This Was Not A "Miracle" As Some Call Miracles

"The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them." (1 Samuel 17:3, NIV)

Apparently most believed that safety was either on, "one hill," or, "another."  The action, however, was in, "the valley between them."

David went into battle with what he had, and Goliath went into battle with what he had.  They both took what they were familiar with.  Saul, however, thought that what David had was not good enough.  Saul was in effect saying, "What you have is okay, but in today's world that won't work.  You are going into battle with the best, so you must have the best."  Sound familiar?

David was taking into the conflict with Goliath what thousand of Hebrews had, and, they were quite good with-------- stones and a sling.  We have done a disservice to children in making the incident of David and Goliath some sort of fairy tale.  Of course, the Lord God Who is David's Shepherd, "The Good Shepherd," Jesus, was "with" Him, strengthening him, "helping" him.  But there has always been, and I'm afraid there still is, a sense that David was not up to the task, and the stone and sling were of little import.  God sort of just punched Goliath in the mouth and ended it.  When are church people going to learn a very fundamental principle in the Bible?: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you....."  It's the principle that from the very beginning you and I were/are being "formed" by the master Creator into the person Jesus intends us to be, yes, my friend, even before we were "saved."  Personality traits, gifts, abilities, we can even say, likes and aptitudes, all go into the process of our "call" in life. 

There were thousands on the Israeli Defense Forces that day who could have slain Goliath as easily as did David.  The Bible tells us about Jews in the time of the Judges, "Among all these soldiers there were seven hundred select troops who were left-handed, each of whom could sling a stone at a hair and not miss."  Where were such that day on the valley floor?  They were cowering in fear.  They were living in unbelief, which is for too many, code for disobedience.  David was of those who say, "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."  Many who were just standing there in awe and fear of Goliath probably had David's abilities.  What they did not have was David's obedience.  Yes, our Lord had a purpose here greater than my thoughts today.  The purpose was ultimately to make David king of Israel. 

But my point is still relevant for you and me today.  Stop looking at the "greats," the "heroes" whom people in reality worship and before whom so many stand in awe.  Stop standing on that hillside as a spectator and get down there on that valley floor.  In Jesus, you too can, "sling a stone at a hair and not miss."  Get rid of Saul's armor and go out with what Jesus has given.

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive me for the times I have just stood on the mountain and watched what was going on in the valley.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

"My Error Remains My Concern Alone."

"If it is true that I have gone astray, my error remains my concern alone."  (Job 19:4, NIV)

This may not register with the "spiritual" among us, but there is a sobering truth here.

Interesting response here.  Could this be a sort of, "Get out of my face?"-- possibly.  But we know at the end of the Book of Job his three friends receive rebuke from the Lord God.  He then tells Job to pray for them.  Could the response of Job in our text be an indication of his perception of the "spirit" in which his friends were "advising" him?  This does not, however, alter the reality of input from the Brethren.  But we just always need to be very careful of our motives and realize that so much of the time our perspective on any given situation is, at best, limited.

Job is not denying that he may, "have gone astray."  But there is truth in the statement, "my error remains my concern alone."  I get an indication from the Interlinear that there is an idea concerning whatever in our lives, "ha[s] gone astray," lodges with us, stays with us, at least until we have done something about it.  We can receive input; we can see where we, "have gone astray."  But the, "error remains," until we do something about it, obey the revelation of Jesus on it.

Jesus' Blood is the forgiveness and cleansing for all sin.  But going astray is not necessarily sin.  We can see this from Paul in his missionary journeys when he "missed" guidance.  But, again, it is ours to change course.  The Bible is full of examples of this.  Perhaps when you read, you may want to look for such.  They can be great encouragement to all of us who, "have gone astray," and that, my friend means all of us.  Do not ever say, "Well, God makes no mistakes," when referring to yourself.  He doesn't but we have, and do.  "....The error remains mine alone."

Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to walk in the truth of, "the error remains mine alone."  Amen. 
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Shelly's surgery went well, now recovering.  Thanks for any prayers, and we will appreciate any more.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

It Just Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, You are God."  (Psalm 90:2, ESV)

I'm reading through the Psalms this month in the ESV.   "....from everlasting to everlasting You are God."  There is literally nothing which can "top" this, no sermon, no "encouraging thought," nothing.

It can also read, "from evermore to evermore, forever and ever, continual."  Whatever the wording, the Holy Spirit is telling us that the One Whom we worship is "from eternity to eternity," which, by the way, is not proper wording.  There is no "from" or "to" in eternity; there just Is, as in, "I am that I am."

You and I are "covered" today as no one can be apart from Jesus Christ, "For a thousand years in Your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night."  The years from 1015 AD to 2015 AD "took place" in 800 AD and tomorrow AD, or 2050 AD.  Don't even try.

The Psalm tells us, that our years are, "but toil and trouble; they soon gone, and we fly away."  But the, "fly away," in Jesus is not a "negative," but rather as the old song says, "I'll fly away, O Glory, I'll fly away."  We will, and the "flying" will be in Jesus "to" Our Father, "to" the Heavenly mansions.  Chin up, you who are full of, "toil and trouble."  It won't be long now.

Father, in Jesus' Name, by Your grace help me to walk in what the humanist call foolishness and wishful thinking, which is in reality power and truth.  Amen.
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We will be leaving for Grand Rapids tomorrow.  Thank you all who are and have been praying for us.  By the way, some may not know, but Sarah's Mom lives next door to us.  Her sister lives in North Fort Myers, Florida

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2