I have to admit—no one says it better than the Lord. My Bible
journal is punctuated with bits and pieces of sentences, unusual phrases, perfect
metaphors and imagery.
This morning I really wanted to share with you one more
thought about God’s time, but my attention is snagged on some wording from my
reading in Isaiah 8:19:
And when they say to
you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should
not a people inquire of their God?
Chirp and mutter.
What a perfect way to express the delivery of foolish, empty
words. Yet how many people today, as in Isaiah’s time, would rather seek
advice and consolation from those who chirp and mutter than from the One whose living
and active word is able to save their souls, give truth, and life?
At one time in my life, I too sought out those who I thought
held the secrets to life. For weeks, I made the two hour trip from my home in
Vermont to Montreal so I could study palmistry with a man from India. I drove
across country in my blue Volkswagen bug to spend a month with Maharishi Mahesh
Yogi at a retreat in California where I hoped to find enlightenment. I studied
books with charts of star times and treks.
But one day, enroute to yet another empty adventure, I stood
in my living room and said, “God, this time I want to know truth.”
I continued on my journey, but on the other end, instead of
finding the answer in a rich man and course in the healing power of colors, I found
Jesus, the Word of God.
Now I am beyond seeking the consolation of seers and
necromancers, but before I get too self-righteous, I have to question whether
or not I’m beyond giving ear to chirped and muttered words of deception.
Recently I had a go at it in the pit of despair, unable to
slug off a shroud of apathy. Some said it was an attack of the enemy because I
was going to speak at a church women’s conference. Regardless of the source, I
was the one listening.
Although the other conference speaker and I had never met,
we had perfectly matched messages. But God used her to give me the jump start I
needed. Being a good Southern Baptist girl all her life, she had memorized lots
of Scripture—books even.
For some reason, instead of being another spiritual have-to,
the idea invigorated me. (And I pictured the perfect place to do it—on the
dreaded treadmill time my daughter has me scheduled for!)
It’s been a while since I memorized Bible verses and
probably forever since I’ve memorized a whole book, but I have begun—just ask me
the first twelve verses of James. Oh, and to practice doing them!
Whether it’s from hiding his word in my heart from memory or
from reading it fresh in the morning, I want to infuse my spirit with words
from the One who gives life, because I know, “With God we shall do valiantly!”—Psalm
108:13
How about you? Do you need a fresh infusion of words of
life?
Lord, I pray for any friend stopping by who is bowed low
because of muttering and chirping rather than the word that revives.
WE wait for you LORD, our
souls do wait, and in your word do we hope.—Psalm 130:5
Sustain us according
to your word, that we may live; —Psalm. 119:116, and
Establish your word to
us as that which produces reverence for you.—Psalm 130:5
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