Just a Quick Note...

Edited by Myrna Moore

 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.               {John 15:9}

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: {I John 3:1} 

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Swept Away

I recently started a chronological Bible reading program, where you read the Bible in the historical order of events. I've never tried this kind of approach before, so I thought I'd give it a go.

This week's reading plan has focused on the book of Job. It inspired me to write the following . . . poem? . . . song? . . . I'm not entirely sure how to categorize it. Whatever it is, I hope it will encourage you to look to the One Who has all the answers.

Swept Away

 Feels like I’m swimming upstream, I can’t catch my breath

Everything I was holding onto has been swept away

Why have You ignored my cries for help?

Why have I become a burden to You?

Why don’t You take my pain away?

Why do You answer my tears with silence? 

Where did I go wrong?

Don’t You see what’s happening to me?

Remember that my life is a breath

I’m swept away in the blink of an eye

For when a few years have come and gone

I’ll go to where I can’t return

Who will praise You then?

How long will You let them torment me

And tear me to pieces with heartless words?

Can’t You see what they’re doing to me?

Seems like I’m all alone in this battle

Why aren’t You here to protect me?

I can’t keep keeping on like this

It’s too much for me to take

My song has been silenced in the darkness of despair

I will question you, and you will answer Me

Where were you when I made the earth?

Have you commanded the morning since your birth?

Do you know the secret springs of the sea?

Have you walked in the deep places of the earth?

Have you seen the gates of Hell, or touched the windows of Heaven?

Tell me, if you know all this

Where is the way to the dwelling of light?

And where is the house of darkness?

Have you seen where the snow and hail are stored?

Can you send forth rain to nourish the earth?

Answer me, if you can

Do you give the horses their strength?

Is the wild ox your servant?

Do you provide the raven its prey to feed its young ones?

Have you caught Leviathan with a hook, or tamed Behemoth with a leash?

Will you contend with Yahweh, fault-finder?

Will you give an answer, you who argue with God?

I lay my hand on my mouth – how can I answer You? 

I know that You can do all things, and no will of Yours can be thwarted

I’ve spoken about what I don’t understand, things too wonderful for me to comprehend

Now I see You, and I repent in dust and ashes

I’m awe-struck, captivated, swept away by You

Blessed be Your Name!

"Blessed be the name of the LORD."

Job 1:21b

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Idols and the Living God

Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 

Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 

For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 

They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 

They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 

 {Jeremiah 10:1-5}

One of the many reasons God commanded the Israelites to annihilate the pagan nations in the Promised Land of Canaan was to limit Israel's exposure to idol worship. Most (if not all) of these nations practiced some kind of idol worship. Rituals associated with this idol worship included showing respect and honor to statues - so-called "physical likenesses" of various man made deities and gods made out of wood, stone, bone, and precious metals - by exhibiting various body postures (such as bowing), burning incense, kissing or reverently touching various parts on the god's "likeness," providing offerings of fruit, animals, even humans (especially children). All of these things were done with the hope that the god would do something for them in return. Whether the god would grant your request varied from deity to deity. Some gods were thought to be temperamental and would (or would not) answer you based on how they felt on that particular day. Other gods based their answers on your moral uprightness, the quality of your sacrifice, your level of devotion to that particular deity/religion, etc. Sadly, many of these practices and beliefs are kept alive by various pagan cults and religions today. These practices, and the mindset(s) that result(s) from such practices, are just as deadly to people's spiritual lives today as they were all those years ago during the conquest of Canaan. 

As you probably know, Israel did not fully obey God's command to destroy all of the pagan nations living in Canaan, and they paid the price. A reading of the Old Testament reveals many, many times when the nation of Israel was captivated by and enslaved to idol worship due to the influence of those nations they allowed to  remain intact. Even Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, was led astray into the sin of worshiping pagan gods and deities. They became distracted and enamored by the fleshly appeal such worship has, and they left their first love - the God who led them out of bondage in Egypt, kept them alive in the Wilderness, and provided them a Promised Land to call their own - to follow after false gods made by the hands and minds of men.

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 

Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 

But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. 

Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men. 

But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. 

