At His Mercy

"If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one.

If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

Though I am innocent, 

my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.

Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked."

Job 9:19-20 NLT

Who can stand before God?  Who is His match?  Can anyone claim righteousness?

Job knew.  He understood that even though He feared God and took Him seriously, his best was no match for God's holy standard.  It overwhelmed him, driving him to the depths of despair. Who can stand before Him (Psalm 143:2).  Is there any hope?

Even though Job couldn't see it, God was at work on his behalf, and while it feels scary to be at the mercy of such a powerful, sovereign and holy God, it's right where we want to be.  How do I know this?  Because of Jesus.

My High Priest.  Only the high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies once a year and sprinkle the blood from the sin offering on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16).  In this way, atonement for the sins of the nation of Israel was made.

Jesus, using His own blood from His own sacrifice, stands before God as my own High Priest.  He secured my atonement through the sprinkling of His blood on the cross, unleashing the forgiveness of God, for God cannot extend grace and mercy without a blood sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11).

This means that without Jesus I have no hope of being reconciled with such a righteous, holy God.  I can never be good enough and no matter how hard I try, I can't reach His standards (Romans 3:23).  Even though God is loving, gracious and merciful, He cannot ignore or deny His righteous, just and pure character.  Simply put, He needs a blood sacrifice to atone or offer redemption for my sins.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, offers absolution from my sins and entrance into the presence of a holy God who loves me lavishly (Hebrews 4:14-16).

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my High Priest, giving me free access to His rich storehouses of mercy and grace.

My Redeemer.  Job lived righteously.  Isaiah was willing.  David loved God freely.  You'd think these pillars of faith would have reason to stand boldly before the God they served, yet each were painfully aware of their sin when in His presence (Job 1:1,Isaiah 6:6, Psalm 51:3-5).  

Coming before God makes me all the more aware of how far I fall short and how offensive are my ways to Him.  In comparison to His perfection, my sin feels even more dirty and shameful.  

Jesus, using His own blood as a cleansing agent, washed away my sins, making me to appear before God as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18).  Even though my sins are highly offensive to God, the blood of Jesus completely covers them, delivering to me the righteousness of Christ as my own (Philippians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 5:21).  This is not to say I am now declared perfect, for I still dwell in this sinful nature in a fallen world, yet God no longer sees my sin but only the perfect blood of His Son.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Redeemer, giving me a righteousness I otherwise would never attain.

My Source.  It seems I have to try really hard to do good things for God.  I often believe I must know all the answers to give an explanation for the hope I have (1 Peter 3:15).  If I want to make a difference for Christ in this world, I have to work hard.  Right?

Wrong.  Jesus is my source.  It is only when connected to Him that I will be able to do anything of eternal value (John 15:5).  He is the One who transforms me and works through me, enabling me to speak truth, extend love, and share grace(1 Corinthians 15:10).  It is He that finishes what He started (Isaiah 55:11, Philippians 1:6). I am simply a conduit of His grace.

I am entirely without defense before an impossibly perfect God, but Jesus serves as my Source, giving me all that I need to live for Him.

It is overwhelming to realize my spiritual bankruptcy before a God who has very high expectations.  In the face of such perfection, I see how unrighteous I truly am.  Thankfully, there's Jesus.  Through Christ I have a High Priest who makes atonement for me with His blood, a Redeemer who cleanses me and presents me as holy and righteous before God, and a Source who delivers all that I need to live a life pleasing to God.  Even though I am at the mercy of God, I need not fall into despair because great is His mercy through Christ!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always stay connected to the Source.

When do I go it alone?

How am I sometimes desperate to impress God with my efforts?

God's Choice

"He said,

'I came naked from my mother's womb,

and I will be naked when I leave.

The LORD gave me what I had,

and the LORD has taken it away.

Praise the name of the LORD!'"

Job 1:21-22 NLT

The worst had happened.  His greatest fears had been realized as he lost his family and his wealth, all in one day.  Wave after horrible wave of news arrived, seeming to knock the air out of his lungs.

In the midst of the horrible revelation, in the middle of learning the worst, while he was still numb from shock, Job recognized an important truth about God:  He is sovereign.  What does this mean for me?

