His ways!

Today I successfully found a desk as I searched the local Habitat for Humanity thrift store. It is a nice steel desk with a wood grain top. It has an arm or L shape to it. It is in excellent condition and will be a great place to study and work on my Blog. I have placed it in my living room which is in the front of my house. Away from the TV room and office. I have a view of our busy street which will provide sun shine and opportunities to see and pray for my neighborhood. I can hardly wait to set it up with supplies and a desk lamp. Today I was only able to place in the room. It has been a busier day than planned.

The night ends wonderfully however. I just came back from church and I feel very blessed. It is such a wonderful feeling to walk away knowing you have been filled up with the Word of God. Tonight our interim preacher taught us out of 2 Chronicles. I must admit I have sometimes shied away from books in the Old Testament because I assumed them to be hard to understand or apply. How wrong this attitude has proven to be many times. I have learned to enjoy the history and glean for life application. The books of Chronicles are historical books. They try to explain/answer "Why God chose to punish His people the way He did?". We learn in these books that the people were still so very unfaithful and God's judgement is detailed in their social and political history.

Tonight we read Chapter 17. We read about Jehoshaphat. I was blessed to hear as I have been reading in 2 Chronicles about how this ruler and others served and lived for God. The Bible says Jehoshaphat sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Jehoshaphat has riches and honor in abundance. The Bible also says, his (Jehoshaphat's) heart took delight in the ways of the Lord, and removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. He also made sure the Law of the Lord was taught to all the people through out the cities of Judah. His reign initially was very Godly. We learn later he receives/earns wrath from the Lord.

I want to dwell on the Godliness of this man's life just a little. He was a king with many responsibilities and was well loved by his people. Yet, with his stand for the Lord, it may be that he came across defiance or controversy. This man stood firm in the midst of his enemies. It is written however he delighted in the ways of the Lord.

Ladies, on the way home, I keep thinking about my walk with God. Do I delight in His ways? I praise Him openly when a blessing arrives or is shared. I smile and bubble after a genuine quiet time with Father God. However, I have also known myself to say, "God is taking His sweet time?" "Where is God in this?" "God is convicting me?" I guess in reality I don't really delight in His ways. I want to delight in His timing, and through any circumstance. So I will be actively doing the ole' attitude check. I will remind myself that He is God and I am not! In the midst of my life with its ups and downs, I can delight and I have examples throughout His word to cling to.

If you are going through the "Why, God?", or "What are you up to, God?" phase(s), keep in mind His sovereignty and the following scripture:

Isaiah 55:8 and 9
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Love ya, girlfriends!