John 18:33-37
Today's Advent Reading

Jesus was born into this world as a king. Even though his birth was humble and crude, he was still the Son of God, and King of the Jews. He did not go through his life proclaiming his kingship, but instead took on the form of a servant. Only at the end of his life, when Pilate, a non-Jew, questioned him about his kingship, did Jesus admit to being a king.

He added to Pilate, however, that his kingdom was not of this world--that if it was, his followers would fight to prevent his arrest. In verse 37, he also says, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."

Jesus was born a king and died as a king. But is he king of our lives? That is where he truly wants to reign. This advent season, let us give him our hearts, so we may know the truth about him and his love for us. As he reigns in us, we can truly love and experience the real meaning of Christmas.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:43 AM 0 comments

 
Matthew 21:1-9
Today's Advent Reading

For the next few weeks before Christmas, I plan to write from advent devotional texts. Several years ago, I edited an advent devotional booklet for our church. Each day preceding advent, different church members wrote on various Scripture texts relating to Jesus and his coming. Our pastor selected the Scriptures, and I would like to use these same texts in this blog for this special season. Some may not seem very "Christmasy," but they all relate to Jesus. There will be texts from Old Testament prophecies, verses from the life of Christ in the Gospels, Psalms, and readings from epistles in the New Testament.

Today's reading is about Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the week before he was to be crucified. He came riding a lowly donkey, not as a king on a white horse, but he was hailed with palm branches and shouts of "hosanna!"

Jesus' mother Mary rode to Bethlehem with her husband, Joseph at her side. She rode on a donkey, just before she was to give birth to Jesus. The faithful animal, a work animal, not a prized animal, carried the Savior as he was in the womb and at the end of his life.

Jesus had humble beginnings and lived a life of humility--after all, he was God, but came to earth to be a man to relate to us and save us from our sins. He is, and always has been, a king, but chose not to wear that mantle as he was here on earth. Now, we can worship him as king, and also follow his example of humility as we relate to other people. No matter what our station in life, Jesus wants us to be servants, as he was. Let us praise him for his nobility, thank him for his service, and seek to follow his example.

Thank you, Lord, for lowering yourself to become like us. Thank you for the donkey and the example of its faithfulness, willingness to work, and its humility. May we seek to serve you and others as you have served us.





- posted by Suzi @ 8:12 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 23
Today's Scripture

A psalm of David.


In the United States, we just finished celebrating Thanksgiving day. We remember our many blessings and enjoy a table full of food, friends and family. This year our family is celebrating two feasts--one was on Thursday, the traditional holiday. On that day our family of five gathered together to give thanks. Tomorrow, we are having my in-laws over--so there will be sixteen of us to give thanks and gather.

Psalm 23 is a beloved psalm, memorized by many Christians. It is a song of comfort, as we know our Shepherd-Lord watches over us, even in times of darkness and death. He calms us and guides us.

I like to think of it as also a song of thanksgiving--of gratitude for our Savior's protection, guidance, and blessings. Verses five and six read: You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (NIV)

I look forward to the greatest Thanksgiving feast that we will celebrate in heaven. Until then, I will thank God for giving me a cup that overflows, and for his goodness and love that will follow me. I thank him for preparing a place for me in heaven, a place where I can dwell with him forever.




- posted by Suzi @ 9:08 AM 1 comments

 
Psalm 5
Today's Scripture

For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

So many of the psalms are the cry of our hearts. They ask for vindication when we have been wronged, they plead to the Lord for relief from evil doers, from harm and grief.

The Lord hears and listens to our cries--we can come to him and any time with our needs. He hates evil, and one day all evil will cease and those who caused pain will be punished, if they do not seek forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

In our world today, we see the results of evil every day in our newspapers, on our televisions, on the internet, and sometimes in our daily lives. But God will conquer all and we can rest in this assurance. In the meantime, we can take refuge in him, be glad for his protection, and seek his righteousness as our shield.

- posted by Suzi @ 8:21 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 136
Today's scripture

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Whether you are celebrating Thanksgiving in the US or you live elsewhere, today is a day we can all praise God for his many blessings, and know that his love endures forever. We are a blessed people!

Happy Thanksgiving!

- posted by Suzi @ 8:57 AM 1 comments

 
Psalm 15
Today's Scripture

A psalm of David.

As we prepare our hearts to enter God's sanctuary each Sunday, and especially this week as Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and praise the Lord for his bounty, I think it is important to remember the holiness of God and how we should approach him. Through the blood of Jesus, we are made holy, and this psalm lists some of those characteristics.

