August 28 ~ Numbers 20:14-16
Moses sent messengers from Israel's camp near Kadesh with this message for the king of Edom: We are Israelites, your own relatives, and we're sure you have heard the terrible things that have happened to us. Our ancestors settled in Egypt and lived there a long time. But later the Egyptians were cruel to us, and when we begged our LORD for help, he answered our prayer and brought us out of that land.
Now we are camped at the border of your territory, near the town of Kadesh.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This is a rather obscure selection of scripture from the middle of a story about Moses moving his people through Edom. Incidentally, they were not warmly received by the King of Edom and his people. Moses asked to lead his people through the country of Edom and even promised to make restitution for anything damaged and any water drunk by his people and their livestock. He promised to stay on the main road. But the King said, “No.” So Moses led his people in a different direction.
Here’s the deal… Moses made a point to tell the King of Edom how he and the Israelites had prayed to God for help and relief from the cruelty of the Egyptians. He emphasized that God answered prayers and brought these people out of Egypt. Moses acknowledged God’s answer to prayer… and His ability to change the situation. You might wonder then, did Moses pray about moving the people through Edom? Scripture doesn’t tell us, but I suspect he did. So… if God delivered the Moses and his people from Egypt, does it not follow that He would help them safely travel through Edom? Clearly, God did not want Moses to lead the people through Edom, for some reason – otherwise, I have no doubt that Moses would have done so, and this would be recorded in Scripture.
So did Moses lie down and kick, scream, whine and complain because God did not tell the King of Edom to let him and the people pass through his country? No! Instead, Moses turned and went another direction. Now what does that have to do with us? The point is that not all of our prayers are answered like we want. When God answers in a way we don’t like, or one that runs counter to what we asked, how do we react? Do we move ahead anyway? Do we kick, scream, whine and complain? Or do we simply turn and move in a different direction – the direction cleared wide open by God?
If we are not interested in what God has to say, it’s fairly pointless to pray at all. If we are not willing to move in whatever direction He takes us, we may as well spend our time doing something else instead of talking to God. Prayer is more than just telling God what we need or asking Him to help us. Real, genuine prayer involves talking, listening, and then obeying God. His will is not going to always be ours. The key to maturity as a Christian is to follow God’s lead anyway – especially when it feels uncomfortable or isn’t what we want. Unless we are willing to pray in this manner – with an open heart and mind and an obedient attitude, we’ll never grow as a Christian… and we will miss thousands of blessings. Talk to God… listen to what He has to say in return… then do what He tells you - even if it means turning and moving in a different direction.
2009 Debbie Robus
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August 27 ~ Exodus 17:4
Then Moses prayed to the LORD, "What am I going to do with these people? They are about to stone me to death!"
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
“What am I going to do with these people?” Couldn’t that be our question, often… at least in some form? “What am I going to do about this or that?” How often do we mutter this question… if only to ourselves? What would happen if we spent less time muttering to ourselves or those around us and more time asking God what to do? Moses was about to have an uprising on his hands. He had led the people out of Egypt, convinced them to leave their homeland, and now they were in the desert… and they were thirsty!
Do you see a parallel here? In many ways, we have come out of our “comfort zone,” and entered “the desert of life,” and often, we are hungry and very thirsty – for answers, for guidance, for help with all sorts of situations. And we wonder, “What am I going to do?”
Sometimes the most obvious and simple answers are the ones we have the most trouble seeing. It sounds too simple to think we could just ask God to help us. Yeah, yeah, yeah… prayer works… but the truth is, prayer works! Oh, it might not be quite that simple… there might have to be some effort on our part to do what God desires. We have to trust God to do what He says when we pray. We have to follow His will and keep in close contact with Him to be sure we are doing what He wishes. But those of us who earnestly seek God’s will – and His help – will get it when we ask.
