The stronghold of yesterday, the dissatisfaction of today and the idolatry of tomorrow. Three mindsets that the enemy uses to keep us bound. The Israelites have always been a fascinating sociology study for me because they truly are a picture of exactly how mankind thinks and acts. The Israelites were bound by memories of yesterday, a total dissatisfaction in today and an idolatrous hope for tomorrow. I’m quick to look at them and judge harshly. “What’s wrong with these people? God has just delivered them from slavery, made them extremely wealthy in the process and is guiding them through the wilderness to a land He has promised them and yet they are still questioning His goodness! Hello??” Then, that plank in my eye starts to make it very hard to look at them any longer and I have to focus on myself. I am startled - this is me!
The stronghold of yesterday.
At one point in the wilderness when the Lord had already told the Israelites where they were going, provided manna for them and been their pillar of guidance they decided that they didn’t have it so bad in Egypt. At first glance it would seem as we read that the concept of slavery being better than freedom is absurd! However, it doesn’t take much for us to forget the negative details of a situation. Take for instance, childbirth. The pain is pretty intense and most women would say that it rivals any other pain they have ever experienced. Ask that same women two or three years later and it might not have been so bad. Twenty years later, no big deal. Why? Because they survived and because the beauty of time is that it makes our memories less and less clear. I’m truly convinced this is why women have more than one child to begin with although there are women who just love childbirth...you have my respect!
Isn’t this just a picture of us? We look at yesterday and long for things to be the way they used to be? It doesn’t take much for us to reminisce of days gone by, happier times of “remember when”. Then, before we know it, we are trying to recreate yesterday, today. We are held captive by yesterday, even when yesterday we were in slavery. But God has said in Isaiah 43:18-19,"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a NEW thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” God is all about doing something new in our lives. Not just new but different for the purpose of His glory. God is never satisfied with standing still. Sanctification is a progression of being set apart. Our spiritual growth is just that: growth, a walk, a race, endurance. We have to let go of the yesterday and move on to what God calls us to today.
Dissatisfaction in today.
This is the hinge that causes us to swing back into yesterday or forward into tomorrow. Today. Sometimes, like if we are on vacation, we are content in today. Sometimes, like when we are sick, we are not content in today. When things FEEL right for us, we are in. But when things don’t FEEL right for us, then we are ready to move on. We are addicted to good feelings. I’m guilty. I don’t run yippy-skippy into a hard day. There are days when I look forward to the sun going down just so I can get in the bed and start over tomorrow. The problem is I waste a lot of todays searching for perfection and being overwhelmed with tasks. Then, I get distracted.
Can anyone relate? Distracted with all I have to do, distracted with what I don’t have time to do, what I didn’t get done yesterday and what has to be done tomorrow. Distracted with problems that might happen or have already happened, distracted with technology, distracted with other people, just distracted! Distraction causes us to lose focus and when we lose focus we lose effectiveness. Do you see it? Do you see how Satan uses feelings and distractions to keep us tied up for today? Instead, God means for us to be busy about what He has given us to do, today. Think of all of the people in scripture whose lives were impacted because they were busy about the task at hand. Abraham. Moses. David. The shepherds. These men saw the glory of God not because they were looking back into yesterday or daydreaming about tomorrow. They were focused on today. So many times in scripture there is a call for us to do what we are going to do, now! Jesus said, “Repent [today]! For the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matt. 3:2). It says in Hebrews 3:7-8, “Today, if you hear my voice do not harden your hearts.” Today, today, today. Whatever the Lord has urged you to do in His word, don’t wait, do it today!
The idolatry of tomorrow.
This is such a big one for me. I’m a typical girl, I like to dream about things. I like to make plans and have goals. I don’t work well unless I am working toward something. The problem is I am usually working toward something that is of earthly value instead of eternal value. The weekend, vacations, the holidays, special events, shopping etc; I find this to be true for many women that I know. We have set our focus on one thing and we are fixated on this coming to fruition in our lives. For some it might be a relationship, for others it might be marriage or children, healing or a job. It has been all of these for me at one point or another in my life. I develop the mindset of “the sun will come out tomorrow!” When I get this job, when I finally get married, when I am over this illness THEN I can get on with what the Lord has for me. Do you know what that is? Idolatry. Satan loves to take these “good” things and replace God with them in our lives. We are placing our hope in the thing and not the Lord. We are waiting on the thing and not the Lord. We are looking for something to fill us that was never meant to and now we are beginning to worship that one thing as the answer to all of our problems. I love how Isaiah 44:20 says it, “She feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has led her astray; she cannot save herself or say ‘is not this thing in my right hand a lie?’”
