The Gift of Examples

Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Corinthians 10:11 (New American Standard Bible)

I am a visual person. I comprehend and learn better when something is shown to me rather than just spoken to me. God is gracious. He is extravagant in giving me examples to learn life lessons from. Some of those examples are found on the pages of Scripture and some of those examples are found in the lives of people who lived long after the Bible was complete. Today I am at a place whereby I need the review of examples to refresh my walk and broaden my view of the journey.

I am thinking back to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Forty years! And how did they spend most of their time? Complaining, whining, discontent, and argumentative. What did they miss? Seeing God’s provision, protection, power, and presence in their every day lives. It seems they were constantly looking at what others had, where others were going, and what others were doing instead of keeping their eyes, heart, and mind on the living God. God still remained faithful but the wonder of that faithfulness and the joy of living as recipients of that faithfulness were absent from their experience. Time and time again God did the things He did and said the things He said so that they would KNOW Him. Yet they ended up knowing so little about Him. God would have me learn from their example.

Each day that I live, I am the recipient of His grace, favor, direction, protection, and provision. He is not absent from me at any moment! He is faithfully working behind the scenes to unfold His plan and purpose for my life. He is doing a work in me in order that I would know Him and live life to the fullest. I lose the joy and wonder of it all when I start doubting any of that is true. My expectations dwindle when I begin to believe God is not involved, interested, or interceding in my life. My peace departs when I forget that I am in partnership with Him and will see His dreams for my life fulfilled. Above all I want to know Him and then I want to experience all that He has in mind for me. I bring to Him trust and obedience to His daily revelations and commands. He brings to me substance and sustenance of an abundant life.

Today, I choose to meditate on what He has done in the lives of His other children in history as well as the present. His work in and through them will do much to encourage me each step of the way. He offers no less to me and will faithfully carry out His best for me.

Father, help me to follow You with abandon! Fulfill every dream and intent You have for my life. Don’t let me miss a thing along the way. Fill me with the wonder and joy of You! Amen.

Everlasting God - Lincoln Brewster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP2nz6PG8KM

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.