The Lord is Patient or 'arek 'aph

Recently, our Moms in Prayer group began our time of prayer by praising the Lord that He is patient. We used three scriptures: Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Timothy 1:16; and 2 Peter 3:9.

 

I love doing word studies, so when I got home, I looked up the words in the texts translated patient.

 

According to Strong's, the Greek word used in Galatians 5:22 and 1 Timothy 1:16 is makrothymia, meaning patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs.

 

The word used in 2 Peter 3:9 is just slightly different. It is makrothymeō, meaning to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart, to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles, to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others, to be mild and slow in avenging, and to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.

 

Interestingly, both words can also be translated "far feeling" according to other Greek Interlinear sources. And the Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament adds clement and indulgent. Hmm.

 

Exodus 34:6 records the words the Lord used to describe Himself to Moses using the Hebrew word, 'arek, which also means patient, longsuffering, or slow to anger. Here, though, there is an additional word, 'aph, that is attached to the first. This is the word that "anger" comes from. It is a word that refers to the nostril, nose, or face. Gesenius' Lexicon says it is like "the blowing of breath through the nostrils, as of those who are enraged."

 

Just think. It was the breath of God, the One whose words breathed out and created everything. So, what would happen if His breath blew out in anger?

If you take some time to really consider, though, and think about how patience applies to the character of God, there is another word you can add—understanding.

 

I think the one thing that makes God's patience possible towards us humans is His understanding. Because He is all wise, all knowing, and present everywhere from the beginning to the end of time, His understanding is infinite. That fills Him with compassion for His creation. This is the same compassion that Matthew 9:36 mentions, "Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (CEB)

Aren't you thankful? Our God is abundantly worthy of our praise!

 

The Lord passed in front of Moses and said,

“I am the Lord. The Lord is a God who shows ·mercy [compassion],

who is ·kind [gracious],

who doesn’t become angry quickly [patient],

who has great ·love [loyalty] and faithfulness.

Exodus 34:6 (EXB)

Praise & Practical Wisdom

Often, we praise the Lord that He is God all wise. And so He is.

 

We pray using the truth of verses like Proverbs 3:19-20; Isaiah 28:29; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 2:20-22; Romans 11:33-34; Romans 16:27; Colossians 2:2-3; and James 3:17.

 

As we praise the Lord, those words are not just meant for His ears. Our words of praise should echo in our own ears and reach into our hearts and minds.

 

Then, as we praise the Lord God, there comes a grasp that not only is His wisdom in use at all times, it is also available in a useful way to those who call on His name.

 

A practical example happened this weekend for me.

 

Our home was built in the 1950s. That is quite obvious when you enter the kitchen. It is quite noticeable, too, that we've added a few things over the years to increase cupboard space. There's a pair of tall pantry cabinets, visibly different than the others. On one side of the stove, there's a rolling island pushed up against the wall and on the other side is a butcher block stand. Both of these have storage. But, it just never seems to be enough, especially after trips to certain large "big box" store. Things just usually tend to hang out on the counters in the way until they can get squeezed into a less visible location. Updating our kitchen with more practical cabinetry has just not been in the budget.

 

After the last trip, I was at a loss as to what to do with a new set of glass food storage containers that I'd purchased. They and their lids needed a home. Like most people, we like to use our counters for food preparation. And, with four cats, counters become cat highways in the absence of humans.

 

So, the next morning, I decided instead of lingering in frustration, I would linger in praise. I praised the Lord that He has all wisdom. Then, I decided to ask Him what to do. After all, that's what James 1:5 advises us to do. So, I asked the Lord just where could these new glass storage containers and their lids find a home in my kitchen?

 

Almost instantaneously, I thought of the cupboard where I keep the tea and coffee. The top shelf held just a few odds and ends, items that could easily be relocated. And that led quickly to the thought that on the opposite side of the room was a shelf with rarely used items that could be easily moved to that spot, which would open up the perfect place for these new dishes!

