The Story - Chapter 17 - Jeremiah 1,2,4,5

How many times have you asked yourself, "why am I here?" How often have you questioned your purpose and even wondered if anyone would miss you if you disappeared? I know, this all sounds like a huge pity party, but we all have these moments of doubt and seasons of despair.

Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) 

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;"

God's words to Jeremiah apply to us today too. Every one of us has a purpose and we are all part of God's plan. I know that is difficult to take in some days when our world is falling apart; it is a challenge to grasp that God even has time to deal with us, let alone count on us to get things done. But the truth is we are all meant for Kingdom work, from the youngest to the oldest of us.

Jeremiah was a very young man when God's call came upon his life. He questioned if he was old enough for the job, if he had enough wisdom and experience to carry out God's will. "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." (Jeremiah 1:6)

Think on this today and ask God if you are carrying out His plan or if there is something more you could be doing. It doesn't matter your life-stage or worldly position, God can use you.

Read Jeremiah 1,2,4,5 here

Listen to Jeremiah 1,2,4,5 here

The Story - Chapter 15 - 2 Kings 2, 4, 6

How big are your giants?  Are they big enough to keep you in isolation, hiding you out so they don't find you?  Do they keep you awake at night, causing you to loose peaceful and precious rest?  Are these giants ruining your appetite; zapping your strength?  Just what in the world can do this to us?

Fear is a crippling emotion and one Scripture addresses again and again.  Fear is an emotion, a feeling, and we all know that feelings aren't facts; they are gut reactions to the unknown.  Our fears can take on the appearance of GIANTS, they can stop us in our tracks and they rob us of our peace and tranquility.

When we come to believe in God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we need not fear anything.  That is a bold statement to make and one that is very difficult to live up to.  I can speak from experience as I am confident you can also.  As I was praying about the giants in my life today I was reminded of another concept called perspective.  The giants in life take on different shapes and forms depending on our current perspective.

For instance, there was a time when I worried about money, about retirement and how it was all going to work. I worried about my children and grandchildren and was fearful of the state of our country; the list goes on. Then suddenly all these things were put into a new perspective when a terminal illness struck.  None of the things listed to this point mattered any longer.  They were not giants anymore, but minuscule issues - they did not matter.

2 Kings 6:16 (NIV) 
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 

This story today is about the giants in Elisha's servants eyes.  It is a fascinating story of the fear this servant experienced when he saw the enemy/giants surrounding the city.  Elisha prayed for his man to see there was nothing to fear.

2 Kings 6:17 (NIV)
"And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." 

The next time fear gets ahold of you, read this story and then ask God to reveal himself, to show you just how much He has your fears/giants under his command.

Read 2 Kings 2, 4, 6 here

Listen to 2 Kings 2, 4, 6 here

The Story - Chapter 6 - Deuteronomy 1-2,4

Obedience Commanded
Moses has lain out before his people, rules to live by; retelling lessons they have learned these past forty years. His words reiterate: obedience is commanded and idolatry is forbidden.

Deuteronomy 4:39-40 (NIV)

“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time.”

With obedience to God’s law, adherence to His Word, comes peace and joy. Walking in the light brings comfort and safety. The paths we walk could still contain dangerous twists and troubling turns, but walking in the Light gives direction. We aren’t moving forward blindly, we can see our ultimate destination.

God’s promises to the Israelites are also promises for us today. When we walk in the path He has placed before us, believing and behaving in accordance with His commands, we too can know our ultimate destination. Believers have assurances and guarantees that the rest of the world does not have, but we are never promised easy sailing.

Some people still think that if they are Christians they are exempt from heartache and trouble, but we know that is not the case.

We will face trials; Jesus told us that. But we will avoid the misery that directly results from intentional sin.--Life Application Study Bible.

Some days it is good to look at life as a treasure hunt. We keep following the map, turning here and there, always with an eye on the directions the precious parchment paints. Keep firmly on the path which leads to the spot marked with an “X”, where a great treasure awaits us in Heaven.

Read Deuteronomy 1-2,4 here

Listen to Deuteronomy 1-2,4 here