Tag: obey

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

A rare moment when God speaks to his creation

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Sam Moghadam on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Psalm 104.

God has a lot to say in scripture. However, he speaks to people, not to the creation.

But the psalmist mentions the Lord rebuking water (Psalm 104:7), which reminds me of Jesus calming the wind and the sea with a simple command, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39)

Are there any other instances where God speaks to his creation?

Jesus curses a fig tree on his way to Jerusalem before his crucifixion (Matthew 21:19).

God commands the seas and how far they can come up on shore (Job 38:11). He commands the morning, too, giving instructions to the dawn (Job 38:12). In that same chapter, God implies that he can speak to the clouds so that they release their moisture (Job 38:34).

God tells the prophet Ezekiel to speak to mountains, birds, and beasts on his behalf, but not directly in those passages. He tells Moses to speak to a rock, so that it will give up water for the people. (Moses makes a big mistake and hits it instead.)

That’s all I could find. God speaks creation into existence. He speaks to his people in many and various ways through prophets and ultimately his son, Jesus. But he doesn’t often speak to the creation which is waiting for Christ’s return (Romans 8).

I talk to inanimate objects. (Don’t you?) I usually speak in an unkind way, though, because they aren’t doing what they are supposed to do. I get very short with a car that won’t start, a plant that won’t grow, a smoke alarm that starts chirping in the middle of the night, or a toilet that won’t flush. Nothing responds to my voice, no matter how much I rant.

The sea and the wind. The fig tree withered up and died. Creation obeys him without question. I’m not as responsive. God has to repeat himself a few times before I pay attention.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Bless this loaf

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Deuteronomy 28.

Towards the end of Deuteronomy we encounter a catalogue of blessings and curses, some of which are quite specific.

This one caught my eye and earned a place in my journal: “If you obey the Lord your God, blessed will be your basket and your kneading bowl” (Deuteronomy 28:5). If you choose not to obey, “Cursed will be your basket and your kneading bowl” (Deuteronomy 28:17).

Over the past year I’ve learned how to bake sourdough bread. I’ve figured out the best way to feed the mason jar of starter on the kitchen counter. I use a kitchen scale to weigh out my bread flour, water, salt, and starter for dough. I bake bread in the used cast iron dutch oven I purchased on eBay. I know how many times to stretch my dough before tucking it in for the night in the refrigerator. I have rice flour on hand for the overnight proofing. (Rice flour is inert; it doesn’t react with the dough.)

It’s not an exact science. Every loaf turns out different depending on the weather, how long I let the dough proof, the brand of flour I use, and how the starter is feeling that day. I’ve had some loaves that were impossible to slice because the crust was too tough. I’ve had others that were kind of gummy inside. And I’ve baked some really nice, tasty loaves, too.

Anyway, I would love it if God blessed my kneading bowl! It’s kind of funny to think that he would be a part of the bread baking process. I realize this is an image of God’s blessing in your home. But I still like to picture a really nice loaf of bread cooling on a rack in the kitchen!

The blessings of living as God’s people find their way into every area of life. He wants to bless our families, flocks, fields, homes, and travel. And when I read the much longer list of curses that follow (Deuteronomy 28:15ff), I’m more than ready to repent and get my act together!