Have Mercy on Me - Psalm 51:1-19

Have Mercy on Me  - Psalm 51:1-19

"For I know my transgressions..."

The first step of healing is to admit that you need medical attention.  The first step in a Twelve Step program like AA is to admit that you are powerless over your addiction.  And the first step in salvation is to admit your sin and brokenness.

You probably learned the ABCs of salvation at some point: Admit you are a sinner, Believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and Confess that Jesus is Lord.  This gives a great starting point for a discussion on the path of salvation (and yes, we recognize that a more complete picture would include a discussion on the importance of things like repentance, baptism, scripture, church, etc.)

The first step is to Admit.  So often we would prefer our carefully-constructed masks and facades.  We would prefer to keep our sin and brokenness stuffed down inside us where we think nobody can see it.  We even are tempted not to admit our sin to ourselves--justifying our actions and behaviors... ignoring those who confront us... or simply pretending that everything is OK.

David begins this beautiful psalm of confession by admitting his sin.  He knows about it... and he knows that God knows about it.  And so David models true confession for us by getting his sin out in the open so that healing can begin.

Is there a long-time hidden sin that you are refusing to admit to?  Don't fool yourself--God already knows about it.  The first step to true healing is to admit it to Him today.  Scripture promises that "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)

Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies,
And help me to make a complete sacrifice.
I give up myself, and whatever I know.
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow;
Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
                                  - James Nicholson

The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1-6

The Lord Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1-6

"your rod and your staff, they comfort me."

 Most of the other images in this psalm make sense to us.  While we might not anoint someone's head with oil, we can understand a banquet table or dwelling in God's house forever.  We understand what it means to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, or to lie down in green pastures.

But we might not find the idea of a rod and a staff to be quite so comforting.  Even if we know that shepherds sometimes used these tools to defend the sheep against wild animals, we also know they could be used a tools of correction and discipline--keeping a wayward sheep in line.  Certainly we know all the logical reasons why God's correction and discipline are good for us, but it still seems counter-intuitive to suggest that God's rod and staff provide us with comfort.

A while back all of this came together for me when I was reminded that Pharaoh was typically pictured with a rod and a staff in his hands:

 

Attached to the rod is a flail, and to the ancient Egyptians, these were tools of domination and oppression.  For Pharaoh, the rod and the staff symbolized his power over his people... and at one time symbolized his power over the Hebrew slaves.

Obviously, I don't know that David was thinking about Pharaoh when he wrote Psalm 23.  But perhaps he was.  And perhaps he thought about the differences between God and Pharaoh... and while Pharaoh used those tools to oppress and subjugate people, God used those tools to free people.  Even God's correction is done with grace and the option of restoration.  And so, unlike the rod and staff of Pharaoh, we are able to find comfort in the rod and staff of the Good Shepherd.

Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me,
And Thy rod and staff me comfort still.

                                      - Scottish Psalter

The Fall of Jerusalem - 2 Kings 25:1-30

The Fall of Jerusalem - 2 Kings 25:1-30

If you're anything like me, then sometimes we get the various exiles and captivities a little confused.  We remember that the Kingdom divided into North (Israel) and South (Judah), and we know that there were other empires that God used to deliver judgment upon His people.  But unless you spend a lot of time reading the Old Testament, it's easy to get it all mixed up.

I once heard a preacher offer a helpful mnemonic device which has helped me remember and keep it straight... it's called the ABCs of the exiles.

First, Assyria captured the northern kingdom of Israel.  As a nation, Israel was never to return, but was forced to intermarry with the Assyrians and other captured nations.  While the northern 10 tribes were never heard from again, some of their descendents would resettle the land, which would be known as Samaria.

Second, Babylon captured the southern kingdom of Judah.  That's the captivity that you're reading about today.  The temple and important buildings were destroyed, and the Judeans were carried off.  However, these tribes would ultimately return and resettle the land, rebuilding the temple and the city wall.  The Persians conquered Babylon, and Cyrus the Persian began to allow the Jews to return to their homeland.

