Heroes

Judges 3-4

What narratives in these chapters! To begin with the passage clarifies why the five lords were left in the land, that is to test Israel, to know whether the nation would obey the commands of the Lord. Sadly, for many years Israel did not obey but instead took wives and married their daughters to the very people they were to destroy, not only that, but they served their gods. So God gave them over to foreign kings. The first hero to rise up out of Israel was Othniel, the nephew of Caleb. God's Spirit was on him as he went to war giving him the king of Mesopotamia. After which the land rested for 40 years.

After this Israel did evil again, but this time God used Eglon the king of Moab as his tool of judgment. The people served Eglon 18 years until Ehud the Benjamite was raised up. After bringing tribute to Eglon, Ehud asked to speak to him in private telling him that he had a message for him from God. Alone in Eglon's chamber, Ehud thrust a sword into his belly. The hilt went in after the sword and fat closed over the blade allowing the dung to come out. How graphic! Ehud escaped and rallied his people. Israel came back that day and killed 10,000 Moabites giving the land rest for  80 years.

The third hero was Shamgar who killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel. But again Israel did evil. So the Lord gave them over to Jabin king of Canaan. In hard times, Israel does remember to cry out to God for deliverance, and this time was no different. These narratives demonstrate the great mercy of God to hear and answer in spite of their disobedience and unfaithfulness.

This time God used Deborah, Barak, and Jael. Deborah was judging the people and called for Barak reminding him that God had called him to fight. She promised to deliver Sisera into his hand. Barak finally got up his courage as long as Deborah agreed to go with him. Yet, she told him that he would not get the glory for Sisera. It would go to a woman. Deborah did go with him directing him when and where to go. The Lord routed Sisera and his army. But Sisera personally fled the scene. Too bad for him, he fled to the tent of Jael. Here, while resting, Jael pounded a tent peg through his temple. And he died! When Barak finally arrived, Jael presented him Sisera. And as the battle continued, Jabin the king of Canaan was destroyed.

By way of application, the enemies in my life and land are there to test me, to see if I will be obedient to the Lord. Sadly, sometimes I forget to keep that in mind and approach life as something that I need to handle. Repeatedly in these chapters, it says the the Lord gave the victory. It was not through human effort, but through obedience. He also gives me the victory. What I must do is make the choice to obey! Secondly, when there is a victory, I can't take the praise or glory. God gives all the victories. Thirdly, I need to be aware of the great potential for the flesh to take over after a victory. I need to guard my ways, so that I do not sin with my tongue, my life, my choices, my priorities, etc. Being a hero for God means that God is able to use me because of my willingness to obey. It is not what I have to offer God but what He has to give me. These heroes had a heart for God and obedience. Where is my heart? Am I faithful to obey? Do I wait for God to give me the victory?

Lord,

Mold my heart into willing obedience so that I might be used by You for whatever you desire. Open my eyes to the power of my flesh. Give my Your strength to fight and destroy the evil within.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Provision

Judges 2:18b

"For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them."

Even though Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, He was moved to pity and raised up judges for them. Because the Lord was with the judge, He saved Israel from their enemies. But sadly, when the judge died, Israel turned back and were more corrupt than they were before whoring after other gods and angering God. Even though God's presence could not tolerate their sin, He made a provision for them because His heart was moved to pity. What a gracious God! He loves His children so much that He was willing to make a provision for them.

God is still willing to make a provision for those who are His children. I am so thankful that He made a provision for me in the person of Jesus Christ who died for my sin. It was His shed blood that covered my sin so that when God looks at me, He only sees the righteousness of Christ not my heinous sin. What a Gracious God who loves me so very much!

Father,
Teach me how to stay true to You and to ignore the urges of my flesh. Keep my mind, heart, and strength focused on You. Thank You for making a provision for me in the person of Jesus, Your Son.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Serve in Sincerity and Faithfulness

Josh. 24:14-15

"Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served...and serve the Lord...Choose this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Before Joshua passed off the scene, he gave final instructions which focused on service. Who would Israel serve? How would they serve? As for Joshua, his entire life had been an example of faithfulness to God serving God in all that he did, and before the end of his life, he boldly declared his choice again. Now the choice was put to the people. When Joshua would be off the scene, they must serve by their own choice. Not only must they choose, but if they chose to serve the Lord, they must do it in sincerity and faithfulness. By the end of the book of Joshua, they had made their choice. They were witnesses against themselves that they had chosen the Lord. It remained for them to put away foreign gods and incline their hearts to the Lord. The choice came down a two-pronged motion: put away and incline.  The heart of the matter is the choice. What do I choose? Have I faithfully and sincerely put away all the idols in my heart? Do I faithfully serve the Lord? What is my heart like? Do I let the issues of daily living pull me away from the priorites of my choice?

Have I laid aside the weights and the sins which cling so closely so that I might run with endurance the race?

Father,

Reveal to me any hidden idols and wrong priorities in my life. Give me the strength to get rid of them. Teach me what it means to serve You in sincerity and faithfulness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

All Came to Pass

Josh. 21:45

"Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass."

Joshua apportioned to Israel all the lands that God had promised them. Then came the crucial step: they took possession and settled in their allotted lands. God gave them rest on every side because the enemies could not withstand them. He was definitely in their midst. Everything that God had said was true and real. Not even one word of God's promises had failed!

