When I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read the Bible through in 2020 I didn’t anticipate learning as much as I have from the Old Testament. I was honestly a little nervous attempting it again this year. For years whenever I read the Old Testament books I always saw God’s judgment and punishment, never His love or His faithfulness. But I’m seeing SO much more…
At the time of this writing, I’ll be starting the book of Joshua. One of the themes that has stuck out to me throughout much of the Old Testament is that God is the source. He is the reason.
I know that as Christians we know this. James tells us that “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17). Over and over throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are reminded that it is God who gives them their blessings. It’s not because of what they’ve done or their faithfulness, it’s because of the LOVE and FAITHFULNESS of God.
“It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people.” (Deuteronomy 9:5-6).
Today’s St. Patrick’s Day. It’s not my favorite holiday but I do enjoy wearing green and getting compared to a leprechaun…Around this time of the year, we see SO many things about four-leaf clovers, pots of gold, rainbows, and Irish blessings.
I’m not against eating green colored food or wearing green. However, I think as Christians it’s really important that we remember the truth. There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Four-leaf clovers wither and die, and if you forgot to wear something green you’re not going to be cursed.
The rainbow is a promise made and a promise kept for generations and generations. It’s a reminder that God will never again destroy the earth by a flood (Genesis 9:8-17). The blessings and good things that we as a human race have come from God (James 1:17). These blessings and good things aren’t just reserved for His people. God blesses ALL people and ALL people go through hardships (Matthew 5:45).
This St. Patrick’s Day let’s remember where our blessings come from. The true Source of every good thing we have on this planet. The One who loves us and is faithful even when we aren’t (2 Timothy 2:13)…
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my shop! EVERYTHING is 75% off knocking ALL items below $20.00! (This shop is now closed).
