PRIORITIES

Fretwell@aol.com (Fretwell@aol.com)
Thu, 20 Mar 1997 11:31:29 -0500 (EST)


              PRIORITIES

Last night I was reading Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the
wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his
ways past finding out! 

My attention was drawn to the word "judgments".  More often than not, we
think of punishment or the metering out of justice when we see the word.  But
SUCH IS NOT THE CASE in the majority of places where the word is used.

A word which would more properly convey the true meaning to us today is the
word "evaluate", or to place in proper order.  We see it take place every
Fall at the Fair, where the animals and exhibits are "judged" (evaluated,
placed in proper order).

Paul was exclaming happily that God's prioritizing is "unsearchable".
 Humanity can not find fault with it.  God knows the true value and meaning
of everything which concerns us.  We don't.

Psalms 26:2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
   Psalms 19:12 Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret
[faults]. 

If and when we yield our lives completely to His Control, we become the
beneficiaries of His Judgments-- His priorities-- His evaluations in our
lives.

Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before
men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly ESTEEMED among men
is ABOMINATION in the sight of God. 

Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof [are] the ways of death. 

We can not, we DARE NOT trust our own understanding and vision when we make
decisions about the direction our lives will take.  Life's shores are
littered with the "hulls" of people who have "hit the rocks" while
"self-steering" their lives.  Their "sense of direction" was faulty because
they had not received the counsel of the Lord.   Proverbs 28:26 He that
trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be
delivered. 

The verse also says that "His Ways are past finding out".  The fact sheet of
the world will not provide you with a safe course for your life.  But God
will, if we ask Him, lead us in ways which we do not understand, and bring us
to His appointed Will for our lives.  

He is not obligated to explain His choices to those involved in His
directives for their lives.  He is Sovereign, if we will allow Him to be. 

Psalms 139:24 And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting.   

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.