Demanding

I lift the knife to the thing I love most
Praying You’ll come so I can have both
What I need is for You to touch me
What I need is for You to be the thing that I need

David Crowder Band – Let Me Feel You Shine

Genesis 22 is, to me, the most uncomfortable passage in the Bible. It’s where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his only, his beloved, his promised son Isaac as a burnt offering. You can slice it any way you want (pardon the pun), but God demanded EVERYTHING from Abraham. Yes, He came through and provided a substitute (and a metaphore for the Gospel), but it does not alter the fact He was demanding of EVERYTHING Abraham valued, and He’s the same God today.

The lyrics above are from the DC*B’s new (and last) CD. I think Mr. Crowder is lifting a knife to his music praying, like Abraham, that he can have it AND God. I hope so, too. I hear Christians say, “God wound never….” way too much. We underestimate the lengths God will go to, the sacrifices He will demand…..for His glory and to capture our divided and rebellious hearts for His own.

Beware!

The only time I see the word “beware” used is in relation to “the dog,” announcing the presence of a dangerous animal. And I think somebody famous once wrote about “bewaring something in March,”didn’t they? Point is, when we see the word “beware,” serious danger is near. Jesus gave us a warning when He said:

Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 6:1 (NASB)

He went on to talk about giving quietly, praying privately, and fasting secretly….in order NOT to draw attention to yourself. Jesus maintained that if we do good and right things to please God, our Father will reward us. Our danger lies in wrongly desiring the praise of men for doing the exact same things.

So if you give, pray, fast, serve, sacrifice, teach, preach, write, blog, etc., beware…….