{Jeremiah 10:7-10}

Aren't you glad we serve a God who isn't made on a workbench in a woodcarver's or metalworker's shop? You never have to worry that He might not be in a mood to hear and/or answer your prayers. He is always consistent - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). He loves you - yes, you! - and He has made a way for you to have a personal relationship with Him through the death of His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for your sins. He has given you His precious words to read and study to help you get to know Him.

We serve the living God, my friends.

I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 

Isaiah 46:9-10

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Jehovah Jireh!

God has blessed me with yet another job.

Yes, a second job!

I am more excited and grateful than any words can express. When it rains blessings, it pours!

A few months ago, I had applied to teach at a private Christian school just down the road from our house. My brother, who currently attends there, informed me of their lack of any kind of a performing arts/drama program, so I decided to give it a go and see if they were interested in starting a program of that sort.

Several weeks later, Mom met with the upper school administrator to discuss my brother's upcoming academic schedule. She mentioned my application and expressed interest in discussing employment opportunities with me. We talked the next day, and I was hired(!). "I don't normally hire people without laying eyes on them, but I feel that I can make an exception for you."

The school faculty has been dwindling over the past several weeks. Some have answered the call to full-time mission work outside the U.S. Others have resigned due to various circumstances. There is a real need for additional faculty members, and God has seen fit to bless me with the opportunity to help meet that need.

The school doesn't have the resources or space for a drama/performing arts program, but I will be able to blend my performance training with my interest in teaching, my love of storytelling, and my heart for children all into one job. How exciting is that!

This week is "planning week" for the faculty and staff. We have been meeting every morning to iron out as many kinks as we can before school starts Monday morning. The closer Monday gets, the more excited I become. I can hardly wait to see what the Lord will do during this school year.

Just a few short weeks ago, I was unemployed with an ever-shrinking list of ideas of where to apply for work. Now I have two incredible jobs with tasks the Lord has gifted me in, working in a Christian environment with coworkers and bosses who are strong in the faith. I never imagined my job search would end in such a way. God certainly "is able to do exceedinly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20)!

As I mentioned before, we are working to get all the last-minute details together to prepare for the beginning of the school year next week. Please pray for us as we do so. Pray that the Lord will use us to help these children and teenagers to learn and grow, both spiritually and academically. Pray that we won't lose sight of the big picture as the school year gets underway and things become hectic.

Looking back at how the last few weeks have unfolded, I am reminded that God is Jehovah Jireh, "the Lord Who Provides." It is encouraging and comforting to see how He has manifested that Name through the circumstances He has providentally orchestrated to provide these blessed opportunities for me.

In Matthew 6 and Luke 12, Jesus illustrates the loving provision of Jehovah Jireh and tells us how we are to respond to this loving provision.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
{Matthew 6:25-32}

  

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
{Luke 12:22-30}

 Jehovah Jireh knows His children have needs, and He always provides for them. Always.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

{Philippians 4:19}

Jehovah Jireh has blessed me beyond measure by providing for me in a truly incredible way, and I praise Him for it.

. . . and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:10b

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Hannah's Praise Song

Hannah's praise song (found in I Samuel 2:1-10) is one of my favorite passages of Scripture in the Old Testament. It's such a beautiful expression of Hannah's joy over God having answered her prayers for a son. The emotions she expresses are a step toward glorifying the Lord for His guidance in human affairs. It alternates between the themes of God's sovereignty and the reversal of human fortunes; it ends with the theme of kingship.

Hannah's praise song is a hymn to the God who reverses human fortunes by His mighty power, the Creator beyond all human understanding who protects those who are faithful to Him.

Hannah's Praise Song

My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. 

There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. 

Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 

The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. 

The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. 

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them. 

He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. 

The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed. 

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He Answers Prayer

As many of you know, I have been looking for employment for quite a while. God has seen fit to bless me with a job that far exceeded my expectations. But I'm getting ahead of myself . . .

Dad saw a "help wanted" ad in the local newspaper for a company in need of a secretary. He called the number provided in the ad and talked with the owner's wife (who serves as the current secretary) to find out more about the position. He mentioned that he had a daughter (me) who had recently graduated from college and was looking for work. When she asked where I had graduated from, she was shocked when Dad told her I had graduated from Bob Jones University. She's a BJU grad as well, and she had been praying earlier that day for the Lord to send her someone from her alma mater. She needs help with payroll, billpay, and other financial aspects of the business, so she needs someone she can trust. She told Dad she would call back after she had thought and prayed about this answer to her prayers.