The walk by faith is similar: It is based on the promises of God and must be possessed by the power of God. When I obediently walk where God would have me and possess the life He wants for me, then I have rest as well. Jesus said, "Come unto me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Obedience brings rest! It cancels the interference of my flesh, my warring against the Spirit. It allows my desires to be His desires and His words to be my words. What hope I have in knowing that not even one word of what God promises will ever fail! II Cor. 7:1 tells me how I should respond to these great promises. "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." God desires me to be cleansed, holy, and fearing Him. His Word is the key! His words are my life, my reason for living, my guidebook, my means of obedience, my way to be cleansed, my hope, my sustenance, my refuge, my stronghold...His words are all that I am and will every need. His words are living and powerful as He is!

Father,

Keep my eyes focused on Your Words so that I might know and love You. So that I might serve You wholeheartedly relying only on Your power.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

They did not utterly drive them out.

Josh. 16:10

"However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day..."

God said to utterly drive out the former inhabitants of the land because they would become a snare to them, but sadly Ephraim and Manasseh did not. It says that both of these tribes put the Canaanites to forced labor. Certainly forced labor is not the way to go when God has commanded total destruction. Even though these tribes felt they were safe from the evils of these people, they were not. What God commands is the best and only way! It is as if they were making a provision for the flesh, a way for idolatry to take hold of them. Have I ever left a foothold for Satan in my life? Have I disobeyed God thinking that I knew best?

Father,

I confess the foolishness of my disobedient choices. Even though I think that these choices might be harmless or reasonable, I know they are wrong. Give me the strength to obey You only.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Strength to Believe and Claim

Josh. 14:11

"I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me; my strength now is as my strength was then, for war and for going and coming."

Caleb was 85 years old at this time. God had not only kept him alive for the 45 years since God had spoken to Moses, but he was still strong, strong enough for war and for claiming the hill country that Moses had promised him. Because of this, he asked Joshua for the country where the fortified cities and the Anakim were. Completely undaunted, Caleb knew that if God would grant him the victory, his age meant nothing because,  "With God all things are possible." Joshua did not seem to hesitate for even a moment. He blessed Caleb and gave him Hebron for his inheritance because he wholly followed the Lord.  What a life of consistency Caleb must have lived! Both Moses and Joshua could easily see that his primary focus was following the Lord. Am I consistent in following the Lord? Is He consistently my primary focus? Do I use age as an excuse for allowing the Anakim to live in my life? Am I waiting on the Lord to be renewed?

"But they who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings, like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." 

Father,

Keep my strong in my faith, fervor, and vigor for You. Give me the desire and the grace to let your strength be my strength.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Duped

Josh. 9:14-15

"So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them."

Because Israel obeyed God, He gave them repeated victories, and the inhabitants of the land were destroyed. On one day He even made the sun stand still. "There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded the voice of a man, for the Lord fought for Israel." But there was one time that Israel did not consult the Lord, and they were duped. The Gibeonites came pretending to be something that they were not, and the men of Israel fell for the ruse. "They did not ask counsel from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them."  Finally, after three days they realized what had happened. The land could have been completely free of its former inhabitants, but because they did not follow God's instruction, they would be saddled with these people within the land. What insight this narrative gives! How many times have I made things more difficult for myself because I did not consult the Lord? How many times have I believed the world's lie?

Father,

I confess not talking to You about my decisions. I know that You know best because You have made the plan for my life. Transform my self-sufficiency into dependency. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

One Man's Sin

Josh. 7:20-21

"And Achan answered Joshua, 'Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak of Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath."

After the great victory at Jericho, Achan coveted and took some of the items devoted for destruction. Sadly, his sin did not just affect him and his family, but the entire nation. As they went out to battle against Ai, a much smaller town, the tide was turned. Not only did they lose the battle, but 36 of their men were killed. As Joshua fell on his face before the Ark of the Lord, he found out that God could not be in their midst because of the sin--the sin of one man. Sin is serious to God! His holiness can not coexist where His words are disobeyed. God gave Joshua specific instructions about what to do. Not only were Achan and his possessions found and destroyed, but his family, livestock and even his tent were destroyed. What far reaching effects sin has! Just as Achan's sin had affected the whole nation, the entire nation participated in the cleansing of this iniquity, in the burning and stoning. At the site, they raised a heap of stones and named it the Valley of Achor. Even though it sounds pretty harsh, it demonstrates graphically how polluting sin is.

Because of the nature of this narrative, it makes me wonder about my sin? Am I polluting the lives of those close to me? Am I coveting the 'wealth' of the world and hiding it in my heart? Does my desire to obey God supersede everything else in my life?

Father,

Keep my heart free of a love of the world and the things that are in it. Convict me when I am hiding away things that pull me away from You. Strengthen my heart in obedience.

In Jesus name,

Amen

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Two Pictures

Josh. 4:23-24

"For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever."

