Trusting in Horses?

It's not the horses or chariots that are wrong; it's not jobs, bank accounts, medical professionals, insurance policies, education, friendships (or other typical sources of confidence). It's trusting them instead of and ahead of looking to, consulting, and trusting in God from beginning to end, and above all else.

"'Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord!'" (Isaiah 31:1)

What Was It about Ezra?

Wow, what was it about Old Testament Ezra? The authorities granted Ezra’s every request, ‟for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him” (Ezra 7:6). Ezra ‟set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach [God’s] statutes and rules” (verses 9-10). 

My prayer is that God’s people - especially Christian leaders - will pursue and spread the statutes and principles outlined in the Bible with the passion of Ezra. I pray God’s people will be given the grace to trust that the ‟good hand of God” will be on them. As Jesus said:

‟. . . do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ 

or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ . . . 

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, 

and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:31, 33

DEADLY OBEDIENCE

Obedience to authority can be a deadly cop-out if and when it contradicts God's instructions. I Kings 13:1-24 tells of a young prophet and his reward. Sent by God to deliver a specific message to an evil king and then leave without delay by a different route, the prophet did almost everything God had instructed him to do.

This young prophet stood up to a king, but failed to obey God when he was challenged by a fellow man of God like himself (read verses 11-18). The authority figure who tripped the young prophet was an older prophet who spoke with the voice of experience. The young man surely felt safe deferring to a superior, but paid dearly for blind obedience.

There is no substitute for direct obedience to God's word. No matter how convenient it is to fall in line with authority, whether in Christian ministry, at work, or at home, we must first and always remain accountable to God's principles laid out in the Bible. We must measure human authority against God's specific instructions and guiding principles.

This is my prayer:

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,

"This is the way; walk in it." - Isaiah 30:21

Condensed from "Cop-Out Obedience," published here May 8, 2009. 

Read Your Bible

If [God] tears down, none can rebuild; 
if he shuts a man in, none can open. 
If he withholds the waters, they dry up;
    if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.
With him are strength and sound wisdom;
    the deceived and the deceiver are his.
Job 12:14-16

Christians ostensibly care what the Bible says; we pride ourselves on living "by the book," and hold it to be our highest and most reliable source of truth in this modern information age. Christian, are you getting the truth in you? You'll miss out if you skim the surface looking for the "good stuff," or sit in church waiting to be spoon-fed. The book of Job is a classic example of unclaimed treasure. Unless you dig in and read through the entire collection of work in this unified anthology we call the Bible, you are going to miss it.

Christian, you say you believe the Bible. Do you also like to say you believe in the power of prayer? I do. The words above, poetry of one whose world was turned topsy turvy, work their way into my prayers on a regular basis, especially when the events of the day leave a heavy question mark hanging over my head (and they often do). When I feel my hands are tied and all I can do is pray, I can be glad! God proves true to the description above, and can be trusted to bring balance, put things in order, and set things straight. 

From Day 6 (see Hard Copy Reading Plan at right). Don't miss out; read your Bible. 

Too Much to Ask?

In the aftermath of the Newtown slaughter, it is hard to know what we can offer. Nothing covers up the shame of this open, gaping wound on the national conscience. How could it have happened, and what can we do to help? We can't change what happened, and we'll never restore what has been taken, but we can each have a small part in preventing further tragedies like the evil deed of one sick soul at Sandy Hook.

We're not asked to do the impossible. Historically, all God has asked of his people was to look after our neighbors. We're simply to "render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another . . . not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart" (from Zechariah 7:9-10). Can we do that much? Can we each take good care of the person right next to us, or is it too much to ask?

Among God's people, it has seemed too much to ask, for "they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. They made their hearts diamond-hard" (verses 11-12), and I'm afraid we're tempted to do the same. Please don't withdraw from those around you, and don't close your eyes to the needs of difficult people. How many turned their backs on the unpleasant kid who grew up to be Lanza?

Let's not let it happen again.

KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH

1 Samuel 4 describes superstitious people who trusted a box instead of God. The troops carried the ornate box containing their written agreement with God onto the battlefield for protection, but it didn't help at all! They were defeated because while they considered themselves to be God's chosen people, protected by an ironclad contract with God, they didn't make a practice of living by that agreement (which included the Ten Commandments). Everyone just did what seemed right to them.

Though we modern believers are under a new agreement, carrying the Book around without cracking it open to see what it says is ignorant and superstitious. Reading or hearing Jesus' teachings without setting our hearts to do accordingly is not enough. Under our grace agreement, we can't just wear our "faith" like a lucky charm - a cross around the neck or a Bible in the car. According to Luke (ch. 12:35-59), we are responsible to learn and know and practice and manage what we've been given.

. . . Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required . . . 

