I’ve been praying for a few days about this post and still have no clear direction for what I’m supposed to write. I could write a recap of 2012, a ‘looking forward to 2013’ blog, or just a prayer for you, my readers, as I prayed for you this morning. But, I have no such direction. And while those blog ideas might come to fruition in the coming days, today I’m going to write what God is teaching me personally through reading His Word and in other books.
Can we just take a moment and realize this? Don’t gloss over this or brush it off because you already “know” it. Let this sink into your very core, believers: We are personally taught by God. Personally. Taught. By the Maker of the mountains, the Tamer of the seas and the One who crushed His Son to pardon us. Who are we that He is mindful of us?
These may be random and might not flow together, but somehow God is building them all inside me and I’m excited to see what He does with them. I hope they encourage you in your walk with our sweet Savior.
1. God despises the wisdom and strength of man
“The strong shall not retain his strength, nor shall the mighty save his life.” -Amos 3:14b
So what should our response be to that?
“Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” -1 Samuel 2:3
2. God sets the standard
He weighs the actions (see above) and not only actions–since they can appear good on the outside–but He weighs the heart. Jesus has set the standard of goodness and the only way we can appear before our holy God is by hiding ourselves in Him.
3. We are nothing
Let us remember we are nothing–we are dust. But God (love those two words), like when He made Adam, scoops up our dust and breathes life into us when we absolutely surrender to Him–He gives us a new heart and a new Spirit and puts His commandments in us. He causes us to walk in His ways. What an amazing Savior.
“For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” -Psalm 103:13
God remembers we are dust. Do we?
4. God is enough
“…and (He will) satisfy your desire (your soul) in scorched places.” -Isaiah 58:11
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” -Proverbs 18:10
“There is enough in God, and in the discoveries which He has made of Himself to us, to make us easy at all times. The wealth laid up in this tower is enough to enrich them, to be a continual feast and a continuing treasure to them. The strength of this tower is enough to protect them; the name of the Lord is all that whereby He has made Himself known as God, and our God, not only His titles and attributes, but His covenant and all the promises of it; these make up a tower, a strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, for all God’s people.” -Matthew Henry
“Are we content in God when no one but God knows that we have done what we ought to have done?” -John Piper, Hunger for God
5. He is coming back
“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” -Revelation 2:20
“This is the cry that the whole Bible is meant to leave in the hearts of the elect.” -John Piper, Hunger for God
“The Bridegroom (Jesus) left on a journey just before the wedding, and the Bride (the Church) cannot act as if things are normal. If she loves Him, she will ache for His return.” -John Piper
Praying for each of you in this coming year, that you will have hearts to perceive the Lord’s goodness and call of salvation. Ears to hear His Gospel and be transformed by its redemptive power. Eyes to see God’s truth and beauty in all places and that everything you see will be a reminder of your creator who crushed His Son to pardon you.
Happy New Year!
Sophie Miller 