relationships (Jeremiah 3:1-25) Being Faithful

(Jeremiah 3:1-25) 

     God says, “If a husband divorces his wife 
     And she leaves him 
     And becomes another man’s wife,
     Will he return to her again?
     Would that land not be completely defiled?
     But you are a prostitute with many lovers;
     Yet you turn to Me,” declares the Lord.
2   “Raise your eyes to the bare heights and see;
     Where have you not been violated?
     You have sat for them by the roads
     Like an Arab in the desert,
     And you have defiled a land
     With your prostitution and your wickedness.
3   Therefore the showers have been withheld,
     And there has been no spring rain.
     Yet you had a prostitute’s forehead;
     You refused to be ashamed.
4   Have you not just now called to Me,
     ‘My Father, You are the friend of my youth?
5   Will He be angry forever,
     Or keep His anger to the end?’
     Behold, you have spoken 
     And have done evil things,
     And you have had your own way.”

6 Then the Lord said to me in the days of King Josiah, “Have you seen what faithless Israel did? She went up on every high hill and under every leafy tree, and she prostituted herself there. 7 Yet I thought, ‘After she has done all these things she will return to Me’; but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a certificate of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and prostituted herself also. 9 And because of the thoughtlessness of her prostitution, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees. 10 Yet in spite of all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but rather in deception,” declares the Lord.

11 And the Lord said to me, “Faithless Israel has proved herself to be more righteous than treacherous Judah. 12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north and say,

     ‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord;
     ‘I will not look at you in anger.
     For I am gracious,’ declares the Lord;
     ‘I will not be angry forever.
13 Only acknowledge your wrongdoing,
     That you have revolted against the Lord your God,
     And have scattered your favors to the strangers under every leafy tree,
     And you have not obeyed My voice,’ declares the Lord.
14 ‘Return, you faithless sons,’ declares the Lord;
     ‘For I am a master to you,
     And I will take you, one from a city and two from a family,
     And bring you to Zion.’

15 “Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you knowledge and understanding. 16 And it shall be in those days when you become numerous and are fruitful in the land,” declares the Lord, “they will no longer say, ‘The ark of the covenant of the Lord.’ And it will not come to mind, nor will they remember it, nor miss it, nor will it be made again. 17 At that time they will call Jerusalem ‘The Throne of the Lord,’ and all the nations will assemble at it, at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord; and they will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance.

19 “Then I said,

     ‘How I would set you among My sons 
     And give you a pleasant land,
     The most beautiful inheritance of the nations!’
     And I said, ‘You shall call Me, My Father,
     And not turn away from following Me.’
20 However, as a woman treacherously leaves her lover,
     So you have dealt treacherously with Me,
     House of Israel,” declares the Lord.

21 A voice is heard on the bare heights,
     The weeping, the pleading of the sons of Israel.
     Because they have perverted their way,
     They have forgotten the Lord their God.
22 “Return, you faithless sons,
     I will heal your faithlessness.”
     “Behold, we come to You;
     For You are the Lord our God.
23 Certainly the hills are a deception,
     Commotion on the mountains.
     Certainly in the Lord our God
     Is the salvation of Israel.

24 “But the shame has consumed the product of our fathers’ labor since our youth—their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. 25 Let us lie down in our shame, and let our humiliation cover us; for we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day. And we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

The deepest betrayal there could ever be is when a spouse commits adultery.  And the deepest disappointment there could ever be is when a father sees his child choosing to become a debauched criminal.  So, here then, we can see and understand just how personal our relationship with the Lord is!  Once we have put our faith and trust in the Lord, and He has adopted us as His children... or as a husband and wife (who have become one flesh), we are unified with the Lord and He has given us His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise... why would we betray Him by going astray to worship our own strength and mind, or worship another god, idol, creature, person or thing?  