Ultimately, we are able to get to the C-phase because there was a remnant who remained faithful to God during the B-phase.  Even as we read of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, we are reminded that people like Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God, and that a remnant was ultimately able to return and worship again on Mount Zion.

Could you be part of a faithful remnant, despite trials and persecutions?

¹ By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
    when we remembered Zion.
² There on the poplars
    we hung our harps,
³ for there our captors asked us for songs,
    our tormentors demanded songs of joy;
    they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

⁴ How can we sing the songs of the Lord
    while in a foreign land?
⁵ If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
    may my right hand forget its skill.
⁶ May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
    if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
    my highest joy.
                                       - Psalm 137:1-6

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - 1 Kings 16:29 - 19:18

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal - 1 Kings 16:29 - 19:18

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

You're almost half-way through the E100 campaign.  How is it going for you?  Are you finding time for silent reflection each day?  Are you remembering to read formationally and not just informationally? Are your prayers full of requests... or are you taking time to listen for the voice of God?

As I suggested when we began this campaign, I think that we often don't hear God's voice because we don't take time to listen.  We fill our lives with noise, simply to avoid our own sense of loneliness and isolation.  Whether the TV, radio, MP3 player, or even the telephone- we tend to resist the very silence in which God is often found.

Elijah didn't hear God's voice in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire.  He heard God's voice in the sound of a gentle whisper... a still small voice... sheer silence.

Let me challenge you today to not rush... to leave the television off for the evening... or to take an hour and spend in quiet solitude seeking the voice of God.  And as you do, may you become more acutely aware of His presence than ever before.

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

Solomon's Temple - 1 Kings 8:1 - 9:9

Solomon's Temple - 1 Kings 8:1 - 9:9

“But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!" - I Kings 8:27

Despite the grandeur of the temple and the pomp and circumstance of the occasion, Solomon realizes this important fact: God is much larger than the temple that Solomon had built!

God had revealed Himself through the pillar of cloud in the desert... God's presence was often represented by the ark of the covenant and the tabernacle... God clearly filled the temple on this day of dedication.  And so the temptation may have been to think of God as contained in the pillar, or the ark, or the tabernacle or temple.  But Solomon wants to make sure people understand that God is not limited to this particular place or time.

When God works in our lives, we face a similar temptation.  Perhaps He spoke to you through a particular song... or He met you in a particular place, or at a conference, or through a ministry.  The temptation is to try to recapture those moments... to relive the experience... or to return to the place.

And then, because we're attempting to go back to a particular moment, place, or activity, we miss what God is doing in the right here and right now.  If we attempt to live in past, we miss the present.  If we continue to try to find God in a particular place or building (that might not even exist anymore), then we fail to see him where we are at today.  And if we insist on continuing in ministries and activities where we encountered God a decade ago, we might miss the new thing that He wants to do in our lives.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
                                             -Isaiah 43:19

King Solomon - 1 Kings 2:1 - 3:28

King Solomon - 1 Kings 2:1 - 3:28

Adonijah shall be put to death today!

Quite frankly, most of us would probably prefer to skip over 1 Kings chapter 2, and head right to chapter 3.  After all, that chapter contains the familiar stories of Solomon asking for wisdom, and displaying that wisdom as he determined the true mother of the living baby that had been brought before him.  Instead, chapter 2 is full of violence against people whose names we might not recognize (especially since we jumped from yesterday's reading to today's reading!)

But let's not skip over chapter 2 just yet... let's take a closer look at what's going on. Put simply, Solomon is cleaning house.  There's a new sheriff in town, and Solomon has a task to do - to establish the dynasty of his father David.  And so David's parting instructions are for Solomon to dismiss the malcontents and traitors--even if they were part of David's own family.

Upon first read, you might not be sure what is so wrong about Adonijah's request for Abishag to be given to him as a wife. And you might not understand why this engenders such a violent response from Solomon.  But if you were to go backward in the story, you would discover that Abishag was one of the last surviving members of King David's harem.  Adonijah was one of the older sons of David, who was favored (by some in the kingdom) to inherit the throne.  By asking for Abishag to be given to him as wife, he's attempting to make a claim to the throne, either for himself or for some future descendent.  Solomon will have none of this, and not only denies the request, but has him executed.

