It Is Well With My Soul
1. A Mission Word Shared By A Friend
My daughter-in-law, Allison, has a really sweet, Christian family and last week I saw a message written by her neice that was really interesting. At the time I had been praying for a new devotional theme to begin the New Year and her thoughts seemed to be just what I was searching for. Thank you, Olivia Baynes Ward for giving me permission to use your words to open our new devotional theme, "It Is Well With My Soul".
A Mission Word For The New Year
by Olivia Baynes Ward
"I’ve never been a fan of New Years resolutions (most likely because- I’m a quitter.) However, over the past two years, I’ve chosen a word. A single word that would be my mission for the year. A word that I had prayed over, a word to remind me, to push me out of my comfort zone, and challenge me.
This past year, I’ve worn the word WELL on my wrist each day and it’s served as a daily reminder and also it’s made me think twice about my reactions, my attitude, my decision. It’s been a reminder to do all things WELL and to the best of my ability. A reminder that IT IS WELL with my soul, no matter the outcome of any situation, and a reminder that people are hurting and NEED to hear the story of a WELL of Living Water that never runs dry.
Looking back over the year, it seems as though I failed to live out this word more days than not. But it’s taught me that I need grace. It’s showed me that my strength is nothing without His strength, and that His mercies are new every. single. morning. Each day is a new day and it’s a gift. Its a new opportunity to try again.
Thanks Roar Louder Custom Cuffs for helping me live out my word with this bracelet. I’ve worn it for almost 365 days and I can’t wait for my new 2020 piece of jewelry to help remind me of my purpose and mission."
2. "It Shall Be Well"
In the fourth chapter of II Kings, the prophet Elisha passed to Shunem, and a man and woman made a little chamber for him to stay in with a bed, a table, a stool and a candlestick. Elisha wanted to do something for them to repay their kindness so he told them that God would give them a son. When the child was older, he was in the field and he said to his father, "My head, my head" and the boy was taken to his mother, where he sat on her lap until noon, and then he died. She laid him on the bed she had made for Elisha and shut the door and told her husband that she was going to go to the man of God, and come again. "And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well." (II Kings 4:23) Her son had died, but she said, "It shall be well." She had faith! She told her servant to drive fast and she went to see Elisha at Mount Carmel, who said to his servant. "Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me." (II Kings 4:26-27) She finally got to the prophet and she said, "It is well." Elisha went back with her and called on God, and the child was raised from the dead.
There have been times in my life when someone would ask, "Are you okay?" and I would answer, "I will be." I didn't feel okay at the moment, but I knew that I would be. This woman answered her husband, "It shall be well." She knew that if she could get to the prophet who had promised her the son, it would be well. When she reached Elisha her faith was strong enough to say, "It is well." I wanted to open with this story because there may be times in the New Year when we go through troubles and storms, but through faith in the Lord we can say, "It shall be well." Then, when we fall at His feet, we can say with blessed assurance, "It is well."
3. "Ye Did Run Well; Who Did Hinder You...?"
Today is New Year's Eve and many will begin the year with resolutions. We often make our list of things we want to improve in our lives for the New Year and we may continue with them for a short time. Then, after a while, we are hindered, and one by one we drop our resolutions. There are some challenges that would be great to keep. Resolutions for our health would be helpful for us to follow. Reading the Bible, praying more, and having a quiet time would help us draw closer to the Lord. Paying closer attention to our spending habits or starting a budget would help our finances. We start out with such great ideas. Why can't we stick with it? Listen to what the Apostle Paul asked the church at Galatia. "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Galatians 5:7) We start out well. We keep the promises we made to ourselves for a while. Then, we are hindered. We may not see results quickly and give up trying. Sometimes it is hard to work even small things into our busy schedule. We might just forget. I want to encourage you today to try to do the right thing. I often make lists and charts to help me remember my goals. I enjoy keeping a journal, and I keep it on the table where I can see it, but sometimes I still get busy in the evenings and forget to write in it. I like to read my Bible through each year, and I try to read four chapters each day, and that is very important to me, but sometimes I am hindered even from that. If you take time to make your resolutions and challenge yourself to being the best you can be, I want to say, "Good for you!" It might help you to have a partner and share your goals. My sisters and I extended our weight loss competition for four more months and we are trying to encourage one another to succeed. Encourage others with positive comments and don't hinder those you love with a negative attitude.
