God's Omnipotence

"If God is for us,

who can ever be against us?"

Romans 8:31b NLT

It felt like he was being bound.  He had God-given dreams and aspirations which he was excited to bring to fruition, but at every turn she stood against him.  Even though he was doing nothing wrong, she fought him as if he were violating some kind of sacred trust.  Would he ever be able to pursue his passion in life without finding continuous opposition from his employer?

It sometimes feels like those who are supposed to be my friends are really my enemies.  Other times there are adversaries God has allowed into my life who oppose me, making it hard for me to follow the path God has laid out for me.  Sometimes I may even find myself as the target of some unseen conspiracy where my every action is met with resistance.  

When I face such hostility, the good news is found in Psalm 118:6 where the psalmist focused on God's sovereignty.  "The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"  Psalm 118:6  When it feels like I can't catch a break from man, I must remember the benefits of God's preeminence as well as His matchless love for me as His child.

God's Favor.  The high priest and his 70 members of the Jewish ruling council were out to get the apostles of Jesus Christ.  This governing body threw the men in jail, jealous of the attention they were receiving as they performed signs and wonders, healing the sick and driving out demons from those who were living in bondage.  Surely their message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was heresy!

Still, the next morning these same men stood in the temple courts teaching all who would listen about this rebel Jesus Christ.  How did these jail birds escape?  When questioned, all they could say is God sent them and they must obey Him.  Then they had the audacity to accuse this sacred council of killing Jesus.  They could not let such claims go unpunished! (Acts 5:17-33)

Then came the voice of reason from one of their own.  The highly respected Gamaliel said, "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)

When I am walking in obedience to the Lord's calling on my life, it doesn't matter who opposes me for God's favor surrounds me as a shield.  (Psalm 5:12)

God's Protection.  It seemed risky to follow this path God marked out for me.  If I did what He was calling me to do, how would I survive?  I had no resources, nothing upon which to fall back.  I felt like a fool for putting myself and my family in such peril.

It is easy to think that walking by faith instead of by sight is a foolish endeavor. (2 Corinthians 5:7) Since I can't see the ground before me, I assume I'm teetering on the edge of a cliff, about to plunge down to meet my demise.  As God's precious child, however, I am protected by His constant presence and His righteous right hand.  (Isaiah 41:10)

Instead of assuming the worst, then, I can expect the best.  In the place of envisioning what terrors await me around the next bend, I can wonder what goodness God has planned for me this day.  While it is natural for me to brace myself against the difficulties I imagine are about to descend upon me, I can instead look forward to the blessings He has stored up for me.  (Psalm 31:19)

When I am doing as God called me to do, His mighty power protects me from harm.

God's Plan.  No one else had succeeded in opposing his efforts.  Until then, every sovereign nation he endeavored to conquer had fallen to his mighty army.  Why would the tiny nation of Judah be any different?  (2 Kings 18:13-37)

The Assyrian king Sennacherib was pretty confident in his ability to continue his plan of regional dominance by running over Judah.  Unfortunately for him, he did not know the power and sovereignty of the God of Judah.  While the other nations called on their gods but still fell, this people was different for they called on the One True God.

When God gives His marching orders, there is not one living, breathing human being who can stand against Him.  As Isaiah said, "When His hand is raised, who can stop Him?" (Isaiah 14:27)  Therefore, if I'm going in the direction in which God has pointed me, there is nothing anyone can do to thwart His plan for my life.  What, then, do I have to fear?

When I am walking the path God has marked out for me, His good plan will not be hindered, no matter how things might look.

Living life as a follower of Christ is not easy:  I often run into opposition of various kinds.  As a result, it is important that I keep God's omnipotent power always in mind, remembering that His favor shields me, His protection is over me, and His plan for my life cannot be frustrated.  With such benefits as these, I have nothing to fear.

As I begin this day may I keep God's omnipotent power always in mind.

When do I forget that God is in control?

How do I easily fall into periods of fear and doubt?  

Method for Coping

"Hezekiah received the letter 

from the messengers and read it.

Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD."

2 Kings 19:14

Things looked bad.  Israel had already fallen to this arrogant aggressor and now he had set his sights on Judah.  All of her fortified cities were already under siege so it was time for Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to turn toward Jerusalem, attempting to sway the people's hearts away from their faithful leader.  If they turned against their own king, surely Judah would fall just as Israel did.

Instead of panicking or seeking advice from his advisers or attempting to further appease his enemy, Hezekiah chose a wise method of coping of which I can take as an example for hard times in my own life.

