The angel of the Lord appeared to the Israelites after they failed to keep His covenant.
They were not destroying the enemy as commanded but rather subjecting the hostile nations to pay tribute or create a powerful workforce. Some of God's people were intermarrying with these same nations that God clearly prohibited. Judges 2:5 says, "So they called the place Bokim (which means "weeping"), and they offered sacrifices there to the LORD." (NLT).
Bokim or Bochim is believed to be near or at Bethel. Bethel was considered a spiritual place. Centuries earlier, Jacob rested and dreamed of angels ascending and descending on a ladder. Later, King Jeroboam set up two golden calves declaring these are the gods that delivered God's people (I Kings 12:28). This echoed what the high priest Aaron told Israel while still in the wilderness (Exodus 32:4).
Bochim is not a place of repentance but tears of self-pity and regret. Throughout the book of Judges, God's people cycled in and out of defeat and victory. They repeated a pattern of sin and confession. One of the saddest Scriptures capture this ugly history: "In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit." (Judges 21:25 NIV). But they did have a King but rejected Him.
In our Christian walk, how many times will we find ourselves in Bochim?
A place we weep and promise to do better, but have no intent in leaving our familiar and sinful places. Some of us relive memories that God has forgiven and forgotten. But in our weakest moments when the enemies of fear, anxiety or worry presses in - we retreat to a secret viewing of an old life we can only imagine revisiting. Over time, our lives become corrupt with compromises, self-justifiable excuses and distorted reasonings to why we don't ask God to empower us to defeat the thing we find the most attractive (and destructive).
There is a godly sorrow that works a spirit and heart of repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). It does not lead to sorrow or death but freedom. God promises that sow in sorrow will reap in songs of joy (Psalms 126.5).
So, if you find yourself in Bochim ask God for a true heart of repentance - don't makes promises and vows to do better or wallow in self-pity but return to Him - even if it’s a defeated place.
God faithfully and lovingly delivered His people throughout the book of Judges so how much more His sons and daughters!
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
I Will Mediate
Psalms 145:5 holds a key to victory for troubled minds. It says, "They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty-- and I will meditate on your wonderful works." (NIV)
It's been noted that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year (https://adaa.org).
So learning to reflect on God's past and present works helps build faith and restores hope for an anxious mind.
As you know, what we think about matters because it can easily form attitudes and opinions both constructive and destructive. When our minds are troubled by anxious thoughts we have to ask for His grace to re-direct our thoughts to mediate on His providence and care for us.
Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (ESV).
No matter the heated battled in the mind or how restless your thoughts may be God has remedy to sooth the mind and restore peace - His mercy. When we think about His mercy which is new every day we find hope to think and live differently. And our future is brighter and more welcoming.
Let's determine with His strength to say, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." (Psalms 77:11 NIV). The same God who plagued Egypt and led His people out of bondage in the Promised Land still exists. He who parted the Red Sea can certainly part our troubled waters.
Faith begins with a singular thought that God can do the impossible regardless to what we think or feel about the circumstance. I'm not speaking about mind over matter or just randomly speaking things into the air. It's a decision and determination that a God who knows my thought from a far knows what is best for me.
Think about His goodness.
And soon you will find your mind clear and at rest.
It's been noted that Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year (https://adaa.org).
So learning to reflect on God's past and present works helps build faith and restores hope for an anxious mind.
As you know, what we think about matters because it can easily form attitudes and opinions both constructive and destructive. When our minds are troubled by anxious thoughts we have to ask for His grace to re-direct our thoughts to mediate on His providence and care for us.
Lamentations 3:21-22 says, "But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;" (ESV).
No matter the heated battled in the mind or how restless your thoughts may be God has remedy to sooth the mind and restore peace - His mercy. When we think about His mercy which is new every day we find hope to think and live differently. And our future is brighter and more welcoming.
Let's determine with His strength to say, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago." (Psalms 77:11 NIV). The same God who plagued Egypt and led His people out of bondage in the Promised Land still exists. He who parted the Red Sea can certainly part our troubled waters.
Faith begins with a singular thought that God can do the impossible regardless to what we think or feel about the circumstance. I'm not speaking about mind over matter or just randomly speaking things into the air. It's a decision and determination that a God who knows my thought from a far knows what is best for me.
Think about His goodness.
And soon you will find your mind clear and at rest.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Don't Go Back That Way Again
Abraham asked his servant to return to his homeland to seek a wife for his son, Isaac.
But he warned, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there (Genesis 24:6 NIV).
Years ago, I had the strongest impression that I was not to return to Rhode Island, more specifically Providence. Newport was my birthplace and enjoyed all that east coast offered. I move to Florida to attend a bible school for two years then traveled to Europe and Africa on a hospital ship. A year later I returned to Florida. Once more, I was given direction to move out West to Portland, Oregon. We spent fourteen years in Portland before moving to New York.
Each step in this journey I've learned there are seasons and chapters that can't be relived no matter how good the experience. Other places like Rhode Island during my youth was proving destructive so the Lord call me to leave. Some twenty years later my wife and I visited Providence which had greatly changed and I realized that I too had changed. This was not my home.
The Lord warned Israel while still in the wilderness, "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." [italics mine] (Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV).
