11-Jan-15

And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3Overtake.  What a curious word that speaks of someone or something following, waiting to overcome, devour me.  The word overtake when connected to blessings becomes like a surprise beautifully wrapped Christmas present just for me, waiting to be opened.  It has a mystery of not knowing.  Just what it could be?  If it is of God, I know it is good.My Aunt Irene, a prayer-filled child of God, wrote that she and her husband kept Philippians 4:8 beside their bed. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Aunt Irene always added, “then the fear of the future won’t overtake me.”  A lifetime of dwelling on God’s Word and the result is knowing who God is.  It is not an ‘once over lightly’ exercise, but a daily walk.  It is a ‘get it in the bones’ knowing who God is.  It is heart-knowledge that gives life.Have you ever wondered why God led the children of Israel on a 40 year walk in the wilderness?  Their very existence was dependent on their creator, Father God.  They were on a ‘diet’ of knowing God.  Their clothes and their sandals lasted during the entire forty year journey.  They ate what God provided to sustain their bodies.  Why?  When we travel, it is so easy to stop at the fast food shop along the road for refreshment to continue.  It is our decision.  Our Lord God provided sustenance for the people.  Why?  That you may know that I am the Lord your God!My prayer this morning is, Overtake me, Lord, lead me, guide me in your way.  Help me to rely on you and not the world’s ‘fast food’ for my soul.  And I sing and shout for joy. For you are my sustenance and my delight.  Blessed be the name of the Lord! Forever more!!!