His faithfulness abounds...

Hello everyone,

I sat in class today thinking about the fact that it is already November 4th. Only another month and a half left of this semester! I was reminded of the importance of pouring every bit of energy and focus into my classes. I cannot believe how fast time has flown.

Classes continue on. My Pentateuch class will be complete at the end of this week and my Hermaneutics class will be finished soon as well. I look forward to my next classes, Old Testament History and Proverbs.

What a blessing the study of the Pentateuch has been. God’s overwhelming faithfulness and glory leap out of the pages of all five books. The same God that led a great nation out of Egypt and through the wilderness with a pillar of fire and split the Red Sea in two and delivered great nations into Israel's hands and rained manna out of the sky and made water flood out of a rock to satisfy millions-- He is the same God we serve today! He has not changed. Glory and honor are due to Him alone.

I’ve always associated the nation of Israel and their documented history in the Old Testament with the Law. Yes, under the old covenant they were indeed under the Law. However, we recently read through the beginning of Isaiah 40 in Hermaneutics.

Read Isaiah 40:15b-17…

(15b) Behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. (16) Even Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. (17) All the nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.

Isaiah is saying that if every tree in all of Lebanon was cut down and piled high to prepare a burnt offering for the Lord and then if every beast in the whole of Lebanon was slaughtered and placed upon that offering, it would not suffice. God is so mighty, worthy, and majestic that even the monstrous offering described in Isaiah 40:16 would not be good enough. The fact that God allows for the Israelite’s measly offerings of a single dove or calf as described in Exodus and Leviticus is a demonstration of God’s incredible grace. God’s grace amidst the Law! He extended His people grace then, and He extends us grace under the new covenant as well. He is faithful to His people. Just as Israel proved herself unworthy of God’s grace, love and faithfulness time and time again, how unworthy we are also. He is so good to us.

Looking to read a fantastic demonstration of God’s unending faithfulness? Read Deuteronomy chapters 1-6. What a mind-blowing God we serve.

In regard to the prayer requests listed on my last entry, I have decided to apply for the Interface trip next summer. You can read more details about the trip in my previous entry, but the trip entails eight weeks in Papua New Guinea taking classes and exploring vocational missions.

- Please pray for wisdom and an open mind as I move forward in this Interface venture. I want my heart and mind to be open to God’s leading.

Another prayer request:

- The bible study continues at the Salvation Army. Last week some of the girls had a breakdown of sorts. They came to us in tremendous anger because we had been absent from Bible study a few weeks prior on account of a school trip. After talking to them for a while, the true issue was exposed. Everyone in their lives has left them at one time or another. Nichole, our newest believer, isn’t even living with her family anymore. They accused us of the abandonment that will occur when we graduate from NTBI. They believe we will leave them and continue on in our lives. This past weekend we had a Halloween sleepover with them and I believe some relational-repairing happened there, but please continue to pray for these girls. Please pray that they will come to a full understanding that God alone is worthy of their faith and trust. No person on this earth can provide a faithfulness that compares to God’s. Please pray for comfort, growth and maturity in each one of them. Please also pray that they would be encouraged to bring friends, which could open up more opportunities to share the Gospel. (There are pictures of the girls in my Facebook album titled, “Shake Loose,” just in case you want to put a face with the prayer request.)

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement.

God Bless,

Abbey Smith