What an Example!

Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:3 (NKJV)

There are so many things that stand out to me about this little slave girl. She was taken captive from Israel by Syrian soldiers and brought to Naaman’s home to be a personal servant to his wife. Given just that much information one would imagine an embittered person. How easy it would be to rejoice at the thought of her master having leprosy and chalk it up to God’s judgment. But that was the farthest thing from the truth with her.

Although her own life had taken a blow with loss of freedom and family, she was aware of the needs of another person and sympathetic about those needs. She actually WANTED Naaman healed! Her “if only” statement expressed a longing and desire to see God intervene on this person’s behalf. Her compassion for Naaman was matched by her unwavering faith in the God of miracles. Having lived her formative years in Israel, she was aware of the miracles God had performed through Elisha. I am sure they were the bedtime stories many Israelite children heard. Her childlike faith was as huge as her presentation of hope.

The story of this little girl has challenged me this morning. I want to be like her and see the answer to any need as being found in Christ. Can you imagine the impact it would have on a person if we witnessed to them with “if only” statements full of compassion and faith? Faces of individuals are coming to mind who live each day without the Lord. Am I as desirous as she to introduce them to the One who can forgive them, change them, and set them free? Will I dare to take their hand, look them in the eye, and speak such words as, “If only you knew Jesus. He would completely change your life!” This will not happen if I see witnessing as simply introducing someone to my religion. But oh how it changes if I decide to introduce them the Person of Christ. Not a doctrine, not a denomination, not set of standards, but a Person! How convinced am I that He really is the only way, truth, and life for them? My speaking up or remaining silent answers that question.

Father, today’s topic makes me squirm because I have remained silent far too often. My hesitancy to say, “If only you knew Jesus,” to a person in need of Him reveals so much to me. Change me! Amen.

Incomparable Promises

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NKJV)

I was recently struck by the last phrase in the song “Shout to the Lord.” It states, “Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.” As the song came to a close my mind remained focused on that thought. I wanted the words to be more than sentimental thoughts to me and God was gracious to begin helping me see the truth of such a claim. He brought to my mind promises of His that really are comparable to nothing! My mind became filled with a question and answer time.

He has promised to never leave me or forsake me. What can compare to that?! He has promised me eternal life in Heaven. What can compare to that?! He has promised to make all things work together for good. What can compare to that?! He has promised to supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. What can compare to that?! He has promised to seal and fill me with His Spirit. What can compare to that?! He has promised to keep His eye and His hand on me. What can compare to that?! He has promised to guide my steps and direct my path. What can compare to that?! He has promised to finish the work He started in me. What can compare to that?! He has promised to forgive my sin and hide it behind His back. What can compare to that?! He has promised to be my Shepherd, Healer, Redeemer, and Savior. What can compare to that?! He has promised to see me through every difficulty and storm. What can compare to that?! He has promised to make all things new. What can compare to that?! He keeps all His promises. What can compare to that?!

This is not a complete list by any stretch of the imagination but it refreshes my spirit and causes me to walk with joy and confidence. No wonder the song writer so emphatically said, “Shout to the Lord, all the earth let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name. I sing for joy at the work of Your hands. Forever I’ll love You, Forever I’ll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in You!”

Father, this song has moved me in a profound way but Your promises have caused me to literally tremble with awe and worship. May I never get over the wonder of You or Your promises. I shout to You, praise You, love You, and believe You! Amen.

Digesting the Truth

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the LORD upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:23,24 (NKJV)

Some Bible truths are easier for me to grasp than others. The first time I read them or hear them I have no trouble digesting the truth. Today’s passage was one that had to come in stages for me. God’s providential involvement in the fine details of my life came as I saw examples in Scripture lived out. Joseph easily comes to mind. When I come to the end of his story I can see how God was graciously directing his life step by step. Did it always make sense? No. Did it ever involve pain and disappointment? Yes. But God was faithfully bringing His plan to pass. I rest assured He is doing the same in my life.

One of the truths that first amazed me early on in my journey, was God actually delights in me and my ways. At first it was a concept that was entirely foreign to me. I had become so accepting of the lie that He tolerates me more than loves me, that I wasn’t sure how to handle His delight. It seemed almost too good to be true. But with time and seeing that phrase throughout Scripture, the truth began to take root and I learned to delight in His delight!

