Daniel Fast - Sure Fire "Fast" Results

I have been pondering lately.  I have been wondering about this thing called fasting.  I have read plenty on the topic (at least three books to date), and listened to more than a few messages but still, I find my hold on this subject is much like grabbing a fistful of Jello.   What does one fast for anyway?  I have heard all manner of examples from spiritual breakthroughs, to salvation of family members, to miraculous healing, to financial provision, to…. I have heard bold testimonies of how God intervened in amazing situations but also quiet whispers where there were no apparent results at all. 

I struggle with the idea that if I participate in certain things, then and only then, God will intervene.  Maybe it is because I love food so much.   I just can’t make it all fit in my mind.  Maybe you are like me and you would like to see an example with “fast” results as a sure fire precedent.  It is always easier for me to believe God for something when I can find a place in scripture where it actually happened.  I honestly believe if God did it for them then He will do it for me.  It is just the way that I am wired.   I guess I should have been a lawyer.  I am forever looking for a precedent.

What if there was an account with an example that we could use as a model for “fast” results?  Something with an honest to goodness real life outcome.  What if there was an instance that illustrated what kinds of things you can know God will award on account of said fast?  Would you be interested?   Would it motivate you to take the fasting challenge?  If your answer is yes, then join with me in Daniel chapter one and let’s discover four sure fire reasons to fast. 

1) For your health.

“At the end of 10 days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.  So the guard took away their choice food and wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.”  Daniel 1:15-16

This scripture doesn’t say that Daniel and his friends were sick and needed healing but it does say that they were healthier and better nourished than the young men who partook in the food at the kings table.  Participating in the Daniel fast doesn’t guarantee healing but does strongly suggest a healthier outcome.  Looking at our diets, I don’t see it too big a stretch for me to believe that if I lay down my double stuffed oreo cookie for a carrot stick for 21 days, I might just be a little bit healthier.  I am told that what we eat bears greatly on the health of our bodies.  I can’t help but wonder if the things I eat are working against the strength and vitality that God desires for me to have.

2) For knowledge and understanding.

“To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.“ Daniel 1:17a

What I love about this outcome is that God gave them knowledge and understanding regarding all kinds of literature and learning.  Not just in spiritual matters but in practical ones as well.  Does anyone but me need knowledge and understanding with the practical things in life?  Do you think this means that God could make you smarter as a student, mother, wife or employee?  Will He give you the ability to understand that research material, that book about raising kids, the fine lines written within your health insurance package, or those maddening instructions that are given to put together that “whatever” you just bought (always wondered who wrote those things)?  He did that for Daniel and his friends. 

3) For clarity of God’s vision for your life.

“And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” Daniel 1:17b

Has God’s vision for your life gotten cloudy?  Do you need clarity?  Apparently God gave Daniel the ability to understand visions.  I don’t know about you but I could use a little windex on the window blocking my vision.  Evidently, through fasting it is possible to achieve that clarity.

4) For Promotion.

“In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the King questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole Kingdom”  Daniel 1:20

Are you looking for promotion?  Whether you are in a job or involved with ministry or just plain old living out the life that God has planted your feet on this earth for, could you use a little promotion?  This scripture tells us that God caused these men to be ten times better then all the most gifted men spiritually in the king’s whole kingdom.  Would you like to have that kind of promotion?  One that gives you the cutting edge whether it is against your competitors on the job or just being smarter then the average bear as you go through the daily-ness of your life.   I do.  I want an edge.  I need an edge. 

So what do you think?  Could you use any of those benefits?  Would being a healthier you be something that might motivate you to participate in the Daniel Fast?  If not that, how about some knowledge and understanding?  Not your thing?  Perhaps you need some clarity of vision or a long overdue promotion?  Which appeals to you most?

Last year I decided to participate in a self driven Daniel fast because I needed breakthrough in these four areas.   I consulted with my doctor to make sure it was wise (it was and I urgently suggest that you do this as well) and I fasted for these four succinct precedents.  While I didn’t see results immediately, looking back one year later I can overwhelming declare that I have grown healthier, I have gained wisdom and understanding in all kinds of learning (do I hear anyone say computer?), clarity of vision is continually evolving even as I write this, and I do feel like I have developed an edge over many of my worldly contemporaries.  Why? (and this is big)  Because my sole purpose is to do what I do on planet earth to glorify God.  If that is my underlying motive and these four outcomes are my goal, I believe that it will surely come to pass.

