After finishing Judges I realize that my post yesterday was even more poignant. Reading Sampson's story only reinforced the observations that I made on leadership.
The story of Ruth and Naomi always stirs me. The question I found myself pondering today was what did Ruth give up in order to follow Naomi? She gave up everything. Her family, her land, her gods, etc... all for what? Her love and devotion towards Naomi. But what attracted her to Naomi? Sure she had a relationship with her because of their common love for a man. That alone was a bond...but peeking around the corner a little bit and adding some speculation into the reading, I suppose there was something about Naomi's faith that attracted Ruth to her. They'd both just experienced quite a tragedy. Elimelech and his two sons all died. That left Ruth and Orpah without a father-in-law, brother-in-law, and a husband. They saw Naomi through the loss of two sons and a husband. Sure she was greiving - or she would not have told others to call her Mara - but perhaps she was also clinging to her faith. Perhaps she was still praising her God in the storm. She was showing the next generation what it meant to trust in God.
Am I doing the same? What am I modeling to my children about God's faithfulness. Am I still praising him in the storm... or do I jump to grumbling? Am I showing my kids that God can only be praised when we get what we want? OR am I showing them that God can be praised ALWAYS because His will is sovereign and His plan perfect. I'm afraid to be quite transparent that my faith shows my children that I praise Him only in the sunny weather and not in the storms.
The story of Hannah always grips me. I know God has given me a special place for this story in our family because of our own struggle with infertility. I can so relate to Hannah's tears and how she must have felt as her rival chided her about not having children. And how her husband's attempts to comfort her only brought her more grief. There is a place in a mother's heart that only a child can fill. Unfortunately I know what it was like to try to comfort my wife with some of the exact same words that Elkanah said to Hannah... am I not enough even if God never gives us a child. And that only forces your wife into saying the obvious answer to her... "no." In fact this story means so much to me I'd consider naming our daughter Hannah if it weren't for a family member who'd named one of their previous dogs the same name!
What grips me most about this story is Hanah's prayer after Samuel is born. Her song of praise reads so fresh and so true. After God has blessed you in an area where you've relinquished complete control to Him, the praise is so sweet and so raw and so real. We will forever view children as the most precious blessing God could give us because we never knew if we'd have children in our family. I wish everyone had to experience infertility just for a moment - so they whole world would view children as a joy and as a blessing rather than a scourge or burden. Even well meaning parents in our culture decide that they can only "afford" a set number of children at the same time they've convinced themselves that satellite TV is a necessity. Something in that tradeoff seems contrary to God's plan for His people.
Yet there is a part of Hannah's song of praise that stands out to me... 1 Sam 2: 9b-10 records, "It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth."
I prayed for strength to endure many times... as recently as this morning. But it is not by strength that we prevail. It is by God's Grace that we prevail. Where have I opposed the Lord? Where am I still doing it? Only by His grace do I still endure!!
Followers
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
June 11; Day 18, Judges 3-14
Judges. What exactly does that word mean? This was the question consuming my mind when I was reading through the descriptions of the various individuals... Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Abimelech, Tola, Jair, Jephtah, and Sampson.
To answer that question, I looked back at yesterday's reading. I was reminded that God had recoreded that after the time of Joshua an entire generation grew up who neither knew the Lord or what He had done for Israel. Consequently the stage is set to do things contrary to God's desire for His people. Judges 2: 16 then records "The the Lord raised up judges who saved them out the hands of these raiders." In my bible the word "judges" is footnoted, and the footnote simply says "Or 'leaders'."
Is a Judge simply a leader? Coming from someone who works professionally to build leadership development in our company, could I honestly say that each of the graduates of our leadership program are "judges?" I believe our modern definition of judge or leader doesn't suffice given the description of these people we read about in today's reading. Our definition of "judge" tends to connotate someone who is elected or chosen by the people because of their ability to uphold the laws and interpret them on behalf of the people. This sort of gets to it but still leaves something lacking. Then our definition of a "leader" is often someone who is placed in a position of influence over others. Sometimes this influence can be positive and unfortunately, sometimes this influence can be negative. Yet this definition seems hollow according to these judges described in the Bible.
To me as I read about these individuals I see some common themes.
To answer that question, I looked back at yesterday's reading. I was reminded that God had recoreded that after the time of Joshua an entire generation grew up who neither knew the Lord or what He had done for Israel. Consequently the stage is set to do things contrary to God's desire for His people. Judges 2: 16 then records "The the Lord raised up judges who saved them out the hands of these raiders." In my bible the word "judges" is footnoted, and the footnote simply says "Or 'leaders'."
Is a Judge simply a leader? Coming from someone who works professionally to build leadership development in our company, could I honestly say that each of the graduates of our leadership program are "judges?" I believe our modern definition of judge or leader doesn't suffice given the description of these people we read about in today's reading. Our definition of "judge" tends to connotate someone who is elected or chosen by the people because of their ability to uphold the laws and interpret them on behalf of the people. This sort of gets to it but still leaves something lacking. Then our definition of a "leader" is often someone who is placed in a position of influence over others. Sometimes this influence can be positive and unfortunately, sometimes this influence can be negative. Yet this definition seems hollow according to these judges described in the Bible.
To me as I read about these individuals I see some common themes.
- None of them were looking for this position. Rather God had raised them up and given them special circumstances for their influence to be demonstrated. This is definately not a public office or an election by the people. I'm quite certain the people wouldn't have chosen these individuals given some of the things they were asked to do on behalf of the people.
