week thirty-one

Habakkuk 2:4 “but the righteous will live by his faith”

One of last week’s readings was Jeremiah 6:16. “This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” There is a tried and true course for our lives, one set by the Ancient of Days. God will reveal it to us, and we are to walk in it. In our decision to follow Him, we know peace. But He knows our souls, and He knew Israel’s heart when He said, “You won’t do it.” Somehow, we stray, we sin, we fall away. Yet He promises us freedom from our captivity to every idol. In Jeremiah 48:7 “Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive” Every sin, anything we trust that is not God will cause us to fall captive to it, not the Lord.  In Nahum 1:13, He vows, “Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.” No one and no thing can promise that kind of freedom except the Lord.

I have some serious shackles. I have some sin that keeps me from knowing God’s authentic path for me. I ask freedom and forgiveness, but it is not a once and for all thing with me. It is ongoing. I want to walk in those ancient paths that He has set for me. I want to walk in those promises of peace. And yet, in a few minutes or an hour, I will sin again, and fall short of this promise. But thankfully, we can stand in victory ultimately over sin in Christ alone. For Your Son’s Sake, Lord, never let me allow Jesus’ death to be in vain. You died for me. Again, I go to your feet, and I ask. And again, you restore me unto you. For those shackles to fall permanently, I await that glorious Day. I am free from the yoke of sin that holds me captive, by your blood. Now, tether my heart to yours, Lord, and guide my feet to walk in that spacious freedom you have prepared for me. Thank you for the freedom of your peace, your slow-to-anger patience, and your never-ending love. Amen.

So, what did we sign up for? What are the requirements of the Lord? The Lord reminds us of the covenant He made with Moses. He asks ten things of us, to keep His commandments. Jeremiah 11:-1-4 “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord : “Listen to the terms of this covenant and tell them to the people of Judah and to those who live in Jerusalem.  Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the man who does not obey the terms of this covenant- the terms I commanded your forefathers when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.’ I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your forefathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’-the land you possess today.” I answered, “Amen, Lord.”

Our only and rewarding response is Amen, Lord. So it is. The word, “Amen” is Hebrew generated from the word aman, which means “to be faithful, support, or confirm.” The word “amen” means, “so be it,” or “truly.” Simply put, it means Yes, Lord. I agree and am in agreement with You. May not only my mind, but my heart, my soul and my strength be resounding a thunderous, Yes, Lord. As You would have it. So it is, with me.

It is a privilege to get to know our amazing Lord in His Word. Each word is a choice promise and a revelation of His glorious multi-faceted nature to which our only response is Amen.  He longs to meet with you. Join Bev and the rest of us as we venture further into His Word each week at Cover to Cover.