My Treasure

2 Cor. 4:7-10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

 

These verses are like home base for me. I rely on them constantly. How God could chose to put a treasure in my jar of clay is unbelievable! But He did! This treasure is Jesus Christ! Col.1:27 says the mystery is Christ in me, the hope of glory. Eph.3:6 says the mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. How glorious is that! In Jesus Christ I have an entirely new purpose for living replete with blessings untold. 

 

What is His purpose in choosing a jar of clay? He wants to show His unequalled power. Even though I am afflicted, I am not crushed, perplexed but not driven to despair, persecuted but not forsaken, and struck down but not destroyed. His power in me, in my jar of clay allows me to have His supernatural strength, and all His promises are there for me to cling to. He doesn't desert me when the heavy comes down, but goes through it with me. It is when suffering and trials come into my life that I identify with His death, and in this act comes the new life of Christ. It gives me an understanding that allows me to carry on. 

 

Then at the end of this chapter it says, So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Just in case I would get discouraged in the heavy things of life, these verses give me hope and emphasize my purpose even more. My outer self will waste away, and in the process my inner self will be renewed. And as this happens, I grow closer to Him and farther from the world. These afflictions prepare me for a glory beyond all comparison. They keep my focus forward so that I value the unseen, eternal things more than the seen, transient things. They keep my eyes focused on Jesus my treasure as I look forward to eternity with Him.

 

Father,

Thank You for these great promises and how much they minister to my soul. I always want Your glory to shine through my jar of clay. Strengthen my resolve so that my focus is eternal. Thank You for the great treasure that You have given me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 



Yes

2 Cor. 1:20

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.

 

Paul's plans were not yes or no. They were not made of human vacillation, but by the Spirit of God. So consequently, all Paul's plan were expressly from the hand of God as He opened the doors and as the Spirit would lead. As surely as God is faithful, so were Paul's plans. In his heart he wanted to visit the Corinthians, but it would ultimately be up to God. Just as Paul had declared Jesus Christ to them, they knew that it was always yes and not yes and no. God's way is the right way regardless of human intervention or desires.

 

What a glorious truth then follows! 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. God's word is without change and unvarying just as God Himself is! Could it be any other way? Absolutely Not! What a God we serve! Just like Paul we are committed to His promises. Our faith bears witness with our spirit that His timing is the right time! For surely it is God who has chosen us, predestined us, anointed us, and sealed us with His Spirit who is our guarantee.

 

The problem comes in our frail human flesh. We see a promise and want it true immediately just like a petulant child. But God as a faithful Father, gives us His promise in His proper time. He knows what is best for us. Good parenting is evidenced by good timing! Just as our frail flesh is evidenced in impatiently waiting on God, so also it is unsure about decisions. Something in us wants the fast track, to know the answers and the directions, to have all the promises of God now or when we want them. I think God is saying, Be still and know that I am God. My faith in His Yes should also be in His Time.

 

Father,

Thank You for the great promises of God, that they are always yes and that they have made us partakers of the divine nature. Grow me in my waiting so that I can be peaceful before You.

In His name,

Amen



Sappy and Green

Ps. 92:15

to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.

 

The Lord has not taken away my ministry or usefulness just because I am growing old. In fact, He has a special use for me. Initially, the righteous will flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. This flourishing and growth is irrespective of age. Since I am covered in the imputed righteousness of God [as are all believers, young and old], I will be flourishing. I know that the imputed righteousness of Jesus covers me when God sees me. It blanks out my sin, but practically everyday, I can only be righteous through His great grace which he abundantly pours over me. He grows me in holiness and righteousness so  that I can be without blame or blemish at the day Christ calls me home. 

 

The righteous are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. How wonderful is this! My love for the house of the Lord, my body of Christ, is something that I cherish and love. Certainly I am planted there! As I hear the word of God, I flourish, I grow! And the cool thing is I will still bear fruit in old age! My age has not decreased my life force. Yet my culture does not think much of the old. As I age I am no longer as productive as I was before. I have been replaced by those much younger. But in God's culture, I am fruitful! Praise Him for that! I am ever full of sap and green. The essence of the tree's life, its sap and greenery speaks of abundant life. Likewise, I am not slowly wasting away with my essence fading by the day. Instead the converse is true! Spiritually I am like the young are physically. My heart and my spirit are sappy and green. The essence of my spirit is flourishing and growing.

 

What is my purpose as I grow old? to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. I must declare who the Lord is, how He has grown my spirit, and how He has been faithful in my life. Truly, He is my rock! Over the course of many years, He has been faithfully my rock, my anchor in this life, and my source of strength. He is totally righteous! He has covered me in the righteousness of His Son giving me this treasure in a jar of clay to show that the surpassing power belongs to Him. What a wonderful God I serve! Thankfully, I am still His vessel abounding in His life even though my outer body is wasting away!

 

Father,

Thank You for these wonderful verses, for cementing Your purpose in my life. Help me to be constantly growing, green and sappy. I want my jar of clay to bring glory to Your name.

In Him,

Amen



Victory

1 Cor. 15:57-58

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 

Through Christ I am victorious! I know that He has given me new, resurrection life. One day when Jesus calls me home I will rise to meet Him, and then I will be with Him eternally. My perishable will  be raised imperishable; my dishonor will be raised in glory; my weakness will be raised in power; and my natural body will become a spiritual body. How glorious! And all in a moment!

 

This is the great mystery that I shall be changed! In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. Through His resurrection power I will be imperishable and immortal. Death is swallowed up in victory. The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. Jesus in His death and resurrection claimed the victory forever. For this reason [and many more] my words must be words of thanks. My life must be steadfast and immovable, standing firm in Him and in His strength. I must abound in the work of the Lord knowing that in the Lord my labor is not in vain. I live for a higher call. My heart and eyes are set above where Christ is. I must consider myself dead to sin and alive to God. I want to claim the victory that is already accomplished! Sin does not reign in my life.

 

Father,

What great truths! Thank You for Jesus and His resurrection power. Thank You for transforming me in this new life. Through Your grace and strength help me to stand steadfast and immovable in the faith. Lead me in the way that I will be abounding in Your work.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Decently and in Order

1 Cor. 14:26

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

 

Whatever the spiritual gift, there are certain guidelines for its use. First, it must be used for building up the body of Christ. Since this is an overarching principle of the body of Christ, growth is essential! Secondly, For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all my learn and all be encouraged...Growth, learning,  and encouragement! Certainly these three items would prepare the believers to function during the week when they are not necessarily with other believers or when persecution is what consumes their lives. Thirdly, women should keep silent in the church. Since their life is to be characterized by submission, it extends even into the local body as well. If there is a question, they are to ask their husbands at home. [Definitely puts an added responsibility on the man to listen and understand the teaching.] The overall motive for all of these instructions is that God is not a God of confusion but of peace.  All things should be done decently and in order.

 

Father,

Grow me today. Encourage my heart to ever be in submission to Your words.

In Jesus name,

Amen



Love

1 Cor. 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three: but the greatest of these is love.

 

Without love everything is reduced to nothingness. If I speak like an angel or the best of all men and have not love, I am nothing. If I prophesy possessing all wisdom and have faith enough to move mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And finally, if I sacrifice my very life for others or give all I have away but have not love, I am nothing. What a massive thought is this! In the first three verses of I Cor. 13 Paul has taken all the things that the world might think important, and reduced them to nothing. No amount of altruism, mysticism, or wisdom is anything apart from love!

 

The love described in verses 4-7 is totally unlike anything the world has to offer or even considers noteworthy. It comes from the inside of a person who has been totally transformed and made new in Christ. My flesh could never love like these apart from the power of the Spirit in my life.

