Looking for Rest?

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. 
(Psalm 62:5 )

The great grandson of Solomon, Asa became King in Judah.  A man zealous for the Lord; he command the people to seek the Lord and he himself searched out the heart of God.

“He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands.  He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him.” (2 Chronicles 14:4-5)

Asa desired to please God.

When trouble came he did not resort to his own strength but, “Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.” (v. 11)

When he was discouraged the Lord himself lifted his countenance by sending Azariah the son of Obed the prophet. “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. “ (2 Chronicles 15:2)

“Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” (v7)

“They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.” (v15)

What a great testimony about Asa, King of Judah. 
This could very well be me or you.  

Zealous and wanting to please God, we rise up early and seek his face.  
We close our day with a song in our hearts.  
We serve, we help, we grow, we share and our lives are a picture of ‘walking with God.”

Let’s heed the warning from Chronicles 16.

In the last years of Asa’s life, when trouble visited him from surrounding enemies, Asa did not call on the Name of the Lord.  

What happened Asa; did complacency visit you?  
Why put your trust in silver and gold?  Is the arm of your neighbor Ben-Had stronger than God? 

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” (2 Chronicles 16:9a)

When Fear visits it clouds the memory and challenges the testimony of God in our lives.
When confronted by Hanani the seer, Asa became angry.

Here is where things get dangerous. 

Correction from the Lord is rejected.  Council is dismissed and Pride takes the lead and offers a life of withdrawal from God’s presence and favor.  

In this case, I believe Asa’s heart embraced bitterness.  
The Scriptures read, “ In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.“ (v12)

Why not call on the Name of the Lord?  Are you still angry, Asa?

"Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires" (James 1:20b)

Sometimes life’s road take a twist.  There are times the change comes not because of our sin.  Yet often it is our pride that causes us to stumble, to fall, to crash hard!  
We must quickly heed the warning of the Lord.

Sometimes the warning comes through a casual conversation.  God can send a child, a friend to share a word that pricks our hearts giving us the opportunity to re-calibrate and get correct.  He challenges our thinking and convicts our soul.   

Lord, may our hearts never grow callous.  May we be eager to please you and welcome correction. May your council never depart from us.  Help us to embrace the rest we need and you offer when our hearts are surrendered to you. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5)

God bless you!~Liz

Fall into the hands of Mercy

But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24)

He begins to speak and we entertain his conversation.  Satan desires destruction, confusion and for us to mistrust the Lord. 

Just like in the beginning, in the Garden, he whispers his venom and the distraction brings disaster.

David living under the favor of the Lord was incited by Satan and he entertained the thought. Let's count the men!  Let's see how great we are doing!

Apart from God we have no good thing. (Romans 7:8)

When life is going well and the opposition seems at rest, we must be careful!

Sin is always lurking, like a villain looking for an opportune time to break in and disrupt the peace and security in our soul. (Genesis 4:7)

So if sin has visited us and we welcomed it in, what do we do?  Destruction is running free and bringing death to areas where life was once thriving.

I will call on the Mercy of the Lord!

We must admit our wrong like David did.   

David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I, the shepherd, have sinned and done wrong." (1 Chronicles 21:17)

Bring the Burnt Offering and draw close to the Lord.  Remember his Goodness and call out to his Mercy.  We must get right with God!  He alone is Good. (Mark 10:18)

Shut down every avenue that brought the destruction.

Focus on the Lord and his Goodness!

Obey & Honor the Lord!

Worship the Lord!  Pour out your heart before Him!

"But King David replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24)

Let healing and restoration return.  "For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity." (Proverbs 24:16)

God Bless You!~Liz

Just like Mom

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you."

With Mother's Day in just a few days, we are all thinking about those special ladies, women that love us and enrich our lives. My mom has been gone 6 years and to me it seems that she is just at home and any day I will speak with her again.

I do want to honor my mom today, but in addition I want to honor my sister Betty.

Today was a very, very difficult day for me. The Rheumatoid Arthritis beat me good. I woke up this morning, my family was already gone and the pain that ravished my body was acute! I could not lift my arms and barely walk. Drinking coffee this morning required a straw!

When I spoke to my sister (which is daily) I could not hold back my tears and groans. She quickly left her job in NJ and drove to me. 45 Minutes later my nurse Betty arrived!

Moms love us and also impart behaviors to us. My mom was a servant, compassionate and a caring lady. These traits have been passed to my sister. When I could not call my mom today, my sister was there in a heartbeat!

I love you sister! Happy Mother's Day. You are just like mom!

It's been fourteen hours since my ordeal started this morning. Even though its difficult to type, I wanted to honor the Lord and my sister.

For all the "Be Inspired" readers, please keep me in prayer. Medication was increased and a new medication plan is coming.

Lord impart your wisdom and healing to me.

To God be the Glory! Happy Mother's Day!

God bless you!~Liz