Luke 12:48 ESV

WHO TO FEAR

A friend was telling about a "funny" that showed Jesus on the cross, and three guys lined up next to him making the "M", "C", and "A" from the song we all know and love to hate. It is humorous in a sad way, and illustrates what happens when we view a scene out of context. What means everything to me might be completely irrelevant to someone who knows little to nothing about what happened at that cross. Is the cartoon blasphemy, or mere sacrilege? I don't know, but I'm not laughing! God's grace covers a lot of ignorance and error, but Jesus said it is healthy to have a certain fear:

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! - Luke 12:4-5

In the Heart, Not the Head

Was Sampson's strength in his hair, really? Or was it perhaps in his heart? The historic account is that when Sampson's hair was cut, his strength left him; his hair was not all that was cut, though. His heartstrings were also snipped. Sampson truly gave away his heart and redirected his emotional alliance when he leveled with Delilah about his calling and lifelong identity as person set apart to God. Was it in giving his true affections, his turning from God to another, that might have caused God to leave him? Surely there was no magic in the hair on his head. Just think about it: where's your heart at?

Blown Away by Light and Sound

Gideon's group represented less than one in a hundred "mighty men," and they went without weapons. Armed with a trumpet in one hand and a light in the other, they won an absolute and definitive victory! How do these things hapen?? See for yourself! It's amazing what happened when a few hundred people followed a guy who was following God.

Up with Candy Wrappers

Promises, promises! We Christians eat God's promises like candy, but what about the wrappers? We can't enjoy sweet promises until we unwrap them by heeding the commands which accompany them. The words around God's promises can't be ignored; before we can get to the sweetness, we have to do what God says.

Deborah delivers God's promise of victory to Barak, "Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand . . ."  (Judges 4:14). God called the warrior Barak to lead his nation against a powerful enemy. God promised they would win, but the promise was accompanied by the command to get "Up!"

Later, Gideon heard an old, familiar promise, "'And I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear . . .'" (Judges 6:10). The promise that God is theirs was accompanied by the command not to fear. In verse16 God told Gideon, ". . . I will be with you, and you shall strike . . . as one man.'" This is a double-header! God will be with Gideon, and he'll win.

The passage goes on to describe, step-by-step, how Gideon took action on God's specific instructions in spite of much fear and doubt. The result was that:

 ", , , the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon . . ." (verse 34) 

Gideon had to throw himself into gear and take action (albeit with fear and great trembling) before he was clothed with the Spirit of the Lord.

Unwrapping God's promises involves step-by-step obedience to God's straightforward commands. Like Gideon, we have to take action in spite of our fears in order to be clothed in the Spirit of the Lord. What would have happened if Barak or Gideon had "rested in God's promises" without taking action on his commands? 

Lord, I want to be clothed with your Spirit.

Please help me unwrap the sweetness of your promises 

by taking action on your commands.

Today's Old Testament reading was Judges 4, 5, and 6. The New Testament reading contains a couple of interesting promises as well, but I'll let you find them for yourself!

Jesus Forgives

Jesus forgives! One of the famous bad girls of the Bible is an example, and I'm glad to be like her -- forgiven. Jesus spoke to the one who passed judgment on her:

" . . . her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." - Luke 7:47-48, ESV

Lord, help me love much. 

No Turning Back

The people of Israel had no cause to stop trusting God, but Joshua knew human nature too well to expect that just because the nation had peace all around, they would remember the source of every blessing. He issued a strict warning that speaks to my heart today:

. . . cling to the Lord your God . . . For the Lord has driven out before you great and strong nations. And as for you, no man has been able to stand before you to this day . . . Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God. For if you turn back . . . know for certain that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you, but they shall be a snare and a trap for you, a whip on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from off this good ground that the Lord your God has given you.(See the whole passage, Joshua 23:8-13)

The lesson for you and me is not about international conquest, but about the battles of the heart, of self-discipline (or the lack thereof), about habits and character. We are witness against ourselves (see Joshua 24:22) if we pledge to honor God and then turn back from trying.

What Are We Becoming?

Judas probably did not set out, at the time he joined the Lord's little band of roving rescuers, to betray Jesus. Judas got off to a great start, in fact, called along with the others by Jesus Christ in the flesh:

. . . he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. - from Luke 6:13-16, ESV (see passage in context)

Judas Iscariot had every advantage. He was most likely deceived by degrees, one day at a time. He didn't start out in infamy; he became a betrayer one step at a time. What are you and I becoming?

It is NOT Too Hard

You and I are not the first to fail at walking in and fighting for what has been promised to us. The people of God are subject to the human condition which makes it extremely difficult to focus on God's promises (which he longs to give us) when we're confronted with a mental mess (our own habits, shortcomings, limitations and failings). Joshua assured the people they could claim the promise:

". . . but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, thtough they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong." - Joshua 17:18 (see whole chapter for context)

Now, we all know what happened in history. These people of long ago failed to attempt to claim the promise. They didn't fail in their attempt, but they failed to attempt. It is NOT too hard to walk in and fight for what God has promised us. We are assured success, in fact, but only if we make the attempt. God help us to try!