So today, ask yourself, “What am I going to do about such-and-such?” Then ask yourself, “Could God handle this for me – or at least show me how to proceed?” Then go to God in prayer and ask Him what to do. You’ll be amazed at how He answers!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 26 ~ Genesis 32:9-13
“You, LORD, are the God who was worshiped by my grandfather Abraham and by my father Isaac. You told me to return home to my family, and you promised to be with me and make me successful. I don't deserve all the good things you have done for me, your servant. When I first crossed the Jordan, I had only my walking stick, but now I have two large groups of people and animals. Please rescue me from my brother. I am afraid he will come and attack not only me, but my wives and children as well. But you have promised that I would be a success and that someday it will be as hard to count my descendants as it is to count the stars in the sky.”
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Every single one of us encounters situations and circumstances that cause us dread. It may be the uncertainty of starting to college – that first day of classes with people we don’t know and new instructors. Maybe we dread the “big game” and facing an opponent who seems bigger and more impressive. Maybe we are headed to the doctor, and we sense the news might not be what we want to hear. Maybe you have dented the car, and you dread going home to tell your parents… or your spouse.
Whatever you dread… whatever gives you concern today… we see in this passage that others faced the same concerns – even as far back as the book of Genesis. The answer for Jacob is one that still works today – pray! Imagine… God has promised that our blessings will be so vast that we won’t be able to count them any more than we can count the stars! If God stands ready to bless us to this extent, why wouldn’t we pray? Why wouldn’t we ask Him to help us, to free us from fear and dread and give us peace?
We can confidently look at any situation that gives us dread and say, “God, please rescue me from this,” and He will do it. Oh, I don’t mean we won’t still have to go to class or confess about the car dent. But God will help us through all obstacles. He will replace our dread and fear with peace and calm. Sounds to me like a good exchange. Wouldn’t you agree? Pray about the things that give you a sense of dread. Let God grant you peace and courage in all things!
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 25 ~ Matthew 6:9-13
You should pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, help us to honor your name. Come and set up your kingdom, so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven. Give us our food for today. Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil. The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
Few among us are unaware of The Lord’s Prayer. Most of us know the words by heart as written in the King James Version… “Our Father, who art in heaven…” But how many of us truly understand the power of this passage? This is the model that Jesus gave us for prayer. This is how He told us we should talk to God… our Heavenly Father!
Recently I was talking with my husband about a troubling need that had come to our attention, and I told him, “I don’t know how to help.” He looked at me and said, “Pray.” It was like that “V-8 moment!” I knew that was the answer, but so often, we look right past prayer and beyond to how we can fix things… how we can take matters into our own hands and facilitate a resolution. And we all know how well that works – or doesn’t!
If we will simply stop what we are doing and ask God to help us honor His name… if we will call on Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit and surround us… amazing things will happen. If we will ask GOD to give us what we need for today… “food” of every nature, from the wisdom and courage we are lacking to the right words to say to others to physical food for our body… He will do this and more. If we will ask forgiveness – and then ask God to help us forgive others – He will do this, also. We can ask God to help us resist temptations of all kinds and protect us throughout our day… and He will do that, too! If we will ask all of this humbly, and with love and gratitude… and if we will promise to honor God and give Him all of the glory and credit for every blessing and answered prayer, He will do far and above anything we could have ever imagined in our lives and the lives of those for whom we pray.
It is just this simple. We are the ones who complicate things. So what are you waiting for today? Have you prayed today…“Our Father, who art in heaven…?”
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 24 ~ 1 John 4:17-19
If we truly love others and live as Christ did in this world, we won't be worried about the day of judgment. A real love for others will chase those worries away. The thought of being punished is what makes us afraid. It shows that we have not really learned to love.
We love because God loved us first.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
When I was growing up, I am sad to say my first thoughts of God were more of a judging God than one who was loving. I didn’t envision myself running into God’s arms and being engulfed in love, grace and mercy. I saw myself standing before Him, like a defendant before the judge, trying to account for my sins… and failing miserably. I’ll admit, I was pretty scared of God for a long, long time… scared that I would not measure up to His expectations. I was scared that I would commit a sin so unforgivable that the Day of Judgment would not be a good one for me.
Thankfully, I discovered the truth… that God loved me before I was even formed… that He wants to spend time with me. Yes, God is a just God, and He does punish those who turn their backs on Him. But those of us who have confessed our sins and asked forgiveness – those of us who have asked God to wash us clean with the blood of Jesus – those of us who love God and desire to spend time with Him have absolutely nothing to fear.
