Lessons from the battlefield, part 3:The Easy Prey King

2 Chronicles 24:1 – 27 (Focus Scripture 24:15 -   24)

 

Joash became king when he was seven years old, and he did right all the days of Jehoida, the priest. As soon as Jehoida died, the officials of Judah saw their chance, and they took it. They came and bowed down to the young king, and he listened to their lies. He abandoned Jehovah and began to serve the Asherim and idols. As a result, the wrath of God came upon Judah and Jerusalem.

When Zechariah, Jehoida's son, confronted the king and his ungodly officials, he was stoned to death in the temple court. The wrath of God burned hotter and, just a few months later, God used the small band of Arameans to defeat Joash's army and avenge Zechariah. 

Joash was a good king and did right only as long as he had the influence of Jehoida. It was the strength of Jehoida's faith that directed the young king, but what he sadly lacked was faith of his own. When Jehoida was gone, Joash lacked the faith to seek God's wisdom and direction. As a result, he was like a rudderless ship, easily cast about by every wave that came. He was an easy prey for ungodly advisors, and, in the end, his faithlessness brought destruction to those for whom he was responsible. 

There are important lessons to be learned from Joash. First, it is critical that we and our children possess our own faith. We cannot be content to rely on the faith of our parents or grandparents. We must have faith of our own to sustain us when hard times come. 

Joash was indiscriminate in the counselors he allowed to direct him. As a result, he made ungodly decisions that only brought destruction. It is vital that we be confident of our trusted advisors and certain that their counsel is godly. No matter how convincing, all counsel must be weighed against Scripture. If it contradicts God's Word, we must beware. Whether that counsel come from the words of a trusted friend or the latest best seller, it is God's Word that must serve as our plumb line. 

When leaders sin, everyone suffers. Whether they sin because of their own wicked choices or by following bad counsel, they are still accountable, and when they sin, everyone for whom they are responsible ultimately suffers. We cannot be deceived about the consequences. God will avenge those who are harmed by the evil of those in authority, and He will bring judgement against the faithless.  

It is, therefore, our responsibility to be careful of the decisions we make and the leadership we give to the ones who look to us. For those who are in leadership over us and over our loved ones, our job is equally as important. We must pray. We must pray for truth-speakers who will speak with clarity and confidence in our troubled times, and that we will be able to hear and recognize that truth in the midst of the babel of a fallen world. 

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1 NASB) 

 

Excitement in the boat, part 19:

And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. (Luke 8:27 NASB)

The word translated as "possessed" is echō. This is a word used numerous times throughout Scripture. The same word was used in Luke 5 to indicate that the Son of Man has (echō) authority to forgive sin. It is a word that indicates having something in such a way that it is owned or possessed. It is also used to indicate something that is held in the hand or worn (like a cloak) or something to which we are joined in such a way that it becomes a part of us. The authority of Jesus over sin was not just a momentary authority. He possessed it in such a way that it was clearly an inherent part of who He was. 

In that same way, the demonic influences had gained such control over this man that they, too, had become joined to him. It was as if they owned him. They were so joined to him that they could direct his actions and, at least to a degree, control his thoughts. In fact, they controlled him to such a point that he was living in a dreadful condition among the tombs. 

Here is the amazing thing. Even with the demons controlling him, the man met Jesus as soon as He stepped onto the land. The demons may have ripped him from his home, forced him into the land of the dead, and ripped away every shred of decency, but they could not keep him from Jesus. Demonic power is certainly real and strong, but it is not absolute. In the presence of Jesus, that power can be broken. In the presence of Jesus, that power is broken. 

The question we must answer is what controls us?  Is it the power of God manifested by His Son Jesus? Is it the power of sin and darkness exerted by those demons in the cemetery? If we allow it, we can be so echō, so possessed by the Spirit of God and joined to Him, that He becomes an intrinsic part of us, directing our thoughts and actions. Can you imagine being so filled with the Spirit of God, so filled with His love, that it is evident in every word and action?  That is exactly how we are supposed to live. But do we?  

Pray today that we and our loved ones would be so filled with the love and Spirit of God that all around us would be drawn to Jesus and that His grace and mercy would flow from us to bring healing to a wounded world. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/treasure-on-battlefield.html

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We are still praying for Hamas this week, as well as for the peace of Israel. One thing I'm praying for the leaders of Hamas is not only conviction and transformation but weariness in fighting and a desire to do good rather than further destruction. 