Are you convinced?  You have the evidence.  What are you going to do? 

Love you much!

Bible Memorization Project - 2013 Details

Hello Everyone: 

Here are the details as promised for the Bible Memorization Project 2013!  You can read even more about it here.

What is it?

1) We will memorize one verse and its reference every two weeks.

2) We will write the verse on an index card and number each verse corresponding to the week. 

Calendar

Verse 1 - January 1 – start date

Verse 2 - January 15 – alternate start date

Verse 3 – January 29

Verse 4 – February 12

Verse 5 – February 26

Verse 6 – March 12

Verse 7 – March 26

Verse 8 – April 9

Verse 9 – April 23

Verse 10 – May 7

Verse rally day - you will recite your 9-10 verses to one of the Bible Memorization leaders – don’t forget your index cards.

The Prize

For all those that have met their goal we will have a luncheon to celebrate.  All you need to do to attend and say your 10 verses to one of the Bible Memorization leaders. 

What Verse?

You can either pick you own verse or ask us to give you one.  You want the verse to have meaning to you so it should be something that is really relevant to your life. 

How to Memorize Verses?

Day one – Say the verse once looking at it then repeat it 10 times trying not to look. 

Day two and after – The same. 

If the verse is too long, break it down into portions: 

Day one – say the portion once looking at it then repeat it 10 more times.

Day two – say the first portion once looking at it then repeat it 10 times without looking at it.  Work on second portion.  Read it once then repeat it 10 more times. 

Day three – say the first portion ten times, say the second portion 10 times, then start on the third portion.

Never move on until you have each portion memorized.  Do this everyday and I believe that you will master the technique in no time at all. 

Accountability

Keeping yourself accountable is important because when someone else knows that you are memorizing it will cause you to do it. 

1) Partners – Let someone know that you are memorizing, hopefully someone else who is, and keep each other accountable.  You can ask to listen to each others verses every two weeks.

2) Blog – Every two weeks we will put a post up on the blog about what number verse we are up to.  Week one, week two ..etc and you can leave your verse as a comment. 

Last Word

In order to be successful at your memorization make sure that as we move through the weeks that you continue to recite the verses you have already committed. 

Thanks so much for dedicating this time to Bible Memorization.  I know that God is going to meet you and bless you in ways that you never imagined. 

Bible Memorization Project - 2013

          “At that time Joshua went and destroyed the Anakites from the hill country; form Hebron, Debir and Anab, from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel.  Joshua totally destroyed them and their towns.  No Anakites were left in Israelite territory; only in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod did any survive.  So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions.  Then the land had rest from war.”   Joshua 11:21-23

Hello Everyone!

Are you ready for the launch of a new Bible Memorization Project?  Reading this passage yesterday morning reminded me how important committing scripture to memory can be?  Are you scratching your heads trying to relate one with the other?  Are you wondering what Anakem has to do with Bible Memorization?  Are you quietly thinking that your Bible Study leader has completely lost her mind?  Let me explain….

Let’s start with context shall we?  Joshua has just led the Israelite’s into the Promised Land of Canaan.  The conquest was complete but still there was more territory left to be conquered.  Apparently Joshua had subdued the major cities and enemy fortresses, but he left it to the individual tribes to complete the work of eradicating the enemy from the land.  Unfortunately most of the tribes failed to do this.  (Joshua 13:1-7)

One of the cities Joshua failed to capture was Gath.  This was where the legendary Anakim resided.  They were reportedly gigantic people that the Israelites met when they first spied out the land.  It appears that Joshua had defeated most of them but there were still some living in Gath.  Because the Israelites never finished the conquest within their own individual territories, Gath became a Philistine stronghold that brought tremendous grief to the Israelites for future generations.  It was an Anakim champion that arose and came to humiliate the Israelites.  Perhaps you know him, his name was Goliath. 

Because Joshua’s generation failed to completely remove the Canaanites from the land, the Israelites were soon tempted by the pagan practices and loose morals of their Canaanite neighbors, just as God had predicted.  They would bring them tremendous grief throughout their remaining years. 

