BEHOLD!
The essence of the Christian message is not ‘Behave!’ but ‘Behold!’
~Jared C. Wilson
Behold, I make all things new.
~Revelation 21:5
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CONSIDER
Behold or a variation of the word appears about 1,500 times in the Old Testament and 200 times in the New Testament, depending on the translation of the Scriptures. Instead of the word behold, it is often translated as see or look and carries a sense of captivation. One commentary reads, “When you behold something, you see it with your eyes, but you also hold your gaze on it to search and understand.” The word behold is often paired with an exclamation mark—the grammatical equivalent of a slap in the face. We frequently need that, don’t we?
For instance, upon seeing the Burning Bush, Moses said, “I must turn aside to look at this remarkable sight” (Exodus 3:3). He didn’t just glance at it; he stopped in his tracks, pondered it, and examined it. It was strange enough to witness spontaneous combustion, but what seized Moses’ attention was what happened after he turned aside from the path he was on. “When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to look, God called out to him from the bush: Moses! Moses! He answered, ‘Here I am’” (v.4). Apparently, the Lord waits for us to notice his presence. That begs the question: What am I missing from the Lord when I obsess about my agendas? What would he want to say to me if I paused and considered my life from his perspective? As far as Moses is concerned, his response to the Lord that day changed the trajectory of the Israelite nation. What do you suppose the Lord has in store for you this day if you turn aside from your schedule and behold him?
PRAY
Lord God, my mind can be captivated by so many distractions, but I choose to acknowledge your presence in all the circumstances of my life today by beholding the truth of your Word. Captivate my heart with your mercy. Show me the way of sincerity that opens my heart to receive your wisdom. I am grateful that you are the Guardian of my life. I need not worry about stuff because you have taken care of it. You are my salvation; I entrust my responsibilities and their outcomes to your goodwill. Save me from fear and doubt that you won’t come through for me. Your hand is never shortened, that it cannot save me from my errors; nor is your ear dull, that you cannot hear me when I call. Lead me with your strong hand in the way I should go. I trust you to enable me to correct my past errors and to grant me discernment to recognize the new behavior I need. Behold, you do make all things new!
~Amen
~I am a freelance writer. This post first appeared in a periodical.
The Maiden Warrior 