- They had an overwhelming zeal for God and His ways. Tearing down the gods of the day (Asherah poles, etc...) exacting God's judgement on the enemies of Israel or even sometimes renegade individuals inside the Israelite body were just some of the unpleasant tasks given to them that weren't popular but necessary to purify God's people and bring them back into repentance for His ways. In Judges 3:10 we see the source of Othneil's zeal "The Spirit of the Lord cam upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war." Without the Lord's Spirit would they have had the fortitude to stand against popular opinion and follow God at all costs?
- Most of them came from humble beginings and had flaws in their background. Or more importantly they were not leaders that had been groomed by man their entire life. Jephthah's mother was a prostitute. Most of them didn't even feel qualified to be a leader of people, yet God equiped the called. Rather than calling the equipped. And it points out that no matter what our background, God has a plan for everyone He creates.
I notice from this that we have our definitions of leadership all wrong in the United States. Currently at the present time we're undergoing the endless droning of the Presidential elections. Who is best? Which one has the least warts? Which one can slam the other the most? And on and on we go. Yet contrast this with the Judges of Israel. They weren't seeking the position of influence and yet God raised them up. They were called to do things unpopular yet necessary (rather than campaining on promises to create utopia for everyone) and God was with them giving them strength and vision for His people. Where are we at today? How far we've come. We're truly living in days like those of the Judges where we've raised up an entire generation (and perhaps multiple generations) that no longer know the Lord or what He has done for the United States.
Yet, from this reading I gain hope. God - not Man - is in control. He can and will raise up Judges in today's society. Judges being those people He chooses to do His will here on earth and in the United States. Judges being those people with a position of influence over those God has given to them. Judges who are encouraged and supernaturally strengthened to do the seemingly impossible (or at very minimum the unpopular) by His Spirit.
Where are these Judges today? I believe it is you and I that God has raised up to be judges for our world. If you're reading this, you probably have some interest in the Lord. Perhaps you weren't seeking it, but it found you. One way or another, there is a reason God has you reading these words right now, right here. I for one feel greater conviction of being the Judge of those around me. I hold positions of influence in my home and at my workplace. My greatest responsibility is to be the judge of the territory God has given me at home. I can't judge the nations - only God can do that - however, I can lead according to God's principles and through His Spirit. And I can start with those He's given to me. That is my primarily my family. If we would each only do that, imagine what a more "righteous" world we might live in. Let's not wait for God to use another tribe to enact his judgement on us. Let's start judging right here at home. Are you up for it?
June 10; Day 17 - Joshua 14-Judges 3
Every night as we tuck in our kids we have a small blessing we say over them and that they've come to recite with us. As part of this final blessing, we encourage them by saying... "God has created you for a purpose... and your purpose is to bring glory to God." I'm beginning after 35 years of life to understand more and more of my purpose in life and it has less and less to do with the titles I have associated with my name.
To be rooted somewhere means to take on an identity. For me sometimes that rooting has meant where I grew up... or where I went to school... or where I've chosen to live... or where I'm employed . Each of these locations has given me an identity. And I've often searched for purpose in this location/identity. However, from today's reading it became glaringly obvious to me that location is meant to establish identity but physical location must be associated with spiritual location to give us true identity.
Joshua divided the land with each of the tribes and reviewed with them the boundaries of their territories. While seemingly mundane to read it became more and more obvious that God wanted these tribes to inherit the land He'd promised but not for the sole purpose of consuming its resources but to establish an identity. This means a lot to me having been reared in a small town and undestanding the need for community and relationships. Now living in a larger city where the population is more transient I don't see the same depth of relationship or connection. It is much more difficult to develop this depth when it is neither recognized nor desired. Yet boundaries are not meant to prevent us from reaching out or to isolate us. All too often I see this happening as well. The walls of our house, the fences in our yards ... the doors on our cars....if we let them, these boundaries can isolate us. And ultimately God designed us to have an identity but to live in community with others and ultimately with Him. How tragically we've used physical location to isolate rather than combine with spiritual location to establish identity.
As I was reading this I was also realizing that God in His goodness did what He promised completely! Despite the people's rebellion and their waywardness - His plans were achieved. Josh 21:44-45 records "Not one of their enemies withstood them the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of the all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one ws fulfilled." What awesome encouragement this is. What He has promised, He will deliver! Oh how I need to remember this in these troubling days. I was watching the news the other night and here in Indiana now we've just experienced some of the worst flooding we've seen in quite some time. So the majority of the news was consumed with this tradgedy and loss of property and devistation. Then the news continued on about the rising fuel prices. Speculation is that gas prices could reach as high as $6.00 per gallon. Then a story on rising food prices. Then a story on other natural disasters around the world.... enough! It was enough to cause me to become fearful. Yet... I was comforted by this reading realizing that God is always in control. He has already told us how the story would end. He has also told us to expect trials of many kinds. Yet not one of his good promises have failed.... every one is beging fulfilled. Help me remember this in times of trial and worry.