Do you see that? We are eating ashes and holding onto a lie when we idolize tomorrow. God means for us to feast on the banquet of Jesus today and hold fast to His word today! There is always going to be something lacking in our lives. If there was not a lack then we would not need the Lord. You see, if God gives us health, wealth, many well-behaved children, and a wonderful marriage but doesn’t give us Himself then He isn’t good! The question is would we be satisfied with all of those things without Him? So, my encouragement for you is this: give yesterday to the Lord, He is there. Give tomorrow to the Lord, He is there too. Then, focus on the word of the Lord and consecrate yourselves for today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
The Breath of the Lion
“Count it all joy my [sisters] when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). Kraig and I have been in a season of trial for the last few months. The trials have been varied and Satan has pulled out all the stops to try and discourage us. After a while you just get weary from all of the attacks. In these times it is easy to allow defeat to lead to despair. Our only hope in tribulation is to go to the truth of God’s word and allow our minds to be bathed in a biblical perspective of trials.
First, our God is so good that He is diligent to tell us time and again that we will have trials and tribulations as His children in this world (John 15:18-19; John 16:33; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-14). God has not left us to wonder when we endured hardships and He even goes a step further to encourage us through His word to persevere in faithfulness during these times. He is quick to let us know we are in a fight but He doesn’t leave us there...
Secondly, God gives us armor to protect ourselves and a weapon for defense. Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us on how to gird our bodies from head to toe! There isn’t a part of us left uncovered; scripture even describes this as the FULL or WHOLE armor of God. The great and mighty Warrior that we serve doesn’t give us partial armor. He doesn’t send us into battle haphazardly. He makes sure that we are protected from the deliberately styled hairs on our head (thank goodness for that) to the pink polish on our toenails! Then, He places a weapon in our hand so that we can do some damage! The sword of God’s word is a dagger by which we can inflict wounds against the schemes of the devil!
Thirdly, God has given us knowledge of our enemy. In times of battle there are soldiers whose specific task is to find out all they can about the enemy. Why? Because the more they know the better chance they have at protecting themselves against surprise attacks and the better chance they have at defeating that enemy. On the heels of the death of Osama Bin Laden we are bombarded with detailed information about how our military worked tirelessly to know him, know the people he surrounded himself with and eventually to know his whereabouts.
Girls, know your enemy but know him through the truth of God’s word! Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be WATCHFUL! Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” Then, the Lord instructs us how to handle these attacks in the very next verse, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your [sisterhood] throughout the world.” Do you see that? You are not alone! One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is making us believe that we are isolated in our trials. When he tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus was isolated. Satan loves nothing more than to draw us out from a fellowship of other believers where we can receive encouragement and support, to a place of lonely isolation.
Fourthly, God has provided a rich support system for us in trials through the body of Christ. There are few times when it is more important for us to look for strength from the family of God (aka church!) then in times of trial. Jesus is the head of the church and more than half of the New Testament was written to churches or about them for a reason! God’s will for us is to join with a local body of believers that we may find comfort, encouragement, refuge and a place to sharpen our swords. Soldiers always have times of rest in between shifts where they can be renewed before the next patrol. We are no different. We need time to refuel, refocus and refresh. One hour a week on Sunday is not going to be enough for you or me to make it through an entire week of combat! We need to be in the word daily and involved in church (ie; Sunday School, small group, bible study, Sunday night, Wednesday night etc;) as often as we possibly can!
Lastly, He provides us with a Commander, a war hero, if you will. This One who leads us has already gone before us in battle. He has already been “tempted in all things as we are” but He has come out victorious, “yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). I don’t know about you but if I’m headed into war then I want the most trained, successful guy out there leading me! I want him decorated from head to toe to the point where he has the license plate to show for it! Jesus, our Warrior King, has not only fought the battle but He has already won it! All we have to do is stand and watch the enemy fall! At the end of the ages, when He comes in all His resplendent glory we will only be spectators as He defeats the real “public enemy #1” once and for all! Watch as the final battle scene unfolds:
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.” Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-3
Wow! We win! What security to know the outcome before we even begin! As the last few days have unfolded for Kraig and I, there have been some low points when we have struggled to remain steadfast and joyful. There were even times when we felt like the ridiculous would border on sublime as the next wave came our way. In a still quiet moment the Holy Spirit brought the prophet Daniel to mind. Daniel was busy about serving the Lord and doing his thing. He wasn’t looking for trouble but he was most certainly doing all to the glory of the Lord which means he got Satan’s attention! Because of His faithfulness and unswerving commitment to the one true God, he faced real lions. Imagine it. Hemmed in, constrained in a dark, isolated den of hungry lions, seeking whom they may devour. The low deep rumbles, the hot breath from their nostrils...It says in Daniel 6:23 that “Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him.” What a display of the glory of our God! And Daniel’s life was full of these experiences! Great faith faces great trial which results in great glory. I’ll say that again, great faith faces great trial which results in great glory! Girls, when we are on the front lines and busy about the Lord’s work we may feel the hot breath of the lion on our faces but praise God, we will emerge from the den unharmed as we see the glory of God revealed up close and personal! Now that’s a front row seat you won’t ever forget!