She called the next day to set up an interview with me on the following day. The interview wasn't really an "interview," per se. We chatted for almost an hour about our families, our churches, our experiences at BJU, and about God's remarkable answer to both of our prayers. Praising God together for answered prayer was a beautiful thing to experience.

When I left the building, I was an official employee. I am so thankful to be blessed with a job that pays well, in a good environment, with such wonderful bosses. I never dreamed that God would provide in such an incredible way, but He did. He can, He does, and He will. Not because we deserve it, but because of who we are in His Son, Jesus Christ. He delights in giving good gifts to His children, because He is good.

A big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who prayed for me. God answered your prayers in an incredible way.

Don't be discouraged if God hasn't answered your prayer(s) yet. He will answer you in His timing, in His infinite wisdom, in His way. And when He does, He will surprise you with an answer far better than anything you can imagine.

God has given you His promise

That He hears and answers prayer.

He will heed your supplication

If you cast on Him your care.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

He will not withhold one blessing,

He will give you what is best.

God will answer by His Spirit,

Every one who makes request.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

He can hear the great petition,

And the smallest, over there.

Unto God pray without ceasing,

He will answer every prayer.

He will answer every prayer,

He will answer every prayer,

Go to Him in faith believing,

He will answer every prayer.

Take to God your plans and failures,

Any time and anywhere.

No one ever goes unanswered,

For He answers every prayer.

                                 Mary Bernstecher

 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee . . . 

{Job 22:27}

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

{Psalm 91:15a}

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 

{Isaiah 65:24}

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 

{Jeremiah 29:12}

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. 

{Jeremiah 33:3}

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

{Matthew 7:7-11}

 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

{Matthew 21:22}

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 

{John 14:13-14}

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

{John 15:7}

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 

{John 16:23}

In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 
{Philippians 4:6b}

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 

{James 5:16b}

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. 

{I John 5:14-15}

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God, Our Shepherd

Edited by Myrna Moore

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

{Isaiah 40:11}

The sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 

{John 10:4}

 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 

{John 10:11}

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 

{John 10:14}

I lay down my life for the sheep. 

{John 10:15}

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Isaiah 40

{Isaiah 40} 

1  Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
2  Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4  Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5  And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
6  The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
9  O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10  Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
12  Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
13  Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him?
14  With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
15  Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
16  And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
17  All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
18  To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?
19  The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.
20  He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved.
21  Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22  It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
23  That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.
24  Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25  To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
26  Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
27  Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28  Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

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Themes from Lamentations

The book of Lamentations describes the results of Babylon's destruction of Jerusalem (c. 587 B.C.). It is composed of five interconnected poems which describe a shift from horrible loss and personal shame to restored hope and prayer for God's renewing power.

The central passage in this book is 3:19-26.

Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

This passage affirms that belief in God's mercy and faithfulness is the key to a restored relationship with God. This is true even for those who deserve (and have perhaps already received) God's judgment. Hope is the byword in Lamentations.

Lamentations seems to have been written to be prayed aloud or sung in worship services in a spirit of repentance, asking God's forgiveness, and seeking restoration with Him.

Sadly, Lamentations is an often-neglected book. It presents several key concepts in a creative way during an important time in Israel's history.

These concepts are still applicable today. They include, but are not limited to:


1. It offers beautiful prayers that confess sin, express renewed hope, and declare total dependence on God's grace.

2. It is the only book of the Bible written by someone who endured a manifestation of "the day of the LORD" (see Joel 2:1-2; Amos 5:18; Zephaniah 1:14-16). This "day" is the day God comes to judge sin. It can occur in historical contexts, such as the fall of Jerusalem, or it can occur at the end of time (the final "day of the LORD"). Regardless, such "days" do occur, and warnings in the Bible about such days need to be taken seriously.

3. The book's authorship, setting, contents, and theology underline its value for understanding the nature of pain, sin, and redemption.

