true – Judy in the Sky

Read Psalm 33 – Eternity will not make sense without an understanding of God. As humans, we want to feel some measure of control – yet it is a world we did not create. As we allow for awe, reverence and fear of God, even the most difficult things of this life can be entrusted to Jesus.

My heart is aching for a loved one today. She is facing something I fear, yet here is God’s Word, waiting for me… as if knowing all along I would need this Psalm today. Verse :1 seemed too hard at first look, “Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.” But as I read on, my focus shifted to our Father’s glory, and the ache began to fade into trust, and my ability to sing joyfully came alive.

“By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.” :6-7 That makes me feel small in the very best way – like the view of the world out of my airplane window, or the feeling of standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon. This world is such a simple thing to God.

“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” :20-22

Read Deuteronomy 18 – Gifts, bad neighbors and liars – The Lord set the Levites aside as priests and he detailed the portions of the offerings that they could claim. It should be a joy to give to the Lord, and a pleasure to see the priests well taken care of. The Lord even made provision that no one judge the priests, even if they are receiving support from their family. Their share was their share. (:8)
Now, the promised land was full of wicked people with detestable traditions. The Israelites had to be very careful not to imitate them. God gives the example of not sacrificing their children as a burnt offering, practice fortune-telling, use sorcery, interpret omens, engage in witchcraft, cast spells, function as mediums or psychics or call forth spirits of the dead. :10-11 These are the very reasons the LORD is driving these people from the land and giving it to the Israelites. (:12) Beloved, we would be wise to hate what the LORD hates. Humans have a curiosity about the occult… when I was a little girl, horoscopes and Ouji boards were considered harmless entertainment. It was not until Jesus rescued me that I realized how deceptive and sinister these occult practices were – God forbids it. If you have any history of dabbling in these practices, I plead that you would confess, and pray to be cleansed of all unrighteousness right now.
Moses continues the list of cautions to warn the people about true and false prophets. The LORD told Moses, “I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.” :18 And the LORD addresses how to tell his true prophet from an imposter; namely, if the prophecies don’t hold water, you will know it wasn’t a prophecy from the LORD. (:22)
Beloved, if your church/pastor declares prophecies that have not come true or been revised – RUN! Because of Jesus, you are worthy of an authentic faith, unhindered by those who would lead you astray. God’s Word is true, loving and trustworthy. If you discover something that doesn’t measure up in your life, confess it to Jesus, your Abba Father.