Isaiah 13:15-16
But there will be rewards for
those who live right and tell the truth, for those who refuse to take
money by force or accept bribes, for all who hate murder and violent
crimes. They will live in a fortress high on a rocky cliff, where they will have food and plenty of water.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Today,
our great niece Kelsey Lynn goes for “assessments” to start her
kindergarten year (which technically begins in another week). Next
Monday, Timothy will begin the school year as a first grader. I’d be
lying if I
said I didn’t have high aspirations for these two…and (collectively)
their three siblings, and my other little cousins and young friends. I
pray every day that God will bless and prosper these children…that they
will be surrounded by a hedge of protection against things like drug
abuse, alcohol, bullying and abuse of all kinds, and more. I want them
to be all that God plans for them…and above everything else, I want them
to know and love Jesus.
We joke (and dream) about this child
becoming the next big model or entertainer…or that one becoming a
doctor/scientist who cures cancer…or another becoming a pro athlete.
But at the end of the day, we truly want our children to live “in a
fortress high on a rocky cliff” and have “food and plenty of water.”
What do I mean by this? Our ultimate goal is that our children live and
grow in such a way that God blesses them with plenty. Where some of us get into trouble is with our interpretation of this word.
So the challenge for each of us is to recognize that what God has planned for us – and our children – may not be what we
anticipate and dream. But if we live according to His will and trust
His plans…we will always operate in the “Land of Plenty.” Do not
misunderstand me…our goal should not be to acquire God’s blessings and
abundance. We should not live in "What's in it for me?" mode. Just
because we do our dead-level best to live according to God’s will and
Word does not guarantee that we will be rich and/or famous…and most
certainly it doesn’t mean that our lives will be free of troubles and
worries.
Still, our ultimate desire should be to live according
to God’s commands and to please Him in all things out of a sense of deep
love and respect for Him. We should strive to live right and tell the
truth, to operate honestly in business and trade, and to take the high
road and avoid desires for revenge or ill will of any kind toward
others. When we live in a way that pleases God, we will always have plenty.
It may seem like “just enough” at times…but we will always have the
confidence that our obedience has delighted our Heavenly Father – and He
has met our needs.
This is my prayer for our little ones…that
they would grow and learn…and have countless new adventures at school.
More importantly, I pray that they would also grow in the wisdom of the
LORD and become all that He wants them to be…and that each of them lives
“high on a cliff” with “plenty.” This should be our personal goal, as
well… regardless of whether we are five…or 95! Where do you live these days?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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