23 Years of Agape!

picture of Agape leaders + families taken at
the Leaders' Appreciate Banquet in 2006

Scripture

"Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted. Ishbi-benob was a descendant of the giants; his bronze spearhead weighed more than seven pounds, and he was armed with a new sword. He had cornered David and was about to kill him. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to his rescue and killed the Philistine. After that, David's men declared, "You are not going out to battle again! Why should we risk snuffing out the light of Israel?" These four Philistines were descended from the giants of Gath but they were killed by David and his warriors" (2 Samuel 21:15-17).

Observation

David had started his warrior life with a fight with a giant, and he ended his battle career in a fight with a giant. In some ways the second giant battle was more significant than David's first. The first showed what kind of a man David was. The second showed what kind of men he had.

Several interesting things happened.

First his cousin Abishai rescued David when he was whooped. There are men, a few men in life, who will fight along side of a leader but it isn't until a crisis moment that their real value is known. Abishai saved David's life and such an act of bravery and loyalty is the greatest gift a leader can receive.

Second the leaders around David matured to the point hat it wasn't necessary for them to have the King leading the charge as a PR stunt. They were made of better stuff. A change had come and they adapted well to that. They would step up to the battle line even if he was not there and still fight as if he were.

Third, because David had the humility to rest on the strength of his loyal leadership team they finished a job that had waited a lifetime to complete. All of Goliath's brothers were killed. David had selected five smooth stones. One killed Goliath, the rest were intended for his brothers. But it was not David who finished that job. It was his mighty men. The excellence of his leadership was proved not in the battles he fought and won but the loyal leaders who were released to fight and win.

Application

Who can a leader trust? Many at the beginning of the journey swear loyalty. But many wander off to follow their own interests. Others will betray. Some will turn on the leader and become his fiercest enemies. Who can a leader trust? Those who are still fighting for him and with him at the end are the warriors he can trust.

As I reflect back to the last 23 years of the church, I am so grateful for those who have remained faithful and have persevered with me through the many battles we had to fight. There are too many to name and some would not want to be named but you know who you are and I just want to thank you and appreciate you for never giving up on all that the Lord has called us to together. Thank you for serving the Lord together with me.

Prayer

Father, help me to be like Abishai... like one of the men around David who proved faithfulness not with words but in action. Amen.

NOTE: This will be the last SOAP post for some time. By God's grace, I have managed to put up a total of 25 SOAP devotionals in the month of May.

Trophies of Trust

Scripture

"Only by your power can we push back our enemies;only in your name can we trample our foes. I do not trust my bow; I do not count on my sword to save me" (Psalm 44:5-6)

Observation

The Psalmist song is about their God's strength to conquer their enemies. The honour of recognition is not found in their natural strengths or abilities. Skill is not the means for victory. In a world where self sufficiency and reliance becomes the trophy in our minds, even God loving people must be careful of the temptation of trusting our own abilities to pave the way for our successes.

Application

I am humbled to think that God has given a magnificent mind to create, invent, think…to mankind. The things man has invented and created cannot be comprehended. The sophisticated machinery, computers, electronic devices - oh my. Humans have such a capacity to invent.

But yet, we must remember that all our skills and creativity come from God:

1. Remember, it's by God's favour, power and in His name we accomplish great things for Him.
   
   
2. Make Him my trophy when I make great decisions, when things I say make a difference, when He uses me to accomplish much.
   
   
3. Don't count on "my bow or sword" which for me represents words, principles, leadership skills, personality strengths to impact the Kingdom. God may use me but I must trust in what He may invent and create through me that is fresh, favourable and anointed by Him. In other words, don't rely on me and what's worked for me and God in the past. Trust in the Lord with ALL my heart and don't lean on my own understanding.

Prayer

Please forgive me Lord, for the thoughts and actions that I have horded as my goodness, achievements or successes. May I never steal the trophies of recognition away from You. You are all deserving of my worship! Help me to overcome my enemies within me - I trust not in my strength, personality or skills, but Yours. My trophy is to trust You with all my life. May Your trophy be my love and trust in You!

Seeking God Continually

Scripture

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually" (1 Chronicles 16:11).

Observation

"Continually" - one word that qualifies, and quantifies, this entire verse. It's seeking Him not just when the chips are down; it's seeking His face not just when the going gets tough; it's having a continuing, and relentless pursuit of the Lord, His ways, His directions, His purposes and desires for your life, regardless of the circumstances; it's seeking Him in times of poverty and times of prosperity.

David discovered the difference between part-time devotion and devotion that is "24/7." He learned it through a tragic lesson that was mined in the irony of transporting the Ark of the Lord. Historically, David had repeatedly sought the Lord prior to every major battle, and the Lord never failed him. When he needed the Lord the most, when anxieties and tensions ran high, David was open and receptive to the Lord's direction.

Application

How ironic, however, when peace had finally rested on his side, and in the midst of performing a spiritual task, David neglected God's direction, allowed his spiritual guards to drop, and in so doing failed to follow God's moving instructions on transporting the Ark. Consequently, one of his men suffered at the expense of David's error.

We exhibit the same tendencies in our lives, don't we - when facing struggles, when approaching the battle lines, we fall to our knees and cry out to God. But, once victory has been won, once we're on the road to recovery and in the midst of celebration, we tuck Him away and proceed on our own.

I woke up to this yesterday. While I have been busy seeking the Lord for the downpour camp; somehow I had stopped seeking Him in my priestly role of father to my family. It was not until something happened on Sunday that I went back to Him and I found the Lord had so much to say, much of which I just missed because, until then, I wasn't listening.

God isn't to be treated like a road map that's taken out only when we're lost, then folded neatly away once we're on the highway. He needs to be alive and active in every phase and season of our life. It seems, however, that we forget God when we get caught in the swell of momentum of peace and success. Someone once said, the hardest challenge for anyone isn't to survive tests of poverty, but to survive tests of prosperity. When the going gets good, we can't afford to forget God. Our pursuit of Him must be relentless and, here's that word, continually.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for forgetting you when all things are well. When I was in need of You, you were always there for me. You saw me through the battles. It seems whenever I relaxed my guard, lowered my face from seeking you, it has always been in seasons of peace and plenty, and it was then that I made the worst mistakes. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, regardless of the seasons or the circumstances of my life.