Yet, we do!  Even when we don't want to, it is very easy to get sidetracked and start relying on ourselves or someone or something else.  It is so very easy to forget about the Lord and everything He has done, is doing and will do.  But thanks be to the Lord who is faithful, patient and full of grace!!!  We can never lose our salvation, but when we do go astray, God will allow consequences into our lives.  

Just for the simple fact that when we are not going to the Lord to nurture and enjoy the most sweetest and important relationship in our life, we will be missing out on many of His blessings (like peace, joy, contentment, courage, wisdom, strength...)!  And we can't just pretend to go to the Lord, all nicey-nicey for the moment, in religious postering, and think we can fool Him into thinking we are being faithful.  

The Lord knows our hearts and our intentions!  That would be like a philandering spouse returning home from time to time, pretending to be loving and caring, just to get what they wanted, only to disappear again, to continue on in adultery.  Meanwhile, the other spouse will sense what they are doing, and wonder how the cheater cannot see how wonderful things would be if they would just remain faithful, and stick around to work on the marriage and the relationship!  A spouse will even sense when their loved one is emotionally cheating... even when the object of their lust is an image or fictitious!

In the same way, believers will arrogantly and without remorse think that they can cheat, play games or make deals with God.  Like, they'll read their Bible, and/or go to church for a little while until they get what they want.  Also interesting, is when some people do realize the gravity of their sin, they can get stuck in shame and humiliation, unable to move on or accept help.  Somehow their pride prevents them from confessing their sins, apologizing and changing course.  Yet, the Lord waits for exactly that!  All God wants is our hearts!  

God desires that we go to Him for forgiveness and salvation with a humble heart, and then with a humble, thankful heart, continuously seek a close relationship with Him.  Whether people accept or reject the Lord, He came in flesh to die for our sins so that we might have eternal life, peace and joy.  This should inspire us to want to worship and thank Him!  

Our desire should not be to escape church - but to run to church to worship and serve!  Our desire should not be to continue wallowing in our past sins - but to celebrate our freedom in God's grace and praise Him for all that He does for us!  Our desire should not be to just try to do better - but to be better in God's strength, guidance and wisdom, asking Him to work for us, in us and through us.  Our desire should not be to look elsewhere, wondering if the grass is greener on the other side (because it is not) - but to ask our faithful Lord and Savior to help us be faithful!

relationships (Jeremiah 2:1-37) Contentment and Joy

(Jeremiah 2:1-37)  

Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘This is what the Lord says:

     “I remember regarding you the devotion of your youth,
     Your love when you were a bride,
     Your following after Me in the wilderness,
     Through a land not sown.
3   Israel was holy to the Lord,
     The first of His harvest.
     All who ate of it became guilty;
     Evil came upon them,” declares the Lord.’”

4 Hear the word of the Lord, house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel. 5 This is what the Lord says:

     “What injustice did your fathers find in Me,
     That they went far from Me,
     And walked after emptiness and became empty?
6   They did not say, ‘Where is the Lord 
     Who brought us up out of the land of Egypt,
     Who led us through the wilderness,
     Through a land of deserts and of pits,
     Through a land of drought and of deep darkness,
     Through a land that no one crossed 
     And where no person lived?’
7   I brought you into the fruitful land 
     To eat its fruit and its good things.
     But you came and defiled My land,
     And you made My inheritance an abomination.
8   The priests did not say, ‘Where is the Lord?’
     And those who handle the Law did not know Me;
     The rulers also revolted against Me,
     And the prophets prophesied by Baal 
     And walked after things that were of no benefit.

9   “Therefore I will still contend with you,” declares the Lord,
     “And I will contend with your sons’ sons.
10 For cross to the coastlands of Kittim and see,
     And send to Kedar and observe closely,
     And see if there has been anything like this!
11 Has a nation changed gods,
     When they were not gods?
     But My people have exchanged their glory 
     For that which is of no benefit.
12 Be appalled at this, you heavens,
     And shudder, be very desolate,” declares the Lord.
13 “For My people have committed two evils:
     They have abandoned Me,
     The fountain of living waters,
     To carve out for themselves cisterns,
     Broken cisterns 
     That do not hold water.