Perhaps the lesson for us to consider is how we ought to behave when we don't get our own way.   For whenever our will doesn't match up with God's will, we have a choice to make--to conform our will to his... or to continue to attempt to bring about our own plan.  Adonijah chooses the latter, manipulating and posturing in hopes of accomplishing his will in his own way.

What do you do when you don't get your own way?

Have Thine own way, Lord!
Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
                       - Adelaide A. Pollard

David and Bathsheba - 2 Samuel 11:1 - 12:25

David and Bathsheba - 2 Samuel 11:1 - 12:25

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

Back in Numbers 32, Moses had given the Israelites some instructions, telling them that if they failed to complete the instructions, that they would be sinning against God, and that they could be sure that their sin would find them out.  In other words, you can't hide your sin from God.

King David learns this lesson the hard way.  After hoping that Uriah would cover David's tracks by spending the night with Bathsheba, David has to cover his own tracks by arranging Uriah's death.  While he thought he had managed to erase all the evidence and have kept his sin in the shadows, we know differently. The thing David had done displeased the Lord.

Are there areas of your life that you've attempted to carry out in secrecy?  habits that you hope nobody discovers? places you go where you hope nobody recognizes you? addictions that keep you in bondage?  Do you find yourself living one way around your church friends, and another way around the world?

Remember that your audience is not your pastor (from whom you can easily hide), or your family, or your church friends.  Your life is lived for an audience of One, and He sees even what is done in secret.

Oh be careful little eyes what you see...
Oh be careful little ears what you hear...

For the Father up above
is looking down in love...

Oh be careful little feet where you go...

King David - 2 Samuel 5:1 - 7:29

King David - 2 Samuel 5:1 - 7:29

David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.

What a sight this must have been.  Try as I might, I can't really imagine what it must have been like for the entire nation to be "celebrating with all their might."

I know that we're shaped by our own culture, upbringing, and church tradition - much of which constrains us to be more dignified and reserved in our worship.  At the same time, I'm wondering how often we worship and celebrate "with all our might."  It would be interesting to be able to compare our worship services with the celebration described in today's reading.

We easily give mental assent to the idea that God is worthy of our undivided attention.  We know that our response to His grace in our lives ought to be our total, unyielding devotion to Him. And yet, we often find ourselves distracted and inattentive, or overcome with concern about what others might think.

May our head-knowledge permeate our heart... and may we truly understand what it means to celebrate with all our might.  Let the words of this song not simply be empty words, but a true description of how we celebrate the presence of God in our midst.

I will worship You with all of my heart.
I will worship You with all of my mind.
I will worship You with all of my strength.
For You are my Lord.

David and Saul - 1 Samuel 23:7 - 24:22

David and Saul - 1 Samuel 23:7 - 24:22

May the Lord judge between you and me

If only everyone would act with the same sort of noble dignity as David does in these passages!  Instead of taking matters into his own hands, he demonstrates patience and integrity by allowing God to work things out in His timing.

Even though David knows that Saul is intent on hunting him down and killing him...
Even though David knows God has anointed him to be the next king...
Even though David has ample opportunity...

... he regrets even cutting off a corner of Saul's robe as evidence of what he could have done!

David is intent on living so well that nobody would have anything bad to say about him.  I'm reminded of the words of Peter in I Peter 2:12: "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."

Or, as a friend wrote on facebook the other day: "live in such a way that if people talk badly about you, nobody will believe it!"

David reminds us to live faithfully and full of integrity, not taking matters into our own hands, but trusting God to be the only wise judge who will do what is right.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”
¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.
                                  - Psalm 46:1-3, 10-11

David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 16:1 - 18:16

David and Goliath - 1 Samuel 16:1 - 18:16

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

One of the very first things I do every morning is to reach for my glasses.  I've worn glasses since the 4th grade, and have had bifocals since the 5th grade.  They're the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing I take off at night.  I don't know what it's like to have perfect vision... and very few people have ever seen me with my glasses off.

