I’ve never been the type of person who’s a Bible smarty pants, able to quote scripture at the drop of a hat. Some folks can gush it out like an exploded faucet:
John 1:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
Matt 5:3,6,9. “People who have within them the spirit of the poor are blessed; their's is the kingdom of heaven...people who hunger and thirst for justice are blessed; because they will be filled...people who work for peace are blessed; because they will be called children of God."
Isaiah 43:1 “But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
And everyone LOOOOOOOOOVES Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
But I never had a favorite Bible verse to bust out in conversation.
Last week found me in 2nd Chronicles, which is basically Remedial History If You Returned From 70 Years Of Babylonian Exile And Wondered How Your Country Got To This Sad Sorry State.
In the narrative, Jehoshaphat, ruler of Judah, is standing in front of the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, as a huge Edomite army is marching towards them with the intention of wiping them out. Jehoshaphat prays to God a big prayer about how You’re awesome, You’re mighty, bad guys’re coming, help help help, we can’t defeat them, la la la.
And then he says this (2nd Chronicles Ch 20, verse 12 (the last part.):
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
At last, at last, a Bible verse I can claim and call my own. I can look like a super smarty pants now too!
“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”
Jehoshaphat’s lucky, because the Spirit of the Lord comes upon one of the priest’s sons, and gives them super specific instructions on how exactly to take care of this Edomite army.
But yeah, here I am, God. I don’t know what to do next either, in terms of life plans. I mean sure, the idea is to keep writing, keep writing, all that stuff. But what comes after that? I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are definitely upon you.
So feel free to show me. ☺
2 comments:
i love that verse! i've never heard that before, but it gave me goosebumps. that is exactly how i feel this morning. yesterday, the pastor reminded me that God doesn't give us a map or a blueprint for conquering our life, but rather a compass, so that we know which way is North whenever we encounter a mountain on our path.
i didn't like the sound of that. i'm much rather have the map please.
i don't know how living a life that pleases God is actually borne out -- i get the "being a good person" stuff, but what about "being a successful person"? what does He think about that?
and so, i repeat with you amy, "i do not know what to do, but my eyes are on you God."
Thank you. You have no idea how much I needed that today.
Vikki (the Illinois chick)
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