Seeing Life in Slow Motion

Scripture

"David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him. Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees and carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a house for David. And David realized that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel" (2 Samuel 5:10-12)

Observation

Reading the Bible is like watching a DVD on fast forward. As we flip the pages years pass by for the characters in each story. David's life seems to zip along. He starts in the sheep pen, then off to Golaith, then into Saul's castle, then off in the wilderness from cave, to Philistines, to Keilah, to Ziklag, then his first crown at Hebron, then again at Jerusalem. But as David watched the story of his life it played for him in real time. He could not read ahead as we can so easily. There was no fast forward through commercials.

In real time David missed what God was really doing. Becoming king over all of the nation happened so steadily that David missed God's hand in it all. But the day that King David stood in his own home that he never paid for was when David realized what God had been doing all along.

There are scenic resting places on the journey of our lives where we can stop and see where the Lord has been up to. We may have lived through it but like David we missed it. Much of what happens from day to day is a meaningless plodding along with our eyes focused on the next step in front of us. But then when we stop and look back, then we see all that the Lord has been up to.

This is what happened yesterday afternoon when all the leaders came together for the combined leaders' mentoring. Since January, we have been meeting in small groups of men and women and sharing our struggles and stories. But yesterday afternoon as some of us shared what God has been doing in our lives, we saw what God was really doing - building of family altars; anchoring on the Word to see breakthroughs; prioritizing God amidst busyness; ensuring we don't turn blessings into curses; bringing a balance to an over scheduled lifestyle; getting the mentoring group to hold us accountable to one another - God has been at work! And there has been growth in the inner life!

Application

We're not sure exactly how many years there were from the sheep pen to the throne in Jerusalem, maybe 15 or 20 years. But the message is clear enough: not everything happens at once. God is at work in slow motion as well as at high speed. We need to learn to detect the increase of God's blessing in our lives that may be as gradual as an expanding balloon.

Prayer

Father, help me to consider your work in my life today so that I don't miss what you are doing.

My Leadership; My Children's Leadership

Scripture

"When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold. Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?" The LORD answered him, "Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you" (2 Samuel 5:17-19).

Observation

David is promoted by God and a full force assault of the enemy is upon him. I love David's reaction - he moved forward, ready to act and eagerly prayed to seek the Lord's counsel on whether or not he should proceed. My heart is inspired today, in this season of my leadership, to be always prepared to lead well. I am so excited about what God will do at the Downpour camp but I am also so aware that every spiritual promotion will be met with assaults. Both the Word and experience bear witness to that. When there are spiritual attacks I must be ready to seek the Lord.

Application

Over the years, especially near church camp seasons (which are seasons for spiritual promotion) , there have been some enemy assaults on my children, especially. I remember just before the 2000 camp, my daughter broke my heart and the devil used that pain to distract me. Last church camp, it was my son's turn to break my heart, the effect of which I did not feel until months later. During other years, weariness of being told what to do and when to do it and attitudes and desires to have their "freedom of choice" showed up with intensity in the kids, especially nearing church camps.

But through all these setbacks and some attacks, we all grew individually, stronger and deeper in the Lord. Strangely, God never stopped promoting us spiritually. Today my kids are being asked to lead at home, at church and in their learning institutions - to grow in taking responsibilities.

So my instructions to them (and myself) today:

1. Be ready to be assaulted when you are promoted or asked to lead.
   
2. Always aim your inquiries toward God in times of conflict. That way, you grow stronger.
   
3. Don't hesitate or shy away from conflict. Be proactive, prepared to confront. Take responsibility. That way, you grow deeper.
   

Prayer

Dear Father... thanks for Your Holy Spirit in my heart, working in me to will and do of Your good pleasure. I need Your guidance and conviction to be a leader like David, who sought Your heart and will. Lead my children in Your ways - help them to grow as prayer warriors and capable leaders, after Your own heart.

Drop Your Weapons

Scripture

"Abner shouted down to Joab, 'Must we always solve our differences with swords? Don't you realize the only thing we will gain is bitterness toward each other? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?'" (2 Samuel 2:26)

Observation

Joab solved his problems with knives. Cutting, slicing, and stabbing were a life long habit. Eventually Joab himself would die by the sword. Joab knew how to get things done. If a difficult person needed to be bumped then Joab was your hitman. Joab solved problems by getting people out of the way.

Abner was not only on the other side of the border, he was a world apart from Joab. He was a man of patience. He wasn't afraid of force but he did everything that he could to avoid it. Even though Abner was in the middle of the battle he didn't lose a clear head. He knew that even if he won that skirmish the fighting wouldn't stop. It would just find another battlefield and another resentment to rally around.

Abner saw that the only byproduct of civil war is bitterness. The same is true when people on the same side of anything in life fight each other. It happens in churches, in families, in marriages. When I sharpen my tongue and use it to slice others the only thing I will taste will be the acid reflux of my own ulcers. Bitterness is hard to swallow and keep down. It keeps coming back up.

Application

It takes someone in the middle of the battle who has the courage to say in the strife, "Must we always solve our differences with swords?" Abner did and Joab dropped his dagger. Sometimes we too need to speak with a voice of reason in the middle of our differences. Someone needs to wake up the soldiers to realize that what they are fighting over just doesn't matter. It's time to drop weapons. Sometimes that someone is me.

Prayer

Father, help me to find softer ways of solving disagreements. When I need to be Abner give me courage to speak. And when I am like Joab give me enough humility to drop my weapon. Amen.

Inner Strength When In Distress

Scripture

"Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6).

Observation

I don't believe I could ever fathom the depths of despair, or the degree of distress that consumed David's soul at this moment in time. He never anticipated such a loss - to his home, his family, to his friends and teammates. Every ounce of emotion was drained the moment he laid eyes on the destructive force administered by the Amalekites raid. And it wasn't his fault, yet it seemed that around every turn, circumstances awaited that stood against him. Yet, David "strengthened himself in the Lord."

This has to be one of the most powerful scriptures in the Bible. Notwithstanding his sufferings and having his soul stripped by the hands of defeat, David was still able to rise from the ashes and grasp onto the hands of victory. Therein lies one of the greatest attributes of David's leadership - the ability to strengthen himself, despite adversity; to rise above the rubble and redeem hardships in exchange for victories.

Application

Sometimes our most difficult challenges will arise out of circumstances that are beyond our control. We may find ourselves haunted by the consequences of another's mistakes. For example, the Amalekites should have been defeated by Saul (see 1 Sam. 15), but instead, it was David who had to face the music of Saul's disobedience. He did nothing to deserve the criticism and the arrows of his own follower's friendly fire. Yet, David "strengthened himself in the Lord." No wonder he was known as a man after God's own heart.

