Won't You Ever Learn?

The Israelites did evil in the Lord’s sight. They forgot about the Lord their God, and they served the images of Baal and the Asherah poles. But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them.  So there was peace in the land for forty years. Judges 3:7, 9, 11

I decided back in May to start listening to my Bible. Listening instead of reading gives a different perspective. I use the YouVersion app and picked a bible plan that parses it up into a daily structure that is easy to follow. Some days I listen to it a lot, some days not so much depending on the level of chaos each day. I highly recommend this. It's amazing to be in God's Word. 

Anyway, I am in Judges right now.  WOW!  That is a gory book. I am only up to Chapter 5 and I've had a couple of moments where I wince, groan and say ewwww. It was a very violent time for Israel. But here's is a pattern I've noticed so far. 

1. Israel does evil in the Lord's sight forgetting him and worshipping idols.
2. They are captured and forced into what amounts to slavery by another nation. After they do this for a few years they cry out to the Lord to save them.
3. The Lord rescues them and they live in peace.....until the cycle starts all over again.

I could spend some time talking about how amazed I am that they are so clueless but since I know I am sometimes clueless, I'd like to focus on the other aha moment I had.

God, even though they turned from him to fulfill their selfish desires, keeps showing up. You'd think after a couple hundred or so years of this childish, selfish behavior he would just walk away. Isn't that what we'd do?  

If we were in a relationship with someone and they kept doing stuff to hurt us and themselves and then they got themselves into a real pickle and asked us to bail them out, how many times would we bail them out? How many times before we said "That's it. You are not learning from this. I'm done."?

I'm thinking we wouldn't tolerate it for too long. But, not God. He keeps responding to their call, he keeps showing up and helping them time and time again. And this is why I worship him. Because he also does that for me.

When I Am Afraid.....

Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true. Joshua 21:45 (NLT)

I woke up in the middle of the night terrified. Terrified that my business was going to fall flat, that I wasn't making good decisions, that the payment that was due that would help make payroll wouldn't come in, pick a reason. Sometimes, I wake up terrified for a family member. Or I imagine all sorts of really scary things. Does this happen to you? I find that my imagination in the middle of the night is extremely active. The problem is all the things I imagine are usually frightening.

Last night though, I decided to approach it differently. Normally, if I wake up like this I start praying about the situation and give it to God.  That takes a minute depending on what it is. When I wake up afraid for my kid's safety...well that takes a long minute.  

But last night was different. I started praying and thanking God for his faithfulness. I reminded myself of his character and what the Bible says about his goodness. I thanked him for never leaving me or forsaking me (Deuteronomy 31:8). I thanked him for his faithfulness (Psalm 33:4). I thanked him for his protection (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

It wasn't long before I fell asleep knowing that God was in this with me and would not abandon me. No matter what actually happens in my life, I have that to hold on to.

God is trustworthy (Psalm 9:10). As it says in Joshua 21:45, not one of his good promises will fail to come to fruition. He keeps his word. You can depend on it!

A Minute In It - Get Your Feet Wet

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and answer the questions at the bottom of the post!

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
“Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:22-31 (NLT)

As you examine your life, is it possible Jesus is asking you to "get out of the boat"?
Is he asking you to do something that is a little scary?
Is it possible that the reason you are "stuck in the boat" is because you don't trust that he is going to be in it with you?
What would happen if you took that first step?

For When I Am Afraid

Be strong and courageous.....Joshua 1:6, 1:7, 1:9, 1:18

As I was listening through the book of Joshua, I noticed that he is told many times to Be strong and courageous.

Courageous is defined as "not being deferred by danger or pain. Doesn't you won't face danger or pain but you shouldn't be deterred by it.

Let's face it. Joshua was about to face both danger and pain.  The Israelites entire agenda was fraught with danger. And pain? There was pain because not only was he leading a group of people who were sometimes super difficult but potential pain because a lot can happen in the middle of a war.

Sometimes we look at the people in the Bible and we think they had it all together. We believe that we can't do great things for God because we aren't that good. Do you think Joshua was told multiple times to be strong and courageous for a reason? Do you think God knew he was going to face tremendous fear and worry? 

Maybe he was saying to him "Sometimes it is going to get downright scary and you are going to be afraid. Be strong. Trust me and then dig deep into your courage and move forward." He says the same thing to us.