Many times our own misconceptions and preconceived ideas can wreak havoc along the way. There was a time when I thought the victorious Christian life would mean I had reached a point whereby I would never be bothered, offended, hurt, or disappointed by life again. I would live totally satisfied all the time. I would never feel sad again. And I certainly would not yield to temptation. With those things aside, I would live on a continual spiritual high. That kind of thinking only set me up for huge crashes. What I had to learn was I would fall at times, struggle at times, and hurt at times, but I would never stay down or be discarded by my heavenly Father. The thought that even in the midst of testings, trials, and turmoil His hand has a firm grip on me and He is sustaining me, is comforting beyond words.

So what do these truths do for me? They help me to see that with God I am not invisible, unloved, or abandoned. I matter to Him and am cared for by Him. Those are the truths that He is using to change me!

Father, thank you that You are consistent even when I am not. With flaws and all I am Yours. I marvel at such love. Amen.

Believing What You Are Told

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Judges 6:12 (NKJV)

Often times we struggle to believe what God says about us because of the things we see, feel, hear, and experience. Gideon could not begin to digest the truth of what was being told to him (i.e., being a mighty man of valor) because everything in his life seemed to being saying just the opposite. Troubles had befallen his nation, God’s miracles were no longer apparent, he felt forsaken, his people were at the mercy of the Midianites, his family was poor and he was the least important within that family, and he could see nothing in himself that God could use that would allow him to be the leader God was calling him to be. In his opinion, he did not LOOK like a mighty man of valor, FEEL like a mighty man of valor, or BELIEVE he was a mighty man of valor. In essence, he was telling God, “You are wrong about me. You are mistaken. Your words cannot be true.”

While I may not come right out and say such a thing to God, He knows when the thoughts are there. God knows the list of arguments I have formulated in my mind that hinder me from reveling in the truth. He knows how I have excluded myself from being the intended recipient of His words to me. He knows the reason for the thoughts, the root of the thoughts, the wounds that feed the thoughts, and the firm grip the thoughts have on me. Yet, all of His knowledge does not stop Him from continuing to “woo me out of the jaws of distress into a spacious place without restriction!” He knows my only defense against such mindsets is to proclaim the truth and allow it to formulate my thought life.

The first chapter of Ephesians is a good place to start. It tells me I am blessed, chosen, called, blameless, adopted, loved, redeemed, forgiven, sealed, and empowered. His Word assures me that He has a plan and purpose for my life and that He will finish what He has started in me. My identity, security, and future all rest in Him. As I take in these truths, believe them, and live according to them, I will see the list of my own making begin to lose its credibility with me. Truth always dispels lies like light always dispels darkness!

Father, these are not just nice thoughts that are intended to comfort me on an off day. They are meant to revolutionize my life! I want to take Your Word over my own feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Amen.

Making the Exchange

To comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion ~ to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:2,3 (NIV)

I love the exchanges God is longing to make with us. He is offering us amazing things but so often I find myself unwilling to make the switch. I want the comfort, beauty, gladness, and praise but find myself hesitant to give up the mourning, ashes, and despair. As uncomfortable as they are, as miserable as they make me feel, and as draining as they can be, I still manage to hold on to them for the “treasures” they have become to me. I have learned to embrace them because they are so familiar to me.

So what does my loving heavenly Father do? He waits. He allows me to hold on to my thoughts, feelings, and emotions until the pain becomes so great that I RUN to Him for the exchange. He knows that I will not relinquish that which has me in bondage until I have squeezed out the last bit of distorted pleasure I can find in it. He gently woos me to Himself but knows that my heart will not seek Him with abandon until the discomfort of my mindset and choices becomes unbearable. How gracious He is! How resistant I can be.

This morning I made some long over due exchanges. What I gave to Him was so pathetic compared to what He gave to me. But He tenderly accepted my feelings of anger, hurt, rejection, loneliness, confusion, frustration, unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment. As I placed every worthless feeling that had been consuming me into His receptive hands, He gave me the gifts of peace, satisfaction, and joy I was wanting all along. Oh, I have asked for those things many times but God will never put His gifts into hands that are filled with other things. My heart can only hold on to one thing at a time. Until I give to Him what I am grasping and clinging to, He has no choice but to keep His gift to Himself. It is kept safe and available for when I am ready to make the exchange.

I stand in awe of His work. I stand amazed at how easily I block Him. I praise Him that He never gives up on me. As Kathy Troccoli so eloquently sings, “It’s His stubborn love that never lets go of me!”

Father, You have waited for this moment and Your generosity fills my heart with gratitude and my eyes with tears. Thank you! Amen.

He Still Amazes Listeners

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. Luke 2:47 (KJV)

God is still able to astound a listener with His understanding and answers. Time and time again I have gone to Him seeking His understanding and answers. As I wade through the issues of my own life, who better to turn to than the One who created me and knows me better than anyone else? He knows my history completely. As David said, “He is acquainted with all my ways.” He has a perfect view and vantage point of my entire life….from beginning to end. He is aware of every breath I take, every thought I think, every word I speak, and every action I take. He understands what makes me tick, what brings me pleasure, what hinders my progress, what weighs heavy on my heart, and what lies buried in the caverns of my soul. He knows my longings, desires, ambitions, and dreams. The intimate details of my life are not only known by Him but are safe with Him. His understanding, insight, and knowledge of me is truly astounding.

And just as astounding are His answers to my questions…whether verbalized or unspoken. The very things that boggle my mind are cleared up as I take in His answers. My questions to Him are never seen as insignificant, childish, or unnecessary. They are welcomed and in time answered. Sometimes they are answered even before I have found a way to ask them. Nothing compares to receiving instructions and explanations from Him.

This morning I found myself once again wanting to be under someone’s spiritual care. I have known the preciousness of someone taking my hand and walking me through the rugged terrain of my soul. They shared insight and wisdom that I thrived under. Question and answer times with them felt safe. I was all too happy to remain in a “spoon-feeding” relationship. But God is letting me know while that may feel good it is not the best way to walk with Him. He wants me to be under His spiritual care. To bring my questions and concerns to Him. To look to Him to nurture, teach, direct, and sustain me. Who better to fill that role than the creator of the universe and designer of my life?

Father, may I listen to all that You have to say to me today through Scripture, songs, books, friends, or quiet thoughts. Speak into my open ears and receptive heart. Amen.

Memorabilia of the Mind

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14 (NKJV)

I am a mental pack rat. I have stored a lot of precious memorabilia in my mind and I visit the “trunks” often. It is okay and enjoyable to visit the memories for brief moments and savor the events that brought joy and delight to me. Faces of loved ones come to mind and I smile. Conversations are replayed over and over again that brought such strength to my spirit. The warmth of faces, the power of embraces that hugged me at the core of myself, the laughter that energized me, and the exhilaration of knowing someone had put out a welcome mat for me to their own heart. It doesn’t take long to realize that relationships mean the world to me. I thrive under the ones that were established years ago and have not diminished even with the separation of many miles and years. I rejoice in new found ones that I know are God-given.

But this morning, God is showing me the boundaries that need to be established for visiting my places of past delights. While it is acceptable and good to review these parts of my life, there is a danger when my visits lead to discontentment and longings for things to be as they were. When I become unwilling to close the trunk lid and move forward into what God has for me today, then I am actually stunting my own spiritual growth. I can often remind myself of the Baldwin sisters from the television show THE WALTONS. They were never able to leave the past. Their days were built on keeping the memory of their father and former boyfriend alive. Everything in their life was tainted and limited by the need for them to stay in the past. It was tragic for them and it is tragic for us today.

God is wooing me into the present. He is instructing me to visit the past sparingly for the precious times they were, but don’t cross over into the feelings of aching and mental anguish over the fact that they are no longer present realities. Capture the gifts they were meant to be but don’t allow the attachment to stay so strong that I miss His present goodness and gifts. In all reality I must let go in order to reach forward.

Father, help me to experience the reality of what You have shared with me this morning. Help me to look forward more than I look back. Amen.