Psalm 78:18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

There are times when, dealing with children, they want something you know either isn’t good for them or that isn’t going to be all they think it will be. YOU know that because you have the eyes of experience and maturity. THEY do not see that because they lack experience and maturity.

There are times when wisdom warrants giving them what they want because it will only be through experience that they will realize for THEMSELVES that this is NOT really what they want. You can tell them and tell them and tell them but they will not really understand until they experience it.

Much the same with the Israelites.

God knew He alone was sufficient to meet all their needs but they whined and complained craving more, craving food then meat.

Numbers 11: 4-6 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”

Psalm 78:29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.
Psalm 78:30-31 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.

God gave them what they craved and they reveled in the quail and stuffed themselves…to death.

Numbers 11:18-20 “And say to the people, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you shall eat meat, for you have wept in the hearing of the LORD, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was better for us in Egypt.” Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you shall eat. You shall not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you, because you have rejected the LORD who is among you and have wept before him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”‘”

God knew HE was enough-The Israelites rejected Him and craved meat and He gave it to them.

The result? God killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel.
We may not always get what we want and often we get what we want but not the way we expected.

As I think about that statement, “for he gave them what they craved”, I don’t want God to give me what I crave if in the end it will draw my eyes and heart away from Him.

You and I lack the perspective of God. He alone can determine what truly is in our best interest – will we trust Him in that?

Blessings,
Diane

Psalm 78:18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.

Of course the Psalmist here is referring to the Israelites in the desert. You remember the Israelites moaned and groaned to and at Moses for taking them from Egypt and the “leeks and onions” of the land. They longed for the meat pots and bread of the land of their captivity (see Ex. 16).

They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved. How is it they tested God? They were unhappy with His menu selection for them and they repeatedly mumbled, complained and challenged Moses.

Now let’s stop, you and I, and consider. What is it we demand either in our attitudes or actions?

When we stop to think about it- every time we complain about what we DON’T have, what we DO have, about our jobs, our bosses, our situation, our income, etc. are we not, in our hearts, complaining against God’s provision for us?

Are we not testing God in our hearts?

Blessings, Diane

Have you ever gone through a season of drought in your spiritual life? If not, wait, you will. A season when God seems silent. Reading the Word seems an exercise in futility. When your cries seem to go unanswered and you have more questions than answers. You wonder…Where are you God? You can see Him at work in others but at least for this season, you feel benched.

The Psalmist was right there.

Psalm 77:6-9
“I said, ‘Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.’
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
‘Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?'”

We all experience times like that, sometimes it is a brief season, sometimes it is long and drawn out. When you find yourself in the desert, remember. Remember as the Psalmist did:

Psalm 77:10-12
“Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.’
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.”

Remember. Ponder. Meditate.

Blessings, Diane

Even in a practical book like the book of James there are sections that I need help understanding so I am thankful today we will be looking at what the Commentators have written.

James 5:4-6
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

Commentary
Recall that last week the ESV study notes gave an overview of verses 1-6:
“Warning to the Rich. James turns his attention from businesspeople …to wealthy landowners (5:4) who controlled much of Galilee, and indeed much of the Roman Empire. He denounces them for their materialistic accumulation of wealth, for defrauding their workers, and for their self-indulgent actions that have led to the deaths of innocent, righteous people.” [ESV Study Bible study notes pg. 2398]
“wages … you kept back. The rich had gained some of their wealth by oppressing and defrauding their day laborers – a practice strictly forbidden in the OT…the Lord of Sabbaoth.” (Lord of hosts) “An untranslated Greek word meaning ‘hosts.’ The One who hears the cries of the defrauded laborers, James warns, is the Lord of hosts (a name for God used frequently in the OT), the commander of the armies of heaven (angels).”

