Wisdom

Vision of the Ancient of Days
Daniel 7:9, 10
“I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; I fiery stream issued, and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”

Daniel’s vision of God on His throne with more people seated before Him than he could count reminded me of how I love to just sit and listen to older people tell stories of their lives and share in the wisdom they had gained. This of course took place after the teen years when I realized that I really didn’t know it all.
I realized that through their life experiences and learning from the mistakes that they had made, that something was to be learned here. As I try and partake of my wisdom to my oldest daughter, wanting her to learn from the mistakes that I made, I feel that she sometimes just patronizes me as I am sure I did my mother as I was growing up.
When Jesus had gone to Lazarus’ house as a guest for a meal, He listened to Martha complain that her lazy sister Mary just sat while she did all the work. Jesus told her that Mary had chosen to the right thing by sitting at His feet and partaking of His wisdom. Oh that we would take more time to sit before the Ancient of Days and partake of the wisdom that He has gained. What wonderful things might God impart upon you today if you just took the time to sit at His feet with His word opened, in prayer, or just being silent? Can you hear Him talking to you today?

Giving Thanks

Luke 7:36-50
36. And one of the Pharisees requested him to take food with him; and he entered into the house of the Pharisee, and sat down at table. 37. And, lo, a woman in the city, who was a sinner, when she knew that he sat at table in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster box of ointment: 1 38. And sitting at his feet behind him, and weeping, she began to wash his feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment. 2 39. And the Pharisee, who had invited him, seeing it, said, speaking within himself, If this man were a Prophet, he would certainly know who and what sort of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. 3 40. And Jesus answering, said to him, Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he said, Master, say on. 41. A certain creditor had two debtors: one owed five hundred pence, and another fifty. 42. And when they had nothing to pay, he forgave them both. Tell me then, which of them will love him more? 43. Simon answering said, I suppose that it will be he to whom he forgave more. And he said to him, Thou hast decided aright. 44. And turning to the woman, he said to Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest not water for my feet; but she hath moistened my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45. Thou gavest me not a kiss; but she, since the time that I entered, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 47. For which reason I say to thee, Her many sins are forgiven, for she hath loved much; but he to whom less is forgiven loveth less. 48. And he said to her, Thy sins are forgiven thee. 49. And those who sat at table with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that even forgiveth sins? 50. And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Both Mathew’s and Mark’s account of this meal talk of the waste of the oil and how it could have been sold to feed the poor. John 11:2 goes so far as to tells that the woman was Mary the brother of Lazarus, this I didn’t know. But it was Luke’s account the God used to correct a wrong in my life and ease the trouble that my Spirit was having over it.
I had always thought that it was rude when I went to a family gathering where a meal was prepared to offer thanks for the meal without being asked. I have no trouble in my own home, at a restaurant, or even Teresa and I bowing our heads in prayer and giving thanks at a company Christmas party, but in another’s house I would wait and if no one gave thanks than it wasn’t offered. I would bow my head and thank God in silence and continue with the meal.
After talking to my Pastor about this and still being troubled in my spirit about it. God revealed to me one sentence. “Mary didn’t care whose house it was.” My thoughts were taken to Luke’s account of this meal and I had to search for the scripture and read for myself. What it revealed to me was that Mary, considered a sinner by Simon the host of the meal, didn’t care who owned the house or if she was asked to honor Christ. All she saw was Christ and knew the love she had for Him because of who He was and what He had done for her.
Simon had offered no water to clean Jesus’ dusty feet, which was the custom. Yet Mary washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Simon had not greeted his guest with a kiss as the custom, yet Mary had not ceased kissing His feet. Simon had not offered Jesus anything that one would extend to a guest. Yet Mary knowing where Jesus was eating couldn’t control herself but entered a house with one thought; giving thanks.
Giving thanks in a house where you are not asked should be done without thought of whose house it is, but with thought of who provided the meal. As I look at our full pantry, even if it is junk food at times, I give thanks. Though at times I tell my wife how great she is because she has placed a carton or two of wonderful ice cream in our freezer. As Teresa and I sit to a meal in a restaurant, I give thanks. I do not say I filled this pantry, or I paid for this meal, but give thanks to the One who gave me the ability to fill the pantry and pay for the meal, and I should give thanks to the one who brings us together at the table and provides a means to fellowship over a meal, wherever that may be.