Saturday, May 1, 2010
May 2 ... I Chronicles 6 "Delight in your Distress"
I Chronicles 6:32 - "As they carried out their work, they followed the instructions given to them." This was about the only sentence I found in the genealogy. But it struck me that as I carried out my work this week, I was trying to please people and say what they wanted to hear and gloss over some conflict. Was I following the instructions given to me or working real hard at keeping the peace, not wanting anyone to feel bad. I am so convicted over my manuevering. Just trying to be sweet --- but that's not what holiness looks like. Back to the genealogy...wonder why God wrote 9 chapters of genealogy?? I'm lost in it and want something to say of value---"expectations that God's Word will be immediately relevant to my desires for a fulfilling and satisfying life." Busted. Grateful to have 66 LL or I would be wordless. So, here's a quote that touches something deep within me: "I invite you to delight in your distress. Nothing else provides the same opportunity to move strongly and joyfully into life on the basis of My promises alone, the promises of My Presence now and My satisfaction forever. Seizing that opportunity will free you to passionately engage life for My purposes with no demands."
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Thanks, Bev, for your diligence and wonderful propensity to launch meaningful, God-glorifying discussion/thought from Scriptures that are mostly genealogy. As an amateur genealogist, I appreciate God's record of those who served Him in the House of Levi, and in particular emphasis on David's reign. I say appreciate, but I'm moved that God takes the time to keep precise record of every life. There's a place to find significance for us all.
ReplyDeleteI am also working out the "delight in your distress" quote. I think that one tenet probably takes a lifetime to work out, and there'll be times we do it better than others. But what a great incentive to walk through life with God's purposes, promises, presence WITH NO DEMANDS. Fully satisfied.
That is my prayer for us this day. Fully satisfied in Him alone...
I just returned from a weekend trip from Nashville. We live 3 hours east of the city, in Knoxville, and the beginning of weekend reminded me of a perfect spring/summer night. Temps in the 70s, and a warm breeze that only summer can bring.
ReplyDeleteIn a matter of hours, our summer days turned into rain, thunder, and floods. It seemed like within 2 hours, the Interstates were flooded, cars were stranded, and the rain never let up.
After a restless night of not knowing if we would be able to drive home today, we began our adventure through the flood. The Lord truly blessed us with safety and protection, and lots and lots of favor.
As you think about it, please keep the city of Nashville and all of West and Middle Tennessee in your prayers. There are lots of stranded and hurting people.
Love you all,
Kim D.
Oh, Bev that comment from 66 LL is wonderful. Alot of things he writes in this book resonate within me over and over. They have added so much to my life and growth.
ReplyDeleteKim, glad you got home safely...it has been a really hairy week end in West TN...and looks like Nashville got pounded most of the day...our nightmare as far as tornado warnings ended around two this morning...so we are all really tired but none the worse for the wear...glad you got home safely thru all of that water and there was a lot of it..blessings Bev...hope you are feeling alot better....
"And one more thing-a word about the genealogies that you found so dull. The restored commjunity found them invigorating." Yes, I found them dull and impossible to pronounce. But those names are a reminder that God had preserved a people. Their identity was not lost. Returning from seventy years of captivity, they needed to know God's purpose for them hadn't changed. The Davidic dynasty has not been obliterated. The promise of a future King remains (2 Samuel 7:8-16). The Levitical priesthood, so necessary for worship and offering sacrifices for sin, remained intact. God wants them to know they're still a part of the plan. And so are we.
ReplyDelete"...rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20b)
I think I can work through the genealogies a lot easier than I can "delight in my distresses." It sure isn't my natural response. And it usually only happens when I come to an end of myself. Crabb says that's when the energy of Christ is released in us. It really is ALL ABOUT HIM!
Bev, sure hope you're feeling better by now. I guess Britt will be graduating soon and I know your heart is full of so many memories. For some reason, I often feel led to pray for him. Tell him he has a prayer warrior in Alabama!
FG Forever Grateful
Kim and Mary Lou, just read your comments and glad y'all are okay. This time of year is always crazy weather-wise. FG
ReplyDeleteMary Lou and Kim, I have been praying for you today, saw your FB post, Mary Lou, and then watched the news. Devastating weather and scary. I will pray for safety and thanksgiving you all are okay. Take good care of each other. Lots of hurt and messes in lives. Bless you both. Love, Annette
ReplyDeleteThanks Annette for your kind words...I didn't delight in my distress today. Do I always feel like I have to give a true confession? I tried to delight but I was too distressed. I would decide in my mind but it didn't come out of my mouth. Plus I'm still really sick----double ear infection and upper resp infection. Back to Annette---see how self absorbed I am---thank you for thinking I did anything. Goodnight dear friend! Will try to delight in distress in my dreams...while I remember that failure is an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMary Lou and Kim---Hope you are both okay. Praying for your city and for you both! Let us know...
ReplyDeleteThanks for praying for me....this has been a very difficult week and i deeply appreciate your prayers that I would truly delight in my distress. I'm going to go back to read the chapter to see if I missed how to do that> Smile! Love to you all!
ReplyDeleteBev, I pray God's healing hand on your body. May you be able to breath a the breathe of God that will clear the infection in your respirtory system.
ReplyDeleteKim and Mary Lou I am so out of it I just now realized it has been flooding in your area. Praise God Kim was able to get home ok. Yes, I confess I don't like to listen to the news as it is always such negative information much of which I just would rather not know. My husband is news (fox) junkie. I depend on him to let me know what is going on. Every now and then I'll watch.
As I read through these verses I confess I had to pick up 66LL and found great application for where I am. Larry Crabb mentioned in Chronicles was written for a specific time and place. He goes on to mention that 1 and 2 Samuels and 1 and 2 Kings was for an exiled people needing hope. 1 Chronicles is written to a restored people. That spoke huge to me.
God has blessed and grown me in his word during my season of restoration. God has raised the bar for me. Sylvia, seek only Spirit Driven activities not self or need driven activites to be part of my daily life. This is so hard. An example, when I was on my business trip ususally at the end of the day we all go to the hotel lounge and visit with one another in free time. Because we come from all over the U.S. this brief weekend is the only time we get to visit face to face. Being the people person that I am, this is really a fun time.
However, God spoke to me to set myself apart for him and both Friday and Saturday night when the main activites were over I excused myself to Les and my room and rested seeking God's agenda and directions leaving Les to visit with our friends.
I realized if I don't make some brutal changes I will get too busy and in so doing all the wonderful activites, God honoring activites but if He has not called me to them I will get so busy I will miss God and some major blessings He has waiting for me.
Very slowly I am learning to Praise Him in my distress. This past Friday I got up very early to take my husband for an out patient test which Praise God turned out very well. However, in so doing my rest was severly interrupted. Later on that day I found myself distressed and realized I need to practice what I tell others..I just started repeating "The JOY of the LORD is my Strength and continued to repeat it and His Joy flooded my soul with renewed energy. I do have a choice with my attitude. I confess it was very difficult at first to get those words outloud but as they came I felt the presence of God restoring me and providing the hope of renewed strength as I washed dishes and cleaned the kitchen.
Annette and Deborah both of you write so elequently and profoundly and bless me much. Bev all I can say is how much you amaze me with your faithfulness to post so we can communicate with one another.
Thank you for loving me as I am. A song I must sing. For Jesus Loves Me this I know...He is loving me through each person on this blog.
Sylvia