Tag: Amy Blanchard

Lists

These are the sons of Israel: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher.         -1 Chronicles 2:1-2 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 2

Psalm 16, 19, 21

If you’ve been reading along with me this week, you may have noticed I like lists.  In fact, it’s kind of an obsession of mine.  I have lists for pretty much everything – grocery lists, daily to-do lists, lists for upcoming birthdays and anniversaries, to-do lists of projects (for me and for my husband), packing lists for trips, lists of nursery helpers and teachers at church, so many lists. 

Lists can be great as reminders.  Yesterday and today we have read through the first two chapters in 1 Chronicles.  I know the headings aren’t actually “Biblical”, but they are helpful.  1 Chronicles 1:1-24 is the genealogy from Adam to Abraham.  Verses 28 – 34 is the genealogy from Abraham to Jacob (Israel).  1 Chronicles 2:1-15 is the genealogy of David.  Now, I don’t particularly like to read the genealogies in the Bible, or anywhere, really.  I usually skim through them and pause at the names of characters in the Bible I recognize. 

But God wanted them in the Bible, in His Word, so they must have a purpose.  I know God had special tasks for different tribes.  I know that prophecies that tell of Jesus’ lineage rely on genealogies to prove he was the Messiah.  So, don’t write them off too quickly, even if you don’t read every name. 

A short devotion to make up for the long list of names you just waded through!

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Consider your own genealogy.  There are people in your lineage who have shaped your life and your faith.  Is there anyone you want to thank?  Or thank God for?
  2. I encourage you to read the Psalms for today as well.  A great prayer for every moment of every day is Psalm 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   In looking back over your day, at what time would you have been happy to say this prayer?  When would you have wanted to hide your words and thoughts (meditation) from God?  Praise God for His forgiveness! 
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A Majestic God

1 Chronicles 1

Psalm 6, 8-10, 14

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory above the heavens.”  Psalm 8:1a 

Majestic…Grand…Magnificent…Imposing…Grandiose…Awe-Inspiring…Dignified…Impressive…Distinguished

There really isn’t a good enough word to describe how majestic God is, not even a list of words can do Him justice!  The rest of verse one says, “You have set your glory above the heavens.”  David points out in this Psalm that we can see God’s majesty in the work of His fingers (His creation)– specifically mentioned is the moon and the stars.

After looking to the vastness of God’s creation, David asks in 8:4, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”  David goes on to say that God crowned us with glory and honor.  We are such a small piece in God’s creation that it is hard to imagine that God cares so much for us.   And even more than that, He gave us dominion (rule or control) over the rest of His creation.  

Wow!  So often I read a Psalm like this and don’t really take in its powerful message.  God made the whole world and everything in it.  That includes people.  That includes you and me.  Do you feel crowned with glory and honor?  Do you feel watched over and cared for? 

As the world turns further and further away from God’s path it is easy to become discouraged.  To wonder, “How bad was it in Noah’s day that God ended most of mankind?”.  Psalm 14:1a says, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”  There seem to be fools aplenty – all you have to do is turn on the news, log on to Facebook, listen to the conversations around you in a restaurant or grocery store.  Fools are everywhere.  All of the Psalms from today’s reading offer great encouragement for those who follow God.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. What in God’s creation speaks of God’s majesty to you?  Mountains, oceans, colors, wildlife, sunrises/sunsets, music, a newborn, etc.?
  2.  As you consider that God made – and makes – all people, consider that this statement includes you.  Also consider, this includes your bossy sister, your nosy neighbor, your know-it-all relative, etc.  Who might you need to start seeing through God’s eyes?
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David’s Character…Your Character

2 Samuel 1-4

2 Samuel begins with Saul’s death.  Chapter one tells of his death and David’s reaction.  Chapter two shows David seeking God’s advice and being anointed king over Judah, the northern kingdom.  Also, we see Abner anointing Ish-bosheth, Saul’s remaining son, king over Israel, the southern kingdom. 