 

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

Just a casual reading of these traits reveals its innate difficulties. If I were to choose John [who I love very much], could my love for him be like these verses 100% of the time? What about even 100% of one day? The problem is my flesh! My flesh constantly wants its own way not the way of another, but when the Spirit is ruling my life and I am abiding in Christ, my love changes. It becomes more like the love that God in Christ revealed to me in the cross. Sadly, even with Christ in me and the indwelling Holy Spirit living within, my love is still so very lacking. How strong is my flesh! It is truly horrific to think about it.

 

In addition, love never ends. Prophecy, tongues, altruism, sacrifice, and wisdom will all pass away when the perfect comes. That is when Christ comes to take me home with Him, I will see Him as He is and I will be made as He is through His amazing love.

 

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three: but the greatest of these is love.

 

Love has impacted my life in such glorious ways. It gave me new life in Christ; It gives me forgiveness and removes my bondage to sin; It gives me a glorious hope as I wait for Christ; It gives me a Christian family and unbelievable fellowship; It gives me a motive for all that I do; It takes me out of the world's system and sets my mind and heart on things above; It gives me confident access to the Father; It gives me an eternal inheritance; It gives me everything that I need for godliness; It gives me the perfect model for life; It gives me all that I need for any situation and relationship; It is my life in Christ; It is how I delight and glorify God. Thank God for this glorious gift of love!

 

Father,

I am so needy and petty when it comes to loving others. Make my self heinous to me. Show me how ugly my sin is. Fill me with Your love that I may love others as you do. Thank You for gracing my life with Your amazing love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Body Life

1 Cor. 12: 27

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

 

Just as the body is one and has many members, so it is with Christ. His body does not consist of just one part but of many parts, and each part was made to drink of one Spirit. What would happen if the foot rebelled and refused to work with the body? Or the eye or the ear? What would it be like if the body had only one sense? It would not be able to function at all. Each part of the body is essential and indispensable.

 

Who decided the parts of the body? God did as He chose! So the arrangement is perfect! It had nothing to do with my preference or my natural talents. In fact, the body is arranged so that the weaker parts are essential. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it. Why? So there would be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. And I am part of the body of Christ! I am individually a member of it!

 

But am I really aware of the other parts of the body? I know I think of others as Christ's body, but I don't really see their function within the body. Is function visible? I would think that the most important thing would be harmony, the lack of division, without any member striving to be noticed. Being part of the body and serving Christ should be focused on growing up into the head into Christ. From Him the entire body is joined together and functions by each joint with which it is equipped. When each joint is working properly it makes the body grow up into love, the more excellent way. How wonderful is that!

 

Father,

Teach me to be aware of body life, for me to see when I need to minister to another, and for me to grow up into Christ, the head of my body. Take away from me my desire to be noticed and praised. Give me a spirit of contentment in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unity

1 Cor. 12:13

For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks--and all were made to drink of one Spirit..

 

Paul explained spiritual gifts so the Corinthians so that they would be informed, so that there would be no confusion. First the most basic principle is that no one speaking in the Spirit of God will ever say Jesus is accursed! And no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit. Either way the Spirit insures Truth. Any gift given by the Spirit of God will honor Jesus, the one who sacrificed all for man's salvation. 

 

However, there are  varieties of gifts, services, and activities, but all same Spirit, Lord, and God empowers them all. Just as the Godhead is 3 in 1, diverse in function but unified in Divinity so it is with gifts. Every member of the body of Christ is given a gift to be used to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ. Even though there are many gifts and manifestations of gifts, there is one Spirit who empowers them all. Even though there is much diversity, there is still one unifying force, the Spirit of God. How can that be? No doubt it is because the Spirit indwells each believer. Furthermore, there is a purpose to all these gifts. ...we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. How glorious is that! We, with our many gifts given by the one Spirit, grow up into Christ, and when all the believers and their gifts are working properly the body grows itself up in love. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks--and all were made to drink of one Spirit..

