Shield and Sword

“He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword!” (Deuteronomy 33:29 NLT)

A few years ago, there was a burglary in our neighborhood. My husband and I discussed getting a gun, but then settled for a heavy-duty Taser. He knows how to use it, but I’m reluctant to even touch the thing. It’s shaped like a gun and it is heavy. My husband has encouraged me to practice using it, but I have not fired it even once. We keep it in a locked case. If an intruder breaks into my home, I doubt I would even remember that we had it.  

The Lord is our offensive weapon as well as our defensive protection. Yet, many of us are reluctant to reach for Him. Mostly, we just keep Him in a box and forget about Him. Some of us only remember God when we are in the middle of a crisis. We might seek Him out when all other avenues are exhausted.  But, since we are unfamiliar with Him, we are not sure what to do. Faith can be unwieldy to those who are unaccustomed to it.

We have a God who will fight for us and defend us. However, it takes some practice to be conscious of His presence--to become familiar with Him. We must exercise our faith every chance we get, reach out to God regularly, and get used to lifting Him up. When we get accustomed to trusting God with our day-to-day struggles, we are then able to let Him handle the major crises as well.  

Consistent Dependence

“So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.” (Hosea 12:6 NLT)

I highly value consistency in relationships. I try to communicate with all my loved ones regularly to let them know I am thinking of them and that I am available if they need me. Some people believe that relationships can flourish even with intermittent care. This is not true. If you take a train to work, and it arrives late several times a month, you stop relying on it. Similarly, sporadic relationships lead to unease and distrust.

Consistent communication with God enables us to trust Him. The Lord is always present and available. Yet, we don’t always make time for Him. When we learn to connect with him continually, we realize we can count on Him to always be there for us. The Lord can accomplish much through those who constantly depend on Him; So let us turn our attention to God, act in kindness and fairness, and steadily rely on Him at all times.

Standard Bearers

“The people left their tents to cross the Jordan, led by the priests carrying the Chest of the Covenant.” (Joshua 3:14 MSG)

I met Jayce during a long-distance, running race. She was one of the official pacers. At large, running events, a few participants are picked to run at specific speeds. The pacers are usually experienced runners who know the layout of the course. They prepare and train in advance for their role. Jayce ran the entire race holding up a sign that stated her assigned pace. I asked her about being a pacer. She said she was honored to carry the pacer stick. She felt the weight of the responsibility to stay on pace and motivate those around her. What impressed me most was how Jayce held back, even though she could have easily run faster. She encouraged those around her to do their best, even if that meant running ahead of her. However, she didn’t slow down if the other runners got tired. She kept the pace that was assigned to her. As a pacer, Jayce enabled the rest of the runners to go beyond their comfort zones and to push past physical and mental barriers.

The Jordan River represented a barrier between where the Israelites were and where they needed to be. Each individual had a role to play. The people had to leave their tents--the space where they felt safe, comfortable, and competent. The priests had to carry the Chest of the Covenant to the middle of the river and wait while the others crossed over the river. They modeled endurance, perseverance, discipline, and strength.

We all have particular missions at different times in our lives. Each role is significant in its own way and requires unique skills and training. Sometimes we are called to leave our comfort zones, push through imagined impediments, and do our personal best. Other times, we might be called to be the standard bearers. Our mission might be to enable others to progress past their ingrained limitations. We might have to hold back in order to hold a steady pace. Our hands might cramp up, and our feet might get weary, but we cannot falter. We must continue to hold up the banner--for there are many who are counting on us.

How Much Longer?

“My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?” (Psalm 119:82 NLT)

My husband works in the Emergency Department of a major hospital. Recently, we have been seeing small hospitals advertising their average ER waiting times. My husband said he would be more concerned about how long a patient had to stay in the Emergency Department before being discharged or admitted to another department. The waiting room is just the first step. Many patients have to wait hours, to sometimes days, before they leave the ED. These patients do not find any comfort in the fact that they only had to wait twenty  minutes at first.

