Unusual Voices

 

    As an acquaintance recently pointed out, animals in the Bible talked; specifically, a certain donkey. (Numbers 22:28-30). See, also, Genesis 3:1-4). 

    But the animate we might expect to have some kind of voice, wouldn't we? What about what we generally consider to be inanimate? For instance, rocks and stars. Jesus told those who were against His arrival that if the people lining the streets to meet Him had not greeted Him with praise, then surely the rocks would cry out (Luke 19:40). 

    How I long to hear stars sing God's praises, though. I love music, especially music and songs that glorify God. Job 38:7 tells us that "The morning stars sang for glory). David tells us (Psalm 19:1) that the heavens and the skies speak of God's glory. Although Isaiah does not say the stars speak, he reminds us that each has a name and remains aligned where God has placed it. 

    In 1 Chronicles 16 David writes a song of worship and praise and thanksgiving to God which includes all of nature voicing God's praise in verses 31-33.  

    Are our voices unusual to God? Is He hearing the cries of our broken hearts? Is He hearing sincere praise and worship from us. Do not lie: God knows our hearts. He can see right through our pretenses and masks: we might look and act like Christ followers to the world around us, but if our hearts are not right with God, then we are not close enough to Christ to follow in His steps: we are just snakes and wolves in sheep's clothing, only appearing to follow but not really. 

    Who are you to God? Are you His people? Are you seeking His face? Can God hear your voice in the morning when you awaken? in the midday does He know who you are? in the evening before you lay your head and close your eyes? 

    Declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. Lord of your soul when you invite Him into your heart. Lord of your salvation when you confess your sins to God and receive His forgiveness. Lord of your life when you ask His Holy Spirit to transform you from your old nature of sin into your new nature of holiness. 

    Rise up and worship The Almighty God and Father, Author of our Salvation and Finisher of What He Has Begun. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! Give Him Thanks with all our hearts and voices. Let our mouths be opened and let His praise flow freely from our lips! Do not be an unusual voice. Be a voice God recognizes. 

BEFORE THE ROCKS CRY OUT - The Speers 

RISE UP - TribeSong

Today's Word -- Inherent Nature

 Proverbs 2:6 

For the LORD gives wisdom: out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 

We are all born with an inherent knowledge of good and evil thanks to Adam and Eve's decision to disobey God. "No" is one of the first words we learn to say after we learn our caregivers names, "Mama", "Dada", or in my son Brian's case, "Dani" (his sister). And we learn when to say 'No': when we want something we can't or shouldn't have and when we want to do something we should or shouldn't do. It's our nature. 

The same logic is applied when we become born-again Christians. We learn what is good and what is evil. We learn to walk in the Spirit. We learn to talk in the Spirit. We learn to read God's Word with wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Especially when we have good leaders to lead us and guide us through God's Word; leaders we look up to and find ourselves following after. 

As this verse in Proverbs 2:6 states, wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from God. And it is to God we must turn to in order to receive each one and apply them to our lives as His children. No longer are we under sin's command, now we are under God's command. And His command is love. Our new nature is very different from our old nature. Before, we always said 'No' and justified according to our desires. Now, we say 'Yes' and are justified by grace according to God's desires for us. We live in His love and can only grow and thrive in His love as long as we remain in His love, His Word. 

Wisdom is Applied. 

Knowledge is Gained.

Understanding is Growth.

Our new nature seeks after God in His Word and in prayer with Him; that's how we hear from Him. This new inherent nature is through Christ living in us: we are new creations in Him. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 

We are new creations in Christ when we believe that Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son, that He died on the cross in our place, rose from the dead and walked out of the grave into newness of life and is seated at the right hand of the Father Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Joyful Beginnings

(photo courtesy of  Public Domain)

In the beginning, before time began, God created the heavens and earth. Out of the void He called earth. Out of darkness He called light. As the earth took shape and filled with many wonderful plants, He spoke the animal kingdoms into being. Out of clay and dust, He shaped a man and called him Adam. And out of Adam, right below his heart, he removed a rib and created woman. The man named her Eve. 

The beginning of all life is in God's control. It's how we choose to live our lives that brings God glory and honor. How will you live your life this year? Is it really a New Year for you and I? Or just the same old everyday stuck in a rut tradition? 

Who is your heart focused on? What you want or what God wants for you? Whose desires will you choose to put first? Yours? Or God's. Making the decision to be God's servant will be easy; following through on that decision will be challenging. As soon as you throw down the gauntlet, the devil will be right there in your face to try and prevent you from being obedient and faithful.

"This is the day which the Lord has made: I will rejoice and be glad in it." says the Psalmist. But, what happens if the power goes out? Will you still be thankful? What will you do if someone hits your vehicle, while you are in it? Do you call him/her an idiot driver? Or do you thank God for it? It is hard to praise God when you are tempted to be unkind and mean-spirited. Do it anyway. Praising God in the midst of the trials and temptations of everyday living is the only way you will get through it with peace of mind; keeping not only your sanity intact, but your compassion and empathy. 

Let us begin today with joy.