Go.  There are many sources to which I can turn in times of trouble.  There are people rich with insight and common sense who are ready and willing to dispense great counsel.  I also have many shrewd resources at my disposal which can be consulted in times of need.  Furthermore, I'm never at a loss to discover new findings from the latest scientific research that can provide fresh understanding into the root of my struggles.

Still, Hezekiah demonstrated the wisest action that can be taken in difficult times: Going to the Lord.  God is the only true Counselor.  No other source boasts wisdom that can ever compare.  Even the most insightful research is no match for the understanding that comes from the One who made me.

When I place all my eggs in His basket, expecting to receive the best answers from Him, He is faithful and generous in dispensing true wisdom.  (James 1:5-8)  There is really no other action which makes sense for me to take in hard times.  Still, I often fail to take such a simple step as running to my Father for help.

Just as Hezekiah went to the Lord, so I can make Him the foundation of my coping strategy for difficult times.

Unguarded.  I'm used to putting up a front, showing others what I think I should convey instead of being honest with how I actually feel.  Therefore, when it comes to the One who knit me together and knows each word before it even leaves my tongue, I tend to take the same tack. (Psalm 139:1-6) I find myself saying what I think is the right answer instead of telling Him how I really feel.  I often give Him platitudes instead of brutal honesty.  It feels better to say what I think He wants to hear instead of speaking the unbridled truth which could hurt His feelings.  

Thankfully, God is big enough to take my harshest criticism, to hold up under my biggest doubts and to stand firm even when I feel like I'm sliding into a dark abyss.  He is my Father who cherishes my deepest, darkest thoughts.  Even though He already knows what is going on inside of me, He prefers that I willingly share such intimacy with Him.

Just as Hezekiah laid everything bare before the Lord, so I can live transparently as I go through times that break my heart and strain my faith.

Glorified.  When I'm at a loss of what to do, it's natural for me to explore every possible avenue, making a list of pros and cons and choosing the solution that seems best for my situation.  It's easy to come up with my own plan of action when times get tough.  Often, I think doing something is better than waiting around for my life to completely fall apart.  It feels good to take positive action, doing what I think will help to turn my life around.

Unfortunately, anything I do under my own steam will only serve to draw attention to myself or the brilliance of mankind.  If, however, I waited on the Lord, looking to Him as the only way out of a tight place, He will get all the glory.  When God is allowed to deal with an issue in the way only He can, others will see that He alone is God.  When I limit Him by giving Him only partial dominion over my situation, not only will I be robbed of witnessing His amazing hand at work, but I will steal His glory.

Just as Hezekiah desired all the world to know that the Lord alone is God, so I can let God do as only He can in order to make the most of His name in all the earth.

My methods for coping are often self-destructive and not at all healthy.  When Hezekiah was in deep trouble, facing a conquering marauder who had the gall to mock the living God, this godly king demonstrated a great way of handling stress.  He went directly to the Lord, laying everything bare before Him and desiring nothing more than for all of mankind to know the might of the One True God.  His way of coping gives me an excellent example of how to handle trouble in my own life.  In fact I would say there is no better technique for managing stress.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember to run to God when the going gets tough.

How do I leave God as my last resort when times get hard?

When do I hide my true feelings from the One who loves me perfectly?     

Benefits of Good Instruction

“And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all his days because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” 

2 Kings 12:2 ESV

                                          

She had no idea how to negotiate through the confusing labyrinth of modern society.  When it came to norms, she fell way outside what was commonly referred to as acceptable behavior.  This young woman who had been left as a young child in the woods to fend for herself knew only what she had learned on her own; she had no sense of manners, common courtesies or even language.  Therefore, she found it hard to fit in with everyone else.

In order to learn how to function in any society, it is important to have a teacher or mentor of some kind.  Similarly, the best way to learn of God’s kingdom and how to live in a way that pleases the Lord is to enlist the help of a godly mentor.  I am not designed to live in vacuum or as a self-sufficient loner but in community with other believers.

Learn.   Wise king Solomon begins his book of wisdom like this.  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)  In order to live a godly life, I must be humble enough to take instruction easily:  It is important to be teachable as a child of God.

This means when I’m sure of my ways yet receive godly instruction that reveals my foolishness, a pliable heart will let go of my imprudent approach and adopt the wisdom found in my adviser’s words.  It also means I must think more of God’s goal for me to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ than in my right to govern my own life.  Additionally, I will never learn to submit to God Himself if I am unwilling to take advice from those He places in my life to guide me toward Him.

In order to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, I will need to develop a teachable spirit.