So to bring these two points together.... God had given me a territory to establish an identity. In my life He has blessed me with a lot of territory. Most importantly He has given me a family to love and to lead. He has given me walls of a house to protect us. But also these boundaries are meant to give me an identity. If I let it these boundaries can isolate me... but if I choose to these boundaries give me an identity as a child of God and a recipient of His blessings. In times of worry or anxiety I can retreat within these boundaries fearful of what might happen to me or my family - thus chosing isolation. OR I can choose to place my trust and faith in His promises that I know will be fulfilled - thus choosing to let these boundaries identify me as a child of God. In Joshua chapter 24 we see Joshua forcing the Israelites to make the same decision.... - "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Later in Judges we read of how the Israelites inherited the land they served the Lord through Joshua's lifetime but after he died and the subsequent generation died "another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." (Judges 2:10b) I could preach a whole sermon on this verse alone... but suffice it to say that this is a clear warning to me to establish an eternal view point as I lead my family. It admonishes me not only to teach them about the things the Lord has done, BUT also to do everything I can to introduce them to the Lord so they know Him personally. By viewing my "territory" as my family and by making a choice to serve Him means to take the viewpoint that I'm to establish the identity of training my family to achieve multi-generational faithfulness. I'm beginning to learn my purpose in this world.... and for the generations that will follow.
So with this, I declare Joshua's promise as my own today - yet with a whole new perspective In today's uncertain enviroment the one thing I know I can cling to is God's unchanging promise... and as for me and my household (those living here today and those that will come after us...) we will serve the Lord.... even in uncertain times.
To be rooted somewhere means to take on an identity. For me sometimes that rooting has meant where I grew up... or where I went to school... or where I've chosen to live... or where I'm employed . Each of these locations has given me an identity. And I've often searched for purpose in this location/identity. However, from today's reading it became glaringly obvious to me that location is meant to establish identity but physical location must be associated with spiritual location to give us true identity.
Joshua divided the land with each of the tribes and reviewed with them the boundaries of their territories. While seemingly mundane to read it became more and more obvious that God wanted these tribes to inherit the land He'd promised but not for the sole purpose of consuming its resources but to establish an identity. This means a lot to me having been reared in a small town and undestanding the need for community and relationships. Now living in a larger city where the population is more transient I don't see the same depth of relationship or connection. It is much more difficult to develop this depth when it is neither recognized nor desired. Yet boundaries are not meant to prevent us from reaching out or to isolate us. All too often I see this happening as well. The walls of our house, the fences in our yards ... the doors on our cars....if we let them, these boundaries can isolate us. And ultimately God designed us to have an identity but to live in community with others and ultimately with Him. How tragically we've used physical location to isolate rather than combine with spiritual location to establish identity.
As I was reading this I was also realizing that God in His goodness did what He promised completely! Despite the people's rebellion and their waywardness - His plans were achieved. Josh 21:44-45 records "Not one of their enemies withstood them the Lord handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of the all the Lord's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one ws fulfilled." What awesome encouragement this is. What He has promised, He will deliver! Oh how I need to remember this in these troubling days. I was watching the news the other night and here in Indiana now we've just experienced some of the worst flooding we've seen in quite some time. So the majority of the news was consumed with this tradgedy and loss of property and devistation. Then the news continued on about the rising fuel prices. Speculation is that gas prices could reach as high as $6.00 per gallon. Then a story on rising food prices. Then a story on other natural disasters around the world.... enough! It was enough to cause me to become fearful. Yet... I was comforted by this reading realizing that God is always in control. He has already told us how the story would end. He has also told us to expect trials of many kinds. Yet not one of his good promises have failed.... every one is beging fulfilled. Help me remember this in times of trial and worry.
So to bring these two points together.... God had given me a territory to establish an identity. In my life He has blessed me with a lot of territory. Most importantly He has given me a family to love and to lead. He has given me walls of a house to protect us. But also these boundaries are meant to give me an identity. If I let it these boundaries can isolate me... but if I choose to these boundaries give me an identity as a child of God and a recipient of His blessings. In times of worry or anxiety I can retreat within these boundaries fearful of what might happen to me or my family - thus chosing isolation. OR I can choose to place my trust and faith in His promises that I know will be fulfilled - thus choosing to let these boundaries identify me as a child of God. In Joshua chapter 24 we see Joshua forcing the Israelites to make the same decision.... - "Now fear the Lord and serve Him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt and serve the Lord. But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
Later in Judges we read of how the Israelites inherited the land they served the Lord through Joshua's lifetime but after he died and the subsequent generation died "another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel." (Judges 2:10b) I could preach a whole sermon on this verse alone... but suffice it to say that this is a clear warning to me to establish an eternal view point as I lead my family. It admonishes me not only to teach them about the things the Lord has done, BUT also to do everything I can to introduce them to the Lord so they know Him personally. By viewing my "territory" as my family and by making a choice to serve Him means to take the viewpoint that I'm to establish the identity of training my family to achieve multi-generational faithfulness. I'm beginning to learn my purpose in this world.... and for the generations that will follow.
So with this, I declare Joshua's promise as my own today - yet with a whole new perspective In today's uncertain enviroment the one thing I know I can cling to is God's unchanging promise... and as for me and my household (those living here today and those that will come after us...) we will serve the Lord.... even in uncertain times.
at
2:15 PM
Monday, June 9, 2008
June 9, Day 16; Joshua 1-13
How must have Joshua felt as he took over after Moses death? This is a question that our pastor posed on his blog entry about this chapter. It really caused me to stop and think about how remarkable Joshua must have been. It takes great qualities and a willing spirit to become a great leader. God had developed Moses into a great leader. Yet, it takes some even more amazing qualities to follow a great leader. Anyone who has ever follows a great leader knows how difficult it can be. First you not only have to perform at the same level or above, but you have to win over the hearts of the people who may still be mourning or lamenting that the previous leader is gone. Yet the job to be done doesn't go away. In Joshua's case his job was only getting tougher. Moses had to give the people guidance and lead them through challenges, but Joshua had to go to battle and conquer the enemies and claim the land God had promised to them.
