Author: rene.shelton

rene.shelton https://reneshelton.wordpress.com A simple woman asking simple questions, making simple observations, and working to make and keep things intentionally simple. Life doesn’t have to be hard and complicated.
rene.shelton's avatar

Her name was Naomi.

Her name means “my delight, pleasant.” It comes from a Hebrew word meaning “agreeable.” However, she didn’t always see herself as a delight. For a time, she took the name Mara, “bitter, bitterness”.

Her story: Ruth 1:1 – 4:22

Naomi left Bethlehem, in Judah, with her husband and two sons during a famine. They moved to the land of Moab. Her husband died, her sons married, and then her sons both died. She was left alone with her two daughters-in-law. To be a widow without family meant a life without support or protection. Naomi stayed in Moab for ten years and then decided to return to Judah. When she came back, she reluctantly brought one daughter-in-law with her.

When Naomi and her daughter-in-law arrived home, the city was excited to see them, but Naomi felt that God had ripped a family and a wonderful future from her while she was gone. She came back bitter and asked her friends to call her Mara instead.

Barley harvesting was going on when they returned and Naomi’s daughter-in-law went to work in the fields. When her daughter-in-law returned with food and told her about her experience in the fields, Naomi recognized the owner of the field. She instructed her daughter-in-law about Jewish redeemer-kinsman laws and taught her how to ask this relative for protection. Boaz secured the right to marry Naomi’s daughter-in-law and protection was provided. Ruth’s husband’s inheritance was returned to Ruth and her heirs.

At the end of the book of Ruth, Naomi’s friends rejoice with her over her grandson and prophesy about the coming Messiah (her Redeemer and ours) this way: “Blessed be the LORD who has not left you this day without a close relative (a redeemer); and may His name be famous in Israel! And may He be a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” (Ruth 4:14-15)

Her legacy for us: Even when things aren’t going the way we think they should, our Heavenly Father has provided a Redeemer who can redeem anything and His results far exceed what we ourselves can ever imagine.

Our response to Him: When things seem to be hopeless, am I tempted to become overwhelmed with disappointment? How can I learn to anticipate Your work in my life without letting my expectations create chaos in my heart and mind?

Her name was Deborah.

Her name means “bee” and alludes to how organized bees are and their purposeful movements. It comes from a verb meaning to arrange or subdue. Deborah organized men in Israel and together they subdued their enemy.

Her story: Judges 4:4-5:15

Deborah was a prophet in Israel and a judge – a rare combination, especially for a woman. She loved God and was righteous in her dealings with people. During her time, Israel was overrun by the Canaanites. God told Deborah to call Barak, the commander of Israel’s army, and tell him to gather warriors from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and march to the Kishon River. God promised victory over the Canaanite army there. Barak refused to go unless Deborah went with him. She told Barak that because he doubted God would give him the victory, a woman would bring victory. An army of 10,000 foot soldiers set out to meet Sisera, captain of the Canaanite army, and his 900 iron chariots and all his warriors. When Barak attacked, God threw all the Canaanite chariots and warriors into a panic. Sisera escaped on foot and ran to a nearby tent. Jael, the woman at the tent, offered him milk to drink and a place to hide. When he went to sleep, she put a tent peg through his temple. Barak searched for Sisera and met Jael. She showed him what she had done. In Judges 15, Deborah and Barak sang a beautiful song praising the warriors of Nephtali and Zebulun who came to fight and giving the Lord and Jael praise for the victory. The result? Forty years of peace in Israel.

Her legacy for us:

Deborah reminds us that God uses women in mighty ways to rouse out the enemies’ armies. He also uses women to bring complete victory. Victory against the enemy and peace for our families, communities, and nation comes when we hear His voice and bravely obey.

Our response to Him: When I hear Your voice, how often do I courageously trust Your words and obey? How often do I give You the glory for things You accomplish and the peace You bring?

Just thinking . . .

Regretting: Experiencing a sorrowful feeling focused on past behavior

Regret lingers forever and is remedied with repentance.

His lovingkindness draws us to repentance.

Repenting: Taking an action focused on correcting this moment forward

Repenting: Laying down the bad and ugly to pick up and use the good

Repentance can make Him Savior.

His sacrifice for our eternal souls draws us to surrender.

Surrendering: Laying down my whole self – the good, bad, and ugly, and my heart, mind, soul, strength and resources – for His use and His glory.

Surrender makes Him my Lord.

Dearest Jesus, Help me continually surrender all I am and all I have to You. Nothing I have or can do is good. If there is any good that comes from me, it is because You have put it there. Help me be what You want me to be.

Her name was Rahab.

Her name means “wide, roomy (in any or every direction)” and comes from a verb meaning “to broaden or enlarge.” Rahab’s faith saved her family from destruction and opened up a brand new trajectory for her life and family.

