Backhanded blessings

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Lamentations 1, 2; Psalm 115

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Lamentations 2:19 (NIV)

19 Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

Good morning!

The Lord has given me many good gifts, but athleticism is not one of them. I am a klutz. There is no way to spin this other than to tell it like it is. I passed physical education classes by the skin of my teeth in high school. I received Cs for effort. I probably deserved worse. Those lower grades kept me from getting Straight A baseball passes every year. But I’m not bitter. I did the best I could and I praise God for the body He has given me. I hope that when I reach perfection, I’m not so short and dumpy. Where I lack in physical strength, God has more than made up for in my childlike faith and ability to dream BIG for Him.

I took Physical Education one summer as a summer school class, just so I didn’t have to endure the humiliation of dressing out for an entire year of school. I knew if I put forth the effort, it would be worth it. One of my dear girlfriends felt sorry for me and signed up, so we did it together, and that made it all the more fun. We had two weeks of swimming, two weeks of bowling, two weeks of volleyball and two weeks of tennis. I learned a lot during that time, and we had a coach that was very encouraging and supportive. I never felt incapable around this man. I’m grateful that I have some really fond memories of that summer school experience.

In tennis, he wanted to teach me how to hit the ball with a backhanded swing. It was hard for me to hit the ball at all, much less with my arm stretched out in front of my torso, trying to use my wrist action to flip the ball back over the net. But I did it! I remember feeling the stretch and pull of the muscles running up through the top of my arm and into the shoulder. Sometimes it hurt, but mostly, it felt good. There were blessings in learning how to return the serve with a backhanded swing.

Jeremiah tried to get Israel’s attention. God spoke through him, and yet, the people ignored God’s Word. They did as they pleased and forgot to think about the consequences of their actions. And now, in a time of captivity and fear, they mourn what was once theirs and finally begin to look to God for help. How many times have I done the exact same thing in my life? There are seasons when things are going really well. I’m happy, my family is happy, I have no complaints. Am I as devoted to the Lord in times like this as I am when things get tough? How do you return adversity across the net of life? Have you learned about the blessing of a backhanded swing?

God stretches us in adversity. He is our life coach, teaching us through the lessons we receive every day. We grow closer to Him when the things we hold dear seem to slip away. What happens when you suddenly find that you’ve lost your health? I have two adult children right now who were recently diagnosed with cancer. Their families are struggling to deal with the reality this brings. Have you ever received an emergency phone call from your physician, and that call changed every aspect of your life?

Dealing with adversity can either make or break our spirit. Even in the utter pit of Israel’s despair, the Lord gave His children the ability to use their God-given backhanded swing. There are times when we forget to look up. When adversity brings us to our knees, I pray that you will find strength in knowing God will not leave you or forsake you. He will not abandon you in the midst of your suffering or grief. He has not abandoned me or my family. In fact, we are stronger because we know who is really in charge, and that makes this challenge worth pursuing.

Close your eyes and imagine that the tennis ball of adversity is coming toward you right now. You can reach it if you take the racket of faith in your hand and lunge it around your body. Use your wrist strength to send that ball back into the opponent’s court. Feel the stretch of your faith and the adrenaline rush, knowing you still have some steam left to fight the good fight. Israel was in mourning, but they continued to look up and cry out to the Lord for healing and help.

If you find yourself fighting the adversary today, grab onto the faith God has planted inside your heart and look up! The trials you face will build up perseverance in your body for the long haul. He will complete in you the good work He begun in you, especially when we find ourselves swinging at the backhanded blessings of life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: strength to use your God-given backhanded swing to break through the adversities of life. Jesus is here, right now, and He will not leave or forsake you, even when you find yourself on the receiving end of a difficult opponent.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The precious gift of peace

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 50, 51, 52

John 10:27-28 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

John 14:27 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] “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.”

Good morning!

Of all the presents you have ever received, which one is your favorite? Last night at Kaleidoscope (our Thursday evening small group Bible study), we talked about the gifts of God. This is something I’ve come to appreciate more and more each day. The material gifts I offered to my children while they were growing up in our home simply pale in comparison to God’s offering of Himself to the children He loves. The gift of eternal salvation through the shed blood of Jesus is, without a doubt, the greatest gift you and I will ever receive. Once we accept His gift and invite the Lord of life to live within our heart, He begins to reveal His perfect nature as we seek His presence each day. You may not see them clearly at first; with time, Christ helps you to recognize the special gift mix planted and cultivated within your heart. He gives you the desire to share your special present with those around you each day.

