WOYWW: God's Very Best!

 I can't believe what a small space I have to work on!

I moved my electric fan closer

because it is so hot these days!

But it also keeps raining hard!

 "I wonder what this child will turn out to be?" Luke 1:66

John the Baptist was born amidst amazing circumstances. His parents Zechariah and Elizabeth were very old, and they had no children because Elizabeth was barren.  One day, Zechariah, a Jewish priest was on duty inside the sanctuary in the Temple, burning incense.  An angel appeared, and Zechariah was overwhelmed with fear. Who wouldn't be? But the angel told him not to be afraid. "God has heard your prayer, and your wife, Elizabeth will bear you a son!"  Angel Gabriel then proceeded to list the awesome qualities of his son, and instructed him to name him John. "He will be great in the sight of God."

"How can this be?" Zechariah asked incredulously, "We are both so old!"  The angel reprimanded him saying, "God was the one who instructed me to tell you this.  Since you did not believe, you won't be able to speak until the child is born."  True enough, Elizabeth became pregnant, and she gave birth to a baby boy. When Zechariah wrote that the baby was to be named John, he instantly began to speak. Everyone was so amazed and the news of what happened spread throughout the Judean hills.  

 When we were born, God knew us too. No angel came to announce our arrival, but He formed us just as "fearfully and wonderfully" as He formed John the Baptist. We too have a purpose in our life.  We were not just dumped on earth without rhyme or reason.  When we were born, I do believe all the angels and saints rejoiced in heaven.  If an angel came to deliver the news, the angel would have listed our awesome qualities too!  

 In Philemon 1:6, Paul prays that Philemon would recognize and acknowledge all the good things he has in Christ.  WE have so many good qualities! We just have to recognize them and bring them out.  Each one of us can be just as important as John the Baptist, if we obey God, and follow Jesus.  "Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he," Jesus tells the crowd in Matthew 11:11. We may not aspire to be greater than John the Baptist, but I think it would be exciting to work with God who wants to bring out the best in us, and use us. That is how we will find meaning and purpose in our life!  

 "Let there be no strife between you and me..." Genesis 13:8

Abraham was a very rich man. He had sheep, cattle, lots of gold and silver and many tents. Lot, his nephew, was also very wealthy, and there was conflict between Lot's herdsmen, and Abraham's over the grazing land. How did Abraham resolve this? He said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, no quarrel, no arguments between us. Just choose which part of this land you want for yourself, and I will take what is left. If you choose the right side, I will take the left. If you take the left, I will move to the right." That was very generous of Abraham because in the first place, this was part of the Promised Land. It was given to him by God himself. Secondly, he was more senior, and should have had first pick. But what was important to Abraham? Peace.

Lot chose the seemingly better portion. The lush and green plains of the Jordan Valley meant plentiful water for his flocks. In verse 10, we read that it was like the garden of the Lord, well watered and fertile. I have heard many stories of siblings quarreling over land, money and businesses. Most of the time it ends badly or does not end at all! Is it worth all the strife and aggravation to quarrel with family over a piece of land or possession that you can't take with you when you die?

Even if Lot chose "wisely", the land he chose turned out to be a terrible place to live! In the 14th chapter of Genesis, 4 kings attacked Sodom, where Lot set up his home. Abraham had to rescue him! Then in Genesis chapter 19, Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed completely because the people there were wicked, and did detestable things before God, all sorts of sexual immorality and perversions. Abraham had to plead with God to save Lot and his family.

I see here that sometimes, we may calculate to our best advantage and decide based on our human reasoning and due diligence, but what matters most is that we trust God, and be at peace with every one. God gives His very best to those who leave the choice to Him!

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Blessings!

Patsy