 

Instead of frustration, now I was excited to get to work. And, you know what? It worked even better than expected!!

 

Praise invites the Lord God "Who is wonderful in counsel [and] excellent in wisdom and effectual working" to reveal His wisdom for practical use in our lives. (Isaiah 28:29 AMP)

 

So, here are a few words of praise from Daniel and Paul that we can echo today—

 

Daniel answered, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever!

For wisdom and might are His!

He changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and sets up kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding!

He reveals the deep and secret things;

He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him!

Daniel 2:20-22 (AMP)

 

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)!

And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!

For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts,

or who has [ever] been His counselor?

Romans 11:33-34 (AMP)

Coram Deo

My husband was of the generation whose high school in Nebraska taught Latin. It wasn't even available at mine. I guess that was reflective of the "progressive" Northwest.

 

I am a bit familiar, though, with a few Latin phrases as are many of us. Just recently, a major department store's sale email landed in my inbox with the attention getting title, "Carpe Diem"—seize the day. That's a good attention getter as far as sales go. The Marines, one of whom is my nephew, have the motto "semper fidelis"—always faithful. Have you heard this one? "Usus magister est optimus." You're probably more familiar with it in English—practice makes perfect. Or perhaps this one is familiar: "Pro Deo et Patria"—for God and country.

 

One of my favorites is "coram Deo"—before the face of God or in the presence of God. It is an expression that I liken to the communion of our walk with the Lord.

 

Similarly, R.C. Sproul wrote, “The big idea of the Christian life is coram Deo. Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life. This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God."

 

Isn't that our heart aspiration for our children?

 

So we speak the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, over their lives.

 

We pray from Colossians 3:17, asking the Lord that whatever ______ does, in word or deed, that s/he would do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

 

We pray from 1 Corinthians 10:31 that whether _______ eats or drinks or whatever s/he does would be done all for the glory of God.

 

We pray from Proverbs 3:6 that in all ______ ways s/he would acknowledge the Lord, and He shall direct their paths.

 

We pray from Psalm 91:1 that ______ will dwell in the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty.

 

We pray from Psalm 27:8 that ______ will seek the face of the Lord.

 

More than anything, our desire is for our children to live before the face of God and know the presence of the Lord—coram Deo!

 

You will show me the path of life;

in Your presence is fullness of joy,

at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 (AMP)

Eagle Lecterns

This past year, our theme verse in Moms in Prayer International was Isaiah 40:31, “...the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will SOAR on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired.” (GW)

 

In researching eagles, I came across some fascinating tidbits of information. Did you know it was quite common for church lecterns centuries ago to feature an eagle? Its outstretched wings were for holding the Bible. Many were designed from brass, others from carved wood. Often the eagle's feet rested on an orb, scepter and crown to represent the majesty of Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 1:17), like the one below of St. John's Stone Church in Scotland, and some include a snake in the eagle's talons, like the one at St Benedict Biscop in Wombourne, England.

Lecterns at St. John's (left) and St. Benedict Biscop's (courtesy of Internet)

 

It seems the most prominent reason for the use of an eagle was to represent the Apostle John and his Gospel, which begins "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1 NKJV) This gives credence to the comments of others, one of which says that the eagle represents the Word of God soaring to the ears of the hearers.

 

But the first explanation that I found was that the eagle was a visual reminder to churchgoers of how the eagle has eyes to see and conquer the snake in the grass, which is a reminder of God's power over our enemy, Satan. In fact, this is the reason given by the unknown writer of a paper on the Church of St. Benedict Biscop, "Eagles have long been symbols of strength and divine inspiration. If you look carefully you can see that our eagle has a snake in its talons. A reminder of how good, the word of God, can triumph over evil, the snake."

 

God's Word has power to overcome the enemy—our enemy and our children's enemy.

 

The Bible underscores that there are two things God honors above all else:
His name and His Word.
"For you have exalted above all things your name and your word,"...Ps. 138:2.