“pleasure and luxury. After robbing their workers to accumulate their wealth, the rich indulged themselves in an extravagant lifestyle. Pleasure has the connotation of wanton pleasure. Luxury leads to vice when a person becomes consumed with the pursuit of pleasure, since a life without self-denial soon becomes out of control in every area… a day of slaughter. Like fattened cattle ready to be slaughtered, the rich that James condemns had indulged themselves to the limit. This is a vivid depiction of divine judgment…”

“condemned…murdered. This describes the next step in the sinful progression of the rich. Hoarding led to fraud, which led to self-indulgence. Finally, that overindulgence has consumed the rich to the point that they will do anything to sustain their lifestyle…The implication is that the rich were using the courts to commit judicial murder…” [The MacArthur Bible Commentary by John MacArthur pg. 1895-1896]

Blessings,
Diane

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. James 5:1-3

Points to Ponder:
There are so many things in this world vying for our attention. It is very easy to get distracted from what is really important and eternal. If I am not intentional to refocus my eyes, ears and heart it does not take long for me to be more wrapped up in my schedule than in Jesus. When all is said and done, none of those things that distract us have any lasting value. Sure it’s easy to look at materialism, and position and power and see they can so easily work against us in our walk with the Savior, but I realize good things can also divide our affections. I think those are the things that are more difficult to discern. So I guess I need to ask myself the question over and over and over, “Do I love Jesus more than these?”

Jesus doesn’t want a part of me, He wants ALL of me. Do I love Jesus with my WHOLE heart?

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

“Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me”

Yesterday we talked about the shepherd’s rod. Today let us turn our attention to the shepherd’s staff.

The staff looks like a long slender candy cane, however it is not red and white candy but strong wood. Mr. Keller explains that the shepherd’s staff is used in three areas of sheep management.

First, it is used to draw sheep together. A shepherd will gently lift a newborn lamb and bring it to its mother if they become separated. He does not touch the lamb, for the mother will reject her offspring if it bears the odor of his hands upon it. He will also use the staff to reach out and catch individual sheep and draw them close to himself for examination.

Second, the staff is used for guiding sheep. The shepherd uses his staff to keep his sheep from dangerous paths. Sometimes a shepherd will use his staff and hold it against the side of the sheep and walk along in this way as if they were hand-in-hand.

Finally the staff is used to set sheep free who find themselves stuck in brambles or wild roses. Soon they are so hooked in their wool they cannot pull free. Only the staff sets them free of their entanglements.

Mr. Keller suggests that the Spirit of God can be likened to the shepherd’s staff. I must agree. First, the Holy Spirit draws Christians together into a warm, personal fellowship with one another. He draws you to Christ, your very personal Lord and Savior. He says, “Come”. (Rev. 22:17)

Second, the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, guides you and will keep you from danger. He gently, tenderly, lovingly and persistently challenges you: “This is the way – walk in it” (Is. 30:21). If you and I allow it, the Holy Spirit will continually bring home to us the wonderful comfort of knowing that we are God’s children and He is our Father. There is amazing comfort in receiving the truth that you belong to the Good Shepherd and you are under His care. (John 16:13). Years ago someone told me to put my hand on my shoulder whenever I felt the need to be reminded how close Holy Spirit is to me. I still do that and would encourage you to do the same. Just as the shepherd lovingly places his staff on the sheep’s side and walks with him, so to the Spirit of the Living God is with us.

Finally the Holy Spirit will lead you to all truth that will set you free. (John 8:32) We get ourselves into places that we simply cannot get free of. In tenderness and compassion the Holy Spirit will lift us up.

Dear one, most surely His rod and His staff they comfort us.

Consider lifting before the Lord the following prayer:
Dear Lord, Today I declare freely that I welcome you to be my Good Shepherd. I invite you to use the rod of your Word in my life. I invite you to set your staff, Holy Spirit, upon me to search me and know my heart. Reveal any way in me that needs your loving correction. I long for your Word to be so a part of me that it shines a light through me that will keep my feet on a path of righteousness. I long for Your Holy Spirit to lead me to all Truth, to bring revelation of Your Word, to draw me to You, and to set me free from every snare in my life. I thank you that you are a loving and compassionate Shepherd; slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness. I know that you alone, in tenderness and compassion, lift me up. In the name of Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I pray. Amen.

