Cast Your Burden

Psalms 55:22 (KJV)

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 

What kind of burdens do you have? Take a little time right now and think about or jot down what is heavy on your heart. Could it be finances? Or maybe even a job? It might be a person who has hurt you or that you have hurt? Maybe you are dealing with one of your own behaviors right now. Or maybe even there is a temptation/sin that has its hooks in you. Whatever it is, you can bring it to the Lord.

There are those of you who may doubt that you are able to do this because of what the second part of this verse says; in your own mind you are saying: “I am NOT righteous, so the Lord will not sustain me.” I’m not picking on anybody, but we get to the point that we think we are not worth it for God to care because we don’t measure up. 

Let’s address two truths that were just mentioned: We are NOT righteous and we don’t measure up (Rom 3:10-18). BUT, it isn’t about what we can do – it’s about what Christ can do through us. We are righteous through faith in Jesus (Rom 3:21-24). Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? Do you believe He had victory over sin and death? Then believe that you are righteous in Him.

Can you cast your burden on the Lord now? You may not feel worthy to give your burdens to the King, but He believes you are worth it (Rom 5:8).

It's Time to PAK

Being Purposeful In The Way You Treat Others

Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV)

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13]bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [14] And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

“Random acts of kindness” has become a popular way of trying to make the world a better place. I believe this passage in Colossians dares us to practice “purposeful” acts of kindness.

Key words to look for in this passage are “put” and “let.” Both of these words indicate that we are being asked to make purposeful choices in certain areas: COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, PATIENCE, and FORGIVENESS. We must make the choice to let CHRIST’S PEACE rule our hearts (our whole being). Choose to be THANKFUL. And choose to have CHRIST’S WORD be in us so that we can share His Word with others and help each other grow in His Word. Moreover if we choose to have His Word in us we are more joyful (with our praise) and more thankful.

The final thought on Purposeful Acts of Kindness is to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus – the easiest way to know if you are doing this is to see who benefits the most. Is the recipient lifted up? Is Christ praised? Or do you get to pat yourself on the back and fill a selfish desire? I threw that last one in there because we can be tempted to do the right thing for the wrong purpose. It is my opinion that a PAK (Purposeful Act of Kindness) is part of dying to self and living for Christ (John 3:30) – this is where the first “puts” come in to play (compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and forgiveness).

Try to add one PAK a day. Don’t tell others what you have done. Pray to the Father for guidance on who needs a PAK, and do it for the benefit of the recipient and for the Glory of God. Don’t let it be random – be purposeful in your kindness.

Looking Past What Is On Earth

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. [3] For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 

We are encouraged to set our minds on things that are above and not on the things that are on earth. This passage of scripture reminds us that we have died to our old self and have been raised with Christ. Do you see the logic trail?

Note: Get your Bible out and look up the passages.

What does this world have to offer us (1 John 2:15-16)? When we have been raised with Christ what do we have to look forward to (1 Peter 1:4)? What’s going to happen to what the world has to offer (2 Peter 3:10) as opposed to what we have in Christ?

In this time of gift giving and receiving; in this time of a faltering economy and in this time of low job security try to keep your focus on your inheritance in Christ. There are so many things that can make us lose our focus (Matthew 14:29-31), but our Lord Jesus Christ will always be there for us regardless of the storms that are around us – the storms brought about by a fallen world.

Acknowledging My Faults

Psalms 51:1-4 (KJV)

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
[2] Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
[3] For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
[4] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

When we acknowledge our sin to God, we put our total dependence on his mercy. We’ve already received God’s mercy and God knows where we have sinned. He still loves us (Rom 5:8). If we have already put our faith in Christ, that sin has been taken care of (Rom 6:10).

So why do I need to acknowledge my sin? Why do I need to turn from it? Sin gets in the way of our communication with God (Ps 66:18). If we try to hide it, we end up tripping ourselves up (Pr 28:13). And knowing God’s mercy comes from just confessing and forsaking that sin (Pr 28:13).

If mercy and forgiveness is that close, why not take it to the Lord? Why hide from Him when He has so much for us? God understands the temptations we deal with (Heb 4:15) and He knows we buckle under the temptations sometimes – if that wasn’t the case there would be no need for Jesus Christ. Let God love you, lay it all out before Him and let Him take care of you.  

Laying it All Out Before God

2 Kings 19:14-19 (ESV)

Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. [15] And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: “O LORD the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. [16] Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. [17] Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands [18] and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. [19] So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.”

