Catching Up...part 1

So much for my goal of catching up and staying on top of things!!!!  I was at my sister’s one night while reading from Song of Solomon and made some remark about the blog for the week.  She responded that she couldn’t wait to read what Kristi and I had to say J  Really, what can you say?  I noticed Kristi neatly avoided saying anything at all J  I never felt all that comfortable reading this book, and now that I’m married, I think that there is a different understanding of some of what is being said…..still not that comfortable with it.  It almost seems that you stumbled upon a stash of long-lost love letters of your grandparents and in reading them find out some things are best left unknown.  It is just such an intimate book.  On the other hand, the love and desire expressed is beautiful and somewhat incomprehensible when put in the context of God’s love and desire for each one of us.  However, there are other metaphors that are much more comfortable for me to ponder.  Moving on……

Next we are repeatedly told the history of the kings of Israel and then Judah/Israel.  Most times it seemed I should be creating an actual time line of dates and names to keep my head straight.  It still amazes me how they see so many physical signs from God, or aren’t too far removed from a generation that has, and yet completely turn away from Him, adopting all the traditions and practices of worship to all the false gods.  In July I was on a trip and was discussing this challenge/blog with a lady sitting next to me on the shuttle bus (she and her sister were wonderful to talk with by the way J).  We were talk about how Kristi is so much more empathetic where as I have more of a harsh outlook on the events we’ve been reading about, especially regarding the Israelites and their constant turning from God.  The thought crossed my mind that yes, the Israelites had the privilege of witnessing many might works of God, but could it be that my/our spiritual eyes just are not open enough to see the works that God is trying to display to us?

Though I’m not building golden calves, sacrificing my child, etc., my sins are sins period.  All of our sins are the same.  As humans, we like to assign rankings to transgressions; murder, rape, etc. at the top while lies, not speaking up when we see something wrong, and anything pertaining to ourselves personally are at the bottom.  The reality is, in God’s eyes our sin is sin.  It all separates us from His presence.

I’m just going to jot down some things that have stuck out to me/thoughts that have come to me since my last blog.  Hopefully I can get them in some sort of cohesive flow.

Ecclesiastes can seem to have a very depressive tone.  The author talks about all of these things he tries to in life to achieve meaning and fulfillment but basically ends up saying it is all meaningless.  Often times I feel life is meaningless.  Maybe the real meaning of life lies in realizing everything really is meaningless without an active relationship with our creator.  Through Him we find the only lasting source of joy, peace, comfort, and satisfaction.  Ecclesiastes 6:9 tells us to enjoy what we have rather than desiring what we don’t.  Even just to dream about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind.  Ecclesiastes 6:10 reminds us that it is no use arguing with God about the destiny he has for us.  The author compares a lot of things to chasing the wind throughout his book.  His repetitive advice seems to be that we should eat, drink, and enjoy life.

Ecclesiastes 9:9 tells husbands that their wife is their reward.  This made me think that I’d better be a reward my husband wants, a reward worth having instead of a reward he wished he’d never claimed. 

Ecclesiastes 10:4b “a quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes” 

Amos 7:14 God seems to really like to use shepherds.  King David was a shepherd, Amos and other prophets were shepherds, Jesus is often called a shepherd. 

Isaiah 9:3 “You will enlarge the nation of Israel….in Galilee of the gentiles…..as believers are we the enlargement of Israel? 

Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron so a friend sharpens a friend.  This is a great verse and could be the cornerstone of this challenge.  Kristi and I have set out to share our thoughts with each other and others reading in hopes of  learning and seeing things in a different light.

Proverbs 27:20 Reminds us that human desire is never satisfied.  How very true!  Anybody watch Veggietales Madame Blueberry?  No?  How about Hoarders: Buried Alive?   We buy all of this stuff to cram pack our houses and feel ownership of possessions but it never fulfills us.  Once we achieve that object our desire is focused on, it doesn’t take long to fixate on the next thing we just have to have or achieve. 

Psalm 44 shows us that we are not the only ones who question where God is and what He is, or rather isn’t, doing.

I love how Isaiah 49:16 says “you have written your name on the palm of my hand”.  It made me think of the nails that were placed there due to my sins (yes, I know they were actually through the wrist). 

Isaiah 52-53 foretells Jesus’ beating, crucifixion, and death.

This verse has really stuck with me: Isaiah 64:6 “When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.”  No matter how good of a person we think we are, this verse reminds us that we are absolutely nothing without Christ.  Our human “good enough” and even perfection, is not nearly good or perfect enough.