365 Reflections

Sometimes I struggle to believe a verse of Scripture. Are you the same? One that sticks out for is from James 1. James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. I love that verse. I also have a hard time believing it. When I ask God for wisdom (or anything for that matter), I'm inclined to believe He's holding my sins in a cup ready to use them against me in a celestial court so that I realize I'm worthy of nothing and I shouldn't even bother asking. Yet that's NOT what it says. I am choosing to believe a lie in that case. The scripture clearly affirms that God gives without reproach! And notice, "to all" ! He's the Giver who doesn't find fault. Another translation reads just that way: James 1:5 (NIV) If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault , and it will be given to him. Now, here in 1 Kings 3, we...

Deuteronomy 33:20–21 (ESV)   And of Gad he said, “Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp. 21 He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander’s portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the Lord , and his judgments for Israel.” In the blessing of Moses there is one tribal  blessing that most resembles Jacob's original from Genesis 49. It is this blessing for the tribe of Gad. Notice Jacob's blessing: Genesis 49:19 (ESV)   “Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels. Jacob knew Gad was destined to increase.  Moses saw this too. Interestingly, "Gad" means good fortune.  Notice the blessing here in Deuteronomy 33. It seems selfish of Gad to choose the best land, to want a "commander's portion"... but in the end, Gad does get what he wants out of life.  The tribe of Gad is one of three "trans-Jordan...