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!