Sadly, some have gone back to Egypt to all the familiar and worldly places. Others emotionally pine to return, especially when things get very trying. We imagine a life without spiritual responsibilities and obligations while forgetting we were dead in our sins. We believe things were better back there then the present moment. Again, forgetting that each moment builds upon another glorious moment if we have Christ as the center of our existence (2 Corinthians 3:18).
If we truly follow Him - to places we rather not leave and to places we rather not go - we find the richest life He's forming in us deepens and matures. Abraham left his homeland and never went back. As a result, he was written in the pages of biblical history for centuries to come as the friend of God. We see things differently and respond according to what He declares to be true. Yes, there will be hard times littered with unexplainable pain and twisting agony of loss but still we advance and move forward.
Like Paul we are learning to say, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. " (Philippians 3:12 NIV).
When we press on we will say plenty of goodbyes but not forever. No matter the places we will travel in this life as believers we will have a glorious reunion around the throne.
But he warned, "Make sure that you do not take my son back there (Genesis 24:6 NIV).
Years ago, I had the strongest impression that I was not to return to Rhode Island, more specifically Providence. Newport was my birthplace and enjoyed all that east coast offered. I move to Florida to attend a bible school for two years then traveled to Europe and Africa on a hospital ship. A year later I returned to Florida. Once more, I was given direction to move out West to Portland, Oregon. We spent fourteen years in Portland before moving to New York.
Each step in this journey I've learned there are seasons and chapters that can't be relived no matter how good the experience. Other places like Rhode Island during my youth was proving destructive so the Lord call me to leave. Some twenty years later my wife and I visited Providence which had greatly changed and I realized that I too had changed. This was not my home.
The Lord warned Israel while still in the wilderness, "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." [italics mine] (Deuteronomy 17:16 NIV).
Sadly, some have gone back to Egypt to all the familiar and worldly places. Others emotionally pine to return, especially when things get very trying. We imagine a life without spiritual responsibilities and obligations while forgetting we were dead in our sins. We believe things were better back there then the present moment. Again, forgetting that each moment builds upon another glorious moment if we have Christ as the center of our existence (2 Corinthians 3:18).
If we truly follow Him - to places we rather not leave and to places we rather not go - we find the richest life He's forming in us deepens and matures. Abraham left his homeland and never went back. As a result, he was written in the pages of biblical history for centuries to come as the friend of God. We see things differently and respond according to what He declares to be true. Yes, there will be hard times littered with unexplainable pain and twisting agony of loss but still we advance and move forward.
Like Paul we are learning to say, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. " (Philippians 3:12 NIV).
When we press on we will say plenty of goodbyes but not forever. No matter the places we will travel in this life as believers we will have a glorious reunion around the throne.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
He Sees
2 Chronicles 16:9a says, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him." (NIV).
God sees, He knows and God acts on our behalf. Nothing is hidden from his gaze and nothing is beyond his reach when a heart cries for Him.
Jesus saw the man at the pool of Bethesda and after He learned he had been in that condition for long time asked, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). And to the woman after years of hemorrhaging; he turned and looked at her. He reassured that her faith made her whole.
In His eyes we find love, acceptance and sometimes our own tears in His eyes. God is not without feeling of our pain nor is He far removed from us as the world or Devil would want us to believe.
God's name is Emmanuel - God with us - and when we draw close to Him you can be sure He’s already standing next to you.
But what does He see in us?
So many of us glance at the mirror with shame and eyes darkened by a history we really don't want anyone to know no less even see. So, we put on a brave face and a stiff religious smile. But God sees past all that to the heart of the matter.
The grace of God is more evident by Him not turning His eyes away from us. Rather His steady gaze attracts us to Him.
It's what Jesus saw in the woman anointing his feet with perfume and weeping. Though her sins were great, it was her love for God that was stronger because she found in Him forgiveness (Luke 7:47).
Ask the Lord to give you the strength to look Him in the eye - and whatever you do - don't turn away.
You will be pleasantly surprised to see what's in His eyes.
God sees, He knows and God acts on our behalf. Nothing is hidden from his gaze and nothing is beyond his reach when a heart cries for Him.
Jesus saw the man at the pool of Bethesda and after He learned he had been in that condition for long time asked, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6). And to the woman after years of hemorrhaging; he turned and looked at her. He reassured that her faith made her whole.
In His eyes we find love, acceptance and sometimes our own tears in His eyes. God is not without feeling of our pain nor is He far removed from us as the world or Devil would want us to believe.
God's name is Emmanuel - God with us - and when we draw close to Him you can be sure He’s already standing next to you.
But what does He see in us?
So many of us glance at the mirror with shame and eyes darkened by a history we really don't want anyone to know no less even see. So, we put on a brave face and a stiff religious smile. But God sees past all that to the heart of the matter.
The grace of God is more evident by Him not turning His eyes away from us. Rather His steady gaze attracts us to Him.
It's what Jesus saw in the woman anointing his feet with perfume and weeping. Though her sins were great, it was her love for God that was stronger because she found in Him forgiveness (Luke 7:47).
Ask the Lord to give you the strength to look Him in the eye - and whatever you do - don't turn away.
You will be pleasantly surprised to see what's in His eyes.