While we may not have a choice as to the direction the ill winds may blow, we do have a choice as to how we will react and respond when it arrives. Sometimes life doesn't seem fair and we will all have to face moments when we are caught off-guard, when we find ourselves thrown into unexpected circumstances, where we may suffer due to causes beyond our control. And when we do, we will all face the ultimate question -

• Do we play the victim, or do we strengthen ourselves, as did David and turn what was meant to defeat us, into a great moment in victory.

I would choose the latter. But it doesn't come without training. Being able to maintain any semblance of reasonableness, despite the adversities that may surround me, requires a large dosage of inner strength. And it's developed over time. It's discovered in how I react to the little, unexpected moments that train me how to respond to life's major catastrophes, for it's in the little victories that I gain over time that will strengthen my inner spirit and prepare me best for the major events.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for this constant reminder of David and his leadership attributes. Indeed he was a man after God's own heart, but he kept his heart clean and fully devoted to the You, even in the face of adversity. May my heart and my spirit be trained to do the same.

Friendship That Runs Deep

Scripture

"And Jonathan made David vow again because of his love for him, because he loved him as he loved his own life" (1 Samuel 20:17).

Observation

David had discovered quite a friend in Jonathan, who regardless of the risks upon his own life, was willing to lay it all down for him. He was the king's son and had personally witnessed the anger, jealousy and hatred his father had against David. Still, without thought or concern for his own safety, Jonathan willingly and by his own volition sacrificed himself so that David could escape and survive his father's wrath.

Everyone needs a Jonathan - someone who's willing to experience the thrill of victory, and around the next turn agonize with you through life's greatest defeats. Everyone needs a Jonathan – someone who's willing to strap himself to the roller coaster rides of life with you, without concern to his own personal safety or comfort. You see, "Jonathans" are those who will put your best interests above their own, who would set the stage of life to see you succeed, over and above that of themselves. Everyone needs a Jonathan, whose loyalty and commitment run deep in that which connects you heart to heart.

Application

Who is my Jonathan? Or, maybe a more defining question for myself is "who am I being a Jonathan to in my life?" Perhaps the best description of a "Jonathan" is found in John 15:13 when Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." To be a Jonathan to others, I must be willing to lay my life down, set aside my own agendas, submit my own interests, for the sake of serving my brothers. Their success becomes more of my priority than pursuing my own. Sacrifice becomes a daily discipline, as I set my brothers' wellbeing first and foremost in my life. Everyone needs a Jonathan, and I need to be one to others around me.

Prayer

Jesus, help me to see the needs of my brothers over that of my own, to willingly, without compulsion or obligation, give of myself, my time, and to sacrifice my own desires so that my brothers may live life abundantly.

Inside Activity

Scripture

"Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. "They have credited David with tens of thousands," he thought, "but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?" And from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul" (1 Samuel 18:9-10).

Observation

Make no mistake about it. Heaven and hell watch inside activity more than the outside. Just because inside activity is not immediately visible does not mean it can't instantly toxic. It is.

Such was the case with Saul's jealousy for David. It's lethal poison lay silent in the king's heart ... until the songs began.

Application

This is the litmus test for any leader. It is not tested by what he does but more by what others do.

• How will you respond to a success greater your his own? Does it secretly bother you?
• How do you reply to a peer when his performance flops? Do you secretly rejoice or do you genuinely weep?

1 Sam. 16:7 tells us - "...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Inside activity is something that heaven and hell watch for. Letting inside activity go unchecked will cause our hearts to become septic; and the forces of hell respond oppressive results. Our motives get skewed. Thinking we are righteous, we become foolish and deceived.

I MUST CHECK MY INSIDE ACTIVITY OFTEN - to monitor my heart and thoughts. What is taking up my mind time? My inner conversation? God monitors my inside activity to determine my strength.

But so does hell.

Prayer

Search me Oh God, and know my heart. Try me and see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in Your everlasting way!

How Do I Know God Loves Me? (Psalm 103)

We are back to another downpour devotional in preparation for church camp 07. Many of us struggle to understand God's love for us. Psalm 103 explains how we can know that God loves us.

Several years ago, a student in seminary class stood to his feet and announced to the professor, “I don’t believe in God!” The professor, unraveled, replied, “Describe this God you don’t believe in?” After the student had described an unlovely and vengeful God, the professor confessed, “I don’t believe in that God either. My God is a God of love.”

I. God’s love has always been evident (vv. 8, 11, 13, 17)

How do you describe a rose to a blind person? How do you describe Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus to a deaf person? How do you describe the thrill of dancing free to one who has never walked? How do you describe the impeccable, infinite love of God to impure, finite humans?

One of the most vivid characteristics of God is that He is a God of love. The Psalmist was descriptive in recording the love-nature of God

God doesn’t simply “love,” but He is love itself. Love is not merely one of his attributes, but his very nature. The Scripture say, “We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love” (1 John 4:16 NIV). To say that God is love, is not to imply that love is God. There is a difference like there is a difference in me saying my cat is a girl and my girl is a cat. God is love means that God wants the very best for you. God has your best interest in mind. He takes pride in you. He sees all the potentials he has build into you and He wants to give you good gifts and provide you with “all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2 NIV).

II. God’s love-benefits extends to every aspect of our lives (v. 2)

The Psalmist uncovers all the phases of life that God’s love has touched and in turn benefited and blessed the recipient.

1. Spiritually, God’s love removes the barrier that separates us from him by cancelling the debt of our sin so that we can enjoy a loving relationship with him (v. 3). God’s love removes our sins as though they never existed. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 NIV).
2. Emotionally, God’s love removes our guilt (v. 3). Much of our physical and emotional illness is due to moral failure. In removing the sin and guilt from our lives God’s love brings healing to our emotional life. And more, it is His love at work in our hearts that keeps the tissues, the organs, the systems in our body from quickly degenerating into bad health. Receive His love and you also receive His healing.
   
3. Eternally, God’s love redeems us (v. 4). The pit the Psalmist refers to is the pit of destruction and death. God’s love rescues us, from our own bent on destruction, and grants us eternal life. Without His love, we would self-destruct - our marriages will fall apart. Our potentials will not be realized. Our lives would have been different.
   
4. Authoritatively, God’s love places a crown of royal glory and authority on us (v. 4). God’s love “has made us kings and priests” (Rev. 1:6 NKJV). We have been crowned with his love and given a new authority and glory!
   
