According to our church bulletin yesterday, the first hymn was #407, How Firm a Foundation. But when I turned to that number in the hymnal it wasn’t the right song. So I tried 704—maybe the digits got reversed? Nope. How about 497—because 9 is next to zero? Nada. Okay, I give up. I looked up the the correct number in the back of the book. It was 408. The bulletin was so close—just one page off!
So I started thinking about, “close, but not quite,” moments in the Bible. Remember good King Asa? He “conducted himself well before God, reviving the ways of his ancestor David.” – 1 Kings 15:11 (MSG) The Bible says Asa kicked the male shrine prostitutes out of Judah, and destroyed all the pagan idols the evil kings before him made. He even unseated his own grandmother, from her royal position, because of her idol worship! – 2 Chronicles 15:16
King Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and was fully committed to God all his life. But there’s an unfortunate footnote: “He didn’t get rid of all the local sex-and-religion shrines.” —1 Kings 15:14 (MSG) Meaning, he kicked out the prostitutes, but left their pagan temples standing.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades.” Yet kings Asa, Solomon and David, who were all, “close, but not quite,” were beloved by God. This must be partly because, though each of them was imperfect, they respected the Lord and kept trying.
This is the one I esteem: He who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.”
Isaiah 66:2 (NIV)
A pastor friend of mine has a favorite saying: “Obedience is when you DO.” Kind reader, we can think about , talk and plan to do what’s right in the eyes of God, but if we don’t take REAL action little will change.
It won’t happen if you don’t make it happen
Pastor Ron Bracy
For look at King Asa from a little different angle, please see Repairing the Altar by Chris Hendrix, of Devotions by Chris.
🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
22 responses to “Close, But Not Quite”
That’s right. We all have feet of clay. To pretend otherwise is silly. Thank you for sharing, Crystal!
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My favorite part: “though each of them was imperfect, they respected the Lord and kept trying.”
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Thank you too. 🙏
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Exactly! Thanks for stopping by and sharing such wise words. Blessings!
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Thanks for today’s inspiration my friend. It is true that the real expression of one’s Faith is by actions. The world will not simply be better or people changing to being good with words. All our lives, we’ve heard so much words, yet not much doing nor practice, so in the end, we get numb, and words becomes noise. When people lead by example, people actually see kindness and goodness and it’s so easy to also do the same. God bless.
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Needed that today. Thanks.
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Thank you for sharing, Bridget. We should respect God above all. Blessings!
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I confess that I never heard of the saying “Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades.” But I have heard “close but no cigar.” Now I have to wonder how these sayings got started! I am so glad the Bible plainly tells us how our biblical friends made some mistakes. It makes me feel better, knowing I have many mistakes of my own. And I also appreciate the reminder to take action, stepping forth in obedience. Too often we allow fear to hold us back. But nothing should give us fear more than disobedience and not honoring God.
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You’re welcome, Chris. Your post about good King Asa repairing the altar of God really stuck with me!
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Thanks for the link as well!
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Amen, brother! His grace is sufficient, and His strength is perfect in our weakness.
Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
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Thank you, Brenda. It’s a statement that has stuck with me for several years. God Bless!
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I love that God loves us when we don’t quite measure up. He’s not like us who are always looking for perfection. He looks at our heart for obedience and intent. Thankfully His grace is sufficient for my failures.
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Obedience is when you do; absolutely love and agree with this statement
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There is quite a difference, between hearing and doing. Thank you for your input, Joseph!
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I have met many that like to listen but few that like to obey. Joseph a son of Jehovah
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So true, Barb. “Woulda, shoulda and coulda” don’t make the grade with our Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing!
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Yes, indeed. God is both the highest standard AND the ruler. Thankfully, He is forgiving and restorative as well. Thank you for stopping by!
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You are so right, BG. With God it’s more than the thought that counts. To obey is better than sacrifice. Thank you for your comment!
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When people say to me: pray for me that I will get close to the Lord! Just do it! Pray yourself. It’s not the thought that counts.
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It’s so easy to decide for ourselves when ‘good enough’ is ‘good enough’ rather than taking our cue from god and the Bible. a sobering thought …
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Talk is cheap BUT obedient Christlike actions are worth far more than gold!
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