Both armies met at the pool of Gibeon.  2 Samuel 2:14 says, “And Abner said to Joab, ‘Let the young men arise and compete before us.’  And Joab said, ‘Let them arise.’”  They arose, each sending 12 men to fight.  They each caught their opponent by the head and thrust their sword in their opponent’s side.  All 24 died.  Not the brightest way to fight!  A battle broke out after this and one of Joab’s brothers, Asahel, ran after Abner; Abner ends up killing him.  That brings Joab and his other brother, Abishai, pursuing Abner.  Joab ends up retreating, but David’s men won the battle 20 deaths to 360 deaths.  Chapter three tells of Joab and Abishai getting their revenge on Abner and of Ish-bosheth’s death.

There you have the cliff notes version of the first four chapters of 2 Samuel. 

There are two stories in these chapters that show David’s moral character.  If you remember, there were a couple of times when Saul was chasing David when David could have killed him and did not because Saul had been anointed by God.  Even though it would have been viewed as a proper response to the situation, David didn’t do it.  In 2 Samuel 1 an Amalekite man comes to David to report Saul’s death.  He tells how Saul, near death already, asks to be put out of his misery and how he honors that request.   David kills him.  In 2 Samuel 4 we read that after Abner was killed Ish-bosheth lost his courage.  Two captains of raiding bands for Ish-bosheth realized they were on the losing side and wanted to find a way to show their loyalty to David.  They killed Ish-bosheth and brought his head to David.  They were proud of their actions, and thought David would be as well.  Just like the Amalekite man, David has them killed. 

One more side note…In chapter four we are also introduced to a character who doesn’t come into play until chapter 9.  Verse 4 says, “Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.”  Just keep that mouthful in mind (muh·fi·buh·sheth).

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. When you think of your own moral character, how would you rate yourself? 
  2. When the world says something is right and good do you consider if that is how God views it?  Who do you choose to follow?
  3. Keeping in mind 2 Samuel 1:14, what are some things that David – and God – would suggest we should be afraid of?
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Poems Put to Music

Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130

My husband used to be in sales and sometimes the leads he had were in the evening and a fair distance from home.  To stay awake while driving, in addition to opening his windows and turning the radio way up, he sometimes made up songs.  He’s quite clever and I thought some were pretty good.  Creativity can be fun.

Psalms are poems.  Songs are poems put to music.  They are often used to help the Israelites remember their content.  Only one of these Psalms is directly attributed to David.  We don’t know who wrote the others, but they are all titled A Song of Ascents and were sung by travelers, likely on their way to Jerusalem for one of the yearly feasts.  These musical poems prompted the Israelites to look at God from many perspectives.

121 – God is their helper and creator.  He doesn’t sleep, so He is always watching out for them.

123 – They recognize God is in heaven and they look to Him for mercy.

124 – They acknowledge God as their protector.

125 – They see that God surrounds them – he sees everything, all the time.  He brings peace to Israel.

128 – They understand that they need to fear the Lord, and that blessings come from His hand.

129 – They speak of God’s righteousness.  They speak of those who hate Zion (are against Israel) that they will be put to shame.

130 – They talk of His forgiveness and the hope Israel has through God’s love.  They know He will redeem them.

As they traveled, their focus was on God, whom they were going to worship.  These songs would have prepared their hearts, minds and attitudes to come before God.    

Get creative, and consider making up your own poem, set to music or not, to tell of what God means to you.  Which of His characteristics do you want to tell about?  Here’s an easy way to start – borrowing some of what we read today.

To you I lift up my eyes, O you who __________.  As __________ surrounds my home, so the Lord surrounds me.  Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord.  Lord, bless me with __________ and __________.  The Lord is righteous.  May all who harm your people, Lord, be __________.  O Lord, hear my voice; listen to my pleas for __________.  I wait for the Lord; I wait for _________.   My hope is in you, Lord!