We are to have a blameless walk and live in righteousness. We are to speak the truth, with no slander, despise what is evil but honor and fear the Lord. We are to lend money without charging unreasonable interest rates, and not accept bribes. If we do all these things, we will not be shaken. God can enable us to be humble and pure when we turn to him, in gratitude for not only his material blessings, but his gift of salvation and the cloak of righteousness he gives us as well. Praise his name!

- posted by Suzi @ 5:15 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 32
Today's Scripture

Of David. A maskil.

I think it is a good idea to keep short accounts of wrong. I am not saying I am good at practicing this--I've been known to hold a grudge or two for awhile--but it's not something I'm proud of. When we have wronged someone, it's good to say, "I'm sorry" and work to restore the relationship as soon as possible, and to accept the apologies of others who have wronged us. Even if others don't realize their wrong, it is imperative for our emotional and spiritual health to forgive them.

The most important relationship we have is with God--and therefore it is most important to seek forgiveness from God for our wrongs. In this psalm, David explains how sin alienates us from God, and can eat away at us. Our bones waste away (verse 3), God's hand is heavy upon us, and our strength is sapped (verse 4).

But when we confess our sin, we are blessed and forgiven. We can find our hiding place in God, and ask him to protect us from further wrong. The Lord so longs to instruct us in his ways. Too often we are stubborn like mules, but God wants us to come to him and freely confess our sins. When we do, we won't have the many "woes of the wicked," but instead we will know the unfailing love of God that will surround us.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:42 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 96
Today's Scripture

I enjoy singing--just ask my family. I will sing at the drop of a hat, and a phrase or a comment will remind me of a line of a popular song.

But how much more I love to sing praises to the Lord! We can declare his glory through song. So many of our hymns and contemporary choruses are from the psalms. I can think of songs that have "sing to the Lord a new song," "great is the Lord and worthy of praise," and "the world is firmly established, it will not be moved"--all verses from this psalm (1, 4, 10).

How wonderful to memorize God's word by proclaiming his praises in song. And we join in creation in praising him--along with the heavens, the earth, the sea, the fields and the trees of the forest. As I look around at the world God has given us, I want to be reminded to sing his praises along with his creation.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:46 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses the man of God.

Today's Scripture

Psalm 90 is attributed to Moses. He speaks of the time span of our lives--how quickly the days pass, yet how we long to be "glad for as many days as you (the Lord) have afflicted us." (v 15). We want to have at least as many good days as we have bad.

Yet God is timeless, and he is our dwelling place for all generations. As we go through our lives, it is comforting to know that there is someone who is beyond time, something outside of our finite world. Verse two reads, ^"Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (NIV)

Yet even though the Lord is timeless, he is with us in our world of days and nights. We may have trouble and sorrow during our lifetime, but we can ask God to show us his compassion and favor. We can ask him to satisfy us each day with his unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad each day. (verse 14)

Every day, whether we find ourselves in difficulties or pleasure, we can turn to God and seek his favor. When we get up in the morning, let us ask God to "establish the work of our hands" (verse 17) so that all we may do may be for his glory.


- posted by Suzi @ 8:28 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 92
Today's Scripture

A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day.

How worthy of praise is our God! How great are his works and profound his thoughts (v. 5). And even though the wicked may seem to prosper, they will perish. The Lord defeats our enemies and the righteous flourish like a palm tree, growing like a cedar of Lebanon.

I hope when I am old, I can say I will still bear fruit in my old age, I will stay fresh and green. And as long as I proclaim, the Lord is upright, he is my Rock, I can tap into his youthful strength and know the joy of serving a holy God all of my days.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:51 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 91
^{Today's scripture}

When we are facing trials, persecution, or difficult circumstances, this psalm is a true comfort. God is described as our protector and fortress, worthy of our trust. He is our Savior, our faithful shield and rampart. He is our protector, allowing us to see the downfall of the wicked, but guarding us from the harm all around us. He is our rescuer and deliverer.

All these wonderful promises may seem like pie in the sky when we are in the middle of calamity, but even in difficulty, God can give us his peace that defies our circumstances. When we turn to him, we find his rest. When release our problems and lean on his strength, we discover the joy that only he can give. For he has the power to "command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone." (vs 11-12, NIV). This God of power and love is the one I want to trust and serve all my life.
- posted by Suzi @ 6:59 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 121
A song of ascents.