I won't get it.  I always thought it would be hard to serve in the Army like my husband did for 24 years.  During his years of service, he was expected to follow orders, even if they didn't make any sense.  It is important for a soldier to learn how to do as their told so when the moments of heated combat come, there will be no hesitation in putting the battle plan into action.  When everyone trusts the commander enough to follow his orders without question, success is more likely.

Living my life as a follower of Christ is similar.  The difference is that my Commander is all-knowing and understanding.  He knows exactly what is needed to draw my attention back to Him, to hone my faith, and to further His purpose. God has the perfect solution for every problem.  He has His own ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Therefore, my role is not to expect to be able to comprehend His reason for allowing certain difficulties into my life, but to simply trust Him.  He does have a plan.

Trust is not dependent upon my ability to understand what is going on and why it is happening.

He's still good.  It's all good.  It's one of my least favorite phrases in today's modern vernacular.  It sets my teeth on edge when I'm facing something hard and I hear the loathsome phrase.  How can they say this is good?  It's far from it!  

While it's true that God will use all things for my good, the circumstances, difficulties and just plain ugliness is not good (Romans 8:28).  What I can say with all certainty in the midst of the sorrow, grief and misery is that God is good.  He is a noble God who is worthy of praise and His purposes are always beneficial and what's considered as His best for me.  As a result, I can always praise Him.

Praise to God is not dependent upon my circumstances.

No guarantee.  I love a money-back guarantee.  It allows me to try a product or service for a period of time, testing to see if it's worth my money.  If I don't like it after the trial period, I can get my money back.  If I found it to be worthwhile, then I can keep it as my own.  That way, there is no risk.

Why do I find this benefit to be so helpful?  Maybe its because I want to see for myself if something is good instead of simply taking the word of the clever marketing scheme:  It's hard for me to think I might be taken advantage of.  I want the security of knowing I won't lose time or other valuable resources while testing the veracity of the promise.

The problem comes when I translate this same desire to life.  I've not been promised tomorrow, yet I assume it will be there.  I can't expect things to go the way I think is best, yet I usually want it my way.  The direction my life takes is not my choice to make, yet I like to think I can control the outcome if I try hard enough.  Life can seem an awful lot like gambling.  

Since following Jesus takes a risk as I give up my autonomy, rights to my self, and independence, I must also see that there are no guarantees in general.  As a result, I can look at each day, every opportunity, and all the openings I receive as gifts.  Since I don't know the plan God has for my life, I must trust Him in each moment, taking all that He gives with a spirit of thankfulness (Philippians 4:6-7).

Thanks is not dependent upon what might be but entirely based on what is.  


There is no question that life is hard.  It is filled with times of suffering, difficulty and trial.  When these inevitable times comes, I could get angry at God, losing my faith in Him, failing to praise Him for anything, and withholding thanks until things feel better again.  Or, when the crisis hits I could continue to trust Him even though I don't get what God is doing, praise Him for His goodness in the midst of the bad, and thank Him for all He is to me.  In these ways I am realizing what Job did:  What comes my way is God's choice.


As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to not expect to understand.

When do I think that I can't trust God because He is allowing such pain into my life?

How am I being narrow-minded and selfish in my view of God and His purposes?    

The Right Time

"After this, Jesus went around in Galilee.

He did not want to go about in Judea

because the Jewish leaders there were looking

for a way to kill him.

But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near,

Jesus' brothers said to him,

'leave Galilee and go to Judea,

so that your disciples there may see the works you do.

No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret.

Since you are doing these things,

show yourself to the world.'

For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

Therefore Jesus told them,

'My time is not yet here;

for you any time will do.'"

John 7:1-6

Most gardeners possess an internal calendar of tasks and projects necessary for tending their yard, flowers and vegetables.  There is a specific time for every chore and it's important to know when to do each.  For instance, if I trim my Crape Myrtle bush in the early summer, it will not bloom that year.  Or, if I were to prune my River Birch tree in the Fall, it would bleed a lot of sap.  Instead, it's best to wait until after the new leaves are well established in the springtime.  Additionally, if I were to fertilize my lawn at the wrong time I could damage or weaken the tender blades of grass.  Knowing that there is a right time for every task is vital to the success of my garden.

In the same way that a garden flourishes under the care of a master gardener who understands the importance of timing, so my faith will grow and thrive when I submit to the master plan of the One who holds time in His hands.

Advice

People tend to love giving advice, but accepting it is a whole other thing.  Take Job, for example:  When he was going through the most difficult trial anyone could imagine, his friends were there to offer plenty of counsel, suggestions and opinions.  Unfortunately, most of what they said was not godly, helpful or even encouraging.  After awhile, their words even became downright condemning. (Job)

People mean well, but most tend to lean on their own understanding, thinking they have the solution needed to solve another's problem.  There are times I do the same as well, relying on my own common sense instead of seeking God's will to direct my words to a good friend.  

When money is tight and we have a hard time paying the bills, many give the suggestion that my husband should find a higher paying job or I should enter the work force.  If I take their advice without consulting God for His plan, I risk stepping outside His will and missing out on all the blessings found there.

When the children are exercising their strong wills and I experience constant opposition from them, the experts may tell me the exact opposite of how God wants me to handle the conflict.  If I never take this issue before the Lord, I'll never know how He wants me to guide my children through this time of testing.

When life gets hectic and the word "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe my life, well-meaning friends may have all kinds of advice as to what activities I should eliminate from my schedule.  Only the Lord knows, however, what He has prepared in advance for me to do, so it is best if I pay attention to what He is telling me.  (Ephesians 2:10)

Advice is always available, but if I want to live according to God's plan and help others do the same, I must stay in tune with Him.

My Plan

Humans love to make plans.  Whether it be financial strategies with the aim of becoming independently stable, personal plots used to reach a certain goal, or professional campaigns designed to fulfill a dream, every person tends to make some kind of plan for their own life.

My plans tend to be based on opportunity, expectations or tradition.  For instance, my dad went into barbering as his lifelong career because his best friend's father was a barber and took him under his wing.  My dad went to school and soon found himself practicing his newly learned skill, all because a door opened before him.

Similarly, a friend of mine in high school never thought about going to college because no one in her family did, and neither of her parents ever suggested it.  It was her expectation that she would get married and raise a family without ever considering higher education.  In contrast, I went to college out of a sense of custom: it just seemed to be the pattern that most people followed so I thought a person's life should follow the same path of graduating from high school, going to college, getting married and raising children.  

In every one of the above instances, none of us consulted God, inquiring as to whether the path I found before me matched up with God's plan.  Instead, we let our own understanding of where we fit into the world shape our future.

It is easy to make a plan based on my own ideas, but if I want to follow God's master plan for my life, I must stay connected to Him.

His Plan

She couldn't understand why God made her this way:  Her hair was jet black and stick straight and while most students in her class could easily reach the coat racks, she always needed help to hang up her jacket.  As a result, this young girl was often the butt of many-a-joke while she was in school.  Once she entered into the mission field, however, everything began to make sense.

You see, this young lady became a missionary to the Chinese people where she fit in quite naturally due to the very physical characteristics that used to bring her such grief.  God had a plan that she could not understand until later.

For this reason, it is important that I trust God enough to accept all the quirky qualities He has placed within me, believing that He will one day use it for His glory.  Instead of putting myself down, then, I can see myself as one who was "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)  God has a plan that I know nothing about, and to Him, I am a work of art that He purposefully placed right where I am.  Therefore, I need not worry about tomorrow because it's all mapped out.

God's plan is mysterious and masterful, but if I want to follow the path He has laid out for me, I must keep His sovereignty always in mind as I walk closely beside Him.

There is a time for everything, as Solomon so eloquently penned in Ecclesiastes 3.  Either I can base that timing on the advice of others or I can follow my own plan, but if I want to live based on God's purpose, it is vital that I follow His blueprint for my life.  Since He's the only one who knows that plan, then, I would be wise to stick closer than a brother to my loving Father.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay connected to my Master Planner.

When do I rely on my own common sense to make decisions instead of seeking God's will?

How do I ignore the still, small voice of God's Spirit as He tries to guide me through my day?  

Legitimate Child

"Endure hardship as discipline;

God is treating you as his children.

For what children are not disciplined by their father?

If you are not disciplined--

and everyone undergoes discipline--

then you are not legitimate,

not true sons and daughters at all.

Moreover,

we have all had human fathers who disciplined us

and we respected them for it.

How much more should we submit 

to the Father of spirits and live!

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;

but God disciplines us for our good,

in order that we may share in his holiness."