God always has a bigger picture. But on the small screen, Israel believed this great miracle at the Jordan was to allow them to cross over into the land they would conquer so that they would know "that the living God was among them and that He would without fail drive out from before them" the existing inhabitants. The message of the small screen, of the here and now, was of ultra importance for that day. Imagine the fear in their hearts when they thought of battling giants and heathen nations. Then throw into that mix the death of Moses coupled with new leadership. Their flesh could certainly take charge! But God knew their weaknesses and encouraged their hearts in obeying His commands. Not only did it diffuse their fears, but it also infused them with courage. 

But on the large screen was a message equally as important. God wanted this miracle known so that all the  peoples of the earth would know that God's hand was mighty. Quite a leap! God's scope had gone from a single nation and a specific locale to the entire earth. At the same time, in the long term, God is building in His people a fear of Him not just for today but forever. God was making His sovereign power known to all. How great is our God!

It is important for me to remember that I am part of a larger picture. God's dealings with me today affect me personally, but they also complete His worldwide picture. So when I am discouraged about life or impatient waiting for God to act, I need to remember that it takes awhile to create a picture of such scope. I need to trust God because it is His picture. He knows not only my beginning and end, but the beginning and end of all time. How exciting to get to heaven where I will see God's mighty hand throughout all time!

Father,

Thank you for encouraging my heart. Teach me to fear You and realize that Your plans far exceed anything I might know or understand.

In Jesus name,

Amen

In the Shadow

Ps. 91:1-2

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Dwelling and abiding are two words that are close to the heart of believers. Jn 15:4-5 says, "Abide in me and I in you. As the branch can not bear fruit unless it abide in the vine, neither can you. Whoever it is who abides in me and I in Him, he it is who bears much fruit for apart from me, you can do nothing." Dwelling in His shelter means abiding in His shadow. Such closeness only comes from being at home with God. When He is my shelter, He protects my soil from the onslaughts of human flesh making it possible for me to bear fruit. With Him I can live as He would have me live. He does not ask for me to do it on my own because it is impossible. I can do nothing apart from Him. In addition to such closeness, I have a refuge and fortress, a place of protection and safety. When my heart trusts in Him, I can rest in His plan and purpose. I know that in His shelter and shadow, in His refuge and fortress nothing can touch me that is not for my good. His purposes for me are a surety, and as a surety, I can trust in Him implicitly.  How amazing that a Sovereign God would allow me such closeness as abiding and dwelling!

Father,

Continue to teach me what it means to abide in Your shadow. Keep me from taking charge instead of running into Your refuge and shelter.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

You Can Do It

Deut. 30:14

"But the Word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it."

What God commanded them was not too hard for them. The commandments were not too far away, not in heaven or over the sea, but very near. In fact, these commandments were in their mouths and their hearts. God had set before them life and good, death and evil. What would they choose? It sounds simple: by loving God, walking in His ways and keeping His commandments they would be blessed of God, but if their hearts turned away to worship other gods, they would perish. It all rested in the power of God's words, the words that would witness against them. What a choice: life or death! It sounds like a no-brainer, but the power of the flesh is so strong. God and Moses both knew how rebellious the people were. Moses even told them that he knew they would act corruptly and turn aside, provoking God to anger.

What a lesson for me about the power of my flesh! I have the words of God as well. They are within my mouth and heart so that they are constantly with me. Like them, I must also love God and obey His words. Sadly, the power of my flesh is equally as strong. Something within the heart of all man is so rebellious, stubborn, and strong-willed. If I love His words and keep them constantly before me, they can convict, comfort and strengthen. They are alive and powerful sharper than a sword able to separate the soul and the spirit. They can reveal my motives and rebellious heart. Thank God, they are the conduit for the power and the grace that I need to obey. They are the witness to me of God's saving and sanctifying power.

Father,

Drive me deep within Your words so that my heart may be one of obedience and praise. Convict me when my flesh strives against You and Your words.  Give me the strength to fight against it.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Need-to-Know Basis

Deut. 19:29

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Sadly, what humanity can see, humanity believes, but contrary to that, the believers' walk with God is one of faith, one that has trust and obedience at its core. These secrets things are the secrets of a Sovereign God who has established His plan and purpose, a purpose not bound by time constraints. I often think that God's plan for me is contained within my lifetime, yet, that is not necessarily so. Like Israel, I am also a part of a larger picture. I am only a piece of the puzzle. This larger, divine picture is something that I won't know until I reach heaven. So though I can see God at work within my life in the shorter time frame, it is exciting to think that God has a purpose for me in the larger time frame as well.

But since I live very much bound by time, I must live a life of trust. God has promised me that all things in my life will work together for my good because I love Him and am His chosen child. So if things happen that I don't understand or can't see the reason why, I can rest in Him. I can rest in the fact that He has searched me and known me. He knows what I will do and where I will go. He knows all my words and thoughts, and even before I was born, He knitted my inward parts together. I am fearfully and wonderfully made for His purpose and plan. So if all of this is true, why would I doubt? Why would I struggle to take control of my life? Why would I want to make my own decisions? Wouldn't it be better to trust the One who planned my life? It is in obedience and trust that I can bring glory to the One who formed me and established all my ways. What God has revealed to me is so that I can trust and obey! He knows the end from the beginning of my life and all life.

Father,

Build my trust in You so that obedience will be my first response. Convict me of my unrelenting flesh as it strives within me to take control. Give me the strength to win the war over self and only follow You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

And the Lord Has Declared

Deut. 26:18

"And the Lord has declared today that you are a people for His treasured possession, as He has promised you, and that you are to keep all His commandments..."