Her story: Joshua 2:1-3, 6:17-25; Matthew 1:5; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25

When the Isrealites returned to the edge of the Promised Land after wandering 40 years, Joshua sent two spies into the countryside. They stayed at Rahab’s house in Jericho’s city wall. When the king ordered Rahab to turn over the spies, she hid them in flax stalks on her roof and reported they had left the city. Then Rahab had a long conversation with the spies. She told them she knew the Lord had given Jericho to the Israeiites, what she knew happened at the Red Sea, and how Israel had destroyed the kingdoms on the other side of the Jordan River. She begged them to spare her and her family. The spies gave Rahab a scarlet thread to tie in her window and told her to gather her family into the house and shut the doors. If she wouldn’t reveal their activity, she would be safe. Then, Rahab lowered them down the outer wall by rope after dark and they safely returned to Joshua. When the Israelites marched around Jericho, the scarlet thread marked Rahab’s house and her promise. Her portion of the wall didn’t fall when the rest of the walls of Jericho fell. Joshua sent the two spies to get her and her family and remove them from the city before it was set on fire. In Matthew, we find her in the genealogy of Jesus: She married Salmon, an Isrealite, and had a son named Boaz.

The writer of Hebrews includes Rahab in chapter 11, along with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Moses and others. She heard what God did for Israel and she believed He was the “God in heaven above and on earth below.” She recognized safety and salvation only comes through Him.

Her legacy for us: God’s goodness and His ability to change our life and legacy rely on three things: recognizing His sovereignty, accepting His gift of salvation, and following His instructions. His love will spare us, but there’s so much more for us than just being saved from destruction.

Our response to Him: How can I learn to recognize Your work and trust Your promises in times of trouble?

Her name was Esther.

She actually had two names. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, “myrtle.” Myrtle trees are mentioned five times in the Bible. In Isaiah 55:13, God says, “myrtles will grow instead of briars.“ Esther is her Persian name. It means “star” and comes from a Persian word meaning fortune and happiness. Esther was placed in a position to save her people from the thorns of destruction and secure their lives.

Her story: Esther 1:1-10:3

Hadassah (Esther) was the cousin and adopted daughter of Mordecai, a Jewish man serving in the Persian royal court. Esther became queen after Persian King Xerxes threw a big celebration and Queen Vashti refused to follow his orders. His advisors convinced him to remove her. When Xerxes became lonely, these advisors helped again and Xerxes selected Esther as his queen. No one in court knew Esther and Mordecai were related. Haman, another court official, hated Mordecai and convinced Xerxes that Jews threatened his kingdom. A decree to eliminate them on a specific date was made law. Mordecai interceded and encouraged Esther to appeal to the king. Esther called for a 3-day fast. Then, she approached the king. Through God’s perfect timing and Esther’s courage, Haman was exposed and Esther and Mordecai saved the Jewish people in the kingdom.

Mordecai’s charge to Esther are the most famous words in the Book of Esther. “Don’t suppose that merely because you happen to be in the royal palace you will escape any more than the other Jews. For if you fail to speak up now, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from a different direction; but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows whether you didn’t come into your royal position precisely for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:13-14)

Her legacy for us:

Esther’s story is a wonderful reminder that God places us in specific positions and at specific places at just the right time to do His work.

Our response to Him:

What is my current “such a time as this” situation? How am I seeking You for the next action steps?

Exchange it!

He crouched low and focused intently on his treasures: a Styrofoam cup and three donut holes. One yummy goodie was in the bottom of the cup, another in his hand, and the third on the floor. Balancing on his haunches, he gently secured the second hole in his cup, then he reached down and collected the last one from the floor.

I knelt beside him and pointed to the donut hole he placed on top. I asked if I could have it. He turned and looked me squarely in the eyes with a confused expression. I explained it had been on the floor and was dirty. I told him if he would give it to me, his aunt would replace it. She, too, had seen what had happened and already had another donut hole for him. 

He looked back at the hole again and quietly, sincerely said, “It’s okay. I blew it off.”

“Oh,” I said. “I understand.” His logic was efficient and sound: React quickly, get rid of problems you see, move on, enjoy. But I know where shoe bottoms travel and what they pick up and deposit in other places. So I continued, “But it’s really hard to see all the dirt and germs on the floor and now they’re on your donut hole too. Please let me have it, and you can have a new one – a clean one.”

Reluctantly he removed the soiled donut hole and placed it in my hand.  His aunt gave him a new one and he stood up, pleased to have all his treasures, and moved confidently to his next task, unaware of the horrid things that didn’t go into his mouth that day.

Heavenly Father, How often do you ask me to surrender what I’m holding and learn Your ways? Help me remember You see things I don’t and You always have my best interests in mind. Help me run to you and exchange what wounds my soul for Your ways. You don’t treat my wounds superficially. You are the only source of true peace! Help me let You do Your work in me.

Diagnosis: A Heart Problem

In Jeremiah 6:16, God’s plea to Israel is clear. It’s straight, to the point, the way you talk to someone in deep trouble. And it begs the question, How did Israel get to this desperate spot?

One clue is found in Israel’s response to God’s instructions. (Jer 6:16) They refused to listen. Previous verses indicate they were much like rebellious teenagers. They hated hearing their Heavenly Father’s voice. Their hearts were hardened. They weren’t embarrassed of their sin and rebellion.