5. Physically, God’s love meets our needs (v. 5). Like a father, he desires to give us good gifts of strength and endurance. Jesus, the embodiment of God’s love came enjoying life, and he wants his children to do the same.
6. Judicially, God’s love hates what is wrong and embraces what is right (v. 6). Here we find a major difference between divine love and what so often passes for love among people. Often, love is expressed as that virtue that accepts everything. But, God’s love always makes judgment calls. And, his calls are always just and right.

III. God’s love covers all of our lives.

What do we know of God’s love? We come to learn some important truths regarding God’s love in this Psalm.

1. God’s love is all consuming. God’s love touches every part of our life. Nothing—no calling or circumstance, no adversity or advancement, no pain or promotion, no status or station—escapes the brush strokes of God’s love. God’s love bleeds into every fabric and fiber of our lives.

The number of times the three-lettered word “all” is used in this text reminds us that God’s love is all consuming. His love touches every area of our lives. There is nowhere we can go to escape his love. There is no problem that we will encounter that is not touched by his love. There is no advancement that we will make where God is not already there. Even when our world falls apart, we can say, “God, I don’t know why this is happening. I don’t understand it, but I’m sure glad to know you love me.”

2. God’s love is personal. The Bible cuts through all the philosophical abstractions and declares that God is a Person. As a personal being God is capable of loving and being loved. God’s love is not simply for mankind as a mass. It is not a sentimental, vague, diffused feeling—something like Charlie Brown’s attitude when he says, “I love mankind; it’s people I can’t stand.” God really likes individual people.

Notice the number of times the personal pronouns “me” and “my” are used in Psalm 103.

When God says “I love you,” He is saying that you matter to Him. You are a person of worth. You are valuable to Him. Regardless of what others think, in His eyes you are worthy of His best.

3. God’s love is beyond comprehension (vv. 13-14). Amazing, isn’t it? God knows me and still loves me. God knows that I am a sinner, yet He forgives; I am diseased, yet He heals; I am in a pit, yet He pulls me out; I am ungrateful for His good gifts, yet He gives them anyway; and I deserve justice, yet He grants mercy.

Like a father’s love for a wayward and rebellious son that waits anxiously for him to return home so he can grant him a new start, is God’s love for us. It is beyond comprehension.

If you really want to understand love, don’t listen to love songs, or people who throw the term love around. If you want to get to the depths of what it means to love and be loved, look to the cross of Christ, because there God’s love came to mankind. The cross is the ultimate expression of God’s incomprehensible love to mankind.

We are fast approaching the season to experience His downpour of love. Create space in your soul to soak up His love. It will wash away your guilt; heal all your diseases; bring you out of your bondage; crown you with authority and glory and bless you with all His benefits.

Bleating Sheep

Scripture

"When Samuel reached him, Saul said, "The LORD bless you! I have carried out the Lord's instructions." But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears?" (1 Sam. 15:13-14).

Observation

Saul had been given instructions by God to completely eradicate the Amalekites. Instead, he decides for himself what is to be eliminated and what was not. I am not sure if it was greed or simply an emotional unwillingness, but whatever the reason, he felt his personal evaluations were superior to God's. When Samuel arrived, Saul was straining himself by patting his own back, and behind him were the sounds of bleating sheep.

Application

God will point out to me what is precious and what is not. I may have the tendency, like Saul, to "improve" on God's decisions, but I must not. He will establish my priorities: in ministry, my family, finances, and future. He will even establish what skills I must develop according to my calling, gifts, and passions. Even which risks to take and which not to take, even though the opportunity for success may seem obvious. I will need to cull certain activities in order to make room for His priorities. I only have a specified amount of time and energy to accommodate eternal priorities. I must take the time to garner His instructions, record them, and follow fully.

In the end, God will not hold me accountable for what I have done as much as He will hold me accountable for what He has asked me to do that I have done.

Then will I have the confidence to say to God, "I have carried out the Lord's instructions" and not hear the bleating of sheep in the background. And what do I do with bleating sheep?

... Kill them. Dead sheep don't bleat.

Prayer

Dear Father: Please help me in this life's essentials so that I prune correctly to Your priorities. And give me the strength to say "no" to opportunities that may hold great promise, but may also cause me to drift away from you.

The Dangers of Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands

Scripture

"Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings." And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. "What have you done?" asked Samuel. ? Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Micmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." (I Samuel 13:7-14)

Observation

It was not long since Saul had been confirmed as the first king of Israel. So far, he had only led them through one battle campaign against the Ammorites. Now his son, Jonathan had attacked a Philistine garrison, and suddenly Saul and Israel found themselves in a war with the Philistines. The Philistines gathered together an immense army of 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen and the Scripture says, soldiers like the sand on the seashore. It was an immense army of the enemy coming against the Israelites, the odds were overwhelmingly against them, and the Hebrew soldiers were quaking with fear. Now Saul waited for Samuel, just as he had been told, so that Samuel could seek God on behalf of the Israelites and get God's counsel and wisdom for the battle. When Samuel didn't show up on time and the people began to leave, Saul took matters into his own hands and offered up the burnt offering. So what's the big deal? Saul took matters into his own hands and did the holy work of God that only the priests were allowed to do. He disregarded God's rules and did what he had no right to do. Why did he do it? To please God? No, he did it out of fear of losing the people who were with him. It was a bad move and interestingly enough, just as he finishes the sacrifice, Samuel shows up! And Saul gives his very best excuse, first blaming the scattering men and then Samuel for not showing up on time. But it was a costly mistake. Samuel said, "You acted foolishly, you didn't do what God told you. If you had, your kingdom over Israel would have been secure, but since you didn't do what you were supposed to, Your kingdom won't last, in fact, God has already chosen an new king, a man after His own heart. All because you didn't trust the Lord and obey Him."

Wow, to call it a costly mistake is such an understatement! His whole blessed life, his calling from God, his position and role as leader of a nation, all cancelled out by refusing to wait for God's timing and to follow Him completely.

Application

How many times have I wanted to jump the gun and not wait for God? Have I ever caved in and did something I knew I shouldn't do,, because of people pressure, because of fear of man? I need to learn well here from the mistakes of Saul. It doesn't work out! Saul was insecure in his leadership and when people started to leave, he allowed that pressure to push him to make a choice that was outside of God's will. He buckled under pressure and it cost him dearly.

So what do I need to do?
First, I need to be secure in the position that God has called me to and placed me in. If he has made me a leader, then it is up to me to lead. I need to be open to input from others, but never to allow pressure from others to cause me to compromise my obedience to my Master.

