Supply Chain

For many of us, the first time that we ever thought of the supply chain occured during the peak of the pandemic. Suddenly, many of the things we used every day we not available, because the supply chain could not provide them.

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in 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 poor down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” All things belong to their creator, our God. He does not “need” our gifts. But when we are generous and give, God promises to open up heaven and pour down blessings upon us. We should remember that we are blessed in order that we may bless others with what we have received and thereby glorify God.

Kinsmen Redeemer

In OId Testament times, someone called a kinsmen redeemer would pay a price or ransom to buy back or free someone from a debt, bondange, or obligation, thus restoring their rights and avenging their wrongs. Jesus redeems humanity from bondage to sin through His death on the cross, paying the ultimate ransom to secure spiritual freedom and restore a right relationship with God.

Job 19:25 says, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” As our Redeemer, Jesus secured our release from the oppression, harm, and enslavement of evil. Because He lives, our release is forever, even as Jesus rules over heaven and earth for eternity. Jesus paid for our redemption with the precious price of His blood.

Walk Upright

As I have said before, I walk a lot of nature trails. I enjoy being outdoors and seeing God’s creation. I mostly hike along well-worn paths. Occasionally, I will veer off onto a side path to see something interesting. The side path always presents some obstacles in the form of insecure footholds and bushes that can entangle. Staying on a well-worn path keeps me secure and helps me progress to my desired destination.

Hosea 14:9 says, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” Following the path that the Lord has set for us keeps us upright and free from stumbling. His ways are the ways of wisdom and discernment.

Weakest Link

The decisions that we make on a moment-by-moment basis influence our thoughts and actions in the future. We can purchase a chain at a hardware store. Chain strength is graded and depends on the weakest link in the chain. If a chain has a particularly weak link that the strength of the whole chain is considered weak. Our lives can be viewed in the same way. If we make a bad decision, then that decision will negatively impact our lives, making us weaker.

Judges 1:19 says, “And the Lord was with Judah, and he took possession of the hill country, but he could not drive out the inhabitants of the plain because they had chariots of iron.” When he trusted in the Lord, Judah was successful. But when Judah tried to move forward in his own strength, he was overwhelmed and failed. We must make consistent conscientious decisions to trust God moment-by-moment. Doing so strengthens us and keeps weak chains from negatively impacting us.

What I Want To Do

I see a spreading movement in our culture that people do whatever they want to do. They feel like no limitations should be placed on them and their actions, but at the same time, they seek to put limitations on the actions of others. These people may claim to be “sovereign citizens” for whom the laws of this land do not apply. Or they may just think that their ways are better than others so that the thoughts and actions of others should conform to their wishes.

Peter and John were arrested by the religious authorities after they had healed a man in Jesus name. When told to stop speaking in this name, they said, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20) They were not disobeying authority, nor claiming to be able to do whatever they wanted to do. Instead, they were submitting to God’s will for their lives and speaking the message that God had given them to speak.