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Before you head off to church, take some time to prepare your heart, mind and attitude to come before your amazing God.  What will it look like for you to do that?  Spend some time in God’s word, or in prayer?  Sing some praise songs? 
  2. Which of God’s traits are you clinging to right now?  Is there someone you can reach out to who can offer support?
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A Good Day

1 Samuel 28-31

Psalm 18

Do you have good days?  Days when you feel God’s hand moving in your life.  Days when you feel protected.  Days when you feel good about doing what is right.

David wrote this Psalm on a good day.  On a day that God delivered him from his enemies.  Here is a small sample of what David faced:

Vs 4 – the cords of death encompassed me

Vs 16 – he drew me out of many waters

Vs 17 – rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me

Vs 18 – they confronted me in the day of my calamity

Vs 48 – my enemies, the man of violence

I’m guessing most of us don’t face literal enemies who are trying to kill us.  However, we do face the enemy every day.  Does that sound crazy to you?  Do you consider that Satan is attacking you on every front every day? 

Here are some ways Satan attacks each one of us:  temptations, deception & lies, discouragement, fear, doubt, and the list goes on.  But, as I often ask, what does that look/sound like?   I believe it’s different, specifically, for each of us.  What tempts me might not tempt you at all.   Here are some examples:    

  • A group of friends or co-workers are talking about someone you know.  They are suggesting this person is doing some really bad things.  You feel included when you are part of the conversation and you like that feeling.  You feel important being “in the know” when you see others later and share the details discussed.  Information is power and you like holding that power. 
  • Things haven’t been going well for you.  Maybe it’s being overlooked for a job promotion.  Maybe it’s relationships falling apart.  Maybe it’s an illness.  You begin to be discouraged.  You start to doubt God’s goodness and love for you.  You listen to the voice telling you that you will always be a failure, you won’t ever get well, God doesn’t care, nobody cares….

So what did David do when he faced all of these enemies?  He called out to God (vs 6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help”).  That should be our first response to any attack by the enemy. 

In verses 20-24 David tells us how he made the right choices, followed God’s rules, and was blameless before him.  I know I can’t say that about myself.  But, looking at what we know of all people, and what we know about David later in his life, we know no one always does what is right (except Jesus, but this was long before his time…).  David wanted to do what was right.  I want to do what is right.  David expresses in this Psalm that his strength to be blameless (forgiven?) comes from God; that his support comes from God; that God rescues him from his enemies.  We, having the same God as David, can trust in God’s strength, in His support and in His deliverance. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Do you call out to God FIRST when your enemies attack?   Think of a time you called out to God for his help (even if it was as a last resort) and you saw His deliverance.  Share that with someone who is struggling (maybe that’s you). 
  2. Cross check your thoughts against God’s Word.  We often “hear” what we want to hear when it is really the enemy speaking, not God.  God will never tell you something or lead you somewhere that contradicts Scripture.
  3. On your good days, don’t forget to thank God.  Did you call out to God for help, clarity, protection, strength, etc. today?  What can you thank Him for, even while you wait for other answers?
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A Just Cause

Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63

We all think that what we want, the way we think something should be, is a just cause.  But is it, really?  Lots of things can sound like noble causes, but would they be in God’s eyes?  I have been known to think I’m right about something when I’m actually wrong.  For example, because texts & emails don’t allow for any verbal cues or body language to help with interpreting the message, they are often misunderstood.  I have made the mistake of assuming someone’s intent based on a few words I read on my phone.  I have made the mistake of responding unbecomingly – by responding directly to the person with a bad attitude, or worse yet, talking to others about what they sent to me, pleading my “just cause”.  I have found myself in the position of having to humble myself and apologize.  Maybe you’ve been there, too. 

David considered his cause to be just and he wanted God to be the one to vindicate him. 

In Psalm 17, David calls on God

  • To hear him – verse 6b:  incline your ear to me; hear my words.”
  • To show him His love – verse 7a: “Wondrously show your steadfast love,”
  • To protect him – verse 8: “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,”

David also takes a look at himself

  • Verse 3b:  I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.” 
  • Verse 4b: “I have avoided the ways of the violent.”
  • Verse 5:  My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.”

