Woven
Wednesday, July 28th
Woven – Summer Study
I couldn’t start my time alone with Jesus this morning without going back to Jeremiah 17,
I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give each man according to his ways, according to the result of his deeds. (verse 10)
Jeremiah was reminding the people of what Moses shared in Deuteronomy which was the truth that our choices matter. What we do with this life that God has given to us matters. Then, in 1 Samuel, Scripture took it up a notch. God looks at the heart of the matter. Our deeds may say one thing while our heart screams something entirely different. God knows! Jeremiah combined the two in this verse. God searches the heart and the mind. Then, he gives to man according to the yield of the actions his heart produced. While this could be the cause of great angst and frustration for us, this morning it has given me peace. I’m giving God permission to expose and uncover any place where my heart doesn’t line up with my actions, because I believe there’s true freedom there.
Read – Woven, chapter 10 (pages 171-174)
In your journal, I have one question for you to reflect on today. However, if your reading prompted a different focus for your journal, please go there. I trust the Holy Spirit in you a lot more than I trust myself.
Would you be content to serve the Lord and seek His ways if you knew you wouldn’t see the fruit of your righteous living during your lifetime?
Hmmmm…… I’m asking myself the same question, ladies. Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 29:11 are so motivating, “I know the plans I have for you….. plans to prosper and not to harm…. Hope and future.” Those words could make powerful soundtrack lyrics in a movie until we realize and understand that the hope was for a prosperous future that no one would see for 70 years. In other words, some of Israel would be dead and gone by the time God made good on this particular promise. Think about that. I know you’re fighting some battles today. I know they are worthwhile, and they are for good things. What if your prayers are part of the hope and future, but you won’t get to see the payoff?
I guess this is the week that I share all of my personal testimony. I remember one morning Scotty came out of his quiet time and shared with me that God had him in Jeremiah 29. I was so happy to hear what was coming next. I was sure God had directed Scotty to inspiration for prosperity and a hopeful future. However, Scotty’s lesson was exactly what I just shared. He commented to me that he’d never thought about the fact that God’s promise to the Israelites in exile wouldn’t come true for them for 70 years. Looking back, Scotty’s expression and understanding were precious. He was confident in God, and he was saying that he’d keep fighting and waiting for the good that would come as promised.
I clearly wasn’t feeling as spiritual that morning because I replied something like, “I’m going to need you to keep that lesson to yourself! There are battles I’m facing and have been facing that if I must fight for one more MINUTE I may give in forever. SEVENTY YEARS?!?! No, but thanks!”
OH goodness. God has to be so patient with me. I’m happy to tell you that I’m growing in my patience. There are some promises that I’m holding on to and praying toward that I may not see here. I’m committed anyway, and I’m trusting God’s promise for a prosperous future even if it's not for those who will come after me.
I want to give you time alone this morning to read, reflect, or simply pray as you feel directed by your reading.
If you want/need direction from me, I recommend slowly reading through Ezekiel 37. Y’all, I LOVE this passage of scripture. Read it in your version. Then, find The Message version. If you’ve lived through a season where everything felt heavy and burdensome, like the weight of life could literally crush you, these words from Ezekiel could give you a new way to pray scripture.
I’d also recommend browsing through Daniel. It’s a fascinating book. God did amazing things through Daniel. Daniel is the book where we get to see the provision made for God’s people leaving exile and returning to their home. God would use worldly kings (Darius/Cyrus) to achieve the task. He’ll just use whoever He wants! What an awesome God!
Specifially, read through Daniel 9 to see how Daniel prayed for his people. Daniel was a righteous man. That is evident throughout the book. However, when he prayed on behalf of his people, he repented for himself. He didn't cast blame or point a finger, and don’t you know that he could have. His wording in verse 11 causes me to remember 2 Chronicles 7:14,
If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Let’s take Daniel’s lead today and pray for our world. There’s no doubt wrong choices are being made and selfishness rules. But, the answer can't be loudly pointing out the obvious failures of everyone around us (or leading us). The answer must be to own our own personal part of the problem. That takes humility which is the prerequisite for repentance. Daniel 9 gives us a little peek at what may happen in the heavenlies when we approach our prayer life in this way.
Dear God, help us to learn from the prophets. Their boldness is inspiring! They were courageous in sharing Your Truth with others (wherever You sent them), and they were courageous in living humble repentance. They seemed to want YOU and Your way more than they wanted to be right in the given situation. How inspiring! Restore our lives in You and strengthen us with Your patience.