 

Lessons from the battlefield, part 2:Treasure on the Battlefield

2 Chronicles 20:1 – 30

 

A “great multitude” was coming against Jehosophat.  It was one of the toughest challenges that he had faced as king, and he was certain that he was inadequate.  He was afraid.  In fact, he was terrified.  

Jehosophat’s response was three-fold.  He turned his attention, or focus, to seek the Lord.  He proclaimed a fast in Judah.  He prayed.  “Our eyes are on Thee.  We obeyed, Lord, and look at the result.  Regardless, our eyes are on You.”  Obedience had not worked out the way he expected, but he was still intent on following his Lord.

God instructed him to replace his fear and dismay with singing and praise.  Our Lord knew that the Valley of Destruction for Moab would be the Valley of Blessing for Judah.  The battle was already fought and won by the time Judah arrived.  All they had to do was carry away the spoil.    

Obedience does not always turn out as we expect, does it?  The result we want is not always the one we get.  When that happens, we can either become angry, bitter, and doubt our God, or we can do what Jehosophat did.  He replaced his fear and dismay with singing and praise, just as God had said.  

The song in his heart changed his attitude and the attitude of the people, but it also helped him to obey the next step in God’s plan.  Praising God helped him obey, even when destruction seemed certain.  Why?  Because through his praise, he acknowledged the power and might of the One who was ultimately in control and placed himself firmly in the hand of God.  

The only thing Jehosophat could envision was failure and defeat, but he couldn’t see his next battle through God’s eyes.  God saw not only the difficulties his people had faced and the struggles still ahead, but also the treasure on the field.  

What a surprise it must have been for Jehosophat to see the battle not only fought but also won by the time he and his army arrived!  How amazing to see such treasure simply waiting for him on the battlefield!

How often we turn away from the next battle because of what we’ve already experienced… not because we’re not warriors, but because we don’t really trust our Lord to deliver us in battle.  How often we miss the treasure on the battlefield of God because we fail to move forward simply because God’s plan doesn’t make sense to us.  

Are you facing a difficult challenge in an area in which you’ve experienced defeat before?  You can be totally sidelined by fear or you can choose to do what Jehosophat did.  Replace your fear and dismay with singing and praise.  Get your eyes on the only One who is able to deliver.  Regardless of what has gone before, He has a plan, He is working it out for you, and it is a plan for good and not evil.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  God sees the treasure on the battlefield, even when you do not.    

Excitement in the boat, part 18: Staying in the Boat

And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. (Luke 8:27 NASB)

So that we are clear on this, the demon-possessed man was not living in the kind of pastoral, garden cemetery to which we are accustomed in the rural South. This was an area of above-ground tombs consisting of pale stone boxes filled with bones. Spaced fairly close together, there was no grass, landscaping, or trees to soften the impact of the boxes of bones. It was a bleak and somewhat barren place. 

Now that you have the scenery in mind, consider the first part of this verse. When He (Jesus) came out of the boat and onto the land, He (Jesus) was met by the demon-possessed man.  Where were the disciples?  It appears that they were still in the boat!  They made the voyage, survived the storm, arrived at the destination, and missed the point of the whole journey. 

Why?? It is hard to imagine why they would endure all they had endured only to skip the best part. Perhaps they were uncomfortable with the cemetery or afraid of the wild man. Maybe they were simply worn out from the trip. There is no indication of why they stayed in the boat, but it appears they did.  How tragic to make the journey yet miss the exciting ending!

Friends, it is far too common and far too easy to be sidelined by fear and fatigue. When God calls us to something, He will carry us all the way through. We must not fail to complete that which Christ has laid out for us. 

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1 Corinthians 9:24 NASB)

There is no chance of the prize if we fail to finish the race, and what a tragedy to miss it!  Are you tempted to take the safe way and stay in the boat? As the disciples had already learned, the boat was not safe. The only safe place was with Jesus. 

The only safe place is with Jesus, and the only prize is at the end of the race. We must endure to the end. 

Prsy that we and our loved ones will persevere in faithfulness despite fear, discomfort, or weariness. Pray for a willingness to endure to the end. 

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http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/tbt-sharing-light.html

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We are still praying for Hamas this week, as well as for the peace of Israel. One thing I'm praying for the leaders of Hamas is not only conviction and transformation but weariness in fighting and a desire to do good rather than further destruction. 