Secondly, when being pressured to make a decision or to take some action; I need to take a step back and run to God for confirmation and strength to do His will no matter what.

Thirdly, I need to have high regard for the roles of others and never presumptuously step in and operate in an area that has not been given to me.

And fourthly, I need to have the highest regard for the holiness of God and never treat lightly the things that He calls holy. As a Christian, my life is to be set apart (or holy) for Him. I am a temple of His Holy Spirit who is in me. I need to make sure that I take good care of His temple, that I don't bring anything unclean and sinful into His holy temple. And everything that I do to worship and serve Him is holy work. I need to focus upon Him, to be present with Him and to do whatever I do with all my heart, as unto the Lord, and not for men.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for this great lesson from Saul. Teach me how to walk so closely with You through every circumstance of life, that when the tests and trials and pressures come, that I would never be found far away from You. I know that as I am faithful to abide in Your presence moment by moment, as I open the Word daily and engage in prayer earnestly, then I will have access to Your counsel, direction and power; and I will be able to make the right decisions in times of pressure and I will lead my family, and all those You call me to lead, well. In Jesus' name. Amen.

When Options Run Dry

Scripture

"Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us and we will serve you." But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel" (1 Samuel 11:1-2)

Observation

Nahash was simply toying with the Israelites emotions. He knew they were desperate, confused and disorganized and thus offered this ridiculous ultimatum - "I will make a deal with you on one condition; you will allow me to gouge out the right eye of every man." It was an outlandish and unreasonable proposal, yet it was accepted by the elders of the city; leaders who were looked upon as tutors of wisdom, yet here collapsed under the pressures of desperation. From their perspective, their options had run dry. They were desperate people living in desperate times, making desperate decisions.

Desperation often occurs when you feel as if you've run out of options, when you find yourself painted into that proverbial corner with no way out. Under such circumstances even the most ridiculous can sound reasonable.

Desperate times often demand desperate decisions - decisions that are unwise, that risk the lives and safety of others; decisions that are based on circumstances of the moment and give no thought to the future. When life seems to lead to nowhere but a dead end, desperation has a tendency to pull you into its downward spiral of confusion.

Application

I need to make sure that I avoid this dark vortex of desperation. Decisions that I must make for my family, for my ministry, in leadership, as a husband and a father cannot be made in desperation. If desperation breeds where options have gone dry, then I must, in all my decisions never stop seeking options and consider all viable alternatives that will allow me to achieve the Godly goals for my life. I cannot afford to allow myself to resign to the perception that my options have run out, otherwise I become open game to the enemy who will toy with my emotions, as Nahash did with the Israelites, and I will soon find myself agreeing to the ridiculous, rather than the reasonable.

Prayer

Father, with Your provisions and Your guidance, may I never run out of options that are God-guided. Open my eyes so that I may see where you are leading and my ears to hear Your calling and direction for my life.

Innocent Contrasts

Scripture

"The Philistines said, "If it goes up to its own territory, toward Beth Shemesh, then the LORD has brought this great disaster on us..." [So] They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves. They placed the ark of the LORD on the cart... Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left" (1 Samuel 6:8, 10-11).

Observation

I want to introduce a new phrase into our vocabulary.

Innocent Contrasts.

They're all around us. This is when heaven turns up the contrast knob on your life so you can see things a bit more clearly. It shuts out the grey and increases the clarity. It may come gift wrapped in plain, everyday wrappings. It could even be delivered by a child.

A 2-year-old child innocently walks into the room of two parents arguing over something trivial, and with childlike purity, says, "Daddy, I love you." And "Mommy can I have a drink of water? I'm thirsty."

All of a sudden, you remember what is important and what is not. Innocent contrasts.

You stop to visit an accident victim in the ICU, who's on the edge of life and death. When you walk out, all your problems seem so trivial in contrast to his.

God simply places these contrasts in our lives to tutor us. Heaven's reminders. Gentle but stark, tender yet tough. Designed to enter our hearts... dividing the important from the unimportant. It wakes us up. It restores the precision of simplicity.

Application

Now ... Cows that obey God.

Now here's an innocent contrast for you. It teaches us a huge lesson on obedience. The Philistines know that the ark needs to be returned, and they strap it to some milk cows, turn them loose, and watch if God will tell them the direction to the camp of the Israelites.

And to increase the measure of difficulty, their calves were penned up. Now, let's see if they return the ark to where it belongs! No mother cow would leave her young and embark on a journey. But even mother cows know the ways of God better than proud Philistines. Even animals obey God better than we do.

We find these contrasts in the New Testament as well. The disciples were grumbling about noisy children exuberantly welcoming a King on His donkey.

"Tell them to be quiet!" His disciples chided. "But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!" -Luke 19:40.

Stones that sing? ? Hardened earth turned wildly joyous? A divine rock concert? Even stones will obey if people do not.

The heavens declare His glory. The mountains bow down. The rivers clap their hands. Isn't it time that we, who are created in His image, do the same?

Prayer

Lord, Your innocent contrasts are all around us. Help us to be instructed by them. Reminded by them. Corrected by them. Please teach me to be like the rivers that clap their hands and rocks that refuse to be silent. Or heavens that declare Your glory... just by their consistency and predictability, they remind us of yours.

And I have never asked this before... I have been called this [gu-gu], but never asked this... make me more like those cows.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Bitter Beginnings and Better Endings

Scripture

"Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, 'Now at last Naomi has a son again!' And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David" (Ruth 4:16-17).

Observation

God is the author of each life story. That is clear from the first biography God ever wrote - the book of Ruth.

Ruth as a book is perfectly balanced.

The introduction and the conclusion have the exact same number of words. The novel starts bitter but ends better.

There are four main sections that pull the reader along.
Each section has an introductory sentence that introduces segment.
Each chapter starts with a problem that is answered and leads to the next problem.

There is balance between selfless Ruth and selfish Orpah and between selfless Boaz and the selfish relative.

The story starts with a picture of Naomi an empty a widow with two dead sons.
The fairy-tale like story ends with a picture of Naomi now filled with a baby in her arms.

And in the first biography in the Bible everyone lives happily ever after in the end.

Why is the book of Ruth so perfect? Ruth is not beautiful just because the writer spun a good tale but because the Lord was the author of her life. The book of Ruth is beautiful because Naomi had a God-written life. The book is a masterpiece because there was a master-plot planned by the Master Himself. Remember, God is the best selling author of all time.

