"O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You."
In the face of a massed enemy army and its imminent attack, Jehoshaphat was afraid (v. 3). Yet he refused to give in to it, turning his attention to seek the LORD and proclaiming a fast throughout the land. Principle: When things are dire, reduce distractions & focus on Him.
By his own admission, neither Jehoshaphat nor his people knew what to do... but as spiritual leader he knew Who did! With a rare humility for one in kingly robes, he acknowledged publicly in prayer their utter dependence upon the LORD. And God glorified His Name by granting Judah a victory accomplished solely by His doing. The result? Surrounding nations heard of it, and feared the God of Israel (v.29).
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I John 2:15--17
"Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; But the one who does the will of God abides forever."
Satan, the one empowering the world system, the hater of God & deceiver of men, has a two-fold purpose: to steal God's worship, and to hinder our knowledge of Him. The three tools he has at his disposal (by the Father's sovereign permission) are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
John the apostle here exposes one of the enemy's strongest strategies to keep blinded men from understanding the truth: make the world system seem permanent.
Through the continual shouting at his senses, the relentless fear of death and the unknown, as well as the prideful rationalization of his supposed basic goodness, the devil lulls the lost one into believing that what he sees is all there is, and will last forever. Ironically, although there is physical sight, he is actually spiritually blind (II Corinthians 4:3,4).
Yet it is not to the blinded unbeliever that John is writing (!). No, his words of warning are to those who are "not to be ignorant of his (the devil's) schemes" (II Cor. 2:11). That the Holy Spirit of God should even compel the apostle to pen these lines implies that the power the world system wields is formidable. As Peter also warns, we must be continually vigilant, soberly alert, lest we be devoured by this lion-like foe (I Peter 5:8,9).
O Father,
Greater are You in me than he who is in the world! Praise to Your Name he is a defeated foe, crushed at the cross, and I rejoice in the victory the Lord Jesus won there as He took my place on the tree. Teach me afresh, Father, to walk in this truth, stand in it, immovable, refusing to impugn the character of my blessed Savior by yielding to Satan's intimidation. By Your blessed Holy Spirit, Father, teach me the wearing of the armor, that I may be usable for Your glory in the spiritual warfare that never ceases.
I ask in the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Satan, the one empowering the world system, the hater of God & deceiver of men, has a two-fold purpose: to steal God's worship, and to hinder our knowledge of Him. The three tools he has at his disposal (by the Father's sovereign permission) are the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
John the apostle here exposes one of the enemy's strongest strategies to keep blinded men from understanding the truth: make the world system seem permanent.
Through the continual shouting at his senses, the relentless fear of death and the unknown, as well as the prideful rationalization of his supposed basic goodness, the devil lulls the lost one into believing that what he sees is all there is, and will last forever. Ironically, although there is physical sight, he is actually spiritually blind (II Corinthians 4:3,4).
Yet it is not to the blinded unbeliever that John is writing (!). No, his words of warning are to those who are "not to be ignorant of his (the devil's) schemes" (II Cor. 2:11). That the Holy Spirit of God should even compel the apostle to pen these lines implies that the power the world system wields is formidable. As Peter also warns, we must be continually vigilant, soberly alert, lest we be devoured by this lion-like foe (I Peter 5:8,9).
O Father,
Greater are You in me than he who is in the world! Praise to Your Name he is a defeated foe, crushed at the cross, and I rejoice in the victory the Lord Jesus won there as He took my place on the tree. Teach me afresh, Father, to walk in this truth, stand in it, immovable, refusing to impugn the character of my blessed Savior by yielding to Satan's intimidation. By Your blessed Holy Spirit, Father, teach me the wearing of the armor, that I may be usable for Your glory in the spiritual warfare that never ceases.
I ask in the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
John 6:63--66
" 'It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.' For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. And He was saying, 'For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.' As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore."
On the heels of miraculous ministries where food was multiplied, healings were causing great excitement, and His fame spread like wildfire, the Lord Jesus reveals His utter resistance to the deceitful lure of popularity.
He always and only cared for the will of His Father, period. His was an unnerving lack of concern for so much that everyone else valued so dearly. He alone understood perfectly that the flesh profits nothing, and so He lived with nothing to lose, with a fearless spiritual boldness. In the face of intensifying hatred from the religious leaders, and increasing disappointment from the multitudes, He unflinchingly spoke every word the Father gave Him to deliver (John 17:8).