TBT: Sharing the Light

The afternoon rush had just ended.  The office nurse, Marilyn, and I were recounting all that God had done that day and beginning to close down for the evening when two boys arrived.  They looked about ten or eleven years old, and both carried huge bouquets of daffodils.  The bigger boy walked up to Marilyn, who was sitting at the desk, pulled out one of the flowers and offered it to her.  "Would you like a flower?" he asked.

She looked at me and hesitated for a second before she thanked him and accepted the bloom.  When he offered one to me, I, too, hesitated before accepting it.  The second boy handed us a single blossom in the same manner.  Neither of us was quite sure how to respond.

For a moment, I thought about the rose-toting Moonies at the airport; I wondered what the catch would be.  It's a good thing I was gracious.  They boys just smiled at us and turned to leave.  They didn't want anything.  They were simply handing out flowers door to door.

As they walked away, I noticed that one wore a T-shirt that read, "Jesus is the light of the world."  Indeed, he is - and two young boys with fists full of daffodils carried His light down the street, sharing it one stem at a time.

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and praise your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:16

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This article first appeared in the September/October 2003 issue of FOTF Physician magazine.

Excitement in the boat, part 17: the Gadarenes

Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. (Luke 8:26-27 NASB)

After sailing into the storm and watching the miraculous intervention of Jesus, the disciples may have felt they had had enough of adventure and were ready to go home. However, they were mostly young men, likely less than 21 years of age, and as young men, they were more likely ready for all the adventure Jesus could bring. Adventure was exactly what they found in the land of the Gerasenes. 

As soon as the boat landed and Jesus disembarked, a man came to meet Him. This was no ordinary man. He was demon-possessed, and had left his home in the city to live among the tombs. He was completely naked and had been for some time. 

Pause for a moment and consider the sight that greeted these young men. The man was not clean or well-groomed, and he likely smelled terrible. His hair and beard were likely disheveled, his skin not just dirty but deeply soiled and dark from exposure to the sun, with not a stitch of clothing. 

For the young men, mostly reared in small fishing villages, he must have been both a novel and shocking sight. Their first reaction might have been surprise or fear, but it was not likely one of compassion. This man, however, was the reason for their trip. He was the very unlikely inspiration for the journey through the storm and the reason they had risked their lives. They probably didn't realize this at first sight, but can't you imagine their thoughts if they had? "This?? We risked everything for this crazy man?" 

They saw the demoniac in the tombs. Jesus saw the man he would soon become. 

Most of us would have preferred to stay on the shore rather than sail into contact with the wild man in the tombs. Jesus, however, was willing to go to the extreme for this one in order to bring healing and freedom. 

What about us? What will we risk for the unlikely ones? How willing are we to reach out to those who are so very different in the name of Jesus? 

As we pray today, remember the ones in the most desperate situations, whether because of their own bad choices, demonic possession, mental illness, or unexpected circumstances that have come their way. Pray that we and our loved ones will see the unlovely with the eyes of Christ and willingly work as His hands and feet to bring hope and healing their way. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/mountains-and-valleys.html

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We are still praying for Hamas this week, as well as for the peace of Israel. One thing I'm praying for the leaders of Hamas is not only conviction and transformation but weariness in fighting and a desire to do good rather than further destruction. 

Mountains and Valleys

I was reading a collection of pilgrim prayers and devotions recently and read this line:

Give me a mountaintop as high as the valley is low. 

I loved that quote. It speaks of such restoration and hope after hard times! Sometimes the valleys of life are long, and deep and really hard, aren't they? At the beginning of the long valley, it's not always possible to see the way through. The only thing to do is keep walking until we get to the other side, but oh how hard that walk of faith through the valley! 

Can you imagine a mountaintop experience that is as high as the long valley was deep? Something as incredibly sweet as the bitterness of our trials? I'm not sure I can, but how wonderful it must be!  

If you are experiencing a deep and lonesome valley, take heart. The One who brings you through the valley can give you a mountaintop on the other side, and if the mountaintop is as high as that valley is low, what rejoicing there will be!

Excitement in the boat, part 16: the destination

Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. (Luke 8:26 NASB)

At the beginning of this passage, we saw that Jesus, on an ordinary day that was just like all the other days of His preaching/teaching tour, called the disciples to join them in the boat. The disciples went with, apparently, no knowledge of the destination. Along the way, a storm erupted and they found themselves in a fight for their lives. Before they knew it, they were brought to a deeper understanding of Jesus by the miraculous  intervention He performed when He stilled the storm. 

The story could end right there, and it would be a compact vignette with the powerful truth of God's authority and might. It was not, however, the end of the boat ride, nor of the story. When the storm was stilled, the journey continued. 

