Deuteronomy 7;3-4, 11, 25-26 You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. . . . You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today. . . . . The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
Exodus 34:15-16 You must not make a treaty of any kind with the people living in the land. They lust after their gods, offering sacrifices to them. They will invite you to join them in their sacrificial meals, and you will go with them. They you will accept their daughters, who sacrifice to other gods, as wives for you sons. And they will seduce your sons to commit adultery against me by worshiping other gods.
1 Kings 2:1-4 When David’s time to die drew near, he commanded Solomon his son, saying, “I am about to go the way of all the earth. Be strong, and show yourself a man, and keep the charge of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn, that the Lord may establish his word that he spoke.
1 Kings 6:11-13 Now the word of the LORD came to Solomon, “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David you father .And I will swell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.”
1 Kings 11:1-11 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the prophet of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the LORD, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Ezra 9:1-2 After these thing had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittitites. the Perizzites. the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men as been foremost,”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the LORD, and touch no unclean things; then I will welcome you,
1 Peter 3:1-6 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external–the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear–but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.
God initially gave the Israelites commands to not intermarry with the nations they were going to conquer and defeat. It was not about differences in culture, but knowing the differences in God, and the false hand-made gods the people made. They did not believe in the ho the ONLY true God.
God is the only God, Creator, not the wooden or molten objects created by man that for some reason, folks would begin to pray to, to ask for favor in certain areas, to believe this man-created object was God, had power, offered protection, could make someone fertile. But because so many of the pagan nations believed these man-made objects could offer them their wishes, grant their prayers, they continued to seek them out. They are inanimate, and God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit are ALL living. And then these crazy folks believed these “gods” demanded that they sacrifice their children in order to receive what they were asking for. Sacrifice your children? How can anyone rational do that? How could anyone believe that a “god” would ask that?
God, knowing David’s heart, promised him a member of his family would always rule. The humans who came after David, descended from the royal family of David did not always do the kingship and rule so well. There were more in Judah who ruled and loved the Lord, but not all. So God had no choice but to capture the Israelis, and have them conquered by Assyria. But Judah, although somewhat better than Israel, were not following the Lord’s commands 100%.
When David died and Solomon became King, he was initially all in. He wanted to follow his father’s steps, doing God’s will, follow the way God led. He prayed and when God asked what his desire was, Solomon asked for knowledge and wisdom. God gave him knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. Initially, Solomon ruled with wisdom and tried to find fairness and justice in the cases which came before him. When two harlots who were roommates had babies within a couple days of one another. One woman rolled over on her infant son and suffocated him. She then snatched up the other infant while the second mother slept, and placed her son near the second mother, and when that woman awoke, the first lied and said it had been her child that died, and the first held her true son. The women argued and the case came before King Solomon. As he listened to the two women argue over the remaining baby, he decided that the only “fair” and “equitable” outcome was to threaten to cut the child in two. Only then did the actual mother scream “NO” so at least the child could live. The wisdom God had given him allowed him to be able to discern that the actual mother would not allow the child’s death to satisfy the argument. She loved her child more than the outcome of who would raise him.
But gradually, even against all God had warned about not getting involved with foreign countries and their gods–Solomon was suckered in and had 700 wives. I cannot imagine a man being willing to have more than three at one time, never mind having 700 and 300 concubines. But he allowed himself to be drawn into their worshiping of foreign gods–when he knew the one and only TRUE God, but he allowed himself to be drawn into sin. That is the first couple of commandments. Yet, somehow his weakness for women, pulled him totally away for the only God, to following other gods, and committing sinful acts.
God did not want his people joining closely with cultures who believed in false gods. I remember when to see a white woman with a black man was unusual. Certainly, there would be different struggles for a like couple, but all couples have struggles and stress–whether it be stress, work, or just the scorn of others judging this couples’ love and dedication. And I believe many of these mixed couple suffered greatly from the prejudice they endured–and their children endured. Now it is not uncommon to see a mixed race couple. But God’s words were designed for a believer to hesitate to move forward on a relationship where there is one who believes strongly in God, Almighty and the other who does not believe in a deity.
