...of "I'm still at the finish line"

‘Eh Girl! This morning I read Psalm 81 and thought of our conversation on yesterday. So, this post is inspired by that conversation. I know I told you to read Deuteronomy 8, but I forgot that I read Psalm 78 yesterday morning. Therefore, I think you should read those Psalms as well. Why must I share this on the blog, you may wonder. How ‘bout I put forward this question; How is it, that my personal reading for yesterday was related to the ponderings of your heart? Also, how is it, that again, this morning, I read more about it?

Yeeeees, “Treasured Sister/Friend,” I will answer it, but not today and probably not tomorrow because you need to marinate…

Psalm 81:10-16 warranted my attention because God brought me out of “Egypt.” I wanted to do my own thing, expecting God to bless it, resulting in my return to “Egypt.” MERCY REIGNED as God, again, brought me out of “Egypt,” in spite of Larie. Had I listened to the LORD with an attitude of submissiveness…man oh man

Psalm 78, WOW! Verses 4-8 encourage me to tell my children about God’s control of my life. I need to tell them what He has done, but more importantly, I need to LIVE it so that they may have a tangible example and not be obstinate like me.

9-11, The Israelites forgot what God had done, that He’d equipped them for the battle, but they FORGOT, and they turned away. Right in the middle of a “battle,” ignorant fear consumes me, and although the “bows” are in my hand, I run away. I forget about the equipping that God had already done with me. Sometimes, I also realize that the last “battle” I ran from, was preparing me for the next one. Ahhhhh, so spiritually immature.

12-29 recounts the miracles of God; His guidance, mercy, compassion, faithfulness and love. Then, in verses 30-33 I read how God manifested His anger with them; He killed the strongest of them. Yet, the Israelites ignored that and continued to do their own thing. Now, God has not expressed His anger with me in that way, however, being diagnosed with Cancer was a warning. I hate that I have to write this to say that sadly, I only saw “smoke.” How do I feel about that? Disgusted, BUT, (the big but as Karen said), I have thanked God that His anger has not come in death for me, that He is patient and merciful while I pray that I do not have to see the “flames.”

I will not, and neither will you, have to be slain in order to be obedient as in verse 34. Neither will we simply be of lip service to God, we are doers, James 1:22! You, “Treasured Sister/Friend,” and I, we are effective bows, Psalm 78:57, and no WOman will be chosen over those of our house, Psalm 78:67-72, because we are living according to God’s predetermined works for us, individually, Ephesians 2:10!

Lastly, check out Obstinacy and Purpose. Your name is defined! I'll check on ya' later girly!

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 NIV

…”so is my word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV