Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Pathway

There is a very challenging obstacle at Fort Lewis that ROTC cadets are required to negotiate during their summer training. One at a time each student climbs up a metal staircase, stands up on a narrow beam about 6 inches in width and then walks up and down a step continuing to the other side. Next, the student must grab a rope, swing the legs over the rope and slide out to the center, hang and wait for a command to drop about 20 feet down to the lake below. It is amazing how hard it is to walk up and over that step so high above the water without falling or succumbing to fear.

Meditation
Psalm 18:36—You widen [a place] beneath me for my steps, and my ankles do not give way.

Occasionally God may ask us to traverse narrow walkways. High above our comfort zone, He tests us to see if we are willing to trust Him. He asks us to do what we would normally avoid and takes us where we do not want to go. Without challenges, how would our faith grow? However, some believe that God purposely makes life demanding and does not care that they suffer. For them, He is an unfair Lord bent on making their life like that of Job. Perhaps you have gone through a hard time and felt like God was intentionally out to make you squirm. Yet, while it is true that He does test us, far more often, He is actually making life better for us. He removes those things that would work to our ruin creating a safer path for our journey.

One songwriter wrote in Psalm 66:9, “He keeps us alive and does not allow our feet to slip.” In Psalm 94:18 we read, “If I say, ‘My foot is slipping, Your faithful love will support me, LORD.’” Again, in Psalm 121:3, it says, “He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.” Clearly, those who followed God thousands of years ago recognized that He was their Benefactor, alert, loving, and dedicated to helping them.

Friend today would be a great day to pause what you are doing and take inventory. Ask God to remind you of incidents where you have seen His hand of protection at work in your life. You might inquire if there were times you took for granted and failed to see Him at work behind the scenes on your behalf. Do not be a noctambulist (sleepwalker) and take divine protection for granted! I am certain we will be amazed to discover in God’s presence, how oblivious we were to His working to better our lives. If we would even slightly believe that our Father cares enough to broaden our pathway and protect our journey we would have much greater reason to step out in faith! Something to think about . . . in reveration!

Inspiration
What, can Jesus meet my need? Yes, and more than meet it. No matter how intricate my path, how difficult my service; no matter how sad my bereavement, how far away my loved ones; no matter how helpless I am, how deep are my soul yearnings—Jesus can meet all, all, and more than meet.—Hudson Taylor

Willing

I had the privilege for several weeks of working with four Army generals. In discussing the importance of a good reputation, several of them shared why it was vital to avoid any appearance of impropriety. Their conduct was measured not just by standards but also the perception of those standards. Aside from their own moral and spiritual convictions what they were willing to do or not do was tied directly to the people they served. I was encouraged that powerful men modeled integrity with humility.

Meditation
Psalm 51:12,13—Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

Why did King David watch a naked woman bathe, get her pregnant, show duplicity, murder her husband and act like nothing ever happened? What made this heroic king dive into a pond of filth? How did he get so fouled up? Let’s examine his life and see if we can discover what caused such horrendous moral failure.

Before Bathsheba, David set himself up for adultery by marrying many wives in direct violation to God’s instruction for kings in Deuteronomy 17:17a. “He [the king] must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won't go astray.” The more women he took for himself, the easier it came to rationalizing, “I can have anyone I want, I’m the king!” A man single-minded for God does not build female condominiums in his heart.

In 2 Samuel 11:1a we read, “In the spring when kings march out [to war], David sent Joab with his officers and all Israel.” Did you catch that? David sent his general to do what he should have done. When the ground is replaced by the featherbed, cause is made for carousing. Further on we read, “From the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. So David sent someone to inquire about her . . .” Stop! Nothing good ever comes from naked woman investigations. The moment David began his inquiry he set in motion desire that should have been squelched by immediately leaving the roof.

“David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her.” By sending messengers, David involved others in his crime. I think they knew what “get” meant. Why didn’t any of them warn him that he was breaking God’s law? Either they were moral cowards or they feared a king unafraid of God. And why didn’t Bathsheba refuse his advances? Her man was out in battle! She was more flattered by the attention of her king and the possibilities of a life with him than concerned about faithfulness to her Lord and to her husband. And where were the priests during all this time? And why did every other wife keep silent? Can we see what happens when power is the order of the day?