4. A New Year's Blessing
Happy New Year! I searched to find a verse that would help us have a good beginning to the New Year. And God showed me two! The first one tells us the most important thing to remember "this day" and every day that follows. "Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." (Deuteronomy 4:39) No matter what comes our way, we can put our faith and trust in God. He is God and He is in control. He is righteous and there is nothing that can diminish from His great holiness. There is nothing that can separate us from His great love. Now, with that important message settled, we can move to the next verse. "Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever." (Deuteronomy 4:40) Here are a couple more verses from the New Testament to remember as you enter 2020. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:28 & 31)
5. Well Done
I have seen several posts from people looking back to last year, even the last decade, as they enter into a new year. Many tell of their joy and accomplishments, and some also tell of their disappointments and times of sorrow. We can judge how we have done in our own eyes, but do we stop to think how we have done in the eyes of the Lord? Jesus told a parable where a man went on a journey and he left his goods with his servants. After a long time he returned and called his servants to see how they had done. The servant that had been given five talents, gained another five. The servant that had two, gained another two. But the servant who had received only one talent, dug a hole and hid his talent. After the first two servants we read, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." (Matthew 25:21 & 23) Then he took away the talent from the third servant and gave it to the first, and cast the slothful servant into outer darkness. After His resurrection, Jesus went back to heaven, but He promised to come again. God has given us talents and gifts to use for His glory. As we enter into the new year let's be determined to use what we have for His glory. When I come to the end of my journey and appear before my Lord and Savior, it would be a great joy to hear Him say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
6. "Be Not Weary In Well Doing"
We talked yesterday about doing well for our Lord. There is another side to that coin. The Apostle Paul said, "But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing." (II Thessalonians 3:13) When I was in school I hated questions in reading class that asked, "Why do you think the author wrote this?" Well, I am asking that question to you today. Why do you think Paul wrote this? I believe that it was because we do get weary in well doing. Sometimes it is hard to keep on doing the right thing. When those around us are going the way of the world, it may be harder to stay on the straight and narrow path. When we work to please the Lord we can get tired and weary. Paul gives us encouragement in Galatians 6:9. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." We have another promise in God's Word in Isaiah 40:31. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
7. In A Valley Of Tears, Make It A Well
Wells were very important in the Bible. They could mean the difference in life or death. Today I want us to look at a well in the valley of Baca. "Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God." (Psalm 84:5-7) The notes in my Bible tell me that Baca means "weeping". We often go through a valley of tears. We may feel so low that we have no strength. The Lord can bring us through the valley of tears with His strength as we "go from strength to strength", moment by moment, day by day. Let's look at verse 6 again, "Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools." We pass through the valleys. God will bring us through the valleys. What does the Psalmist mean, "make it a well"? I think he is saying that we should make it a little easier for the next person. If you have cried tears, make it a well, to help the next person going through that same valley. If someone is hurting from the loss of a parent, I can understand and maybe help them in their pain, because I have been there. If you are going through a valley, look to the Lord for comfort and strength. Talk with those who have come through the same valley. And be there for others when they need you in their times of sorrow. Be a refreshing well.
8. "Spring Up, O Well"
I don't know how the weather is where you are, but we are getting rain. I really like the rain in the summer, when it seems to cool the air and my garden is watered. And I don't complain about the rain in the winter, because if the temperature was lower, it could be ice. God gives us rain. He provides us with the water we need. We have pipes that bring water into our homes that we use to drink, for bathing, and for washing our clothes. And that is so wonderful. But, think about the people in Bible days who had to rely on rivers, or streams, or wells that they dug. As we read about the travels of the Children of Israel in the book of Numbers, we can see how joyous it was for them to have a well of water. They even sang to it. "...that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water. Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it: The princes digged the well, the nobles of the people digged it, by the direction of the lawgiver, with their staves...:" (Portions of Numbers 21:16-18) God promised them water and they sang for the well to spring up, as the princes and nobles dug the well. Let's be thankful for our water today, and not complain about the rain.
9. Get Well Soon!
There were so many people out sick from church Sunday. And I see many prayer requests on facebook every day for those that are sick. So, today I want to share a blessing for the New Year from the Apostle John. "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (III John 1:2) Do what you can to get well soon. And if you are not sick, try to stay well... wash your hands often and don't put them to your face. It may help not to get out in crowded places unless you have to. (I want to close with a thought from Pastor Tripp's sermon last Sunday, "What if God allowed us to live on the same level materially, as we prospered spiritually.")
10. A Job Well Done
We have five children and when they were small I stayed home with them for the most part. I can still remember how people would ask me about my job, and before I could reply they would say, "Oh, you don't work, do you?" I knew that God wanted me home with my children, but it was still hard to be criticized for not having a full-time job outside the home. Without a second income, we did without a lot of material things, but God always, always supplied our needs. And I actually worked harder to bring my children up in the ways of the Lord, and taking care of them, than I would have at another job. Women who have other jobs still have to take care of their homes, and they are working double duty to take care of their households. The last chapter in the book of Proverbs tells us of a virtuous woman. One of her attributes is in doing a job well done in her household. "She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness." (Proverbs 31:27) It is a hard job! Encourage Moms and Dads who are trying to raise children today. The world has grown exceedingly wicked and they need much prayer! It is not safe to let children play in the yard alone, much less on a playground. You may feel unrecognized for the job you do in your home, and bringing up your children, but you will be rewarded for a job well done.
11. "Jesus Doeth All Things Well"
I love to sing the old hymns. I want to share the words today of a great song of praise written in 1875 by Fanny J. Crosby. "All The Way My Savior Leads Me" is one of my favorite songs. Fanny Crosby was blind and I am sure that she grew up needing someone to lead her. As she grew older she had faith in her Savior and knew that He was leading her all the way. There are things that come into our lives and we are prone to question the Lord. How much greater it would be if we could say with full trust in our Savior, "For I know, whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well." "Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word." (Psalm 119:65)
"All The Way My Savior Leads Me"
1
All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.
2
All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! a spring of joy I see.
3
All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.
12. "It Is Well With My Soul"
When I feel overwhelmed by the troubles and trials of this life, I often find peace in singing one of the great old songs that are embedded in my heart and mind. "It Is Well With My Soul" has a comforting message and calms with a peace that can only come from above. This song was written in 1873 by Horatio G. Spafford after tragedy struck his family. Songs such as this one can help us say with the Psalmist, "Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul." (Psalm 146:1) Here is a portion of the story from the website of Discipleship Ministries.
"Hymnologist Kenneth Osbeck tells the story: “Desiring a rest for his wife and four daughters as well as wishing to join and assist Moody and [his musician Ira] Sankey in one of their campaigns in Great Britain, Spafford planned a European trip for his family in 1873. In November of that year, due to unexpected last-minute business developments, he had to remain in Chicago, but sent his wife and four daughters on ahead as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre. He expected to follow in a few days.
“On November 22 the ship was struck by the Lochearn, an English vessel, and sank in twelve minutes. Several days later the survivors were finally landed at Cardiff, Wales, and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, ‘Saved alone.’”
Spafford left immediately to join his wife. This hymn is said to have been penned as he approached the area of the ocean thought to be where the ship carrying his daughters had sunk."
"It Is Well With My Soul"
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
13. When God Opens Our Eyes To See The Well
Many times when I am reading my Bible God will show me a verse that I can use for my current devotions. This morning I was reading in Genesis and I came to a "well" verse.
"14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
20 And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer." (Genesis 21:14-20)
Abraham and Sarah had their son, Isaac, in their old age and when he was weaned they had a great feast for him. Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of her child so she had Abraham send them away. I noticed two things in these verses. First, in verse 17, "God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is." I believe that Abraham had been teaching his son about God. In Genesis 18:19, the Lord said, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." I believed that Ishmael called on God, and He heard his voice. Aren't you glad that you can call on God anywhere, and anytime, and God hears you where you are! The next thing I noticed was in verse 19. "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water..." It does not say that God put the well there for her at that time, and I believe that the well was there all the time. God just opened her eyes to see how He was providing what she needed. God opens our blinded eyes to save us. It reminds me of when Jesus saved the woman at the well in Samaria. Has the Lord opened your eyes to lead you to the living water?
"9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." (John 4:9-15)
14. The First Commandment With Promise
Do you know what the first commandment with promise is? The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:1-3. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." We find this commandment in Deuteronomy 5:16, "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee." Paul tells us again in Colossians 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." There we have it! We are to honor our parents. This may be harder when we are older, than when we are younger and under their care. How many elderly men and women sit in nursing homes, or even in their own homes, and they never hear from their children? We never get too old to honor and respect our parents. It's winter. Keep a check on your parents to make sure they are warm and have food to eat. If you can't go see them, at least call them and talk with them. They will not always be here.
15. God Was Well Pleased With Jesus, His Son
Jesus left His home in heaven to be born of a virgin and give His life for all who will believe. As He began His ministry He was baptized by John. Luke 3:21-22 tell us that God the Father, God the Holy Spirit, and God the Son were all present. "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." God was well pleased with His Son! We should want to live in such a way that God is well pleased with us. We saw yesterday in Colossians 3:20 that children are to obey their parents "for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." I think this serves as a reminder that God is well pleased with us when we obey our heavenly Father. We also read in Hebrews 13:15-16, "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." God is well pleased when we praise Him and thank Him. When I was young I wanted to do things that pleased my parents. How much greater it is if I can live to please my heavenly Father!
16. When Life Doesn't Seem To Go Well
In II Samuel 23 we can read of David's list of 37 mighty men. These were great men, very valuable in the king's eyes. Let's look back in his life to a time when David fled from King Saul. Here is another group of men who went to David, and he became their captain. "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father's house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men." (I Samuel 22:1-2) All of these four hundred men were in distress, in debt, and discontented. There were only 37 men on the list of mighty men, but there were 400 of these men who had trouble in their lives. We can sing, "It Is Well With My Soul", but life does not always seem to be going that well. I am thankful that even when we are going through troubles and storms in life, we can still have peace in our soul. You may be in distress, in debt, and discontented, but you can turn to the Lord God Almighty and He can give you hope and carry you through the trials of life. Only the peace of God can help you sing, "It Is Well With My Soul" when you are riding out the storms.
17. When We Need Comfort
We come into this world needing comfort. My youngest grandbaby sucks her thumb to find comfort when she is sleepy. Some children want to hold a soft blanket. Adults may complain, but how many times do we want a bowl of hot soup when we are sick, or a bowl of ice cream when we are discouraged? These are often called, "comfort foods". It is comforting to have a close friend that lends us a shoulder to cry on. Greater than all these, is the comforting hand of our God. The Apostle Paul, who suffered greatly, calls Him, "the God of all comfort". "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." (II Corinthians 1:3-4) Jesus manifested this while He walked on earth healing those in His path. "But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour." (Matthew 9:22) Paul exhorts us through his letters to the churches to "comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do" (I Thessalonians 5:11) and "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you." (II Corinthians 13:11) When you need comforting for your body and soul, turn to the God of all comfort. And help those in need of comfort to find grace and peace in the Lord.
18. When You Reach A Place Of Despair
We have been focusing on "It Is Well With My Soul" for a few weeks, but there are times in our lives when we sink down in despair and don't feel like our life has gone well. I finished the book of Genesis and wanted to share what Jacob had to say. "And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage." (Genesis 47:9) He said that his days had been few and evil and he compared his life as being less than his fathers. We still study the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and he had a lot to live up to. And even though God changed Jacob's name to Israel and his descendants are call the Children of Israel, in his mind, he didn't succeed. Later, in the Old Testament we come to a great prophet of the Lord who also compared his life to his fathers. Elijah had accomplished great things in his life, but he sank down low in despair. "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (I Kings 19:4) In the New Testament Paul was persecuted and literally despaired of life. "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:" (II Corinthians 1:8-9) What did the great apostle do? He put his trust in God! Just a few chapters over, he was able to say, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" (II Corinthians 4:8-9) When life gets you down, look up to the Lord. "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (I Peter 5:7) I am guilty of judging myself harshly and also thinking that others are judging me poorly. Paul said, "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord." (I Corinthians 4:3-4) When despair knocks you down, look up. Put your trust in the Lord and live for Him. Remember that His judgment is all that matters.
