Humble in the Eyes of the Lord

Bible reading: Isaiah 66:1-6
Memory verse:  “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
    who tremble at my word.  But those who choose their own ways—
    delighting in their detestable sins will not have their offerings accepted."  Isaiah 66:2b-3a.


Have you ever heard the expression “It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”?  I remember the first time I heard it.  I was slightly shocked because it didn’t seem like it was ethical.  As I pondered it, I came to realize that it could be true if your parents or your boss was very forgiving.  You could really get into a habit of taking advantage of that forgiveness.  You could do things your way with your ideas and it will be much easier.  The attitude behind that thought process is not humility, but pride.  You are putting your own selfish desires above your authority.

The scripture reading today reminded me of this, because the Lord our God is the ultimate boss.  He is big and mighty.  He lives in heaven and puts his feet on earth.  If we know what is wrong and we do it anyway, we are living in pride.  Even if we come asking for forgiveness, it is does not honor God.  It reminds me of 1 Samuel 15:22 that says,

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

God says that He looks on us with favor when we are humble and recognize the authority of God.  When we hear His Word and tremble at His Word we are blessed.  Do you know what God expects from you?  Will you take advantage of his grace by sinning more or will you submit yourself to Him and humbly do His will?

It is better to ask for permission than forgiveness.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Beat By a Girl

Bible Reading Judges 9:34-56
Memory verse: Matthew 23:12 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Abimelech was the king.  He forced his way to the throne.  He and his hired men killed seventy brothers.  His plan worked and he was king.  He had a few good years until Gaal came into town saying bad things about Abimelech and his position.  Abimelech heard about it and it bothered him so much that he set out with four companies of men.  People were killed in the fighting and Gaal and his brothers fled the city.  The next day, the attack continued against the people in the city and many were killed.  Some people who were in the city fled into a tower.  Abimelech ordered his men to burn the tower and the people died.  The rampage continued to the next city of Thebez.  When they attacked, the people fled to the tower.  As Abimelech led the men to burn it, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech's head and cracked his skull.  Not wanting to be killed by a woman, he asked his armor-bearer to kill him. 
A lot of people died because of the selfishness of Abimelech and his ambition.  I never plotted to kill people in order to get to be king, but I know I have been selfish.  God doesn’t want us to selfishly knock people down in order to be at the top.  I remember when I was a kid, playing a game called “King of the mountain”.  We would have to try to be the one standing at the top of a hill of dirt.  It was just the right size mound that only one person could stand at the top.  If I ever was able to shove my way to the top, it wouldn’t last long because someone would shove me back.
Examine your life to see if you are shoving people around in order to be at the top.  Are you wanting to be a leader in your community or church?  If you talk bad about others in order to make yourself look better, is that right?  Abimelech got paid back for his crimes when a woman dropped the stone on him in self defense.  He was beat by a girl.  The Bible says that if you exalt yourself, you will be humbled.

by Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Holding On

Holding On

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-4

Focus Verse: Deuteronomy 13:4  “Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone.  Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.”

What are some things that you depend on in your life?  We all depend on the sun to rise each morning.  We depend on gravity to hold us here on the earth.  Maybe you would say you depend on your job, or you depend on your money, or your government.  Do you depend on God as much as you depend on these other things?  This world is always changing. Just like shifting sand at the beach, the waves move the sand around and it is not secure.  Nothing in this world is 100% dependable.  But God has never changed, and He never will.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His love and mercy for us is never changing, no matter how we change.  God wants you to put your anchor into the rock that can never move.  God will never let you go.  There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of Christ.  So hold on to the things that never change in this world, God and His Word.  Our focus on Him can keep us from going astray.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries