86 - "Signal Mercies" Judges 12-14

#86 Sin hides from our eyes the things that steal our peace. Mercies waited for can prove to be Signal Mercies for Others to hope in God's Mercy. 

                                                                       

Here we go...one more time into the hands of the Philistines.
And right smack dab when Israel was in distress,
Samson was born.
Son of a long childless mom.

Judges 13:3
"Mercies often waited for, often prove signal mercies,
and by them others may be encouraged to continue their hope in God's mercy."
Matthew Henry.
When you feel your trouble the most,
God often sends comfort.
There are answers to prayer I hold closely---

the compassion of God after a gang rape,

the healing of perceived childhood harm,

the loss of 5 babies to miscarriage, maybe twins, 
the birth of a long-awaited son after 7 years of infertility,
the victory over cancer after 17 years,
the amazing freedom from a felt betrayal.
All Signal Mercies.

Matthew Henry wrote: 

 "Sin dispirits men; it hides from their eyes the things that belong to their peace." 

When the Spirit of God came upon Samson, his cords were loosed.  The victory for Samson was common means---the sorry jawbone of an animal slew a thousand. 

PHOTO:  A look through a camera lens at Mount Rainier.  Do we see clearly or do we give in to magnify those things that make us feel safe, feel comfortable, feel successful in knowing God.  Remove the props, O Lord! 

85 “I Wanted Hoolidays from the School of Christ” Judges 10-11

#85  I wanted Holidays from the school of Christ. Not only do we want our distance from Christ but we also want tangibles---kids turning out right, even things that make us feel closer to God. Nothing wrong with the vehicle. Everything wrong with the motive.

Judges 10:1 - Abimilech debauched Isreal with evil, disquieted Israel with ambition, disturbed Israel's very peace.  Then, God raises up a good man to reform the abuses, stop the idolatry, and heal the wounds.  This new judge saved them from themselves.  And it should be our very hope, too.  May God save us from ourselves---from wanting ambition in this celebrity world; from wanting ministry success in this storied mission; from wanting to live in this present life more than dealing with daily repentance; from wanting more than God and what He has planned and offered to each of us.  Save us from oursleves.  

Fast Forward 2,000+ years.  It happens to every one of us as we wrestle through this God thing.  

From a Favorite Book:  "Though I wouldn't have admitted it, even to myself, I didn't want God aboard.  He was too heavy.  I wanted Him approving from a considerable distance.  I didn't want to be thinking of Him.  I wanted to be free---like a Gypsy.  I wanted life itself, the color and fire and loveliness of life.  And Christ now and then, like a loved poem I could read when I wanted to.  I didn't want us to be swallowed up in God.  I wanted holidays from the school of Christ."  Sheldon Vanauken "A Severe Mercy"  

Not only do we want our distance from God but we want tangibles---those things that draw us, make us feel closer to God.  Nothing wrong with the vehicle.  Everything wrong with the motive.  

Sheldon wrote: "I had always served beauty.  My wife and I together had loved beauty.  Now, maybe, I was worshipping beauty in the Christian God while my wife was worshipping God.  There may be danger in the love of beauty, though it seems treason to say it.  Perhaps it can be a snare."  

And just maybe today we are worshipping music, health, success, ministry, justice, mission, even our children turning out right.  Are we worshipping God or what is way too important in our hands?

Vow and pay. Psalm 76. This vow story belongs to each of us who live and breathe and vow.

According to Henry's commentary, Jephthah’s sense of the powerful obligation of his vow must always be ours: "I have opened my mouth unto the Lord in a solemn vow, and I cannot go back,’’ (Judges 11:35) that is, "I cannot recall the vow myself, it is too late, nor can any power on earth dispense with it, or give me up my bond.’’ 

We deceive ourselves if we think to mock God, says Henry. 

What a powerful argument a marriage vow is against my sin,

we have by those vows bound ourselves out from,

"what a strong inducement to our duties we have hereby 

bound ourselves up to, and what a ready answer to every temptation."

I must therefore go forward.

I have sworn, and I must, I will, perform it.

Let me not dare to play fast and loose with God."

This daughter did not.

Instead of dancing at her wedding,

her closest friends mourn in the mountains her hard fate.

Her grievances belonged to her friends. 

And to her father:

"I know I am dear to you, but am well content that God should be dearer."

PHOTO:  I know I am dear to you. Solemn vows made 46 years ago this year.  Standing on a suspended bridge on a train stop through the most scariest Colorado mountains 

84 - "Do Not Regard the Forwardness or Backwardness of Others" Judges 7-8

107 The sword is the Gospel in his mouth. It is the Gospel that really changes us. A Dream changed Things for Gideon. #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself

A Dream Changes Things for Gideon.

It is the Gospel that really Changes Us!

God reduces Gideon's army to 300 people---No Way on Earth they could win this battle without God. No way on earth we can either. 

I am "taken" by a quote from Matthew Henry about this story: "In doing the duties required by God, we must not regard the forwardness or backwardness of others, nor what they do, but what God looks for is at our hands. He is a rare person who can endure that others should excel him in gifts or blessings, or in liberty; so that we may say, it is by the special grace of God that we regard what God says to us, and not look to men what they do."

God speaks to Gideon. “Arise, go down against the camp of Midian, and afterward your hands will be strengthened that you may go.” Judges 7:11. And, then, another confirmation. A dream interpreted ... that God would give the camp of Midian into their hands. That's it! Arise! Go take your spoil. "For the Lord." The dream was simple---a cake of bread rolls and knocks over a tent. Nothing special there. It's the interpretation that is Divine! "There is nothing else save the sword of Gideon." The sword is not in his hand. The sword is the Gospel in his mouth. Judges 7:14. Gideon takes this interpretation as a sure thing. He worships! Oh my soul! Can we worship God in the circumstances before us? Wherever we are. This moment. Providence is on our side! God's intervention may be a small event, maybe seemingly accidental. What is God speaking to you? What divine appointment encourages your faith today? 

As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals. And the people of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side, and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Gideon in return for all the good that he had done to Israel."  Judges 8:33-34. What do we want more than the Love of God?  Life is not like a spicket that you turn off and on thinking you want to decide the distance between you and God.  

PHOTO:  No way on Earth we do this life well without God. Edited sun photo.   

83 - "The Eternal Word Speaks in the Present Moment---You Are A Mighty Warrior" Judges 6

#83 Gideon was more than weak, beside himself in a predicament. The Presence of God, the Eternal Word of God comes to Gideon and is with you, too, this very moment. God is with you, O Mighty Warrior. Believe God. Judges 6:12. 

God knew Gideon had courage.  Gideon had stood tall tens of times before. Yet, not this time. Gideon was beside himself over the scenario.  And his countrymen didn’t know him to be that way either. But, Gideon never stopped talking to God, meditating while he was threshing, over the horrific situation and how he could work out the deliverance of these heartless people.  Are we grieving over those who have stiff-armed our Lord?  This Presence comes to Gideon to say that it is None Other than Jehovah, the Eternal Word of God, Who was present with Gideon and with you and with me, right where we sit tonight in our house in this year of the Lord.  God’s Word is our help!!! And is ever Present! And that gives me so much hope! So, go to work tomorrow, teaching school, writing books, serving corporate America, taking care of the sick, and raising courageous children---and while you are there, remember, the Eternal Word of God will appear to you as He did to Moses and David herding sheep; Gideon threshing the fields; Elijah plowing the land; and the disciples dutifully catching fish and mending nets. The Eternal Word speaks in the present moment.  And that changes everything for me where I sit today.    

 Judges 6:12  God appeared to Gideon and said, "God is with you, O mighty warrior!"  This so speaks to me that God calls frightful Gideon a mighty warrior.  A vision painted for this guy who knew those things were not coming from a good place in his heart.  Gideon replies in verse 13: "With me, my master? If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about...I'm the weakest, I'm the runt of the litter." Sounds like Gideon wanted the good life here. God is about to change the motives of the mighty warrior.  The next 6 words from God make me want to stand tall:  "I'll be with you.  Believe Me..." (6:16).  And that is my dying prayer for each one of you.

And God proceeded to help Gideon. Judges 6:12  God appeared to Gideon and said, "God is with you, O mighty warrior!"  This so speaks to me that God calls frightful Gideon a mighty warrior.  A vision painted for this guy who knew those things were not coming from a good place in his heart.  Gideon replies in verse 13: "With me, my master? If God is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the miracle-wonders our parents and grandparents told us about...I'm the weakest, remember I'm the runt of the litter." Sounds like Gideon wanted the good life here. God is about to change the motives of the mighty warrior.  And God proceeded to help Gideon learn to trust Him by reducing his army to 300---all the rest may go home....and Gideon went before God to his knees in prayer.  May the Truths that we read sink deeply into our repentant hearts (Psalm 51:6).  May we learn to think deeper than just the behavior we see.  Learning to live in the tension of what we see and what really is.  Finding a deeper trust in a good God in the midst of His Plan for each of us.  What is God doing that is reducing what I've trusted in?  "Oh for Grace to trust Him more..."  You Mighty Warriors!

PHOTO: This spot in Fort Worth. It's where I was once beside myself, quite literally. God stood me back on my feet---and that is something that never happens that way. All glory to God!

 

82 - "God Is Changing My Motives" Judges 3-5

#105 The book is not about returning to God, finding God for the good life. This book is how our relationship with God is our greatest good. 

She drives a peg through the temple of the enemy king sleeping in her shelter. Drove that peg all the way through his brain all the way into the ground.  There are a few who believe God in the Book of Judges.  Judges 3:21.  But, generation after generation "they forget about God" when things are going good. And we all do the same in this generation. That's why we need the Book of Judges.

This Book isn't about returning to God, finding God, only for a good life and good blessings. This book is all about finding God!  Relationship with Him is our greatest good, our best blessing ever. The generations here in this book feared what we fear today:  "the loss of the blessings that were providing them with comfort and a sense of personal well-being."  66LL. Too small! There's more.

God is more about changing our motives than just our behavior.  I feel we look too shallow as we evaluate what we can do better, what circumstances need to change, what behavior needs to improve.  No more!  God heals us from within and transforms us.  If we are not changing, we must ask why?  Why do we do what we do?  God heals us to change our impact on those in our paths---does the Beauty of God pour out of us and draw others into dependence on God. Psalm 50:2. Or do we play it safe in relationships not rocking the boat.  

Deborah and Barak knew. "The leaders took the lead in Israel, the people offered themselves willingly, bless the Lord!"  And the tremblings go on and on through the earth through those who trust.  And when we forget ... will we repent when we remember?

Father, make the grandkids like the sun as they rise up in might.  Judges 5:31. "Let those who love God be like the sun when it comes out in full strength." Make us all mighty men and women who trust you when things go well and when things go wrong.  

PHOTO:  The ocean roars.  Santa Rosa Island.  Sunrise.  Thinking about how God is changing my motives and my impact, not only my behavior.  

81 - "Something Worse Than Suffering" Judges 1-2

#81 Something Worse than a difficult life. Something Worse than all this pain & suffering.

Something Worse than all the bad things that happen to us. Am I more afraid of losing the blessings or losing my relationship with God? 

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this?" Judges 2: 1-2.

We are no different.  Do we want God or do we want the good life here on earth?  

There is 

Something Worse than a difficult life.  

Something Worse than all this pain & suffering.

Something Worse than all the bad things that happen to us.

Insecure.

Invisible.

Inadequate.

Is that the worse?

Losing all life's blessings?

Is that the worse?

God is always re-defining the word "love" for us.

What is my greatest good in this life?

Is it God?

Are we any different than the people in Judges?

Am I more afraid of losing the blessings or losing my relationship with God?

PHOTO: Hawaii. Thinking about life's greatest good.

80 - "God Puts to Flight 1,000 For You" Joshua 22-24

                                                             

Joshua is about to go the way of all flesh. It's his last words that make my heart stand up and scream stop to my world---and listen long. What will this servant leader say that could make a difference in our lives? "Love the Lord your God, and walk in all his ways and keep his commandments and cling to him and serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” And Joshua blesses them and sends them home. Joshua 22:5-6.

You have seen what the LORD your God has done for you. I sit tonight in the exact same seat I was in years ago when my world crashed in on me. Never in my wildest hopes did I think I could walk out of the depression that immobilized my heart and soul. Not only did I walk out, I have flourished and flown in freedom more than I could have ever thought. If you knew my circumstances right now, that's not what identifies me and makes me stable and successful. It is the LORD, our God Who has been fighting for me. And as I sit in this memorable moment, Joshua 23:10 takes hold of a deep place in me: "One of your men puts to flight a thousand, for the LORD your God is He Who fights for you, just as he promised you. He did! He has! He is! He will! God Himself pushes them out.