Lest we think that we could never duplicate David’s crimes let’s take personal inventory, a willing test. Here are questions I ask myself that you might find helpful:
1. How spiritually fit am I? Do I faithfully study the Bible? Is the Holy Spirit able to speak to my life? Do I consistently meet with the Father in prayer?
2. How socially fit am I? Am I accountable to someone who is spiritually mature and willing to check up on my conduct, thought-life, and overall state on a regular basis? Am I engaged in meaningful fellowship where believers have freedom to observe and speak to my life?
3. How emotionally fit am I? Am I feeling sorry for myself? Do I feel entitled to do something I normally would not do because I am prideful? Or am I strong in the Lord?
4. How intellectually fit am I? Am I bored and therefore misusing the free time I have? Is my life absorbed in pursuing activities that have no redeeming value?

Self-evaluation can assist a better understanding of where I may be spiritually weak. But I have to go a step further and recognize that I cannot create a willing spirit to do what God wants me to do. The moment I think my spiritual condition is dependent on me, I am in trouble and pride is lurking. Let’s be honest, because of a sin nature, my character is permanently cracked. Therefore, only God can give me a willing heart. I must have His help. He is able to rebuild, renew and restore!

A careful reading of Psalm 51 reveals the crux of David’s moral failure. The king who willingly abided by God’s will at some point in his reign decided his will was more important. This is why David’s prayer for God to give him a willing spirit after Nathan confronted him for his sin, is so profound. David knew what was wrong. Without a willing spirit, he was done—spiritually dead! The journey away from God’s will rarely consists of one step. It occurs over time and is almost always paved by the stones of lust, compromise, indifference and pride. So, like David, I need God’s help to be God-willing. Fortunately, I have a Father who understands, forgives, heals and provides! And so do you!

Inspiration
The man who gains a moral victory by sheer force of will is the most difficult man to deal with afterwards. The profound thing in man is his will, not sin. Will is the essential element in God’s creation of man; sin is a perverse disposition which entered into man. At the basis, the human will is one with God; it is covered up with all kinds of desires and motives, and when we preach Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit excavates down to the basis of the will and will turns to God every time.—Oswald Chambers in Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

Wavering

Meditation
I Samuel 27:1,2—David said to himself, "One of these days I'll be swept away by Saul. There is nothing better for me than to escape immediately to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will stop searching for me everywhere in Israel, and I'll escape from him." So David set out with his 600 men and went to Achish son of Maoch, the king of Gath.


What happened? Why did David, the Middle Eastern heartthrob and most popular combatant on the known planet decide it was time to flee the country? He had just filled King Saul with shame by sparing him when by all rights he could have speared him. Saul even admitted knowing David would prevail. David knew that God promised him the kingship. God never reigns through dead bodies. So why did he give in to the notion that Saul could end his life?


Maybe he was tired. Fatigue can make us second guess anything.


Maybe he was afraid. Instead of trusting God as was his normal pattern, perhaps he looked at circumstances and let them dictate his next course of action.


Maybe he was discouraged. Often after a major victory or emotional high, we are subject to a letdown. Remember Elijah after defeating 400 of Baal’s prophets and making King Ahab look ridiculous, fled in abject fear when Queen Jezebel vowed to kill him? David knew he was God’s anointed, but that did not mean that every day he woke up feeling positive about his life expectancy. Even oil dries up.


Maybe he was stuck—his options seemed dismal. If he went back home to Judah and Saul came after him again, he put his entire family in jeopardy. He knew Saul was spiritually unstable yet held the power so today’s peace was no guarantee of security tomorrow. What else could he do but run and seek the protection of Gath’s king?


I remember in 1991 before the Gulf War broke out, a Captain in my unit was terrified that we might deploy. Faced with a scary unknown, he wavered. Instead of fulfilling his obligation, he found a way to get medically separated from the Army. Later, when the war quickly ended, he managed to come back into the reserves. Ironically, our unit never did deploy. I watched how my friend faltered and it made a deep impression on me. But the truth is we all waver. Who never has moments of doubt or hesitation? Often those who seem the most in control are inwardly insecure and prone to all kinds of mental vacillation.


Right now, you may be facing a big decision. You may be tired, afraid, or at wits end. At this moment of choice look to the Lord for wisdom and strength. Ask for His help. Share with Him what you are feeling. He understands. He will guide and protect you. You don’t have to waver! Listen for His direction and act decisively. We know the Father of what to do so why live like we don’t!


Inspiration
Pray the Lord ever to give me the single eye, the clear judgment, the wisdom and gentleness, the patient spirit, the unwavering purpose, the unshaken faith, the Christ like love needed for the efficient discharge of my duties. And ask Him to send us sufficient means and suitable helpers for the great work which we have as yet barely commenced.—Hudson Taylor