In those few lines, you pretty much have the history of the Children of Israel. God would bless them with peace and prosperity. But then they would forget about Him and fall into sin. So God would allow them to come under enemy attack. 

Someone stands up and says, “Maybe it’s because of the idols we’ve been worshipping.” Another guy says, “What idols? I don’t see any idols. Unless you’re talking about that golden calf everyone is dancing around.”

So they humble themselves, seek forgiveness, lose the idols. And once again, God comes to their rescue. Peace reigns. Prosperity is restored. A chicken in every pot. Two cars in every garage. Everything is hunky-dory. Too hunky-dory, because they fall right back into sin.

And the cycle repeats. Second verse, same as the first. 

Well, it’s easy to find fault with the Israelites but in a way, we’re not much different. The job’s good. The wife’s happy. The kids ain’t misbehavin’. And we become spiritually complacent. We’re not on our knees in prayer because, what’s there to pray about? Everything is good. And without knowing it, we begin to slip from God.

So in His wisdom, He sends a little pain. A little mini-crisis. Or a major one. Now, we’re crying out to God. “Help! Where are you?”

When He doesn’t answer, we do some introspection. Look inside. See if there’s anything going on that might be displeasing.

After discovering thirty or forty things we repent, ask forgiveness, lose the golden cow. And true to His promise, He comes to our rescue. Sound familiar?

Today’s verse says, “When all was going well, your people turned to sin again.”

Sometimes, I wonder if we need a little pain. A few trials and tribulations. To keep us on our knees. To remind us of our constant need for him.

Hmmm?

Had a visit from my cousin, Bob Curtis, not long ago. Hadn’t seen him since High School days, almost forty years ago.

“Bobby, you’re looking great!” I said, fingers crossed behind my back.

“Del, you haven’t changed a bit since the last time I saw you,” he said, lying through his teeth.

I’m thinking to myself, I sure hope I didn’t look like this when I was seventeen. Of course, that would explain why it was so hard to get a date for the prom.

Bob has battled cancer off and on the past few years. Seems to be doing well now, but like he said, you never know with cancer. You just never know. All you can do is take one day at a time.

Funny thing, I was reading James just a couple days ago. He says,

“Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14

As we in Hawaii say, “Here today. Gone to Maui.”

I told my cousin we’re all terminal. None of us are getting out of here alive. Not unless the trumpet sounds.

But I’m not so worried about what will happen tomorrow. I’m more concerned about how I’m living today. Being the best husband I can be. Setting the right example for my children to follow. Living my life in a manner pleasing to God.

These are among the priorities in my life. I hope you have taken time to define priorities for yours.

Yep. Like Cousin Bob says, it’s one day at a time.

Aren’t you glad we don’t have to take ‘em two at a time?!

Sleep is a personal thing with me. I love my pillow. My futon is my favorite friend. So anything that gets me up at night better be important.  

Having said that, today I found a verse in my Bible I highlighted years ago:

Rise in the night and cry to your God. Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord; lift up your hands to Him; plead for your children… Lamentations 2:19

I discovered that verse while going through some deep waters with one of my children. I had underlined, rise in the night, and plead for your children. Dated it September 9, 1999.

This passage speaks to me of someone who is desperate for an answer. Desperate to the point of sacrificing personal comfort in order to be heard by God.

“Rise in the night…plead for your children…”

The sin that grips our children and their generation is strong. Unrelenting! It attaches itself like a nut rusted to a bolt. They become inseparable.

Prayer, serious, sleep depriving prayer, is the only thing that will break the grip. It is the penetrating oil that will dissolve the corrosion and loosen the threads and cause it to become functional once again.

I actually went to Sears and bought a chair back in 1999. A big, overstuffed chair for the living room. And I would get up at night, sit in the chair and pray. The kids started calling it, “Dad’s praying chair.”

God heard the prayers of that heavy-hearted dad and proved Himself faithful once again. Not that everything is perfect. But when I think of the way it was then and the way it is today, I can only thank Him for His mercy and grace!

What is it that makes you toss and turn at night? Is there something going on in your world that keeps you awake? If so, let me suggest you get yourself a praying chair.

I love promises like this. They give me so much encouragement! So much hope! Makes me feel invincible.

Sure, there are those who will tell you this passage was directed specifically toward the Children of Israel. It was not meant for today. That’s what the seminaries teach in their Biblical Hermeneutics courses. I know. I took the class. Slept all the way through.

Let’s say the promise was for back then, not for today. Still, it shows the heart of God. His heart is to make His children strong, powerful, to give freedom. His heart is to keep His children under His personal care. And His heart has not changed.

History has changed. Circumstances have changed. But His heart remains the same!

So, how does this promise apply to our lives today? When it says, they will go wherever they wish, and wherever they go, they will be under my personal care, I take that to mean we have been given a great amount of freedom to pursue our passions.

I may be pushing sixty but I still have things I would like to do. I hear Him saying, “Go for it, Del! I’ll be with you. It’s not too late to pursue your dreams!”

And as I do, He will make me strong, give me power, keep me in His personal care. That was His heart back then and it is still His heart today!

What are your dreams? What is your passion? Go for it, my friend. Go for it! He will be with you every step of the way.

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3

Got in the car today and saw something I hadn’t seen in a long time. Sand on the carpet. My youngest daughter, Becca, is home from college!

When the kids were growing up, I would complain. Every time they’d go to the beach, they would leave sand all over the floor of the car, on the upholstery, in the trunk. And guess who would end up vacuuming it. Yep! You got it.

Needless to say, the gas tank was always empty. They’d drive the car ’til it was running on fumes then they’d give me the keys just long enough to fill ’er up again.

Well, the house has been empty the past few months. The car has stayed clean. The tank is full. But it sure has been lonely around here.

But Becca had a five day break and she found a cheap ticket so she took money from her own savings and flew home. And now, there’s sand on the carpet, the tank is empty… but who’s complaining? It’s great to have her back!

Children are a gift from the Lord. And every gift He gives is good!

I figure, if I plan it just right, I may be able to watch all sixteen NFL games in one setting.

My wife doesn’t understand why I like watching football. What’s not to like? Eleven men the size of Rhinos, taking out their aggression on eleven Hippopotami, in one mass pile of choreographed mayhem. It’s a thing of beauty!

My obsession with football may have something to do with our modern culture. Back in cave man days, if someone messed with your stuff you let him have it across the head with your club. Down through history, men settled their differences in manly ways, with fisticuffs, or you meet in the street at high noon, take ten paces, turn and fire. Things men like to do.

Now days, if someone messes with your stuff, you hire an attorney, file a temporary restraining order and initiate a lawsuit. Somebody tell me, how much fun is that?

So we live out our aggression vicariously, sitting in front of the tube, yelling and screaming, booing and high-fiving for three hours, watching a football game. And if you really want to have some fun, you invite a friend over to watch it with you.

So, tell me Del, where are you going with this? What is the spiritual lesson?

To be honest, I’m really not sure. I just wanted to tell you about my new DVR. 

Go Seahawks! 

He and Mom honeymooned sixty five years before she went to be with the Lord in April at age ninety.

Dad now lives in a retirement center in Spokane, Washington.

Thanks to my sister, Carolyn, in Spokane, for taking good care of him.