Scripture:
Exodus 20:24 “Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.”
Observation:
The difference between the altar to God and the the temple for God are strikingly different. Initially I was just thinking/appreciating the simplicity, but the temple’s ornate construction popped into my head right as I started. I’m not really sure what value that gains me … However, the second part of vs 24 – “build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered.” We don’t build altars anymore (neither do we burn sacrifices). I’m not really sure I have a place to build one, a place where I remembered God’s name. Really my moments of meeting God have been right here in my living room, perhaps in “the tab” at Riverview. I suppose a lot changed when the curtain tore in the temple. God no longer meets people at singular locations, but wherever they cry out to him. Still, when I consider that I have a relationship with God, it occurs to me that there are certain places that remind me of different people, and it makes sense for the same to be true of God. That even though we’re together, something about place x reminds us of our first love.
Application:
I’m reminded of the spare coffee cup dad used to pour during his devotions to remind if of God’s presence. I’m sure the cup didn’t matter (which is clearly important), but it really did represent a sort of an altar – it identified that this place, right here, was a place where dad would remember the name of God, and established the desire to be blessed.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for reminding me of your name, and thank you for your blessing. Also – thank you for keeping the girls asleep!
Scripture:
Ezekiel 3:10-11 “Let all my words sink deep into your own heart. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Do this whether they listen or not.”
Observation:
Occasionally Nicole asks me to relay a message to someone. She carefully lays it out and attempts to explain every angle. But when the time comes, I often mess it up. She’s actually learned to identify when this will likely happen. She can tell whether we’ve really connected and are “simpatico” or if I’ve just heard her words but not captured her heart. God knows as well. If we’ve not captured God’s Word in our heart, we may be able to regurgitate exact words or even concepts, but chances are, we’ll mess up the message.
Application:
I really identify with this right now. I was asking Seth this summer about what God has been showing him – when he repeated the question to me, I struggled initially, but realized that my passion and love for scripture, and for this time alone with God have been blooming. God’s Word is sinking into my heart. Then, at the appointed time I will be able to communicate not just His words, but His message.
Prayer:
Lord, let my heart be saturated – let it be porous and thirsty for your Word.
Scripture:
It’s been weeks since I’ve come across a verse that spoke to me.
Observation:
My journaling times had been so rich. I’m really enjoying the blogging aspect – it connects something I’m excited about doing to my morning devotions, and that makes me excited about the habit. I’ve been purposeful about inviting the Lord and asking him to show me and speak to me. I’m not rushed in the process or trying to just get it done. Lately I have been feeling like I want to talk about what I’ve been reading … though there’s nothing in particular I have to share. Perhaps in these “dry” times it’s good to see where or how God is speaking to others. I don’t think it’s unique to have this feeling, but I feel like I need Spiritual Rejuvenation. Interesting – it’s been a while since I’ve had meaningful contact with growing Christians. We haven’t been to church in several weeks, or our small group. It seems odd to me that this would reflect in my personal devotions … a hypothesis I suppose.
Application:
I do know that our small group, if timing stays as it is, will be difficult to attend, now and, increasingly, in the future. I need to figure out how to re-insert myself into a growing community.
Prayer:
Lord – thank you for meeting me. If the problem is just a thick skull, please help me – simplify what you want to show me. If the problem is a community thing – help me figure that out. If this is just a dry time, give me patience, diligence, and an extra measure of faith.
Scripture:
Song of Songs 4:9 “You have ravished my heart, my treasure, my bride. I am overcome by one glance of your eyes, by a single bead of your necklace.”
Observation:
Though tempted to journal about the armor of God, I don’t get enough opportunities to journal about my wife. Just a couple nigts ago I sat looking at her asleep and was struck again by how gorgeous she is. What makes her even more so is a lack of vanity (I LOVE that she doesn’t spend a lot of time “getting ready”), and even more than that, her modesty. It seems Christian women wear revealing clothing, whether in fit or in cut, as much as secular culture – a practice which (to me) speaks of low self esteem and or vanity. My wife has always been a beacon to me in this area. Beyond the appreciation for this value, it means to me that she is reserved for only me – and that makes her all the more attractive.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for my wife – help me love her as she deserves, help me make her feel like I am overcome by her presence.
Scripture:
Proverbs 27:7 “Honey seems tasteless to a person who is full, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.”
Observation:
This verse makes me think of worship at church. I just don’t enjoy it. I have a hard time with the style, the presentation, and … a multitude of other things. However – while I don’t know that it will actually change how I feel (though I pray it does if it should) – I wonder if my problem is that I’m not hungry enough. The verse reminds me of Jesus’ tone when he tells the Pharisees that he hasn’t come for the healthy, but the sick. Initially you think “I want to be healthy!” “I want to be full!” But the proper response is “I am sick Lord, heal me.” “I am hungry Lord, fill me.”
Application:
I’m still not sure I would compare our worship to honey – but I owe God a check on my hunger to worship him. It still remains that to a truly hungry person, any food, whether their preference is not, is filling. Should I feel the same about worship? I don’t know.
Prayer:
I submit my preferences to you Lord; make them yours and help my hunger be greater.