19. When You Feel Like You Have No Purpose
I started reading in the book of Exodus and the Lord showed me a verse for our devotions. "And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." (Exodus 9:16) God has a "cause" for your existence. When I first read this verse I thought God was telling Moses that his "cause" was to show God's power and declare His name throughout all the earth. But, let's read the verse again in context.
"15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth.
16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.
17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?" (Exodus 9:15-17)
This verse was said to Pharoah! God raised Pharoah up to his position so that He could use him to show His almighty power and exalt His name. Another Old Testament example can be found when David was angered by Goliath as he defied the armies of Israel. David said, "Is there not a cause?" (I Samuel 17:29) There is a "cause". God has a reason for you to live. If God can raise up people who don't know Him as the one and only Almighty God, to show His power, just think how much He can do with us, to magnify His name! Don't get discouraged thinking that you don't have a cause or purpose in life. God has a plan and purpose for you to declare His name. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose... What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:28 & 31)
20. When You Don't Know Which Path To Take
I used to think how great it would be if the Lord would put a big arrow in the sky over the choices we were to make. You need a job? Follow the arrow to this place, just like the Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem. God did it for the Israelites. "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." (Exodus 13:21-22) We want to follow the Lord and do His will, and sometimes it may seem difficult to know the right path. I am not talking about questioning things in the Bible that God has said are right or wrong. For those decisions we need to read our Bible and find God's will. We all face decisions where we have to make a choice, just like standing at a fork in the road. If God wants us to walk in His will, and we want to follow His will, what is the answer? Faith. Faith is the answer. We read God's Word and pray, asking Him for direction, and then we step out in faith. "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" (II Corinthians 5:7) When our car was totaled in a wreck two years ago, we prayed and asked God to show us the car that was right for us, and I am confident that He led us to the right one. When my doctor moved to another city I prayed that God would lead me to the right doctor that could help me find answers, and get me off some of my medication, and He did. There are many big decisions that we have to make, but there are many decisions that seem too small to pray about, but we can ask God to lead us in those things, too. There really are no easy or hard questions for God. He knows all things. Do you need help knowing which way to turn, or which path to take? God has given us His Word. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105) We can go to God in prayer for guidance. "Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4-5) And God has given us His promise to lead us as our Good Shepherd. "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." (Psalm 23:3)
21. When Someone You Trust Lets You Down
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you love? Was there ever a time when a trusted family member, or friend, let you down? The Bible doesn't just tell us the good things about people, but it also includes their failures. Let's look at Aaron. Aaron, the older brother of Moses who God said would be his spokesman. Aaron, who stood with Moses before Pharoah when he demanded that the king let his people go. Aaron, who along with Hur, held up the hands of Moses while Joshua won the battle against Amalek. Aaron, who went up Mount Sinai with Moses and saw the glory of God.
"9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:
10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.
12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them." (Exodus 24:9-12)
Moses left Aaron and Hur in charge while he went up to receive the commandments from the hand of God. He told them to wait there for him. You probably know what happened. Moses was on the mountain top 40 days and 40 nights and the people sinned against God. God told Moses that the people had made a molten calf and were worshipping it and making sacrifices to it. Moses and Joshua went down the mountain.
"21 And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. (Exodus 32:21-24)
Moses called for all those who were on the Lord's side, and the sons of Levi gathered to him. Aaron saw his family (for he was a Levite) kill about 3,000 men with the sword. What did Moses do? He prayed.
"31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
35 And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made." (Exodus 32:31-35)
Have you ever wondered why Aaron did not die with the others who sinned against God? Moses fell down before God to intercede for Aaron and the people. When others let us down, the first thing we need to do is pray for them. God may or may not change them, but He can help us find healing.
"17 And I took the two tables, and cast them out of my two hands, and brake them before your eyes.
18 And I fell down before the LORD, as at the first, forty days and forty nights: I did neither eat bread, nor drink water, because of all your sins which ye sinned, in doing wickedly in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.
20 And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.
21 And I took your sin, the calf which ye had made, and burnt it with fire, and stamped it, and ground it very small, even until it was as small as dust: and I cast the dust thereof into the brook that descended out of the mount." (Deuteronomy 9:17-21)