Hebrews 12:7-11

Her husband suffered from kidney failure.  Even after receiving a transplant, the new organ failed and soon he was back on dialysis.  Because of the difficulties with his body accepting the donated kidney, his doctors deemed him an unfit candidate for future transplants.  Consequently, he will be on dialysis for the rest of his life.  

Soon after this young couple settled into this new routine, another health scare came their way, this time in the form of cancer attacking her body.  What now?  She thought.  Don't we have enough to deal with, Lord?  Even as she asked, she knew the answer:  It's all being used to transform me into Your image, Father.

It's easy to get frustrated and downhearted when I struggle, suffer and endure trials. I can reassure myself, however, with the truth that I belong to God and He loves me too much to leave me as I am.  Instead, He uses the circumstances of life to mold me into His image.

Submit

"Curse God and die!" 

That was the advice given to Job by his wife.  This man had enjoyed a successful, fruitful life until one day when he went from the greatest man known in the East to perhaps the most miserable man who ever lived.  In one 24 hour period he lost his wealth and his children.  As if that were not enough, he then was afflicted with painful sores that covered every inch of skin.  A more tortured man never existed.

Instead of fighting the Lord's plan, however, Job submitted by falling on the ground to worship God saying, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.  The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD."  (Job 1:21 NKJV)

As Steven Curtis Chapman sings, "God is God and I am not."  The sooner I accept this truth and place myself under His sovereign authority, the closer I am to adopting the attitude of Job.  Whatever God allows into my life will be used by Him for good. (Romans 8:28)  Sometimes good doesn't feel good, and most of the time it doesn't live up to my expectation of good, but only God knows what truly is good. (James 1:17) So, I must trust Him.

When enduring hard times, the sooner I yield to God's purifying work in my life, the better.

Temporarily Painful

Anyone who has done any kind of physical training understands the adage, "No Pain, No Gain."  In order for progress to be made, whether that goal is a faster time completed, heavier weight lifted or bigger muscles and less body fat obtained, I will go through some kind of discomfort.  Athletes understand this necessary pain as temporary and simply a sign that growth is imminent.

In a similar way, I am like an athlete in training as a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ.  As I undergo conditioning in the form of difficult circumstances, uncomfortable conditions, and painful suffering, I can take on the attitude of one who is enduring the temporary pain as a way of achieving long term gain.  (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

When enduring suffering, keeping the proper perspective will help me persevere.

Harvest

My cucumbers were under attack!  Some kind of borer had attacked the woody part of the vine, chewing through until one day it suddenly withered into a pitiful pile of useless leaves.  Thanks to that invading pest, I was never able to harvest any cucumbers that fateful year.

It's hard to garden successfully when there are so many enemies waiting to destroy the harvest.  My walk with Christ is kind of like that.  When hard times come, the Enemy is there to whisper words of despair and discouragement in my ear, tempting me to think I'm not loved and that God has abandoned me.  Nothing, however is further than the truth.

Just as a refiner of silver keeps his eye on the precious metal as he holds it to the hottest part of the fire, so my Father in heaven purifies my heart.  His eye never leaves me lest I burn, for it is never His intention to hurt me.  Rather, it is His purpose to burn away all impurities, leaving nothing but a heart devoted to Him.  (Malachi 3:3a)

When enduring difficulties, God will use it to produce a harvest of righteousness.  (James 3:18)

No one likes discipline, but it is a necessary part of living under the authority of another.  When I go through the trials of life, I can remember that my Father in heaven is demonstrating His love for me by treating me as His very own.  Therefore, I can learn to submit myself to His loving hand, keep in mind that the pain is temporary and that the harvest that is to come will make it all worth it.  Yes, it is good to be a child of God!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my place as God's child always before me.

When do I have a hard time submitting to God's discipline?

How do I fight His efforts to refine me?  

  

Unstoppable

"Therefore, in the present case I advise you:

Leave these men alone!

Let them go!

For if their purpose or activity is of human origin,

it will fail.

But if it is from God,

you will not be able to stop these men;

you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Acts 5:38-39

There is a nail-biting 2010 movie starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pines in which an unmanned half-mile-long freight train is barreling toward a metropolitan area.  A veteran engineer and his newbie conductor take on the task of finding a way to stop the inevitable catastrophe that's coming if the train continues on its present course.  In the end, the two men are successful in their endeavors and in so doing, form a strong bond and gain new respect for each other.