The world looks remarkably different when I put on my glasses.  They help me to see clearly and accurately... and keep me from stumbling around in the darkness.

The story of Samuel anointing David reminds us of a more important set of glasses that we must practice putting on every day--the glasses that help us to see things as God sees them.

When we practice seeing things as God sees them, we see the people behind the problems... we see the heart and not the appearance... and we become aware of the people that others might forget or leave behind.

The world looks remarkably different when you put those lenses on.  With God's help, you can see clearly and accurately... and not stumble around in the darkness.

Have you checked your vision lately?

Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep on missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the brokenhearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
                                          - Brandon Heath

King Saul - 1 Samuel 8:1 - 10:27

King Saul - 1 Samuel 8:1 - 10:27

Then we will be like all the other nations...

"But Mom... Everyone ELSE is doing it!"

The two quotes are not at all dissimilar, are they?  The nation of Israel demands a king so they can be like all the other nations... and the petulant adolescent, demanding a cell phone... or the ability to go to the dance... or to watch a TV show that's clearly inappropriate.

But the Israelites' problem goes deeper then simply "peer pressure," or "wanting to be like everyone else."  Their desire for a king communicates that they have misplaced their trust in God.  They want kings and military to do for them what God has been doing all along.

Suddenly, the sin of the Israelites doesn't seem so foreign to us, because we begin to recognize ourselves in this story.  We find it far to easy to trust human establishments to do the things that we should trust God for. 

Certainly, God may have given us the ability to organize into nations, or to establish banks and medical care and retirement plans.  And yet, whenever we begin to put our faith and trust in these man-made institutions instead of God, we are not so different from the Israelites who wanted a king.

At the name of Jesus ev'ry knee shall bow,
Ev'ry tongue confess Him King of Glory now.
'Tis the Father's pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
                           - Caroline M. Noel

Samuel Listens to God - 1 Samuel 1:1 - 3:21

Samuel Listens to God - 1 Samuel 1:1 - 3:21

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy.

At the beginning of our E100 journey, Adam and Eve demonstrated for us how easy it is to listen to the wrong voice.  After reading their story, we talked about the importance of practicing a consistent devotional life of scripture reading and prayer, so we can better discern the voice of God.

Interestingly enough, Samuel's story is the exact opposite of Adam and Eve's story.  Instead of hearing another voice and mistaking it for God's voice, Samuel hears God speak and mistakes it for Eli.

While Samuel doesn't ignore the voice of God, his story highlights the other extreme... that we would fail to recognize the voice of God, attributing His voice to someone else.  And whenever we do that, we face the temptation to simply ignore what God is telling us.

Even though we live in an era where God doesn't often speak in direct and audible ways, let us be sure that we are always listening... ready to hear (and recognize) the still small voice of God when He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
                      - C. Austin Miles

The Story of Ruth - Ruth 1:1 - 4:22

The Story of Ruth - Ruth 1:1 - 4:22

“Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me —a foreigner?”

The story of Ruth is a beautiful love story... the love between Ruth and her mother-in-law... and the love between Boaz and Ruth.  But central to our understanding of the story is the way in which God told the Israelites to treat the stranger or foreigner in their midst.

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 gives the Israelites instructions to leave the leftovers from the harvest for "the alien, the fatherless and the widow."  This was one way that they were to reflect God's nature to the world around them, caring for the poor and outcast the way that God does.  This was also connected to their time as slaves in Egypt, for God tells them "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt.  That is why I command you to do this." (Dt. 24:22)

In other words, God wants them to remember what it's like to be a stranger in a strange land... to be the outcast... the alien... the underdog.  And as they remember what it's like to be oppressed, they are told to make sure to look out for the orphan, the widow, and the immigrant.

Ultimately, we recognize a little bit of ourselves in Ruth.  Grafted into the Chosen People of God, we are all foreigners and outsiders, gentiles who have benefited from God's grace and favor.  May we never forget that we are outcasts and underdogs, and may we treat others with the same grace and favor that God has shown to us.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
Redeemed thro' His infinite mercy-
His child, and forever, I am.
Redeemed, redeemed,
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!
Redeemed thro' His infinite mercy-
His child, and forever, I am.
                - Fanny J. Crosby

Samson Defeats the Philistines - Judges 13:1 - 16:31

Samson Defeats the Philistines - Judges 13:1 - 16:31

"Then Samson prayed to the Lord, 'O Sovereign Lord, remember me.'"