Prayer spiced with God's Word is prayer exalted.

Joni Eareckson Tada

 

Praying moms, when we use God's own Word in prayer, we are speaking over our children in the hearing of the enemy the Word of the Most High God, the King. We are speaking triumph into their lives.

 

Are you not seeing triumph? Don't quit!

 

Proclaim the Word of the Lord over your child. Speak it clearly, out loud. Gather others to do it with you. An easy way to do that is to join or begin a Moms in Prayer group.

 

Click here, https://www.momsinprayer.org/groups/find-a-group, to find out if there is one for your child's school. Whether it says yes or not presently, fill out the form, and hit send. Someone will contact you to help you get started. Or, just ask me.

 

“Isn’t my word like fire or like a hammer that shatters a rock?” asks Yahweh.

Jeremiah 23:29 (NOG)

The Greatest of These is Love

When Moses was on the mountain holding up the rod over the battlefield, he was not alone. Aaron was on one side, Hur on the other.

We know much about Aaron, but, who was Hur?

 

Little is written about him personally. His name means "hole." He helped Moses keep his hands up and steady during the battle with the Amalekites. (Exodus 17:10-12) He was left with Aaron to supervise the people when Moses went up to meet with God. (Exodus 24:14) He was the father of Uri and the grandfather of Bezaleel, the one God called to do the work of the tabernacle. (Exodus 31:2; 35:30; 38:22; 1 Chronicles 2:20) Interestingly, the work of Bezaleel, Hur's grandson, was so well done, that items were used many years later in the temple that Solomon built. (2 Chronicles 1:5) Also, Matthew Henry wrote that some "think" Hur may have been Moses' brother-in-law, Miriam's husband.

 

Whoever he was, Hur was undoubtedly a servant of the Lord. As such, he stood beside others to uphold them. And, we can imply, that as a father and, at the very least, a grandfather, he had a life of influence. That influence may have played a huge part in the Lord's calling of Bezaleel. Hur set an example of obedience and of endurance. Standing beside Moses, who by the way was sitting, Hur upheld Moses' arm, which meant he was also holding up his own. He was positioned that way until the sun set and the battle was won. And as you read the passages in Exodus, it is very clear that Bezaleel echoed what was modeled to him by his grandfather.

 

I looked a bit deeper into the meaning of the name "Hur." Outright in the Hebrew, Chuwr means a hole. But Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon also notes that it is not just any hole, but that of a viper. Hmm…

 

It seems to me that Hur was a man you didn't mess with. And, that would mean the enemy, too.

 

Perhaps we can infer that what he did in public was a reflection of who he was in character—a man who knew and trusted his God. Knowing what little is recorded about him, perhaps we can also conclude that his influence was also that of bringing his children and grandchildren before the Lord, giving them the legacy of prayer.

 

 

That is what you do, praying mom. Your influence over your children and grandchildren goes beyond your doing to your very being. It goes to the character of the Lord God you serve being seen in you, not just in public, but also behind closed doors. Additionally, it is your influence on their lives as you bring your children to Him in prayer. Those prayers will influence their lives long after your name, like Hur's, drops out of recorded history.

 

Above all, the one character of the Lord God that makes the hugest impact on your children is love. As Paul wrote, there are three things that abide forever—faith, hope, and love, "but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13 NASB)

 

We love, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:19 (NASB)

Blankets of Prayer

I returned this past weekend from attending the Moms in Prayer International State Coordinator Getaway, held in sunny southern California. My flight home left San Diego Friday afternoon to arrive in Portland just prior to dark—in time to see a city blanketed with snow. After a flight cancellation and some rerouting, I finally flew into Pasco Saturday morning. Then, it was an hour drive to the welcome sight of the Walla Walla Valley, also blanketed in snow. Overlooking the wheat fields, our Blue Mountains are just barely visible in the background of the photo below.

