy becomes mine.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am offered bountiful joy if only I would choose it.

The Promised land has been offered to me.  Many times, however, I choose to stay on the wilderness-side of the Jordan River instead of crossing over to the abundant life, peaceful existence and astounding joy that has been guaranteed to me as His child.  If I begin this day to choose life, the promise will be mine now and forevermore!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can live the life God has created me to live.

When do I live a dismal life because I'm weighed down by my own sin?

How am I afraid to give control of my life to Jesus so that peace and joy can be mine?  

Living with Hope

"Delight yourself in the LORD

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,

the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes. . .

those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."

Psalm 37:4-9

I think we can all agree that life is hard.  Tragedies hit out of nowhere.  Illness strikes when I least expect it.  Loved ones are ripped out of this life before I get a chance to say, "good-bye."  Pain and suffering is all around me.  Life is hard.

If it wasn't for the hope of eternity with Jesus, it would be impossible to endure.  Thankfully, I can look forward to the time when, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (Revelation 21:4)  Now that's something to which I can look forward!

It reminds me of the time our family planned a trip to Disney World.  For months we saved funds and made plans.  Our daughters saved spending money from what they earned dog walking and babysitting.  We studied the Disney website and literature designed to familiarize ourselves with the parks and decide which attractions we really wanted to see.  Excitement began to build and the mundane difficulties of our day-to-day lives faded in light of the anticipation of our upcoming trip.  

In the same way, I am able to endure the difficulties of life in light of the anticipation of my upcoming residency in a place with no struggles, no pain and no suffering.   Heaven gives me hope.  But I must continue living here where God has placed me.  I cannot live with my head in the clouds, creating my own reality where I ignore what's going on around me.  I'm here for a purpose.

Thankfully, God has given me some guidance in how to live for Him while I wait for the time when I will live with Him!

Delight

When I think of the meaning of the word "delight,"  I think of my dogs.  They exhibit a high degree of exuberance and joy upon my return from an outing.  It doesn't matter if I've only been gone for an hour, they greet me with great pleasure and enthusiasm.  Their tails wag intensely as their tongues loll out of their mouths and their eyes shine with excitement.  They absolutely delight in my presence!

Apart from sprouting a tail and learning to drool like a dog, how can I delight in the LORD?  One way is to enjoy and revel in the study of His Word.   God teaches that the blessed man is one who finds that, "his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:4)  

I can either read the Bible daily and check that off my things-to-do list, or I can conduct an intense study of His Word, examining references and looking up the meaning of the terms.  I can apply it to my life, meditating on what I learned throughout the day, asking God to show me the lesson found there.  The Bible is more than just a book of advice, it is, "living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12)

As I delight in Him, He will change my priorities and list of requirements needed to live.  Oswald Chamber wrote in My Utmost for His Highest that my life itself is the, ". . . essential thing. . . wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life, nothing can harm it.  So many of us are caught up in the show of things, not in the way of property and possessions, but of blessings.  All these have to go; but there is something grander that never can go--the life that is 'hid with Christ in God.'"  

All I really need is God, and as I delight in Him, He will change the desires of my heart to line up with that truth.  

Commit

My husband and I have been married for 23 years.  We made a pledge before God, obligating ourselves to the marriage.  Because of this commitment, we have stayed together despite disagreements, hurt feelings or times when affection was lacking.  This kind of vow takes a confidence in the integrity of the institution of marriage despite what I see, hear or feel.  My sense of obligation keeps me rooted to the relationship.  

In the same way, I have a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, but entrusting my plans to God takes faith.  Faith involves taking a step into the darkness without knowing whether or not there will be something solid to hold my weight.  Faith, however, know the One in whom I place my trust is faithful to guide and provide.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading."

Committing my way to the LORD means entrusting every part of my life to Him, letting Him have  His way.  But perhaps 19th Century Evangelist Dwight L. Moody said it best.  "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."  Trusting God doesn't mean I can make my plans and then ask Him to bless them, but rather to hand the reigns over to Him.

If I can make the same commitment to God as I did to my husband, unconditionally trusting Him, He has promised to make me able to stand in the sun without guilt or shame.  The blood of Jesus covers my sin when I commit my life to Him and accept Him as my personal Savior.  In so doing, I become innocent in God's eyes, relieving me of the burden of past, present and future sins.  


Making Jesus Lord of my life means letting Him have His way.  In turn, He gives me a spotless and innocent appearance before Him. 

Wait

Deals made behind closed doors.  Payment for service "under the table."  Conflicts of interest. Improper handling of tax payer funds.  Pilfering of finances to feed a gambling addiction.  Wherever I look, wicked schemes are taking place: Plots designed to benefit the planner, conspiracies thought up to further a dark plot, or a ploy intended for evil.  There's no doubt that immorality flourishes in this fallen world.

Even so, no sin goes unpunished.  Either Jesus has already paid the price for the sins of His followers, or the unrepentant sinner will face the consequences of eternal death.  Justice will be served.

In the meantime, I am called to quietly and untiringly wait for God to act.  He reminds me in Deuteronomy 32:35 that, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay.  In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."   I can trust God to punish evil, both now and in eternity.

Until then, the Apostle Paul gave some advice in Romans 12:17-20.  "Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath. . . On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'"

While I wait on God to enact justice on those who do me wrong, it is up to me to treat them with the same respect I would show to a friend.

This world is a difficult place in which to live, but as I wait to enter my eternal home, I have been given a plan.  I can take great delight in God,  make a commitment to Him and wait patiently for Him to act.  In this way I will glorify God with my life as I receive a new outlook, a clean countenance and the assurance of true justice for the wickedness going on around me.  

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of all my expectations for my life and let God choose the way He wants me to go.

When do I try to take matters into my own hands, robbing God of the chance to enact His justice.

How can I love and treasure God above all other things?