Many of these people who worshiped the foreign gods, would be willing to sacrifice their own children to be granted their desire, their prayer. I cannot fathom believing for an instant that a man-made object could grant me ANYTHING that would be worth me sacrificing my child.
But then he gathered over 700 wives. Oh my, I would have gone nuts with all the chatter, sniping, and caterwauling! I am sure they lived in many separate houses, but they ended up turning this good and wanting to be righteous, God loving man to every other false deity there could be. How could you fall so low? To have known the Lord, and his father’s love and dependance on God, and decide because of a beauty, a body, and something female, that he should tie himself to that and give up his righteousness? You were between a breeding cow and an ox. So very sad–and your crazy decisions–I know, I know, God gave each of us free well and free choices. . . But how the mighty have fallen This was NOT what God had discussed with Solomon early on in his kingship. He blatantly disobeyed God’s statutes and followed these women and their idols. . . and in the end was the cause of God allowing the Assyrians to destroy Israel. He threw away his father’s covenant with God by choosing to follow many women who followed false gods, and took 700 wives, many foreigners and those who followed idols. He knew the Old Testament and the laws God had laid out in the Torah. Yet, these women from other cultures who believed in false gods, he let himself e swayed into believing the and their false deities.
But as much as the royal line of David messed up in Israel and to a lesser degree in Judah–they still messed up badly, and cost the kingdom to fall. But even with all of that God ensured that descendants of David came to rule as God sent His only begotten Son , no sin within, and a loving teacher, to take our place in hell, taking on our sins, so we did not have to face that agony and instead be able to reside and know we were to live in eternity with Him, only believing in Him and acknowledging Him as Savior, repenting of our sins–past and present.
Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. You have so blessed me and guided me in my walk with You and ‘mybellaviews.’
Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
Psalm 26:2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me: test my heart and my mind.
Psalm 101:5-8 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes
Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Jeremiah 17:10 I, the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.
Mark 10:18 No one is good except God
Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice his one and only son, even though God said to him. “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned,” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
James 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith–of greater worth than god, which perishes even though refined by fire–may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.`
God tests those of us who belong to Him. Sometimes, I do not understand why as He knows everything about us before it happens. I guess it is so I CAN see that I once tested, it is easy to see my impatience with a certain incident, my curt response messed up AGAIN, my careless remark or judgmental attitude. He knows I WANT to be better, but I fail often, and since He knew I was going to fail AGAIN, He put me in a position where I could more clearly see it. And seeing examples and recognizing misbehavior is an excellent way to point out how you mess up. That could be; like looking in a mirror, your heart and mind are aware of the exact way you did not act as God would prefer.
As a young child playing with cousins and brother, we could get naughty, but it was a desist and decease when one of the parents just stood in the doorway and watched with a grim expression. All the reminders of behaving, keeping voices down, keeping things quiet at this grandparents’ home came flooding back seeing a parent trying to remind us. We would sit quiet (probably for a lot less than my mind remembers) and then start whispering and giggling, shushing one another occasionally. We could get a break with our grandfather–he liked to play with us and could keep us quietly entertained for quite awhile.
Each time, I am tested, I wonder at my slow progress. But deep down I know. I am selfish and arrogant and my heart still needs to be sanded from all its rough spots, with its many blebs and resistant knobs. After years and stubs. I am thankful that I can at least see after I have acted poorly. And frankly, it bums me out. After years of following God and Jesus, and trying to always be aware of the Holy Spirit, I get so discouraged to be so sinful. Yet, I am. Perhaps I have advanced some because I can recognize my sins easier and earlier, but it is discouraging to recognize so much sinfulness when I want to be good–better than I was, since NO one, No, not anyone–is good.
