Gifts of God: Legs, Hips, and Feet

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD” (Proverbs 21:31).

Yesterday, I looked for Low Carb Monster sodas but only saw some pricey Sugarfree Red Bulls. Less fond of Red Bull, I opted for the cheaper 12 pack of Diet Mountain Dew which is what I should have looked for anyway on my current budget. Praise God for bringing me to WalMart instead of Winn-Dixie. I appreciate quality and often think the upgrade is worthwhile, but I don’t need a $20 vs a $5 caffeine fix now. I’m drinking the sodas because I’m a little more tired than usual while training for a 5K. Around the time I was reborn in Christ, I ran frequently. Even then, I spent too much on energy gels and things of the like. That running effort wasn’t a long season, but I enjoyed it much, and recently, towards the end of a 40 day liquid fast, I was moved to register for the Zoo Zoom. One of the things I’d been praying about was whether or not to keep my daughter in dance especially since she wasn’t thrilled with it. She had minimal gymnastics exposure and wasn’t too excited about that either. I want her to be active and develop a hobby but didn’t know what we should try next. We took swimming lessons during the summer, and I’d been considering piano lessons. In the last week or two of my fast, I found a music teacher, was gifted with a piano, and joined the Y. I don’t expect to register for many more races this fall, but the treadmill workouts have been so much fun. I thank the Lord for this opportunity; do I show my appreciation by throwing away $15 on deluxe caffeine supplements again? Psalm 78 recounts the Israelite’s tribulations following their deliverance from Egypt: “They willfully put God to the test by demanding the food they craved. They spoke against God; they said, ‘Can God really spread a table in the wilderness?’” (v18-19). Looking for the Low Carb Monster drinks, I did not intend to speak against God, but I don’t want my choices to undermine His glory.

Luke 8 tells of Jesus healing a desert man bound by a legion of demons (v26 – 39) and raising a man’s daughter from the dead (v40-56). Jesus tells the man freed from demons, “Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” Three paragraphs later, after the dead child’s spirit returned, He tells her parents to be silent about this great miracle (v56). What? Tell no one? Earlier Jesus talked to His disciples about the Word of God as seed that bears fruit and said light is meant for all to see. “Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away” (v18). Those who lived among the possessed man knew a miracle occured and were frightened of the power of God at work: “all the people of the surrounding country..asked him to depart from them, for they were seized with great fear” (v37). Maybe because they heard and believed, more faith will be given as the freed man’s testimony is preached.

While Jesus leaves with Jairus, whose daughter is ill, a woman is healed of a life long blood disease by touching His robe. Jesus demands she identify herself and commends her faith in front of the crowd. Jairus’ neighbors know Jesus but are quick to discourage the father with news of his daughter’s death. Jesus returns with Jairus, telling the crowd not to weep. “And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead” (v53). Jairus’ neighbors know Jesus has authority; they said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more” (v49). Sometimes when I think I’m showing respect for the Lord, my lack of faith shines brighter. Jesus says, “nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (v17). Maybe the girl’s parents were told to be silent because doubting Jairus’ testimony could shed what faith their community thought they had.

Proverbs 21 reads “There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord” (v30). The good news is that our God is merciful. Psalm 78 ends with David shepherding the people. The Lord chose David His servant and took him from the sheep pens…to be the shepherd of His people..His inheritance” (v70-71). In Leviticus 14, rituals for treatment of skin disorders and assorted ailments are described. People cleansed of leprosy are to bring three lambs, grain, and oil for offerings, but an allowance is made for the poor: one lamb, two birds, grain, and oil. “This is the law for him in whom is a case of leprous disease, who cannot afford the offerings for his cleansing” (v32). Praise Jesus who gives us every opportunity to join with Him in Spirit whether we are rich or poor, walking in fear of God or distracted by worldy favors. Our Savior does not scorn our shortcomings but puts His light on a stand so all may see (Luke 8:16). Putting the Word of God on a stand may mean moving some things aside that could hinder His work. The Son of God was born in flesh and bore the cross so we may be reunited with our Father. We cannot afford the offerings for our cleansing. Lord, I thank you for patiently arranging my circumstances to let me better view your light. I pray for understanding to follow the path that best reveals your glory. You are an awesome God!

And He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” But He answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:20-21).