Israel did not earn their favor with God. They did not apply for the job; instead, they were chosen by God. Only a sovereign God would have the wisdom to choose who would be His people and treasured possession. With that choice, God made promises that He would be faithful to keep, but at the same time, the 'treasured possession' must obey all His commandments. The final result would be that He would set them in praise, fame, and honor, high above all nations. Even what they would do as a nation was something that God would establish. Blessings would come from being His possession but only as they were in sync with obedience to His words. God told them repeatedly to be careful to obey.

Likewise, God has chosen me to be His child. "For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ..." It was a choice made by a sovereign God and made known to me by His Spirit. Why has He chosen me? "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people, once you had not received mercy, but you have received mercy." I have the privilege and responsibility to proclaim His excellencies since it is through His mercy and grace that I am His child and heir. I can call Him my Abba Father. I can be part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people for His own possession. Wow!

Father,

My heart is so full of thanks for Your choice to make me Your possession. Keep my heart tender and receptive so that I might obey all Your words and share the wonders of Your great excellencies.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Within the Camp

Deut. 23:14

"Because the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you, therefore your camp must be holy, so that He may not see anything indecent among you and turn away from you."

The Israelites had to go outside the camp if they were unclean. While there, they even had to dig a hole to cover their bodily refuse. It all had to be done cleanly and carefully. Was sanitation the primary concern? No, but sanitation did result. The primary concern was that the Lord dwelled in their midst so He could deliver them by giving up their enemies. Where the Lord was, there had to be holiness!

'Within the camp' brings to mind dwelling and abiding. Likewise, standards of holiness must characterize my camp as well because the Holy Spirit dwells within me to deliver me by giving up my enemy, Satan. Where God dwells, there must be holiness! Thankfully, my holiness comes through the blood of Jesus. It is the only way that God can view me as holy. I must be covered with His blood and constantly cleansed through the washing of the word and confession of sin. If I confess, He is faithful and just to forgive. "Abide in me and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit of itself, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. He it is who abides in me and I in Him, He it is that bears much fruit for apart from me you can do nothing." It is impossible to keep my camp holy apart from Him, His power, and His grace. But amazingly, all that I need is a gift from Him. Holiness is all of His grace and His power! Through Him my camp can be clean and holy within!

Father,

Keep me constantly abiding in Jesus and confessing the sin which clings so closely. Help me to lay aside every weight that I might look to Jesus and run the race with endurance.

In Jesus name,

Amen

No Fear

Deut. 20:1

"When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt."

What a promise when war is eminent! If God was for them, who could be against them? Immediately before the battle, the priest would speak to them saying, "Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." Even though God promised them the victory and His presence in the battle, He addressed their greatest weaknesses: fainting heart, fear, panic, and dread. What great words to describe human flesh! Even with the living, sovereign God as a fellow warrior, human flesh loses focus. The immediate and temporal supersedes the eternal and divine destroying the possibility of victory. 

God tells me the same thing:

"It is I. Do not fear."

"For God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control."

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

"Do not fear, only believe."

There is the crux of the matter: only believe, believe His words. Certainly, this is a reason to be saturated in the Word so that I may know and have it constantly in my mind and spirit, but beyond my faithfulness to His word and prayer, I need His grace. His grace will be my strength. "My grace is sufficient for you, for My  power is made perfect in weakness." What a great God who willingly gives me His strength, His grace, and the power of His Words!

Father,

Keep me ever in Your Word and seeking future grace. Convict me when my flesh takes control and weakens my faith.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Strictly Obey

Deut. 15:4-5

"for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess--if only you will strictly obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today."

For Israel, obedience was a huge issue, a true 'if only'. Chapter after chapter repeats this same command, that is to obey His commands, but in chap. 15 we have a new adjective, 'strictly,' which seems to add new dimensions to the command. Strict obedience has no wiggle room or personal interpretation, but must be  exactly as God had prescribed. Why would God be so specific concerning foods, festivals, crops, strangers and even slaves? To be this people that "the Lord had chosen for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth, demanded holiness. Holiness comes from obedience to what God says! As sovereign God, His control was all-invasive covering every aspect of their lives.

Is strict obedience a concern for me as well? Does the same sovereign God want control of every aspect of my life? If I am to glorify Him in all that I do and say, then obedience to His word is a must! Thankfully, grace is His blessing to me--grace to obey and more grace from obeying. Grace to glorify Him in all that I do or say. Grace for salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Grace for His strength to be perfected in my weak flesh. Grace to delight and love Him more each day.

Father,

Convict me when I veer from Your words. Put within my heart an overwhelming desire to 'strictly' obey all that You have said. Thank You for Your grace that makes it all possible.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Blessing and a Curse

Deut. 13:3-4

"For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him."