I think the testing is no surprise to God. He knows all. So, if we mess up when we are tested, He is not surprised. But I believe He has arranged our results so WE can see and stop patting ourselves on the back about how good we are–when we are NOT, and has us face ourselves in the spiritual mirror He shows us. Discouraging to me. I know it is helpful and will hopefully help me grow with a renewal of my mind so I will continue to grow closer to Him, to behave slightly more like Him. I would love to act more like Him with each fiber of my being, but I STILL have so very far to travel in my path to improve. I will never be a truly good and sinless person, but I pray I can improve daily. Lord, You know how shamed and discouraged I am each time I am faced with my sin and flaws, my impatience and arrogance and selfishness.
Lord, You know our path has been a long one–not as long as I would have liked if I had found you as a child instead of a worried, scared, and alone adult with responsibilities. My growth would have been more steady and easy, I think, if I had come to know Jesus as a child, I would have greater growth. Maybe not. Maybe just my arrogance and sinful nature holds me back. Lord, please continue to help me grow according to Your plans for me. I ALWAYS am so sorry I am stunted more than many others who attended biblical teaching churches or camps as children. I am so much more stunted in my growth to become more like You. You have been with me even when I was not aware. I do not want to fail any more tests. Please, Lord, help me grow in the Holy Spirit, help the Holy Spirit guide my steps more, I DO NOT want to fail!
Lord, I thank You for all I have received from You, and all the times I was not aware of how You guided my paths. You have blessed me and ‘mybellaviews.’
2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and p0ray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Job 42:10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Jeremiah 24:7 Then I will give them a heart to know m-Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 And you will see Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Ezekiel 11:19-20 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and given them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people.
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day
John 10:7-9 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 26:18 ‘ …to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.
Romans 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Colossians 4:2-3 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people–for kings and all those
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance; and not perish
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness
Revelations 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Do you have friends and family members who are not saved? They may or may not believe in God at all; others may believe but think they have all the time in the world to make a decision to learn about Him. But a catastrophic accident can happen without warning–and then it is too late. That makes my heart cringe and ache. Although these folks are kind, loving, gentle and wonderful and would give anything to help another–they still believe THEY are responsible for all their success and they are good and kind because of how they were raised, and what they have learned living life. They have found it is easier to be polite and helpful when dealing with those who might be impatient. Sarcasm does not get them positive outcomes. Anger builds and then destroys–and is not generally worth expressing. They recognize they have more financially than many others, so will donate to causes that are important to them. So, although they live kind, gentle, caring lives, they do not know Jesus, have not accepted Him as Savior, and seek to follow Him, knowing how reluctant they are to seek–because they do not believe Him to be the Savior, even believe there is God, creator, omnipotent, omniscient. Their beliefs are if you live as a “do unto others” philosophy, then you are good and will be all right.
There are at least two in this set of important people who do not believe at all in an afterlife, state they are unsure there is an actual creator. How one can say that and seemingly believe that and enjoy and cherish the beauty of this world, is beyond me. I understand God gave free will to all, to make the decisions to believe or not, to sin or be kind and loving, and to live righteously or not. But I have difficulty knowing there is a loving Father, who gave us HIs only Son so we could have salvation, believing in Him. It is the only religion where God chose to die (an absolutely horrific death) to save us. Then rose again, lived and taught amongst His disciples and followers, then rose to be seated beside HIs Father, and remains there still. He intercedes for us, mediates, has given us the Holy Spirit so we can have daily contact and direction when needed. It is a relationship, a friendship, and kinship–not just a belief, but a relationship.
Many do not understand the relationship aspect. ‘He’s dead, not like He’s walking about. . .’ “But He speaks with me, He guides me” I tell them, and they roll their eyes. God gave them the ability to make choices, and at least for now, they choose to refuse to believe, never mind follow Him. My hope is in the verses that remind me God does not want any to perish so He gives every opportunity for people to choose Him, to lean on trusting Him, and not relying on their own arrogance that all their success is their own ability. All their education and everything has brought them success, but it is not the same reassurance, comfort and confidence that I have.
