When the "Son" is shining, we can see His shadow

While reading a book called “Wild at Heart” by John Eldredge, I was spurred to consider David and Goliath and how God many times waits until the cards are truly stacked against him before He shows up. Even in the death of His own son, from our perspective, He didn’t show up for three days. I often worry about problems and finances that ultimately are really just manifestations of fear, pride, and lack of faith.

As John Eldredge describes David and Goliath, “a freckle-faced little shepherd kid with a slingshot" vs. “a seasoned soldier and trained killer”. I’m sure the other Isrealites thought to themselves, “who sent this kid?” This is what we see when we get real about who we are versus who we are up against in this world. But the truth of it is that if we can expand our view further out we can see that that our brothers and sisters in Christ are behind us praying on our behalf. If we expand our view even further, we can see that there is an army of heavenly hosts waiting for the battle cry to be sounded so they can act on our behalf. And if we can expand our view as far as possible, we see that God is also standing behind us ready to act on our behalf. Like a kid who gets picked on in the school yard and finally stands up to the bully only then to realize that his dad was standing behind him the whole time. Maybe we can’t quite see God because of his enormous size and grandeur or because his glory is too much to behold. But as long as the "Son" is shining, we can see his shadow. God stands ready and sometimes waits until we think all is lost, then He shows up and saves the day in such a way that we know all the glory is due Him. Hebrews 13:6 says “So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” If we can talk our hearts into believing that this is true, then fear will leave us, God will get the glory, and we will reach the heights of success.

They did as the Lord commanded...

You may often read the Old Testament and ask your self, "What’s the point"? It's mostly a historical story that is questionable whether it applies to our lives or not. There are some analogies that are useful, but we don't follow the law because we're under grace. Right? Not exactly. If you look twice, you will see that it is more than just historical. It's radical.

The phrase that I have seen many times in Exodus and Numbers is "They did as the Lord commanded." Many of us wish that God would tell us specifically what He wants us to do, but let me remind you that when you know exactly what you are supposed to do, then it is your responsibility to do it. Sometimes the struggle is knowing what to do, but often, I think that many of us simply don't want to do it.

Moses would meet with God daily and listen to instruction and follow it. Take this animal...kill it in this manner...with a hin of oil...place the blood on your right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe...don't touch certain things...do certain things...etc, etc. God was very specific and we again consider the phrase, "they did as the Lord commanded." These were not old customs that God was restarting and reminding them about. These were nutty, off the wall, requirements that came out of nowhere. But God made it clear that He had chosen these people, that he was trustworthy, and then gave them instructions. Are times so different today?

Don't think of daily time with God as a requirement (mainly because it's not). We don't meet with Him every day because we have to; we meet with Him every day because we want to. God wants us to live relationally with Him every day so that we don't drift to the left or to the right. His ideas are sometimes radical, but His ways are good. How do you know He is good? You won't know the first time you trust Him. That's why they call it trust. But the second time, you'll remember the first; the third time you'll remember the second; until one day you won't know any different. Then you wouldn't think of going about your day without Him because to do so would be like heading out without directions and that gets you nowhere. Let the people of God show ourselves to be followers of God. Pray. Listen. Follow. Then future generations can say "they did as the Lord commanded" and they reached the heights of success.

Forgiveness

In January of 2004, I wrote in my journal - "The reason you feel guilt is because there is a standard unseen written in a code buried inside you, and you know what is right and wrong. Who's code is it? I didn't put it there. He (God) put it there, so the guilt I feel is from offending Him. All I can do is ask for forgiveness from Him. Then, the only thing I have left to do is believe that He really forgave me." I wrote that but I don't think I followed my own advice.

I think that I also was focused on forgiveness for one event and I forgot one main thing: He forgave it ALL. I've recently been brought face-to-face with a reality of an old phrase - not guilty. The wonder of the gospel is not that we are innocent, but that we are not guilty. The courtroom picture is an easy analogy and I've apparently breezed past it many times because the picture is quite familiar, but if you stop and think about it, do you feel not guilty? If you don't and you carry in your mind a rememberance of all the bad things you have done, then you have not forgiven yourself and accepted His finding of not guilty. Now you can accept the verdict and walk out a free man or you can sit there and refuse to accept this gift.

The age old question: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to see it, did it really happen? Yes, but if you don't go get it and use it for firewood, it will just lay there and rot. Are you still in the courtroom? Do you believe that God has saved you from eternal damnation, but you still feel guilty? Ask him to stamp the verdict on your heart so that you can accept the free gift of true freedom. You are not guilty and free to go. Now go give Him the glory and reach for the heights of success.

Daily Prayer

Dear Lord,
I was not the first man created nor will I be the last. You need only my love for You, but I need you for everything. So, with the best intention of heart and succces only limited by my reliance on You, may everything that I do today bring glory and honor to your name and yours alone. May my heart and my mind serve consistently toward that end and may the foundation of my belief be strong enough to withstand the path that I must walk through today. Please grant me your strength, your patience, and your love, and help me not to forget that you are God and I am not.