David tells God what his enemies are doing

  • Verse 9a: “the wicked who do me violence”
  • Verse 10: “they close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly.”
  • Verse 12: “…like a lion eager to tear”

David asks God to stop the wicked

  • Verses 13: “Arise, O Lord!  Confront him, subdue him!  Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,”

David raises his just cause before God.  He fully trusts God will see the good and right as well as the ugly and evil.  He believes God will respond justly, because that is His character.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Taking time to do a self-evaluation can help us see our “causes” (desires) in a more accurate light.  When faced with a negative situation, before responding or reacting ask yourself some important questions:
    • Are my priorities what I want them to be?
    • Am I being self-centered?
    • Do I need to right a wrong?
  2. Are you confident in your choices to welcome God’s testing of your heart?  If not, what can you do to move in that direction?
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Strength

1 Samuel 25-27

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A quick review of the story of how David and Abigail meet (if you haven’t already, I highly recommend reading 1 Samuel 25):

  • David has been running from king Saul for some time
  • David and his men camped in the wilderness near a rich man’s flock of sheep and their shepherds
  • When it became time to shear the sheep David sent some men to ask the owner (Nabal) for some sheep & food for his men
  • They went on a feast day – a day of celebrating the profits the owners of the flocks would make
  • David’s men tell Nabal how they had protected his shepherds and flocks and then ask for food to be shared with them in thanks for their efforts
  • Nabal, whose name means “fool”, sent David’s men away empty handed
  • David’s response was to command, “Every man strap on his sword!”
  • One of Nabal’s shepherds went to Nabal’s wife, Abigail, and told her what had happened – he understood that Nabal’s response to David would bring harm to the household

Here is where we meet Abigail.  Abigail is one of my favorite Bible characters.  She is brave, wise and humble.  A great example of strength. 

The first thing we learn about Abigail is in verse 3 where we are told she is discerning and beautiful.  We then see her in action in verse 18, “Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves and two skins of wine and five sheep already prepared and five seahs of parched grain and a hundred clusters of raisins and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys.”

And, it’s not just what she does, but how she does it!  First, she reacts quickly.  When we know the right thing to do we should “make haste” and get it done. 

Reading on we see David ready to kill every male in Nabal’s household.  But Abigail intervenes.  Verses 23-24 say, “When Abigail saw David, she hurried and got down from the donkey and fell before David on her face and bowed to the ground. She fell at his feet and said, “On me alone, my lord, be the guilt. Please let your servant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your servant.”  Again, we see her moving – she hurried and got down.  Then, even though she had nothing to do with Nabal’s words and inaction, she offers David great respect by bowing before him.  She asks that Nabal’s guilt be on her.  Why would she do this?  To save her whole household. So, after reacting quickly, Abigail humbles herself to make peace for her household. 

Only after humbling herself does she offer the gifts of food she brought for David and his men.  The tangible gifts are secondary to her words, posture/body language, and attitude. 

Abigail boldly tells David he should accept her gift and not continue with his plan to attack.  She reminds him that he doesn’t want to have that blood on his hands/conscience when he becomes ruler over Israel.  David accepts her gift and blesses her for her cautionary words of advice. 

Abigail’s strength does not stop with this one encounter with David.  She continues to exhibit strength when she goes home and courageously faces her husband, telling him she went against his directives.  She even bravely waits until he has sobered up from celebrating before approaching him.  This news kills Nabal.

In verse 31 Abigail asks David to remember her.  In verses 39-42 we see David hearing about Nabal’s death and sending for Abigail to be his wife.  The strength of character she demonstrated to David wound up providing for her at a time when she would have likely had nothing left and no one to take care of her. 

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

Do you consider yourself to be strong?  Discerning, acting quickly, being humble, being a peace-maker, bold, courageous, brave…this is strength.  True strength comes from God; ask Him to help you grow in these areas.

When faced with conflict or a negative situation, whether involving your own choices or not, what do your words, posture/body language, and attitude reflect is in your heart?   

