Sirach,
Chapter 21, Verse 6
Whoever hates correction
walks the sinner’s path, but whoever fears
the Lord repents in his heart.
Today pray for the unborn and for the leadership of our nation
and its judges which hate correction over the issue of abortion. Pray that we
as a people may elect those to office and places of leadership which fear the
Lord. Pray that our nation may not continue to corrupt itself as Egypt did and
rise up to be a Nation who trusts in God.
At times God asks us to go down into our personal Egypt’s; so
he can make us more by raising us up.
- I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake
me. – Psalm 119:8
- Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one
has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has
promised to those who love him. – James 1:12
What is your “Egypt”? What is your temptation, your land of
(empty) promise? What has placed you under bondage? For some it could be that
“dream” job across the country. For others it could be that big house, or
luxury car. Chances are, if you find yourself saying something like, “Things
would better if I could only…”, then you have an “Egypt” of your own. In most
cases your “Egypt” is really just another heap of steaming trouble, bundled in
empty hope and wrapped with false promise. God knows that humility, and a sense
of self-worth centered in God’s grace and not in “things” and “stuff” is what
leads to a heart that is not been made cynical by the disappointments of
materialism. A humble and compassionate heart is softer, fertile ground made
ready and willing to love. We must find contentment in the immutable, in the
unwavering God. Only then will the distractions, the idols, and the daily lies
we tell ourselves to feel okay… only then will they start to fall away and we
can be fully Present. Being Present means to exist fully in the now, in this
moment. Not regretting the past, not worrying about the future, but fully
mindful and present in the moment at hand. Then you would be able to
give this text your full attention, and not simply a cursory scan. You would
find yourself really listening to someone speaking, and not simply waiting for
a chance to talk. And most importantly, your find yourself fully enjoying the
presence of someone close to you, fully mindful that in an instant they could
be gone. Our personal “Egypt” is a always a source of bondage and domination.
We find ourselves broken through our pursuit of it, and God forbid, we attain
it! Then we realize that its promise and hope were dust and dreams and there is
nothing of substance to sustain us. Where do we turn to now? We’ve already
spent ourselves trying to attain our own personal “Egypt”? We turn back to God.
He is always ready and willing to perform the next personal Exodus out of
another personal Egypt. And you will need God’s help, for the wisdom of
the world and it’s Pharaohs will rise up to stop you the very moment you start
to trust God’s immutable providence for your life: Wake up. Spread the
blood of lamb on the lintels of your soul. Ask God for salvation from bondage
to your own personal Egypt, and God will act in your life.[1]
When we are fearful we are showing a lack of confidence in
God.
God asks us to boldly go where no man has gone before…for a man must be
heroic to live always in faith, hope, and love. Joseph believed and had
confidence in a God he could not see. We are the receivers of this confidence
and blessed are we that we can see God the Father through His son Jesus. Jesus
asks us to believe in His love. His love calls for love. How do you give Jesus
love for love? Be great in your faith; before all and above all, by your
confidence in Him. Therefore we must have confidence, not in spite of our
miseries, but because of them, since it is misery which attracts mercy. We must
be as confident as the good thief at the crucifixion. The good thief also
teaches us humility and confidence. A whole life of crimes, a whole life of
sin: a few minutes before dying, one word of humility and confidence, and he is
saved. Be confident that God will save you: How many young people have lost the
Faith, not from having fallen, but from not having been helped, with love, to
pick themselves up again as many times as was necessary. Jesus needs nothing
but your humility and your confidence to work marvels of purification and
sanctification in you. It is this confidence which works all miracles.[2]
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