Thou knewest my path

God can sometimes feel like a distant, abstract force, unfamiliar with our experiences as humans. When we feel that way, let us consider three things.

First, those feelings are almost always the direct result of our own sins. So we should consider whether those distant feelings are actually our fault.

Second, never forgot that Jesus came in human form, so that he actually directly experienced the feelings, thoughts, and emotions of humans. Isaiah (63:9, KJV) states

In all their affliction he was afflicted.

Third, God has explained to us, in many places, that he completely understands life on earth. Just to pick on example, Psalm 102:19-20 (KJV) reads

He hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth; To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death.

And to pick another, consider the famous verse in John 11:35 (KJV),

Jesus wept.

God certainly knows our thoughts and emotions. Here's near to us. So let us draw near to him ... by praying without ceasing!

 

 

After they had rest

Nehemiah (9:28, KJV) summarizes God's dealings with the post-exile Hebrews, but his discourse speaks exactly to our own interactions with God. Specifically, what happens when God has given us some relief or peace or success? Nehemiah addresses God,

After they had rest, they did evil again before thee: therefore leftest thou them in the land of their enemies, so that they had the dominion over them: yet when they returned, and cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and many times didst thou deliver them according to thy mercies.

On one hand, it's depressing that we do "evil again," which inevitably brings some kind of chastisement. Then we return and cry until God. He hears and delivers. And this cycle repeats, as indicated by the phrase "many times." On the other hand, the passage is encouraging, because it speaks to God's abundant mercies. He delivers "many times"!

We're sinful. We're going to repeatedly sin. And God is going to repeatedly forgive. Our job is to humble ourselves before him, because we don't deserve that mercy. As stated in Psalm 34:18 (KJV),

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Separate yourselves from the people of the land

Toward the end of Ezra, Israel finds itself having intermingled with non-Hebrews. God had expressly forbidden this, knowing that such fraternization would lead to sin. To their credit, the Hebrews repented, without making excuses (Ezra 10:2, KJV),

We have trespassed against our God.

This cycle of sin leading to repentance happens throughout the bible, but what's interesting about Ezra 10 is the extent to which the Israelites plot to change their behavior. Starting in Ezra 10:3 (KJV),

Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God ... and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

The main corrective action comes in verse 11 (KJV),

Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land.

Our modern ears should equate "people of the land" with sin in general. That is, we should "make confession" for our sins, seek to "do his pleasure," and separate ourselves from further sin. Thankfully, God gives us many repeated opportunities to follow the path put forth in verse 11. So let's take that path today.

 

 

Be holy, for I am holy

In Leviticus 11:44 (KJV), God commands,

Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

But then Job complains about everyone's lack of holiness (Job 15:15-16, KJV),

The heavens are not clean in his sight. How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Yikes! We're supposed to be holy, but we're so far removed from that standard that it might seem hopeless. Paul laments this situation (Romans 7:24, KJV)...

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

 ... and then answers the question for the reader (Romans 8:1, KJV)...

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

And that, itself, is the message of the gospel! It is impossible for us, through our actions, to achieve the level of holiness that God demands. Even the very best people are "abominable and filthy." How then do we achieve the impossible? Though faith in Jesus. As Jesus himself said (Matthew 19:26, KJV),

With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

 

Rewards for obedience

Psalm 199:165 (KJV) reads,

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

And Proverbs 16:7 (KJV) reads,

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

And then Jesus promises (John 14:23, KJV),

If a man ... will keep my words ... my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

The message is consistent. We should obey God, and in doing so, we can expect his love and comfort. And that obedience should be an all-consuming focus. God says (Isaiah 66:2, KJV),

To this man will I look ... him that ... trembleth at my word.

All bible translations render that word as "tremble," which seems to indicate more than just a passing familiarity with God's word. It should enter our heart and occupy our thoughts and concerns. We should actually fear falling into disobedience. And we can reach that level of "trembling" by praying ... without ceasing! 

God will answer

The entire bible emphasizes that, when we seek God, he will answer. Some examples (all from the KJV),

Call unto me, and I will answer thee. (Jeremiah 33:3)

Ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. (Jeremiah 29:12)

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him. (Psalm 91:15)

He also will hear their cry, and will save them. (Psalm 145:19)

If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us. (1 John 5:14)

Note that God does not ask that we do anything complicated to get his attention. We don't have to accomplish anything or demonstrate any particular talent. We simple have to "call" upon him, and he promises to answer. And that "calling" to him means praying ... without ceasing!
 

Encouraged himself in the Lord

1 Samuel 30 finds David and his army suffering military defeat to the Amalekites. David's family is taken captive and his people contemplate stoning him. He and his companions "wept until they had no more power to weep." (verse 5, KJV).

Yet, verse 6 (KJV) finds Davis shifting gears, at least mentally,

But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

The rest of the chapter tells of David seeking God's advice, and subsequently securing victory.

Many of us find David's frame of mind very difficult to emulate. But that's what God asks us to do. We should seek his help and "encourage" ourselves in him. And let us keep in mind God's promise put forth in Proverbs 16:7 (KJV),

When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.