It is hard to pick a favorite gift – there are so many from which to choose! His love is timeless. It is perfect. Faith to follow Him, especially when things are tough, is a gift like no other. It is that faith that catapults us into action. We experience the gift of His joy, knowing we are loved with a love that will never fail us. We begin to recognize the beauty of building relationships that last. Jesus sets the bar at relationship building. Beyond the gift of salvation and everlasting life, my favorite gift from God is His gift of peace.

Maybe I had to experience a life of turmoil before I could truly appreciate receiving the gift of His peace. The world tries to convince us that peace is an acquisition – something to be purchased or owned. Lots of people work their entire lives seeking a little slice of peace, only to find their savings wiped out in a health crisis or natural disaster. They may lose the home they spent thirty years paying for to a flood, tornado, or earthquake. The pension plan they’ve invested in suddenly disappears just as they are preparing to retire. What will they live on for the next forty years of their life? The peace of Christ does not eliminate the struggles we face from day to day. His peace is a daily reminder that especially when life is not easy, He remains. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. I am never, ever alone, and no matter where I go, the Lord of life walks by my side, holding my heart in His nail-scarred hand. Once you give your life to Him, Jesus will never let you go. His peace is a precious treasure; and in His presence, that gift is worth more to me than anything this world has to offer.

The peace of Christ finds me as I seek His presence each day. His peace is an amazing gift, just waiting to be unwrapped. Like a warm, woolen blanket, I crawl underneath the covering of His love. There is staying power in His peace. I know this day will not be easy. There will be challenges and difficult moments to endure. No matter what happens, His blanket keeps me covered. It is His anointing that remains, when everything around me seems to fail. If you are yearning for a support system that will not fall apart in the storms of life, ask Jesus to give you His peace. It passes all understanding, as we keep our hearts and minds focused on Him.

Jesus said, “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.”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His peace to carry you through every moment of your life. I am praying that you will experience the peace of Christ today as you seek His holy presence.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Embracing discipline

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 46, 47, 48, 49

Jeremiah 46:28 (NIV)

28 “Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Good morning!

God is keeping His Word with the children He loves. We look at the Israelites and wonder why they are being so self-righteous and unruly. Why aren’t they listening to the prophet Jeremiah? They were warned repeatedly to turn around and repent, and if they didn’t, Babylon, the evil one, would attack. Have you ever been under attack? Have you ever asked God, “Why me?”

It begins at birth. Helpless infants scream for attention. “Feed me, change me, hold me,” they cry in shrill tones, especially in the middle of the night. Constantly yearning to be nurtured, an infant lets his parents know when their world is not right. As they begin to grow and fend for themselves, toddlers are often rebuked for taking things that do not belong to them. They are curious creatures, our wee ones. As they begin to explore the world around them, parameters are set for their own safety. They do not understand why they cannot touch the hot stove or suck on the doggie’s nose, or play with Mommy’s glass decorations on the coffee table. They hear the constant, “No,” in firm but loving tones. They may not understand why, and yet, they do understand the message. Do toddlers ever ignore their parents’ instruction? Of course they do. And, unfortunately, this behavior often does not change with time.

Have you ever seen a teenager obey parental instruction? Did you do everything exactly the way your parents told you to? I wish I had! I confess I was far from perfect. They had their hands full with me, and were probably very relieved when I got married at the ripe old of age of eighteen. While I do not advocate for young marriages today, I have to say my parents missed out on a lot of young adult rearing. I got married and moved away and it let them off the parental hook. I think they got off lucky, don’t you? Actually, I’m certain there was not a day they didn’t worry about me, or offer prayers on my behalf and for my family. As a parent of adult children, I think it much harder today not to worry about them now. There is not a day that goes by when I’m not praying for Rachel, Benjamin and David and their families.

Scripture teaches us that God rebukes the children He loves. We learn best from our mistakes, as painful as they may be. It is a repetitive process. God gives us direction, not to make us miserable, but to free us for joyful and happy living. If we could just learn to follow His instruction without question, our daily walk might be a whole lot sweeter. I don’t know about all of you, but I would be less than honest if I didn’t confess that every adversity I have faced was placed there for a distinct purpose. I may not always understand why, and yet, I can see how those experiences help mold my heart into something pure and holy.