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills-
where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD ,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you-
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over your life;
⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

My daughter, Christina, had to illustrate this psalm for her religion class at school. She drew a picture of a person surrounded by light, yet in an enclosure. In the upper right corner the sun hid, and in the upper left corner she placed the moon. The person looked up a steep hill.

I think she captured the protection of God very well. As we look about creation, we can see that there is a God, and know that he is our protector. It doesn't mean that bad things won't happen, but we can hide in the shadow of the Lord to seek refuge, even if and when harm comes. He will bind our wounds, he knows us and sees all. When we trust in him, we find his love and protection. He never sleeps, so that we can--we can rest in him.

Today, I will find my hope and peace in the Lord who sees me.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:31 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 139:11-24

Not only does God know our every thought and love us, he created us--from the time we were fetuses in our mother's womb! I love the picture of God knitting us together--I picture a woman lovingly knitting a scarf, a sweater, or a blanket for someone dear. We are fearfully and wonderfully made--the handiwork of the Creator himself.

Our gratitude for God's hand on our lives should know no bounds. We, like the psalmist, should seek the Lord's thoughts and count them as precious. We should hate evil as he does. And, knowing how much he loves us, we should seek to please him, asking him to search us and lead us in the way everlasting.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:38 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 139:1-10
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

¹ O LORD , you have searched me
and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
⁴ Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD .

⁵ You hem me in-behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

⁷ Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, ^[1] you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

I think the song from the sit com "Cheers" resonates with a lot of people--they want to find a place "where everybody knows my name, and everybody's glad I came." The sense of having a history with another, of really being known by someone, is a rare thing in our fast-paced society. People move a lot, and even families don't commonly stay together.

How great it is to know, then, that our God knows us in and out. We can go nowhere to escape him. He is in the heavens, in the depths, in the dawn and across the ocean. He knows our thoughts and all that we do, and he guides us and holds us fast.

And even though we are sinful people and he knows every dark deed, he still loves and forgives us. To be known and loved so completely--that is an awesome feeling.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:34 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 150
¹ Praise the LORD . ^[1]

Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD .

Praise the LORD .

Praise the Lord of our universe. Praise the Lord of his church and his people. Praise him for the amazing and awesome work he has done. Praise him with drums and keyboards, praise him with bass and electric guitars. Praise him with voices lifted in song to his majesty. Praise him as we lift up our hands in worship, as we go about our daily tasks--as we have meals together. Praise him as we work in the kitchen, and as we drive down the road. Praise him as we get up in the morning and as we go to bed at night.

Praise him at our computers, praise him as we walk our dogs, praise him as we fold our laundry.

Let every living thing praise the Lord.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:31 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.

¹ Shout for joy to the LORD , all the earth.
² Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his ^[1] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

⁴ Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
⁵ For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This psalm can certainly speak for itself--but I suppose that is true of all Scripture. Even on days when we don't feel thankful, there is much to praise the Lord about. He made us and we are his--he is our shepherd, we are the sheep he cares for so tenderly. His love is everlasting--it goes beyond the bounds of all human love. And his faithfulness continues through all generations. What wonderful promises!

- posted by Suzi @ 6:52 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 42
There are times in our lives when we encounter deep despair, or at least disappointment and question what direction we should go next. As a parent of three teenagers, I have on more than one occasion wondered how I can guide my children to make good decision. When they go off the path that I feel God would want for them, I sometimes feel like giving up.

The psalmist felt this frustration, too--and apparently much more so than I do. Verse 10 reads: My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (NIV)

I love the first verse of the psalm: "As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God." Sometimes I think of myself as a dried up sponge, eager to soak up the love and nourishment that only time in God's Word and in prayer can bring.

Sometimes I believe God allows trials so we will come to him in our dryness and need. He longs to refresh us and fill us, to comfort us and strengthen us. And, in these times of distress, what beter place to be than with the one who is our hope, our Savior and our God.


- posted by Suzi @ 8:48 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 1
So often it seems like the wicked get their way--that they prosper and enjoy an immoral lifestyle without consequences. If often seems like those who try to follow God's laws encounter trials and ridicule.

But this psalm reassures those who seek the Lord. Those who follow righteousness are blessed, and their delight is in God's law. They will be like a tree planted by streams of water--and their leaves will not wither. The wicked, meanwhile, will eventually perish and will not stand in the judgment. They will perish, but the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.

When I am feeling low and alone, I will remember that God is my strength and my refreshment. When those around me who do not follow God enjoy life's pleasures, I will remember that one day judgment will come. And I will pray that those around me who seek wickedness will instead turn to God for their refreshment. For God's promises and renewal are forever--he is an unending source of strength.

