CONSIDER!

Sunday, September 1, 2019

CONSIDER!

Deut 32:7

7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

1 Sam 12:24

24 Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

Luke 12:24-28

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

           In First Samuel, the word “consider” is the word ra’ah and literally means to “advise self.” It is a concept that invokes a smile because it means that I should teach myself, from a deep store, what I do not know at the surface.  In Luke chapter 12 the word “consider” is the Greek katanoeo and means: “behold, consider, discover and perceive.” The idea is to learn by keen observation. Are you enduring some trauma or trial? Perhaps you should consider some things.

           Consider God’s past dealings with you. Is today’s trial stronger and larger than ones you have already gone through? No? Then it must be that God has faithfully brought you through! Like the hymn, Amazing Grace, says: “through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.” If we have been the recipient of God’s grace in the past, then we should expect God’s grace for this present circumstance.

           Consider God’s nature and general dealings with His creation. Luke reminds us that He clothes the grass, feeds the birds, and beautifies the lilies. Luke asks us to consider whether God has a special grudge against us or should we expect to be clothed, fed and adorned. I think we know the answer.

The cause of the Jews’ great sin was a failure to consider. “The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.” Isa 1:3

           Consider the future of every believer! If the rapture waits and we finish our lives through death, what awaits us on the other side? The answer is incomprehensible glory! Paul said in Romans 8:18, “For I reckon [to take an inventory] that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

Dear Father of Mercies, while the trial shouts its doubts, let me consider your past blessings and my glorious future. Let me endure with courage whatever you have for me today. AMEN