Dear Father, As I sit in the spot where I spiraled years ago to depths of despair that were never meant to be, I find You, a Good God turning the watercourse whatever ways You will---Proverbs 21:1. With blind trust, I surrender this present moment. Help us all find a little bit more rest than we had yesterday.

PHOTO: A little bird landed on the cross just as I clicked the camera of this little country church that I passed a thousand times in my life in Fort Worth. Used to live smack dab across the street from this little country church. It's a Beautiful God Who has done an incredible work in my heart as I remember the thoughts I had when I would pass this little country church. And those thoughts are no more.

79 - "A Groundswell of Hope" Joshua 20-21

 #79 God gives rest on every side---physical woes, pressures of the day, and present prevailing thoughts and emotions that can debilitate us daily. Joshua 21:44. #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself     

                                                       

This verse, Joshua 21:44, is a groundswell up to this very age.  Not only did God give them rest from 40 years of wilderness travels, and rest from the fatigue of battle against the Canaanites, but also rest from the pressures and thoughts and emotions within where they battled too.  All the days of Joshua.  God gave rest on every side.  Oh God!  You write these verses as a ground of hope and confidence to me this very night.  Give me rest on every side.  I've spent decades following You and have sought a rest from the physical labor and the woes of life.  This recorded experience stands my ground, my confidence in You and what You will yet do.  In due time. 

And I pray this as a prayer for my children, especially my two girls who are such hard workers laying down their lives for others. Praying a groundswell of hope.

PHOTO:  Day is Done. Give them rest on all sides.

78 - "Good Enough Christianity" Joshua 17-19

                                                                   

I don't think I could enjoy them anymore.  Flew up to Kansas City to pick up grandkids Zekey for Ezri's 6th Birthday Party---and flew him back to KC.  Whirlwind trips to the museum, trampoline park, and gargantuan indoor playgrounds.  This won't last forever for me.  I am growing old now. No one knows the time.  I will give you everything I can til the day God calls me home.  

“You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." Joshua 13:1.  God reminds us all, that for those of us who still can, we must finish the work He has given.  He brings others along to put on the top-stone.  He expects Joshua to count 

I don't think I could enjoy them anymore.  Flew up to Kansas City to pick up Zekey for Ezri's 6th Birthday Party---and flew him back to KC.  Whirlwind trips to the museum, trampoline park, and gargantuan indoor playgrounds.  This won't last forever for me.  I am growing old. No one knows the time.  I will give you everything I can til the day God calls me home.  

“You are now very old, and there are still very large areas of land to be taken over." Joshua 13:1.  God reminds us all, that for those of us who still can, we must finish the work He has given.  He brings others along to put on the top-stone.  He expects Joshua to count where he is.  He expects all of us to number our days and present to Him a heart of wisdom.  Don't lock the door yet.  No bar on the door until it is locked forever.  Remind yourself to rise up to the occasion to fight the good fight of faith and never dismiss the battles all around me---but I must also engage in the battle going on in me.  If I don't, I'll just live in "good-enough" Christianity.  We all need to know how to navigate our way through the battle within and find the true "rich fare." 

PHOTO:  Ezri and Zeke at the Bullock history museum in Austin. February 2023

77 - "God Foresaw Their Tribulation" Joshua 14-16

                                                              

Joshua 16:10 "But they didn't get rid of the Canaanites who were living in Gezer."  God said He would eliminate the Canaanites for them.  The Israelites chose to tolerate the Canaanites and put them to forced labor.  Not enough.  Not right.  I've misunderstood the Promised Land for a land flowing with milk and honey and no conflicts.  No battles there.  Yet, they waged war battling kings who were giants in stature and strength, literally.  Living in the Promised Land was no piece of cake like I thought it would be, should be.  Wonder if I think my life would be better if my circumstances were removed this day...and friends and family treated me a little better?  One verse gives some insight as to why the Israelites wouldn't move in the direction of God's call to each of them.  Fear.  They were afraid of "iron chariots."  Wonder what ideas I hold this day that God will expose as my iron chariot?  And I just love that Joshua stood up to the Israelites and said in Joshua 18:3  "How long are you going to sit around on your hands, putting off taking possession of the land that God, the God of your ancestors, has given you? Pick three men from each tribe so I can commission them."  Joshua got their hands and hearts moving in a good direction.   Without vision and leadership, the people perish. Face it. There will be pain in the battles we face.  "God Who foresaw your tribulation, has specifically armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain."  C.S. Lewis

PHOTO: