HAVE YOU EVER...written a paper?

When I was a freshman in college, one of the first nonmusic classes that I walked into was Old Testament History.  I had had some issues with my enrollment the recent spring and so I was stuck in a class with all ministry majors.  My dean signed me into the class; I am sure breaking some fancy rules, because I DID NOT belong in this class.  Everyone around me was mainly male and much smarter than me.  It was one of my all time favorite classes EVER!

Dr. Bing Bayer was one of the most amazing teachers of God’s word that I have ever heard.  I never missed a class and he is one of the reasons I am obsessed with the Old Testament.  Our final was to write an exegetical paper.  I still don’t know what that means.  It was supposed to be like 25 pages long.  In an essence you were creating your own commentary on a scripture passage.  These smart boys chose 1 verse or something like Proverbs 31.  I chose the ENTIRE book of Jonah.

Everyone knows the story of Jonah.  The exciting miracle of God allowing Jonah to live after being swallowed by a whale is what most people would remember.  Not me.  What stands out most to me is that Jonah did not do what God asked him to do.  Yes, God used him to show a miracle to the people in the boat.  We all have experienced the miracles of this story because it made it into the Bible.  And we see God’s mercy to the Ninevites.

That is why Jonah said no.  God’s mercy. 

He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home?  That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish.  I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.”  Jonah 4:2

Jonah was God’s prophet for 50 years.  He knew of God’s great compassion for all mankind.  He had already judged the Ninevites and did not want God to forgive them.  Yikes!

I hear kids say, “I hate you” to other kids all of the time.  We have seen too many “hate crimes” in our word today.  People are stepping up to be a judge and jury of things they are very ignorant about.  We need to examine our hearts more and share God’s love with everyone.  At least, try to be an example for our own kids. 

You don’t have to go to a foreign country that you “hate” to show God’s compassion.  Just open your eyes before making a hasty judgment.  God always has a plan, even when you say no.

HAVE YOU EVER…shown God’s compassion to others?

Isaiah 49:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

HAVE YOU EVER...prayed for yourself?

And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had

with you before the world began.  John 17:5

Jesus prayed for himself.  Why would Jesus need to pray for himself?

(Jesus) made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness.  Philippians 2:7

Jesus became flesh – human.  God had this plan from the beginning.  Jesus was also there before the world began.  He still loved us so much that he dwelt among us.  Jesus needed to speak to the heavenly father the same way we should need that communication.

This prayer in John is beautiful to me.  I could read about the glory of God all day long.

Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.”

My Bible commentary says, “and the death by which Jesus would glorify God would lead to eternal life.”

Here Jesus knows his death and resurrection are near.  The battle has just begun.  But when it is over, we will see God shining through Jesus’ capture of the grave.  The gift to us is glorious salvation!  Eternal life!

Our salvation should be “recognizable” to all.  God is not done with us.  The battle rages on.  Praise the Lord this Easter season.  Celebrate your salvation with others!

HAVE YOU EVER…celebrated salvation?

Daniel 7:13-14;  Hebrews 2:9