I think that all of us can identify with Samson.  Not because of super-human strength, but because we've all made promises and commitments to God that we have failed to keep.

Oh... our intentions are good... we start out strong... but then we get distracted, or busy, or simply succumb to temptation.  And we find ourselves wondering if God can still use us, or if He'll still honor our failed commitment or broken promise.

You may have even experienced this in our E100 Challenge!  Perhaps you made a commitment to read the lessons each day, or to join a small group each week.  But somewhere along week 3, you fell a little short, or got a little behind... and suddenly you began to wonder if it was even worth trying to start again.


The story of Samson brings good news to all of us who have stumbled, failed, or quit.  Even when we fall to temptation or break our promises, Samson reminds us that God can still use us, and that He gives second chances to those who ask.


So don't give up!  As overwhelming as they may seem, your failures are not enough to thwart the plans of God.  Even if you have forgotten God, He remembers you!

Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning,
Lord of the future, Help us we pray:
Teach us to trust You, Love and obey You,
Crown You each moment Lord of today.
                               - Margaret Clarkson

 

Gideon Defeats the Midianites - Judges 6:1 - 7:25

Gideon Defeats the Midianites - Judges 6:1 - 7:25

"My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

Do you ever feel like Gideon?  Weak and insignificant... alone and overwhelmed?

It's easy to look at our resources and think that we can't do it.  We study the situation, and conclude that the task is too great for us to possibly succeed.  The obstacles are many... the hurdles are high... and we lack the strength to reach the goal.

By all human measurements, Jesus should have felt the same way.  He was born into questionable circumstances, raised by a laborer, and ultimately had "no place to lay his head."  Having grown up on the wrong side of the tracks, Jesus may have often overheard the whispers, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?"

The same power and presence that was at work in Jesus was available to Gideon, for "The Lord answered, 'I will be with you.'"

Despite your obstacles and hurdles... regardless of your sense of insignificance and insecurity... no matter your resources, know that the same power and presence is available to you as you follow God and serve Him.

Does the place you're called to labor
Seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it,
And He'll not forget His own.
Little is much when God is in it!
Labor not for wealth or fame.
There's a crown--and you can win it,
If you go in Jesus' name.
                     - Kittie L. Suffield

Deborah Leads Israel - Judges 4:1 - 5:31

Deborah Leads Israel - Judges 4:1 - 5:31

“If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

The prophetess Deborah tells Barak exactly what it is that God wants him to do.  There is no ambiguity in the plan that is clearly laid out for him.  But Barak is only willing to obey God on his own terms, demanding that Deborah accompany him to battle.  He even goes so far as to say that he won't do it, unless Deborah goes with him.

Obviously, there's safety in numbers.  And I suppose that Barak wants the assurance that Deborah really believes the oracle that she's been given.  But if Barak really trusted God, he should have been willing to obey, even if he were the only one!

It's an easy temptation to fall into: worrying about everyone else instead of ourselves.  From children who "tattle," to the neighborhood gossip who gets into everyone's  business, we can easily see this at work in all of its obvious forms.  But this temptation has more subtle and insidious forms that worm their way into the life of the church.

It happens whenever we worry about whether or not other people will join us, instead of simply being obedient.  We wait for an official endorsement... or for someone else to do what God is calling us to do.  We  find ourselves basing our willingness to obey upon the choices of others--wanting someone else to go with us, or to join us in our ministry or our endeavor.  Ultimately, our desire for "numbers" can cause us to feel as though the ministry that God gave us isn't a success unless we can get others to come along. Consequently, it's far too easy to worry about everyone else, instead of taking care of ourselves.

What's God asking you to do?  Are you willing to do it, even if He hasn't asked anyone else to join you?

Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
Tho' none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
                                - Anonymous

Israel's Disobedience - Judges 2:6 - 3:6

Israel's Disobedience - Judges 2:6 - 3:6

"...another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel."