Here is the point.  Just as Joshua brought the Israelites into the land of abundance and fought with them side by side to overcome, there came a time when the Israelites were meant to finish the battle on their own.  They didn’t and because of that they were overtaken. 

Application:  We come to church and we learn and battle together but at some point we are meant to do battle on our own.  We are meant to take possession of whatever spiritual territory God has given us within our own sphere of influence. 

How do we as New Testament Christians battle?  With the word of God. 

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”   2 Corinthians 10:3-5

As we memorize scripture we are developing an arsenal of weaponry against the enemy.  When he comes at us with lies we use our memorized scripture to demolish arguments and all pretending that is against the knowledge of God.  We are taking captive our thoughts and making them obedient to the mind of Christ.  Here are some examples of what might be an unconquered area in our thought life:

-        Unbelief

-        knowing who you are in Christ

-        pride

-        quilt

-        addictions

-        deceptions

-        insecurities

-        un-forgiveness

-        victory over the enemy

-        depression

-        rejection

-        despair

As we memorize our scriptures regarding our unclaimed territory, and align ourselves with what God says, the enemy has to tuck his tail and run.  It is really that simple.  But it is going to take work on your part.  You are going to need to engage your mind and your motivation to do it.  It is time for some hand to hand combat if you want to live in the abundance that God has promised.

This is our third year doing this project and each year has been a tremendous success and I need to tell you not one and I mean not a single person has ever voiced to me that they were sorry they did it.  If you have never participated or if you are new to this whole memorization thing, I urge you to give it a shot. 

So have I whetted your appetite?  Are you anxious to get started?  Then check back soon for the details of the what, the how, and the when. 

Love you all so much and I am excited to embark on this Bible Memorization Project – 2013!

Shalom!!

Jehovah Jireh

If you have been following along with us this year on the study of the Names of God you probably have noticed that on each post I talk about what I learned in the homework and what I learned in class. Studying God and who He is through His Word is so amazing! It truly is like looking at a diamond. The light shines on the different facets, adding to the overall brilliance. In the same way, both the class and the homework illuminate a different aspect of God, radiating His glory.

What I Learned in the Homework

Before beginning, please review Genesis 22:1-14.  As a parent it is hard to read this passage without cringing a little. Abraham is told by God,  "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about” (Genesis 22:2).  The LORD is testing His servant Abraham. The homework teaches us much about the tests of God.  Something to keep in mind as you read through this, each of these points about Abraham’s test  can be applied to our own lives. Please take the time as you read to meditate on how these things could be reflected in your own walk with God.

Who Does God Test?

Our tests have our names on them. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2-3).  In Genesis 22, God called Abraham by name. In James, God tells us that we too will be tested.

Our tests are given proportionate to our faith experience with God. “Some time later God tested Abraham” (Gen. 22:2a)  When God tested him at Mt. Moriah, Abraham had experienced God’s faithfulness time and time again. There was time for a history to develop.

What Does God Test?

Our obedience. When God told Abraham what he was to do, Abraham obeyed God immediately. He didn’t argue or try to understand. He just did what God said to do.

Our endurance. The trip to the place of sacrifice, Mt. Moriah,  took three days. That was much time to think and reason away God’s command yet Abraham stayed the course.

Our words. The homework points out that what we believe will be reflected in what we say.  “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45c). Abraham’s words reflected his faith.

Why Does God Test Us?

In Deu. 8:2 it says, “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands”. The question is, if God already knows what is in our hearts why does He test us?

God knows that we will pass the test. Abraham’s servant and Isaac were witnesses to the test of Abraham’s faith. As we read it, we are witnesses too. Think about what his testimony means to you?  Does it not build your own faith in the Faithful God?

God knows that we won’t pass the test.  There is something here that we don’t want to miss. “So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide” (Gen. 22:14a).  In the homework it explains that the Hebrew word for ‘provide’ means to see beforehand.  God can see a situation beforehand and provide for that need.  God had already promised Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed.  Abraham did not know ‘the how’ of this but He did believe that the LORD would provide.  Perhaps we may fail a test because we don’t really trust that God will provide us with something He has already promised us.  It may show us that we are depending on something or someone other than God.  Truly trusting in the LORD brings peace – even if the outcome isn’t what we desired.