Years ago, I was a spiritually rebellious baby. Angry and bent totally out of shape, God had to take a sledge hammer to my heart. I believe even through times of open rebellion, He never gives up on His precious ones. God never gave up on Israel. He promises that even while they are scattered and taken into captivity, He will not completely destroy them. This gives me great hope today. I know that even in a tough situation, God will never let me go. He will not let you go either, not without a fight for your soul. He loves you with a passion and sometimes, He works a little harder to get our undivided attention.

Does he have your undivided attention today? We can embrace His discipline with joy, knowing that He is recreating our hearts for kingdom work. If you are feeling attacked today, take a moment to thank God for loving you enough not to let you go. He gets our attention through discipline. No matter what we may face, we have His assurance that He is creating a clean heart and restoring a right spirit within you and me today. It is great to be a King’s kid!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a glad heart in every circumstance. If God is disciplining you today, be thankful He cares enough to never let you go. Like a parent who loves his child, God wants nothing more than to bring you back into relationship with Him.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 44, 45; Psalm 114

Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV)

5 “Should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people,” declares the Lord, “but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”

Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Good morning!

In 1909, Rhea F. Miller penned the words of his heart song onto a slip of paper and gave it to the mother of George Beverly Shea. She had been praying for her son’s career choice, knowing that it would shape the course of his life. At age 23, Shea had received an offer to sing with a secular band in New York City. The salary and notoriety was enticing. He could choose a career in Gospel music and serve the Lord by singing on Christian radio programs. Shea’s mother left Rhea F. Miller’s poem on the family piano. When Shea sat down to practice, he read the poet’s words and immediately began to put them to music. On Sunday morning, he offered the song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus” to the congregation. Shea made the decision that day to continue singing for the Lord. Shortly thereafter, Shea received an invitation to travel and sing with evangelist Billy Graham. The words of Rhea F. Miller helped lead a gifted Christian musician to sing the Gospel message to people around the world. Hearts and lives were changed by the words of this song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain, or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful scribe, had more than enough. The unpopular prophet and his message of gloom and doom had begun to weigh heavily on Baruch’s heart. Have you ever offered your life’s work in service to the Lord? Maybe He has called you to teach children, cook and serve food to the hungry, or preach the Gospel message to those who are starving to know God. No matter what your vocation, we all have moments of despair and regret. You may find yourself asking the hard questions: Did I make the right choice? This is much harder than I thought it would be. I’m tired of getting spit on, kicked around, and treated with no respect. I work hard, receive very little in return, and I have nothing to show for my effort. Baruch was having a pity party and the Lord God Almighty wouldn’t stand for it. Baruch had forgotten whom he was serving. It is easy to forget the reason we sing when we feel as if our very lives are slipping away, like grains of sand through our fingers.

God spoke to Baruch through the prophet Jeremiah. He speaks to you and me today. “Should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, but wherever you go, I will let you escape with your life.” Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Are you losing your life today for the Lord? Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Just like Baruch and Jeremiah, we find life in Jesus Christ. Life in Him is worth more than anything money can buy. A relationship with Jesus is worth more than anything the world affords. Rhea Miller understood the priceless, precious gift of the Lamb, and because he was willing to write his testimony down, George Beverly Shea’s life was forever changed.

If you have found abundant life in Jesus Christ, do not be afraid to tell others what He has done for you. It may be your words that will make an everlasting difference in the heart of another human soul. There is nothing more precious than the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Won’t you tell someone just how much He means to you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the courage to let go of your life as you know it so that you may find abundant and everlasting life in Jesus Christ. He is the only life worth holding on to.

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The Ten Day Prayer

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 40, 41, 42, 43

Jeremiah 42:4; 7 (NIV)

4 “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested. I will tell you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you.”

7 Ten days later the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

4 He will wipe away 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.

Good morning!

Tell me something – have you ever prayed for ten days straight? I keep a running prayer list before me, and I may lift up a certain individual or a specific need repeatedly over a ten day period, maybe even longer. But to pray in the Spirit for ten days straight, focusing my heart and mind on one need only is something I have a hard time visualizing. I don’t know if I could keep my mind harnessed on one thing, without wandering away, for that length of time. Could you? If God called you to pray for ten days straight for someone else’s need, would you do it?