Every human life is like a story. Some are tragedies. However, lives given to God are stories authored by the Almighty Himself. If my life is in Jesus then my life is a story written by God. No matter the character, the plot, the scenery, every life-tale under God's control ends better than it began.

Some like Naomi want to stop reading the story of their lives too soon. At the start of the book Naomi tried to stop the story of her life. When her husband and sons died she thought her story had come to an end. But it was really the beginning of a brand new story.

Application

My life is like a book, being written by God every day. It all takes longer than I think it should sometimes. Writers are notoriously slow. I heard James Mitchner wrote just 3 pages a day. God takes his time working out the plot of our lives.

Our lives are like a book, a plot written day by day. Many pages are senseless. Some seem to have temporary purpose only to be lost in the next chapter. But Jesus is the author skilled at turning bad beginnings into better endings.

In all of the Bible, any human life participating with the Lord has ended better than it began. Jesus wants to dip his pen into my life to inscribe his eternal purposes. My choice is, will I scrawl an autobiography, with each chapter written by me, struggling to find meaning. Or will I let Jesus story blend with my own story so that I can inscribe eternal purposes?

Prayer

Father, here’s a pen, here’s my life, please write your story all over me.

Things I have Learned

As I begin another a year of life today, allow me to bring to you twelve things I have learned over the years about life and ministry.

I am so grateful to God for the people who have believed in me and invested in my life. In the days of my youth, there was a Baptist missionary by the name of Mrs Thomas. She looked me in the eye when I was fourteen and told me I will one day be a great dad. I never forgot that.

Then in my early twenties, there was another Baptist missionary who poured into my life, Ms Lillie Rogers. She often told me I will one day be a great pastor and teacher of the Word. Then, I use to doubt her but now I thank God, he sent her to move me into my calling.

In the early years of ministry, there was Mrs Lim, an elderly woman in my church. She kept saying that no matter what I should never give up. Just trust the Lord and obey, was her mantra. I thank the Lord for planting deep in my soul the spirit of endurance. I see today how necessary it is to keep one's eyes on the Lord and run the race with endurance.

In the last few years, I found a mentor in my friend, Edmund Chan. He taught me to honour the inner life and nurture the soul over everything else. And that brought my ministry to a whole new depth in God.

In all of these, the three people who have given me the reason to celebrate life are my wife, Christina, who is going to be all mine, now that the children are grown; my daughter Thea, who keeps me sharp in my thinking and strong in my convictions and my son, Reuben whose zest for life and courage to take yet another challenge continually inspires me.

Now, here are the twelve things I have learned:

1. The right road always leads to the right place; therefore, get on the right road and go as far as you can on it.

Over the years I am totally persuaded that wrong means do not lead to right ends. Or, more positively, I am persuaded that living in the right way—that is, doing the right things, though they may be painful and difficult—are the means that inevitably lead to where God wants me to be. So I have learned never to quit when the going gets tough but to keep my soul clean where I am, and in God’s time, the door to the next room opens.

2. There is only one thing to do about anything; that is the right thing. Do right.

Doing the right thing may go against the will of the flesh; it may hurt the pride; it may take great moral courage but does it really matter because when I do the right thing, God will always bring the eventual right results and rewards.

3. Happiness is not found by looking for it. You stumble over happiness on the road to doing what is right.

Joy is always in something. Joy itself is not the something. So we seek joy in Christ. When doing what is right is hard and we do not feel joy in doing it, we should still do it, and pray that in the doing, the joy would be given. I have discovered that over time, joy joins duty and then duty gets transformed to delight.

4. The door to success swings on the hinges of opposition.

I have been a pastor for seventeen years now and in looking back I know that whenever there is opposition I can also expect success. One can think of many biblical examples. The opposition of Joseph’s brothers opened the door to his leadership in Egypt. The taxing of the empire opened the door to getting the Messiah born in Bethlehem, not Nazareth, and thus fulfilling prophecy. The betrayal of Judas opened the door to the salvation of the world. Hence, by God's grace, I now am able to look at opposition as opportunity for greater success in Christ. That keeps me from the fear of any opposition.

5. God in the right place in my life fixes every other relationship of life (Matthew 6:33).

All I need to do with my life is put God in the centre. I must live a Christ-centred life. Then I find every other relationship falling into its place - relationship with my wife and children; my staff and leaders; and all other relationships. Look at the solar system. If God is the blazing centre of the solar system of our lives, then all the planets will be held in their proper orbit. But if not, everything goes awry.

6. It is never right to get the right thing in the wrong way—like good grades, wealth, power, position. Don’t compromise your principles.

I have learned that God blesses the principled, not the pragmatic, person. Early in our courtship, I told Christina, to whom I am now married for 23 years, that we do our courtship God's way, then we will have a marriage that is truly God-blessed. I told her because we want to be biblical Christians ( and not just cultural Christians), we will be counter-cultural in the way we do marriage and parenting. We won't do the right thing the wrong way. And it has so paid off.

7. It is a sin to do less than your best. It is wrong to do [merely] well.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 ). But be careful. Sometimes the “best” is a B+ sermon because you have to spend time with your family. Doing the best does not mean you do very well in that one thing at the expense of the other important things in your life. You may prepare the "best" sermon while giving your family the scraps of your time. In other words, “best” always involves more decisions than the one you are making at the moment. So “best” is always the whole thing, not just the detail of the moment.

8. The part of your character that is deficient is the part that needs attention.

This is the counterpoint to the advice: Go with your strengths. There is truth in both. Yes, be encouraged by every evidence of God’s grace in your life, and use your gifts and graces for his glory. But you will become smug and vain if you do not keep your deficiencies before you and work on them continually.

To this day, I am still working through those deficiencies in my character. Sometimes I get them strengthened and at other times not. I realize these are 'no-trophy' victories in my life. It keeps me humble before God and men.

9. Don’t quit. Finish the job. God can’t use a quitter.

Warning: “He who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). Promise: “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

10. Anything you do that hinders your progress for God is wrong.

O how thankful I am that this is the dominant way my mentors pressed me to pursue my sanctification. They did not mainly impose lists of don’ts on me. And they were clear. Mainly, I must maximize my progress in knowing and serving God. The one thing that determines everything in my life is that all my life, in all I do, I pursue Christ. That has ruled out a hundred foolish behaviours, some bad and some uselessly innocent.