 

Father,

Open my eyes to see clearly the gifts you have given me so that the body might grow into love. What a plan you have for us! I confess that I have been envious of other's gifts, forgive me. I ask that you makes me aware of my serving the body and of growing up in the unity of love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Hardness of Hearts

Mk. 6:51

And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

 

The disciples of Jesus had just seen Jesus perform the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish. Not only were they all rested and nourished, but they had 12 baskets of broken pieces of bread and fish leftover. What did they think? Were they in awe of Jesus' great power? Did they realize who Jesus really was? Shortly after this Jesus sent His disciples to the shore to secure a boat and cross over to the other side while he went up on the mountain to pray. Later, Jesus saw that the rowing was painfully difficult causing His disciples to struggle. So Jesus walked out to them, yes He walked on the water. When they saw Him, they thought He was a ghost so they cried out in terror. Immediately Jesus spoke to them saying, Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid. Should those words have reassured their hearts? Should they have noticed that anyone who could walk on water could also ensure their safety? Jesus got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased! Whoa! Another big miracle! What was their response? They were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. How heartbreaking to be a witness to these great miracles and still have their hearts hardened. They had not yet realized Jesus was the Son of God. How easy it is for the human heart to hang on to the flesh and resist the power of Jesus.

 

Paul later addressed this same issue in Heb. 10. The difference being that we have seen the crucified and risen Jesus. We have the complete word of God at our ready access, and sadly many [who claim to be] Christians have a hardened heart to the things of God. Their relationship with Him has been reduced to a duty without any fervor.  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? It is wisdom on our part to examine our lives carefully. Have we trampled underfoot the Son of God profaning His blood? Have we outraged the Spirit of Grace? Serious thoughts! We need to take a good, hard look and confess and repent. 

 

Father,

This morning I come to You in openness asking that You reveal any hardness of heart. Open my eyes. Give me an overwhelming desire for You.  Enlarge my heart!

In His name,

Amen

Examples

1 Cor. 10: 6

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

 

The Israelites wilderness walk is replete with many times of turning from God or breaking faith. When I read it, I often think how could they do the things they did after seeing so many miraculous events. Yet I also know that the human heart is deceitful, and the flesh is strong.

• Do not be idolaters. The Israelites sat down to eat, drink, and play. They valued other things more than they did their relationship with God. Certainly, in my culture today there are so many things to take my mind off God. I know that I must not embrace the world's culture, yet so many parts of this culture are desirable and seem harmless. How much time is involved?  How important are they? What choices do they cause me to make?
• We must not engage in sexual immorality. Some of the Israelites did this and as a result 23,000 fell in a single day. Strong words! The Bible teaches that this is a sin against a person's own body. Why is that so bad? Because the Spirit of God lives within my body and my body is the temple of God. How heinous this would be!
• We must not put Christ to the test. Some of the Israelites did this and were destroyed by serpents. I must live in the reality that every detail in my life, the good and the bad, are ordained by God. I must accept them as coming from the loving hand of a sovereign God.
• Nor grumble. Ouch! How often have I grumbled?  The Israelites grumbled and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Grumbling reveals a discontented heart, a heart that wants its own way not God's way.

The instruction is clear. Use these examples for my own instruction. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. I can't think that any of these sins are an impossibility for me. Simply put, in that moment I could fall. It is only the grace of God that keeps me from falling not anything that I have done. God is faithful, and He will not let me be tempted beyond my ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. What a message! I don't have to fall, to succumb to temptation. God has provided me an escape route. So what if I do fall, and I think the temptation was too great? I am kidding myself! I am God's child. His Spirit lives within me. I am in Christ, and Christ is in me! I must keep the great truths and promises in the Word ready to strengthen me. I must keep my desire ever toward Him. As God is faithful to me so I must be faithful to Him.