 

At this point of time, Jerusalem and King Hezekiah were being threatened by the King of Assyria. No country or any “god” had stood before Assyria under this king. This king of Assyria was sending messengers to outside of the wall of Jerusalem to discourage the people: “Don’t believe your king when he says your God will rescue Jerusalem out our hands – no god of any we have conquered has delivered the people out of our hands.”

We too face this in our lives at times. Sometimes it seems there is no stopping the evil around us. When we try to do what is right, we get mocked, because there seems no stopping the powerful in this world. It seems at times it is just useless to try to live a righteous life.

We need to follow Hezekiah’s example from today’s passage. Just lay it out all before God. Yes, God knows what’s going on, but if we take the time to lay it all out before Him we are releasing it to Him. We are acknowledging His power, we are worshiping Him, and we are trusting in Him. By giving it all up to God we are saying, “There is none other that can handle this situation, because You are God – not me.”  

Remember God

Psalm 50:22-23 KJV

Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. 

[23] Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God. 

Having read today’s passage, you may find verse 22 rather harsh. But, when we continue to verse 23 we see the proper road to take instead of forgetting God. Praising God and choosing a righteous life (ordereth his conversation aright) is how we remember Him.

Why do I bring this up? The same reason it is found in God’s word: we tend to forget God. How often do you praise God for the little victories? I honestly praise Him when He touches my heart with His Word – for confirmation or correction, I am always excited that He chooses to talk to me. When my seven year old daughter chooses a Christian program for entertainment instead of Scooby Doo or Spongebob. When God reminds me to take the right action. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 has always been a favorite verse of mine. It also serves as a reminder that everything that I do or can do is because He has enabled or allowed me to do so. He is awesome.

Today's Double-Post

My apologies to the readers, I had written a post yesterday but never published it. So today both Monday and Tuesday have been posted.

The King in Control

Psalm 47:6-9 KJV

6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

I am often found quoting Romans 8:28 during times of confusion and chaos, knowing that God will make everything work out to the best. This portion of scripture reminds me that even before I claim that promise that God is in control. Plain and simple, God is in control. 

I should just stop with that paragraph, but since I know there are many, like myself, that struggle with being in control. I struggle with it because I want peace in my life – if everything is in its place there is peace (we know from my devotional last week that peace is attained more from moderation than control). And many of us have this same issue with control, not because we are power hungry but because we want peace.

It surely helps me to know that God is in control. And if He allows me to go through a “roller-coaster” event, He will bring me through it (1 Cor 10:12). Many times we need to go through these events, that we are trying oh so hard to avoid, to perfect our faith (James 1:2; 1 Pet 1:6,7).  Look at Ps 47:7 above; it says to praise God with this understanding. Realize that God is on the throne, not you, and praise Him for that. If God is in control, we are able to let go of worries and fears and just watch Him show His glory through our lives.

Give it Your All

2 Kings 13:14-19 ESV

Now when Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, Joash king of Israel went down to him and wept before him, crying, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” [15] And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and arrows.” So he took a bow and arrows. [16] Then he said to the king of Israel, “Draw the bow,” and he drew it. And Elisha laid his hands on the king's hands. [17] And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The LORD's arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” [18] And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. [19] Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.” 

As I read this passage, I saw once again a king’s heart being tested. He was asked to do something and he obeyed, but he didn’t do it as much as was expected of him. Look at verses 18 and 19. The king was told to strike the ground with the arrows; it should not have been a surprise that this going to be a picture of something (in verse 17 he already learned that the shooting of an arrow was a picture of Israel having victory over Israel). But the king only struck the ground three times. The bible doesn’t tell us why. It could have been he was already satisfied with the news of victory, so he just didn’t think it as important. We do that: while in a crisis we fervently pray for deliverance and once the crisis is over the prayers aren’t so fervent anymore.

Once again, I can only guess at the reason why he only hit the ground three times. What I do know is that he should have kept going. He should have given that task all that he had because it was God, through a prophet, putting the task before him. 

What does this tell us? Whatever the task God has put before you, do it with all you have (Col 3:23; 1 Cor 10:31). Joash missed out on a total blessing because his heart was not fully with the Lord. Likewise you could miss out on all God has for you if your heart is not fully with the Lord, but if you are fully seeking Him with your whole heart who can fathom the abundance (not just material) He has for you?

The Fruit of Sacrificial Giving

Philippians 4:10-20 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul had received a gift from the Philippians. They had already help him in his ministry, but had at other times were unable to. They were finally able to finance him some more, but it came through a great sacrifice by the Philippians.