While this train was, contrary to the title, able to be brought to a standstill, God's plan is truly unstoppable.  Proverbs 21:30 reminds us that, "There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD."

God's purpose is inevitable.  It is not limited by man's frailties, endeavors or lack of knowledge.  God's plan will go forth despite anything His created beings do or don't do.

Man's Weakness

He was insecure, hot-headed, spoiled and prideful.  It took forty years to humble him to the point that God could use him.  When he finally did receive his marching orders from God, he still couldn't get past his own doubts. (Exodus 3-12)  

Moses was a man plagued with flaws, just like any other human.  Despite his limitations, God used him to deliver His people from the hands of a ruthless Pharaoh and lead them through the desert for 40 years.  God is not limited by my inabilities, faithlessness or insecurities.  Instead, He is a good who overcomes my weaknesses.

When I can't picture myself telling anyone about Jesus, He will give me the words when I step forward in faith.  For the times when I know I need to make a change in my life, like improving my diet, adding exercise to my routine, studying God's Word or practicing hospitality, I can trust God to empower the transition even if I've never done anything like this before.  During times of depression, God can show me His power in inexplicable ways if I only stop focusing on myself and my problems and concentrate instead on the acts of His amazing hand.

As God told the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Paul then went on to say, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."  (2 Corinthians 12:9)  I will never truly realize the power of God until I'm emptied of myself.  It is then that I'l experience His mighty hand in my life.

God's purpose is not limited by my weaknesses.

Man's Effort

He was the greatest enemy of those who called themselves followers of "The Way." (Acts 8:1-3, Acts 22:4)  He conducted house-by-house searches, dragging Believers out and throwing them into prison.  He relished destroying this church, believing himself to be working on the side of God.  He gave approval to any action, including death,  that involved silencing the Gospel.  He made it his life's ambition to stop this so-called cult, that is until Jesus confronted his behavior.  (Acts 9:4)

Saul put forth his best effort to stop the work of God.  Instead of bringing the new church to an end, however, God used Saul, who became known as Paul, as an instrument to nurture, challenge and instruct His people.  Saul's greatest attempts at thwarting God's plan did nothing against His mighty power.  Instead, God turned Saul around and used his zeal for the good of God's kingdom.

Many times I have a different plan than God does.  Other times my desires stand in opposition to God's.  I can even stubbornly refuse to submit to what I know to be God's plan out of fear, doubt or pride.  No matter what, God's plan will go forth.  No one can fight against God and win. (2 Chronicles 20:5-6)

God's purpose is not limited by any effort that is contrary to His plan.

Man's Ignorance

He had perhaps the most tragic story in all of history.  In a matter of days, he lost his family, his wealth, and his health.  He went from being the greatest man living in the East (Job 1:3), to one who cursed the day of his birth. (Job 3)  

Job suffered greatly at the hand of Satan at the suggestion of God (Job 1-2).  He didn't know why he had to hurt so much, but He did trust God through it all, saying, "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)  He also said to his wife, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  (Job 2:10)

Job did not have the privilege of perfect knowledge and understanding.  He had no clue of the discussion that had taken place between God and Satan.  He didn't know the suffering he was enduring was a test from God and not just some giant cosmic joke.  What he did know is that God is a good God and He is sovereign over all His creation.  He trusted that God knew what he was doing.

My inability to see the truth or understand God's plan does not stop His purpose from going forth.  Just because I'm a little slow and don't get it right away doesn't mean I'm going to hold God back in some way.  Instead, God wins out despite my lack of knowledge and understanding.

In the end, Job did not turn away from God but stayed faithful to Him.  As a result, God blessed the latter years of his life even more than he did the former.  (Job 42:12-13)   In the same way I can trust God's plan no matter how things look at this time.  It may seem all is lost, but God is at the helm of the ship of my life.

Even though I'm struggling with a lack of money, God is still on the throne.  Despite the fact that I can't understand why my health is so poor, God is still on the throne.  Notwithstanding all the family problems I'm going through, God is still on the throne.

God's purpose is not limited by my inability to understand my circumstances.