Twice in the opening chapter we see God warning (and encouraging) Joshua by admonishing him to "Be strong and courageous." (Vs 6 and vs.7) Great leadership is never easy. It requires tremendous strength of attitude, of body and of character. It also requires a great deal of courage. Today Dear Father, I need both. In my leadership role as the head of this family I'm really struggling. To find the strength to balance all you've given me and the courage to step against the culture in many regards. In many ways because my strength and courage are waning at home, they are also sapped in the workplace. I'm not getting a lot of verbal encouragement lately at work. The job to be done has only increased and gotten more difficult. So therefore my strength is weak and my courage to fight the battles are dwindling. Yet, I also know that my strength and my courage are not of my own... they are only from You.
The parts in the Bible speaking of circumcision always grab my attention for obvious reasons. In this passage when God commands Joshua to re-circumcise Israel and it says the whole nation had been circumcised, I was thinking how painful that must have been. Certainly many of these men were mature and with limited anaesthetic at the time, this certainly was a painful procedure... and not one that was very pleasant to perform. But the reason God has commanded this is because over the period of 40 years wandering in the desert, those that had been circumcised coming out of Egypt are all gone. And now the next generation is not following his commands. Isn't this the same today. That every now and again we need to undergo re-circumcision of the heart? We get sloppy in our ways and God has to call us back again. We need to give up something in order to realize our dependency on Him. Sometimes, no matter how painful it is, He is calling us to identify with Him and remain in camp until we heal (5:8) and draw back into a right relationship with Him. Perhaps much of what I'm undergoing right now is a circumcision of the heart... where God is asking me to rend myself to Him all over again to realign my priority with His?
Another leadership quality that I picked up from Joshua here was the role that The Written Word played in the role of the leader. Not only was it given to the people but it was the leader's responsibility to read it to them. It says in Chapter 8 vs 34-25 that "Joshua read all of the words of the law - the blessings and the curses- just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them."
Am I reading the Word to those that I'm leading? My family? My Wife? My co-workers? Its says ALL of the words. Not skipping them... not sugarcoating them... but ALL of them. INCLUDING women and children and aliens. Those that are weaker, younger and not even followers of God. Lord, forgive me for my disobedience. I'm not following you with all of my heart, soul and strength.
Finally, one last thing... the warning about seeking you in all decisions. Chapter 9:14 when referring to the Gibenoite deception of Israel-"The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord." Even Joshua was led astray and made poor decisions because they did not inquire of the Lord. How many times daily do I make a decision and don't even acknowledge that God is leading me? That He is the master of my life? I just make them and then ask Him to bless them. How wrong this is and how I'm being deceived into thinking I'm in control. God help me remember you as I make decisions affecting not only me, but those with whom you've entrusted to my care.
Twice in the opening chapter we see God warning (and encouraging) Joshua by admonishing him to "Be strong and courageous." (Vs 6 and vs.7) Great leadership is never easy. It requires tremendous strength of attitude, of body and of character. It also requires a great deal of courage. Today Dear Father, I need both. In my leadership role as the head of this family I'm really struggling. To find the strength to balance all you've given me and the courage to step against the culture in many regards. In many ways because my strength and courage are waning at home, they are also sapped in the workplace. I'm not getting a lot of verbal encouragement lately at work. The job to be done has only increased and gotten more difficult. So therefore my strength is weak and my courage to fight the battles are dwindling. Yet, I also know that my strength and my courage are not of my own... they are only from You.
The parts in the Bible speaking of circumcision always grab my attention for obvious reasons. In this passage when God commands Joshua to re-circumcise Israel and it says the whole nation had been circumcised, I was thinking how painful that must have been. Certainly many of these men were mature and with limited anaesthetic at the time, this certainly was a painful procedure... and not one that was very pleasant to perform. But the reason God has commanded this is because over the period of 40 years wandering in the desert, those that had been circumcised coming out of Egypt are all gone. And now the next generation is not following his commands. Isn't this the same today. That every now and again we need to undergo re-circumcision of the heart? We get sloppy in our ways and God has to call us back again. We need to give up something in order to realize our dependency on Him. Sometimes, no matter how painful it is, He is calling us to identify with Him and remain in camp until we heal (5:8) and draw back into a right relationship with Him. Perhaps much of what I'm undergoing right now is a circumcision of the heart... where God is asking me to rend myself to Him all over again to realign my priority with His?
Another leadership quality that I picked up from Joshua here was the role that The Written Word played in the role of the leader. Not only was it given to the people but it was the leader's responsibility to read it to them. It says in Chapter 8 vs 34-25 that "Joshua read all of the words of the law - the blessings and the curses- just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the aliens who lived among them."
Am I reading the Word to those that I'm leading? My family? My Wife? My co-workers? Its says ALL of the words. Not skipping them... not sugarcoating them... but ALL of them. INCLUDING women and children and aliens. Those that are weaker, younger and not even followers of God. Lord, forgive me for my disobedience. I'm not following you with all of my heart, soul and strength.