At last, they came to the country of the Gerasenes, the destination all along. The storm was just a stopping point along the way. We, too, have a destination at the end of our lives which is far different from the region of the Gerasenes, but sometimes we are so distracted by the storms of life that we forget that the storm was not our destination. On the sea of life, the other shore, our heavenly home, is the destination. That whirlwind in the midst of the sea is just a temporary pause along the way. 

We can well imagine how badly those disciples wanted out of the storm while they were in its midst. Once it was over, did any of the disciples regret going through the storm? After what they had seen, it is not likely. For the rest of their lives, it was a story about Jesus and His power that they retold time and time again. Rather than regret, they relished the time in the storm because of what they saw Jesus do on their behalf. 

Have you experienced a storm of life? Are you in the midst of one now?  Keep your eyes on Jesus and call out to Him. The Master Over Wind and Waves can handle any storm that comes your way. On the other side of the storm, you will be so surprised. The story of the storm will be like a monument to grace that you will retell for years to come. 

Excitement in the boat, part 15: one of those days

Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

Now on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." So they launched out. (Luke 8:1, 22 NASB

We missed a point at the beginning of this passage and, before we move on, are stopping to explore it. 

Chapter 8 of Luke began by introducing the walking tour of Israel on which Jesus and His disciples embarked. They were traveling from one city and village to another, with Jesus teaching and preaching as they went. No miracles are listed in those first few verses in Luke 8. He was telling parables, and people were listening. 

"On one of those days," one of those ordinary teaching and preaching days, on which no one expected anything different to occur, something dramatically different happened. Jesus said, "Let's get in the boat." When they did, the action started. As those disciples climbed into the boat that day, did they expect Jesus to demonstrate His command over the wind and the sea? Of course not. Did they expect Him to radically change their understanding of who He was? Certainly not. It was just an ordinary day, and yet, on an ordinary day, everything changed. 

Most of the time, our lives are filled with ordinary. We go about our routines with no expectation of something extraordinary happening. It is easy to forget that the simplest act of obedience, that simple "getting in the boat" at Jesus' command, can change everything. Before we know it, we can find ourselves in a fierce storm and, equally as quick, find that our Lord is Master even of our storm. In an instant, He can change our understanding of Him forever. It all begins with that very small step into the boat. 

As we go about our ordinary days, let's watch for those small steps of obedience, and be quick to take them. They just might lead us to the biggest adventure of our lives. 

Pray today that we and our loved ones will recognize the call to the small steps and be quick to obey. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/thankful-for-hard-days.html

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We are still praying for Hamas this week, as well as for the peace of Israel. One thing I'm praying for the leaders of Hamas is not only conviction and transformation but weariness in fighting and a desire to do good rather than further destruction. 

Thankful for the Hard Days

Today has been one of "those" days. It was super busy at work and, in the midst of all the patients, there was one text after another with more and more bad news about people who are dearly loved. Quite a few time today, I just paused to say, "Lord, help. Please."  Maybe you've had days like that. Filled with terrible news but no way to help, and no suggestions for the Lord about what He should do. 

Driving home this evening, I was rehearsing the day with the Lord, as I often do. "Lord, I am just speechless. What a mess!" I prayed. In that instant, a verse I've quoted innumerable times to people in difficult circumstances came to mind.  

in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NASB)

This verse is easily misunderstood. People tend to think that "everything" is the God's will part of the verse. Actually, it is the "giving thanks" that is His will.  There is another thing we often overlook. In the "everything's" of life, God doesn't want our suggestions, nor does He need them. What He wants, well actually instructs us to do, is to give thanks regardless.

Giving thanks took a few seconds, but soon my heart and mind were flooded with thanks for all the things that we'd been spared, all the ways that the people I love had been blessed in the midst of their trouble. The list of thanksgiving was considerably longer than the number of texts I'd received. 

There's something else people tend to miss about this verse. Giving thanks in the "everything's" of life puts us right into the midst of God's will for us, and there is no better, no safer, place to be. 

Excitement in the Boat, part 14: Lack of Faith

And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?" (Luke 8:25 NASB)

In the previous post, we saw that the disciples were seized by fear and amazement when the storm stopped in response to Christ's command and 

calm descended. The word translated as "amazed" is thaumazō, and we have already looked at it as it relates to our experience of Christ. 

This word is also found in Mark 6:6. In this verse, it is translated as "wondered".  

