Know My Ways

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Know My Ways

As human beings,  our imaginations  can get very wild  —  and totally void  of truth.     When things are going well,  we easily and proudly  imagine ourselves  to be very good,  strong,  and on top  of things.     When we come  to the bumps  on the road  of life,  we bitterly complain  and cannot imagine why  these things are happening  to someone like us.

The Israelites  were the same.     They suffered  and complained  while in slavery  to the Egyptians.     God performed ten awesome plagues  that led  to their release  from slavery.     That should have built up  a joyful faith  and trust  in the LORD  —  but in their escape  they had some trials  that immediately wiped out  all remembrance  of God’s almighty works.     They bitterly complained  and wondered  if God had led them out  of Egypt  just to kill them.

What a slap  in God’s face.     But,  are we any different?

Psalm 95:1-3  invites everyone  to “sing for joy  to the LORD”  because  “the LORD  is a great God  and a great King  above all gods.”     It speaks of God’s tender,  most intimate care,  and then warns us  in verses 8-9,

Do not  harden  your hearts,  as at Meribah,
As in the day  of Massah  in the wilderness,
When your fathers  tested Me,
They tried Me,  though they had seen My work.

To see  and realize  that God has done great things  for us  —  and then,  to “harden”  our “hearts”  against God  when we face a trial  is a very unloving,  ungrateful,  and selfish way  to be.     We have all  “seen”  God’s  “work”  of salvation  in Christ Jesus,  the good things  in our lives,  and in the wonders  of creation.

We don’t need  to unbelievingly complain  in our trials  because we should remember  God’s love  for us.     That is why God says in verse 10,  “They do not  know My ways.”

God’s  “ways”?     God does marvelous things  all around us  to let us know  His almighty love  and power.     We come  to believe  in Him.     And,  then He tests our faith  to strengthen it  and help us grow  in faith.     There is more than enough evidence  of God’s love  and power,  giving us reason to “not harden your hearts”  in unbelief.

To those  who deny God’s authority,  righteousness,  and saving love,  He says  in verse 11,

Truly  they shall not enter  into My rest.

Knowing God’s eternal love  in Christ,  we “sing for joy  to the LORD”,  and say,  “Hallelujah!     The LORD truly  is great!”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional  to glorify  the LORD of lords  and GOD of gods.

Pray for our country.

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The LORD  made this day, let us rejoice  and be glad  in Him.

Psalm 118:24

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The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.

Psalm 18:30

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Sing for joy  in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming  to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

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How blessed are those  who dwell  in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

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Just as a father  has compassion  on his children,

So the LORD  has compassion  on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

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O give thanks  to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness  is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

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Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart  of those who seek the LORD  be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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Not that I have already obtained it,  or have already  become perfect,   but I press on  in order that  I may  lay hold  of that  for which also  I was laid hold of  by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:12

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