Paul explains that it is not money where he finds contentment, but in the Lord. And knowing their sacrifice assures them that God will take care of their every need.

Verse 17 is what I find incredible – Paul tells the Philippians that he wasn’t anticipating the gift that they gave him, but the increase in their fruit, their ministry, because they did give.

And that is what I ponder: Does my ministry increase every time I give? Giving to the ministry is doing good, but it also helps us to depend on God rather than ourselves. Do you take the opportunity to let your fruit increase?

Put to Death the Pessimist in You

Philippians 4:8-9 ESV

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

By nature we always look at what is wrong. God was way ahead of Dr. Phil in this area. He tells us to focus on what is good around us. The end of verse 8 says plainly, “thing about these things.” How often have you been obsessed with a wrong-doing in your life? Mainly on the receiving end. If you keep thinking about what is wrong or bad your mind can get wrapped up in that only. Where is the praise if you focus on the negative?

Look at what you can praise God for today and put to death the pessimist in you.

Defeating Peace-Stealers

Philippians 4:4-7 ESV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. Find your joy in the Lord. vs. 4 (Col 3:2; Matt 6:21).
2. Do not overreact. vs. 5 (Rom 8:28)
3. Do not worry about anything. vs. 6
4. Take it all to God in prayer. vs. 6

I do not know what takes away your peace, or if you have ever had it, but Paul gives us things to do to help us embrace God’s peace.  If we employ the four areas above then we can look for what vs. 7 promises us, God’s peace. There is something comforting to me to know that God’s peace will cover my heart and mind and that chaos and anxiousness can be let go of because it is replaced with God.

Mentorship

2 Kings 12:1-2 ESV
In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

When going through Kings and Chronicles you will notice two things: the Kings of Israel and Judah either did what was right in the eyes of the Lord or they did evil. The story of Jehoash stood out to me because he had a mentor. Not just anybody, but a priest. Jehoash was fortunate enough to be attached to a man who was able to instruct him in the ways of the Lord. And it was for this reason that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Not much more is said of the instruction process, but it does tell us something for application in our lives. We have a great ability to do God’s will if we have a godly person guiding us through. Seek to have at least one person like that in your life, and not just listening to your pastor for an hour once a week while sitting in the pew. But a person who will love you – who knows how to tell you the things you need to hear not what you want to hear (there are many who can tell you what you need to hear, but someone who takes the time to love you knows how to tell you the right way – Pr 15:31).

God Answers Prayer

1 Chronicles 4:10 ESV
Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.

God always answers prayer. I realize that there was a book written on this one verse, but I’d like to talk about what it says to me. God sometimes gives us exactly what we ask. God sometimes says “no.” He may have something totally different in mind for us (1 Chr 14:14-15). And sometimes He will just want us to wait. God answers our prayers: sometimes yes, sometimes no, and sometimes not yet. We just need to be satisfied that He has what is best for us in all situations (Rom 8:28).

Love the Eternal

1 John 2:15-17 ESV
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

It seems that we tend to get our perspective out of whack. We like to have things and the possibility of losing said things gets us in a tizzy. The US has been going through an economic roller-coaster lately, and it has gotten a few people worried. You could be one of them. But if you know Christ, you know He will take care of your needs (Phil 4:19). I think what is in danger is the “wants” in our lives. Verse 16 touches on that: “the desires of the eyes” or “lust of the eyes.” We want what we want and we want it now!!!

The last sentence of our scripture today tells us what is going to happen to all those “wants” we have – they will pass away. They do not have lasting value. What has a lasting value is seeking to do the will of God. So we are to stop putting so much stock in money and possessions, stop trying to satiate our bodies with the world, and stop surviving on a false self-importance (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life) but love doing the will of God – to satisfy ourselves in Him (Col 3:2).

(Note: 1 John 5:16 in the ESV has the phrase “pride in possessions” which is one possible translation; but the Greek word used for “possessions” can also be more accurately translated “lifestyle.” A love for possessions is already covered with “desires of the eyes,” so within this context, I believe “the pride of life” is the more accurate translation.)

Crown of Life

James 1:12-15 ESV
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

Temptation is by no means easy to go through. When Christ went through temptation, we know that He suffered (Heb 2:18). Unlike us, Christ did not buckle under that suffering of temptation (Heb 4:15). So how do we remain steadfast under trial? Is that crown of life attainable or are we destined to fail every we are faced with temptation?