11. Beware of any group of people in which you feel compelled to put a bushel over your testimony.

I struggled much in my young adult years of wanting to make a stand for Jesus, yet not wanting to look like a fool among my friends and colleagues. I later made the decision that I can go into a group of people who are evil if I am willing to open my mouth and take a stand for Jesus and righteousness. Nevertheless, 1 Corinthians 15:33 stands: “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good character.’”

12. It isn’t enough to be good. Be good for something. The essence of Christianity is not a passionless purity.

My life and ministry took a turning point in 1997 when God called my church to take the community. Ministry has never been the same since. It is a wonderful feeling to know that the good God does in you is meant for you to pour into others for their good. This has become the compelling theme of my ministry life.

A Beggar Turned Regal

Scripture

"The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer... Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David" (Ruth 4:13,16-17).

Observation

There's no way she could have known. Not in a million years.

Did she realize how closely her obedience would tie her to David, Israel's greatest king? Would she ever recognize how, through all the horrible circumstances, her "Kinsman-Redeemer" would be the Messiah?

Could she ever comprehend how close she was to royalty when she was gleaning in Boaz's fields?

You can't see through to the future. Looking forward is often cloudy. Muddled. You fly blind. Except for one thing: obedience.

It's like sonar. Obedience will not remove obstacles. It will only help you navigate through them. But it does have its requirements: obedience compels us to live by trust and obedience, not by results and rewards. No preset guarantees. Only promises.

Ruth obeyed Naomi's instructions and kept herself chaste. In an ancient world where begging women were not always connected with virtue, Ruth stands out. She remains true to God's instructions and her mother-in-law's intuition until Boaz recognized her faithfulness. "You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor..."

Obedience is recognizable.

Application

I wonder how many times I have been close to regal results but have bailed. I suspect many. But today, sitting with Ruth, her counsel refreshes my soul. Her narration has stirred my heart.

Today I will re-enlist my heart to obedience. I seldom know in advance the outcomes of decisions made today. But still I must obey, regardless of what fears assail me.

Obedience is the guide to optimum futures, and today I have been fortunate. I have had the opportunity to travel in the company of Ruth, a beggar turned regal.

How heartening it is to have a friend recount an experience in her past so that I am emboldened to walk into the fullness of my future!

Prayer

Dear Father:

I know You have my best at heart, and all You ask is that I be obedient, step by step. I renew my heart today. Please forgive me for the many times where I have balked and bailed. Thank You for Your patience toward such a surly saint as I.

And thank You for Your obedience at Calvary when all of hell was against you. May I take heart today knowing that all of heaven is for me!

The Woman Who Wouldn't Give Up

Scripture

"Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." (Ruth 1:15-16)

Observation

Right out of the blocks, I'd be awfully suspicious of this family combination. Think about it. All the males that married into this family are dead in a span of a dozen years. First it was Naomi's husband that met his end, then Orpah's and finally Ruth's. I think I'd investigate.

The matron, Naomi, suggests they disband the fatal combination and try again elsewhere. She urges them both to leave and return to their people and their gods in Moab. This just isn't working.

But Ruth is different. To her, it didn't matter. "We've lost everything," she said. "Even though our husbands are dead and our house is gone, I'm not done yet. Over a decade, we been rewarded with three dead men and a famine, but I am not going back to Moab. I am not going back to my former gods. I have no more baggage. I can travel light now. It is time to move forward with the Lord God as our Guide."

Now this was a woman who refused to give up!

Application

There have been, and will be, times where the results will not be spectacular. The rewards may be famine instead of plenty. The results may be loss in stead of gain. But I cannot leave what God has called me to do. I must stick close. The journey is not over, I may need to glean for a season, but it will be a lack of humility alone that will keep me from that ... not famine.

It happened to me in 2001. A major crisis hit the church. People were leaving and there was more loss than gain. But I couldn't leave what the Lord had called me to do. And over time,
I did come upon the 'field of Boaz', and my future as well as the future of my church began to change. But I could never have found that future in Moab, had I left.

Each of us has his Moab, a place that seems comfortable... our default. But we cannot be transformed unless we change our default system... and Moab is the old operating system that will never accomplish what will be best for me.

And what Ruth doesn't yet know is that her journey will carry her into the New Testament. Mathew 1:5 lists her in the genealogy of the Messiah... a woman who refused to give up.

Prayer

Dear Father, what a great reminder for me in this season of reflection. I will not give up. I will stick close to You and my calling. Thank you for transforming me and making me new. Thank you for the hope of still a great future ahead.

Don't Vacate Your Leadership

Scripture

"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit." ( Judges 21:25).

Observation

This portion of Judges plays out like a Hollywood drama, spiced with lust and murder, intrigue and passion. It ends with vengeance, reprisal and a settling of the score.

Shocking actions. The concubine dies in a torturous rape from her own kin, the Benjamites. Then her dismemberment ignites the fierce anger of the remaining tribes that triggers an all out war. 400,000 charge 26,000. The aftermath of a bloody war leaves Benjamin virtually annihilated.

We can remain aghast at the death of one concubine. That is bad enough, but it detonated a war where over 27,000 lay dead on the battlefields, not dismembered by a raged husband, but men dismembered by the swords of their own cousins, their own kin.

Application

The telling verse that is repeated several times defines the age they were in: "In those days, Israel had no king; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."

Leadership is critical... no, not just any kind of leadership. You can have bad leaders and underdeveloped leaders. But what the world needs, the church needs and the family needs are leaders devoted to the Lord.

In a leadership vacuum, everyone does what is right in his own eyes. Even among those who name the name of God.

The Church and the world are calling for great leaders. Leaders that have the heart of David, the skills of Nehemiah, and the endurance of Job. And the call is one of desperation.

I need to enlist in this call to leadership. I must.

I cannot sit shocked at the scene out of Judges, pass sentence on such horrendous verses, then default back to the arm chair and not stand up to be the leader that I must be, especially in my home and family..

CT Studd once said, "The gamblers for gold are many, but the gamblers for God are so few. Where are the gamblers for God?"

To rise and take leadership is a gamble. It is not always a popular stand. It will require responsibility, discipline, self denial. It demands that you build deep character that will have the tinsel of steel that embraces a heart of compassion.

It's time. Let's stand so that our families and our ministries are not thrown into chaos.

Prayer

Dear Father, I don't quite know where to sign up, but I put my name in now. Teach me Your ways. Guide me. Your people are precious and deserve to be led well. Raise up many to hear the call and respond... even as the 400,000 did to a cause to avenge a concubine, let as many rise to the cause of rescuing your Church.

