God's Word for Your Week

Proverbs 3:3-4.

‘Let not mercy and truth, forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and men.”

Mercy and truth. 

Having both in balance. 

Mercy: living compassionate kindness towards others. Truth: grounded in the very nature of God, who is called the “God of truth” in Isaiah 65:16.

Today you will need both…showing mercy while upholding the God of truth. Then people will ‘see’ God in you and hold you in high esteem.

Genesis 16.8

“…I’m running away…” 

Indeed, she is running away…from the harshness of her mistress Sarai.

Running away from a problem never solves the problem. 

The Angel’s advice: return, face your problem, and there will be blessing. (Verse 10).

This week, are you running away?  Return.

1 Timothy 3:3.

…but gentle…

A character that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing, moderate, fair, and considerate;  the opposite of being harsh, abrasive, sarcastic, or contentious. It is one of the required attributes for leaders in the church…and for that matter, any one who leads.

The basis for good leadership is the continual commitment to character.

This week, be gentle.

1 Timothy 3:3.

…but gentle…

A character that is equitable, reasonable, forbearing, moderate, fair, and considerate;  the opposite of being harsh, abrasive, sarcastic, or contentious. It is one of the required attributes for leaders in the church…and for that matter, any one who leads.

The basis for good leadership is the continual commitment to character.

This week, be gentle.

Joshua 3:15-16a

"And as those who bore the ark came to the Jordan, and the feet of the priest who bore the ark dipped in the edge of the water...that the waters...stood still."

The Israelites begin their journey to the Promised Land with the Red Sea parting so that they walked on dry ground; 40 years later they stand on the banks of the River Jordan, facing their last barrier. Again the waters part…they enter their Promise Land.

The priest putting their toe in the water was all that was required this time for the crossing to happen.  

Are you standing at your Jordan?

What would putting you toe in the water look like?

Psalm 101:2

“I will behave wisely in a blameless way, oh, when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.”

David, the man…at home and about.

Integrity lived in private and in public…that’s authenticity of being.

The place of vulnerability is not the public but the private. 

Men today at home: controlling, disrespectful….?

Is that you?

Luke 1:20.

“And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

“You will be silent.”

 Silence - a gift to reflect on the condition of Zacharias’ inner being. Though a priest, this moment exposed his internal reality.

Are you in a ‘Zacharias moment’ this week? Reflect.

Luke 1:18.

“How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." 

Believe the Angel standing before him or believe his physical human limitations? In this moment of divine manifestation, Zacharias chose the latter; rooted in doubt, he requests a sign.

Gabriel was the sign; but since that wasn’t enough, Gabriel provided another: he shut Zacharias’ mouth til the prophetic promise came to life.

Sometimes, our greatest challenges to faith can come at the most unexpected moments.

This week, don’t miss your moment.

Luke 1:18.

“How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years." 

Believe the Angel standing before him or believe his physical human limitations? In this moment of divine manifestation, Zacharias chose the latter; rooted in doubt, he requests a sign.

Gabriel was the sign; but since that wasn’t enough, Gabriel provided another: he shut Zacharias’ mouth til the prophetic promise came to life.

Sometimes, our greatest challenges to faith can come at the most unexpected moments.

This week, don’t miss your moment.

Luke 1:13.

“But the angel said to him: do not be afraid, Zacharias; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call him John.”

“Your prayer is heard.” 

Their hope had died long ago…their ages confirmed it. Humanly speaking , conception is impossible. 

BUT God’s angel proclaims a different message…one of hope. Their longings for a child are about to be fulfilled…God’s plan for a redeemed humanity is about to unfold through this child called John.

This week know this: your prayers that align with God’s purposes WILL BE heard. Human hope may die…but God’s purposes NEVER!

Luke 1:12.

“Zacharias was shaken and overwhelmed with fear when he saw him.”

This unexpected encounter with the Angel standing only 18 inches* away, Zacharias’ response is understandable.

Encountering an Angel is awe-inspiring; yet, the difference between fear and faith is a thin line. Fear won that day in Zacharias. 

When encountering God, where would you stand…fear or faith?

Pastor Robin.

 Luke 1.11.

“Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”

Appeared.

The visitation of Gabriel to Zacharias ended God’s 400 years of silence.

God is about to unfold his redemptive plan that had existed before creation. And it all begins with Zacharias…a priest fulfilling his once in a lifetime duty in the temple.

This week, be cognizant and responsive to God’s visitations.

Psalm 119: 83.

“For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, yet I do not forget your statues.”

Adverse circumstances don’t determine our future, God’s word does.

 Wineskins were hung in smoked filled rooms. Overtime they became harden, blacken and wrinkled.

He acknowledges his true condition, exhausted, worn out by life, in the haze of despair and uncertainty, yet counterbalanced by looking beyond his circumstances into the word of God. His faith is not diminished by adversity, but strengthen by his focus.

This week, in smoke? Open your Bible.

Psalm 23:6.

“Surely your goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

Me…my…I.

David declares God’s benediction upon his life, a prophetic word regarding his future in time and eternity. Two attributes anchor that confidence: God’s goodness and God’s mercy.

Just as David’s confidence was built on God’s unchanging character, so is ours today.

This week, be confident.

Psalm 23:5b 

“…You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

A twofold blessing; the first leads to the second. God’s fresh anointing upon us overflows in us…then through us. It is never only just for us. ( John 7:38).

This week, be a river.

Psalm 23:5.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies…”

Prepare…presence.

Even in the midst of a hostile environment (enemies), God prepared a table for you. A  table speaks of provision, security and  community. God sits at the table.

This week, find your table.

Psalm 23:4b

“For you are with me: Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.” 

Rod & Staff.

They represent something at hand…within your grasp that reassures you of God‘s presence which restores a sense of well-being.

It could be someone giving a word of comfort. A text message received. A verse of scripture that popped into your mind, a serendipity moment of provision or protection or a word of correction.

This week, discern your rod and staff.