Interesting that, when the disciples withdrew and walked with Him no more, there is no record of His following after them, pleading for them to return. As far as we know, He let them go. He would not "water down" the message to increase its appeal. Neither should we.
On the heels of miraculous ministries where food was multiplied, healings were causing great excitement, and His fame spread like wildfire, the Lord Jesus reveals His utter resistance to the deceitful lure of popularity.
He always and only cared for the will of His Father, period. His was an unnerving lack of concern for so much that everyone else valued so dearly. He alone understood perfectly that the flesh profits nothing, and so He lived with nothing to lose, with a fearless spiritual boldness. In the face of intensifying hatred from the religious leaders, and increasing disappointment from the multitudes, He unflinchingly spoke every word the Father gave Him to deliver (John 17:8).
Interesting that, when the disciples withdrew and walked with Him no more, there is no record of His following after them, pleading for them to return. As far as we know, He let them go. He would not "water down" the message to increase its appeal. Neither should we.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Prayerful Longings
"Father,
A deep yearning abides, for a restored awareness of who You are,
a sensing again Your nearness, Your enabling presence;
Yes, Your blessed presence, so very reassuring, as You speak peace to this troubled heart.
How gentle, yet insistent, is Your Spirit of holiness, knowing my frame, mindful that I am but dust; Your perfect, thorough searching of this drifting heart, revealing the sin You hate in such a way that makes me hate it, too.
Lead on to repentance, faithful Urger,
refusing anything less than Your rightful place of preeminence in my soul,
enthroned without peer, in a love-ravished heart of holiness You've restored!"
A deep yearning abides, for a restored awareness of who You are,
a sensing again Your nearness, Your enabling presence;
Yes, Your blessed presence, so very reassuring, as You speak peace to this troubled heart.
How gentle, yet insistent, is Your Spirit of holiness, knowing my frame, mindful that I am but dust; Your perfect, thorough searching of this drifting heart, revealing the sin You hate in such a way that makes me hate it, too.
Lead on to repentance, faithful Urger,
refusing anything less than Your rightful place of preeminence in my soul,
enthroned without peer, in a love-ravished heart of holiness You've restored!"
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
For AYoung Married Couple Just Starting Out
"Father, Your Name be praised for engineering circumstances in bringing them together, in revealing Your will that they marry, and showing such grace and favor to sustain them to this day (Prov. 27:1). Thank You, too, for the privilege of seeking Your face on their behalf, for Your blessed Spirit's transcendance of distance in accomplishing Your will. For, who can stay Your hand, or thwart Your sovereign movement high King of Heaven? Praise to Your holy Name!
From this the beginning of their marital days, Father, cause them to determine to have You first in their every decision, Your Word determining their course and priorities. As deep as is their love for each other, Father, may it pale compared to their love for You and Your truth. May they settle it now to obey Your Word through whatever life may bring, in order to bring honor to You.
From this the beginning of their marital days, Father, cause them to determine to have You first in their every decision, Your Word determining their course and priorities. As deep as is their love for each other, Father, may it pale compared to their love for You and Your truth. May they settle it now to obey Your Word through whatever life may bring, in order to bring honor to You.
Through Your Word, Father, speak powerfully to his heart, convicting and convincing him to be a man after Your own heart. May he be a man of steel and velvet, walking daily filled by and with Your Spirit, sensitive to Your still, small voice, eager to act upon what he hears. May Your Word and wisdom sink roots deep into the soil of his soul, that he may not drift away from You in the trying times to come. May You always be his first love, that she may rest securely as his second.
Speak to her heart as well, Father, that, as enraptured as she is with him, You will always be her soul's preeminent desire, wisely aware that only You can fulfill her strongest longings, meeting her deepest needs. May You continually whet her appetite for Your Word by the sweet stirring work of Your blessed Spirit, that her life may be a fragrant aroma of the knowledge of You in every place. And should You grant them children, gracious Father, may they be nurtured and admonished by Your faithful Word, according to Your perfect will, as Your Holy Spirit reveals the Lord Jesus in all His saving power.
