Psalm 119:73 (YOD) Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments. The word for made is ‘asah. I’ve always thought of this as God putting me together and forming me, but it’s more than that. Asah “is a verb that usually means a deliberate action with distinct purpose” [1]. I was put together deliberately with a distinct purpose in mind. The word for fashioned means to prepare or to direct, establish, and make ready. His hands deliberately and carefully crafted me (and you) for a specific purpose for which he prepares me! The second half of this asks God to give understanding (to teach him – remember in Hebrew, teaching is an active process of practice, not just accumulating knowledge) so that he is trained (as in training for war) God’s commands (it would be interesting to know what the difference is between all the different words for commands – I can think of at least 3 distinct words). God made me to know and obey His commands. They were around long before I was formed, and are an integral part of creation. To fulfill the purpose for which I was fashioned, I need to learn to live according to His commands. It’s His purpose, so it’s done His way. And, since God isn’t one to just dump knowledge into my head (although He could certainly do it that way), I have to practice and train deliberately. Living God’s commandments is a day-by-day, step-by-step, choice-by-choice hands-on instructional process. I would say, though, that the part about giving understanding is important, too, because when your paradigm shifts it can be pretty confusing. So what’s the point? What should I do as a result of this verse? Well, knowing that I am made for a reason (and not just random, accidental chance) reminds me to live purposefully, seeking His path. And continuing to learn His commands will help me be obedient to Him. It also helps me to remember that God made my children purposefully. Even my little one with autism is formed and fashion deliberately with a distinct purpose. I may not understand it, but that’s not my job. My job is to remember His faithfulness, and learn His commandments so I can also teach my children to walk in His paths, choosing to obey Him with a grateful heart. [1] Moen, Skip. “Getting It Done.” 2009. Today’s Word. 02 August 2010 <http://skipmoen.com/?s=asah&x=0&y=0>.
Several weeks ago Skip Moen spoke at our church and one of the things he said really struck me. He said that life is about tension because the areas of tension are the areas where God is working. When He is filing away the rough edges, that’s tension. When He’s drawing attention to an area of sin, that’s tension, too. Lately I feel like a lot of life has been tension for me. The more I learn about the writers of the Bible and the context in which it was written, the more I realize how little I know and how far I have yet to go. And the fear that I’m somehow hurting or angering God by “doing it all wrong” haunts me. But then, He gives grace when I don’t deserve it. I’m still quite overwhelmed with what He’s opened my eyes to see, but the tension there is His work, and I’m glad He’s working. I must have a lot of rough edges, though, because that is certainly not the only place where there’s tension. Between finances, job situations, family and living situation issues, there seems to be a lot of tension. My eyes should be watching to see the lessons to be learned, the rough edges to be softened. However, I realize that once those areas of tension ease, there will be more to come afterwards. YHWH how I long to understand Your truth so I may walk in Your ways. Yet, You are holy. Amen.
Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my father’s God, and I will exalt him! In church yesterday, Joe Loveless (or pastor’s son) spoke in the kickoff of our Christmas season message. He spoke about finding the song we’ve been given to sing, the story that we’ve been given to tell, the God sightings that happen in our lives that we need to remember and share with others. It was awesome! It reminded me of the original purpose of this God Hunt… to record the ways that I see God and the ways that I find God in my life. To some degree this blog’s purpose hasn’t changed much, although I think that sometimes it becomes more of a journal of my journey through the Bible than a journal of my God sightings. So with that in mind, I thought I’d recall a few of the God sightings I’ve had that stick out in my mind (and continue to watch and record them as I go forward). God Sightings: * The most vivid God sighting in my history is when God sat with me in my living room in 2003. No, literally sat with me. I couldn’t see Him, but He was brilliantly and boldly there. I still get teared up thinking about it. It was overwhelming, encouraging, powerful, and loving. My God came and held me and strengthened me. It was indescribable. * The birth of my children is a daily God sighting. He created them perfectly and amazingly. They are beautiful and hilarious (a sure sign that God has a sense of humor and irony)! They are full of boundless energy and they make me smile just to think about them (okay, they also make me want to pull my hair out sometimes… but isn’t that how it goes?). * My husband and I still have jobs. I teach. My husband manages the front drive valet at a hotel around here. Considering the budget cuts of late, it’s amazing that either of us (much less both of us) have jobs! Watching God work and do miracles in that area reminds me that He’s there and He’s working. * Last week during the service. Last weekend, last Sunday specifically, was rough. There were pie-crust promises made and broken, things I had been looking forward to didn’t happen, and I felt betrayed and lonely. Until God spoke to me. All my life music has been incredibly important, and it’s played a big role in how God speaks to me. Sure enough, the second song we sang (Everywhere that I Go by Israel Houghton) spoke straight to me. It’s all about how God keeps His promises and is always there, everywhere that I go. It’s incredible. Check out the church’s media page for the song and for other things, like this week’s service (the song is under the service titled, “My Favorite Things”). There are more, but I’m out of time. I’ve got to get myself and the boys ready for school! Happy Monday!
Isaiah 49:1, 2, 4, 16, 23The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name… He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver… My work all seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose at all. Yet I leave it all in the Lord’s hand; I will trust God for my reward…See, I have written your name on My hand…Those who wait for Me will never be put to shame. Beautiful words of encouragement. Before we are even born, we are called to a purpose. Life may seem pointless, a wheel we walk on that never goes anywhere, but we are a sharp arrow in his quiver. We are honed and ready to accomplish the purpose that He created us for. We wait for Him. The hardest part is waiting and leaving it in His hand. That’s where I run into trouble. I don’t wait (or I think I’m supposed to act), and that ends up making a mess and getting me into trouble. Sometimes not acting is the better choice because then God has a chance to make things happne. I am hidden in the shadow of His hand. And on that hand my name is written. I tend to write things on my hand if I really need or want to remember them. I can’t lose my hand and it’s there in front of me no matter what I’m doing, so I’ll see it. My only problem comes from washing my hands…. But God’s writing is permanent. It is etched in blood, carved deeply into His flesh with the nails of Calvary. Washing His hands won’t wash away my name. My name is there before Him ever time He lifts His hand to act. It’s there as I’m hiding in His shadows. Everywhere He goes and everything He does, it’s right there in front of Him. He can’t forget. He doesn’t want to forget because He loves me. He won’t forget because He has written my name on His hand where He’ll see it no matter what He’s doing. What an awesome thing to know! I am special, loved, and valued by the God of the universe who likes the constant reminder of my name on His hand.