How Do We Pass Our Tests?

Finally what can we learn from Abraham and his test how do we apply it to our own lives? We have to be willingly offer up our own ‘Isaacs’. Our ‘Isaac’ is something that God has given us that we have to give back to Him.  It might be a dream, a relationship, or a career.  Trust God with it. He will provide.

What I Learned in Class

As Pastor Grace began her lesson, she directed our focus to God’s name Jehovah Jireh,  The LORD Will Provide.  She pointed out that this name of God has a common association with financial provision but this does not reflect the fullness of its meaning.  What God provides to us is so much more than financial provision.  He meets the needs of His servants.  What are some of these needs? To name a few: peace, purpose, healing, joy, passion, an answer, a way, strength to endure, love for which we seek, and strength to endure. What a change in perspective!!!

The story of Abraham and Isaac, in Genesis 22, is a story about ultimate trust. God asked Abraham to do something that went against all reasoning. Abraham did not ask why this was happening. He did not ask God if he had fallen short somehow and had to prove himself to God. Had he not served the LORD well enough?  God tested Abraham in order to see if he loved God more than anything God had placed in his hand. As we learned in the homework, God wants us to let go of the hold we have on our ‘Isaacs’.  That is something we have to ask ourselves. As we have said so often this is not about condemnation but about freedom.

Pastor Grace related a story that makes this point so clearly. It involves the way to catch a monkey. To do this, a coconut is chained to a tree. This coconut has been hollowed by drilling a hand-sized hole. A trinket is placed inside the coconut. The monkey will put his hand in the coconut & grab the trinket, making a fist around his prize. But what happens? He cannot remove his hand from the coconut unless he opens his fist. However he holds on for dear life and alas, he is trapped.  The trinkets we hold on to so tightly trap us as well. Pray and ask God to show what you are grasping in your fist then willingly lay it on the altar. Whatever it is, you can trust God.

Pastor Grace also brought up another relationship that stands out as one of trust.  Isaac obeyed his father.  Isaac went to the altar in willing submission to his father. Like Abraham, he did not question or hesitate. Delayed obedience is disobedience as is   partial obedience. We don’t see this in either of these two men. Something we do see though is that Isaac’s behavior replicated that of his father. It is important that we walk in obedience to the Lord in our own homes because that is what our children will see.

Wrapping It All Up

Jehovah Jireh, The LORD will provide is Yahweh, the great I AM.   No matter what our circumstances, He will meet the need. He is our provider!

“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:19)

Jehovah Rophe

"For I am the LORD, who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).  These are the words which the LORD used to reveal himself to the Israelites as Jehovah Rophe. Many of us have learned about the wonderful healing aspect of God’s power. Even last week while studying Jehovah Nissi we saw the LORD heal the Israelites as they looked at the serpent on the pole. In the New Testament the gospels are full of accounts of Jesus healing the sick. But what if God’s power to heal was even more wonderful than we understood?

Before continuing, let’s look at what this name actually means. Last month we learned about God’s name, Jehovah (or Yahweh). The name Jehovah means ‘to become known’. The name ‘Rophe’ is derived from the Hebrew rapha or rophe.  This word’s meaning is to restore, to heal, to cure or make healthful.

What I Learned in Class

Let me give you a recap of the events that preceded Exodus 15:26. Chapter 15 opens with a song of exultation and praise to the LORD as the Israelites respond to their deliverance from the Egyptians through the Red Sea.  After three days of wandering in the desert they were without water. They finally came to a place called Marah but the water was bitter. The Israelites grumbled and complained to Moses, who cried out to the LORD. Acting upon His instructions Moses threw a stick into the water, transforming the bitter water into sweet.  Sandee made some excellent points as she taught us about this passage.

What does Jehovah Rophe mean to us?

1) Like the Israelites we may have unmet needs. There is no question that water was a need. God allowed this need to go unmet for a time to heal them of their self-reliance.  2) Bitter circumstances teach us to trust the LORD Almighty. God’s deliverance did not necessarily come the way the Israelites wanted it to. First there was too much water at the Red Sea, then too little water in the Desert of Shur, and finally bitter water at Marah.  In each of these circumstances the Lord proved himself faithful.