Finally, one last thing... the warning about seeking you in all decisions. Chapter 9:14 when referring to the Gibenoite deception of Israel-"The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord." Even Joshua was led astray and made poor decisions because they did not inquire of the Lord. How many times daily do I make a decision and don't even acknowledge that God is leading me? That He is the master of my life? I just make them and then ask Him to bless them. How wrong this is and how I'm being deceived into thinking I'm in control. God help me remember you as I make decisions affecting not only me, but those with whom you've entrusted to my care.
at
9:07 PM
Sunday, June 8, 2008
June 7&8 Days 14 and 15; Deut 7-Deut 34
I mentioned in the last posting that my cousin was here visiting with her two children for this weekend. Her two children and our two kids played together all weekend. For the most part they got along really well and had a great time. However I did learn a very valuable parenting lesson that was reinforced through the reading the last two days. It is all about expectations.
All too often we want people or others to behave in a certain way for whatever reason or another. Ultimately the way we behave reflects the way we believe. As parents we want our children to exhibit patience, kindness, thoughtfulness towards others, sharing, respect, etc... these are all honorable characteristics. Children don't just behave this way they must be taught to behave this way. And to teach them to behave this way takes patience. However, even with the best training and teaching, when left to their own, glimpses of our fallen nature show through. Fighting with each other over toys, hitting each other to get their way, etc... And we as parents need to hold them accountable for their actions.
This weekend we found ourselves exhausted. And as I was reflecting on our exhaustion, I realized it was because we were constantly correcting the children. We told them know. We promised punishment. We threatened. We bribed. We did everything we could think of to hold them accountable. Yet it just wore us down.
However, sometimes we just need to re-establish the expectations for behavior prior to turning them loose. For example, when their cousins come for a visit! This just ensures they don't forget what is expected. We also must remind them of the consequences for their disobedience prior to any infraction. Why must we do this? Well it is really difficult to hold them accountable for their actions if they didn't know what was expected up front. And we need to take away the excuse that they didn't know what was expected or what would happen if they disobeyed. Ultimately it is their choice to behave and follow the rules, but you must make sure your children know the rules and the boundaries.
This weekend we forgot to do this occasionally. So the kids were kids. They would play together good for awhile and then they would start fighting. Or perhaps they all four would collectively get into mischief. Once I came into the playroom only to find every single toy they had emptied from its container and strewn around the room. Something they clearly knew was against the rules but chose to ignore in the heat of the moment and lack of supervision.
What does this have to do with the Bible? Well in the last two day's reading we see God preparing to deliver his people from the desert into the promised land. We see God -through Moses - reminding the Israelites of the boundaries for their inheritance. He knew that unless they were reminded, they would likely forget - or ignore - the rules when they were given a land of plenty. We see Moses reminding them not only of where they came from but what rules God has placed on them to live according to his principles. He further reminds them of the promises and blessings for obedience and warns them of the curses for disobedience. Ultimately however, it would be their choice whether to obey or not. We see toward the end of Deuteronomy that God has already predicted Israel's rebellion. He knows that they will choose not to follow Him. Yet because He is a just God, He plans to hold them accountable for their actions. And He can do that because He has already lined out for them the promises for obedience and the curses for disobedience. But God is not just interested in their behavior. He is much more interested in what their behavior reflects... and that is their inward commitment to Him... or lack thereof.
And isn't this a lesson for all of us as parents? We don't just want to train the behavior we want to mold their inward attitudes to make a commitment to their Heavenly Father. But how can we hold them accountable for their actions without clearly communicating the expectations up front?
All too often we want people or others to behave in a certain way for whatever reason or another. Ultimately the way we behave reflects the way we believe. As parents we want our children to exhibit patience, kindness, thoughtfulness towards others, sharing, respect, etc... these are all honorable characteristics. Children don't just behave this way they must be taught to behave this way. And to teach them to behave this way takes patience. However, even with the best training and teaching, when left to their own, glimpses of our fallen nature show through. Fighting with each other over toys, hitting each other to get their way, etc... And we as parents need to hold them accountable for their actions.
This weekend we found ourselves exhausted. And as I was reflecting on our exhaustion, I realized it was because we were constantly correcting the children. We told them know. We promised punishment. We threatened. We bribed. We did everything we could think of to hold them accountable. Yet it just wore us down.
However, sometimes we just need to re-establish the expectations for behavior prior to turning them loose. For example, when their cousins come for a visit! This just ensures they don't forget what is expected. We also must remind them of the consequences for their disobedience prior to any infraction. Why must we do this? Well it is really difficult to hold them accountable for their actions if they didn't know what was expected up front. And we need to take away the excuse that they didn't know what was expected or what would happen if they disobeyed. Ultimately it is their choice to behave and follow the rules, but you must make sure your children know the rules and the boundaries.
This weekend we forgot to do this occasionally. So the kids were kids. They would play together good for awhile and then they would start fighting. Or perhaps they all four would collectively get into mischief. Once I came into the playroom only to find every single toy they had emptied from its container and strewn around the room. Something they clearly knew was against the rules but chose to ignore in the heat of the moment and lack of supervision.
What does this have to do with the Bible? Well in the last two day's reading we see God preparing to deliver his people from the desert into the promised land. We see God -through Moses - reminding the Israelites of the boundaries for their inheritance. He knew that unless they were reminded, they would likely forget - or ignore - the rules when they were given a land of plenty. We see Moses reminding them not only of where they came from but what rules God has placed on them to live according to his principles. He further reminds them of the promises and blessings for obedience and warns them of the curses for disobedience. Ultimately however, it would be their choice whether to obey or not. We see toward the end of Deuteronomy that God has already predicted Israel's rebellion. He knows that they will choose not to follow Him. Yet because He is a just God, He plans to hold them accountable for their actions. And He can do that because He has already lined out for them the promises for obedience and the curses for disobedience. But God is not just interested in their behavior. He is much more interested in what their behavior reflects... and that is their inward commitment to Him... or lack thereof.