If you read the Hebrews 2:18 and 4:15 you probably already know the answer. It is Jesus who gets us through temptation. Every now and again God will have to provide a way around temptation (1 Cor 10:13), but I firmly believe that God wants us to get THROUGH temptation. And the only way THROUGH is IN CHRIST. We need to put on the MIND OF CHRIST instead of opening a door to the desires that tempt us (Rom 13:14). And the best way to do that is to know His mind through His word (John 1:1; Ps 119:11).

Humbleness

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This section of scripture is incredible as it puts forth many of the benefits of having humility around one another. In the first two verses points out that many of the things we desire as we grow in Christ are complete when we are in unity. Paul actually uses the term “complete my joy,” but I doubt this was a selfish desire, but more of a desire to see the health of the church solidified by unity.

How do we attain unity? Through humility: do nothing out of rivalry or pride but always see others as more important than yourself. That includes those of you who just HAVE TO make your opinion known – it is good to be opinionated, it shows that you are paying attention and that you have some passion, but if your opinion is not PROFITABLE to others or the situation, it is not good. Paul continues by saying that you need to watch the backs of others, not just your own. The most practical way all of us can do this is either refuse to listen to rumors or gossip, or if it is too late – squash the gossip trail with you. Okay, I use the word “squash” because of my hate (yes, hate) of such things, but rumors and gossip can be stopped gently.

Paul finally says to just be like Christ. To have His attitude. He was God, but made Himself a servant. Funny isn’t it? Here’s God: who made Himself the ultimate servant in Jesus Christ, and here’s us: deserving of death, given the ultimate pardon and still we desire to be top dog. And it’s that desire that will destroy unity and ultimately destroy our blessings in Christ: we will be just too busy “promoting” ourselves instead of just resting in Christ.

Christ Preached

Philippians 1:15-18 ESV
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

It’s amazing what the bottom line was for Paul: that Christ was proclaimed! Not that I’m promoting factions or rivalry, but I want to be to that point where if Christ is being preached that I can rejoice.

I don’t want to be concerned with the opinions that can surround church life. We get so bogged down with the “organization” that we forget about Christ proclaimed. So our methods differ from church to church – is Christ being preached? If yes, Praise God!!!

Do sermon styles differ from one preacher to the next? Yes. But does it really matter if Christ is proclaimed? Why get worked up over delivery when Christ is the center of the message?

Are you one who makes issues out of these areas at your place of worship? If yes you may need to check to see if Christ is proclaimed in your life. Don’t get deceived into thinking there is only one way to proclaim Christ. Do pray that you discern Christ when messages are being presented to you. Do proclaim the biblical, the real Christ in your everyday life. Don’t let a matter of taste in delivery prevent you from hearing the truth that can be found in God’s Word.

Simple Obedience

2 Kings 5:9-14 ESV So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. 10 And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” 11 But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. 12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. 13 But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.  

Naaman was given a simple command to clean him of leprosy and he balked at it. In his eyes, he could have done this simple command by himself in his own homeland. But it was not the Jordan that would cleanse him, it was God. He was waiting for Naaman to obey Him.
 
Aren’t we like that sometimes? I think one of my biggest challenges is not being so busy that I miss out on what God is doing around me (Ps 46:10). Another challenge is giving things over to God first before I make an attempt to do them (Pr 3:5-6). You may have different challenges, but in essence many of those challenges are just simple commands to follow that we balk at. Why? Because they seem too simple. Because we can take of things on our own. Because we just don’t always believe in God and His word.  


Fortunately Naaman had servants that reasoned with him to obey. Naaman did obey and he was cleansed. Seek to put people around you who will help you obey God’s word. Even if you balk at a little change that a sermon or daily reading has moved you to do, you can still turn around and obey.

Apologies

Hi folks I just realized that one of the formatting settings was turned off. This resulted in a lack of separation of paragraphs. I have turned the setting back on and it looks as though everything is alright.

Not By My Hand am I Delivered

Psalm 44:6-8 (KJV)
6 For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.
7 But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.
8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

Though we might be able to fight, it is the Lord only who can deliver us. Sometimes the fight itself is the defeat. Think about it, what is the profit in getting worked up and angry over a situation that may not be your fight? Don’t get me wrong, you may be asked to stand up for God’s word or put in a bad situation because you choose to follow God. Many times giving the battle up to the Lord is the true victory.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

If you have been listening to sermons for any length of time you have heard one about the Armor of God (vv. 14-17). So instead of my breaking that down, go ahead and read those on your own. Today, however, I would like to address what is said before and after the description of the Armor of God.