Moses had repeated countless times the importance of obeying all that God has said. "Be careful to obey all these words...that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God." In fact, he told the people that God's commands were double-sided. They brought a blessing and a curse, a blessing for obedience and a curse for disobedience. It was God's holiness that could not allow for any part of the false gods to remain because these gods and the people who worshipped them participated in abominations to God and His holiness. All  must be destroyed! But if God's words were obeyed, then long life, crops, gentle rains, and prosperity would be theirs. So what would the people choose? Blessing or curse? Amazingly, the heart of man is wayward and wicked. It often chooses its own way in spite of all warnings. As I read the word, do I obey, or do I seek some way to keep my own will? Do I love God with all my heart and soul to the exclusion of my self-will? Obedience is not a game to God. It is a heart attitude and a full-time life style. Thankfully, He gives me the grace and the power to obey. He gives me all that I need, but what choice do I make?

Father,

Give me the strength to choose You and obedience to Your words. Convict me of those sins that I often excuse so that I may love You wholeheartedly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Why test?

Deut. 8:2

"And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that He might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not..."

Growth comes through hardship and testing because this is how God reveals what is in my heart. When the pressure is on, when my nerves are frayed, when I am sick, when the finances are troubled, when the job is at stake, when the family is distressed, then I am at the end of my reserves. My pride and stubbornness are found sadly lacking, and I have no place to turn but to God. Testing brings humility by revealing my true heart condition. "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn."  As I come to Him in complete dependent obedience, then He is able to be my sufficiency.

With Israel, God taught specific lessons through the testing. He allowed hunger so that He could feed them with manna. Why? So that they could understand that "man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." What a lesson! To realize that existing for this world's system, for food, shelter, gain, possessions, and position is not what God has for His child. His perfect will is to live by His Word. Am I eating enough of the word to thrive? Am I satisfied by His words? Is my worldly diet dulling my appetite for the word? Am I stubbornly eating from what the world offers? When hunger overtakes me, where do I go for satiation?

He also taught them that "as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you." Why? So that they would keep His commandments by walking in His ways and fearing Him. God's final objective is that I fear Him.  "What does the Lord require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord Your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good." If I live obediently and dependently, it is for my good, good because this is the place of God's blessing. I don't have to worry about what is happening in my life because He has promised that it is for my good. Whatever God brings in my life is to grow me, to teach me the lessons that I need for life, and to increase my delight in Him. I can rest and cease striving about the details of life that are beyond my control. The sovereign God of the universe is in charge of my life, each and every detail. He has asked me to trust and obey, to rest and flourish, to fear and serve. What is my response? When I feel His discipline, do I see a loving father? When I make decisions, do I fall back on my own understanding, or do I come to Him for His master plan? What is the primary focus of my life?

Father,

Circumcise the foreskin of my heart. Make it obediently dependent on You. Teach me how to trust and obey.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Greatest Commandment

Deut. 6:4

"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Your shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates."

What is God's place in my life? After reading this, it is clear that God is to be my all, all my minutes, all my focus, all my conversation, all my training, all that I do, think, or say.  The One True God is all-powerful and  worthy of obedience, respect, and fear. First, I am to love Him with all that I am and have, my heart, soul, and might. No other thing or person can be loved as much as I love God. Somewhat convicting! If I love Him this much, He would, of necessity, be on my heart, filling my thoughts and my conversation. When I sit what am I thinking or sharing? What is my conversation as I walk? How many times when I am walking or sitting do I zone out and not even think of anything? When I lie down or rise up, what are my last thoughts of the day or my first thoughts of the day? Am I thinking about 'my' schedule or spending time with Him? Am I meditating in the night? Are God's words helping me choose what I do with my hands and my eyes? Or do I just plough through life without having my 'God-Heart' on? To live like this would truly be humanly impossible! It would take the pure grace of God. Thankfully, He has given me His grace to live just like He commands me to. "For  my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." The way for me to obey His great command is through the power that He supplies. It is all of Him so that in everything He might be glorified!

Father,

Give my a desire for You that can change and shape me completely. Convict me of the sin that is preventing me from having an obedient heart and a godly focus.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Idolatry

Deut. 4:24

"For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God."

Moses repeatedly warned the people about making carved images in the form of anything that the Lord had forbidden. Why? Because the judgment of God is swift and harsh, and His nature demands totality of worship. He could allow none of His worship to be usurped by another. Moses attested to God's character by sharing his personal account, how he pleaded with God to go into the land, but God said enough. He could look but not go because of His sin of disobedience. Certainly, the people should have believed him. He knew that what God had said was true. But sadly, they did not. Moses told them that when thy had grown old in the land, they would do evil in the land and utterly perish from the land. As a scattered people, they would be few in number and serve false gods. But God in His mercy would one day regather His people to Himself.

In this larger view of time, we see God as jealous and merciful. What He declares in judgment will come to pass, but at the same time, what He says in promise will be true as well. He will not forget the covenant He made with His people. The issue is obedience. Even though God shows Himself strong to His people, will they heed and obey?  Even though God saved me through the death of His son, will I listen and obey all that He says? Since I am a child of His promise, do I live by His promises, or do I build idols of my own making deep within my heart? Do I think that grace will give me more mercy and require less obedience? Or does grace give me the power to obey and cast out the idols of my flesh?

Father,

Keep Your words ever before my eyes. Help me to cry out in helplessness for Your strength to obey and cast out fleshly idols.

In Jesus name,

Amen

40-Year Reveiw

Deut. 1:3

"In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses spoke to the people of Israel according to all that the Lord had given him in commandment to them..."

Moses presented the facts to the people! This was not based in personal  interpretation or even in repeated oral history spoken around evening campfires. These were the workings and words of God who had shown Himself strong and faithful to His people. What had prevented them from crossing over the Jordan during this 40 year period? Simply, it was their sin and disobedience. God told them He had placed the land in front of them for their possession, yet, fear overtook them. They couldn't trust their deliverer to continue delivering. What was the response of the listeners now? Were their hearts shamed by their sin and foolishness? Were they still stubbornly resisting God?

It is good for me to stop and look back, to examine my life and see how God has worked, to see the pattern of His plan surfacing in the small details of my life. When I look back, do I see a pattern of growth? Do I see obedience as opposed to persistent disobedience? Am I treasuring the words that God has spoken to comfort me and uplift me? Am I faithfully waiting for His next command and direction? Is my heart more attune to the journey itself or to the God of the journey?

Father,

Keep me aware of Your words and Your ways in my life. Stop me frequently so that I may bless Your name for all that You have done and for all that You are. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His holy name." 

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Manslayer vs. Murderer

Num. 35

  

God is definitely aware of the motive and the true heart condition of a person. In this chapter He develops the laws concerning the taking of another's life. Was it an accident or calculated event? If it was an accident, then the person has a course of action. He can go to a city of refuge and find safety, but for the person who murdered another, there is no recourse. The only sentence is death on the evidence of witnesses. If this is not dealt with then the land is polluted, for the blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made except for the death of the offender. God's final words: "You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel."

These laws though very specific make me aware of the seriousness of my true motives. God doesn't look on the outward appearance, but He looks on the heart. What happens in my heart must always be in line with His word. In Matt. He states that if I hate my brother, it is the same as murder. Serious words! Do I  defile the temple of my body by my careless obedience to His words? Do I excuse attitudes of the heart because they haven't yet evolved into actions?

Father,

Keep me ever aware of my heart attitudes and the sins which breed there so easily. Grant me repentance so that my temple-body will be pure and sincere before You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

When You Pass Over

Num.33:51

"When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you..."

It's important to remember that God delivered the Israelites for a reason. He had prepared a land for them that they were to possess, but in order to possess that land, they had to drive out the inhabitants. What that meant was they must trust in God to deliver them from giants and all kinds of unknowns! In the past, God had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. He had preserved them on the wilderness walk with manna, quail, and even maintaining their shoes. Yet, conquering still another obstacle was hard, and to many, seemingly impossible. Crossing over the Jordan meant of life of battling, of conquering, of possessing.

Why couldn't they co-exist with these people? It was because of their figured stones, metal images, and high places. God could not be honored or worshipped as God without the destruction of these idols. God had said clearly that they would have no other gods before Him. He must singularly hold their hearts.

 I am wondering if I am possessing the land that God has for me? Do I live like God has saved me for a reason?  Have I engaged in battles to crucify my flesh and self-will? Have I exposed and destroyed the insidious idols that hidden themselves in my heart? 

Father,

Give me a godly desire to possess all that you have for me. Help me to choose Your way over any other way, no matter how self-defeating it is. Help me to abide in Your words and grow Your Spirit's fruit within me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Your Sin Will Find You Out

Num. 32:23

"But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out."

Reuben and Gad desired the land of Jazer and Gilead because it was well-suited for their livestock. However, the problem was that this land was outside the promised land. After a discussion with Moses where he spoke rather harshly; in fact, accusing them of "rising in their father's place, a brood of sinful men, to increase the fierce anger of the Lord against Israel," these men presented a workable plan which included fighting alongside the others but establishing homes in the Trans-Jordan. Moses' response to them was 'yes'. If they were to fight  on the other side of the Jordan and help drive out the enemy, then their obligation would be fulfilled. But if you do not do so, then you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out."

How could Moses be sure? First, He knew the all-seeing and all-knowing character of God. Moses had been one-on-one with God. He had repeatedly interceded for this nation, walked on holy ground and been in the presence of a holy God. Then personally, Moses had experienced God's judgment when he sinfully hit the rock twice. Moses knew first-hand the power of a holy God. Sin was no easy out! Also, the people had just been taught about vows to God. The word was : He shall do all that proceeds out of his mouth."  If these men said this is what they would do, then they had to do it! On many levels, Moses knew that human sin could not be hidden. He had tasted the bitterness of sin's sting and would die with that judgment still in his mouth. Could words ring anymore true than coming from a man whose sin had been found out and judged?

Father,

Keep me ever aware of my words and actions. Convict me, especially of the sin that I so easily gloss over. Draw me ever closer to You as You sanctify me to be holy as You are.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Vows

Num. 30:2

"If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of His mouth."

A man was never excused from a vow before God, but a woman could be if she were still under the authority of her father or her husband.  The words that were uttered became  a bond or a pledge attesting to the faithfulness of that person, to the character and commitment of that person.

God gave His people His Word as His bond or and pledge as well. He always did what He said He would,  " For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory." 

"He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it."

"But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one." 

"If we are faithless, He remains faithful--for He cannot deny Himself." 