Two years ago, this coming Labor Day, one of these folks who flies commercially for a fishing lodge in Alaska during the summers, had a mid-air collision–which is usually (98.7) deadly when a helicopter pilot who did not know where he was, just lifted up, and caught the tail end of the plane he was piloting. He had six passengers onboard, four guests, and two guides. Only one guest had seen the rise of the helicopter, but not before it took out the tail end of the plane, and the helicopter rotors went into the plane. There had not even been a second from seeing to impact. The guests then watched as the helicopter pilot went into a spin, then was able to land, so they had an idea where that was–all assumed he had died. The airplane pilot, reported what had happened, and where he was going to be able to land on the river, and all six passengers were safely evacuated. The plane pilot had also reported the general location where they had seen the helicopter pilot crash. Once that news goes out over the radio, all pilots in the area fly to that area to start rescue or recovery mission. Thankfully, this was a skilled helicopter pilot, and although the bird was totaled, he was okay. He was taken to Anchorage, evaluated and released within a couple hours. The six other men onboard the plane were shaken, some cried, all praised God–and the skill of the pilot–but realized they had all been saved by unseen Hands that day. As soon as I heard the next day, I prayed fervently, that the pilot realized he had not been alone, and that Jesus say beside him saving the plane. The plane certainly eventually sank–within a couple hours–but ALL THE PERSONS on board were saved. I do believe that initially, the pilot did feel he was not alone, but as he went through the process of questions and the testimonies of the people who had been onboard, he began to doubt, and finally decided that it had been his skill, and “something” that had saved them all. There were no deaths in that incident–not the helicopter which had risen with no visual, and no knowledge of where he was–he would have heard the pilot report he was going over the American River and about to land–but since he didn’t know–he didn’t give it a thought. But my God was there–and I continue to pray that eyes will be opened and see, ears will hear, hearts will be receptive, and finally changed. All of these people could be such volunteers and soldiers in God’s kingdom. And I want them there.
So, I pray for them daily. Prayers that God will send others to give a word, that even with all my faults they can see the difference in my life, loving Him, knowing Him, and living Him. Certainly, they are all much more patient, kind than I see myself being, they all have so much to offer.
Lord, You know my heart for those friends and family who do not YET believe, as You do not want any to perish. You have been a constant in my life for more than fifty years and I am so very grateful for the friends, family, and all you have given to ‘me and my bellaviews.’
Psalm 19:17 Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they an see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:42 Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.
John 15:12 Love one another just as I have loved you.
Romans 12:13 Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ
Philippians 2:4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.
Hebrews 13:16 Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have because God is pleased with these kinds of sacrifices
James 2:14-17 My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, ‘Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal?’ What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
I have noticed my happiness feels more pronounced when I am doing for others—rather than concentrating on me and my wants, desires or worries. As a child, I enjoyed buying small gifts for family or friends, and times times made me feel happy. It was satisfying to volunteer working with children who had neuro handicaps and then as a candy striper in the afternoons.
Volunteering in some area or doing something as simple as opening or holding a door for someone else is an act of kindness. There are so many ways we can do things for others—helping with childcare, volunteering to do some errands for someone you know can’t get out, helping walk or care for pets, delivering some meals to a family struggling with an illness…there are so many ways to help others, and take us out of our selfish, self-centered ways.
I realize many people nowadays think of ‘number one,’ and mean themselves. But truly I get such satisfaction when I reach out to help others. My life seems abundantly better when I acknowledge there is more to this world than ‘me, my, mine.’ I try to always keep my number one as God. Frequently people often think of themselves and their own families first and foremost. Many think they are in charge of all their outcomes–they are responsible for their own success, happiness and when feel pressured, are unable to just relax. They run to things to try to bury stress, anxiety, and or fear.
Pondering our troubles and worries keeps them uppermost in our minds and poisons us from spotting others’ needs, real needs, in this world. It prevents us seeing how very blessed we are, often while others near us, are not. It’s frequently easy to think we are the most important part of life. . . but it is humbling to see how blessed we may be compared to many others.
Some have suffered lost limbs, neurological deficits, continued pain, paralysis, the loss of child(ren), and so many other losses. So many suffer such pain, yet put themselves out there; not staying huddled in their home, locked in their misery, and just worried about themselves. They are out there to help and serve others.
