I started something called Bible Study Fellowship this week. It's a ten month long, weekly dive into the Bible with a group of ladies at a local church. This is my first time doing this program and even thought I was trepiditious at first because of the committment level, I am very excited to be doing it. Apparently it's a world wide event that has been around for quite some time.
The title of the study is called "Kingdom Divided." The material will cover the time of Israel's fall from grace, the dividing of the kingdom after King Solomon, her up and down relationship with the God who rescued her from slavery and settled her in the promised land, her plummet into idolatry and eventual return to enslavement.
Many times I've thought of Israel, read about her triumphs and failurers, and in my mind compared her to the present day United States. The early settlers came here with good intentions, escaping tyranny and religious oppression and bringing the Gospel to the people in this far off land. And yet, we seem to be on the same track as Israel. We forget our Lord. We chase after the false gods of this world, seeking only pleasure and materialism. We fall more and more into sin with each passing year, disobeying our Lord and even celebrating the things He calls evil. What happens in the future? I don't know. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we are told, "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." So is there hope for America, for other nations in this world? I like to think so.
But this is not my focus here. This is just the way I've always thought of the decline of Israel...on a national level. And as a comparison to the nations of today. But as I was reading the introduction to the Bible study something else clicked into place. What if this is not just a story of nations? But of individuals, a story of me. Can I look at my life and compare it to Israel's history? Do I follow God wholeheartedly for a time, only to fall away and become lazy, self-serving and forgetful of the One who saved me. YES!
Whoa. That was eye-opening. My life reflects the stories written of this ancient people who went up and down in their devotion to Jehovah God. I often suffer the same misplaced focus, the same seeking after other gods. They may not be called Molech and Ba'al but they come by other names such as food, comfort, selfishness, and pride. Maybe those idols we chase after are money, position, power. Maybe we choose spending hours in front of the TV instead of the Bible. Whatever we put in place of God, that is our idol. Like Israel, we wane in our devotion to our Savior because we get complacent or too satisfied with things of the world.
Wow. What a different way to read these books. So my goal in this study is not to look at the passages on a grand scale, but to pull them down to a personal level. I want to learn to be steadfast and unwavering in my devotion to Jesus. I am so blessed by this revelation, so joyful to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit calling me to more. And I know He is calling each of you to more as well.
Thank You Lord for bringing me this new way of seeing. This new way of growing and learning. I'm so glad You showed me this and am excited to mature in my walk with You. Keep us all moving forward and following You each minute of the day. In Jesus Name. Amen.
What is your walk with Christ like? How can you make it more abiding, stronger and more on fire?
John 151-10 I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