May theirs be a winsome home of consistent witness to Your goodness & grace. Be pleased to honor Your Name through their daily habits, furnishings, lifestyle, conversations, attitudes, and laughter. Be their distinctive, O Father, that all will see Jesus in them, and be drawn to Him. May they be ever teachable, in humility always ready to acknowledge fault to one another, graciously forgiving when wronged, being more & more conformed to the image of Your dear Son.
And when it comes time to bid this life farewell, may they have no regrets, nothing of which to be ashamed, nothing undone, eager to see You in all Your glory! All praise and credit to You, great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for bringing to pass the joining of these two in matrimony for a brief time before eternity... may Your smile be upon them to the uttermost!
In the Lord Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen."
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hebrews 4:13 ; Proverb 5:21
"And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." "For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, and He watches all his paths."
He is living, His knowledge is absolute, and there is no place His gaze does not penetrate.
"Oh Father, You know, and You see, and You are not mocked. No one sins without consequences, without loss. The most "hidden" (though there is no such thing with You) of sins still mean fellowship with You is broken, and conscience is defiled. Joy evaporates with the loss of Your smile. When Your blessed Spirit is grieved, days are tasteless and nights seem unending.
How deeply needed is Your work of grace and restoration! So comforting to know You know this redeemed heart, fickle though it often behaves. You see, and through the Lord Jesus promise hope. Praise to Your Name, such hope is never misplaced, when set upon Your precious promises.
In Your Son's Name I rejoice,
Amen."
He is living, His knowledge is absolute, and there is no place His gaze does not penetrate.
"Oh Father, You know, and You see, and You are not mocked. No one sins without consequences, without loss. The most "hidden" (though there is no such thing with You) of sins still mean fellowship with You is broken, and conscience is defiled. Joy evaporates with the loss of Your smile. When Your blessed Spirit is grieved, days are tasteless and nights seem unending.
How deeply needed is Your work of grace and restoration! So comforting to know You know this redeemed heart, fickle though it often behaves. You see, and through the Lord Jesus promise hope. Praise to Your Name, such hope is never misplaced, when set upon Your precious promises.
In Your Son's Name I rejoice,
Amen."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Isaiah 55:2
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance."
What a question our Lord poses to His people! Is it not a haunting thing that He asks it not to a money-squandering world, but to the people who are called by His own Name (!)? We who should know better, we whose priorities should reflect His change upon our hearts-- yet how often we still spend for that which may bring happiness, but does not satisfy.
Since money is more a matter of emotion than finance (Matt. 6:21), often we don't want to hear what the Father would say about something we are wanting to buy. In such a state, it is imperative that we ask Him for the grace to "play it either way," willing to do with or without it. He will honor such a posture. He delights to do so, giving us a testimony to His faithful provision-- more than we expected.
To Your Name, and Yours alone, Father, be the praise, honor, and glory for times without number that You have fulfilled Your promises perfectly! Not one need of any of Your children has ever failed to be met, according to the riches of Your grace in Christ Jesus. Be pleased to deepen our desire to listen for Your still, small voice when the impatience of the flesh is the strongest. May the things we buy reflect well on You who sent Your Son to purchase us at such great cost at the cross!
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance."
What a question our Lord poses to His people! Is it not a haunting thing that He asks it not to a money-squandering world, but to the people who are called by His own Name (!)? We who should know better, we whose priorities should reflect His change upon our hearts-- yet how often we still spend for that which may bring happiness, but does not satisfy.
Since money is more a matter of emotion than finance (Matt. 6:21), often we don't want to hear what the Father would say about something we are wanting to buy. In such a state, it is imperative that we ask Him for the grace to "play it either way," willing to do with or without it. He will honor such a posture. He delights to do so, giving us a testimony to His faithful provision-- more than we expected.
To Your Name, and Yours alone, Father, be the praise, honor, and glory for times without number that You have fulfilled Your promises perfectly! Not one need of any of Your children has ever failed to be met, according to the riches of Your grace in Christ Jesus. Be pleased to deepen our desire to listen for Your still, small voice when the impatience of the flesh is the strongest. May the things we buy reflect well on You who sent Your Son to purchase us at such great cost at the cross!
In the Lord Jesus' Name,
Amen.
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