In a short while the 2012 Summer Olympics will begin, and we'll probably find ourselves watching some gymnastics, swimming, or relay races before the summer is over.

I'm told that relay races are won or lost in the seconds during which the baton is passed from one runner to the next.  It is a thing of beauty when the baton is cleanly passed and the next runner takes her leg of the race.  But a misstep, a slip of the hand, or a fumble of the baton can spell complete disaster.

It's been said that every local church is just one generation away from extinction... or one failed baton-pass away from losing the next generation.

One of our vital tasks as Christians is to do whatever we can to invest in the next generation... to raise our children to believe in Jesus who died for them, and to help our grandchildren to make good decisions and to follow God.  Whether or not you have children, you have a responsibility to help pass the message along to the next generation, so that they do not forget the Lord or what he has done for them.

How can you invest in the life of a child today?

Tho' I forget Him and wander away,
Still He doth love me wherever I stray.
Back to His dear, loving arms would I flee
When I remember that Jesus loves me.
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves me, Jesus love me!
I am so glad that Jesus loves me,
Jesus loves even me!
                         - Philip P. Bliss

The Fall of Jericho - Joshua 5:13 - 6:27

The Fall of Jericho - Joshua 5:13 - 6:27

 "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

I like to imagine that Joshua immediately knows that there's something special about this man.  Maybe he's a little bigger than most... perhaps he looks a little stronger then any of the Hebrews.  He's probably a bit better equipped, with a sword that glints in the sun with an edge that is much sharper than any of the Hebrew swords.  Maybe there's a heavenly radiance around this fighting warrior.

And so Joshua asks his question, hoping beyond all hope that this man is on their side!

And to our surprise (and Joshua's!), he replies by saying, "Neither."

It's pretty peculiar, because God is clearly on the side of the Hebrews.  He's about to tell them how to defeat the city of Jericho.  And yet, the Angel of the Lord wants to make it quite clear that Joshua has asked the wrong question.  The question should never be whether or not God is on our side... but whether we are on God's side.

Our tendency is to get involved in a situation or struggle and then ask God to be on our side.  Or we get busy doing a ministry and then ask God to bless it.

When we do this, we get it backwards.  We ought to first discern God's side... we ought to first discover what God is blessing.  And then, we do whatever it takes to get on God's side and to be involved in what He is blessing.

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side? Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side? Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side—Savior, we are Thine!
                                  - Frances R. Havergal

Crossing the Jordan - Joshua 3:1 - 4:24

Crossing the Jordan - Joshua 3:1 - 4:24

"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you."

Expectation.  Hope.  Preparation.

Imagine what the Israelites might have thought as they heard Joshua tell them these words.  Did they even begin to imagine that great thing that God was going to do?  Certainly, they'd heard tales of how God had divided the Red Sea for their parents and grandparents... but was He also going to perform a miracle for this generation?

I find it interesting that Joshua tells the people to consecrate themselves for this miracle.  He wants them to be prepared... to have set themselves apart... to have purified themselves.

I fear that too often Christians expect God to "do amazing things" among us, while at the same time failing to prepare ourselves.  We don't consecrate ourselves, we don't purify ourselves from sin and distractions, we don't do anything to get ready.

Instead, we face the temptation to stumble out of bed and hurriedly rush around to make it to church on time with no time for prayer or devotion.  Or we waltz into church as though it's a social event... to disrupt worship by sharing our tidbits of news... to get distracted by the ball game we hope to attend as soon as the long-winded preacher winds up!  :) 

So today I just I wonder if it's possible that we miss out on some amazing things that God wants to do... simply because we aren't prepared for them.

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready, my God, Thy will to see.
Open my eyes; illumine me,
Spirit divine.
                                - Clara H. Scott

Joshua Succeeds Moses - Joshua 1:1-18

Joshua Succeeds Moses - Joshua 1:1-18

It's amazing to realize that God uses individuals to accomplish His plan, but He never is dependent upon those individuals.  In other words, God chose Moses... God used Moses... but God was able to use someone else to replace Moses.