Ask for More

Don't be embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid to ask God for more! Even as adults, God encourages us to view him as a children see a loving father. Caleb's daughter knew that even though she was grown and married, she could go ask her dad for the resources at his disposal:

She said to him, "Give me a blessing. Since you have given me the land of the Negeb, give me also springs of water." And he gave her the upper springs and the lower springs. - Joshua 15:19

Fight for What You Won

Seriously? The things God promises are not handed out on a silver platter? God made a promise to Caleb, that he was to receive all the land he had traversed on his spy expedition beyond the Jordan. Now, forty years later, he has to actively claim that promise, and then he will have to fight for it, too.

He says:

So now give me this hill country of which the Lord spoke on that day, for you heard on that day how the Anakim were there, with great fortified cities. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said. - Joshua 14:12

Let me learn from Caleb to claim and then fight for what God has promised me!

Choices, Choices!

Here in the land of plenty, we have choices. We have resources and distractions, and the leisure time to consider them. I need to make a conscious decision to prepare my heart so that I will NOT follow the example of God's people in ancient times (see Psalm 78:8, 33).

They had everything they needed at their disposal, yet ended up wasting all their time. Lord, let me be wise enough to consciously and intentionally choose to prepare my heart to seek and follow you today. (See also 1 Cor. 10:1-13) for an overview.

This blog post based on today's reading.

Power to Help or Overthrow

May the Lord hide his followers “from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows . . .” per Psalm 64. God can and often does take 'em down suddenly and with poetic justice, “with their own tongues turned against them.” And He can do it without any help from you and me!

2 Chronicles 25 illustrates the monumental truth that God has the power to help -- or to overthrow. Sometimes our job is as simple watching His justice play out. This passage contains the factual account of a Hebrew king who was serious about his goals. He had a war to fight, and had even hired mercenaries to march with his army. The only problem: God wasn't in on the plan! A prophet warned and encouraged him with words that still ring true:

But a man of God came to him and said,
“ . . . Even if you go and fight courageously in battle,
God will overthrow you before the enemy,
for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

Amaziah asked the man of God,
“But what about the hundred talents I paid
for these Israelite troops?”

The man of God replied,
“The LORD can give you much more than that.”
- from 2 Chronicles 25:7-9

May we not doubt God's power, nor count the cost! Let us not be concerned with what we could lose, but count it a joy to lay claim to the promise that the LORD can give us more, so much, much more than anything we could lose for following Him.

God says, “Be still, and know that I am God . . . ” (Psalm 46:10). Let's listen!

P.S. See also, Job 12:14-16

God's Good Motive

Why should I trust God enough to do what He says? Today's reading reveals God's motive for my obedience: it is for MY good. God lays out the ten commandments not because it does anything at all for Him, but as a solid framework for my happiness. He has no selfish motive but is simply looking out for my welfare, success, and security. He wants things to go well for me. How do you like that? God says:

"Oh that they had such a heart in them,

that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments

always, that it may be well with them and with

their [children] forever!" - Deuteronomy 5:29

If I truly trust in God's good motive, then maybe I could at least claim complete willingness to obey. But even then, I would lack the power! Today's New Testament portion reveals my own weakness -- not just Peter's. We are all in the same situation as Peter in the garden, wanting to do what's right, but unable to stand up to even the simplest test. When Jesus found him asleep at the switch, his response was not condemnation, but a comment:

" . . . the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." - from Mark 14:38

I pray that God will give you and me the motivation and power to do as we should today, and that He will grant us the humbling awareness that He alone is the source of both willingness and strength to comply.

P.S. March 17, 2011. As I've continued through Deuteronomy, I have noticed again and again God's good motive for my obedience. Another specific example is in Deuteronomy 30:6. Even my love for God is for my own good, that I may live.

TRUST AND DO GOOD!

The people of Israel were dismayed when they heard the reconnaissance report: they were sadly dwarfed and outnumbered by their enemies, a multitude who were taller and stronger than they. Joshua and Caleb tried to bolster their brothers' sagging self-confidence with encouraging words:

If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land
and give it to us . . . Only do not rebel against the LORD.
And do not fear the people of the land . . . the LORD
is with us . . . " - from Numbers 14:8-9

It is not when we're surrounded by giants and far away from home that we're in a bad place, but when we retreat or refuse to march forward. Do we trust our perceived security, or will we trust the Lord? I pray we will trust Him, and walk according to His marching orders in spite of feelings of fear and unease. There are brave examples in today's reading.

There was Aaron. Do I love anyone enough to run into the path of destruction in order to save them? Yet the priest, Aaron, did not hesitate to do as he was instructed, and his intervention was effective. He "stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped" (see Numbers 16:47-48).

Then there was Jesus. He knew everything, so when he felt critical eyes watching, He might have said to Himself, "Uh-oh! I want to heal this man, but Wait! It's a trap, I'd better hold back." In retrospect that would have been ridiculous! We know Him better than that. His response was this:

Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus,
so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him
on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand,
“Stand up in front of everyone.” - Mark 3:2-3

Very rarely does the Lord call us to walk into a trap -- or into any danger whatever -- in order to do the good He has called us to do. Nor does he often ask us to walk the thin line between the living and the dead like Aaron did. So what's our excuse to hold back the good news? Lord help us move out of our comfort zone with a prayer, a word, or a deed to promote the good news of grace.