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Is it the same for me? Am I to be faithful and true to my words? Certainly, not vowing anything would be a way out, but what are the strength of my words? The problem for me comes in Rom. 7. In the flesh I delight in God and in being faithful to all that He says, but in my flesh, I am a captive prevented from doing what I truly want. So what is the answer?? Grace. Grace must be the only motivation for all that I say, think, or do. If I try to do all that I say I will in my own strength, then I will fail, more than that it will not bring glory and honor to His name. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  So "whoever speaks as one who speaks the oracles of God, whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."

Father,

Keep my sensitive to all that I say, think, and do. Make Your grace my  all. Crucify my flesh that clings so closely and tries so hard to defeat me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sin is Serious

Num. 27:14

"Because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes."

Moses was given specific instructions because of his sin of failing to uphold God as holy. He offered no excuses, but instead "did as the Lord commanded." Perhaps, it might seem harsh since Moses had to deal with the Israelite's constant grumbling and complaining. Could this one slip be excused by all the times he interceded for them and pleaded their case before God? God's answer was NO. The crux of the matter was not the people, their sin, or even Moses' temper or weakness as a man. The crux of the matter was God. God' s character was degraded by Moses' actions. He did not uphold God as holy before the people God had placed in his life. 

Not only is God's holiness powerful, but there are consequences for violating it! Moses would not enter in to the promised land but only be able to look at it. It is a sobering thought and reminds me of Heb. 12:1-2, "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. "  What are these weights and sins which cling so closely? Could it be violating God's holiness before those He has placed in my life? Could it be giving up and justifying fleshly responses?

Father,

Keep Your holiness ever before my eyes so that I may uphold You as my holy, sovereign God. I confess the power of my flesh that still defeats me. Teach me how to run this race with endurance honoring you as I run.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Unchanging

Num. 24:13

If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak?"

Balak took Balaam to three separate locations where he offered sacrifices and waited for Balaam to curse Israel, but the outcome was always the same. Balaam could not! He knew that he must take care to speak what the Lord had put in His mouth.

In his first oracle, Balaam said that he saw God from the top of the crags and from the hills. His sovereign creator's power surrounded him, consequently, death at the hand of Balak was preferable to countering his God in any way.

On the second oracle, God's answer revealed more of His nature in dealing with man. "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?"

By the third oracle, Balaam did not even need to examine the omens, instead the spirit of God overtook him. His words: "The oracle of the man whose eye is opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered." What a distance Balaam had come! His experience had grown him as God's servant. Speaking for God must first come from a life that is in tune with God. His conclusion: "Blessed are those who bless you [Israel] and cursed are those who curse you." 

Balaam's life was changed drastically. His rocky start progressed into a union with His sovereign God. Not only was he able to see life from God's point of view, he had exposed the folly of man's effort to change the mind of God or even understand the mind of God. Unafraid of what Balak could do to him, he rested securely in the Word of God!

Father,
Keep my eyes focused on You so that I can be secure in Your words. Help me to resist the ploys of the world that pull me from Your presence.
In Jesus name,
Amen 

Perversely Blinded

Num. 22:32:b-33

"Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. The donkey saw me and turned aside before me these three times. If she had not turned aside from me, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live."

On the first encounter, Balak sent the elders of Moab and Midian with a divination fee and a request for Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam stayed put and sought the Lord. The answer from God was a resounding, NO. He could not curse these people because they were blessed of the Lord.

Once again Balak sent princes to request Balaam's presence. His answer was "though you give me silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the command of the Lord."  Since money was now in the mix, Balaam asked the Lord again seemingly ignoring the previous resounding, NO. Getting some kind of permission, he went, but not at a great cost. "God's anger was kindled against him." Was it worth it? Was the promise of reward more important than his relationship with God? Was this similar to the quail that the people desired? God gave it to them, but while it was yet in their teeth, God's judgment came upon them! 

As he traveled, the angel of the Lord blocked the way. However, Balaam's spiritual senses were so dulled that he didn't notice, but his donkey did! After the repeated beatings, the donkey remained unmoving. Then the donkey himself questioned Balaam's actions making Balaam exceedingly angry. His pride was so exposed and wounded! But soon, God opened Balaam's eyes and the truth was known. "Behold, I have come to oppose you because your way is perverse before me."  Even though Balaam knew what God had originally said, he tried a second time wanting the money and power. Maybe he thought it was worth a shot. Would God let it slide? He would not! Balaam fell on the ground and confessed his sin.  Balaam did go with Balak, but the end of the story is for tomorrow....

Are my senses ever spiritually dulled by perverse and worldly desires? Do I allow things of this world to cloud my spiritual vision? Are my choices clearly honoring and obeying God?

Father,

Convict me harshly when I choose my own desires over your expressed will. Keep me strong to obey and strong to resist.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Priests and Guards

Num. 18

God spoke to Aaron telling him that he and his sons would bear the iniquities of the sanctuary and the priesthood, but his brothers from the tribe would guard over the priests and the whole tent. Now the entire tabernacle area was protected inside and out. No outsider would ever come near the priests. God's specific purpose was that "there never again be wrath on the people of Israel."  What a devastation Israel had just brought upon themselves![ Num. 17] The people as a whole were protected from any further divine judgment, instead the priests and Levites would take the judgment for the people. They were to be solely responsible to God for His holy things, for the sacrifices, and for the offerings. 