4. It affirms that Jerusalem fell
      a. because of the people's sins (1:18)
      b. because they rejected God's word sent through the prophets (2:8; 14, 17)
      c. because their leaders led them astray (4:13)
      d. because they did not heed God's warning (2:17).

5. It affirms God's faithful, unending mercy. God is not finished with His people, even when they sin greatly.

6. It affirms that prayers of confession, repentance, and petition are the means for restoring a broken relationship with God. Their honest expressions of pain and their dismay over what God has allowed to happen coincide with the prayers found in the Psalms. They also share the Psalms' emphasis on God's sovereignty as King of creation (Psalm 103:19).

Do you have any thoughts or additional themes from Lamentations that you would like to add? Don't hesitate to leave a comment!

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Names of God: El Roi

"The God who sees" or "the God who continually sees." 

  For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth... {2 Chronicles 16:9}

For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; {Job 28:24} 

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.  {Psalm 33:13}

 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. {Proverbs 5:21}

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.                          {Proverbs 15:3} 

 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD.            {Jeremiah 23:24}

The thought that God always sees us can be comforting and frightening at the same time. It's certainly nice to know that God sees when we're doing something that pleases Him or when we're being mistreated. But what about when we're choosing to act in a way we know dishonors God?

Let's examine both of these responses to this name of God through the lens of Scripture, starting with the "negative".

For his [God's] eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. {Job 34:21-22}

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. {Hebrews 4:13}

Nothing we do is overlooked by God. He sees everything.

He sees you when you witness to an unsaved friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member. He sees you when you are cross with your parents and when you are unkind to your sibling. He sees you when you decide to dishonor Him by putting harmful substances into your body and when you choose to use your body for immoral purposes. None of our actions escape God's notice. We cannot hide certain actions or pick and choose which deeds we want God to see. He sees all of them.

Because of Christ, your sins have already been paid for, but you will stand before God and give an account for everything you did on earth - good and bad.

Now, let's examine the "positive" side of the idea that God always sees us.

Abraham and Sarah desired a child. After decades of waiting, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands.

Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. {Genesis 16:1-3}

Abraham listened to Sarah's advice, and things took a turn for the worse.

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. {Genesis 16:4-6}

 Hagar met someone she didn't expect after she fled from Sarah.

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 

And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; {Genesis 16: 7-14}

Her encounters with El Roi, the God who sees, didn't stop there.

Several years later, Sarah conceived and bore Isaac.

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac. And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son. {Genesis 21: 8-11}

Hagar was forced to flee again, this time with her son.

"Hagar and Ishmael Perishing in the Desert"
by Gustave Dore

 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 

And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. {Genesis 21:14-16}

El Roi, the God who sees, saw Hagar's distress.

And the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. 

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. {Genesis 21: 17b-19}

El Roi, the God who sees, saw the Israelites' bondage in Egypt.

And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey... {Exodus 3:7-8}

El Roi, the God who sees, does not see as humans see.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. {I Samuel 16:7}

God sees you. Every part of you. Inside and out. Are you living your life in a way that brings Him glory and gladdens His heart as He watches you?

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Lessons from Isaiah

I recently did a study of the book of Isaiah. (Yes, I know it's Old Testament Prophecy. Yes, I know it's 66 chapters long. No, it wasn't boring in the least. :) ) I was pleasantly surprised and humbled to find that my skepticism about the modern-day relevance of this book was completely misguided.

Below is a list of some of the truths I learned and/or was reminded of through my study of Isaiah.


1. God is offended by religious ritual, however impressive, if it conceals an empty heart and a careless life (1:10-17; 58:1-12; 66:1-4).

2. God despises all manifestations of human pride (2:10-17; 10:33-34; 13:11; 16:6; 23:9; 28:1-4).

3. The idols that man creates are destined for destruction (2:20-21; 19:1; 31:6-7; 44:9-20; 46:1-7).

4. Though God's judgment will reduce His people to a remnant, His final purpose is the joyful triumph of His grace (1:9; 6:1-12; 35:1-10; 40:1-2; 49:13-16; 51:3; 54:7-8; 55:12-13).