- posted by Suzi @ 6:37 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 19
Yesterday's post focused on the first four verses of this psalm--how there is so much evidence of a majestic God when we witness the glory of his creation. Verses 4-6 go on to say how the sun is pitched in the sky like a bridegroom riding out from his tent, rising at one end of the heavens and journeying to the other. In a world of uncertainty, it is wonderful to count on the sun rising each day, and rejoice in the warmth and comfort its light and heat bring.

Verses 7-11 speak of the Word of God: it is perfect, it revives the soul. It is trustworthy, it gives wisdom. It is right and gives joy; it is radiant and illuminates. It is pure; it endures forever, and it is sure and righteous. It is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. It warns those who heed it, and in keeping God's commands there is great reward.

In verses 12-14, the psalmist seeks God's forgiveness and his righteousness. Every day it would be good to echo the words of verse 14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (NIV)

- posted by Suzi @ 7:19 AM 0 comments

 
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Last night I was outside walking my dog sometime after 9 pm. My husband joined us, and noticed a beautiful pattern in the northwestern sky. It was the northern lights--evident to us even here in Minneapolis. It was rather faint, compared to what my husband has seen in northern Minnesota, but still spectacular. The lights stretched like fingers across the canopy of the sky. As we focused, we could see the lights shimmering, and though at first glance they appeared like clouds, they changed in hue to a greenish color, and even other colors of the rainbow were apparent after awhile.

I recalled the verse from Psalm 19:1-2: ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ² Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (NIV) How majestic is the Lord's creation! How it speaks of his power and majesty! I cannot help but wonder how people can believe there is no God when his acts of wonder are so apparent in the created world.

As I gazed at the sky, I thought of what it must be like when Jesus returns. Perhaps we will descend in a spectacle resembling the northern lights. I almost expected his appearance as I looked heavenward.

But I realize that I don't have to wait for his next coming to see him. He is evident in all creation, and I hope he is evident to others through my life.


- posted by Suzi @ 7:41 AM 0 comments

 
Ruth 4
The story of Ruth continues with Boaz seeking to be her kinsman redeemer. As a close relative to her in-laws family, he was in line to buy her estate and take Ruth as his wife. But there was a relative closer than Boaz, so he contacted him first. In an agreement that included the removing of a sandal to seal it, the other kinsman forfeited his right to the land and to Ruth, leaving that possibility open to Boaz.

We don't hear about the courtship or much of a romantic tale between Boaz and Ruth, but from what we do read it appears they had a mutual respect and care for one another. Eventually they had a child, Obed, who became the grandfather is King David.

Boaz, as a kinsman redeemer, is a picture of Christ, our Redeemer from sin. He gave up the life he had known to take in Ruth and Naomi, and to continue the line of Naomi and her dead husband and son. Jesus gave his life to make a way for us to have eternal life and a relationship with our heavenly Father.

Thank you, Lord, for being our redeemer. May we follow Ruth's example of loyalty and submission to follow your will for us. And just as Ruth was blessed, we know that your blessings abound. Amen

- posted by Suzi @ 8:31 AM 0 comments

 
Ruth 3
The events of Ruth 3 may seem odd if not scandalous to the 21st century reader. After all, Ruth approaches an older man who is sleeping (albeit at the threshing floor), uncovers his feet and lies down to wait for him to wake up and instruct her. She also was wearing her best clothes and perfume. Naomi had instructed Ruth to do this, because she knew Boaz to be an honorable man and a possible husband for her widowed daughter-in-law.

True to his character, Boaz woke and honored Ruth for her faithfulness to her mother-in-law and her willingness to do all she asked. He did not in any way try to take advantage of the situation, but sent Ruth back to Naomi with a shawl full of grain and a promise to be her kinsman redeemer if another who might fit the role declined.

I love these stories in the Bible that have unusual twists and turns. God can take situations that may appear unseemly and turn them into good things. When we are in his will, as Ruth was, we are rewarded with the knowledge that we are pleasing him and in the palm of his hand. And when we are out of his will, he can redeem us and set our feet back on the path of following him.




- posted by Suzi @ 7:40 AM 0 comments

 
Ruth 2
In this chapter Ruth goes to find food for herself and Naomi. She follows the harvesters to gather what is leftover. God had provided for the poor and the foreigner in his instructions in Leviticus: " 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." (Lev. 23:22, NIV) The owner of the field was a godly man, Boaz, and he took note of all Ruth had done for Naomi, who was a relative of his. He instructed his workers to leave behind extra grain for her and for the men not to harm her.