Similarly, I can only come to God through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus. I can not bring my own works or ideas, my self-sufficiency, or even express my displeasure at His will one-on-one apart from the covering of the blood.  My unholiness can not survive in light of His holiness! [ Definitely a harsh lesson that Israel experienced!] But God in His great mercy provided a way for me as He had for them. Now I can come to His throne of grace and mercy where I can pour out my heart, and through His Holy Spirit I can call Him my Abba Father, but all at a cost, the cost of the life of His son. Thank You, Jesus for drawing me to Yourself.   

Father,

My heart is full of thanks for Your gift of salvation through the blood of Your Son. You are so merciful, gracious, and forgiving. Root out any weeds of rebellion and grumbling hidden away within my heart. Keep me ever close to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stop the Grumbling

Num. 17:8

"...the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds."

Immediately following the tassels which were to be a visual to keep God and His commands ever before their eyes, Korah instituted a rebellion. Were the tassels accomplishing their purpose? Certainly not for some. These rebels refused to think that only Moses and Aaron were worthy to come before the Lord because what Moses had said would come to pass had not. To Korah it didn't matter that the people themselves were fighting Moses left and right. In several very dramatic ways, God made His choice clear. First the earth opened up and swallowed the rebellious ones with their entire households and families. After which fire from the Lord swallowed up 250 more men.

Surely this should have calmed the people, "but on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron."  It is as if these people are incensed with 'gumbling insanity,' and the sparing of their lives the day before was not enough. So God sent a plague to end their miserable, complaining lives. But quick to the rescue, Moses dispatched Aaron to save as many people as he could. "And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped." But 14,700 people died in the plague besides those who died with Korah. What horrible consequences for grumbling!

But there was still yet another miraculous incident to prove God's choice of leadership. Each tribe was to bring a staff to be taken into the tent. On each staff was inscribed the tribe's name. God would choose His leaders by making the staff bud. Why would God do this? "Thus I will make to cease from me the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against you." So, obviously, since God was not wrong or had not chosen incorrectly. Aaron's staff budded, bloomed, and produced almonds. What a sign to prove the power and the plan of God! What was the response of these grumblers? "We are undone, we are all undone. Are we all to perish?"  A good response and one that really was indicative of their spiritual condition. Perhaps they finally saw how deep their heart of rebellion was and were identifying with those who had already been killed. But that's for the next chapter.... What is my heart like? Do I indulge in seasons of  grumbling and dissatisfaction? Does my life show that God is in control of all my decisions?

Father,

Keep my heart sincere and pure before You as I seek to obey all Your words without my own qualifications or reasons. Keep me content as You teach me to wait for Your timing.

In Jesus name,
Amen

Tassesls for Remembrance

Num. 15:39-40

"And it shall be a tassel for you to look at and remember all the commandments of the Lord, to do them, not to follow after your own heart and your own eyes, which you are inclined to whore after. So you shall remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God."

Disobedience abounded for Israel. They allowed fear to overwhelm their trust in God when the spies came back reporting giants in the land. So much so that God wanted to destroy them and form a new people for Moses to lead into the land. When Joshua tried to restore perspective about conquering the land, the people even tried to stone him. Moses interceded for the people, but God said that none of those who had tested Him would go into the land, but instead they would begin their circuitous route in the wilderness for 40 years. They were there, right at the land's edge.  All they had to do was believe and claim the land, but they wouldn't. What a lesson! Have I ever allowed my flesh to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit? Has my fear kept me in a wilderness instead of in a glorious promised land?

Some people did feel badly about what they had done, and went into fight against Moses' warning. This was not the time or the way. And as Moses said, they were defeated and pursued. They are still not understanding that it must be a matter of the Lord's timing and obedience, a concept the people truly struggled with. It made no difference whether they refused to fight when they should have or if they fought when they were not supposed to. It was all disobedience to the commands of the Lord. Have I pursued the Lord's work but in my own strength and in my own timing?

Then the Sabbath breaker was executed. He was only gathering sticks on the Sabbath which sounds like a small infraction. But when God spoke to Moses about the man, the verdict was stoning outside the camp. Even such a thing as this was disobedience. I can only imagine Moses' heart for these people and for God. It was as if the two would never be in sync. To help the people, God told them to make blue cords to fasten on their garments to remind them to obey the commandments of the Lord. Maybe a visual would be what the people needed. It would keep the issue of obedience physically ever before them. But why blue? The priests wore blue so symbolically this blue would remind them that they were a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Specifically, God said not only to remember His commands, but also not to follow after their own hearts and their own eyes. What strong words!

Blue would be the color for me as well. I Pet. 1:9 says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  I need a similar focus since God has warned me in I Jn. 2:15 "Do  not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-- the desires of he flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the father but is from the world." In very strong words, God commands me not to follow my own heart or my own eyes as well. It seems as if the problems are the same! The years have not modified the flesh, but the grace of God has conquered it. I praise Him for His grace for my weakness because in my weakness His grace is perfected.

Father,

If I need a visual, I am willing to do whatever to obey and to crucify the desires of my flesh and my eyes. Help me to listen to Your words and to walk forward unafraid because You have promised to be with me.

In Jesus name,

Amen