Influence.   I become like those with whom I choose to associate.  Or, in the words of Paul the apostle, “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)   I often use a vivid demonstration when teaching youth of this truth.  I have the young person stand on a chair while I position myself directly in front of them.  Then I ask them to pick me up and place me on the chair beside them.   Not surprisingly, they find this to be an impossible feat.  Then we switch places.  As I stand on the chair and they on the floor, I now instruct them to pull me down to their level.  This is an easy thing no matter the size of the child.  The moral?  If you hang out with friends whose morals are low, you will get pulled down to their level but you will never be successful in raising them up to a higher standard.

With whom I choose to spend my time is vital to my spiritual development.  If I surround myself with self-centered, money-driven people, I will become self-centered and driven by money.  If I spend more time with those whose god is exercise and good nutrition, I will elevate such healthy practices to an unhealthy pedestal where only God belongs.  If I hang out with mostly people whose lives are directed by common sense and the latest pop-psychology, I will forsake God’s instruction and follow man’s instead.

In order to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord, I will need to surround myself with those who enjoy a real, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and who have professed Him as Lord of their lives.

I can be like Jehoash, one king who pleased God in the way he lead Judah.  In order to do so it is important that I find a mentor who can show me how to develop my relationship with the Lord.  Doing so, however, will only make a difference if I cultivate a teachable spirit as well as choose my friends wisely.  In so doing, I will find the benefits of good instruction.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can humble myself before the Lord so I will develop a teachable spirit.

When am I most apt to think I don’t need help?

How am I guilty of following my own way instead of God’s?   

I Need Him

"As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God."

Psalm 42:1 ESV

Animals instinctively know their need for water and food.  They were created to go after the things that sustain life.  Even in the African wilds where water is scarce and predators are plentiful, wildebeests will risk everything for a sip of the life-giving fluid found in the crocodile infested river.  They know without water they will die, so they take the risk despite their intuition that tells them to flee.  Preservation of life is a primal drive they cannot ignore.

Does my heart yearn for Jesus as much as this wildebeest knows of his need for water?  The older I grow and the more rocky roads I've traveled, the greater is my understanding of my need for Him.  Without Him, I am nothing.

Grace.  Sometimes, I become aware of my heart beating within my chest and my lungs drawing in oxygen from the air around me.  I marvel at the way God put my body together, giving it the mechanisms needed to sustain these vital functions.  Even more astounding is the fact that each breath I take is not only an involuntary process but also a gift from my Creator.  Without His grace, I would not receive the next moment of life.

Unfortunately, I have spent most of my life taking it for granted.  I counted on the fact that I would wake up in the morning and that I would see tomorrow.  In reality, my life is completely in God's hands and I'm at His mercy.  In the hands of a cruel and heartless dictator-god, this would be a scary thought.  But under the control of a loving, generous and forgiving God, I can rest easy, knowing I am secure. (Psalm 91)

Oswald Chambers understood our reliance on God's grace for our very lives when he offered this gentle reminder.   "Don't forget to pray today because God did not forget to wake you up this morning."

I need Him for the very life I often take for granted.

Empowerment.  I am married to a military man with a can-do attitude.  Whatever needs to be done, he has the innate confidence that he can carry it out, accomplishing necessary tasks with gusto.  As a result, it's easy for me to watch him work and think I can do the same by adopting a similar viewpoint.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.

I am limited in my abilities, aptitudes and skills.  For example, if I resolve to respond patiently in my interactions with my family, I may truly desire to accomplish this goal and may have every intention to carry it out.  I can pepper my home with positive quotes and place reminders in plain view to help me remember my aspiration.  Unfortunately, I am not equipped to respond with patience;  my sin nature simply does not allow it.  I may do well for a time, but something will happen to set me off and every good intention flies out the window.  Then I feel like a failure and pick myself up and try again.

This is where my need for Jesus comes in.  I need His indwelling Spirit to empower me to do what goes against my sin nature.  Only by surrendering to Him and cooperating with His supernatural power working within me will I be able to respond in patience.  It's not really me, then, but Christ that lives within me producing fruit; a natural extension of letting Him have His way in that moment. (Galatians 2:20-21,  5:22-23)

I need Him in order to live the holy life I'm called to live. (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Righteousness.  We all have it.  Some realize it and seek to satisfy it's yearning.  Others ignore the pull, spending their whole lives attempting to cover it up.  God placed within us a desire to live in relationship with Him.

In today's culture I often hear the message that there are many ways to find spiritual fulfillment.  Many profess to a belief in prayer and of a higher power of some kind, innately knowing there has got to be more to life than just what they can see.  This being that they picture in their mind as god is all-accepting and welcoming of their attempts to reach him.  Unfortunately, the missing piece to the puzzle they are trying to fit together is sin.  Sin separates me from the One who made me and the Only One who can truly fill that empty hole in my heart.

Therefore, the only way to get to God is through Jesus and by accepting His redemptive, sacrificial work on the cross freely given on my behalf. (John 14:6)  Without Jesus, I am unable to enter into a relationship with such a holy God who loves me enough to have sent His own precious Son to fix my sin problem. (Romans 3:23) Without Jesus, then, my life is devoid of meaning and purpose as I attempt to live estranged from the One who holds the blueprint of my life in His hands.  (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

I need Him to repair the chasm that my sin created between God and me.

I need Jesus more and more each day, for many more reasons than can be notated here.  He supplies each breath I take, gives me the ability to live as I'm called to live, and makes me right with God.  I truly need Him every moment and for every purpose. Therefore, as I live out my faith this day, may I always keep my need for Him in mind.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can let go of my belief that I can do anything of eternal value in my own strength.

How do I rely too much on my willpower instead of on God's power?

When am I most at risk of forgetting my reliance on Him?      

He Holds Me Together

"On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I cling to you;

your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:6-8

It seemed as if there was no purpose, no reason for the suffering.  Everything looked like it was falling apart; my life suddenly appeared as if it were a series of tragic mistakes with every door that appeared before me slamming in my face.  What was I to do?  Where was I to go to find help?  Did anybody care?  Where was this God who had claimed to love me?

My family recently sold every stick of furniture in order to move across the country so we could help my dad in his time of need.  When we arrived at our destination, we felt like Abram, going to the land where God had called us without knowing our exact destination. (Genesis 12:1)  I expected God to make our paths straight, however, setting everything up to prepare us for a smooth transition.  

As is to be expected with a God whose ways are far superior to mine, He had something else in mind.  As we lived the lives of the homeless for nearly two weeks, I wondered if we were fools to give up everything; our home, our security, our friends, and recklessly set out on this venture without a plan, without having everything set in stone before we left.  We believed God had the plan and was faithful to provide, but my eyes were telling me a different story.  What kind of a plan was this?

Thankfully, God is God no matter what I go through.  Consequently, when it seems like everything is falling apart, He is still there holding me together. It just takes eyes of faith to be able to remember the truth when my difficult circumstances obscure it from my perception.

Plan.  God's plan is not diminished by my crummy situation or difficult state of affairs.  When I focus on the problems that overwhelm, my life seems like nothing more than a big cosmic joke.  As I flounder through each day, each blow solidifies my belief that life is simply a series of random acts with no purpose.

When I turn my attention back toward the Maker of heaven and earth, reminding myself of His great and good plan for my life, I remember He takes every heartache, every struggle and every tragedy and works it together for my good. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Romans 8:28) He take the ashes and turns them into beauty.  In His mighty and gracious hands the grief is transformed into joy.  Where I perceive nothing but ruins He brings about restoration.  (Isaiah 61:3-4)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, His plan is not diminished one bit by my lack of faith.

Love.  No matter how difficult my life becomes, His love still sustains me.  Trouble is, I tend to hold a low view of love, thinking His compassion for me will lead me through nothing but green pastures and beside quiet streams.  I focus more on my comfort, desiring to live a pampered life free from difficulty.  When the inevitable trials come, it gives me the idea that God doesn't love me anymore, that He doesn't care enough to shield me from heartache and pain.

The truth is that there is nothing that can separate me from His love: the potholes of life, the sorrow of death, the fear that grips my heart or the anxiety about what is to come.  None of these things or any other power on earth or below it can take me away from His great love for me.  (Romans 8:28-29)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, God's love for me is not lost by my lack of faith. (Psalm 100:5)

Hope.  The one thing I always have through Christ Jesus is hope.  If this life was all there was, it would truly be hard to carry on.  Thankfully, through faith in Christ, I have eternity with Him to look forward to. (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Therefore, when it seems like there is no rhyme or reason to my life, I can remember the place being prepared just for me where I will experience true fulfillment and belonging. (John 14:1-3)  When my life is marked with much suffering and pain, I can keep my eyes on the prize of heaven which will make the struggle worth it.  (Philippians 3:14)  When I am surrounded by trouble, I can keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who endured far worse for my sake.  (Hebrews 12:1-4)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, the hope I have in Christ Jesus is never gone even when my faith falters.

One thing I can count on in this life is trouble.  Despite the difficult seasons I must endure, God's plan is never diminished, His love is not lost, and the hope I have in Christ is never gone.  Even when I feel otherwise, the truth tells me a different story.  He always holds me together and this time is no different.  Will I trust Him with today's trouble?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will give God a chance to work through my circumstances.

When do I despair based on what I see instead of rejoicing in what I cannot see but is no less real?