3) The Israelites response to their circumstances was an indication of where their focus was. They did not have their eyes on the One who was their Mighty Deliverer.

4) As God provided a tree to the Israelites, He provided a way of redemption for us through the death of His Son on a tree. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

5) Obedience to the Lord brings blessings while disobedience brings judgment. “He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you”  (Ex. 15:26).

God has a record of healing.

1) God can heal a physical body. “Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife and his slave girls so they could have children again” (Gen 20:17).

2) God can heal a heart. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

3) God can heal a land. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” ( 2 Chron. 7:14).

What is God asking us to do?

1) God tells us to confess and pray. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

2) God wants us to ask in prayer and faith as a child of God who has the rights and privileges given to the daughter of the King.  “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).

3) God want us to trust Him in the situation, while we are in the midst of it. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

4) Believe that someday God will heal everything! “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Rev. 21:4).

What I Learned from the Homework

In the homework this week we looked at Exodus 15 through a slightly different lens than we covered in class. As we already reviewed, three days prior to the Israelites reaching Marah they had witnessed God parting the Red Sea. We might be so familiar with this passage that we miss the drama. This was no little thing that God did. This was a HUGE miracle!!  The Israelites witnessed firsthand something that was outside the realm of their imaginations. At the next sign of hardship they seem to have forgotten what the LORD had just done. We were asked to think about this in our own lives. We may have a mountaintop experience with Him only to fall into a pit of unbelief. It says in Deu. 8:2 “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands”. He shows us what is in our hearts to set us free. It is God’s desire and will that we trust Him even when we don’t understand what He is doing.

The homework also pointed out something really awesome from Exodus 15:25b, “He threw it into the water, and the water became sweet”.   God didn’t show them an alternate source of water, He took what was there and transformed it as only He could.  God does not just want to change our circumstances, He wants to heal them.  Here are a few examples of how He can do this: We want God to remove difficult people from our lives – He wants to heal the relationship. We want a financial blessing to cover our debts – He wants to heal our spending habits. We want Him to move us in to our dreams now – He wants to cultivate patience. What God is after is a change in perspective!

Now for the question that must be on your mind.  What about straight up physical healing? As you already read in the homework summary, God does heal physically. Healing is not just a manifestation of God’s power in the Old Testament. It says in 1 Cor. 12:9 “to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit”.  There would not be a gift of healing if God did not heal.  Please read Mark 1:29-38.

In this passage Jesus healed many.  In the morning He went to a quiet place to pray, where the disciples found him. They entreated Him to return to the village because everyone was looking for Him. “Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else--to the nearby villages--so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” Mark 1:38.  In all the time I have been studying God’s Word I have never seen this passage through the perspective of this verse.  Jesus’ priority was to preach the gospel of salvation. The disciples, and probably the villagers, were focused on physical deliverance yet Jesus’ priority was to heal souls!!  The homework points out that physical healing is a compassionate ministry but it does not surpass in power the healing of spiritual death resulting from sin.  There are many that are in desperate need of physical healing and fall into discouragement as they continue to suffer.  Because God heals, we can absolutely believe Him to heal us but it might not be the healing that we are looking for.  If you are not being healed externally you can know that God is doing an internal work of spiritual healing in you. 

The last point on healing that we studied was the role of obedience. “He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."  God is very clear about this. We tells us to 1) listen to His voice, 2)  do what is right, 3) pay attention to His commands and 4) keep His decrees. This does not leave room for argument, healing cannot be separated from obedience. Walking in obedience is what is best, not for God, but for us!!

Wrapping It all Up

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” ( 2 Cor. 4:16-18).

Jehovah Nissi

What I Learned from the Homework

The word ‘allegiance’ lingered in my mind as I finished the homework, with good reason.  It’s meaning is very much intertwined with knowing the LORD as Jehovah Nissi, the Lord is my Banner. This week we studied Moses and the Israelites as they traveled through the wilderness and God revealed himself to them as Jehovah Nissi.  From their encounters we learned where we should put our allegiance, how it can be challenged, and the way we can always come out victorious.