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Feelings

Old Testament Reading:  Deuteronomy 33-34 

*Poetry Reading:  Psalm 42

New Testament Reading:  Romans 13

You’ve had the opportunity to read Psalm 42 for the last few days and maybe you have some ideas of why God included this in His Word to us. 

One commentary titled this Psalm as “Honest prayer from a discouraged saint” (Enduring Word).  You can see that the Psalmist was discouraged when writing these verses:  “My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (3).  “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” (5a).  “As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (10).

Satan taunts us, trying to make us doubt God’s goodness and His omnipresence.  His ploy works far too often.  We look at this world and see the sorrow, stress, and sinfulness that is everywhere and it is easy to become discouraged and to doubt. 

The Psalmist recognizes that he is feeling cast down and in turmoil.  He brings those feelings to God in verse 9a, “I say to God, my rock: ‘Why have you forgotten me?’”.  While he honestly tells God he’s feeling forgotten by Him, he still has confidence in Him and shows that in calling him “God, my rock”.  God can handle our honest outpouring of emotions – even the really big, overwhelming ones! 

The Psalmist responds to these feelings by remembering a time of praising God (4), telling himself he will praise Him again (5, 11), recalling God’s love (8), and telling himself to hope in God (5, 11).  Rather than dwelling on what is wrong, he chooses to believe what he knows to be true and to hope in that.  He knows God is trustworthy and able to save.  Even when he doesn’t feel it. 

Feelings are fickle.  They come and go; swing up and down.  Feelings are not dependable.  But they are real.  The evil in this world is also real.  And we can become discouraged just like the Psalmist did.  God wanted us to have an example of how to handle these feelings.  And to ultimately choose to hope in Him.

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. Are you discouraged?  Why – what is making you feel that way?  Tell God about it.  Then take some time to counter that feeling with a reminder that God is always with you and will always love you.   There is hope!
  2. For all living things, water means life or death.  This Psalm begins with a word picture of a deer panting for water.  It brings to mind a desperation – in this picture, a desperation of being thirsty and needing water to survive.  Then he says that just like that deer, his soul thirsts for God and he asks when he shall appear before God.  Again, reflecting a desperation, this time not for water, but for fellowship with God.  Have you ever been desperate for a closeness with God?  I find that the more time I spend with Him, the more I crave that connection.  If God seems distant to you, try spending some quality time with Him. 
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A Living Sacrifice

Old Testament Reading:  Deuteronomy 32

Poetry Reading:  Psalm 42

*New Testament Reading:  Romans 12

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”   -Romans 12:2a (ESV)

Pleeeeease!  Can you hear a child begging their parents for something.  Maybe for a treat, or a toy, or to stay up later? 

Romans 12 begins with Paul begging us to follow his advice.  Different versions use appeal, request, plead, urge, or beseech.  These words all tell us one thing:  that it is our choice.

So, who is Paul begging and what is he asking of them?   He is speaking to his brothers in Christ, and that includes all Christians then and now.  He is asking us to live a life worthy of claiming the name of Jesus Christ.  He asks us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God”.  Then he tells us this is our “spiritual worship”, or our “spiritual service of worship”, or our “true and proper worship”, or our “reasonable service”.  In other words, it is reasonable for us to live as God desires us to because He has done so much for us (“by the mercies of God…”).  True worship involves all of us – our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). 

One of my frequently used phrases is, “What does that look like?”.    Well, fortunately, Paul tells us in the very next verse, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”.  Conform means to be in agreement with, or to adopt the form of those around you.  Transform means to change in character or to change the appearance of.   Both are verbs – action words.  Both of them require us to change.  This is what Paul is pleading with us about – we will either be conformed by the world or we will be transformed to be holy and acceptable to God.  Our world was created perfect but sin corrupted it.  Until Jesus returns to restore it to perfection, we must live in it.  We are warned several times in Scripture not to love the world, become like the world, think like the world. 

It sounds like an easy choice, and it is.  The hard part is choosing it every minute of every day.  Choosing to live it with our whole body – heart, soul, strength, and mind.  Every time we make a choice about our attitudes, actions, words, thoughts, etc.  This requires humility and being humble requires us to let go of our pride, arrogance, and egos.  Not so easy. 

