Amen to that . . .

Exodus 10; Job 28; Luke 13; 1 Corinthians 14

Sometimes a Bible story reminds me of another passage God uses to bless me. Today’s reading in Exodus is about the eighth plague, a swarm of locusts. Other passages about locusts, including one in Revelation, use locusts to illustrate destruction. All except one:

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (Joel 2:25–27)

In this passage, the word “restore” is from a Hebrew word that refers to a covenant of peace making this promise special to those who have had a hard life with lots of losses or regrets. Essentially it says that God will give great peace to a person who feels shame over their past and for the life they have wasted.

Amen.

Added to that promise is another from Job. He speaks about the difficulty of finding wisdom. It is not found in creation nor can it be bought with money. I know from experience that regrets and loss can produce a great longing for it, but wisdom is hidden and seems only a mere rumor. However, “God understands the way to it, and He knows its place” (Job 28:14) and He says to us:

“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)

Not only does God graciously grant peace of mind, but also wisdom to those who asks. In great respect and awe for His wisdom, turning away from evil makes sense and gives me access to His answers for life’s issues.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)

And that gives me an even greater sense of awe. The God who spoke the universe into existence and who knows all things will grant to me all that I need to know and the ability to act on that knowledge — and He is totally generous about it!

Amen.

As for acting on what He reveals, God also reminds me that He grants a willing heart. In Luke, Jesus laments over Jerusalem and says:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” (Luke 13:34–35)

How awful to be unwilling, yet I know that it is the sinner’s normal state. However, the grace of God keeps me wanting to be gathered up by Jesus, taken into His care and understanding His will, experiencing His peace even for all that I’ve done wrong. Woe to those who say NO to the grandest gift from the Lord — a heart that is willing, even eager, to know and understand Him, to love Him. This is grace and not my doing. I am so grateful.

Amen.

I’m also thankful that the Bible says, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33) and that, “All things should be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) These verses have helped me many times. When my mind or situation becomes a blurry muddle or I am confused or upset about something, I know that God is not stirring me up. I have a spiritual enemy whose devices often include messing with my mind. This is an occasion to call for that peace, or ask for that wisdom, or check and see if the enemy gained access because of some unwillingness in me.

The latter problem also reminds me of a favorite verse: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

This tells me that there is a logical order to winning a spiritual war. I cannot resist the devil while unsubmitted to God. He will grant a willing mind if I confess the sin that has cropped up and He will enable me to submit to Him so I can resist whatever the devil is trying to do. This too is the grace of God.

APPLY: Let symptoms indicate whether I’m in spiritual trouble or not and seek God’s grace for any necessary cures. He is faithful and wants me to experience His peace, know His wisdom, and have a willing heart of obedience.

Amen.