God is unstoppable.  Whatever is His plan, it will go forth despite my weaknesses, effort contrary to His purpose, or my ignorance.  God's purpose will prevail.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God even when things seem to be falling apart.

How do I work against God?

When do I doubt God's ability to overcome my frailties?

Willing to Receive

"Peter said to him,

'We have left everything to follow you!'

'I tell you the truth,' Jesus replied,

'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother

or father or children or fields for me and the gospel

will fail to receive a hundred times

 as much in this present age

(homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--

and with them, persecutions)

and in the age to come, eternal life.'"

Mark 10:28-30

In order to reap, a gardener must sow.  And before she can sow, something must die.  Let me explain:  

I was talking to a friend of mine about her wonderful garden and the amazing produce she is enjoying.  I asked her to share her secret and she happily exclaimed, "Manure!  It's all about the manure!"  She raises horses and chickens as well, and liberally uses their old, fermented droppings to improve the soil before planting.  It must work because she brings in a bountiful harvest!

I was thinking about manure, and without getting too graphic, I thought about how the horse eats the grass which is utilized by the body for fuel and sustenance and then the wasted is excreted.  Before the soil can benefit from the fertilizer, the grass must be bit off by the grazing horse, separating it from it's life-giving roots as it enters the digestive system where it is ground into a pulp and digested into a more basic element that can be readily utilized.

In a similar way, there are many things that must die in my life before I will be ready to be used by God.  There are practices, beliefs, fears, unforgiveness, hurt; and the list could go on.  God asks me to give up things that are getting in the way of my relationship with Him.  When I obey, I am blessed.  When I tarry, I hurt the heart of God.  Disobedience is a form of doubt, and distrust of my Father injures my relationship with Him.

There is no need to fear letting go.  Jesus has promised that my sacrifice will bring a bountiful harvest, just like the the death of the grass brought life-giving nutrients to my friend's garden.  The question is: Am I willing to receive all that God is waiting to give me?

Ready

He'd been laying there so many years that he lost track of time.  This disease had plagued him for nearly 40 years, leaving him helpless to provide for himself.  He felt all alone in the world as he hoped beyond reason that this would be the day that he'd get to the therapeutic pool first, guaranteeing him a supernatural healing.  Once the angels stirred the waters, the curing powers would be released and all he must do is immerse himself within their cool depths.  This was his only hope.

When Jesus encountered this man, He asked him one question:  "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:1-8)  Well, duh!  But the answer the man gave revealed his heart.  He was putting all his eggs in the healing pool basket, which was a long shot at best.  Perhaps he was afraid to be whole.  Maybe he felt his identity was wrapped up in his infirmity.  It could be that he wasn't ready to receive what Jesus had to give him, that he was afraid to embrace the man God had created him to be.

I can relate!  God puts so many things on my heart to do, but then the doubt creeps in.  But I can't speak in front of a group, I'm not that kind of person.  But I don't know enough to lead a Bible study.  But I'm not a good enough conversationalist to witness to an unbeliever.  But. . .but. . .but.

My doubt is revealing my disbelief.  I am in essence telling God that He is not big enough to work through me, I am too much for Him to handle, He's not powerful enough to overcome my weaknesses.  

Moses suffered from this same problem.  God gave him a mission: Go to Pharaoh and tell him to, "Let my people go!"  Moses thought of every excuse in the book; what if I'm not leadership material?  What if the Israelites don't listen to me?  What if they don't believe me?  What if I can't speak well?  What if, what if, what if!

God reassured him each time, giving him signs to show and words to say, but finally Moses got to the end of his questions with, "Can't you send somebody else?"  (Exodus 3:10-4:16)  Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses.

I do not want to be on the receiving end of God's fury!  Instead, it is my desire to immediately obey without reservation, saying to myself, okay, I know I'm not up to this task, but God definitely is!  I have nothing to fear with Him backing me up!  (Isaiah 41:10)

When God calls me to let go of something and follow Him toward a powerful blessing, can I tell Him I'm ready to receive it?