 

Father,

What great lessons! Sharpen my vision so that I see only You. In that moment when I am so close to falling, bring these great truths to my mind. Open my eyes so that I can see the way of escape.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 

 

Gospel

1 Cor. 9: 27

But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

 

Paul declared his freedom in Christ, yet this freedom was not the most important thing to him. Sharing the gospel with others was unparalleled! It was his only focus!  He was willing to be a servant to all, to the Jews a Jew, to those under the law a law keeper, to those outside the law an outsider, and to the weak he was weak. What was his purpose in all this? He had become all things to all people, that by all means he might save some. He did it for the sake of the gospel, that he might share with them in its blessings. The gospel totally controlled his life!

 

To further clarify, he used the metaphor of an athlete. Not all runners get a prize, only the one who wins the race. Christians should run [in the gospel race] as if to be the winner. Paul did not run aimlessly. He disciplined his body, lest after preaching to others he himself should be disqualified. Disqualified? The word means not approved or not standing the test. In this context it is not talking about salvation, but rewards. It was his goal to have rewards in heaven that he could lay at the feet of Jesus. Jesus had given him a mission and that was his life.

 

Father,

Fill me with Your Spirit today that I might bring honor to You, that I might share the gospel, and that I might run the race to be a winner. Grant me Your strength and grace for each moment. Grant me to be worthy of the calling to which I have been called.

In His name,

Amen



Sowing and Reaping

1 Cor. 9:12b

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

 

Paul rejoiced in those who came to Christ under his ministry. In fact, he called them his workmanship in the Lord and the seal of his apostleship in the Lord. It is the same way today with my pastor-teacher. I am his workmanship in the Lord!

 

He then developed the principle of caring for the Pastor/teacher. Should he minister starving? No. Even the soldier does not work at his own expense. "You shall not muzzle the ox when it treads the grain.." The Pastor, the missionary, and evangelists should be cared for since they are the ones who care for our souls, and who minister under exceptional responsibility and accountability.

 

He further said that this process of sowing and reaping was valid in the spiritual realm as well. The plowman plows in hope as does the thresher, the hope of sharing the crop. The fitting end of their endeavors. In the same way when the body of Christ is taught and cared for by specially gifted men [gifted and chosen by God], the body should show evidence of growth. What is sown should be reaped! Paul longed for their spiritual growth! In fact, he was willing to endure anything so that they might know the gospel of Christ. Such selflessness! His heart was totally God's.

Father,
Give a heart for the souls of others. Help me to grow in Your grace and knowledge. Enlarge my container.
In Jesus name,
Amen

where is it?

Offending Meat

1 Cor. 8:12-13

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

 

The principle is this: Don't make my brother stumble by anything that I do. Even though I know that there is one God and no other gods, and even though this fact gives me freedom to eat food offered to idols, I mustn't eat it if it makes a weaker brother stumble. No freedom on my part is more important that a weaker brothers' relationship with the Lord.

 

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.

 

Paul is calling for a change of perspective, instead of looking to the world [horizontal], I need to look toward eternity [vertical] and not dwell on the here and now. If I persist in this freedom, then I am sinning against my brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, I sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. Paul reduces it to a black and white issue. If I wound a brother's conscience, I am sinning against Christ! Who would want to do that? Not me. Therefore, I agree with Paul's conclusion. Food does not commend me to God, and if my focus is on pleasing God, then it should be no problem for me to give up this offending food. It should be of no consequence in my life. The spiritual must override the fleshly.

 

Father,

Reveal to me any areas in my life that are causing offenses. Give me grace enough to keep my eyes totally focused on Christ and not on my flesh. Grant me to walk worthy of the calling to which you have called me, to grow to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Caleb

Josh. 14:14

Therefore Hebron became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the Lord, the God of Israel.

 

What a great reputation! Just think, to be known as the man who wholly followed the Lord. Moses had promised the land to Caleb [in Hebrew the meaning of Caleb is whole-hearted] because his faith in God saw no limits. He went in to spy out the land with the rest of the spies, but upon returning their reports were vastly different. The rest of the spies told such tales as to make the heart of the people melt, but Caleb's tale was based on his faith in a God who could conquer all. He was ready to follow God anywhere and anytime, no matter the obstacles and no matter how big the enemy.

