Friday, February 11, 2005

Exodus 35:30-31, 36:1

"Then Moses said to the Israelites, "See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts..." (Exodus 35: 30-31).

"So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded" (Exodus 35:1).

My husband and I are reading through the Bible in a year together. On this past Monday we were reading in Exodus 35-37 when these verses jumped out at me. I've read this passage many times before but never under the conditions that 'we' are under now with our son in flight training. I was struck by the phrases "...has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in..." and "...the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work..."

As I reread those phrases I thought, "That's it! That's how to pray for James!" I may not understand all that is required to learn how to fly the aircraft but I know the One who does!!! It was the Lord who enabled the people to follow His instructions. He put it into their minds how to accomplish His work. Well, I firmly believe that it is the Lord who has placed James where he is right now. That being the case, then the Lord knows how to fly that aircraft and He knows the academics that need to be learned....all the things that are required for it all to become second nature to James. So my prayer has now been that the Lord would infuse James' mind with the necessary knowledge for academics and enable James to fly the aircraft with the skill and ability and knowledge which the Lord will provide to him.

I know this will be James' longest year ever in his life, as it is for his father and me! Already it seems like we have lived a lifetime since October! I am reminded daily to pray for him and to continually be lifting him up before our Lord's throne. The stress is unbelievable but I know that the Lord is with James in the midst of the "fire." As a mother, I wish it could be easier. Would that be better? No. And I realize that. And truly, if this is what it takes then I really don't want it any easier. James is experiencing first hand the faithfulness of his Lord in a very real and personal way. No parent could ask for more.

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose]" 1 Corinthians 15:58. Amplified Bible

3 comments:

Kim said...

Isn't is wonderful to draw our prayer life from Scripture?

I have a friend whose son is planning to get to military school next year to learn to fly. I will have to pass this passage on to her.

Pilot Mom said...

Oh yes, Kim, please do! Hope you have a great weekend!

Lori said...

Hi PM, I pray James is doing well. I too am reading through the Bible this year with my youngest daughter, Nevada. Something that has been on my heart as I read your blog is this:
God knows how to fulfill us, guide us and give us everything we ever needed and more! The reason we don't sometimes experience all those blessings is that we're too busy trying to work out our own blessings. We need to give Him our future and to trust His good plans. I struggle with this as I'm sure a lot of us do, but its so true. We must let go of our control and allow the Holy Spirit to take control. I see this in you and I know you will be blessed by it. I will continue to pray for James and our other brothers and sisters in our armed services. God Bless!