 

It made me think—just like snow blankets whatever it touches, so does prayer.

wpclipart.com

 

As this Norman Rockwell painting so tenderly demonstrates, each night across the world parents tuck in the blankets around their children with stories, hugs, kisses, and, for many, prayers. Sometimes God hears “Now I lay me down to sleep…” or “God bless Mommy, Daddy...” or the voice of a parent kneeling beside a sleepy child. Those prayers are like blankets that cover that child all night long and into the next day.

We can’t always be with our children nor guarantee them a perfect environment, even in our own presence, but we can trust our children to the Lord God, the One who urges us to pray on their behalf. 

 

And, considering Paul's words of Ephesians 6, prayer is the best cover we can put over our children. Oswald Sanders said, “The prayer of the feeblest saint on earth who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan.  The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer.” 

 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon echoed the words of James 4:2 (NKJV), “…you do not have because you do not ask,” when he said, “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom.” Jesus said, “ask and it will be given to you…” (Luke 11:9 NKJV) And He taught that we “always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke 18:1 NKJV)

 

That is what Augustine's mom believed. Her son lived a wild life as a teen, but he had a praying mom.  Years later, Augustine praised God for his mother saying, “And now didst thou stretch forth thy hand from above and didst draw my soul up out of that profound darkness because my mother, thou faithful one, wept to thee on my behalf more than mothers are accustomed to weep for the bodily deaths of their children.” Her prayers blanketed him night and day.

 

When we blanket our children with prayer, just like Augustine's mom, we will see how the Lord truly is able to do exceedingly above all we ask or imagine. 

 

Where there is prayer, there is Someone who is listening,

Who knows the situation and He acts because He cares.

He’ll give His full attention and answer in His wisdom

anytime or anywhere there is prayer.

Bruce Carroll and John G. Elliott

Worship

David Wilkerson wrote that "a Christian can pray diligently without ever really worshiping. Indeed, it’s possible to be a prayer warrior and intercessor and still not be a worshiper of God. You can plead for your unsaved children, pray for the needs of an entire church, be holy and meek in seeking God's burden—and yet never truly worship Him!"

Just what is worship? We have lots of definitions, it seems. My Word Thesaurus uses these synonymous: adoration, love, reverence, respect, adulation, veneration, devotion. Obviously, these words do not include "intercession."

 

What does the Scripture tell us?

 

The first mention of the word in Hebrew translated worship is in Genesis 22:5, "And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Remember the context of this verse? Abraham is obeying the Lord God by taking his son, Isaac, to the mountain where he would put him on the sacrificial altar.

 

The Hebrew word translated "worship" is shachah, which literally means "to bow down" or you could substitute "get low." In essence, it is referring not to merely a physical position but a humbling or submitting of oneself. Again, that does not sound like intercession, as David Wilkerson was pointing out.

 

What does that mean to us as praying moms?

 

I believe it means that prior to pleading before the Throne—interceding on behalf of our children—we have to be humbled by the Throne.

 

Imagine yourself entering the Throne room. What would be your first response, your first thought?

 

I think you would come to a complete "stop" in awe and probable speechlessness. And when your mouth is opened, what words would escape? Praise! In truth, this is worship that not only denotes adoration, love, reverence, respect, adulation, and veneration but also that last synonym, devotion—an action of a heart bowed down before and committed to the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

 

Above all things, including the desires of our heart for our children, the Most High God sits.

 

And our act of worship of the True King effectively transforms our communication with Him concerning our children. Through our worship, we are willing to give the One who sits on the Throne our trust that His heart is for our kids. Because the action of worship is the willingness to do as Abraham, take our child to His altar in humble obedience and in faith that God is. By doing so, Abraham declared the worthiness of God and His right to lordship over himself and his child. And, in laying Isaac before the Lord, Abraham received him back.

 

Paul wrote that one day all of heaven and earth and even under the earth would worship or "get low" by bowing their knee to Jesus Christ and that every tongue would confess that He is Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11) What pleasure it is for us in this land of the living that we can do that now!

 

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Psalm 95:6 (NKJV)