Once I “got it” – once I realized how much God loves me and wants to bless me – once I understood that God is not waiting with a whip and a chair to punish me into submission or sentence me to hell – everything changed. I looked at others with a love I never knew before. I let go of so much baggage and fear and misery. I began to love with a passion and enthusiasm I had never known before… real love… a real desire to spend time with God… a real walk with Him.
I don’t know how you feel… or where you are in your walk with God. I know that we can’t truly love others like we should until we begin to love God with total abandon. If we have asked Jesus to forgive our sins and wash us clean with His own blood, we are free to love others – and God – without fear. No worries – no fear – just love... don’t you want this for yourself? God loves you… He wants to take all of your worries and fears and bless you with joy, peace, and the promise of Eternal Life with Him. Aren’t you ready for this? What are you waiting for? Isn’t it time to love the One who loved you first?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 23 ~ Philippians 4:4-9
Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
What is the peace “ that passeth all understanding?” Maybe you have heard this phrase as part of the King James Version of Philippians 4:4-9. The Contemporary English Version explains it beautifully as peace that no one can completely understand – peace that will control the way you think and feel. Have you ever felt this? Have you ever prayed about a situation and then said, if only to yourself, “I should be upset about this, but I have such a peace.” You may have even wondered, “How can this be? I’m so calm and peaceful about this issue.”
Now you know the answer! When we pray and give God our worries… He fills us with peace! Sure, when things are crazy in your world and you remain peaceful and filled with the joy of the Lord, people may look at you like you are nuts. But stay strong… stay focused on God and things that are true, pure, right, holy, friendly and proper. When your friends try to drag you into an argument, stay calm and peaceful – pray – and stay positive. When the angry parent or grandparent starts to razz the refs at a little league or high school ballgame, don’t get caught up in the fracas. Regardless of whose “side” you take in your mind, do not engage in the actual debate.
When someone berates you for your political opinion, stay calm. Walk away if you must, but do not “engage the enemy.” Instead, pray for him/her. When your parents are struggling with bills and the worries of life, and they “go off” on you and raise their voice, treat them kindly… pray for them… remain calm and loving. When tragedy strikes, remember that God still loves you, and He will give you peace – if you will talk to Him and share your pain and heartache.
We will all encounter unpleasant people and situations… for many of us, this will happen every day! We can experience God’s peace during difficult, unpleasant situations. When you are challenged in any way… by any one… remember Philippians 4:4-9. Remember to keep your focus on things that are worthwhile… and on God, who is worthy of praise. Keep praying, stay calm, and feel God’s unexplainable peace wash over you.
©2009 Debbie Robus
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August 22 ~ 1 John 1:6-10
If we say that we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth. But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away. If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth isn't in our hearts. But if we confess our sins to God, he can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar, and his message isn't in our hearts.
(Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.)
This is going to be a silly, gross analogy, but here goes. Have you ever been around a little kid who wandered off into a corner of the room and got really quiet, and you knew in reason what was happening. But when you asked, “Do you need to go to the bathroom?” the child vehemently shook his/her head and said, “No, no, no!” Now, the truth of the matter is that it was probably already too late. By admitting the problem, the child could get clean underwear and feel better. But rather than admit the truth, the child preferred to wander around with "dirty britches!"
Spiritually, we are often this child. We would rather pretend we have not sinned and wallow in the “dirty drawers” of our life than admit our sins and let God help us. Literally, God can wash us clean with the blood of Jesus Christ… in fact, He already has! But we cling to our sins for whatever reason, and we insist that we have done nothing wrong.
You may not have ever thought about your sins in the context of “dirty britches,” but when you do, aren’t you at least a little disgusted and embarrassed? Don’t you want to run to God and say, “Father, forgive me… and wash me clean!” and live in His light instead of cowering in the dark? Isn’t it time to stop being a toddler Christian and grow up… to share in life with God and live by His truth? Isn’t it time we stopped fooling ourselves, admitted our sins and asked for help?
©2009 Debbie Robus
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