14 “Is Israel a slave? Or is he a servant born in the home?
     Why has he become plunder?
15 The young lions have roared at him,
     They have roared loudly.
     And they have made his land a waste;
     His cities have been destroyed, without inhabitant.
16 Also the men of Memphis and Tahpanhes 
     Have shaved your head.
17 Have you not done this to yourself 
     By your abandoning the Lord your God 
     When He led you in the way?
18 But now what are you doing on the road to Egypt,
     Except to drink the waters of the Nile?
     Or what are you doing on the road to Assyria,
     Except to drink the waters of the Euphrates River?
19 Your own wickedness will correct you,
     And your apostasies will punish you;
     Know therefore and see that it is evil and bitter 
     For you to abandon the Lord your God,
     And the fear of Me is not in you,” declares the Lord God of armies.

20 “For long ago I broke your yoke 
     And tore off your restraints;
     But you said, ‘I will not serve!’
     For on every high hill 
     And under every leafy tree 
     You have lain down as a prostitute.
21 Yet I planted you as a choice vine,
     A completely faithful seed.
     How then have you turned yourself before Me
     Into the degenerate shoots of a foreign vine?
22 Although you wash yourself with lye 
     And use much soap,
     The stain of your guilt is before Me,” declares the Lord God.
23 “How can you say, ‘I am not defiled,
     I have not gone after the Baals’?
     Look at your way in the valley!
     Know what you have done!
     You are a swift young camel running about senselessly on her ways,
24 A wild donkey accustomed to the wilderness,
     That sniffs the wind in her passion.
     Who can turn her away in her mating season?
     None who seek her will grow weary;
     In her month they will find her.
25 Keep your feet from being bare,
     And your throat from thirst;
     But you said, ‘It is hopeless!
     No! For I have loved strangers,
     And I will walk after them.’

26 “Like the shame of a thief when he is discovered,
     So the house of Israel is shamed;
     They, their kings, their leaders,
     Their priests, and their prophets,
27 Who say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’
     And to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’
     For they have turned their backs to Me,
     And not their faces;
     But in the time of their trouble they will say,
     ‘Arise and save us!’
28 But where are your gods
     Which you made for yourself?
     Let them arise, if they can save you 
     In the time of your trouble!
     For as many as the number of your cities 
     Are your gods, Judah.

29 “Why do you contend with Me?
     You have all revolted against Me,” declares the Lord.
30 “In vain I have struck your sons;
     They did not accept discipline.
     Your sword has devoured your prophets 
     Like a destroying lion.
31 You generation, look to the word of the Lord.
     Have I been a wilderness to Israel,
     Or a land of thick darkness?
     Why do My people say, ‘We are free to roam;
     We will no longer come to You’?
32 Can a virgin forget her jewelry,
     Or a bride her attire?
     Yet My people have forgotten Me 
     For days without number.
33 How well you prepare your way 
     To seek love!
     Therefore even to the wicked women 
     You have taught your ways.
34 Also on your skirts is found 
     The lifeblood of the innocent poor;
     You did not find them breaking in.
     But in spite of all these things,
35 You said, ‘I am innocent;
     Surely His anger is turned away from me.’
     Behold, I will enter into judgment with you 
     Because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’
36 Why do you go around so much 
     Changing your way?
     Also, you will be put to shame by Egypt,
     Just as you were put to shame by Assyria.
37 From this place as well you will go out 
     With your hands on your head;
     For the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust,
     And you will not prosper with them.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

How steadfast we are in our walk with the Lord, will indicate how faithful we will be in our friendships and in our marriage.  If we are good friends with the Lord, we will be good friends with others.  I can look back and see how this is true.  These are some of the circumstances when I found myself seeking out the wrong friendships, as well as not being a good friend, to others, to my parents, to myself, or to the Lord:

- when I struggled with doubts in my relationship with the Lord, and chose to have an uncaring, rebellious attitude, instead of seeking out God's truth

- when I struggled with pride and took the Lord for granted, and chose to do things in my strength and wisdom, instead of seeking out God's strength and wisdom

- when I struggled with trusting the Lord in all things, and chose to isolate myself and have a big 'ol pity party, instead of reaching out for God's help

- when I struggled with being discontent, wondering what I might be missing out on, and chose to step off the path here and there, instead of focusing on all the blessings that comes with having a close relationship with the Lord.

