Give and Receive

When we invest, we want a good return for our investment. Unfortunately, we also display this attitude when it comes to doing good and giving kindness to others. We expect the receiver to return the favor to us. God’s economy works differently. He expects us to give to others from the blessings that we have received from Him. Passing forward these blessings demonstrates our humility before God and our faithfulness to Him.

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food iin my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” The Israelites wrere suffereing a drought and needed rain. God wanted the people to humble themselvess and demonstrate their faithfulness. Often, God grants His greatest blessings when we first remember to serve people and God, in faithful distribution of the blessings that we have already received.

Introductions

When we are introduced to someone new, we spend time introducing ourselves to them by speaking about our experiences and thoughts. But we will never get to really know the other person, if we are not silent for them to tell us about themselves. A lot of learning comes from silent observing and listening.

Habakkuk 2:20 says, “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” God most certainly calls us to confidently bring our prayer requests to Him. But we are missing a lot if we don’t also spend time in silence before Him to learn from Him. In this silence God expresses His awesome nature and sovereignty over all creation. In our silence before Him, we gain understanding and learn to know Him more.

The More We Know

We can form an opinion about someone when we are first introduced to them. However, our opinion is baseless and probably incorrect. The more that we get to know them, our opinion will probably change and become more positive, or more negative. If we develop a negative perception of someone, it is likely that we will begin to keep our distance. Fortunately, God does not react in the same way.

Psalm 139:1-2 says, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” We expect our omniscient God to know all about us, including our thoughts. But the amazing part is that in spite of knowing all about us, He still loves us with an abundant and eternal love.

Immovable Foundation

We have been to the Hanging Rock National Natural Landmark a few times. It is named for a large rock along the Wabash River. The river has eroded much of the lower portion of the rock so that the upper portion actually hangs out over the river. People are not allowed to climb to the top of the rock due to its instability and a desire to conserve this landmark.

I Samuel 2:2 says, “There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” As our Rock, Jesus Christ is the solid and firm foundation for life, love, liberty, and salvation. Because He is our Rock, He will not allow us to be moved or shaken from our faith and His grace.

Stumbling in Darkness

This morning, my morning walk took place in darkness, before sunrise. It was difficult to see where I should have gone and where obstacles lay before me. At one point I was showered with water by an active lawn sprinkler that I didn’t see. When I tried to get around that sprinkler, I tripped on a fallen tree branch. We need light to see where we should go and what we should avoid.

Matthew 4:16 says, “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” When we come to Jesus Christ in faith, God’s light reveals the truth to us. Suddenly, we begin to understand things as they really are, as opposed to observing life in darkness. His light directs us in the ways that we should go.