And isn't this a lesson for all of us as parents? We don't just want to train the behavior we want to mold their inward attitudes to make a commitment to their Heavenly Father. But how can we hold them accountable for their actions without clearly communicating the expectations up front?
at
8:54 PM
Friday, June 6, 2008
June 6 - Day 13; Numbers 32 - Deut 6
Today as I write this my cousin and her children are here at our house for a visit. As we reminisce about our childhood and growing up in a small rural community, I recognized the need to understand where we've come from in order to understand where we're going in life. It is important to remember the lessons you've learned in your life and to not forget them as you face new challenges in the future.
In today's reading I see this same thing happening. Moses is reminding the Israelites of what has happened in their sojourn in the desert. What all the Lord has done for them since they left Egypt, the enemies they've defeated, the places they've visited, the history they've shared together as a people group. Moses is reminding the people of the rules God has given them, the blessings he promised them, and the consequences of when they've chosen not to follow the rules.
Isn't it just the same with us today? What value there is from us understanding God's order for our lives. We face suffering of all kinds and scripture tells us as a follower of God we should expect some suffering. But how much of my suffering is self-inflicted. Surely I don't set out to cause my self harm or hurt, but yet I've chosen to not follow God's orders. So why would I expect anything less than a mess and to experience some suffering as a result? As Moses prepares the Israelites to inherit God's promises and to move on into the next phase of their life, they must crystallize their learning and experiences so as to remember God's provision and act accordingly as they face new challenges.
In today's hectic world I have a challenge of not slowing down enough to reflect on what it is I am learning. I can become distressed at times because I get caught up in action only to realize I've neglected to learn from the actions. My distress comes from the fact that I realize I've made the same mistake multiple times without attempting to do something about it or grow from it.
Moses summarizes his intent in Deut 4: 9- "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
I mentioned how my cousin is visiting. She is grown with two children of her own and I have two kids as well. All of us are together this weekend. And I recognize even more the value of transferring the learning to the next generation. God has really placed this on my heart lately and convicted me that my primary role in this world is to bring Glory to Him through discipleship of my family. How can I disciple them without a firm understanding of where I've come from and an idea of the destination I'm heading towards? Not only do they need to know what it means to be a member of the Bishop Family, but more importantly they need to know what it means to be a member of the King's family.
Deut 6:7-9 is becoming more clear for me in its importance. Yet is still unclear to me in its application to my family and my role as the Spiritual head of our family. Lord help me interpret this to what you want me to do with our family to help them learn about our past, our present and our future hope in You. Help me disciple them according to your will that they may see you as their Heavenly Father and Savior.
In today's reading I see this same thing happening. Moses is reminding the Israelites of what has happened in their sojourn in the desert. What all the Lord has done for them since they left Egypt, the enemies they've defeated, the places they've visited, the history they've shared together as a people group. Moses is reminding the people of the rules God has given them, the blessings he promised them, and the consequences of when they've chosen not to follow the rules.
Isn't it just the same with us today? What value there is from us understanding God's order for our lives. We face suffering of all kinds and scripture tells us as a follower of God we should expect some suffering. But how much of my suffering is self-inflicted. Surely I don't set out to cause my self harm or hurt, but yet I've chosen to not follow God's orders. So why would I expect anything less than a mess and to experience some suffering as a result? As Moses prepares the Israelites to inherit God's promises and to move on into the next phase of their life, they must crystallize their learning and experiences so as to remember God's provision and act accordingly as they face new challenges.
In today's hectic world I have a challenge of not slowing down enough to reflect on what it is I am learning. I can become distressed at times because I get caught up in action only to realize I've neglected to learn from the actions. My distress comes from the fact that I realize I've made the same mistake multiple times without attempting to do something about it or grow from it.
Moses summarizes his intent in Deut 4: 9- "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them."
I mentioned how my cousin is visiting. She is grown with two children of her own and I have two kids as well. All of us are together this weekend. And I recognize even more the value of transferring the learning to the next generation. God has really placed this on my heart lately and convicted me that my primary role in this world is to bring Glory to Him through discipleship of my family. How can I disciple them without a firm understanding of where I've come from and an idea of the destination I'm heading towards? Not only do they need to know what it means to be a member of the Bishop Family, but more importantly they need to know what it means to be a member of the King's family.
Deut 6:7-9 is becoming more clear for me in its importance. Yet is still unclear to me in its application to my family and my role as the Spiritual head of our family. Lord help me interpret this to what you want me to do with our family to help them learn about our past, our present and our future hope in You. Help me disciple them according to your will that they may see you as their Heavenly Father and Savior.
at
9:15 PM
Thursday, June 5, 2008
June 5 - Day 12; Numbers 21-31
As I started today's reading I had a challenge focusing. I found myself stopping and pausing along the way which isn't conducive to reading such a large chunk of scripture at once. Yet, I suspect it was the way God was telling me that there was something important I should pay attention to here.
I got hung up at the very beginning with the story of Balaam and Balak. I always marvel at how a donkey could talk and what exactly would I do if one of my animals started talking to me? But lest I digress...
I started to reflect on God's ability and his sovereignty. Balak - a Moabite - became worried because he saw the "strength" of the Israelites and what they'd done to other people groups. He was recognizing that the Lord's blessing was on these people and consequently he became nervous for himself and his people.