5. God is able to judge people by rendering them deaf and blind to His word (6:9-10; 28:11-13; 29:9-14; 42:18-25).

6. The world's only hope is bound up in one man - the promised Davidic king, the servant of the Lord, the anointed preacher of the Gospel, and the lone victor over evil (4:2; 7:14; 9:2-7; 11:1-10; 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12; 63:1-6).

7. God is actively using creation and history, even the wrongdoings of man, for His own glory (10:5-19; 13:1-27:13; 36:1-39:8; 40:12-26; 44:24-45:13).

8. With a great and holy God ruling all things, man's duty is a repentant trust in Him alone (7:9; 10:20; 12:2; 26:3-4; 28:12, 16; 30:15-18; 31:1; 32:17-18; 36:1-37:38; 40:31; 42:17; 50:10; 55:1-7; 57:13, 15; 66:2).

9. When God's people feel abandoned by God, they often (foolishly) put their trust in worldly powers (7:1-8:22; 28:14-22; 30:1-17; 31:1-3; 39:1-8; 40:27; 49:14; 51:12-13).

10. God will uphold His own cause with a world-transforming display of His glory (4:2-6; 11:10; 35:1-12; 40:3-5; 52:10; 59:19; 60:1-3; 66:18).

11. God uses predictive prophecy to prove that His hand is guiding human history (41:1-4, 21-29; 44:6-8; 44:24-45:13; 46:8-11; 48:3-11).

12. The wrath of God is to be feared above all else (5:25; 9:12, 17, 19, 21; 10:4-6; 13:9, 13; 30:27; 34:2; 59:18; 63:1-6; 66:15-16, 24).


Do you have any thoughts to add to this? Don't be shy!

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Feeling Lonely?

Designed by Myrna Moore

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. {Psalm 23:4}

The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. {Psalm 46:7, 11}

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. {Isaiah 41:10}

Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee... Fear not: for I am with thee. {Isaiah 43:1-2, 5}

I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. {Matthew 28:20}

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Names of God: Jehovah-Jireh

"The Lord our Provider" or "the Lord who provides." Not "the Lord our Sometimes Provider" or "the Lord who might provide if he feels like it." He has promised to always provide for the needs of His children.

The Bible records many, many examples of God's provision. God promised to provide a son for the childless Abraham. Abraham's barren wife, Sarah, miraculously bore Isaac several years later (see Genesis 15-18 and Genesis 21 for the full account). God rescued the children of Israel from their multiple centuries of bondage in Egypt and provided for their material needs as He led them through the wilderness to the Promised Land (see Exodus for the whole story). God used ravens to provide for Elijah's material needs while he hid from his enemies (see I Kings 17:2-6). God worked through Elijah to provide food for the widow of Zarephath and her son (I Kings 17:7-24). The list goes on and on.

Seeking to try Abraham's faith once again,God told Abraham to give Isaac back to the Him in the form of a burnt offering.

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee to the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of {Genesis 22:2}.

If you are a parent, you can imagine the incredible pain Abraham must have struggled with when God commanded him to sacrifice Isaac. He had waited so long for God to fulfill His promised provision of a son, and now it seemed that God was going to remove this precious child from him.

Nevertheless, he obeyed.

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass [donkey], and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God told him {Genesis 22:3}. 


Notice what he says when Isaac asks him about the sacrifice.

And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering {Genesis 22:7-8}.


What incredible faith in God's provision!

Right as Abraham is about to kill Isaac on the altar, a heavenly presence identified as "the angel of the LORD" (v. 11) stops him.

And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing to him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me. {Genesis 22:12}.


Because of Abraham's faith and obedience, God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in place of Isaac.

God promises to meet any need we have.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. {Philippians 4:19}

However, sometimes what we think of as "needs" are really just wants. This raises a very important question: How do we distinguish between a need and a want? Paul answers that question in a letter to Timothy.


But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment [clothing] let us be therewith content. {I Timothy 6:6-8}


What need do you have today? Perhaps you have unpaid bills, an empty pantry, a threadbare closet, or a bank balance in the red. These situations can easily dishearten us and cause our faith to falter in God's promises to provide for our needs. Remember that God is bigger than any need you face. He is Jehovah-Jireh: the Lord YOUR Provider. 

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