"Combustible" -2

"Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?" (Psalms 94:8)
It is actually a good thing to think ourselves inadequate to keep God's law; at least that way we can begin to approach God with a right attitude. The "fools" are just that, foolish! Some might call them silly, some might call them simpletons; while others might call them down right stupid. All in all, a fool is someone who is just too arrogant to learn, no matter how many times they keep repeating the same mistakes, they believe their way is the easiest way, so that's the way they will get it done. The thing about God's way, is that God's way is usually going to be the hardest; not because it is actually hard, as in labor-intensive, but it requires letting go of our ways and letting God do the heavy lifting. It's a lot like that guy who is hanging from that root on the side of the cliff; the one in a conversation with God. He asked, "Can you help me?" and God says, "Yes." Then he asked, "Will you help me?" and God says, "Yes." Then he says, "What must I do?" and God says, "Let go of that root!" To which the man answers, "Is anyone else up there!" As I am preparing for the message tomorrow, I feel God speaking to me about the things we choose to place in our lives that get in the way of God's ways. If there is one particular portion of Scripture that I believe God is speaking through, it is Ruth 1:16-17. That is where I believe we see the beginning of wisdom, complete and honest surrender; the kind that literally says, 'No matter what happens, even if I die, I will not leave your side!' It might not be the easiest choice to make, but it is the choice that best demonstrates the love God is looking for in His children. And strangely enough, that kind of love is not easily offended or easily quenched. It is not, because that love is placed in a Redeeming God, a God that can actually turn things around, and a God that can actually bring the dead back to life; if that's what it takes, He's the one who can do it! For Ruth, she could have taken the easy way, as did Orpah; because Naomi did make a pretty strong case why they should not go back to Bethlehem with her. For one, the people of Moab were enemies with Israel, and for another, they would be leaving the land where they could be loved and cared for. But Ruth would have nothing to do with it; she was determined to go with Naomi, even if it meant her life would be threatened, or worse, she had her trust put in the God of Israel, the LORD! When that takes place in our lives, we are no longer combustible, not even in a fiery furnace...
"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But -"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."" (Titus 3:3-7) NLT