Bigger Than a King-Size Bed!
In Deuteronomy 3, we read about the Israelites (God’s chosen people) destroying those who stood in their way and wouldn’t let them pass on to the land God had promised them.
King Og of Bashan was an evil man. God empowered the Israelites to destroy Og and his entire city. After the destruction, check out what the next Scripture says:
“Incidentally, King Og of Bashan was the last of the giant Rephaim. His iron bedstead is kept in a museum at Rabbah, one of the cities of the Ammonites, and measures thirteen and a half feet long by six feet wide” (Deuteronomy 3:11 TLB).
WOW!
That’s one big bed.
That’s way bigger than a king-sized bed.
Even bigger than a California King-sized bed.
King Og was one of the giants in the land (remember Goliath?).
OK, but why does the Bible record the details of his bed?
It’s like saying, “The Americans won WWII, and Hitler drove a BMW.”
Don’t you think it’s odd that we get such details about something so specific as his bed?
Is it important to know how big his bed is?
No.
Do we even care about the bed this guy slept in?
No.
So why is it recorded?
We won’t know for sure until we get to heaven and can ask God,
but I want to make a suggestion.
God was empowering His people to annihilate everything that kept them from becoming all He wanted them to be.
Could it be that God is telling us that no matter how expensive our car is . . .
OR
how nice our house is . . .
OR
how big our flat screen is . . .
if it prevents us from becoming fully obedient to Him—
annihilate it.
Father, I love the THINGS in my home:
my Coca-Cola collection,
my library,
my fun shoes,
my recliners . . .
But if they keep me from intimacy with You—
if they hold me back from being completely obedient to Your will . . .
give me the power to annihilate.
Smash.
Destroy.
Get rid of.
I want to be full of YOU, Father.
So help me to listen carefully and attentively to Your voice.
And help me to obey You in every area of my life.
Anything you need to destroy?
What Does Genuine Praise Sound Like?
Have you ever thought about what it means to praise God?
Psalm 96 tells us that someday
the seas will demonstrate His glory,
the earth will rejoice,
and the fields will display His greatness.
Let that soak into your brain for a second.
How will the seas demonstrate His glory?
Will trillions of waves simply stand on top of the ocean’s surface
and begin singing?
Or will the plant life and mountains from the very bottom of the sea rise to the top and begin shouting glory?
Will coral hum a praise tune?
Try to imagine how the very earth will rejoice.
Will trees do hip-hop?
Can you see a hill starting the wave?
Maybe every blade of grass will boogie down to some rock and roll! Or the leaves will sing in harmony.
Every grain of sand on the earth may belt out a brand-new praise song to the Creator.
And what about the animals?
They’re part of God’s creation.
You know they’re going to be in on the action.
I can’t wait to heart it!
Hippos, hyenas, hamsters, hawks, hedgehogs, hummingbirds, and horses may have their own “H Choir.”
And I can just hear the cats, chipmunks, cows, canaries, camels, chickens, cheetahs, crocodiles, caribou, chimpanzees, cobras, candors, crows, cranes, and even cockroaches trying to outdo them!
How do you personally praise your heavenly Father?
I’m not talking about being in church and just singing what’s on the screen because that’s what everyone else is doing.
I’m talking about personal praise that comes straight from your heart. It may be through singing or listening to praise music.
Though that’s what usually comes to mind when we think of praise, there are other ways in which you can praise your Father.
Try praising Him by kneeling the next time you pray.
This is an act of humility and reverence.
It shows that you revere Him as your absolute authority.
You can also praise Him vocally.
When you’re having your quiet time with God, interrupt the quiet by saying “Hallelujah” loudly, or “I praise You, Lord!”
Another way you can praise God is by lifting your hands.
This shows you’re sending the praise in His direction.
You’re pointing toward the heavens.
You’re raising your hands in gratitude.
Try thanking God in prayer.
This blesses Him. Yes, you can actually bless the Lord.
In fact, it’s scriptural! The proof is found in Psalm 103:1:
“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (KJV).
We can only imagine what it will sound like someday to hear turtles, wildflowers, and caves praising our God.
I can’t wait to hear the melody of the stars singing in unison.
Maybe the little ants will be singing soprano,
and the queen bees will be singing bass.
But we don’t have to imagine what it’s like for us.
We have the privilege of praising God right here, right now.
Let’s do it!
“All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name” (Psalm 66:4 ESV).
How do you most often express your praise to God?
Get Away!
Every now and then we all need a break.
Even Jesus made time to get alone.
He loved to receive strength and renewal from His Father.
If you’d like to really get away . . . like all the way to the Caribbean . . .
seriously consider joining me on the cruise I’ve put together through
Susie Shellenberger Ministries.
The dates?
May 28 to June 4.
We’re going to Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Montego Bay.
If you want to swim with dolphins,
enjoy some inspired speaking,
great Bible study,
lots of laughter,
the best food you can imagine,
wonderful music
and spiritual growth—
then come!
The cheapest room is $836 for two people—each person paying $836.
It’s a seven-day cruise departing from Galveston, TX.
If you’d like me to mail you the complete informational brochure,
send me an email and include your mailing address.
Time is almost up!
Because we’ll be departing May 28, the complete price has to be paid in March. Yes, you still have time—but not much.
So act quickly.
Anchors away for an amazing spiritual retreat on the water!
What’s YOUR favorite way to retreat and renew?