My mother was really good at perpetual prayer. She prayed a lot in our home, mostly silently. Sometimes I could hear her crying and whispering from her bedroom, and I knew she was pouring out her heart to the Lord. I cry when I pray. My nose gets all red and runny. I keep a box of tissue next to my Bible, because I know I’m going to need it. I’ve often wondered how I will ever get along in heaven with no more tears. The scripture says that in the life to come, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and that crying will be no more. I cannot imagine sitting in God’s presence without a tear falling from my face. This promise makes me wonder even more what the new order of things will be like. No more runny noses! What an incredible day that will be!

I began writing daily devotional messages one year ago this month. They were borne from a deep desire to offer encouragement to others in pursing a daily prayer time with the Lord. Our lives are so very busy. We get wrapped up in the obligations at home, school and work. I have days when I meet myself coming and going. Still, there is life in His presence. There is hope in His presence. There is peace in His presence. I cannot imagine beginning my day without Jesus. I wouldn’t survive without feeling His breath on my face and the touch of His hand in mine. A shift occurs as I sit and wait for His Word. I don’t always receive a quick answer to the prayers I pray. When I ask the question, “Why, Lord?” He may choose to respond by saying, “Why not?” There are many things I’m sure I will never understand during this lifetime. Maybe I’m not supposed to understand it all. I have found it is easier to lay the burdens of my heart down, knowing He hears me and understands, even when I do not. Jesus picks me up and carries me through whatever it is I’m facing. I’ve learned that my Lord has the power to do it for you too! He waits for us to seek His face daily and we must be willing to wait for His Word. The answer always comes. Do you have enough patience to wait for His reply?

Jeremiah went to the batting cage for His people in prayer. The ones who worked so hard against the prophet continued to return to him for counsel. Isn’t this an ironic twist in life? We are drawn to spirit-filled people; there are times when we may resent or disagree with their approach, and yet, we find comfort in knowing they are praying for us daily. It is a transformational miracle from the hand of God. He extends His life through ordinary people who pray for each other daily. Jeremiah was an extraordinary man; there is no doubt about it. However, what sets him apart from you and me is his willingness. Are you willing to be a Jeremiah in the community where you live? Would you give up your precious time to pray and seek God’s face to help out a neighbor in need?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a willing heart to pray the prayers that God has called you to pray. There are people out there who desperately need a Jeremiah to pray for them. It takes time, patience, and perseverance. How much of yourself are you willing to give to help a neighbor in need? Will you pray with me today?

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Stuck in the mud

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 37, 38, 39

Jeremiah 38:6b (NIV)

They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.

Jeremiah 38:20-22 (NIV)

20 Jeremiah replied, “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. 21 But if you refuse to surrender, this is what the Lord has revealed to me: 22 All the women left in the palace of the king of JudahBabylon. Those women will say to you: “’They misled you and overcame you – those trusted friends of yours. Your feet are sunk in the mud; your friends have deserted you.’” will be brought out to the officials of the king of

Good morning!

Our grandchildren love to jump and play in the mud puddles, after a hard rain. I have one grandson who will stop at nothing to find a mud puddle to step in. He is all boy, and we love him all the more, especially when covered in mud.

My favorite time to dig in the dirt, is in the spring, after a rain shower. Weeds pull easily from the ground if the soil is saturated. Planting is not so hard on the back when the dirt is wet. This spring, while working in the garden bed, my tennis shoes got stuck in the mud and I actually had to step out of them, because I could not free my feet. Have you ever gotten stuck in the mud?

Jeremiah was in a fix. He had been faithful to the Lord and was willing to speak His Word, even when the people refused to listen. They judged this holy man of God with harsh words. That led to harsh treatment, and even premeditated murder. Yes, there were some so angry with Jeremiah that they sought to find a way to stuff out his life, silence the voice, and forget he had ever lived in their city. Jeremiah was beaten and imprisoned for a long time, because of his faith. And now, the king threw up his hands in despair, allowing the rebels to cast Jeremiah into an empty cistern. Jeremiah found himself stuck in the mud with no way out. Just when we feel there is no way to escape the mud in our life, God steps in and makes a new way.

It was an Ethiopian who provided a way out for our friend Jeremiah. A non-Jew, this man saw the plight of another human and felt the touch of the Holy Spirit to act on his behalf. When God taps you on the shoulder and asks you to help another friend in need, do not be afraid of the mud. This wet clay has healing potential. Women have been using it on their faces and bodies for years. Mud packs and mud baths have been known to take the signs of aging away. Hope is borne from the mud we find ourselves in. A conventional solution may not be readily available. Look for His miracle! God will send just the right person at the right moment, to help pull you from the place where you got stuck.