Pause #1: Isn't that how people around the world today react to God? Whether they know it is His power or not, they become scared for them self. Maybe you're already a believer and know God as your friend Regardless you know what I'm talking about. When you truly have that inspired moment, when you recognize there is a power bigger than yourself - in fact a power so great that you can't even fathom it - don't you become just a little scared? Suddenly you don't seem so important. Suddenly I must - even for a moment - admit I am not in control. The difference is believers will worship God in this moment of humility. However, unbelievers or those weaker in their faith, will react like Balak and try to take control.
So Balak enlists Balaam into his plan. Balak's plan was to have Balaam curse the Israelites. Instead we see Balaam receiving God's instruction through a donkey.
Pause #2: God can penetrate the heart of any unbeliever He so chooses. Balaam was not a believer in God. He was a Moabite. He was a sorcerer of sorts. Yet God in His sovereignty can use all of creation at His disposal to get our attention. What an awesome God He is!
Then I read on to see Balaam delivering his oracles to Balak.
Pause #3: Balaam was physically unable to speak anything other than what God has placed on his lips. God in His sovereignty will deliver the words to us at the times we need to speak them if we truly seek Him. Even when we're facing opposition or persecution. (Remember Balak could have his way with Balaam and ultimately probably have him killed.) He can make the lowly strong and wise!
When Balak didn't like what Balaam had revealed, he kept trying to change the location or the message. Ultimately he thought the more of the Israelites Balaam was able to see the more likely he would be to curse them. Yet God's message is unchanging and His protection of His people remains.
Pause #4: Isn't this the way the world reacts to the sovereignty of God today. Though we know God to be unchanging, the world continues to manipulate the message and try to bend God into something He is not. By changing perspectives or manipulating His words people constantly are trying to make God something He is not... but yet His truth shines through and His will is revealed.
After all of this, I was ready to stop but I was only 1/2 way through the reading for today. There is still more that God wants me to know.
As I got to Numbers 27 and was reading about how God told Moses to take Joshua with him and have Eleazor commission him and ultimately transfer authority over to Joshua. It says that the Lord told Moses to take Joshua because he was a "man in whom is the spirit."
Pause #5: Lately I've been worried and distracted a lot by what people are saying about me as an employee and my "professional career." How am I being perceived? Am I progressing in my responsibilities? Do people see me as a "go to guy?" Consequently I've become disgruntled and dismayed about my future and my ultimate purpose in life. Bottom line - I've become very focused on the praises of man. Yet when I read this I'm reminded that God is not focused on all of those things I'm concerning myself with. What He is truly concerned with is the spirit within me and how I allow Him to work through me. After all, I just said Sunday in church in response to the sermon that I wanted to make God my ultimate employer and here I am just a mere 5 days later worried about man. God's leadership selection criteria so much different that the evaluation of man. Let me become more preoccupied with what You're saying about me than with those in my place of employment.
Then I began to wonder, how was Joshua ready to take over such responsibility? Ultimately I had to remind myself that Moses truly wasn't ready either when He took over, but God had equipped and prepared Him adequately. Yet, Joshua seems ready to go now. He's got the spirit, the bravery etc... all good qualities for a leader. However, I was reminded to look a back in scripture for some of the first mentions of Joshua to trace his path of preparation. I found it back in Exodus. Chapter 17 records that Joshua fought the Amalekites and the Lord specifically told Moses to make sure Joshua heard that the Amalekites would be wiped off the earth (Ex 17:10, 13-14). Exodus 24 tells us that Joshua went up the mountain with Moses to meet with God. And finally Exodus 33:11 - As Moses was meeting with God in the Tent of Meeting, he would take Joshua with him. We see here in this text that Joshua would see Moses speaking with God "face to face as a man speaks with his friend" AND that Joshua would not leave the tent when Moses did. What was he still doing in there if he wasn't listening any more? Perhaps he was practicing and talking to God himself.
Pause #6: Lots to learn from here. First of all, the younger generation needs to not only see - but hear - their elders talking to God face to face. (ie: praying out loud.) I've become so convicted of that by being a father of two small toddlers. We've really been encouraging them to pray out loud lately. And at first they were very hesitant because they weren't sure how to, but then when they tried they mimicked many of the prayers that we've said over them since they were babies. They use some of the exact words and phrases. I don't want them simply to repeat my prayers but just as they need to be taught how to speak, more importantly they need to hear what conversational prayer with their Holy Father sounds like. When I heard them pray the first few times, I realized how "routine" my own prayers sounded as they were replayed for me through their mouths. I also realized how non-conversational they sounded. I certainly wasn't speaking to God "face to face as a man speaks with a friend."
Pause 6a: Secondly here, I recognize now that Joshua was chosen for this job long before he recognized he was chosen. It may seem that he was groomed for the position by Moses. Certainly Moses did what he could to help Joshua see how a Godly leader received instruction from the Lord. Yet Joshua developed the heart attitude and a friendship with God on his own. Why else would he have stayed in the tent longer? Perhaps I've been chosen for a job that I'm not yet aware. Perhaps part of my lesson is to drink up the opportunities I have to watch Godly leaders soak up their instruction from the Lord, attempt to apply it myself and develop this kinship with my heavenly Father as well. Today, I choose to look less at this job as a destination and more as a training ground and sanctuary.
I got hung up at the very beginning with the story of Balaam and Balak. I always marvel at how a donkey could talk and what exactly would I do if one of my animals started talking to me? But lest I digress...