I feel like I have been waiting a long time for God to take care of some issues. There have been some minor signs of progress. I feel like I’m out of the waiting room. I have had a chance to present my case. Yet, things are not resolved, and I don’t know if and when they will be. I’m tired, frustrated, and impatient for results.  My eyes keep straining, waiting for some good news. I long for relief.

“How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? Turn and answer me, O LORD my God!” (Psalm 13:2-3 NLT)

Life with God

“Put your mind on your life with God.” (Luke 13:24 MSG)

My husband recently purchased a gadget that was supposed to help us get local TV channels without cable or satellite service in our detached studio. He hooked it up, and it did provide three or four channels; unfortunately these were not the channels we needed or wanted. They played mostly infomercials and old, blurry, TV shows. If we didn’t know about all the channels out there--providing weather, news, movies, and current shows--we might have settled for these inferior channels.  We are still trying to decide if we should return this gadget--it does work, just not in a useful way.

Many people go through their days without tuning in to God. As far as they can tell, they are doing fine. There are a few channels that are available to them--acquisition, consumption, and amusement; and, if you have never experienced anything more, you could probably live this way. It works--just not in a meaningful way.

Life with God allows us to experience a completely different realm. We do not have to settle for inferior, blurry programming.  And, those of us who know that there is more, feel compelled to let others in on it. We have caught a glimpse of a higher level, and we are no longer content with self-deception, self-obsession, or distractions. We have discovered God’s Spirit in us. We have become aware of this essential truth: We have a God who has made Himself available to us. We don’t want to live the old way anymore; instead, we crave and pursue a meaningful, worthy life with God.

Seeds and Yeast

"How can I picture God's kingdom for you? What kind of story can I use?

It's like a pine nut that a man plants in his front yard. It grows into a huge pine tree with thick branches, and eagles build nests in it." He tried again. "How can I picture God's kingdom? It's like yeast that a woman works into enough dough for three loaves of bread - and waits while the dough rises." (Luke 13:18-21 MSG)

I plant wheat grain for wheat grass. The first sprouts appear within days. In one week, I have a bed of brilliant green grass that is ready for juicing. I also plant cilantro seeds. I wait for weeks--watering, watching, wondering. I am tempted to give up on these seeds, because they show no signs of growth.

But eventually, they too grow, given enough water and light.

I like making quick breads with baking soda. I rarely make yeast breads. It takes too long to work the yeast in and wait for the bread to rise. There are too many variables. If the yeast is not fresh, or if the temperature is not right, the bread may not be ready when I need it. I like things to be predictable and uncomplicated.

God’s influence may be imperceptible at first, but, over time, it can grow exponentially. It can be far reaching and all encompassing. Yet, it isn’t predictable. Our role is to plant the seeds, to work in the yeast, to initiate the process, and to provide favorable conditions for growth.  We have very little control over the outcome or timing. We leave that up to God, trusting, waiting, watching, hoping…

Encased in Grace

“He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.” (Exodus 35:31 NIV)

Hard-shelled capsules are one of the most efficient delivery systems for medications. Pharmaceutical companies are able to encapsulate specific dosages of drugs in shells that are easy for consumers to swallow. Unfortunately, it is also easy to tamper with capsules. Drug traffickers often fill capsules with counterfeit narcotics--the outer shells are broken and the inner contents are adulterated.

God created us to be an efficient delivery system for His Spirit. Our physical bodies are merely shells meant to encapsulate His wisdom, goodness, and power. However, we are susceptible to tampering. Our lives can be contaminated, diluted, and filled with harmful substances instead of what God intended. Thus, we must submit ourselves to be sealed--made tamper-resistant. This process requires disciplined adherence. Stillness, a commitment to abide in God’s presence,  encases us in God’s grace.

Lord, seal me from temptations. Enable me to deliver Your Spirit to those around me.