Yesterday we read about the danger of idolatry as the Israelites sang and danced around the golden calf.  Now it's forty years later, and Moses has successfully led them through the desert.  By God's power, Moses brought water from the rock, and led them to places of food and water throughout their journey.  But now Moses has died, and the people have yet to enter the Promised Land.  Had the people finally learned to trust God to lead them?

It's no wonder that God has to tell Joshua to "be strong and courageous!"  (In fact, God tells Joshua this three times, and just in case it didn't sink in, the people remind of that command one more time in verse 18!)

The lesson for the people (and for Joshua) is that they weren't following Moses, they were following the God who was leading Moses.  We must be careful never to put people in the place that only belongs to God--whether it's a pastor, a television preacher, or even a parent or grandparent.  When we follow a leader, we must continually be certain that we're really following The Leader.

Lord, I would clasp Thy hand in mine,
Nor ever murmur nor repine,
Content, whatever lot I see,
Since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
He leadeth me; He leadeth me.
By His own hand He leadeth me.
His faithful foll'wer I would be,
For by His hand He leadeth me.

                                        - Joseph H. Gilmore

The Golden Calf - Exodus 32:1 - 34:35

The Golden Calf - Exodus 32:1 - 34:35

"They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them..."

An idol can be anything that takes the rightful place of God in our lives.  For the ancient Hebrews, they wanted something tangible they could worship, an idol they could carry with them.

What they apparently did not want was this unpredictable God who was shrouded in clouds and lightning on top of the mountain.  They were tired of waiting for God to act... impatient for Moses to return... and so they decided to take things in their own hand.

And so they did what they had seen other people do-- they built for themselves an idol.  They wanted to be like other nations, with gods that they could see and touch... gods that were made from gold and finely crafted.  They were willing to exchange the power of the living God for an idol that they could contain.

The danger of idolatry still exists in our lives (and our churches) today.  The obvious ones include entertainment superstars, sports teams, and favorite electronic gadgets.  But the more dangerous forms of idolatry are the more subtle ones: when we trust something or someone to do what we should only trust God to do - our doctors, our government, our jobs, or even our credit cards.  For when we put our trust in those things, we have become like the people around us - wanting a god that we can touch and control.

What have you allowed to take the rightful place of God in your life?

Holy God, we praise Thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before Thee.
All on earth Thy scepter claim;
All in heav'n above adore Thee.
Infinite Thy vast domain;
Everlasting is Thy reign.

                            - Ignaz Franz

The Ten Commandments - Exodus 19:1-20:21

The Ten Commandments - Exodus 19:1-20:21

Whether in courthouses, town halls, or on the front lawns of public buildings; in the last century there has been plenty of debate and discussion about the public display of the Ten Commandments.  Along with nativity scenes and "Christmas" trees, it's easy to get the soldiers riled up and ready to go to battle in the culture wars.

It's interesting to note however, that not many of us post "The Ten Commandments" in our homes... or have nativity scenes on our own front lawns.  I find it fascinating that some people demand the government do what they don't choose to do themselves.

But even more interesting to me is this:  The tablets of the Testimony were never intended to be a monument or a poster.  If you keep reading through the giving of the covenant, you discover that God gave careful instructions for the construction of an ark--a large box which would hold the sacred tablets.  And to top it off, we know that people weren't allowed to simply open the ark whenever they wanted... even touching it carelessly could result in death.  The ark was carefully placed in the Most Holy Place, and was only taken out when they moved from place to place.

No... the tablets were quickly hidden away... never to be seen again.

What becomes quickly clear is that the ancient Israelites were supposed to internalize these Ten Words--the summary statement of their covenant with God.  They were to be memorized... written on their hearts... and lived out in all that they did.  The covenant was not a mandate passed down from "on high," but an invitation to live in relationship with God--to be shaped by the heart of God.

We are called to be God's people,
Showing by our lives His grace,
One in heart and one in spirit,
Sign of hope for all the race.
Let us show how He has changed us,
And remade us as His own;
Let us share our life together
As we shall around His throne.

                                       - Thomas A. Jackson