First we are called to be strong in the Lord and His power (offense). Then we are told TWICE to put on the WHOLE armor of God (defense). We need both, but it seems that the Armor of God is really important – and not just parts, but the WHOLE Armor of God. We are to STAND AGAINST the schemes of the devil, STAND FIRM and to STAND IN the whole Armor of God.
With God’s strength and armor we will wrestle the powers of this present darkness (the devil’s world system) and withstand evil.

And through this we are called to persevere and prayer. Pray for other Christians and pray in the Spirit. The fight is grueling and will get to us, we need to pray and persevere. There are situations that may seem to have you pinned down. It may seem that everyone is out to tear you down and destroy your serving God. The gossip, the backbiting, the slaps in the face and other things done by those you trusted and loved can make you just want to give up. It may even seem worse when these people are fellow Christians. If you are faithful to God and seek His righteousness and hunger for His word, you are in a good place.

Rely on God’s strength, use His armor for defense, persevere and pray. Pray for those brothers in Christ who are trying to hurt you. Who knows why they are being malicious? I do know that David, a man after God’s own heart, was provoked by Satan to sin (1 Chron 21:1); and after David sinned all of Israel suffered. Is Satan so weak now that he can’t catch you or a brother off-guard and provoke us to sin? These brothers and sisters are not tares in the wheat field, but rather wheat that has been trampled on and broken. You have been given the ministry of reconciliation, is this your chance to restore them to the body?

The Company of the Godly

2 Kings 3:13-15 ESV
13 And Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No; it is the Lord who has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him.

The king of Israel, Jehoram, went to inquire of the Lord from Elisha. The king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, and the kind of Edom joined him. They were all wondering what to do to defeat Moab.

Elisha would not even have seen him if it wasn’t for who he was with (vs. 14). The company of the Godly opened doors for the king of Israel. (2 Chr 17:3-4 - The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, [4]but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the practices of Israel.)

Have you ever considered that those around you may be blessed when you seek to follow God with your whole heart? You may have friends or family who are wholly seeking God or have rejected Him entirely. God may be using you as a blessing to these people. Not to make you look good but rather to draw those around you to Him. This is the challenge: don’t compromise your devotion to God in order to keep the peace with close to you. That doesn’t mean you can be obnoxious, it means to continue to love the Lord your God with your whole being regardless if you are around Christian friends and family or if you are around those who don’t follow the Lord.

(observation on music in worship: verse 15 shows how music prepared Elisha’s heart while coming into the Lord’s presence.)

Getting Past Hurt and Shame

Psalm 40:11-13 KJV
11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.

Read verse 12 again. Have there been times in your life where you have felt this way? This portion of this psalm is talking about where you have rejected God because of the pressures of the world. This verse is a confession; it is not coming out of pride (or false humility). The psalmist has let sin get such a hold on his life that he is ashamed to be before God (…I am not able to look up). It even shows remorse for what he has done (…my heart faileth me). I believe Proverbs 28:13 is in play here. The psalmist is laying out his sins and his heart hurts because of what he has done.

Verse 11 is where the psalmist is trusting in God’s patience and mercy. Not only that, it looks as if he desires to replace his iniquities with God’s truth.

An interesting aspect to notice about verse 13 is the request for deliverance. In this we see that there is a bondage to something. Verse 12 does put forth that his iniquities have taken hold of him.

What does this all tell us? That sin is not merely seeking pleasure or indulging selfish desires, but sin is a way to put us in slavery. Sin is used to put a burden so heavy on us that we are ashamed to be seen by God. Sin is rebelling against God; it is our way of saying that we know how to do things better than the Creator. We can’t live in sin and seek God at the same time – our hearts feel the pulling of the two natures against each other. We can leave sin and seek God. Or we can keep sin and hide from God. Are we always going to take the preferred path? I doubt it, but if you given your life over to Christ you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and He will keep at you if you are living in sin. There will not be peace in your life.

This brings us back to where the psalmist was. You too can come to the throne of God and lay out your iniquities before Him and ask for His truth to lead you. His mercy is there for you. Confess and forsake those iniquities that hold you and seek His mercy. Christ paid the price for those sins. He desires your freedom for a better relationship with God. And know that God wants you more than anything else and He wants that sin out of the way so that relationship will flourish!!!