Most definitely, the Lord kept me safe from myself.  Interestingly enough, even when I was young, I thought to pray and ask the Lord to "please protect me from myself!"  I had also decided, and was very determined NOT to date until I was an adult.  Once I was an adult, and decided to go to college, I was determined not to date in order to stay focused on my studies!  After that, I realized that it would not be wise to date anyone because I still needed to figure out what God wanted me to do with my life and where that would take me.

Once my direction was fairly clear, and I realized the joy in growing closer to the Lord in a personal relationship, it was then that I started becoming a better friend, and seeking out better friendships, and started asking God to send me a man who would make a good husband for me.  There were absolutely a few tests along the way, though.  It was important not to allow my feelings to drive my decisions.  I kept in mind that I needed to make a decision using my head, even deciding to love someone using my will, and then... enjoying the relationship with my heart.

God answered my prayer in sending me just the right man - for me!  He was equally determined to pursue and live in God's will and serve Him, only.  And then real life happens.  Like verse 2 implies, the newness of a relationship will wear off, and then what?  And it's not that we need to figure out ways to refresh the newness, it is really all about being content and moving forward!  Just like verses 5 and 11 imply, it is far too easy to start inventing and seeing "bad things" in something good, just to justify one's desires to pursue something bad.  It's so important to focus on what is good and what is true.

Once we are married, we are one flesh, and we are teammates.  It is not about what we can get out of a relationship, but we can put into a relationship to help build it up. Love is a verb, and it is a constant decision to apply this sacrificial, unconditional love, to selflessly serve one another.

In summary - the most important aspect of all relationships - is that we embrace, nurture and grow in our personal relationship with the Lord!  When we ask the Lord to help us with everything, even the mundane tasks of life, we bring "the glory" into the mundane.  So, when we are content in the Lord, we can realize how much He completes us, He is the one who fulfills us, and He is the one who brings real joy into our lives!

relationships (Jeremiah 1:1-19) Building for Strength, Peace and Longevity

(Jeremiah 1:1-19)  

The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin, 2 to whom the word of the Lord came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, king of Judah, until the exile of Jerusalem in the fifth month.

4   Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,

5   “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
     And before you were born I consecrated you;
     I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
6   Then I said, “Oh, Lord God!
     Behold, I do not know how to speak,
     Because I am a youth.”
7   But the Lord said to me,
     “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
     Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
     And all that I command you, you shall speak.
8   Do not be afraid of them,
     For I am with you to save you,” declares the Lord.

9   Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me,
     “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
10 See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,
     To root out and to tear down,
     To destroy and to overthrow,
     To build and to plant.”

11 And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “What do you see, Jeremiah?” And I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.” 12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it.”

13 And the word of the Lord came to me a second time, saying, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see a boiling pot, facing away from the north.” 14 Then the Lord said to me, “Out of the north the evil will be unleashed on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, behold, I am calling all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” declares the Lord; “and they will come and place, each one of them, his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls around, and against all the cities of Judah. 16 And I will pronounce My judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, since they have abandoned Me and have offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped the works of their own hands. 17 Now, belt your garment around your waist and arise, and speak to them all that I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, or I will make you dismayed before them. 18 Now behold, I have made you today like a fortified city and like a pillar of iron and walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its leaders, to its priests, and to the people of the land. 19 And they will fight against you but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to save you,” declares the Lord.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

One cannot build a sound house or any structure for that matter, on top of a foundation that is compromised, and definitely not on top of or adjacent to another unsound structure!  A wise engineer will always build upon a solid foundation.  So verse 10 really stood out to me.  In any relationship, starting with our relationship with the Lord, one needs to start out by rooting out and tearing down, destroying and "overthrowing" (overcoming) any and all sin in our lives.  Obviously, we cannot do any of that for ourselves.  

