Considering Life Biblically
A year ago we planned on a party to celebrate Garry's mom reaching 85 years of age. But before as many of that family as could gathered to that end we learned that she had terminal cancer. So we still gathered but cancelled the party and had a different kind of celebration as each took time to share their love with her, not at a restaurant but at a hospice.
Five weeks later, we gathered to celebrate her home-going. So almost a year on, I am considering these biblical passages on life..
Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses, the man of God, includes this: "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty, yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (verses 10-12; ESV).
Who does not need wisdom?
James wrote these encouraging words: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5; ESV).
"Generously...without reproach."
Later in this letter, James expands on godly wisdom: "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18; ESV).
But wait, there is more.
We use wisdom in our planning. James has this to say, also: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15; ESV).
So we pray as Moses that the Lord would teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom, while also saying what James commands, "if the Lord wills we will live and do this or that," trusting the Lord to make everything work together to His glory and our good.
Five weeks later, we gathered to celebrate her home-going. So almost a year on, I am considering these biblical passages on life..
Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses, the man of God, includes this: "The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty, yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (verses 10-12; ESV).
Who does not need wisdom?
James wrote these encouraging words: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5; ESV).
"Generously...without reproach."
Later in this letter, James expands on godly wisdom: "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18; ESV).
But wait, there is more.
We use wisdom in our planning. James has this to say, also: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'--yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that'" (James 4:13-15; ESV).
So we pray as Moses that the Lord would teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom, while also saying what James commands, "if the Lord wills we will live and do this or that," trusting the Lord to make everything work together to His glory and our good.
posted by Ebeth | 9:50 AM
1 Comments:
A good word for me. Thank you.
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