DEVOTIONAL INSIGHTS & REFLECTIONS

Lost in Translation - November 6

I like the King James Version of the bible---the beauty of the flowing words. There was a time I prayed that God would help me fully understand the King James Version; and He did that.

His Word says, ...Ask and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. ~John 16:24

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, He heareth us: ~1John 5:14

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ~John 14:13

When our prayers/requests are not being answered, there may be several reasons:

…If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.… ~James1:5-7

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. ~James 4:3

…Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” … ~Mark 11:24-25

And sometimes you must stand in faith a long while, believing you will receive whatsoever you ask..., and you will receive it---at the appointed time.

Look at the story of the Israelites when they were in slavery in Egypt. They cried out to God day and night and God heard them, but only in the fullness of time were they delivered. (Read the books of Genesis and Exodus.)

I also lay hands on my bibles upon purchasing and before reading, asking God to impart understanding, wisdom and knowledge to me. When I read, it makes a difference.

------------------

However, another thing I want to look at today is the value of different versions of the bible.

In the King James Version of the bible, let's look at the following verses:

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not, for God took him. ~Genesis 5:24

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. ~Genesis 6:9

Now, let's look at these same verses in the Amplified Bible:

And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him]. ~Genesis 5:24

Noah was a just and righteous man, blameless in his [evil] generation; Noah walked [in habitual fellowship] with God. ~Genesis 6:9

(It should be noted that we are told this of Noah right before God told him to build the ark----that He was sending a flood, etc.)
When we walk in "habitual fellowship" with God, we hear His voice and can more easily discern His will and walk the path He sets before us.

God, help us walk in "habitual fellowship" with You.

------------------------

Finally, I recently learned the full meaning of "Shalom;" it's a Hebrew word used in greeting and on departing. It means more than "peace." A fuller meaning is:

Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם shalom; also spelled as sholom, sholem, sholoim, shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye. ... The word shalom is also found in many other expressions and names. (Wikepedia)

Commonly translated as “peace” and used as both a greeting and farewell, shalom has rich meaning in Hebrew. “Peace” is an accurate translation of the term, but shalom implies more than lack of conflict. According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, shalom means “completeness, soundness, welfare, peace.” It is translated “success” and used as part of an inspired blessing in 1 Chronicles 12:18. Shalom is applicable to an external peace between two entities—such as individuals or nations—and to an internal sense of peace within the individual... (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)

I wish you Shalom.