Thoughts on Deuteronomy 3

“And I commanded Joshua at that time, ‘Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings. So will the Lord do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing. You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.’”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭3:21-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

After experiencing God overwhelmingly win two battles – would you still have fear in the succeeding battles?

I understand the fear…

It’s not an issue with God’s ability. We know, and many times we just have had experienced it with our own eyes, the great and awesome things God can do.

The issue is in ourselves and our lack of understanding of God’s heart.

We don’t know if He will still keep His word, if He will continue to be on our side. This insecurity is not because we think He is unfaithful – but because we know we are unfaithful.

Will He lose patience? Will mercy run out? Grace? Love?

These questions come as we face the next battle. The ‘accuser’ comes and strikes fear. “Did God really say that He will fight for you? Just look at yourself. Why would God still fight for you?”

…

We have two choices : surrender to fear, or surrender to grace. If we surrender to fear, then the accuser has won and the battle is lost before it has even started.

Surrender to grace – approach God in reverence, repentance, humility.

“Did You lose patience with me? Has Your mercy run out? Grace? Love?”

…

What did God answer?

Thoughts on Proverbs 1:8-19

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As a parent, I understand this better. It’s a plea.. we cannot make decisions for our children when they’ve grown. We hope that we’ve done everything we can to influence them properly, to let them understand our love for them, and gain their trust.

And hopefully.. they will make good decisions.. and one of the biggest decisions they can ever make is who their circle of friends will be.

I can’t understand why there are people who purposely – blatantly – want to trip people up, rip them off, mess up and destroy lives. Without reason. What is up with that??

Proverbs – Wisdom – says that these people are actually setting up a trap for themselves. It won’t end well.

I wonder though..

In my (sheltered) experience, the bad influences are not that ‘evil’. It’s not as clearly defined, not black and white.

It’s definitely more subtle now. And I’ve probably been, unknowingly, part of these injustices. Stealing, unjust gain, profiting by taking advantage of others. Their blood, sweat and tears.

“My son, do not walk in the way with them; hold back your foot from their paths,”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Hear, my son. Do not forsake our teaching..

Thoughts on 2 Timothy 1:8-18

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:8‬a ESV‬‬

My environment / circles has changed a lot since the time I became a Christian, 15 or so years ago. 

Back then, I remember, the struggle to ‘not be ashamed’ was real. Being labeled as ‘born-again’ meant you were kinda weird – raising your hand and closing your eyes while singing worship songs in church – that kind of thing.

People probably still think we’re weird.. but is it just me or is being a Christian kinda cool now? It feels like it, and that’s not a bad thing.

So, as much as being ‘ashamed’ is concerned, I don’t feel that way so much anymore. Maybe it’s the environment, maybe it’s how God has changed me over the years.

I’m publicly blogging my Quiet Time journal and posting Christian ‘stuff’ in social media – it doesn’t get more ‘unashamed’ than that.

But.. to be honest.. it feels like something is missing.. 

“…nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:8‬b ESV

“But share in suffering for the gospel…” My Christianity now is easy, comfortable. Sure there have been difficult decisions, busyness with ministries, and trials/temptations of many kinds. But ‘suffering’? Hardly.

So I need to relook my definition of ‘not be ashamed’, it seems it’s not just about a public declaration of my faith. There’s something much more..

… and it is about being proactive. Not just reactive, not passive. It is talking about God, about Jesus, regularly in my circles.. especially my non-Christian circles.

Don’t wait for them to ask – which is what I usually just hope for: living a ‘good’ life so that they will ask about my faith – Say! Tell!

Do you feel a bit embarrassed now, thinking about it? Good.

Thoughts on Jonah 2

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,”

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let’s look at that verse one more time. 

The Bible has some incredible stories. This is probably one of the top ones.

SMH. C’mon, that’s ridiculous – how can you be swallowed whole by a fish, and be able to pray, and stay alive (undigested) for 3 days and 3 nights?

Growing up with these stories, we think we believe them – but do we really? Maybe it’s our ‘suspension of disbelief’ kicking in. We automatically suspend disbelief for the sake of good biblical teaching and wisdom.

I say we should stop and really consider the miraculous things that happened in the Bible: The Creation, Wars won in spite of impossible odds, Food appearing out of nowhere, Wind and water obeying, Animals talking, Dead being brought back to life.

God of the impossible. Do we really believe this?

I admit… this is difficult for me to fully accept. It’s crazy.

But we need to believe not only that God is Good, but also that God is Great.

How great is your God?

The answer to that question determines our attitude toward God. It determines our prayer life, our thoughts and our actions.

Thoughts on Deuteronomy 2

“For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.”’”

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

When I turn 40 years old, this could be – will be – my life verse. Even now at 30+ years I can confidently say, “the Lord has been with me (in spite of myself). I have lacked nothing (and even have so much more than I deserve).”

How amazing it is that Moses was able to get step-by-step instructions from God. Go here, go there. Stop. Don’t attack this, attack that. Build this exactly this way. Wait. Wait some more. Okay get up and go.

Would I be as obedient? And then eventually, after a few times, would I resent the commands? Probably. I can’t even obey simple instructions, can’t even keep a few promises. 

Moses experienced God both in great ways, and in relatively small but consistent ways. That’s probably the ‘secret’ to obedience – the more we know about God, the more quickly, cheerfully, and consistently we will obey.