 

And now Caleb was 45 years older [a mere 85], and his strength had not abated at all. He was as strong as he was in those years long, so he came to Joshua to claim the land that Moses had promised him. He wanted the hill country where the Anakim dwelled in great, fortified cities. Even in spite of these obstacles, he had no fear. He spoke firmly, It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall drive them out just as the Lord said. Forty-five years later his strength was just as strong! His God was just as powerful!

 

Joshua did bless him and gave him Hebron [formerly known as Kiriath-arba afterArba the greatest of all the Anakim], the land that he was promised. Caleb wholly followed God and kept His eyes ever fixed on the fulfillment of the promise. What great faith! Historically, Hebron was a fairly important city. It was here that Abraham bought the Cave of Machpelah as a burial site where the Israelite forefathers [Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob] buried their wives . At a later time, David was also anointed king of Israel in Hebron. God is certainly not partial. This important land he gave to Caleb who was not even an Israelite.

 

Father,

Strengthen my faith so that I can wholly follow you. Take away the giants in my life that cause me to fear and stumble into sin. Lord, I do want to be known as one who wholly follows you.

In Jesus name,

Amen

 



Obedience

Josh.11:15

Just as the Lord commanded Moses His servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and so Joshua did. He left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses.

 

What a man of active obedience! Joshua battled as the Lord commanded. When he went up to the hill country, the Lord told him not to fear for He had given the enemy into his hand. So trusting God he went forward! The Lord threw the enemy into a panic as Israel chased them. Large stones pummeled them from heaven, and they died. More died from the hailstones than from the warrior's sword. At this time Joshua spoke to the Lord  and asked that the sun and moon would stand still. God answered, time stopped until Israel killed their enemy. 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.

 

So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the Lord commanded...And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel. I love the phrase, just as the Lord commanded. That is really the essence of obedience. No matter the odds or how big the enemy God wants obedience. He will take down the enemy and give us the power to fight, but we must obey and devote all sin to destruction. Powerful words! How many times do I see myself stumbling into sin much like the wilderness walkers instead of the army of Joshua? What a word for me! Devote all sin to destruction!

 

Father,

Give me Your grace and strength that I might devote all sin to destruction. Transform my weakness and feeble attempts into Your conquering strength. I know the battle is already won. Help me to live in that knowledge.

In His name,

Amen

Lament

Ps. 77:11-12

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds.

 

The psalmist cried out to the Lord when trouble surrounded him. Even though he seeks the Lord, he refuses to be comforted. He knows where to go, but he is caught up in the agony of his trouble. How many times have I done that? I fool myself in thinking I am alright because I am praying, but yet I limit God's work in my life by hanging on to my misery. Hm....how foolish is that?

 

His agony was characterized by moaning, fainting, sleeplessness, inability to speak, and finally questioning his God. All of which has the flavor of sin!  Will the Lord spurn forever and never again be favorable? Has His steadfast love forever ceased? Are His promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His compassion? I am sure that even though he is miserable, he knows his questions are driven by his own emotions and not by what is true about God. At last he leaves the sinful, questioning phase and begins to remember what is true about God. [A much better place to be!] He remembers God's work in the past and acknowledges God's way and His holiness. He knows that his God differs from all other gods. He has seen His power over creation and His redeeming arm in the lives of his own people. Can he rest here? Can he trust in His God, a God that has revealed Himself to Israel time and time again. What is preventing this? Could it be sin in his life or in the life of the nation? Even though the psalm is negative [and many times that is how life is], he ends the psalm in a better placed that when he started the psalm. Believing what is true about God will be a crucial step in leaving depression and helplessness behind. His focus will draw him close to God and close to the One who can actually impact his life.

 

Father,

I know that I am prone to fall prey to my emotions and my stubborn self-will. Bring to my mind Your saving grace, the death of Your Son, the gospel, the message of salvation and sanctification, and Your great grace! Strengthen me in the hard times so that I can come to You as I should.

In His name,

Amen