In regard to her kindness to her mother-in-law, Boaz says to Ruth, "May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD , the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." (verse 12, NIV) What a wonderful picture, of being protected and cared for under the wings of the Lord. He does provide for us in difficulty, and shelters us from our enemies.

I hope I have Ruth's compassion to my family members, and I know the Lord has already given me more than I deserve. My prayer is to follow the example of Ruth and Boaz, showing kindness and mercy to those around me, and gratitude to those who help me--especially to the One who is the great provider of all.


- posted by Suzi @ 6:39 AM 0 comments

 
Ruth 1
Naomi and Ruth

Ruth is a beautiful story of love and commitment. In this first chapter, tragedy strikes, as Naomi loses her husband and her two sons. She decides to leave Moab, where she and her husband and had moved their family during a famine, and return to Bethlehem in Judah. She encourages her daughter-in-laws to remain in their home in Moab, but Ruth insists on following her. Verse 16 is often used at weddings, so powerful is its message of commitment: "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. " (NIV)

I think it's wonderful that there is a book in the Bible that deals, among other things, with the daughter-in-law mother-in-law relationship. Ruth is a good example to those of us who are married of love and devotion to her in-law family. But more than that, she must have seen the love of the Lord in Naomi, and that love attracted her, even in this time of sadness and sorrow. It was so strong, that Ruth was willing to leave her home and family to follow Naomi and her God.

In times of sorrow, do others still see the love of God reflected in us? Is it so compelling that, even though we weep and feel empty, those closest to us can still see the hope of our God? I pray that my life may reflect God's love and compassion even when I experience trials.


- posted by Suzi @ 6:47 AM 0 comments

 
Jonah 4
Jonah's Anger at the Lord 's Compassion

I have always wished that there were more to the Jonah story--that it didn't end so abruptly with Jonah in his pouting mode. Why didn't Jonah remember the great prayer he prayed in chapter 2? Why did he not rejoice that so many people were turning from wickedness to God? Why didn't he rejoice that God used him to turn the hearts of these people to the Lord?

The question God asked is left out there, hanging, for us to ponder. "Should I not be concerned about that great city?" God asks.

Sometimes I am so self-focused I do not see the needs of those around me, including my own family. I am very in tune to my feelings, my frustrations, and my hurts that the needs of those around me can go overlooked. I need to see the world through God's eyes, starting with my family. I need to do the work God would have me to do without protesting. And when others benefit from the goodness of God's grace and he uses me to that end, I need to rejoice and not look at what I may gain or lose by that benefit.

Chapter 5 of Jonah can be written by any one of us. If I'm Jonah, I would like to come in repentance before God and thank him for the opportunity to serve him. I would embrace my former enemies as friends and help them find a new and growing faith in a gracious God.

Perhaps we should all work on writing the next chapter of Jonah. Will God provide a vine or a worm, or both? No matter what the outcome of his provision, we know that we can trust in him and come to him, seeking his love and forgiveness.

- posted by Suzi @ 9:15 AM 0 comments

 
Jonah 3
Jonah Goes to Nineveh

After being tossed overboard, spending three days inside a great fish, and being vomited up by said fish onto dry land, Jonah finally heeds the call of the Lord and went to the pagan city of Nineveh. He proclaimed the judgment of the Lord throughout the city--which took a three-day walk to do. When he was finished, his words had even reached the ears of the king of Nineveh, who proclaimed a fast and repentance, asking God to forgive them and show compassion. And God saw and heard their prayers, and did not bring destruction on Nineveh.

We'll read about Jonah's reaction in chapter 4, but knowing how he didn't want to go to Nineveh in the first place, he must have been amazed at God's response to the evil city's repentance. Sometimes I wonder, if I pray for the people I disagree with or those who are my enemies, do I really want God to bless them? Wouldn't I rather see his wrath and vengeance against those who would seek to harm me, my family, or my country?

The citizens of the United States will be voting for a president tomorrow. If the candidate I support loses, I need to support the one who wins, with my prayers if not my agreement on certain issues. God still reigns, and he is in control no matter who is in power in the White House or any seat of government. And if he could turn the hearts of the wicked Ninevites toward him, he can certainly turn the hearts of any leader in the present world.

Of course, I still hope the outcome of the election is as I hope and choose. I will be informed, vote, pray and wait. And God can use the outcome for his purposes.

- posted by Suzi @ 7:05 AM 0 comments