Leave the stump

When I write in my blog, I usually do not use material or scripture that comes from my own personal devotion.  God usually shows me material that does not require me taking from somewhere else but today.....today I have to share something with you.

A couple of "seasons" ago, my friend Peggy Pickens told me "You just have to do the study on Daniel."  Of course being a teacher myself, there is never time in my schedule.  This season however, I decided to take the Beth Moore Study facilitated by my friend June Richards.  "God has a word for you" is what June always tells me.

In just four weeks, I have learned so much.  Proverbs 9:10 says "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  Let me tell you...today was I got some knowledge!  You see, like many of us, I went through the fire.  I say I went through the fire because I have finally come out on the other side. Many of us fight the fight of "why me" or "when will it end" or "God please save me."

Mine was "I just don't understand."  In my self righteous attitude I didn't know why God would allow me....me who was serving, singing, teaching, loving God, why he would allow me to go through this fire.  I probably would not have survived had I not completely, absolutely, and without reservation relied on God.

Today, as I read the story of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 4, God did speak to me!  He showed me how in my fire, he did not leave me nor will he ever leave me.  My faith needed to be refined.   

Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a large tree that was strong and great.  It had to be brought down in order to expose his pride and arrogance. Like this king, the evidence of God not leaving me is found in verse 23 "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump..."

You see, God was not "taking me out" he was refining me.  In the process however, he had to expose and get rid of the junk!  I have to tell you my heart leapt when I read this.  It leapt when I realized that God desired to use me not have me taken out.  He left me hope when I was cut by leaving the stump with deep grounded roots. 

It makes me sing Halleluah when I look at it that way.  My prayer is that I have been faithful in my re-growth.  Many of us have full schedules...I do as well but if I had stayed at home or cleaned house or run errands, I would have missed this word and today, the word was for me.

You O king are that tree! You have become strong; your greatness has grown until it reaches the sky, and your dominion extends to distant parts of the earth.  You, O King, saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump bound with iron and bronze, in the grass of the field, while its roots remain in the ground." Daniel 4:22-23