You are with me

 

Faith Discovery Church, where I served for many years as pastor, meets in a large building. It has beautiful laminate wood trusses supporting a deck roof that reaches 40 feet at its peak. When the wind blows the building seems to come alive with sounds, creaks and groans. I have been in that sanctuary for thousands of hours and know every inch of it well. However, when I am in that large room at night and hear those sounds, see the shadows on the walls, I feel uneasy in the darkness. In the light of day in that very same sanctuary, I feel no fear whatever even on the stormiest day. What’s the difference? Light!

Sometimes we find ourselves walking in the dark, in spite of having a beautiful life, don’t we?

Confusion, uncertainty, multiple challenges that exhaust us, combine to hide the ‘light’ of our soul and in that moment we may feel fear creeping up on us.

Matthew tells us about Jesus telling His friend that He was about to go Jerusalem and there He would die!  Peter objected that such awful things could not be God’s will. Jesus severely reprimanded Peter: "Get behind me, Satan!"  He told him that he would deny knowing Him, to which Peter boldly replied: "Maybe those other guys, but NOT me!"   We know the story. 

In the dark, when fear took hold, Peter failed spectacularly, even openly denying his Lord, not once, but three times!  When Jesus was taken into custody for an illegal midnight trial. Filled with fear, his friends deserted Him scattering into the night. That week ended with His crucifixion. John tells us that the disciples hid behind locked doors, deeply shaken and fearful. And you think you've had a bad week?

Sometimes God's people walk through dark times! The Psalmist reminds us, however, that (23:4 NLT) "Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid..." Why? "...for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." God’s promise is true. Even when we cannot see Him - He is with us. When we are walking through the dark rooms of death, disappointment, or even demonic attack He is with us. Why doesn’t He take us out of such situations? I don’t know! That’s the faith part of the equation. Years after his own fearful failure, a mature Peter urged Christians to be steady, even when they are walking in the dark.  He tells us "Don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world." 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Are you in the dark today? In Acts 16, we read a story of faith in the darkness! After doing much good in the city of Philippi, Paul and Silas, were accused of disturbing the peace, beaten by the authorities, and chained to a wall in a filthy jail! Sounds like a good time to complain, doesn’t it? “What’s up with this, Lord? Here we are trying to do what you want us to do. And, then you let us end up here in the dark, hurting and bleeding.” That’s not what they did. They overcame the temptation to fear with a different choice.  "Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn’t believe their ears." (Acts 16:25, The Message) You know the rest of the story… an earthquake shook open the doors; the jailer’s heart was opened by the sincere faith he saw in these two evangelists; and the Light broke through!

If the sun is shining brightly at this moment in your life, be thankful and strengthen your relationship with God, through faith and worship. And, if you are living in the dark so to speak, remember that He is not far away, though you may not see Him in the moment. Instead of running, kneel. Instead of wailing, sing about the faithfulness of God. Sing like Paul and Silas sang at midnight! (Acts 16)

The Light will shine on you again.

Here is a word from the Word.
"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you." (Psalm 139:7-12, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray
I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what is ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

Ev'ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter
Ev'ry cloud is silver-lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky

I don't know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty
But the One who feeds the sparrow
Is the One who stands by me
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood

 

Ira Stanphill

© 1950 New Spring (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

Just Do It!

As I read my text in the book of Joshua, I remembered an ad campaign that Nike™ did starting in 1988! The "Just Do It" slogan became well-known in the culture. The creators said that they wanted people to think of active life and Nike shoes not just for the young or athletes, but as choices for all people regardless of their age, gender or physical fitness level.  Do you know that there are important choices that must be made IF we desire to live in God’s best for us? The Christian who would be useful in God’s work, who would live lovingly, who would make a positive difference in their world while enjoying the promises of joy and contentment, will step and ‘just do it!’

As Joshua assumed leadership of Israel after Moses’ death, his task was to lead the people into Canaan, the “Promised Land.”  They were on the east side of the Jordan River, which was flowing at flood stage, an obstacle that had to be overcome. Let’s eavesdrop on the Lord’s conversation with that man.  "The Lord told Joshua, “Today I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all the Israelites. Now they will know that I am with you, just as I was with Moses. Give these instructions to the priests who are carrying the Ark of the Covenant: ‘When you reach the banks of the Jordan River, take a few steps into the river and stop.’ " (Joshua 3:7-8, NLT) 

The rest of the story is that as those priests stepped into the river, the water ceased flowing and a pathway for the people’s crossing miraculously opened. However, they had to act in faith before they saw God’s intervention. "As soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho." (Joshua 3:15-16, NLT)

After they entered Canaan, they had to overcome Jericho, a fortified city. Again, we know that God promised them victory, but not while they sat around and waited.  Once again, He told them to act in faith. “Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. ... Go and march around the town once each morning for a whole week, then on the seventh day, march around it seven times, and blow the trumpets! When you hear the trumpets, shout the victory shout."  

I wonder if that sounded as silly to those people as it does to us?  Did they wonder what marching around the city’s walls once a day for 6 days and 7 times on the 7^th day would accomplish?  Perhaps, but God asked them to ‘just do it’ and they did. Again, we know the rest of the story.  "When the people heard the sound of the rams' horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it." (Joshua 6:20, NLT)

Following Jesus into a life that is rich in joy and filled with love requires active participation in God’s work.

He says, "Forgive those who offend you," we must just do it.

He says, "Put me first in your use of resources," and we must just do it.

He says, "Love your enemies," and we must just do it.

He says, "Stop worrying about tomorrow," and we must choose to trust and obey.

The nation of Israel was not always as obedient as they were in the examples I used a moment ago. Often in their long history, they resisted the Lord, argued against His will, and even ignored Him. Their long history reveals that when they choose short-term self-interest over long-term obedience, there were always negative consequences. When they were willing to 'just do it,' they discovered the goodness of the Lord in unanticipated ways. The key was faith to believe God, even when it made no sense in the moment!

Take one of the Bible's shortest prayers with you today. When you struggle to obey, just breathe this one line prayer. It was first prayed by a father who was in terrible distress over his son's terrible condition. He brought the boy to Jesus. Mark recounts the scene.

"If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."
" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."
Immediately the boy's father exclaimed,

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit."You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." (Mark 9:22-25, NIV)

The gift of faith that comes in response to our humble entreaty creates a heart ready to radically obey. Let's just do it!

The word from the Word today teaches that faith is an active thing, never passive! " Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Battle Belongs

When all I see is the battle
You see my victory
When all I see is a mountain
You see a mountain moved
And as I walk through the shadow
Your love surrounds me
There's nothing to fear now
For I am safe with You

So when I fight I'll fight on my knees
With my hands lifted high
O God the battle belongs to You
And every fear I lay at Your feet
I'll sing through the night
O God the battle belongs to You

And if You are for me
Who can be against me
For Jesus there's nothing
Impossible for You
When all I see are the ashes
You see the beauty
When all I see is a cross
God You see the empty tomb

(An) Almighty Fortress You go before us
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God
You shine in the shadows
You win every battle
Nothing can stand against
The power of our God

O God the battle belongs to You

 

Brian Johnson | Phil Wickham

© Phil Wickham Music (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

Simply Global Songs (Fair Trade Music Publishing [c/o Essential Music Publishing LLC])

Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055