The King of Babylon invaded the land of Judah. God allowed this. They had turned away from God. As you can see, this king only wanted unblemished, good looking, gifted, knowledgable people to learn of their ways.
Hmmmm, sounds familiar. Good figure, no handicaps or unusual features. Beauty is of utmost importance. Talented individuals are looked up to, idolized, like sports figures, musicians, artists. Those with higher IQs, having knowledge in science or philosophy are looked up to also. So gifted. And if we're not? Then what? Where does it place us?
What does God look for?
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1Samuel 16:7)
"For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." (Isaiah 66:2)
Add to these those characteristics listed in the Beatitudes: poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted for righteousness' sake. I am reminded of the scripture which says that God uses the foolish things to confound the wise.
David was a boy who slew a giant with no more than a sling and a stone. God pared down Gideon's large army to 300 to gain victory over an enemy's army of thousands. Many mocked Noah for building this huge ark for the rain they had never known before and his small family were all that was left of a corrupt world to repopulate. It's all to prove the power of this amazing God. Nothing is impossible with Him. Imperfect men and women became His disciples and followers. He ate with sinners. He changed their lives!
David was a boy who slew a giant with no more than a sling and a stone. God pared down Gideon's large army to 300 to gain victory over an enemy's army of thousands. Many mocked Noah for building this huge ark for the rain they had never known before and his small family were all that was left of a corrupt world to repopulate. It's all to prove the power of this amazing God. Nothing is impossible with Him. Imperfect men and women became His disciples and followers. He ate with sinners. He changed their lives!
God doesn't need perfection. He needs a person willing to empty himself and learn the things of God. He will perfect us imperfect beings as much as we will allow. That perfection only comes through Jesus Christ. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:28) If we feel we need to do for God's approval, we are wrong. He wants submission. But this submission is not the way the world thinks of it; it lifts us up to a godly standard, not an earthly one.
We have an amazing God who so wants the best for us. But His ways and His blessings aren't always in ways we think they should. He knows best what each of us needs. Sometimes what we think we want might be the very thing that would hinder our knowing Him more deeply. Lean on His understanding. Trust Him. He's working to perfect us if we have received Him as Lord and Savior.
Hebrews 10:12,14 - But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God... For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.
3
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. (Matthew 19:13-15)
ReplyDelete[Jesus said] “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:3-6)
...“Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great.” (Luke 9:48)