The Birth of the Israelites Allegiance

The homework took us through several passages in Exodus 14 through 17 that established a pattern in the relationship between God and the Israelites. God parted the Red Sea, giving the Israelites an escape route from the Egyptians. “And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant” (Ex. 15:21).  Following their declaration of allegiance the Israelites were tested many times by circumstances and they responded by grumbling against the Lord. We were asked in the homework to think about how this pattern might be replicated in our own lives.  Because of circumstances we are currently facing, we may forget God’s faithfulness in the past and grumble about a seeming lack of provision.

Going back to the Israelites, in Exodus 17 the pattern continued. “The Israelites quarreled and …they tested the LORD saying, "Is the LORD among us or not?" (Ex. 17:7).  We then read in verse 8, “The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim”.  The homework makes the sobering point, “Could it be when we express our uncertainty towards God that it is like a banner waving over our heads broadcasting our vulnerability?”(A. Solomon, Jehovah Nissi).  We were directed toward 1 Peter 5:8-9a, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith”.   What really hit me is that we do have what it takes to stand firm in the midst of circumstances. We do not have to broadcast our vulnerabilities - we can stand firm in our faith in the LORD!!

The Partnership of Allegiance

In Exodus 17:8-16,  we read of the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites.  In this battle there was a leader (Moses), supporters (Aaron and Hur), and the one on the battlefield (Joshua).  They all worked together and God brought the victory.  The same is true in our own lives.  In certain situations we may take the role of leader, supporter or the one in the battle but we need to remember we are not in this fight alone!!

The Victory of Allegiance

In the final verses of Exodus 17 it says “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation. (Ex. 17:7-8).  We will learn more about the banner in the class lesson notes but for now let’s concentrate on the words ‘For hands were lifted’. 

The homework makes the point that the ‘hands lifted’ were not ‘to’ the Lord but ‘against’ the Lord. Here is Exodus 17:16 from the Amplified Version: “Because theirs is a hand against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” The Amalekites had lifted their hands against God’s people and God took this very seriously.  It says in Song of Songs 2:4, “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love”.  We are God’s, He loves us and He fights for us!!

What I Learned in Class

Our lesson on Tuesday was called The Rod of God…a compelling title! You might wonder what this has to do with the name of God we are studying this week.  By the end of the lesson I had a whole new appreciation for what Moses meant when he wrote in Exodus 17:7, “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner”.   I hope you will too!

1) The ‘rod of God’ was meant to be a sign to the Israelites.

Before continuing, please read  Exodus  4:1-8.  In this passage God uses the staff (or rod) that Moses had in his hand as a sign to show His power.  When Moses went to Pharaoh God continued to use Moses’ staff as a sign of His power. If you remember back to the parting of the Red Sea, the staff was also used by God.  Arlene made a great point about Moses’ rod – it was already in his hand.  What does this mean to us? God will use what we already have in our hand for His purposes.  We can’t underestimate His power to do this.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecc. 9:10).

2) The ‘rod of God’ was a physical representation of God’s power.

Let’s look again at Exodus 17:7 “Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner”.  The word banner comes from the Hebrew word ‘nec’. ‘Nec’ refers to a sign or symbol that represents a cause or person, it could be a pole on which something could be displayed or a flag. ‘Banner’ comes from a root that means to be conspicuous, or raised, or to be high.

Some important things to consider: The banner was not  the altar.  Notice that Moses named the altar ‘The Lord is my Banner’. The banner was not the rod. Banners were rallying points in battle.  As the banner was lifted up above the masses it would shimmer in the sun for the people to see.  The banner was the LORD!  Moses knew that it was God who gave the power for the victory.

3)The ‘rod of God’ was not only a symbol of God’s power but also of His Grace.

Please read Numbers 21: 4-9. “The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live” (Num. 21:8).  Arlene pointed out some things in the passage that clarify it’s significance.  The first is that it was a snake that was mounted on the pole.  This is striking for several reasons:  a) With few exceptions, snakes are universally feared and disliked;  b) Graven images had been prohibited by God because of the dangers of idolatry. (You remember the golden calf?) ; and c) Going back to Genesis, snakes have been associated with Satan.

Despite these three points God indeed did command Moses to make a snake and put it up on a pole.  The Israelites had to demonstrate great faith to do something that ran contrary to human reasoning yet when they did they were delivered from the plague of disease.  This was about God’s grace. 

