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Our Need to Acknowledge God

Nora Fisher

It is so easy to remember and quote Proverbs 3:6 "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path straight." As I started thinking about this verse I saw our responsibility to God. He wants to be recognized and noticed in everything we see, touch, and get involved in.

God's desire is for us to go to Him first before going to others. I believe He gets lonely when we forget Him in our daily activities. When we make a concerted effort to seek Him I know He takes notice of us. One of our greatest gifts to the Lord is just to be available to Him.

According to this verse as we put Him in the forefront, He starts working in our lives. He makes our crooked ways straight. If you're like me you certainly need help. Simply seek, love, and tell Him how much you need Him. When you truly love someone as big as our God there are no strings attached. Can you imagine having a string long enough to tie Jesus down with? Impossible!

Romans l:28 is the other side of Proverbs 3:6 " And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind to do those things which are not proper." Their lives and daily paths became crooked, a far cry from God's best for them. When once these people recognized God now they did horrible acts.

We can choose not to acknowledge God, continue to ignore Him and do our own thing. God won't force Himself on us. Serving God is a daily choice-a choice to either recognize or ignore Him. Joshua 24:15 reads: "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living, but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Simply acknowledge Him in all you do and He will take care of the rest!

Nora Fisher and her husband Gary are long-time members of Christian Challenge where both are very involved in ministry. Nora has taught classes in our School for Christian Workers as well as our high school Sunday School class. She currently ministers on the worship team and to many women in her daily activities as a Mary Kay consultant.

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The Tallith: A Jewish word for a prayer shawl

Elaine Ward

The Tallith was used by the ancient Hebrew people, based on several biblical commandments, one being Num. 15:38-39: "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves tassels (tsitsit) (pronounced zit-zit) on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tsitsit of each corner a cord of blue. And it shall be a tsitsit for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, so as to do them and not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you played the harlot." So, for 3400 years, this prayer shawl has been worn during many occasions of prayer and devotion to God.

The making of a Tallith is comprised of a number of strands, knots, and wrapping, a sort of spiritual, ritual macramé. In every Tallith, there are 6l3 knots, (365 shall not's and 248 shall's) corresponding to the 613 commandments in Torah. It is rectangular in shape and white and blue in color with the fringe (tsitsit) attached on the bottom. There are a total of 8 strands, seven white strands representing the perfect, pure, and Holy Word of God. The one blue thread is called the "Shamash" meaning Servant, representing the suffering Servant in Isaiah. The number 8 represents a new beginning for all who observe and are covered by God's perfect Word (7 white strands), and the Blood of the Suffering Servant ( 1 blue strand). Yeshua wore a Tallith. The woman with the issue of blood in Mt. 9:20-21, knew if she could only touch the hem (Kraspedon) of His garment (himation) the tsitsit, she would be healed.

There are many references to the tallith and the fringe or tsitsit in the scriptures. The purpose of these are found in Num 15:40: "in order that you may remember to do all My commandments, and be holy to your God." Always wearing the tsitsit made them remember the 613 "shalls" and "shall nots", being holy (separated from the other nations and set apart for God). Now, these reminders, these instructions are written in our hearts. As we remember the wonderful meaning of the tallith, we too desire to be holy and set apart for God.

Shalom.

Elaine Ward has been a member of Christian Challenge for nearly 20 years. She teaches the Old Testament Bible Survey in our School for Christian Workers and has a passion for the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.