“Then Manoah said to Him, “What is Your name, so that we may honor You when Your words come true? ” “Why do you ask My name,” the Angel of the Lord asked him, “since it is wonderful.””
Judges 13:17-18 HCSB
His name is Wonderful. He comes into our painful places, and speaks hope. There’s no indication in Judges 13 that Manoah or his wife prayed to God for a son. But The Angel of the Lord appeared to them.
God pursued this couple. He chose. He provided. He began the conversation. He instructed. When asked if He is the one who spoke words of hope to his wife, God said, “I Am” He told them that His name is too wonderful for them to understand. The more the man asked, the more clues the Angel of the Lord gave as to His true identity.
This couple responded to God’s pursuit. They asked for Him to come back. They wanted to know His instructions. They asked for His name. They wanted to show their thankfulness by offering hospitality. How about a goat for dinner? Will you stay?
But God requested a sacrificial offering instead of hospitality. And He showed Himself in the fire. He revealed the wonder of Himself in the sweet aroma of their sacrifice. Their eyes were opened to God when they obeyed Him. And they believed His good intentions.
Samson is a mystery to me. His parents did their best with the little they understood about God because they lived in an evil day. And yet God showed Himself faithful. He fulfilled His promises. And still this story of Samson – it’s all a mystery to me.
But I see through this true story that God is with us in trials. He is with us in painful places. He is Immanuel. His name is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace.
“But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight. So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us? ””
Luke 24:29-32 HCSB
And even when life is a mystery, Jesus, our Redeemer, the Greater Judge, and the author of justice enters in. He meets us in the middle of living through the consequences of the day and time in which we live. He wants me to look up and see Him – High and lifted up. He is Holy, Holy, Holy, and He is King over my life. He wants us who are called by His name to remember this earth is not our home. Let us dwell in His peace and follow Him in His way, because we’re simply passing through.
Lord, may my sacrifice and offerings be a pleasant aroma to You, and may I see You in the fire. May I cling to the knowledge of Your presence, and trust wholeheartedly that You are indeed with us.
My eyes are on you. Even when I don’t know what to do next, my eyes are on You.
Your will be done, for Your glory. Come and do what only You can do, and make Your name famous. For Your Name is too wonderful for me to comprehend.
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa
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