We then went to John 3:10-15. In this passage Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus.  Jesus uses the story of Moses and the serpent to drive home a point that is the cornerstone of our faith.  “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14-15).  As the Israelites looked at the serpent on the pole for deliverance from physical death, by faith and God’s grace we are able to look to the Son of Man, crucified on the cross, for deliverance from spiritual death.

4) The “rod of God” carries the temptation to be worshiped.

Jumping ahead to 2 Kings 18, Scripture again references the serpent on the pole. In this passage Hezekiah begins to reign in Judah and undertakes the task of purifying the land. “He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (It was called Nehushtan.)”  (2 Kings 18:4).  We have learned that the Banner is the Lord yet the Israelites fell into worshiping the banner itself, not what it represented. Israelites no longer declared the “LORD is my banner” but rather “the banner is my LORD” Arlene asked us if there might be a ‘Nehushtan’ in our own lives, something, that if it was destroyed, could very well destroy us. This thing may well come as a gift from God. It could be a person, a church, a financial blessing, or even a ministry.  The question we must ask ourselves, “If tragedy strikes, where do I run first?  To the Lord or to the banner?” This is not a question to ask in condemnation, rather, there is freedom on the other side!!

Wrapping It All Up

In conclusion, what will stay with me most from this lesson is that the LORD in MY banner!   As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ I think we can all say that we have pledged our allegiance to Him but we want to truly live in the light of what this allegiance means. He is our rallying point, our  victory is from Him, not only does He give us what we need for victory but He fights for us.  This should give you the confidence in knowing that you are truly more than a conqueror!

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.”  Psalm 60:4 (KJV)

Happy Thanksgiving!

"I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad - you who seek God, may your hearts live!" Psalm 69:30-32

There is no better way to give glory to God then through a heart of thanksgiving. Would you agree?  Let us, during this busy Thanksgiving season, take a moment to glorify God here on this blog with words by leaving a comment about what we are thankful for, for it pleases Him.  All the preparations for our family feasts doesn't quite touch the heart of God like praising His name in song and bringing glory to Him with thanksgiving.  He is so worthy!!

I will start.

Aside from all that God has given me through His son and the beautiful family He has entrusted me with....I am so thankful for all you. You bless me far more then words could express. Your love for His word and faithfulness in serving Him even in the midst of a "storm" inspire and amaze.

Love you much my sisters.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Shalom!
Arlene

A Call To Courage

I find myself without words. 

It has been two weeks since Sandy struck the shores of New Jersey.  How does one describe the devastation and loss that has overtaken us?

I normally process overwhelming issues of life through words.  Somehow working it out on my laptop helps.  Today my hands type, then delete, then pause, then repeat.  This is too big.  Everything I write sounds trite.  There are no words. 

Perhaps those more eloquent or more experienced in this vocation may be able to do a better job at portraying what this state has been through.  Maybe it isn’t that I have no words, maybe I have too many.  I just can’t seem to organize them properly.

One word, though, keeps calling me.   Just one.  It is more instructional then descriptive.  It follows me through-out my day.  As I watch the reports on TV, deliver groceries to the food bank, scan facebook for local updates, and help with neighbors as I can.  One word keeps calling.  Courage. 

I confess at times like this many of us, myself included, find our theology challenged.  What we believed about God and who He is in our lives can be rocked.  He refuses to stay in the box that we have designed for Him.  We question “How could a good God allow this kind of thing to happen?”  We discover that our theology isn’t quite matching our reality. 

I get particularly edgy and uncomfortable around those who think that they have the answers.  They seemed to have it all worked out in their own minds.  I guess I am not as spiritual as some.  Maybe I need to read my Bible more.  It just doesn’t seem that simple to me. 

There is something I do know.  I know the Bible tells us that in the last days we can expect more and more of this kind of thing happening.  “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in various places…Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me” (Matt 24:6-9 emphasis mine)

Jesus tells us not to be “alarmed”, but I am.  I can’t help myself.  I am merely flesh.  I suppose if I was more spiritual like those who have all the answers, I wouldn’t be alarmed.  But I quake.  Yet the Spirit keeps whispering “Courage”. 

I am reminded of another place in scripture when a man was faced with fearful circumstances and he too kept hearing the word “courage”.  But that voice didn’t just call him to courage but told him where the source of that courage could be found.  The man was Joshua and the voice was that of the LORD God. 