Patricia L. Wenzel,
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 4:1-3
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver have corroded and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

“Thy Rod and Thy Staff They Comfort Me”

Please note that this is part 2 of a message from Psalm 23. The messages are taken from a book written by Phillip Keller, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, and copyright 1970.

For years when I read Psalm 23 and got to the part about the “rod and staff”, I thought it meant that I should view the discipline of the Lord as a comfort. When I was a child and my parents had to discipline me I never found it a “comfort”. Eventually I would recognize the value of it but a comfort? Really?

Mr. Keller shares wonderful insight concerning the “rod and staff”. David, the writer of the psalm, would have been very familiar with how a shepherd used a rod and staff with his sheep.

In the Middle East the shepherd always carries a rod and staff. Each shepherd boy, Mr. Keller explains, takes special pride in the selection of a rod and staff suited to his own size and strength.

Today let us take a look at the rod. First of all the young shepherd will spend hours practicing how to throw his club with amazing speed and accuracy. That rod will become his main weapon of defense for not only himself but also the sheep under his charge. He will drive off predators like coyotes, wolves, cougars or, as David did, a lion or bear.

The rod was also used to examine the sheep. Sheep need careful examination. Due to their long wool it is not easy to detect disease, wounds or defects in sheep. A skilled shepherd can use his rod and part the sheep’s wool to determine the condition of the skin, the cleanliness of the fleece and the conformation of the body. The picture presented is of a shepherd who stops every sheep with his outstretched rod before he lets him through the gate and into the fields. His skillful hands will check the sheep so that all problems become laid bare and can be attended to.

What a great picture!! The Lord is our Good Shepherd. He is waiting for us to invite Him to use His rod to search us. Psalm 139:23-24 says “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”

You may ask, what is God’s rod? When Jesus was in the wilderness and was tempted by Satan, the rod His Father gave Him was the Word. Dear one, there is simply no substitute for Scripture. We live in a world where many live by a code of conduct that is contrary to Christ-likeness. I know you see and hear it every day as I do. Ladies, it is His Word that we can count on again and again to counter the attacks of the enemy, to be our rod. The Word will lead us to all truth that will lead to freedom in Christ. The Word of God will get below the surface, way beneath the plastic smile we might wear on Sundays. It will get deep into our will and expose things that need to be made right. Our Good Shepherd has our best interests at heart. He will tenderly and compassionately search our hearts. We can trust in God’s loving care.

Tomorrow we will address His staff.

Be blessed,

Patricia Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:1-3
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are motheater. Your gold and silver have corroded and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up trasure in the last days.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

“He Restoreth My Soul”

Recently I have been reading a very old book by Phillip Keller titled A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. It has been very interesting reading through this book with a copyright date of 1970. Although over 40 years old, it is filled with simple truth and, no matter how old the book is, the material within its pages is relevant.

Phillip Keller was a shepherd. He shares great insight into this old familiar and, for many, favorite psalm. However, there was one chapter that particularly touched and challenged my heart. Let me share it with you. It was Chapter Five, “He Restoreth My Soul”.

Surely we have all been in a place from time to time when our soul was in need of restoration. During times of frustration, temptation, and feelings of hopelessness we might just cry out to God as David did in Psalm 42, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God.” Mr. Keller explains what a “cast” sheep is.

“When a lamb is ‘cast’ it is lying on its back, its feet are in the air, it flays away frantically and struggles to stand up, but it cannot. The lamb might bleat for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the shepherd does not come and right the lamb, he will soon die. Therefore a Good Shepherd keeps a close eye on his sheep. He counts them often to be sure they are all accounted for. But it is the shepherd who keeps a close watch, so do buzzards, vultures, dogs, coyotes and cougars. They too know a cast sheep is easy prey. Interestingly he relates that even the largest, fattest, strongest and sometimes healthiest sheep can become ‘cast’ and become a casualty.”

Here is how it happens. “A heavy, fat, or long-fleeced sheep will lie down comfortably in some little hollow or depression in the ground. It may roll on its side slightly to stretch out or relax. Suddenly the center of gravity in the body shifts so that it turns on its back far enough that the feet no longer touch the ground. It may feel a sense of panic and start to paw frantically. Frequently this only makes things worse. It rolls over even further. Now it is quite impossible for it to regain its feet.”