Over the years, I can see some growth becoming less selfish, more kind, and more helpful so that I am not wrapped up in me and mine. I am blessed I can see the growing of self, and pleased that I am a work in progress. If you give to others less fortunate, your own problems seem much less problematic and more like a part of everyday life. Look beyond yourself and reach out to help in any way you can. You’ll be pleased with how much better you feel. But to reach out to others, to give some time, small gift or bake a cake or casserole, helping with groceries when someone is ill or laid up. It is fulfilling to lend a hand to others. And it is what God wants all of us to do for others. It is a sign of loving–giving oneself and helping someone who needs it. For me, it helps my selfish heart remember I can be so self-centered and selfish, and being able to help with a need, makes me feel more like I want to become. I can recognize that the Holy Spirit has helped me expand out of my own world of me, and have grown to become a better person.
Lord, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit so I can be nudged to grow in the right directions–according to Your will for me. Thank You for choosing me, for being patient with my growth and for being with me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the LORD!
Psalm 37:7, 9, 34 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him. . . For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. . . . Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.
Psalm 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than those who watch for the LORD more than those who watch for the morning–yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Proverbs 16:9 A man’s heart plans his steps, but the LORD directs his steps
Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: . . .He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from the beginning to the end.
Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him
Lamentations 3:25-26 The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Micah 7:7 “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.”
Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Acts 1:7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”
Galatians 6:8-9 For he sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will reap of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
I don’t like waiting–at all. I have learned not to jump at my desire for immediate gratification–which has more often than not caused me a lot of discomfort and unhappiness, but therefore has proved that God will give me things in due time. And not always what I have asked for, wanted, or at least thought I wanted and it would be good for me to have. But it has taken me decades to rein in my impatience and need to fulfill that yearning to have filled the self gratification NOW.
Finally, after plunging off the “I want now” cliff and landing with a splat! I have learned that I will get what I need, not always what I want, and have seen sometimes, that the thing I wanted would not have been good for me. Certainly, I learned that instead of leaping off, it is safer and more rational and smart to wait on Him. And sometimes, I don’t get an answer. I have come to realize, He does not need to answer me about every thing I have a concern about regarding my family, their decisions, and my place on His earth is not to know everything. I don’t even get to know everything about my own life, WHY should I think I am entitled to His answers concerning someone I love. He gave each of us the ability to make our own choices; and because someone’s choice does not agree with how I want them to conduct their life–it is THEIR choice, and between them and God.
For the most part, I have never had to wait for anything of real import–a child being severely ill with one of the many cancers and wondering and praying if the treatments will work; or war and the underlying fear that goes into possibility of my family or myself being severely maimed, or the disappearance of a child–not knowing if kidnapped, being abused, tortured, and the WAITING to see the outcome–even if returned dead, then there is a knowing, good-byes can be said, but waiting in anxiety for the outcome is terrible. Blessedly, my times of waiting never were for something horrific that may have happened to a child. Most of my waiting, although important, clearly there is still time for a positive outcome.
I wait for many of my relatives and loved ones to seek God, and choose Him as the Way. Up to now, that has not happened. So my family and many friends are in my prayers constantly. I still can be impatient with waiting to see what will develop in my life, in their lives, and jobs, even feel impatient with the violence and unrest within this crazy, turbulent world. So, I wait. I may not get answers, but I have the reassurance that in His timing, my time on earth will end, and I will really be home.
Lord, You created me, and I wonder how often You shook your head at my stubborn impatience, demands for You to “hurry up, please!” and then I would get another test dealing with patience and whether I would show it in this new circumstance You gave. Thank goodness, I am a work in progress until the day You take me home. But I want to be more patient in waiting and have improved a tad, and just need to thank You for Your patience and grace while I stumble along my life path. And thank You for always being there for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
Broken Toys (Anonymous)
As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend, I brought my broken dreams to God because He was my Friend
But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried, “How could You be so slow?” “My child, ” He said, “What could I do? You never did let go.”
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!