I started to reflect on God's ability and his sovereignty. Balak - a Moabite - became worried because he saw the "strength" of the Israelites and what they'd done to other people groups. He was recognizing that the Lord's blessing was on these people and consequently he became nervous for himself and his people.
Pause #1: Isn't that how people around the world today react to God? Whether they know it is His power or not, they become scared for them self. Maybe you're already a believer and know God as your friend Regardless you know what I'm talking about. When you truly have that inspired moment, when you recognize there is a power bigger than yourself - in fact a power so great that you can't even fathom it - don't you become just a little scared? Suddenly you don't seem so important. Suddenly I must - even for a moment - admit I am not in control. The difference is believers will worship God in this moment of humility. However, unbelievers or those weaker in their faith, will react like Balak and try to take control.
So Balak enlists Balaam into his plan. Balak's plan was to have Balaam curse the Israelites. Instead we see Balaam receiving God's instruction through a donkey.
Pause #2: God can penetrate the heart of any unbeliever He so chooses. Balaam was not a believer in God. He was a Moabite. He was a sorcerer of sorts. Yet God in His sovereignty can use all of creation at His disposal to get our attention. What an awesome God He is!
Then I read on to see Balaam delivering his oracles to Balak.
Pause #3: Balaam was physically unable to speak anything other than what God has placed on his lips. God in His sovereignty will deliver the words to us at the times we need to speak them if we truly seek Him. Even when we're facing opposition or persecution. (Remember Balak could have his way with Balaam and ultimately probably have him killed.) He can make the lowly strong and wise!
When Balak didn't like what Balaam had revealed, he kept trying to change the location or the message. Ultimately he thought the more of the Israelites Balaam was able to see the more likely he would be to curse them. Yet God's message is unchanging and His protection of His people remains.
Pause #4: Isn't this the way the world reacts to the sovereignty of God today. Though we know God to be unchanging, the world continues to manipulate the message and try to bend God into something He is not. By changing perspectives or manipulating His words people constantly are trying to make God something He is not... but yet His truth shines through and His will is revealed.
After all of this, I was ready to stop but I was only 1/2 way through the reading for today. There is still more that God wants me to know.
As I got to Numbers 27 and was reading about how God told Moses to take Joshua with him and have Eleazor commission him and ultimately transfer authority over to Joshua. It says that the Lord told Moses to take Joshua because he was a "man in whom is the spirit."
Pause #5: Lately I've been worried and distracted a lot by what people are saying about me as an employee and my "professional career." How am I being perceived? Am I progressing in my responsibilities? Do people see me as a "go to guy?" Consequently I've become disgruntled and dismayed about my future and my ultimate purpose in life. Bottom line - I've become very focused on the praises of man. Yet when I read this I'm reminded that God is not focused on all of those things I'm concerning myself with. What He is truly concerned with is the spirit within me and how I allow Him to work through me. After all, I just said Sunday in church in response to the sermon that I wanted to make God my ultimate employer and here I am just a mere 5 days later worried about man. God's leadership selection criteria so much different that the evaluation of man. Let me become more preoccupied with what You're saying about me than with those in my place of employment.
Then I began to wonder, how was Joshua ready to take over such responsibility? Ultimately I had to remind myself that Moses truly wasn't ready either when He took over, but God had equipped and prepared Him adequately. Yet, Joshua seems ready to go now. He's got the spirit, the bravery etc... all good qualities for a leader. However, I was reminded to look a back in scripture for some of the first mentions of Joshua to trace his path of preparation. I found it back in Exodus. Chapter 17 records that Joshua fought the Amalekites and the Lord specifically told Moses to make sure Joshua heard that the Amalekites would be wiped off the earth (Ex 17:10, 13-14). Exodus 24 tells us that Joshua went up the mountain with Moses to meet with God. And finally Exodus 33:11 - As Moses was meeting with God in the Tent of Meeting, he would take Joshua with him. We see here in this text that Joshua would see Moses speaking with God "face to face as a man speaks with his friend" AND that Joshua would not leave the tent when Moses did. What was he still doing in there if he wasn't listening any more? Perhaps he was practicing and talking to God himself.
Pause #6: Lots to learn from here. First of all, the younger generation needs to not only see - but hear - their elders talking to God face to face. (ie: praying out loud.) I've become so convicted of that by being a father of two small toddlers. We've really been encouraging them to pray out loud lately. And at first they were very hesitant because they weren't sure how to, but then when they tried they mimicked many of the prayers that we've said over them since they were babies. They use some of the exact words and phrases. I don't want them simply to repeat my prayers but just as they need to be taught how to speak, more importantly they need to hear what conversational prayer with their Holy Father sounds like. When I heard them pray the first few times, I realized how "routine" my own prayers sounded as they were replayed for me through their mouths. I also realized how non-conversational they sounded. I certainly wasn't speaking to God "face to face as a man speaks with a friend."
Pause 6a: Secondly here, I recognize now that Joshua was chosen for this job long before he recognized he was chosen. It may seem that he was groomed for the position by Moses. Certainly Moses did what he could to help Joshua see how a Godly leader received instruction from the Lord. Yet Joshua developed the heart attitude and a friendship with God on his own. Why else would he have stayed in the tent longer? Perhaps I've been chosen for a job that I'm not yet aware. Perhaps part of my lesson is to drink up the opportunities I have to watch Godly leaders soak up their instruction from the Lord, attempt to apply it myself and develop this kinship with my heavenly Father as well. Today, I choose to look less at this job as a destination and more as a training ground and sanctuary.
at
12:58 PM
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
