Author: NBibens

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To gather materials to build the tabernacle, the people of Israel were called upon to give to the cause. Many times when people are asked to donate to some cause or work, they do so sparingly and meagerly. But that wasn’t the case with Israel. In fact, the people brought so many contributions that the workers had far more than needed. But the contributions kept coming in. Finally, Moses had to speak to the people to tell them to stop giving, and Exodus 36:6 says, “…So the people were restrained from bringing…”How amazing is that? Instead of needing to be coerced into there being enough, there was such a surplus that the people had to be restrained from giving more! 

Imagine if we gave like that? And not just financially—but what if we gave of our time, energy, and commitment to the work of the church now? What amazing things could be accomplished if we gave so lavishly that we had to be restrained from giving more?

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In Acts 27, we read about Paul’s voyage on a ship as a prisoner of Rome. The journey became perilous when a storm drove the ship off course. The crew battled the storm—they jettisoned the cargo, then threw the ship’s tackle overboard, but things began looking very bleak. Verse 20 says, “And since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.”^[1]

I think that’s an apt description of life sometimes. Usually, people don’t lose hope or faith in one fell swoop. More often, they are abandoned gradually. As storms of life persist, endurance wanes until it gives out. But we must never abandon hope. Jesus saved Paul and that ship. And if we will faithfully trust in Jesus, even during persistent storms, He will save us too. Don’t give in to gradual abandonment. Trust in Jesus with enduring perseverance. 

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^[1] LSB

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We should give credit where credit is due. To use the work of another and pass it off as our own is unethical and often illegal. We probably understand this in terms of art or writing, or music. But do we give credit to God? In Acts 3, Peter and John healed a man who had been unable to walk since birth. The powerful miracle astounded the people, and they began gathering around the apostles. When Peter started to speak to the growing crowd, he said, “Men of Israel, why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?” Peter went on to teach that it was through Jesus that the great miracle occurred. 

We do not have to be miracle workers to give credit to God. How often do we view our achievements and our abilities as something of our own power when we ought to give the glory and the thanks to the Lord?

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Do you ever feel frustrated about a lack of spiritual growth? Perhaps, from time to time, you examine yourself and realize you are not growing the way you should. Surely we have all been there. But why does this happen? Maybe times of stagnation happen because we aren’t hungry enough. Listen to Psalm 107:6-7: “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” 

Similarly, Jesus promised, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”^[1] When we are spiritually stuck, or we are not growing and maturing, the culprit may be our own appetites. Maybe we aren’t craving righteousness. Maybe we crave the good of this world instead of the good things of God. But the world will never satisfy. When we hunger for righteousness, however, God can and will fill and satisfy our souls.

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^[1] Matthew 5:6

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What type of person should you be? To answer that question, you need perspective. If this life is all there is, then I suppose the best thing would be to live it up and enjoy life as much as possible. Of course, God’s Word assures us that this world is not all there is. Thus, enjoying the pleasures of this world is not the highest good we can find. 

In Second Peter three, the Bible tells us that our universe is going to come to and end someday. And it will end as part of God’s plan and judgment. With that in mind, verse 11 says “Since the whole universe is to dissolve in this way, think what sort of people you ought to be, what devout and dedicated lives you should live!”^[1]

Are we the sort of people we should be? Are we holy and devout, living in consideration of and preparation for God’s coming judgment?

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^[1] REB

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The books of Ezra and Nehemiah tell various stories of Judah’s return from Babylonian exile. The return home was exciting but also came with challenges. There was much that needed to be repaired and rebuilt, physically and spiritually. During this era, Ezra and Nehemiah were instrumental in the restoration process. 

Throughout their books, there is a beautiful sentiment expressed at various places. At least eight times, we read that the good hand of God was upon them. Ezra and Nehemiah were successful men, but they attributed their success to the goodness of God. It was God who protected them, provided for them, and made them succeed where it mattered most. 

How wonderful it is to know that our God wants to rest His good hand on us. He wants to bless, protect, and provide for us in the most important ways. But also, always remember that goodness comes from God. Take time to thank the Lord for His good and generous care. 

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Several times in Jesus’ life, the gospels record that during or after speaking to people, Jesus would say, “He who has ears, let him hear!” That’s a strange saying to most of us—we don’t use that phrase in everyday parlance. One translation makes this phrase more understandable: “The one who has ears had better listen!” We can probably remember times in our youth (or maybe even adult life) when a parent, teacher, or someone else had to get our attention and say, “Listen up!” 

Some advice, instructions, and words are too important to miss. Maybe a parent has some chores that must be completed; perhaps a teacher is giving information that will be critical come test time; or maybe a doctor is giving advice that could save our lives. It’s not enough to hear—we must listen and understand. And this is especially true of Jesus’ words. Listen to them intently, ponder them, and obey them. When Jesus speaks, listen up!

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I recently heard a teacher at church say, “Some people are like aloe-vera on the sunburn of life.” He spoke about people who remain calm, collected, and thoughtful even when life gets hard and circumstances become troubling. I thought the metaphor itself was great. Life can be difficult, irritating, and even painful. Problems arise, and new trials come along as soon as they are overcome. If we aren’t careful, problems can wear us down. The constant stress and irritation can be too much. Often, we just want some relief. 

Some people are adept at providing that relief. They have the right words to say, know the most helpful actions, and perhaps offer secret prayers in times of need. What a blessing such folks are. And what a goal to aspire to. Why not aim to be the type of person who brings peace and relief to others in their distress?

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Genesis 47 tells of Jacob’s move to Egypt and recounts the meeting between Pharaoh and the great patriarch. Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, to which the patriarch replied, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years…” That’s an interesting way to refer to one’s life—“the days of my sojourning.” The Hebrew word rendered “sojourning” carries the idea of a temporary abode or living somewhere as a stranger. 

It’s true that Jacob had lived in several places and led a somewhat nomadic lifestyle. But that’s not what Jacob is referring to. Jacob realized an important truth: this world—this life—is temporary. We toil and labor to build homes, feel established, and make our mark on this world. But too often, we forget this life is temporary—it’s a journey to somewhere else. Our years, be they many or few, are but a sojourning toward eternity. Sojourn wisely so that you may find an eternal home with God.