Besides being the all-knowing and all-powerful Engineer over all, the Lord, Himself, is the only firm, solid and sound foundation.  It is initially the Lord who helps us root out the sin by telling us what is a sin, through His word (the Bible), His Holy Spirit who convicts us, as well as our conscience that the Lord has given every one of us.

Once we realize that we are sinners, we can go (as we are) to the Lord to repent and accept His free gift of eternal life.  It is only the Lord who can forgive our sins because He came in flesh, to be fully man while still being fully God, to live a perfect life, and suffer and die to pay the price for all sin, then rise from the dead to have victory over death.  So because the Lord is perfect, faithful and is unshakeable truth, in a personal relationship with the Lord, we are able to ask Him to build us up according to His purpose.  And He will guide us and help us in all things, and it is only in this that we will experience spiritual peace, courage and strength.

As we continue on in our personal relationship with the Lord, because He is the one who changes us from the inside out, as we ask and allow, He continues to work on and in our hearts.  As we continue to pursue Him and His will, the Lord equips us and helps us to build and to plant.  It is the Lord who nourishes and strengthens us so that we produce fruit in our lives to be seen by others, to serve others, and to have a positive impact and influence on those around us.

We can also use this template in all other relationships, while always asking God to provide wisdom, guidance and strength.  In the broader sense, we should root out toxic relationships and situations, and then build up protective hedges around us.  While we are told to not worry or fear anyone or anything, we are still told to flee from evil. Most especially, do not be lured into dating or marrying an unbeliever, which would be to build a marriage on a very compromised foundation!  While the Lord will provide us ways of escape through times of temptation, He also advises us to avoid putting ourselves into circumstances that will cause us to be tempted.

Likewise, in all other relationships, to keep them healthy, strong and peaceful, we can root out issues and deal with them, according to God's instructions, with God's love and help, and to His glory.  And then, according to God's instructions, with God's love and help, we can build, plant and nurture.  In this we will build up more relationships that have strength, peace and longevity.

With any relationships, it goes both ways.  Therefore, when we all strive to grow closer to the Lord and put into practice His instructions, in His strength and help, all to His glory, we will grow closer to each other.  But if anyone decides to do things their own way, we cannot control this.  All we can do is pray, and do as we should, and never be ashamed of remaining steadfast in the Lord.  It helps to know that striving in obedience is to have a purpose and be part of God's plans in all that He wants to accomplish.  As well, it helps to know that God wants to bless us.

The Lord has called each of us to serve in some way, because He has given each of us purpose which will lead to a fulfilling life.  Figuring out what it is that we are called to do is not as mysterious as most of us assume.  As we pray and ask God for guidance, He will give us direction.  It might be as simple as doing something that we already enjoy doing.  And even when we struggle with nerves or insecurities or lack of motivation, we will experience peace and joy when we persevere, because it is such a great blessing to serve our Sovereign Lord and Savior!

relationships (Isaiah 66:1-24) Humble Abode

(Isaiah 66:1-24) 

1   This is what the Lord says:
     “Heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool for My feet.
     Where then is a house you could build for Me?
     And where is a place that I may rest?
2   For My hand made all these things,
     So all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.
     “But I will look to this one,
     At one who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My word.

3   “But the one who slaughters an ox is like one who kills a person;
     The one who sacrifices a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck;
     One who offers a grain offering is like one who offers pig’s blood;
     One who burns incense is like one who blesses an idol.
     As they have chosen their own ways,
     And their souls delight in their abominations,
4   So I will choose their punishments 
     And bring on them what they dread.
     Because I called, but no one answered;
     I spoke, but they did not listen.
     Instead, they did evil in My sight
     And chose that in which I did not delight.”
5   Hear the word of the Lord, you who tremble at His word:
     “Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you on account of My name,
     Have said, ‘Let the Lord be glorified, so that we may see your joy.’
     But they will be put to shame.
6   A sound of uproar from the city, a voice from the temple,
     The voice of the Lord who is dealing retribution to His enemies.

