Micah and I have been reading through the book of Joshua in our morning devotional time for school. I have really been struck by the parallels between the conquering of Caanan and our own spiritual warfare as we fight the flesh and the old nature.
In Joshua 11, a coalition of kings comes against Israel to fight. God assures Joshua of victory in the battle . In addition to fighting and conquering the attacking kings, Joshua turns and attacks Hazor. Verse 10 says "Then Joshua turned back at that time and captured Hazor and struck its king with the sword for Hazor formerly was the head of all these kingdoms." Joshua knew that it wasn't enough to establish victory in the fruit of the problem. If he wanted to permanently hold the land, he needed to destroy the head.
I think I miss this often, and attack the fruit of the issue rather than dealing with the ruling sin that produced the issue.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Only Jesus
I was reading in John 18 and was particularly struck by verses 18-19. Pilate is offering to release Jesus, but the people cry out for Barabbas. Following their cry is Scripture's declaration: "Now Barabbas was a robber".
Isn't it the truth that whenever we choose something or someone over Jesus, that thing or person is a robber? Jn. 10:14 "The thief does not come except to steal,and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly". I'm not sure why I can't seem to grasp this when all the little decisions (and the big ones) of life present themselves. It is a daily struggle to choose Jesus and not the robbers, but I don't always see that that's the choice being made.
Isn't it the truth that whenever we choose something or someone over Jesus, that thing or person is a robber? Jn. 10:14 "The thief does not come except to steal,and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly". I'm not sure why I can't seem to grasp this when all the little decisions (and the big ones) of life present themselves. It is a daily struggle to choose Jesus and not the robbers, but I don't always see that that's the choice being made.
Monday, April 12, 2010
immovable
Since yesterday I've been pondering that one little word "immovable". I'm accustomed to associate the word with a negative attitude or behavior. Something that is immovable brings to mind an obstacle or a pesky hindrance. Someone who is immovable brings to mind stubborness, resistance to change, and a mule-like temper. People like that, it seems to me, are generally hard to deal with. Needless to say I've never aspired to be an immovable person and would not feel flattered if I was described that way .
I've been driven to this musing by a familiar Scripture. ICor.15:58 states: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." That little word "immovable", surprised me, stuck out at me, and caused me to wonder. What does an immovable servant of the Lord look like? Have I ever known anyone immovable? Perhaps more importantly, am I immovable?
There is I am sure a wealth of depth in this one word that I cannot hope to expound. I am struck however by the endless examples given in Scripture. What they all seem to have in common is that the servant of the Lord makes decisions and choices based on what God says and will not move from those choices no matter what the personal cost or consequence. If we use the metaphor of an immovable object then its significance is that it leaves its mark on those who come in contact with it rather than the other way around. So, the question then is: am I immovable(in a good way). Do I influence people to godliness or do people influence me to sin? I find that to be a very sobering reflection.
I've been driven to this musing by a familiar Scripture. ICor.15:58 states: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." That little word "immovable", surprised me, stuck out at me, and caused me to wonder. What does an immovable servant of the Lord look like? Have I ever known anyone immovable? Perhaps more importantly, am I immovable?
There is I am sure a wealth of depth in this one word that I cannot hope to expound. I am struck however by the endless examples given in Scripture. What they all seem to have in common is that the servant of the Lord makes decisions and choices based on what God says and will not move from those choices no matter what the personal cost or consequence. If we use the metaphor of an immovable object then its significance is that it leaves its mark on those who come in contact with it rather than the other way around. So, the question then is: am I immovable(in a good way). Do I influence people to godliness or do people influence me to sin? I find that to be a very sobering reflection.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
whale attack
Sometimes the news is more like Ripley's Believe It or Not than anything else KWIM? This week's whale attack and the subsequent death of a trainer at Sea World falls into that category. Why a whale with previous aggressive incidences which involved death was still performing and interacting is a mystery to me. I must confess though that I've been fascinated by the responses of the animal rights contingent and the public that supports them. Everywhere they have vociferously expressed that in no way should the animal be held responsible for the attack. Why not? Because the animal cannot be held responsible for its actions the same way a person could. This is an interesting position for a group that has sought to increasingly blur the line between man and animal. Yet here in this situation they are drawing a distinct difference between the two. I guess it must be because no matter how much anyone tries to deny or work around it, deep inside we all know that there is an unbreachable gulf between man and animal. Man is a special creation of God, unique in that he was made in HIS image.
So who is responsible? Ex. 21:28 and 29 speak wisdom for this situation. If a man had an ox that gored someone, the ox was to be destroyed and the owner would be aquitted of blame. However, if the ox had previously gored or shown a tendency to aggression with his horns and the owner hadn't kept the ox isolated then the ox was to be destroyed and the man stoned. IMO the animal was destroyed in the interest of protecting people, and the owner was responsible for what he knew.
So who is responsible? Ex. 21:28 and 29 speak wisdom for this situation. If a man had an ox that gored someone, the ox was to be destroyed and the owner would be aquitted of blame. However, if the ox had previously gored or shown a tendency to aggression with his horns and the owner hadn't kept the ox isolated then the ox was to be destroyed and the man stoned. IMO the animal was destroyed in the interest of protecting people, and the owner was responsible for what he knew.
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