Edition 41 of my Pride study

Tuesday, October 11th

Edition 41 of my Pride study.

Zephaniah 2:8-11
8 "I have heard the insults of Moab and the taunts of the Ammonites, who insulted my people and made threats against their land.

9 Therefore, as surely as I live," declares the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, "surely Moab will become like Sodom, the Ammonites like Gomorrah— a place of weeds and salt pits, a wasteland forever. The remnant of my people will plunder them; the survivors of my nation will inherit their land."

10 This is what they will get in return for their pride, for insulting and mocking the people of the LORD Almighty.

11 The LORD will be awesome to them when he destroys all the gods of the land. The nations on every shore will worship him, every one in its own land.

It is interesting how they define what type of pride Moab was doing. Insulting and mocking God’s people was the pride of there heart. And then, as the consequence of their sin, they will be destroyed like Sodom. And as I remember, that was not pretty. “A wasteland forever” wouldn’t be an ideal vacation spot. I would think more like the Sahara desert, and do we go there for a fun filled day? Oh no. I have no desire to head out there for a picnic. And yet God gives it to his people… I don’t really understand why he would give his people a wasteland. To keep them humble, maybe? I wake up this morning with some of my classmates calling for my expulsion from school. It is because I am debating that as a therapist, which actually I am not studying to be, I do not think therapists should enable their clients and call them, begging them to come in and get treatment for whatever they are trying to recover from? I must admit, I was a little shocked but after a few minutes of taking it in, I realized that I am not invulnerable to persecution. It has just been a while since I have had someone personally attack me. At midweek, I learned that those who were ill came to Jesus. Jesus did not chase after people to force them to get better. Why should a therapist do the same? So, I found myself wanting to defend myself and argue the points. I wanted to justify my stance. And to make matters worse, other class members were jumping on the bandwagon. I am being ganged up upon, or so it feels. “Bring the boy to me…” Jesus said. That is something we say all the time around our house (referring to our son), but Jesus didn’t go, “I have to run to the boy who needs my help and make him better.” So why should a therapist? Anyway, I am starting to feel a certain anxiety about it all, so please pray for me. Pray for God’s will in this matter, because when it is all said and done, that is what will happen anyway. I guess I really need peace of mind. God’s will is going to happen irregardless. But for me to be at peace with it would be essential. So, I have an announcement to make. Today is my wife’s spiritual birthday. Do drop her a quick Happy Birthday if you have the time. Her work phone is 1-888-648-4452. I also have a special treat, the Jenny Crossword Puzzle. All sorts of tidbit information you may not have known about her, all jumbled up into a little fun. Do enjoy.