When I
get a chance I like to take a long walk in the evening. One of my favorite
“routes” is a walk from Morrowville to the “Marrowville” electric sub-station
(south and east of town). It’s a scenic four-mile round trip and I always enjoy
the journey. It’s a great time to unwind, to have a long conversation with God,
to do some day dreaming, and to just let my mind wander.
Well the other day I was over halfway through the journey
– my long conversation with God had concluded – and my mind was just wandering
or “working.” In other words I wasn’t really paying much attention to what was
going on around me. That’s fine most of the time – but not so much when a
pheasant flushes from the plum thicket beside the road. It was one of those
moments when you are glad no one was watching. Needless to say, they would’ve
gotten quite a chuckle over my reaction.
Sometimes I fail to notice stuff…
Two days ago as I was reading through the Book of
Jeremiah I came across a prophecy against the mighty kingdom of Babylon.
(Babylon was the nation that finally conquered Judah, destroyed Jerusalem,
killed countless Israelites, and hauled most of the survivors off into
exile.) Here is a portion of the
prophecy God gave to Jeremiah to deliver to Babylon:
Because
of the Lord’s anger, Babylon will become a deserted wasteland. All who pass by will be horrified and will
gasp at the destruction they see there.
The
Lord has opened his armory and brought out weapons to vent his fury. The terror
that falls upon the Babylonians will be the work of the Sovereign Lord of
Heaven’s Armies.
“I
will come like a lion from the thickets of the Jordan, leaping on the sheep in
the pasture. I will chase Babylon from
its land, and I will appoint the leader of my choice. For who is like me, and who can challenge
me? What ruler can oppose my
will?” Listen to the Lord’s plans
against Babylon and the land of the Babylonians. Even the little children will be dragged off
like sheep, and their homes will be destroyed. The earth will shake with the
shout, “Babylon has been taken!” and its cry of despair will be heard around
the world. Jeremiah 50:13, 25, 44-46
My immediate reaction to this reading was, “I’m glad I
didn’t live there then.” But that
thought was quickly followed by another, “I’m so glad that I live here
now.” I am truly blessed.
November is typically a month where we make an effort to
take stock of our blessings and offer our thanks to the One who faithfully
provides. We truly have so much to be thankful for. We are blessed beyond what
we deserve. Don’t miss this truth! Don’t
get so caught up in the journey that you fail to notice the wonder of His
creation, His amazing grace, His bountiful mercy, and the promise of His
everlasting inheritance.
Give your thanks this month and then take them into the
following months and give them again.
Filled with thanks,
Ron