Are you in the mud pit this morning? Look up and rejoice! God is making a new way for you. There is grace, even when we find ourselves stuck in the mud.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a miracle! God can use the mud of your life to get your attention. He will help you get unstuck if you will cry out to Him for help today.

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

W.I.M.P.

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 34, 35, 36

Jeremiah 36:21-24 (NIV)

21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him. 22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the fire pot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

Jeremiah 18:6-8 (NIV)

6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.”

Good evening!

This morning as I sat in worship, I was reminded again of God’s plan for my life, and how it doesn’t always fit neatly into the life plan I’ve sketched on the drawing board inside my head. During the children’s time, our speaker (who, by the way, was Jesus to me today) took a misshapen piece of Play-Doh and asked the children to examine her unique creation. It was far from perfect. Then she asked a question, “Are you perfect?” A cute little three year old with sparkling eyes said, “I am!” She looked pretty perfect to me too. And yet, we know that looks can be deceiving. No matter how hard we try to be flawless, we know deep down inside that we are not. And it is there, right in the middle of our imperfections and misshapen lives that God steps in to remold our hearts, if we will let Him. I need a new mold today. Do you?

Jeremiah was totally disgusted with the arrogance and self-righteous behavior of king Jehoiakim. Jeremiah asked his friend Baruch to transcribe the Word of the Lord onto a scroll and take it to the king, warning him of the impending captivity of Judah. Baruch read the Word to the officials in the temple, but they would not listen. They would not turn around. Somehow, in the middle of their apathetic hearts and prideful arrogance, the king tore the pages from the scroll as it was read, and placed them into the fire to be burned. He thought he could simply make God’s Word go away if he destroyed it. Isn’t it interesting how we did the very same thing to the Savior of the world?

Why do we try to rewrite God’s Word to fit our world view? We struggle to fit it into our own theological perspective. A dear pastor tells of an experience he encountered while attending seminary. His professor, along with many of his peers, professed to be Universalists. This pastor was ridiculed for believing there would be an afterlife. He was the only one in the room who raised his hand affirmatively to the question, “Does anyone here believe in hell?” Later that semester, he wrote a paper that included his belief on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, citing scriptural authority to back his thesis. His professor wrote in red ink on the paper, “This is cute.” Fortunately for all of us, he did graduate from seminary and is now faithfully shepherding a United Methodist congregation in Missouri. We are blessed to have this pastor teach the scripture as it is written, without trying to reshape the Word into something more palatable to the world’s taste buds. During the sermon today, our pastor reminded us that we are not the Potter; we are the clay. It is not our job to reshape His Word to suit our fancy. We must be willing to allow the Lord to mold and reshape our hearts, even when it hurts. Today, I’m letting go and letting God be God.

It must just be the mother in me. I have three grown children and I’m still trying to remold the shape of their lives. Two of my children are ill right now, and it is breaking my heart into pieces, just seeing them suffer. I keep forgetting this is something I cannot fix. I just love them so very much. I wish I could jump in and make it all go away. All day I have heard God repeat in my ear, “I am the Potter; you are the clay.” I was feeling a little wimpy and weepy this morning. I know what the power of prayer can do; I trust Him with my life. I must trust Him with their lives too. Yet, this morning I wondered if I was wimping out spiritually, maybe begging the Father for just one more miracle, one more time.

Just like Jeremiah, I learned a new and exciting lesson today in frustration. It is never dull and boring at our house, and waiting patiently has never been one of my strong suits. Jeremiah was totally fried with the king’s happy attitude. He knew what would happen to the people, and his tears flowed down like a river for them. Jeremiah may have felt a little wimpy too. As I prayed today, the Lord whispered in my ear, “Go ahead Deb, be a wimp. You have my permission to “Wait In My Presence.” W.I.M.P. I wonder if God gave Jeremiah permission to be a wimp for Him?

I am not the Potter. I am the clay. I cannot heal my children; only God can do that. There are some things I cannot fix. He has the power to hold us when we hurt, forgive us when we sin and are sorry, and heal us, if we will just let go and trust His Word. Are you trying to take control over something you have no authority in? If so, repeat after me, “I am not the Potter. I am the clay.”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: permission to be a wimp for the Lord today. Make time to wait in His presence. He will calm your fears, give you strength, and teach you how to trust Him more fully each day.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

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