Empty Pockets

Scripture

"Then Gideon said, "But I do have one request. Give me, each of you, an earring that you took as plunder." Ishmaelites wore gold earrings, and the men all had their pockets full of them. They said, "Of course. They're yours!" (Judges 8:24-25)

Observation

Gideon's life has some glowing moments and some glaring moments. He had the courage to attack an army with 300 men, but when the war was over he found it hard to walk home with empty pockets.

There was a greed factor in Gideon's life. The war was over and he needed a retirement plan for the future. The little ear ring token plan netted him 43 pounds of gold. That would be enough for a decent nest egg. But there was little more to the gold ear rings. There was the glory factor. Gideon wanted the submission of the soldiers. Dropping a ring was a token of their respect of General Gideon. Sure enough he had shirked becoming king, but Gideon did want just a little memento that he could have been their leader. The money was tainted.

Application

Like the survivors of the Titanic learned, it's better to drop the gold and grab the life jackets. Some things from one season of life will sink you in the next if you are not careful. It is safe to drop what you are leaving behind because God has more to give in the season to come. Gideon and the people would have been better off if he had left with empty pockets.

Prayer

Father, save me from greed even if it is only the size of an earring. Amen.

Keeping the Enemy Out of Your Life!

Scripture

Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD gave them into the hands of Midian seven years. The power of Midian prevailed against Israel. Because of Midian the sons of Israel made for themselves the dens which were in the mountains and the caves and the strongholds. For it was when Israel had sown, that the Midianites would come up with the Amalekites and the sons of the east and go against them. So they would camp against them and destroy the produce of the earth as far as Gaza, and leave no sustenance in Israel as well as no sheep, ox, or donkey. For they would come up with their livestock and their tents, they would come in like locusts for number, both they and their camels were innumerable; and they came into the land to devastate it. So Israel was brought very low because of Midian, and the sons of Israel cried to the LORD" (Judges 6:1-6).

Observation

So Israel is still subject to falling away from the Lord in times of peace, when things are going good. This happened during the 40 years of peace that followed God's latest deliverance from their enemies under the leadership of a great woman of God named Deborah. But it's during the times of peace, the good times, when Israel seems to have the most problems. That's very interesting, isn't it? When they aren't faced with impossible situations, overwhelming enemies; when they aren't in desperate need for God,…they tend to forget about Him, and focus more on themselves and what seems good to them, and what they want to do. And that's exactly when they become vulnerable to the temptations of the real enemy, Satan, to turn from following the Lord and to do what is evil in His sight, which results in Him pulling back His hand of blessing, provision, and protection from them. Then the people get to bear the fruit of their very unwise decision, and the enemy, in this case, the Midianites, comes in and takes away all their livestock, their possessions, their crops, everything the Israelites had, even to the point when the Israelites wound up abandoning their homes and living in caves in the hills like animals! It says that "Israel was brought very low because of Midian," and that's low!

Application

What Midian did to Israel got me to thinking about John 10:10, in which Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal, and to kill and to destroy." This is the mission, strategy and work of the enemy of our souls. It's his identifying mark that clearly shows where he is and where he's been. But the thing that we have to realize, just like Israel needed to realize, is that the enemy had no entrance, no access and no place among them, until they made the choice to turn away from following God and do what is evil in God's sight. It was their sin that opened the door of access to the enemy who gladly came in to steal, kill and destroy. We also need to remember that it was during the times of peace, when things were good, that Israel let down her guard and turned her attention to things not of God.

This is important, because this is how the enemy gains access into our lives, to steal, kill and destroy in us, and then through us, to our families and loved ones. It's often through our wrong, silly, selfish choices when things are going good and we aren't desperate for God. We open the door to the enemy, we step out of the place of God's blessing, protection and provision; and we are brought very low!

Yes, I've been there. And the answer to this problem is so obvious! I can't allow myself to stray from the presence of God no matter how great things are going! I can't allow myself to slip from my spiritual disciplines of seeking Him in daily devotions, of worshipping Him passionately, of practicing His presence, being aware of Him presence moment by moment, of quickly confessing my sins as they happen, of taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and of being diligent to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love the people God brings into my life.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You have always been there through the ages to teach and guide Your people in the ways of peace, life and abundance! Please forgive us, forgive me, for the times I've neglected to follow Your instructions and have wound up paying dearly for it.

Lord, the great news is that You are so mighty against the enemy, as You demonstrated with Gideon and the 300, and how you fought for them and gave them victory over an innumerable foe! The enemy is not the problem. It's me, and when I cease to focus on and follow You moment by moment. Help me to do that in the good times as well as the bad. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.

Exhaustion - Our Enemy #1

Scripture

"But Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to [Sisera] and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So he died." (Judges 4:21)

Observation

Ouch!! Here is what was probably one of the earliest recordings of a "splitting headache." But note who was tagged as the victim – it was Sisera, who we discovered from earlier verses, as the commander of the great and formidable Canaanite army. It was an army equipped with 900 iron chariots, compared to Israel's simple army of men. Sisera had probably gained victories in hundreds of hand-to-hand combat battles and earned the respect to command such a large army.

Yet, even with all his military expertise, coupled with his extensive war experience, he was no match against the hands of a woman. Culturally, women were indeed considered as the weaker vessel. But, Sisera made one critical error that ended up costing him his life - he allowed exhaustion to get the best of him. He was so concerned about running away from the Israelites that he failed to realize how quickly exhaustion caught up with him.

Sisera's greatest foe wasn't necessarily the Israelites; it wasn't even Jael, although she packed a pretty mean punch. Sisera's public enemy #1 was a self-inflicted wound simply called "exhaustion." The danger with being prone to this wound is the distraction it creates. Blind spots become enlarged and shades one's perspective of the true picture, wherein settling for second best becomes good enough. Exhaustion, quite frankly, kills, not just the body, but also the spirit.

Application

I need to take proactive steps to guard against inflicting myself with exhaustion. The key lies in balancing my time and how I choose to apply myself in my ministry, with my family, and even in regards to my own personal time. There will always seem to be more to do than what the hours in a day will allow. But included in that time must be periods reserved for refreshing, for a Sabbath rest. For if I don't, I will have no one else to blame for the wound that I've inflicted upon myself.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the reminder of how important it is to guard my times of rest. Help me to balance my time wisely, to keep myself fresh for the duration of the time that You've given me, in order that I might run this race with endurance to the very end.