Paul then goes on to warn us not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.  Sounds like more humility. 

This chapter is full of godly advice; here are just some pieces of that advice.  Believe God has given you a gift, figure out what yours is, use it.  A healthy body (church) needs every member to be using their gifts.  Genuinely love one another.  Be constant in prayer.  Hate evil.  Contribute to the needs of the body.  Show hospitality.  Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty.  If possible, live peaceably with all.  Never avenge yourself. 

Chapter 12 concludes with this, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”.  This brings us full circle.  The world is evil; if we are conformed to the world, we will be overcome by evil.  If we choose to be transformed, we will be able to overcome evil with good. 

Amy Blanchard


Reflection Questions

  1. What of the world draws you toward conforming?  Maybe it’s always wanting your way, viewing yourself as right all the time, or not determining what is evil so you can detest it.  Maybe it’s good things like family, showing hospitality, or volunteering.  Be aware of what messages are out there trying to turn your attention away from God.  Family, showing hospitality, and volunteering are good; but the place you give them shouldn’t be ahead of God.
  2. Transformation begins in your mind.  Paul says that it happens by the renewal of our minds.  What changes do you need to make to renew your mind?  It is our will to make the choice to be transformed, but God does the transforming.  We need to humble ourselves and let Him.  We are told that then we will be able to know God’s will.                
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God is Trustworthy

*Old Testament Reading:  Deuteronomy 31

Poetry Reading:  Psalm 42

New Testament Reading:  Romans 11 

“The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’“  – Deuteronomy 31:2b (ESV)

Deuteronomy 31 begins with Moses acknowledging his advanced age (120 years) and telling the Israelites that he will no longer be their leader.  Deuteronomy 31:2b says, “The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’“  Moses does not get to enter the promised land because he broke faith with God – but he does get to see it from a mountain before he dies (Deuteronomy 32). We learn in this brief statement that God’s word WILL hold true, He had told Moses he wouldn’t get to enter (Numbers 20:12) and His stated consequences will apply (helpful parenting tip).

This might seem overly harsh, but it helps us trust that what God says will happen, will happen.  Moses accepted this consequence from God and went on to give the Israelites some parting words.  He begins with telling them to be strong and courageous (verse 6) and reminds them that God will never leave them.  Then he commissions Joshua to lead the people and tells him to be strong and courageous and that God will never leave him.  He tells the Levites to read the law every seven years, specifically so that the next generation will hear it and fear God (verses 12-13). 

After God reminds Moses that he’s going to die soon, He tells him that the Israelites will break His covenant.  How sad that must have made Moses!   God then has a final instruction for Moses.  In verse 19a God says to Moses, “Now therefore write this song and teach it to the people of Israel” and verse 22 says, “So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel.”

What was so important that it was one of the last things God wanted Moses to do for Him?  You can read the song itself in chapter 32, but basically it was a warning to the Israelites.  The song Moses was instructed to write begins with a reminder of God’s faithfulness, then moves to their future failures and turning away from God and then of God’s punishment that will follow. 

So what can we learn from this passage that was directed very specifically at the Israelites of that day? 

First, can people trust us when we speak?  Do we do what we say we will?  It is important to know that we can trust God.  It is also important that we are trustworthy.

Second, it’s easy to look at the Israelites and think, “What was wrong with them?  God told them how they would fail Him and they didn’t stop it from happening!”  However, if we are honest with ourselves, we do the same thing.  God has told us in Romans 3:23 that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  We all sin.  We all turn away from God.  But the good news is that God is there, waiting for us to turn back to Him!

Amy Blanchard

Reflection Questions

  1. It is important that we are trustworthy.  Do your actions line up with your words? 
  2. Just like the Israelites needed to not get stuck in the place of accepting and acknowledging their sin but doing nothing about it, we are not to sit there, either.  God tells them in verse 21 that, “this song shall confront them as a witness”.  What confronts you when you reject God’s plan for you?  Do you heed the warning?
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