Consider It....

As fast-paced as our world is today,we barely have time to think straight! Few are the moments to think beyond one minute on a certain thing, unless it is a major issue at hand. But, in God's Word, we are told to consider a few things.

We should firstly consider the Lord's wonders. Psalms 8:3&4 says, "When I CONSIDER thy heavens and the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained, what is man that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man that thou visitest him?"God has created all of these wonders for "his good pleasure"Rev.4:11, and put man in charge of the earth's keep, Gen.2:15. The phrase "work of thy fingers" gives attention to the finest detail of all of His creation, which in NO WAY could have just banged into existence on its own.(More faith is required to believe that than to trust God's Word!) This is not meant for us to "hug trees" by any means, but to appreciate the beautiful things that He has made for us to enjoy. Even the sunrise we take for granted everyday is a miracle, for it's something only God can do!
 
There are also two particular parts of nature that the Lord wants us  to consider-the fowls of the air(sparrows) and the lilies of the field, Matthew 6:26-28. He pointed out these two things to teach us an important truth.He will take care of all of our NEEDS. Verses 30-34 of the same chapter says He knows that we have needs for clothes, food, etc.If the Lord cares enough for some of the smallest members of His creation that have no eternal soul, HOW MUCH MORE does HE KNOW OUR NEEDS, and has promised to provide them? "We have a heavenly Father above, with eyes FULL OF MERCY and a HEART FULL OF LOVE!'

Haggai 1:5 tells us,"Now therefore thus saith the Lords of hosts; Consider your ways." What a command from the Lord! Here He was talking to the Jewish remnant that was supposed to be rebuilding the Temple, and they had stopped. He went on to say in verses 6-11 that they were more concerned with preparing their own wants and needs FIRST over taking care of His work. How many times are we guilty of the same thing? Are we more worried about getting things we THINK  we need or want, while the work of the Lord goes lacking? He went on to say that their troubles were a direct result of their lack of service. May the Lord help us to "..seek ye First the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness; and all of these shall be added unto you." Matthew 7:33.

Lastly, we should consider how the Lord handled troubles while here on earth.Hebrews 12:3 says "For CONSIDER Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds" The Lord was constantly hounded by the Pharisees and scribes who THOUGHT they could catch the Lord in His words.(How foolish when He IS THE WORD!)The Lord suffered these people their arrogance, pride, and ignorance with all of the power and grace that is attributed to Him. When fiery darts and ridicules are shot at us, may we behave in the same manner the Lord did-respond with the Word. Satan himself was even afforded that grace (Matthew 4:1-11), when he tried to tempt the Lord in the wilderness! Lord help us to not be wearied at attempts to hinder and hurt in His service, but remember that if "religious" leaders of His day did so,then they of our day and the lost will do the same. May Jesus help us remember that in days before salvation, we did the same ! I Corinthians 6:11 "Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,and by the Spirit of our God."God help his people to remember this in our dealings with the brethren as well!

So, as we take time to spend with the Lord, and along the course of our daily routine, may we also "...CONSIDER how great things he hath done for you!" I Samuel 12:24.