Hosanna Restoration Church

I tell you the truth; I love the Word of God. I try to make sure I read it daily. There are times when I am traveling that I may listen rather than read, and if I do not have the tapes then I draw on what is hidden in my heart. Most times, God will use the written word to peak my interest so that I will ponder it and He can speak directly to me about it.

This week I was listening to the portion of scripture where Jesus is talking to His Father and recapping concerning the fact that He lost only one so that scripture would be fulfilled. I thought, “now God you don’t just say things and then engineer them so they come out right do you?” I mean really, Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to change his direction, but Judas fulfilled the prophecy. I believe Judas did this because he wanted what he thought the scriptures said more than he was willing to follow the living word.

I think everyone would agree that there are things in the Bible that are hard to understand. I never quite get the idea that God loved Jacob and rejected Esau, but I am not about to give up on the Word and declare God unfair over it. I hang on to the fact that God does not want one person to perish. Even though scripture says that some were created for destruction, it also says that God can be patient with the disobedient if He wants to. I am sure glad about that! He was plenty patient with me.

We need to make sure that when we are in doubt, we will follow the carpenter. Just like a child who may not understand what mom wants is wise to follow mom; so we should follow Jesus. That way we will not stumble over the very one who God sent to lead us.

I have been involved in a couple building projects and I can look at a blue print, if it is not too complicated, and at least get measurements from it. Still, I have to say that if I have my choice, I would much rather follow the carpenter who knows what it is all about. In the same sense, I am one who tends to want to read the instructions on those things that require assembly. This comes from the bad experiences of not reading them one or two times! However, if there is someone else with experience reading the instructions, I am more than happy to simply follow their lead.

Have you ever noticed that some people spend more time searching the scriptures for inconsistencies and trying to dissect them when they would be much better off if they would just ask the carpenter? If we don’t understand, we are encouraged to get understanding. We surely won’t get that by searching our own confusion! We get understanding by seeking the Lord in faith. If we follow the carpenter, the house will get built. After all, He is the author and finisher of our faith.