7   “Before she was in labor, she delivered;
     Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy.
8   Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?
     Can a land be born in one day?
     Can a nation be given birth all at once?
     As soon as Zion was in labor, she also delivered her sons.
9   Shall I bring to the point of birth but not give delivery?” says the Lord.
     “Or shall I who gives delivery shut the womb?” says your God.

10 “Be joyful with Jerusalem and rejoice for her, all you who love her;
     Be exceedingly glad with her, all you who mourn over her,
11 So that you may nurse and be satisfied with her comforting breasts,
     So that you may drink fully and be delighted with her bountiful breasts.”
12 For this is what the Lord says: “Behold, I extend peace to her like a river,
     And the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
     And you will be nursed, you will be carried on the hip and rocked back and forth on the knees.
13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you;
     And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.”
14 Then you will see this, and your heart will be glad,
     And your bones will flourish like the new grass;
     And the hand of the Lord will be made known to His servants,
     But He will be indignant toward His enemies.
15 For behold, the Lord will come in fire,
     And His chariots like the whirlwind,
     To render His anger with fury,
     And His rebuke with flames of fire.
16 For the Lord will execute judgment by fire 
     And by His sword on humanity,
     And those put to death by the Lord will be many.
17 “Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens,
     Following one in the center,
     Who eat pig’s flesh, detestable things, and mice,
     Will come to an end altogether,” declares the Lord.

18 “For I know their works and their thoughts; the time is coming to gather all the nations and tongues. And they shall come and see My glory. 19 And I will put a sign among them and send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud, Meshech, Tubal, and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have neither heard of My fame nor seen My glory. And they will declare My glory among the nations. 20 Then they shall bring all your countrymen from all the nations as a grain offering to the Lord, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem,” says the Lord, “just as the sons of Israel bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. 21 I will also take some of them as priests and Levites,” says the Lord.

22 “For just as the new heavens and the new earth,
     Which I make, will endure before Me,” declares the Lord,
     “So will your descendants and your name endure.
23 And it shall be from new moon to new moon 
     And from Sabbath to Sabbath,
     All mankind will come to bow down before Me,” says the Lord.
24 “Then they will go out and look 
     At the corpses of the people 
     Who have rebelled against Me.
     For their worm will not die 
     And their fire will not be extinguished;
      And they will be an abhorrence to all mankind.”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This chapter is full of prophecies and details which demonstrate that the Lord is Sovereign, the righteous Judge, Creator of everything, and He gives purpose and has a plan!  And this mighty God who is full of glory, is not impressed with anyone trying to be super-religious and self-righteous, doing things their own way, and in their own strength, while rejecting Him and mocking His love.  

The Lord looks to those who are humble, contrite in spirit, who tremble at His word!  This is the one who recognizes just how small we are compared to God.  This is the one who realizes we are not "good enough", yet He considers each one of us valuable and important enough to suffer and die for.  This is one who is remorseful and repents and humbly accepts the Lord's merciful gift of forgiveness and salvation.  This is the one who values, respects and trusts in what the Lord says in His word, the Bible, understanding that it is true and relevant in any age.  

The all-knowing Lord and Savior has given us a manual for life.  If we say we trust in Him, then we should trust His word to the point that we strive to follow what He says, in His strength and guidance, knowing with confidence that He will work things out for us, because He wants the best for us!  While we can see in this chapter just how fierce the Lord is against sin and evil, we can also see just how caring, compassionate and nurturing He is towards those who accept Him into our lives... our humble hearts as His abode!  We could never build Him a home to live in, but all He wants is our heart, to adopt us into His family, and to have a personal relationship with us!