In the first two chapters of Joshua, we find several encouragements from God that pointed to Joshua’s source of courage as he prepared for the conquest of Canaan, the land God promised to Israel.  I think they might help us to press forward amidst the theological confusion left in the wake of super storm Sandy.

There are five encouragements; we will take them one at a time as we answer the question “Where does Godly courage come from?”

Courage comes from knowing that God will fulfill His promises.

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.”    Joshua 1:6

Joshua could be courageous in what God was asking Him to do because God always keeps His promises.  Did you notice it says that God was giving them the land?  While God was going to give them the land, they were going to have to fight to take it.  What spiritual land has God promised to you that the enemy is sitting on?  What do you have to fight for?

Courage comes knowing you will succeed as you obey God

“Be strong and very courageous.  Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go”  Joshua 1:7

Joshua’s courage was rooted in following his commanding officer, his LORD God and the battle plan He had laid out for him.  Knowing that God would be faithful to fulfill His promise, all Joshua needed to do was listen and obey. 

Courage comes from knowing God is with us

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (emphasis mine)

Not much one can add to that.

Courage comes from having people that encourage you.

“Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your word, whatever you may command them, will be put to death.  Only be strong and courageous.”  Joshua 1:18.

After Joshua gave the marching order to the Israelites to go into the land and fight for what God said would be theirs, this was the peoples response.  This time the call to “be strong and courageous” came from the Israelites to Joshua.  Do you surround yourself with people who encourage you to act courageously?

Courage comes from the right perspective

“”I know that the LORD has given this land to you and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you…..When we heard of it our hearts melted and everyone’ courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.”  Joshua 2:9 &11 (emphasis mine)

At this point, the Israelites are sitting on the edge of the Jordan and two spies have been sent in to scout out the territory for military intel.  They meet a prostitute Rahab in Jericho who gives them the perspective of their enemy.  They were melting in fear and their courage had failed them.  The Israelites had the upper hand.  They had a change of perspective that would bring them courage.  They had a sneak peek of what was really going on.  How does your perspective need to change so you could walk more courageously?

The life of Joshua compels me to live more fully for God.  What set this man apart from everyone else?  I think it was because He chose to live strong before the LORD.  No matter what transpired and how dire the situation, he chose to trust and stay loyal to God.  Even though he was born into slavery in Egypt, lost his parents at an early age, spent forty years in the wilderness because his fellow Israelites didn’t have the same faith he had when first approached the promised land, He stayed loyal to God.  Even though he watched his spiritual leaders and heroes die one by one until only his fellow believing spy Caleb was left, and he would be in constant warfare and bloodshed over the remainder of his life, he still remained loyal to the LORD.  Even when it didn’t make sense.

Joshua chose to believe God rather than what his circumstances might dictate.  Joshua was loyal through his whole life.  Through every experience, he believed that God was working it for good.  No matter how things looked and even if he couldn’t understand the way of things, he stayed devoted to God.  Because of this loyalty God was able to work out His plan for His people through Joshua. 

So what do we do with this?  How do we continue with spiritual courage in spite of Sandy?  How do we stay loyal to the end like Joshua?  Listen to this account I borrowed from Living Fearlessly by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Rose (p31)

Some jest that God was working overtime when He created the natural wonders of Hana, Hawaii.  But locals say God went out of His way to work a miracle when their ancestors began building a church in 1860.  Legend says men were diving for coral to make stone for the church, but the process was difficult and dangerous since the coral was deep offshore.  They were forced to swim out far, dive deep, and come up with only small amounts of coral each dive.  Then a storm hit and swept coral from the deep onto the beach.  This allowed the community to gather what they needed and finish their building.  When the church was completed, another storm came and washed the coral back out to sea.  They decided to name the church The Coral Miracle Church. 

Could God be building His church because of a storm?  Could the shaking brought by Sandy be the very thing that turns people to Him?  Could the calamity and devastation be the catalyst that will help us see our need for Him?  Maybe we need to be like Joshua and even though things don’t make sense, trust God anyway.

I don’t know.  It seems right to me.  Like I said, I don’t have all the answers.  Only a word.

Courage

          “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be women of courage; be strong.  Do everything in love”                    1 Corinthians 16:13