How do I fail to walk by faith? 

Unmet Expectations

Now there was a famine in the land,

and Abram went down to Egypt to live there

for a while because the famine was severe.

Genesis 12:10

What am I to think when I answer God's call only to step into heartache and pain?  Or I take a leap of faith only to land in a wasteland?  Or I do what God is asking of me only to be rewarded with struggle?  I thought if I obeyed I'd be blessed!  I think to myself.  It was my understanding that God would make my paths straight and the going easy if I trusted Him completely.  I expected things to go smoothly if I only did what He said to do.

The problem here is not with God but with my expectations.  His ways are higher than my ways so it follows that God's plan would be way beyond anything I could comprehend.  Therefore, why would I think things would turn out the way I expect?  He has something much better in mind.

As a result, when I answer God's call but instead of triumph I experience what seems like defeat, I can take heart knowing that God's love for me is not diminished one iota and His good plan is still in effect.  I must look through eyes of faith and trust in the One who has my best interest at heart and who promised to never leave me and to always take care of my needs.  (Romans 8:28,Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 6:31-33)

Or when I take a risk and jump into the great unknown only to land on what seems like shaky ground, I can remember that God's plan transcends my understanding.  While I focus more on the here and now, His focus is eternal.  He takes me places I'd never go on my own steam so that I can learn things about Him, His kingdom and my faith that I'd never otherwise comprehend.  The life of a follower of Christ involves on-the-job training!

Or when I do what God asks me to do only to find my circumstances taking a turn for the worse, I can remember that God's blessings are mostly spiritual, not physical.    Through the struggle I will be rewarded with the blessings of experiencing the comfort that only comes from the Father of Compassion, or His tender love that gives me hope for what is to come, or His grace that makes each breath possible.  Sometimes, simply the awareness of how much I have been given is a much greater blessing than receiving all the riches in the world yet being ignorant of God's intimate touch.

Today, it is my intention to look at my current situation through eyes of faith, dropping my fleshly expectations of what I think should happen and simply let God be God, not limiting Him in any way by what I think He has planned for my life.  Instead, I want to see God's plan for what it is: perfect, good, and completely beyond my ability to comprehend.

God's Purpose in Trial

"And we know that in all things

God works for the good of those who love him,

who have been called according to his purpose.

For those God foreknew he also predestined

to be conformed to the image of his Son

that he might be the firstborn 

among many brothers and sisters."

Romans 8:28-29

Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life.  In retrospect, it wasn't because it seemed that God was working against me, shutting all the doors in my face.  I thought this day was crummy because things looked hopeless, like we would never find a place to live in this new land, but that wasn't the reason either.  Why did I struggle so much in my attitude toward our circumstances yesterday?  Because I lost track of the message in today's verse.

God is not about my comfort.  He is not here to make my life easy and to ensure that all the pieces fall into place smoothly and simply.  My Father is not about giving me the quick and easy solution so that I won't have to suffer.  Instead, God is all about building my character.  He is here to conform me into the image of His Son.  My Father is all about building my faith through suffering.

This means He will sometimes send me down a road that has all the markings of a dead end.  It also means He will occasionally take me to a path that the world has labeled as off-limits or as a foolish way to go.  Additionally, it can mean that He will sometimes drop me off in the wilderness and seemingly abandon me.

While these experiences bring much suffering, they are not without a purpose.  As I labor toward what seems to be a futile goal, looking around me and finding no way out, I suddenly discover a hidden treasure, a small gate covered by vines that no one else noticed.  (Matthew 7:13-14)

As I ask myself if I'm a fool to have left everything to follow God's calling, wondering if I will ever again have a place to call home, I remember that even the Son of Man did not have a place to lay His head.(Matthew 8:20)  God has a greater purpose for my life than what we all tend to run after; comfort, pleasure, the trappings of a successful life.  Instead, He intends that I build up treasures in heaven that will last forever.  Most of the time my focus is on what I see around me instead of the unseen jewels of His kingdom.  Therefore, my Father finds it necessary to sometimes take me down a reckless path to purge me of such worldly mindsets.

Even though the wilderness seems like a lonely place, it is also where my faith is tested, where I find out what I truly believe.  Words are cheap but when it seems everything I find to be valuable is taken away, I will learn whether what I profess to be truth is really what I hold in my heart.  Do I walk by faith, or am I easily knocked off the solid rock when things look hopeless?  I will only know for sure when God takes me to a desolate place.

Today it is my intention to keep my eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of my faith.(Hebrews 12:1-2)  Then, no matter what news I hear regarding the temporary home we are hoping to secure, my real hope will be on nothing less than my Solid Rock.