2 Chronicles 21:4 Jehoram killed all 6 of his brothers---courageous Elijah wrote him a prophetic letter about his upcoming painful and fatal disease. Oh to have courage to stand up and speak against moral evil when God calls us to do so, not fixed on our good life.
2 Chronicles 22:1 Jehosheba kidnapped Athaliah's son, one-year-old Joash, and protected his life. Jehosheba hid Joash for 6 years from his queen mom in his mom's own castle. His queen mom laid her eyes on her seven-year-old after six years---what did she think? She was worried only for her own success. And Joash, in his early years, trusts his God. Amazing.
These are horrendous stories. 66 LL says: "Only when you see the moral evil in the human heart will you surrender to the mystery of My plan. In this world, I am destroying moral evil in My people." There is moral evil in all of our hearts when we live to get our own way and determine what is best for us and live to get it. "Greed, loveless sex, frenzied grabs for happiness with no concern for how others are impacted, more interest in making one's point than listening to another's, an inability to give or receive love, the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival, ugly parodies of community like courtesy without connection, laughter without love, weeping without worship---these are moral evils." Galatians 5:19-21 The Message. God, what are you saying to me as I walk through this life. Oh LORD, help me to listen to your Voice.
What a different picture we got of Joash in today's reading than we did in 2 Kings 12. I thought he was one of the good guys! Yet, once his mentor died, he went astray.
ReplyDeleteSuch a reminder to me that my faith must be in God alone. As much as I value and appreciate all of those who teach me and disciple me, the most important relationship will always be with my God. I cannot rely on anyone else's faith.
I appreciate Crabb's focus on the moral evil in our own hearts. I certainly see it in my own heart...trying to figure out how to live to get my own way.
On Friday, we completed our home study for the adoption. In preparing for the meeting, I found myself wondering how to make the Jewish social worker like us and not think we are religious freaks so we'll get a good report.
And then I remembered (duh!) that she's not in control of this adoption, God is. It's not about making her like us; it's about trusting that God has called us to adopt and that He will work it out according to His timing and His plans, not mine. I'm glad that we laid out all of our beliefs and reasons to adopt because it honored God. Still not quite sure what she thought of us, but I'm okay with that. :-)
So grateful for your faithfulness to this group, Bev. You are such a gift to me! Thank you for opening up your heart and your life to us.
CiCi - What a beautiful and encouraging response. The most important thing IS our relationship with God. No matter what we are facing, it is truly our intimacy with our Savior that brings true peace, guidance, and wisdom.
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family during this adoption process.
Have a blessed weekend!
-Kim
Cici, what an exciting moment for you on Friday to see God moving to bring a life to you and Harry. Oh my! Oh my!!!! That baby will indeed by blessed of God because GOD walks with you both!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think you think what I think---like I'm reading my own thoughts when I read you! I love you dear!
We had to change our Memorial Day plans and I cannot fly to Seattle with Bob for the visit. I have middle ear infections in both. Plus some other stuff going on. So I'll be here by myself once my kids leave town. Lauren is doing the Austin triathlon that a.m. then they leave. So, I'm by myself for the rest of the day---can I still come?? I'll go on the evite and say YES for later afternoon. What time does it start---did I miss that on the invitation? Oooh!
Sorry about the length of this---should have sent you an e-mail.
Just wanted to say that the ways you wrestle with what is happening in your heart even in the good stuff like adoption is very inviting to me! Love you!
Kim, I don't know how we hooked up but I am so indeed grateful for the privilege to hear your heart. And it's a beautiful one! You are very encouraging to us all.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world did the mothers of these bad kings think about their sons????
ReplyDeleteWe know what Athalia thought!!!!
And she even had a good boy from the beginning but he went awry. I wonder sometimes what God thinks when children have had such horrific upbringings like some of these. C.S. Lewis has some profound things to say about this in Mere Christianity. What looks like fledgling faith to one person may be a huge step of faith for that person. Intriguing thought to me. I've been thinking about what I missed---more important, how I missed God at times--- in raising my children as in one more week, we'll be empty nesters after 25 years. Been mulling over a lot over here in Austin! Just had our first graduation party this afternoon and loved every minute of it. Love to you all!
YES, Bev! Please come to our party on Memorial Day! I'd love to see you.
ReplyDeleteWe start at 3:00 pm, but no doubt we'll be out there for hours. People will show up whenever. You need to come see these girls! They are growing so fast.