And He wondered at their unbelief.(Mark 6:6a NASB)

In the passage in Mark, Jesus had been teaching in Nazareth, but had little success. People took offense because they were familiar with Him. They had watched Him grow up and knew His history. They knew His people, most of whom still lived in Nazareth. "Who does He think He is?" they asked. 

When Jesus saw their response, he was thaumazō, totally amazed at their lack of faith and filled with wonder at their inability to believe. He was utterly astonished. What an indictment!  It is a good thing to be astonished by the power of Jesus. It is a terrible thing for Jesus to be astonished by our lack of faith. 

In the first century church, miracles abounded. The sick were miraculously healed. Lives were dramatically transformed. Those locked in sin were set free. The gospel was preached. Some of those same churches, however, were rebuked in the Revelation because they had "lost their first love".  

When He looks at His church today, what does Jesus see?  Is He once again astonished by our lack of faith? Sorrowing at our sin? When He looks at our lives individually, what does He see?  Do we leave Him shaking His head in amazement at our lack of faith or thrilling Him with our obedience?  One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. We would do well to be sure we do that with our lives now. 

Pray today that we and our loved ones will have the kind of boundless faith that pleases Christ, and the courage to obey no matter the cost. 

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http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-symphony-of-joy.html

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The terrorist prayer focus this week is Hamas. Pray that they will begin to value life, that their efforts at terror will not prosper, and that their social welfare programs will be more important to them than their costly efforts at destruction. Pray for the kind of Damascus road experience that turned a Saul into a Paul. 

The Symphony of Joy

They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy. (Psalms 65:8 NASB)

This verse caught my eye today and it's been on my mind all afternoon, as I've thought about the sunset shouting for joy. Sitting outside on the patio this afternoon, there were so many creature-sounds that it seemed the afternoon shouts for joy, as well. The humming birds were speeding like jets, the bees and wasps were buzzing, frogs croaking, birds singing, and the dogs barking at the vulture flying overhead, while the wind ever-so-gently moved the leaves on the big oak tree. Such peace, but such sound! Whoever said the country was quiet must have been a city dweller. 

The time from mid-afternoon to early evening is one of my favorites, mainly because of the sounds. There's not much better than unplugging and listening to the music of nature. That transition from day to night is breathtaking to me. The frogs, crickets, and the creatures sing, and it sounds like a symphony of joy. It turns out that it IS a symphony of joy. 

This evening, why don't you take a few moments to sit outside, listen to the symphony of joy at sunset, and give thanks to the One who directs the song. 

Excitement in the Boat, part 13: Fear and Amazement

And He said to them, "Where is your faith?" They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, "Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?" (Luke 8:25 NASB)

Fearful and amazed are not two words we usually put together. In this case, phobeō, translated as "fearful", is used to indicate the kind of reverential fear and awe that makes you want to run and hide from a holy God. When that storm stopped and calm descended, the disciples recognized they were in the presence of Someone they did not understand. Jesus was more than they thought. He was greater than they had realized. He had more power than they had imagined. 

thaumazō is translated as "amazed". They were filled with wonder at what they had seen.  The disciples had been in the constant presence of Jesus for quite some time. They had seen Him cast out demons, heal the sick, and raise the dead. They had listened to countless sermons. Despite their familiarity with Jesus, they had not quite grasped His power nor the extent of it until that exciting boat ride. When that wind stopped blowing, they knew He was much more than an entertaining preacher. 

That day, He became their Savior for the first time.  He literally saved their physical life. Before long, He would save their spiritual life, their soul, as well. They didn't yet understand how much He would do for them, but truth began to dawn in the boat that day, and fearful reverence mingled with complete astonishment. 

We are so much like those disciples, aren't we? After years of church services and Bible studies, mission trips and good deeds, we sometimes think our Lord is limited to our routine, but He is not. Perhaps we need a little "excitement in the boat" to remind us of Who Jesus is and the power He has. It is one of the benefits of adversity. It gives us a fresh opportunity to see God at work, and provides us with a little phobeō and thaumazō of our own. 

Today, pray that, in the midst of the routines of our lives, our Lord would demonstrate His might and power in such a decisive way that we and our loved ones will be filled with phobeō and thaumazō, and that we will never be the same again. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-ripe-tomato.html

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The terrorist prayer focus this week is Hamas. Pray that they will begin to value life, that their efforts at terror will not prosper, and that their social welfare programs will be more important to them than their costly efforts at destruction. Pray for the kind of Damascus road experience that turned a Saul into a Paul.