COUNTING & NUMBERS

REFLECTION ON I Chron 21, when David displeased God by counting his people.


What is wrong with David numbering His people? Wasn’t he just organizing, keeping his accounts? But it displeased God. First there’s the motive: in counting his strength, he was saying, “Look at me. I did it.” And there’s the pride. You see, David’s success did not come from his strength, it came from his submission to God. David’s secret to winning was not in fighting well, but fully trusting in God. His worth was not in his power, possession or people; but in the provision and protection of God.

I wonder, I wonder, what we are counting today?
Grades? Height? Votes? Facebook friends? Take home pay?
Is our worth measured by the district number of our home?
Or the size of our car, TV, hi-fi, garden, stocks we own?

But in counting we compare and compete – O what a curse!
Keeps us moving - homes, jobs, continents – even worse;
We pass the curse on and say: “Son, you need more tuition!”
Drain our kids’ childhood dry – with what we call enrichment.

We count calories and forget how to enjoy a meal,
Analyse food content to death – and every conversation kill;
Rush around to stop time when we learn to count wrinkles,
Lay still to count sheep, and forever lost that sparkle.

Lose friends and lovers, keeping account of their shortcomings –
While counting what we don’t and can’t have, we miss Jesus’ teaching –
“Seek first God’s kingdom,” He says, “let tomorrow be.”
“I number the hair on your head, don’t forget, you can lean on Me.”

Today count – only your blessings – look who’s in your life?
Stop and smell the flowers, they won’t stay, be wise.
One more thing, number your days, remember how you began,
He’s already taken care of you this far, He’ll do it again, and again.

DOING RIGHT OR RIGHTEOUSNESS

The ark represents the presence of God. But by I Samuel 4, it became a "secret" to success. So the Philistines stole it. But it gave them nothing but trouble so they returned it, and it remained in the home of Abinadad, a Levite, for 20 years. In I Chron 13, David decided to take it back to Jerusalem and here's the story:

When David was crowned, he said,
“I can’t bear the sight -
“Of the Ark being away for 20 years,
"We must set things right!”

“Bring it home, it belongs here!”
He told his captains and leaders,
The thing looked so right
In the eyes of the people (v 4).

The king spared no expenses,
Even designed a new cart,
Never mind that God had said,
“Only Levites carry the Ark.” (I Chron 15:13)

So it failed, someone died,
And three sober months later,
David did it again, but in God’s old-fashioned way,
And gained His complete approval.

Do you aim to do God’s will
But say, “Let’s be practical, get a cart”?
The cart of worldly wise and convenience,
Of trends, compromise, short-cuts?

God doesn't accept our “rights” without righteousness –
This you must know;
Without His blessings, our great and noble
Are but fuss, frustration, at best a big show.

ON MISSING OUT, A REFLECTION ON TIME

I fear missing out . . . on living
So I cram all my days in -
With meetings, goals, one more plan, dream, objective,
And in fearing, I miss.

I fear missing out . . . on too many things -
My youth, happiness, promises to keep,
There’s a world to see, castles to build,
And in fearing, I miss.

I miss living today,
In escaping the demons of my past;
And in fearing the future,
I forget to breathe and laugh.

I miss the rhythm and beats of life
When I fear the tyranny of time,
In the dread of being late, I sorely miss
The joy of listening to its chimes.

whatever your might be and might have

Monday March 29, 2013

REFLECTIONS ON THE GENEALOGY FROM ADAM TO DAVID IN I CHRONICLES 1-4
Might only be a name
In the span of human history –
But all just the same
Each left a legacy.
Might have entered the race,
Not equal in opportunity,
But all just the same,
Each became a memory.

Might come last like David,
Might come first like Esau.
Like Ruth, might find love in a hostile land,
Or like Tamar, not find love at all.
Might have been Moses, whose place was the palace,
Might have been Elijah, groomed in the wild,
Like Jeconiah, the king, born again in prison,
Or Daniel, the prophet, who won in exile.

