Beware Of "Taking Stock"

"So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, 'Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.'"  (1 Chronicles 21:2)

Apparently David had a lapse here.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," was replaced by, "I need to make sure I have enough assets to win my battles."  This was followed by a stern rebuke and judgment on Israel. 

According to our text, David seems to have had a "trust-lapse."  He had succumbed to the belief that his deliverance and Israel's survival was dependent on numbers; the bigger the army, the greater the possibility of victory.  Now if you read David's Psalms and and other writings about him, you see that David did trust in the Lord God---- most of the time.  We see in our text, however, a sort of forgetfulness.  There is just no, "most of the time," in our walk in Jesus Christ.  Jesus teaches us that it is all or nothing!  A moment of not trusting Jesus can bring disastrous results.

Our Lord Jesus Christ still asks you and me what He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?"  If we do, we will not go out and number our assets.  I encourage all of us to remember and live by what Jonathan said to his armor bearer, and, I might add, is a foundational Biblical Principle: "For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few."

Father, in Jesus' Name, convict me any time I attempt to number my assets.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

Feelings Do Not Equal Reality

"The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the Words of this law."  (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Jesus, "The Word of God," tells us here that there are, "....secret things ['concealed, hidden']," which, "belong to the Lord our God."  My thought today as I read this text was, "Leave them there."  What you and I need, what we need to know are, "those things which are revealed...."  The problems arise when you and I attempt to get into, "The secret, concealed, hidden things...."

As we were praying in a group this evening on zoom, the phrase, "peace which passes understanding," came up.  It occurred to me in that moment that, "passes understanding," probably means the same as, "The secret things...."  So many talk of feeling or sensing God's presence, or having such a feeling of peace.  "Sensing" or "feeling" is a luxury!  Paul told the Corinthians, "Know you not that Jesus Christ is in you?"-------- whether we feel/sense it or not.

"Presence" and "peace" and every other Grace in Jesus Christ is not a feeling; it is fact.  Whether you and I "sense" or "feel," has nothing to do with Jesus Christ "present" in His People, His Church, meetings or no meetings.  Feelings have nothing to do with faith.  Feelings come and go; you know that; I know that.  Feelings are okay, but if they were to be the indication of my walk in Jesus Christ, I for one would be lost.  I choose again today to accept what Jesus Christ tells us. "The secret things (e.g., concerning His Presence and His Peace) belong to," Him, and, "those things which are revealed belong to us."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I thank You that Your Power, Truth, Presence, Peace, "....belong to the Lord our God..," and You dwell in me.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2

“Out of the Mouths of Babes, Huh?

"Out of the mouths of babes and nursing infants have You ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You May silence the enemy and the avenger."  (Psalm 8:2)

What does this say about the "need for seasoned intercessors"?!?  The Church needs to revisit the Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ, "Unless you are turned and become as little children...."

Hey, weary one, who may not feel like you know "how to pray," take heart!

Father, in Jesus' Name, teach me this text.  Amen. 

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Some Thoughts From Psalm 4

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!  You  have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer."  (Psalm 4:1)

Please believe that I send these to you in the prayer that I can be of encouragement to you in your sojourn in Jesus Christ.  And I can tell you that if this verse encourages, blesses you half as much as it is me, then you are blessed.

"God of my righteousness."  This kind of, "God-Breathed," impartation has been occurring more and more to me in these days as I, "sojourn," through Sacred Writ.   Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder, "How could You have been putting up with me all these years, so many wrong choices, sin, failures, etc.?"  Well, the reality is that somehow in Jesus' Infinite Mercy and Grace, He has/does.

Verse four tells us, "Be angry," literally, "Tremble or Be agitated, and do not sin."  So I guess that if all which is transpiring in the earth which makes us, "angry, be agitated," it's okay, just don't let it become sin to us.  Jesus will show us what this means.

Verse 6:  "There are many who say, 'Who will show us any good?'"  Indeed, there are.  Answer?  "Lord [Jesus], lift up the light of Your countenance upon us."

Verse 8: "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."  Have a good remainder!

Father, in Jesus' Name, I receive.  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.'"

Hebrews 12:2