The Sweetest Frame

"I'm tired." Ever said that? Ever heard that? We seem to hear it in our house a lot more since moving to the Eastern Time Zone. Today's reading reminded me that whether well-rested or tired, we need to be persistent in our efforts in the Lord, because they are not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Lord, give us rest as we need it. Give us strength and power to accomplish those tasks that will bring glory to Your Name.

In a world of broken promises - God still keeps His. Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

"Tricky" is probably a little mild. "Liars" might be better. In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites trick Israel into making a treaty with them for peace. Israel buys the lie for one reason Joshua 9:14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. What a powerful verse. How many things I do without inquiring. I am so hungry for action, that sometimes I forget to inquire. Lord, forgive me for when I forget You.

I've heard a message on this text before, but it was good to read these words again this morning... Joshua 5:12 The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan. The manna is a reminder of God's presence. He will sustain. He will provide. Israel had enough to eat for all those years in the wilderness. But on this day there was no more manna, because their hope was being realized. Right now we live in a sin-sick world, but God sustains; He provides. But there is a hope of what is to come, and when the manna stops it will only be because the hope of heaven is being realized.

What songs do we sing that condemn or correct to bring us back to God? Come Thou Fount comes to mind. "Prone to wander, prone to lose..." But it doesn't come close to Moses' song in Deuteronomy 32. Read the purpose of the song in chapter 31 and then read chapter 32. Is there a place for a song with this tone in our lives? Deuteronomy 31:19 “Now write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them.20 When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their forefathers, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant.21 And when many disasters and difficulties come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. Here's the song: 1 Listen, O heavens, and I will speak; hear, O earth, the words of my mouth....

This was just the reminder I needed this morning. It's not about my church attendance, my abilities, my alignments with right doctrine - even though sweet frames like these are important. Galatians 6:15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. It is about the demonstration of the work of God's Spirit within my life. It's Jesus' Name. It's His glory displayed in me and in the lives of those who are people of faith.