Untainted

Wherever we go, we bring with us the many experiences and impacts that have affected our lives. No matter how much we may want to remove impurities, we cannot fully do so. Therefore, our words and impacts upon others is tainted by these previous impacts upon us.

Psalm 12:6 says, “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.” God’s Word is free from any form of darkness, deceit, or evil. He speaks to us without harshness or roughness. He speaks words of salvation, healing, hope, mercy, and grace.

Life’s Pursuits

Different people pursue different things in life. Some pursue wealth. Others pursue fame. Still others pursue pleasure. While many achieve their desired results, most are disappointed through failures or the disparity between expectation and reality. Perhaps people are just pursuing the wrong things, things which cannot satisfy the human soul.

Speaking about wisdom, Proverbs 8:34-35 says, “Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD.” Of all of life’s pursuits, the pursuit of God’s wisdom is of uttermost importance. For obtaining wisdom from God leads to fullness of life and to receiving God’s favor.

Run Quickly

Most of the time, it is good to stop, think, and plan before addressing some struggle. However, we we become frozen in fear and worry as we face concerns, we ignore one big truth. The battle belongs to the Lord, who is more than capable to successfully bring us victory.

I Samuel 17:47-48 says, “and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.” When we truly believe that the battle belongs to the Lord, we will not worry about our struggles, but rather we will quickly face them in God’s strength.

Did Jonah Really Believe He Could Outrun God

We all know the story of Jonah and the “great fish”. Jonah did not want to do what God wanted Him to do, that is go to Ninevah and preach. Jonah thought that He could go in the other direction and outrun God to Tarshish. Why did he think that God was not going to be in Tarshish waiting for him? Why do we also think that God is not waiting for us to come to Him?

Jonah 1:3-4 says, “But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord. But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.” The storms of life are not meant to punish us, but rather to return us to God. When we choose to go out from the presence of God, we will have to pay for it in some way; there are consequences to our actions.

I Didn’t Mean To Do That

As we mature, we understand that our actions often impact others, and many times this impact is not what we intended. Usually, we act and react based upon what will benefit us and not necessarily how it will impact others. But fortunately and sometimes unfortunately, our actions have collateral impact upon other people.

Exodus 20:5-6 says, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” The choices that we make to do good or evil, not only impact us but other people as well. If we choose to trust God with our lives, He promises to show steadfast love to thousands of generations that are with us now and others who will follow us.