Cornerstone

Hab 3:1-6

The concern of this prayer and the circumstances which accompanied it are parallel to a prayer breathed by Moses. The people of Israel had shown by their actions that their heart was not with God. He had been patient, kind, loving and understanding but now as God looked over Moses’ shoulder He saw the people He had tried to help thumbing their noses at Him. They had fashioned a golden calf so they could have something to worship. That told Him clearly that they did not want to worship Him. They gave of their wealth to form their god. That told God they had been holding back what they owed to Him. They danced and sang at a fevered pitch of excitement. That suggested that God was second-rate and that they had found something that far surpassed their former allegiance. God’s wrath burned and He determined to destroy them and raise a new people under the leadership of His loyal servant Moses. But Moses fell on his face in intercessory prayer and prayed for a revival. As Habakkuk later prayed, Moses lifted his voice to God saying something like this: “Instead of destroying your people, O Lord, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.” Is that our prayer for revival? Do we realize that to be revived is more than just to make up our mind to do better with our personal devotions? Do we realize that we are asking God to hold back His wrath against our insensitive rebellious ways? We are asking Him to have mercy on His people and to extend His love to us as we endeavor to draw closer to Him.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Col 3:3-11 (10)

The men in the Woods family laugh and bear it. There is no reason to deny the fact that if you have seen one of the Woods family you have seen them all. We could have a random changing of noses and no one would notice that anything had changed in our appearance. We bear a resemblance that is unmistakable.

My first grandson, Joshua Gayle Woods, was born December 24, 2001. The discussion among the ladies followed the well worn path of former discussions. AI think that he has Becky’s nose and ears.” AI think he has Jonathan’s eyes.” Feeling a little mischievous I picked up Joshua and held his face next to mine and said, “Can’t you see the resemblance?”

In like manner, there must be a resemblance that is clear when people look at our character, our priorities, our ethics and our purpose for living. When they look at us they must see a resemblance of Jesus. When we are “born from above” we are made in the likeness of our Lord. When we become a “living sacrifice” we are conformed to His image. Our lives are to be a mirrored image of the One we serve. He alone must be seen when people look at us. This only becomes possible in the serious pursuit of holiness.

Dr. Gayle Woods