There are times in my life when I am feeling rather hopeless or frustrated. Instead of releasing my soul and my anxiety to my Good Shepherd and seeking His help, I might lay down and zone out or take matters in my own hands and try to “fix” whatever is wrong. I might even think I simply can’t take this to my heavenly Father again. He must be so sick of my same old dilemma. But no, Jesus, our Good Shepherd knows us full well. He says cast your anxiety upon me, I care for you.
(1 Peter 5:7) The tenderness, the love, the patience of Jesus is throughout the scripture. Let us not be like the lamb that looks for the comfortable, familiar, soft ground. Let us not allow ourselves to get “fat” and cling on to the things of this world so that we cannot stand. Let us cling onto our Good Shepherd. Let Him pick us up; clean us up so that we are not so “heavy” any more. Let us move to those green pastures He directs us to. Let us receive His direction and discipline. It will produce a life of knowing how to cast our frustration and hopelessness upon the one who can restore our soul.

Let me encourage you……
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pasture, He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in theaths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for thou
art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all?the days of my life; and I will dwell in the
house of the Lord for ever.Psalm 23

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 5:1-3
Come now you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

Last night in a brief conversation with some sisters in the Lord, we were talking about the falleness of the world because of sin. It occurred to me to ask – “I wonder if the effects of sin reach through the entire universe or whether they are earth-bound.” In other words, God created billions and billions of galaxies; did the fall in the Garden of Eden impact all of His creation or just the part man is part of? — I don’t know the answer but it made me stop and think. It’s really not even that important because we know for certain that our world is depraved, decaying and dying. The effects of sin influence every aspect of creation and life.

James 5:1-3
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.

Commentary:
James 5:1-6 Warning to the rich. James turns his attention from business people…to wealthy landowners… who controlled much of Galilee, and indeed much of the Roman Empire. He denounces them for their materialistic accumulation of wealth, for defrauding their workers, and for their self-indulgent actions that have led to the deaths of innocent, righteous people.

Weep and howl. Prophetic language for those under indictment by God when the day of the Lord arrives…miseries that are coming. Referring to final judgment, rather than the miseries of this life.

Riches, garments, and gold sum up the sumptuous, materialistic lifestyle of these landowners. These things will not only be lost forever but will be evidence at their final trial before God and will feed the very flames of the lake of fire, where they will spend eternity. [ESV Study Bible Study notes pg. 2398]

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees’ etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

We have just 15 more weeks in the book of James. I hope you are being blessed through your meditations and meanderings through this short but practical book.

James 4:15-16
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Points to ponder
Whether we say the words “If the Lord wills” or not, it is important that our heart attitude and actions reflect that we believe it. I think sometimes people tag that statement on the end of what they are saying like a by-line, but it sounds scripted and shallow, as if they were saying it because they think they should. Personally, I am more impressed and touched by the people I know that may not say, “if the Lord wills” but their life shouts it with every expression, every decision and every action. I want to be more like THAT.

Blessings,
Diane

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery and Development at America’s KESWICK. In addition to her Keswick responsibilities which keep her busy, she loves to read, write and teach, travel and laugh with her grandchildren. Diane has been married to her husband John over 26 years. She has 2 children, 3 grandchildren, 3 step-children, and 7 step-grandchildren.

It’s finally here!!! Crossing the Jordan: Living Victoriously in Difficult Relationships by Diane Hunt, MaryAnn Kiernan, DeEtta Marsh, Stephanie Paul and Betsy Shoppy (several of our Victory Call writers). Today’s Victory Call is just a taste of what you will find in this Bible Study for women. Although it was originally written for wives of men in addiction it has already been a blessing to women from various circumstances and relationships: moms, siblings, daughters, wives, fiancees, etc. Most of the 14 chapters are applicable to any woman in any situation. To secure your own copy contact America’s Keswick Guest Services 732.350.1187 $16.00. If you have any questions contact Diane Hunt at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.