Posts Tagged ‘ Understanding ’
And they answered Jesus and said, “We do not know.” He also said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Matthew 21:27, LSB
We like to think we have great understanding, but if we deny the clear evidence or meaning of Scripture, Christ won’t bend to our understandings. We must conform to His truth.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7, ESV
No matter what is happening in life, as we follow Christ He gives us His peace. Seek Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
When we follow and worship God, life makes much more sense. This life may not be the easiest, but we know webare going the right way.
Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in
Isaiah 40:21-22, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
We think that our sin will go unnoticed by God, that there isn’t really anything He can do against us.
We think that God is impotent, powerless, and unable to hold us accountable for our sin. This is evidenced in the way we live, how we talk, what we do, ignoring His ways, saying “He’ll forgive me” or “I can do what I want.”
But this is the God who can create everything from nothing, hold everything together and within His hands, and stretches out the univers with those same hands.
Yes, we are basically nothing compared to Him, but God intimately knows every part of His Creation, from the farthest flung stars to our innermost thoughts.
He knows how the cosmos work, and He knows our every sin, our every rebellion against Him.
We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to our Creator and Savior who became our example and demonstrated His vast power over our own vast stubbornness.
May we seek the Lord who has no reason to consider us, yet He still lavishes His love and grace on and in us.
Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?
Isaiah 40:13-14, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
Sin is rebellion against the character of God.
And we think we can tell God what is good? What justice and goodness are? That we know better what God’s character and will are?
Who do we think we are? Why do we think we understand God’s creation and character better than He does when He has revealed it through HisbWord by His prophets and apostles?
And this is what the prophets, including John the Baptist, were telling us.
“Repent! Stop your foolish thinking, and turn from your sin! The kingdom of God is at hand, and you think you can judge your Creator? Prepare for His coming, now!”
But we still try to justify our sin, correct God on His justice, and fix His revelation.
We therefore prepare ourselves by admitting we don’t understand as much as we think we do, turning to the Word and trusting the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of Christ to us.
May we seek the Lord who took on the just punishment we deserved, preparing ourselves by seeking His revelation.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
God is far above us in every regard, it is best to simply trust Hin and His Word to guide us in this life and have hope for the next.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13, ESV
God has given us good works to do to share with the world the light and wisdom of God: Jesus.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
Life is easier (at least easier to understand and come to grips with) when God is the beginning, center, and end of all our thoughts, days, and expectations.
Focus on God to simplify life, at least for mental, emotional, and spiritual peace.
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9, ESV
If we “look deep within” ourselves to find happiness, we will only be disappointed. Maybe this life will turn out better from “following our hearts,” but ultimately it usually leads us away from Christ and eternal life.
We should expect those outside of Christ to act unwisely and foolishly, but we should be sober-minded and seek His wisdom.
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a simple man of God 