The situation looked bleak. King Hezekiah was under extreme pressure. He was faced with the real possibility of being decapitated by his enemies, while his kingdom would surely be ripped apart. After all, Assyria had already done such atrocious things to many, including their sister state Israel. The choices were clear, either fulfill the terms of the king and surrender or face certain demise. Surely these were the only two options that all his predecessors would have considered.
Hezekiah had one final hope. He sent word to the prophet, God`s servant. Could it be possible there was a third option? Could God deliver his people supernaturally from a nation so great? As Hezekiah waited for God`s word, he knew that his fate would soon be decided.
Imagine the anxiety, the panic, the double minded thoughts that would be running through the King`s head. Will God deliver? Would the answer be favourable? What if the answer was favourable and God would deliver, could Hezekiah really afford to wait?
Have you ever faced a situation where you could not afford to wait? Yes God loves you, and you know what the Word says. But can you truly afford to wait for God`s word….for God`s timing?
Hezekiah needed more than the word to assure his deliverance. He needed bold confidence to act on God`s directives. Boldness is required when the odds are against you, even if you know what God is saying. When your friends are pulling you the other way, or life stresses seem to dictate another gospel. I bet you that you know what God is saying. Your trouble is often confidence to wait, or lack of boldness to act on God`s commands.
Well listen to the end of the story as told in 2 Kings 19. The Lord supernaturally delivered Hezekiah because of his bold confidence. Not one single arrow or weapon was used by Judah. Yet 185,000 Assyrian soldiers fell by the Lord`s angel. Totally supernatural deliverance was obtained by the hand of the Lord.
Bold confidence infuses patience to wait on God`s word. May you continue to seek God`s word. But beyond that may you persevere in His word with daring boldness and strong confidence.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Have no fear!!!
These were the words of the prophet to his servant, in the midst of sure devastation and death.
The armies of Aram (Damascus) had surrounded Elisha and his servant. Their crime. Hearing accurately from God and relaying intelligence information to the king of Israel.
Thus a whole army descended on two unarmed individuals. This situation was far worse than that of Elijah and Jezebel. Where Elijah fleeing from Jezebel’s threat, ended up in the wilderness in utter despair, hunger and frustration.
Fear is real. I repeat, fear is very real. Recession fears are real. Fear of economic collapse is bona fide. Fear of marriage or relationship failure abounds. Fear of personal failure plagues people, and limits their divine potential.
Elisha responded to fear in an unusual way. Elijah fled, while Elisha looked at the situation differently. Do you look at things in the natural, or can you see with the eyes of faith? Elisha’s servant was astounded, as his spiritual eyes were open to see reality. What is reality? I heard a definition once that reality is the highest form of truth. Facts are true, but God’s truth is in a sense higher than facts. God’s word is true reality. Thus, while it was true that the prophets were outnumbered, the real truth was revealed. In fact, God’s army was greater. The servant was startled to see the hills surrounding them full of a heavenly army. Men, horses, chariots of fire loomed larger than life in comparison with the now puny seeming Aramian army.
Have you ever thought of looking at things differently? I know the facts are real. Your life, job, career, family, health, burdens, pains, are all real. But maybe God wants you to pray the Elisha prayer today. “O Lord open my eyes that I may see [reality]”. Let the reality of God’s word dispel the fear arising from current situations in your life. Find out what God’s word says. Pray, meditate, and fast about his word get another vision of your circumstances, seeing what God sees about things. Then stand boldly and be encouraged that those who are with you are more than those who are with them.
The armies of Aram (Damascus) had surrounded Elisha and his servant. Their crime. Hearing accurately from God and relaying intelligence information to the king of Israel.
Thus a whole army descended on two unarmed individuals. This situation was far worse than that of Elijah and Jezebel. Where Elijah fleeing from Jezebel’s threat, ended up in the wilderness in utter despair, hunger and frustration.