For they dared to dream, they all woke up,
They chose, they fought, they loved, they listened,
Saw their time and chance when time and chance came,
Said, “Yes,” said, “No,” made the right decisions.
So these don’t decide your legacy or memory –
Might be ups, downs, shame or smarts;
All just the same, you write the conclusion
With faith, courage, following after God’s heart.

THE STORY OF TWO KINGS

THE STORY OF TWO KINGS OF JUDAH: third king Asa and the third last king Jehoiachin
(2 Chron 15 & 16, 2 Kings 24:8-16; 25:27-30)

Fearful young Asa, cried out to God for success,
So God saved him from Ethiopia, God gave him rest (2 Chron 14:6).
But on his 36th year of reign, when the king grew proud and big,
He turned from God to strategies, and died lonely and sick.

Fearful young Jehoiachin followed his old man’s wicked ways,
So God let Nebuchadnessar imprison him, for 36 years he counted his days.
One evening, Nebu threw his own son in jail - the two men became friends;
And when Nebu died, the Prince went to the throne, and made Jehoiachin a free man.

I love the stories of these two kings – and here's what I see -
God's ways are amazing, especially to those who are meek.
Don't forget Him when you're strong; when you’re in prison, be calm -
He’s never far, He’s just above you, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

WHAT SACRIFICE ARE YOU MAKING?

A reflection on Ahaz the 12th king of Judah (2 Kings 16, 2 Chron 28).

For Ahaz, king no. 12, “winning” was his goal in life;
His one big solid strategy: “Sacrifice!”“Sacrifice!”“Sacrifice!”
His faith, his values, his call, even his own sons (2 Kgs 16:3);
"Just get me to the top!" he cried. "Let me be number one!"

“I want God’s blessings!” he claimed. But he sought Assyria for strength,
Sure, he worshipped at the temple, but his fear was man.
Even when friends turned against him, he refused to submit,
So God humbled and disciplined Ahaz, and he made his exit.

What’s your daily offering at the altar of the high places –
Your sons? Your daughters? Your vows? Your childhood promises?
To get that "job satisfaction", what are you letting go?
What sacrifices are you making just to reach your goal?

What do you hold on to tightly? What’s your hand?
What gets you out of bed so early? Love for God, really? Or fear of man?
Why do you say, “I have no choice, to succeed this is the rule?”
When humility is the only sacrifice God asks of you?

So here’s a little test, be honest in your answers:
When was the last time you said, “Later” “Later” “Later” and “Later”?
Later, I will slow down but now is my chance;
Later, I will eat with them; later I shall dance.

Later, we’ll go on that holiday; later, I’ll stop and read;
Later, I’ll take a walk; later, I’ll plant that seed.
Later, I’ll build my house; later, I’ll make amends.
Later, I’ll switch off that phone; but now, I’ve messages to send.

But those we put aside for “later” are also on a journey –
They have dreams they must catch, they cannot tarry;
They grow up, they grow old, they’ll stop asking, “Why?”
And when your “later” finally comes, time and chance have passed you by.

Love God first, follow His rules, let Him build your castle –
He holds every key in His Hand, fear Him – your Lord and Master.
Don’t offer sacrifices that you are sure to regret,
Remember: your humility is the only sacrifice God will bless.

Talk To The Clay - reflections from the visit to the pottery

O clay O clay you’re not at all pretty,
But in the master’s eyes you’re a thing of great beauty.
Once you were nothing, actually, a lump.
But now in his hands, your life has begun.

O clay, O clay, let me give you a few tips -
On how to survive and find your perfect fit.
First, don’t be shocked when you’re thrown on the wheel -
Your world will spin, but don’t panic, keep still.

The trick is to stay soft when you’re squeezed and pressed,
And when he pours water on you, be grateful, don’t get stressed.
Nah, you won’t drown, he knows what he’s doing –
No need to scream and shout and, for goodness' sake, stop moving!

Stop saying, “Why O why does it take so long?”
“I want to be in control”, “I need to be strong!”
Let the one who sees from high above
Mold, shape, pedal, bend, do his work of love.

For now, O clay, life may not feel at all fun
But the master's gentle hands won’t leave you till you're done.
So shut up, sit pretty, submit to his ways -
He is the potter, you are the clay.