We are not heading into literal battles. The battle is often in our minds. We look at a situation and imagine the very worst that could happen. The fear sets in and we are stuck. It's at these times that God says "Be strong and courageous. You are not fighting this alone. I am with you. Always."

A Minute In It - Do You Miss What You Gave?

A minute in Gods' word will change your life.  Read through the Bible text and answer the questions at the bottom of the post!

Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford—she gave her all.” Mark 12:41-44 (MSG)

If Jesus were watching you throughout your day, would he say you gave your all?
Do you give extravagantly to him with your money?
Your time?
Your care of others?
Your devotion to him?
Or, are you like the truly blessed folks in the story who give but don't even miss what they contribute?
Are you all in?

Footprints All Around

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber; Psalm 121:1-3 (NIV)

When I was on vacation, I went for a walk on the beach with my grandson. As he ran ahead of me, I noticed his little, tiny footprints in the sand. There was a long line of them that zig zagged across the beach. 

When looking at them in the sand, for a moment you'd think he was all alone. Just a bunch of tiny footsteps looking vulnerable and open. But as you widened your gaze to take in the entire area around the little footsteps, you saw the adult footsteps following close behind and to his side. He was never for one moment unattended.

Neither are we. The God of heaven is forever near. No matter where we go or what we do, he is close by. Sometimes we feel like we are traversing the terrain solo. We feel that way because we are only looking down at the path before us. We just need to broaden our view to see it. We are never alone.

Battle Plans

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?” “Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” Joshua 5:13-14 (NLT)

Joshua was near Jericho. Perhaps he was scouting out the terrain before the big battle that was before him and the Israelites. Maybe he was looking at the huge wall that surrounded the city. It seemed impenetrable. Could he be wondering how they were going to win this battle? Was his mind racing trying to figure out how to do the impossible?

Suddenly he looked up and saw a warrior standing in front of him ready for battle. "Are you for us or against us?" he asked. And I love what the Warrior says next.  "Neither."

How often do we face our day, our tasks or our problems and stand there staring at them trying to figure out how we are going to fix it. Just like Joshua, we are looking at the wrong thing. When Joshua finally refocuses, he sees Jesus standing there. And when he tries to pull Jesus into his focus by asking "Are you for us or against us?", Jesus says "Neither. I am with God."

Jesus basically says to Joshua, "This isn't your battle to fight. It's not for you to carry alone. All you need to get through this is standing in front of you. Refocus. Remember who is in charge." And immediately, Joshua is reminded of why he is doing what he's doing and where his focus should be. He drops to his feet and worships.

I don't know about you but I pull a Joshua on a pretty regular basis. I get up in the morning, have my time with God and align my thinking. Then, as I go through my day, I start focusing on what isn't working and how I'm stuck. I get frustrated and complain.  I forget that this is God's battle and that he has a battle plan. 

Maybe when we find our gaze drifting to something other than the Commander of the Lord's army, we should pause and ask "God, what is your battle plan?" 

Perspective

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

Be strong and courageous! Boy, there are days when I need to do that. The projects that loom seem to be more than I can handle. I don’t feel like I have enough of what it takes to get the job done.  Oh heck, I don’t feel like I am what it takes.

There are decisions to be made that will impact business. Should I make them? Should I call that client and ask for a different method? Should I tell my employee that they aren’t measuring up? Be strong and courageous.....

And what about personally? Is now a good time to spend the money on the home project? Did I reach out to my friend who needed support or did I get too busy with my list of to dos? Am I supposed to speak at that engagement? Be strong and courageous......

Here’s the thing.  I’m quoting a Bible verse to give me encouragement but, I’m missing the best part. I’m quoting the part where I do something....be strong and courageous. But the reason I am supposed to be strong and courageous is missing.

I am not supposed to be strong and courageous because I can make awesome business decisions. I am not supposed to be strong and courageous because I have good ideas or because I am a good friend or a good speaker. I am supposed to be strong and courageous because of what it says in the second half of the text.

For the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.

So next time you come up against a decision or a thought that has you feeling weak and afraid, repeat to yourself "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

That’s the reason for strength and courage. You are not alone and what he brings with him is way better than what you’ve got.