First, our God is so good that He is diligent to tell us time and again that we will have trials and tribulations as His children in this world (John 15:18-19; John 16:33; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-14). God has not left us to wonder when we endured hardships and He even goes a step further to encourage us through His word to persevere in faithfulness during these times. He is quick to let us know we are in a fight but He doesn’t leave us there...
Secondly, God gives us armor to protect ourselves and a weapon for defense. Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us on how to gird our bodies from head to toe! There isn’t a part of us left uncovered; scripture even describes this as the FULL or WHOLE armor of God. The great and mighty Warrior that we serve doesn’t give us partial armor. He doesn’t send us into battle haphazardly. He makes sure that we are protected from the deliberately styled hairs on our head (thank goodness for that) to the pink polish on our toenails! Then, He places a weapon in our hand so that we can do some damage! The sword of God’s word is a dagger by which we can inflict wounds against the schemes of the devil!
Thirdly, God has given us knowledge of our enemy. In times of battle there are soldiers whose specific task is to find out all they can about the enemy. Why? Because the more they know the better chance they have at protecting themselves against surprise attacks and the better chance they have at defeating that enemy. On the heels of the death of Osama Bin Laden we are bombarded with detailed information about how our military worked tirelessly to know him, know the people he surrounded himself with and eventually to know his whereabouts.
Girls, know your enemy but know him through the truth of God’s word! Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be WATCHFUL! Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” Then, the Lord instructs us how to handle these attacks in the very next verse, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your [sisterhood] throughout the world.” Do you see that? You are not alone! One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is making us believe that we are isolated in our trials. When he tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus was isolated. Satan loves nothing more than to draw us out from a fellowship of other believers where we can receive encouragement and support, to a place of lonely isolation.
Fourthly, God has provided a rich support system for us in trials through the body of Christ. There are few times when it is more important for us to look for strength from the family of God (aka church!) then in times of trial. Jesus is the head of the church and more than half of the New Testament was written to churches or about them for a reason! God’s will for us is to join with a local body of believers that we may find comfort, encouragement, refuge and a place to sharpen our swords. Soldiers always have times of rest in between shifts where they can be renewed before the next patrol. We are no different. We need time to refuel, refocus and refresh. One hour a week on Sunday is not going to be enough for you or me to make it through an entire week of combat! We need to be in the word daily and involved in church (ie; Sunday School, small group, bible study, Sunday night, Wednesday night etc;) as often as we possibly can!
Lastly, He provides us with a Commander, a war hero, if you will. This One who leads us has already gone before us in battle. He has already been “tempted in all things as we are” but He has come out victorious, “yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). I don’t know about you but if I’m headed into war then I want the most trained, successful guy out there leading me! I want him decorated from head to toe to the point where he has the license plate to show for it! Jesus, our Warrior King, has not only fought the battle but He has already won it! All we have to do is stand and watch the enemy fall! At the end of the ages, when He comes in all His resplendent glory we will only be spectators as He defeats the real “public enemy #1” once and for all! Watch as the final battle scene unfolds:
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.” Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-3
Wow! We win! What security to know the outcome before we even begin! As the last few days have unfolded for Kraig and I, there have been some low points when we have struggled to remain steadfast and joyful. There were even times when we felt like the ridiculous would border on sublime as the next wave came our way. In a still quiet moment the Holy Spirit brought the prophet Daniel to mind. Daniel was busy about serving the Lord and doing his thing. He wasn’t looking for trouble but he was most certainly doing all to the glory of the Lord which means he got Satan’s attention! Because of His faithfulness and unswerving commitment to the one true God, he faced real lions. Imagine it. Hemmed in, constrained in a dark, isolated den of hungry lions, seeking whom they may devour. The low deep rumbles, the hot breath from their nostrils...It says in Daniel 6:23 that “Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him.” What a display of the glory of our God! And Daniel’s life was full of these experiences! Great faith faces great trial which results in great glory. I’ll say that again, great faith faces great trial which results in great glory! Girls, when we are on the front lines and busy about the Lord’s work we may feel the hot breath of the lion on our faces but praise God, we will emerge from the den unharmed as we see the glory of God revealed up close and personal! Now that’s a front row seat you won’t ever forget!
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