Perspective

He was incredibly blessed.  God had given him a loving family, riches beyond his wildest dreams, and a peaceful life.  He couldn't imagine life getting any better.  Then came the test.  In one day, he lost it all, with his health to falter soon after.  How did Job respond? "The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

If I am going to be able to receive the mission God has for me and the subsequent blessings that may follow, it is important that I keep it all in perspective.  While no one wants to live in poverty, either spiritually or physically, it is entirely up to God whether or not I do.  I can run after riches, friendships, and important ministries, or I can focus on my relationship with God and let Him decide what He does or does not give.  (Matthew 6:33)

Remembering that God is sovereign will help me to keep it all in perspective.  As 19th Century American Evangelist Dwight L Moody said, "The sweetest lesson I have learned in God's school is to let the Lord choose for me."

Once I'm ready to receive all that God wants to give me, will I be able to keep it in perspective, remembering that it's His to give and His to take away?

Glory

I have to admit, I love getting recognition for a job well done.  I don't readily admit this to others, but in my heart, I enjoy a good pat on the back every once in awhile.

In fact, I was anticipating just such an acknowledgment when my family and I got ready to move away from a Sunday school program where I had taught for four years.  Much to my surprise and disappointment, my last day to teach came and went without so much as a word of thanks from anyone.  I quietly exited the building that morning, humbled beyond recognition.  I said that I was serving for the glory of God, but when it came down to it, I wanted some of the glory as well.

When God calls me to a job, giving me a list of distractions to purge from my life, am I willing to quietly accept all He's doing, or does part of me think I'm a little better for my sacrifices?  In other words, is part of my motivation for obeying God so that my character will improve, my reputation will rise or my ministry will broaden?  

Everything I do is to be for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31): to point others to Him as the source of all good things (James 1:17), to give Him the praise and the honor (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and to promote His will instead of my own (Matthew 6:10).

Now that I'm working in God's kingdom, it is important that my heart only desires the glory to go to God.

My motivation for surrendering my all to Christ can't be that I'll receive the promised hundredfold in return.  Instead, it is to be out of a pure desire to please my Father.  As I let go, I'll need to learn to be ready to receive, to keep all His blessings in perspective, and to do everything with God's honor and magnificence as the goal.  It is then that I'll be set free to follow Him wholeheartedly.  (John 8:32)

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will keep my own agenda out of the picture and focus solely on God's will.

How do I take His blessings for granted, thinking I earned them or deserve them in some way?

When am I working for my own glory instead of God's?        

Great Hope

"'The glory of this present house will be greater

than the glory of the former house,'

says the LORD Almighty."

Haggai 2:9

Oh man, I really blew it this time.  I'm not sure if there's any hope left for me.  I've thought this many times throughout my life, especially when I battle with the strongholds of sin in my life.  As a follower of Jesus, though, I always have hope.  His sacrifice on the cross covered all my sins, even those I haven't even committed yet.  

I constantly must remind myself that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn me, but to save me and that in Him I  no longer have to carry the responsibility for my own sins.  I don't have to worry that I will get what I deserve for my rebellion and inability to meet God's standards.  Instead, I have a hope through faith in Jesus Christ that never fades.

It's not only my own sin, however, that taints my life.  Many times, I suffer the consequences of others' actions.  I need not lose hope during these times, either, for Jesus has covered those sins and given me the ability and power to forgive.  

When I let go of the hurt and anger that results from being wounded by others, I am allowing Jesus to bear the brunt of the pain.  If, however, I stubbornly cling to my bitterness, I will suffer a slow and painful kind of death as I bear a load I was not meant to carry.  My heart will not be at peace and my body will break down under the pressure.  The consequence of living in a fallen world means I will come in contact with sin on a regular basis.  Life here is not as God originally designed it to exist: there is pain and anguish.

When I do come into contact with difficulties, whether it be as a result of my sin or someone else's, it should not, then, be a surprise.  As Oswald Chambers said, "Sin and sorrow and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them."  

The glory I can look forward to after the trials, however, is greater than I could ever imagine.  I do have a great hope through faith in Jesus Christ!

Testing

It was one health problem after another: pain wracked her body and her limbs would not cooperate in even the simplest of tasks.  Try as she might, she just couldn't bring herself to eat: There seemed to be no end to her suffering.  Even though her life looked to be filled with pain and affliction, my friend refused to turn her back on God.  There is no denying that He had allowed this and He could easily take it away.  

Like Job, however, she maintains that God has given her many good things in her life and it is up to Him if He wants to take some things away.  My friend is looking at God as the Sovereign head of all creation and she refuses to give up on Him.  She has God in the correct perspective.  

