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The Pilgrim Path (7-9-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Deuteronomy 33: 25 

“Your bars shall be iron and bronze, and as your days, so shall your strength be.”

THE CALENDAR

Those dates on the calendar can bring both joy and fear. Frustration and relief. We must ask the LORD to help us put them into perspective. In my second year Greek Class at college we had to start accumulating these parsing sheets for the New Testament books we were translating (that’s a guide to locate every part of speech---for every verse---of every chapter: and there are 14 genitives—Oh-My). All that to say, “This would take some effort every day.” Of course, you had classes other than Greek---right? You had to run all the courses like a business. Keep them solvent (do not make too many unnecessary withdrawals). Really fine preparation for marriage and family. And yet, the calendar keeps getting inflated and packed. Who keeps doing all this?

On occasion, if you are like me, you will want to ask the LORD to stop the merry go round so you may get off for a while. You would just as soon “go home” and leave the other folks at the Fair for a while. I have been known to say to our beloved administrator at Church, “Oh—well, I’m taking the rest of the year off.” Sometimes you do need a change of scenery. Sometimes you do need to take a walk. Each day we need to pause and reflect upon the LORD’S Word and Ask Him to settle our soul and clarify what He would have us focus on with the time we have allotted to us.

What was said to the tribe of Asher in Deuteronomy 33: 25-- has meant a great deal to the Follower’s of Jesus for generations. I believe it is meant to provide us with consolation. The LORD Jesus Christ said we should be prudent but really live a day at a time (Matthew 6: 33, 34). Our aim is His kingdom honor. We seek His glory and may depend upon His strength---a Day at A Time. If we “push” an entire week in our thoughts each day---we drain ourselves and “see” nothing of God’s sustenance and goodness. We “do” what is essential and then make providential “additions” on other tasks each day…But here’s the WONDER: The LORD “adds” His tasks---we had never planned on each day. HE has the right to “interrupt” our schedules. IF we are wise, we say, “Yes LORD---and report for duty.” Then we count on the LORD to more than make up for what we “thought” was so incredibly necessary. John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) ---used to say that the LORD’S changes to his schedule---often were the main work he really should be doing. Newton had expectation that the Savior would “fill in the gaps” for his other ministerial endeavors---and give him the strength for what was ahead. I believe we may expect the same from HIM.

“…and as your days, so shall your strength be.”

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” Ephesians 6: 10

“To be strong in the Lord’s might implies two acts of faith. First, a settled firm persuasion that the Lord is almighty in power; and second, it implies a further act of faith that God is engaged for their defense to bear them up in the midst of all their trials and temptations. This is the apostle’s purpose; to beat us off from leaning on our own strength, and to encourage the Christian to make use of God’s almighty power as freely as if it were his own whenever assaulted by Satan…” William Gurnall

The tender love a father has for all his children dear,

Such love the Lord bestows on them who worship him in fear.

The Lord remembers we are dust, and all our frailty knows;

Man’s days are like the tender grass, as the flower he grows.

Those who his gracious covenant keep the Lord will ever bless;

Their children’s children shall rejoice to see his righteousness.

From Psalm 103: 13—18, The Psalter, 1912

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason