Call on Your Commander

In Chapter 7 (“Call on Your Commander”) of Glory Days, Max Lucado writes that when Joshua and his soldiers faced the challenge of Jericho’s high walls and protected sides, he had a divine encounter during this dark, difficult time.

Perhaps, Pastor Lucado observes, like Joshua you’re facing a unique challenge.  Like Jericho, your challenge is imposing, strong, thick-walled, and impenetrable.  It stands between you and a Promised Land life.  But you must face it.

When Joshua neared Jericho, he looked up and saw a commander of the army of the Lord.  Max states his message to Joshua was unmistakable: Jericho may have its walls, but, Joshua, you have more.  You have God.  He is with you (emphasis author’s).

A reminder of God’s mighty presence is all we need.  God is near.  We never are alone, even in our darkest hour.  Part of our inheritance is God’s presence.  This truth is certain: God comes to His people.  There are no exceptions to this promise!  Max encourages us to take our eyes off our Jericho so that we’ll see Jesus:

“Look to Jesus to comfort you.  Turn your gaze away from Jericho.  You’ve looked at it long enough.  No need to memorize its circumference or itemize its stones.  Healing happens as we look to our commander. . . . Jericho may be strong.  But Jesus is stronger.  Let him be your strength.”

Today’s question: What Jericho has loomed large following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Walk Circles Around Jericho”

 

Call on Your Commander

The blessing of God"s presence

“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.  Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.”- Matthew 5:4 (The Message)

In surprising ways, suffering makes room in our spirit for us to know and experience the blessing of God’s peace and presence.”- Kyle Idleman

Kyle Idleman continues his discussion of Matthew 5:4 in Chapter 2 of The End of Me by asserting that we can’t know God’s comfort without experiencing suffering.  When we mourn, then, we experience the blessing of God’s presence.  Pastor Idleman explains what we find in our suffering:

“There is a deep void that used to be filled with whatever we lost.  That could be stuff or even relationships- none of which are bad things.  But when it’s gone it leaves an aching cavity, and God is there to fill it up with himself.”

Coming to the end of Me enables you to experience the blessing of God’s presence as you never have before.  While wonderful things have been embraced and lost in life, Kyle encourages us that there is no embrace like God’s embrace.  God will not waste your pain, and He most certainly will not leave you alone.

Today’s question: As you mourn your ministry downsizing or vocation loss,  how have you experienced God’s blessing as never before?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: the Thanksgiving Short Meditation, “Thanksliving”

The blessing of God"s presence

God"s anointing

“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, ‘Mine!"”- Abraham Kuyper, Dutch theologian

Referencing the all-encompassing anointing John speaks of in his first epistle (1 John 2:27), Mark Batterson states that “it doesn’t matter what you do, God wants to anoint you to do it.”  And this anointing isn’t just for ordained clergy, it’s for everyone.  As Mark explains, the anointing is the it factor in any endeavor.

Pastor Batterson emphasizes that we simply need to ask for God’s anointing to receive it.  He adds these words of advice:

“And you can’t just seek the anointing.  You have to seek God.  Get into God’s Word and God’s presence.  The closer you get to God, the closer you’ll get to His anointing.”

Mark observes that Jesus used the most basic building block in nature as the raw material for His first miracle, a profound reminder for us that Jesus needs little or nothing to work with.  Anything is possible with God.  We need that object lesson because we tend to grossly underestimate God.  He is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).  Mark concludes:

“He [Jesus] is the catalyst for any and every transformation, whether it’s turning water into wine or sinners into saints.”

Today’s question: Do you currently feel God’s anointing in your life?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “One nudge”

 

God"s anointing