Jesus reminded us in Matthew 6:26 of what is important.  He asks, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"  It is easy for me to give myself and my comfort, dreams and expectations the most important position in my life. I can go after these things instead of pursuing my relationship with God. When I do this and things go differently than I planned, I feel frustrated, upset and even betrayed.  This is not how my life is supposed to turn out!  

If, however, I give God the top honor and position of authority in my life, I can be like my friend and accept whatever comes my way; good or bad.   No matter what the outcome, I will be at peace because my relationship with God will remain intact.  At the end of time, Jesus "will reward each person according to what he has done." (v27)

If I stay true to God through the trials and testing times of life, He will not forget my wholehearted devotion to Him.

Persecution

Earlier this month, a Hindu man named Manesor Rabha who lived in India accepted Jesus as his Savior, immediately putting his life at risk.  Consequently, he went into hiding but a mob of forty Hindu radicals broke into his home and severely beat his wife and two Christian men who were guarding her because of their refusal to recant their faith in Jesus.  One was left barely breathing and all three were left with serious injuries that required hospitalization. 

Although this kind of violence is rarely seen in America, it is commonplace in other parts of the world.  The Apostle Paul warned us that, "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)  Persecution like what Daniel suffered under Babylonian rule is to be expected.  

Daniel drew the scorn of many in high places because of his refusal to bow down to any god but the One True God.  As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den but God was faithful to not only protect him but to actually deliver him from all harm.  Even more miraculous, however was the witness Daniel gave of the One and Only God's power and sovereignty.  The Babylonian king Darius afterwards acknowledged Him as the Living God.

In a similar way, Jesus warned me that some may target me for my faith in Him.  Just as Mr. Rabha discovered, taking a stand for Jesus will bring the wrath of evil down upon me, but He said not to worry.  He Himself will give me the words and wisdom that no one can withstand.  I should expect that even those closest to me may betray me and that many will hate me because of Jesus.  "But not a hair of your head will perish.  By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:18) In this way, many who otherwise would never know the gospel will hear the message of the cross.

There is a reason men like Mr. Rabha can stand up under persecution.  God's Spirit empowers me to take a stand as I remember that this life is not all there is.  Jesus said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23)

Even though I naturally avoid harassment and maltreatment like the plague, Jesus almost makes it sound like something I should desire.  Since it comes with a great reward in heaven, it must be important to God.  Maybe my comfort and protection here on earth should not be my uppermost focus.

If I disregard my own safety and security and instead take a stand for Jesus, my suffering will be rewarded in heaven.

Object of Ridicule

Faithfully, day after day, he walked the halls of the school, placing his hand on each locker and praying.  He lifted the students, faculty and staff up to God and asked for revival.  For years he dependably and anonymously performed this act of love.  Finally, the people in the community began realizing a renewing of their faith in Jesus.  Many gave their lives to Him and were transformed.  The harvest had come!

Walking the halls of any school in this country and praying openly is just the kind of thing that could make me the laughing stock of the community.  Mordecai was another faithful, humble man of God who stood as a silent beacon of God.  He lived in a foreign, pagan society in which every kind of belief system was tolerated, except the truth.  Each day he stood at the king's gate in a silent show of support to his cousin and adopted daughter, Queen Esther.  To Haman, the second in command to the king, he was, however, an object of ridicule.

Everyone bowed to Haman and quivered at the very sight of him. . . everyone, that is, except Mordecai.  It is easy to cave into peer pressure or especially to the demands of a godless government.  If I don't toe the line, who know what could happen to me?  

But just like Mordecai humbly and quietly refused to compromise his beliefs, I can continue on the path God has called me, even in the face of ridicule.  Even if no one around me supports me.  Even if I'm the only one who understands why I'm doing what I'm doing.  God knows.  Fittingly, He sent these words of encouragement to me when I am ready to give up.  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  (Galatians 6:9)

If I keep on keepin' on even in the face of ridicule or rejection, God has promised a great harvest.

This life is filled with suffering, persecution and scorn, but if I stay true to God and the calling He has placed on my life there will be much celebrate once I make it to my true home in heaven!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will stay true to God's calling on my life.

How do I cave into the pressure around me and fail to take a stand for Jesus?

When is it easiest for me to take the safe road instead of the way that reveals the Gospel?