Fear is real. I repeat, fear is very real. Recession fears are real. Fear of economic collapse is bona fide. Fear of marriage or relationship failure abounds. Fear of personal failure plagues people, and limits their divine potential.
Elisha responded to fear in an unusual way. Elijah fled, while Elisha looked at the situation differently. Do you look at things in the natural, or can you see with the eyes of faith? Elisha’s servant was astounded, as his spiritual eyes were open to see reality. What is reality? I heard a definition once that reality is the highest form of truth. Facts are true, but God’s truth is in a sense higher than facts. God’s word is true reality. Thus, while it was true that the prophets were outnumbered, the real truth was revealed. In fact, God’s army was greater. The servant was startled to see the hills surrounding them full of a heavenly army. Men, horses, chariots of fire loomed larger than life in comparison with the now puny seeming Aramian army.
Have you ever thought of looking at things differently? I know the facts are real. Your life, job, career, family, health, burdens, pains, are all real. But maybe God wants you to pray the Elisha prayer today. “O Lord open my eyes that I may see [reality]”. Let the reality of God’s word dispel the fear arising from current situations in your life. Find out what God’s word says. Pray, meditate, and fast about his word get another vision of your circumstances, seeing what God sees about things. Then stand boldly and be encouraged that those who are with you are more than those who are with them.
Friday, March 6, 2009
A little compromise
Have you ever wondered why God is so particular? When God gives a command do you fully obey, or do you find ways to do things a little bit different?
This was the situation with story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was a successor of King Solomon. Jeroboam had been promised a long lasting dynasty much like David if he followed God`s ways. This was particularly significant since King Solomon had forsaken the ways of God, through compromise. God was looking for one would serve him whole heartedly.
Jeroboam`s biggest compromise was in matters relating to the worship of Yahweh. God had taken time to institute an intricate system of rules and regulations of how to approach him, via his priesthood and in the temple dedicated to his own name. Jeroboam in an attempt to maintain loyalty of his Israelite subjects decided that he would duplicate the entire cultic worship system of Yahweh. Thus he built places of worship all over Israel, set up his own priests, made images of God in the form of calves, and other gross violations of God`s commands.
While this act of a duplicate worship system was a logical political manoeuvre it was a complete forsaking of God`s laws. It made much sense especially since Israelite had now been divided into two separate kingdoms (Judah and Israel) to have a separate worship system for each nation. It seemed reasonable to modify God`s prescribed laws, since this was a different situation. Surely God would overlook these minor changes, in understanding of the larger picture, kingdom sovereignty.
Have you ever found yourself thinking like this? You know what God has said, but you justify it based on a reason that might make sense. Can a little compromise really hurt? After all, God knows that I love him, and I am trying my best? Well look at Jeroboam`s story as an example on compromise. Because of this act of Jeroboam, he plunged a whole nation into idolatry for centuries. Much sin, including violence and murder resulted from his compromise. Further, Jeroboam`s offence is attributed as a major cause of the Israelite`s exile, where millions were displaced from their lands and carried off to Assyria in shame and bondage.
So what is the result of my decision to compromise? How many people will be affected? Does it really matter? These are important questions. Jeroboam`s example teaches us never to flirt with disobeying God`s commands, for we never know the end of our compromise. My challenge to you as you strive to be like Christ is to weigh every choice, judge every thought, and act as if Christ was physically present. Decide you will not toy with compromise, and let God build a kingdom through you that will have eternal significance.
This was the situation with story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was a successor of King Solomon. Jeroboam had been promised a long lasting dynasty much like David if he followed God`s ways. This was particularly significant since King Solomon had forsaken the ways of God, through compromise. God was looking for one would serve him whole heartedly.
Jeroboam`s biggest compromise was in matters relating to the worship of Yahweh. God had taken time to institute an intricate system of rules and regulations of how to approach him, via his priesthood and in the temple dedicated to his own name. Jeroboam in an attempt to maintain loyalty of his Israelite subjects decided that he would duplicate the entire cultic worship system of Yahweh. Thus he built places of worship all over Israel, set up his own priests, made images of God in the form of calves, and other gross violations of God`s commands.