In verse 14, God summarizes the root of the problem. They were broken and wounded, and the wound had not been treated properly. A band-aid was put on and they tried to ignoring the problem hoping it would go away. They comforted each other with “Don’t worries. Everything will be okay.” They lied to each other.

[Jeremiah 6:14 CSB] 14 They have treated my people’s brokenness superficially, claiming, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace.

But how did it get so bad? Hadn’t there been someone to warn them? Of course, God sent prophets to warn them that they were headed the wrong direction. And the enemy sent his own messengers. These words were easier to hear. The enemy told them that their disregard for God wasn’t a problem. He told them not to worry about impending doom, peace would be had by all. He promise that nothing needed to change. He lied to them.

And they listened to the wrong voice. This was not the first time they had listened to the wrong voice. Each time, when they chose to put a band-aid on it and listen to the wrong voice, their hearts grew sicker and sicker, hardening so much that hearing was affected.

Even today those voices continue to speak. Decisions and choices are made. Hearts are either healed or made sicker. Peace is either gained or missed.

[Hebrews 3:7-11 CSB] 7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tested me, tried me, and saw my works 10 for forty years. Therefore I was provoked to anger with that generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known my ways.” 11 So I swore in my anger, “They will not enter my rest.”

When you have a heart problem, a band-aid won't fix it. You need a heart surgeon. Consult the original designer.

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank You for not editing out the hard things to read in the Bible or the stern words You sometimes spoke. You always speak truth and You can always be trusted. You show us a better way. Teach me to listen to Your voice and obey Your voice. Your words may be hard to hear, but they are truth and life. The alternative is decay, disaster, destruction, and death.

Thank you for not treating my wounds superficially. You took great pains to heal them and You freely offer healing when I listen to Your voice. We all are broken and have heart problems. I am broken. My mind and heart fight daily to align with Your voice and Your words. Hope for peace only comes as I allow You to heal me. I need daily check-ups! Forgive me for listening to other voices. Help me not to flinch and flail as You do Your good work in me.

Listen!

Jeremiah 6 describes what happens when people don’t seriously consider the results of their actions. The people of Israel paid no attention to God, but even as He held back His own righteous anger and continually spoke to them. Their hearts hardened and they found God’s words offensive. Jeremiah says throughout their society honesty and truthfulness couldn’t be found. They had no feelings of embarrassment or disgrace related to their rebellion.

Verse 16 is God’s final plea to stop and make better choices. Stand still. Look around. Ask how to live better lives. Then take the steps needed to be better people, people who demonstrate their love of God with their actions. Return to truth, because truth brings peace.

[Jeremiah 6:16-17 CSB] 16 This is what the LORD says: Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, “Which is the way to what is good? ” Then take it and find rest for yourselves. But they protested, “We won’t! ” 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, “Listen for the sound of the ram’s horn.” But they protested, “We won’t listen! “

The last portion of verse 16 states their reply. “We won’t!’” We won’t stand and look. We won’t ask. We won’t listen. We won’t change. We don’t need to change. Everything is fine. We’ll keep doing things that way we are.

God reminds them of the watchmen stationed on the city wall who faithfully stood guard with a single mission. They sounded the alarm when danger was approaching. These sentinels were still on the wall and the enemy was on the way. The shofar was about to sound. God pleads with Israel to heed the warning. Their response? “We won’t listen!”

And, disaster struck and devastation came.

Dear Heavenly Father, Amos wrote that You do nothing without revealing Your counsel to Your servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7). Never let me forget the power of Your words. They created stars and filled our world with wondrous things. They quiet storms and they create storms. Everything hinges on Your words and Your voice. Help me hear and recognize Your words, no matter how they come to me. When I hear your voice, help me to stop and listen.


Make Informed Decisions about Your Path

We are at a crossroad in Psalm 107. In verse 33, the writer moves from a song to descriptions of God’s blessings and His judgment and a glimpse at two different paths.

During our stay on the farm, I came back from the barn alone one day and recognized something I hadn’t noticed before. I had walked through this intersection at least eight times each day. Each time, I had made an unconscious decision about where I was headed based on what I was doing in that particular moment. Many times on our spiritual journey,  we pass through crossroads without giving them the time and energy they truly deserve and require.

In Jeremiah 6:16, Jeremiah recorded God’s words explaining how to address crossroads in an intentional manner, so we can seriously think about what we are doing and where we are headed.

There are five (5) action verbs in that part of the verse: Stand. Look. Ask. Take. Find. When we continue trudging along a familiar path without standing still and looking around, we end up repeating all the same things we have done before – good, bad, or ugly. Do this enough times and we develop a habit. When we don’t ask for His guidance, we often miss what He prepares for us – rest and peace. Only God knows where these crossroads end up and that is why we have to ask for His direction. When He answers our question, then we can make an informed decision about which path to take.

Psalm 107 describes two different kinds of path and only one leads to peace and rest for our souls. The psalm ends with a warning: Let whoever is wise pay attention to these things and consider the LORD’s acts of faithful love.