Day 75

More catching up. Onto business then,

Today’s readings
 
Numbers 4:1-5:10
Luke 1:57-80
Psalm 34:11-22


So here we have more history to start us off. One thing that I thought of was how God's always saying about people dying if they touch things. I wonder if any of you have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, clearly the best of the Indiana Jones films. Well they find the Ark of the Covenant which is I think what we're talking about here, or certainly the start of the stuff that would go in the Ark. Now at the end all the Nazis open the Ark and get melted in impressively grusome special effects considering the film's nearly 30 years old. But this isn't because they're big nast evil Nazis. Well it kind of is but not entirely because Indy makes sure his eyes and the pretty lady's eyes are shut too when the Ark is opened. Even though he's the hero of the film and thus clearly a good guy, he realises that God's holy presence is contained within those artefacts and you shouldn't treat them flippantly. Now obviously this isn't factual because Star Wars are the only documentaries that George Lucas has made, but I think it's a good way of seeing that God wasn't just killing people for no reason. He was warning them not to do things because their own body wouldn't take the exposure. Think of it as though God said "and any who jump of a cliff will be die." You wouldn't think He was being bossy or unreasonable for saying that.

I also think it's interesting that everyone seems to have a role in God's new kingdom that He is building. I think a lot of the time we forget that God has a purpose and a role for us and it might not actually be what we want. Our attitude in any situation we're put should be that God has us their for a reason and we should be thankful that we're faithful and trusting enough to see it through with His blessings at the end.

Into the New Testament and we have John the Baptist being born. And before he was a baptist... So anyway, I like that Zachariah's words when he does finally get his speech back are a God given prophecy. If I were putting songs to these catch up blogs, this one would be a Toad The Wet Sprocket song called Something to Say. Well worth a listen if you can. I just think Zachariah had been serving God so long and doing his duties without ever really having that huge experience of God that we all search for and here before he died was this huge event that gave him something worthwhile to say.

I love that being called John is such a matter of intrigue too. Great men us Jons... Regardless of the spelling. Also I think the prophecy Zachariah brings is fantastic. It's full of humility and awareness that everything has been God's plan and that John's role won't be centre stage but he's not complaining but rejoicing that God has worked in his life. I think that's a definite lesson from today that we should be thankful that God does use us. Use us for what? Well I'm quoting lots of pop culture today but I read an old issue of the Avengers a couple of days ago and Captain America said that he did what he did because he knew it would make someone's tomorrow easier. That's a fantastic sentiment and one I think God wants from us.

Finally our Psalm continues and after such a mass of praise we get this joyful reassurance that running to God is never in vain. I especially like verse 12 saying that following God is having a lust for life. That's what we should be seeking. Life to the fullness of its potential!

And that's your lot. Onto the next one