While this act of a duplicate worship system was a logical political manoeuvre it was a complete forsaking of God`s laws. It made much sense especially since Israelite had now been divided into two separate kingdoms (Judah and Israel) to have a separate worship system for each nation. It seemed reasonable to modify God`s prescribed laws, since this was a different situation. Surely God would overlook these minor changes, in understanding of the larger picture, kingdom sovereignty.
Have you ever found yourself thinking like this? You know what God has said, but you justify it based on a reason that might make sense. Can a little compromise really hurt? After all, God knows that I love him, and I am trying my best? Well look at Jeroboam`s story as an example on compromise. Because of this act of Jeroboam, he plunged a whole nation into idolatry for centuries. Much sin, including violence and murder resulted from his compromise. Further, Jeroboam`s offence is attributed as a major cause of the Israelite`s exile, where millions were displaced from their lands and carried off to Assyria in shame and bondage.
So what is the result of my decision to compromise? How many people will be affected? Does it really matter? These are important questions. Jeroboam`s example teaches us never to flirt with disobeying God`s commands, for we never know the end of our compromise. My challenge to you as you strive to be like Christ is to weigh every choice, judge every thought, and act as if Christ was physically present. Decide you will not toy with compromise, and let God build a kingdom through you that will have eternal significance.
The facts of faith
Are you like me where you are tired of the facts? I have stopped counting the encounters that I have had with people where they have told me why in no uncertain terms that this idea, a certain vision, or a dream that I have will not come to pass.
The hard part is that you know they are right. Worse is that you have been trying not to think of all these variables, which they so insensitively brought up. As I pondered over the message for the month I realized that the answer is easy for all the naysayers. Simply agree with them. See you and I cannot deny the facts. It is clear that we cannot achieve God’s plan for our lives. Further, it is evidently clear that we don’t know what we are doing? Just think about all the blunders that you have made in your life….see what I mean? Only God truly knows what he is doing, and thank him for the bit of wisdom he bestows us.
My point here is that you need to free yourself up from trying to ignore the facts. See the facts help me realize even more than ever before that I need God. In fact, God is one fact that all my naysayers won’t deny. Even if they are not Christian, they typically have a God factor. All you have to do is get to know your God facts. Yes there is a problem….a situation….a mountain. But what has God told you about that situation? What does his word say? I bet you if you spent more time in the word than worrying about the negative facts, you will begin to see things God’s way. Yes visions must be tweaked, plans must be changed, and even bad ideas pitched. Yet God still needs you and I to be true to our name as believers, and trust him. Let’s turn to God. Take the facts to God in prayer, hear his voice, act on it, and watch him turn the facts into God possibilities.
The hard part is that you know they are right. Worse is that you have been trying not to think of all these variables, which they so insensitively brought up. As I pondered over the message for the month I realized that the answer is easy for all the naysayers. Simply agree with them. See you and I cannot deny the facts. It is clear that we cannot achieve God’s plan for our lives. Further, it is evidently clear that we don’t know what we are doing? Just think about all the blunders that you have made in your life….see what I mean? Only God truly knows what he is doing, and thank him for the bit of wisdom he bestows us.
My point here is that you need to free yourself up from trying to ignore the facts. See the facts help me realize even more than ever before that I need God. In fact, God is one fact that all my naysayers won’t deny. Even if they are not Christian, they typically have a God factor. All you have to do is get to know your God facts. Yes there is a problem….a situation….a mountain. But what has God told you about that situation? What does his word say? I bet you if you spent more time in the word than worrying about the negative facts, you will begin to see things God’s way. Yes visions must be tweaked, plans must be changed, and even bad ideas pitched. Yet God still needs you and I to be true to our name as believers, and trust him. Let’s turn to God. Take the facts to God in prayer, hear his voice, act on it, and watch him turn the facts into God possibilities.
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