Ezra 4:4 5/14/2024

“Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them and frustrate their plans …”

The Israelites were in exile and decided to build an altar to God. Those in the area were opposed to their plan.  But that didn’t deter the Israelites. As we have westernized Christianity, we have fallen into the trap of believing that God leads by removing resistance.  In fact, the opposite is often true.  When Jesus said don’t be surprised if they hate you, because they hated Me first.  The implication is that I should be concerned if I fit into this world a little too well.  Resistance is often God showing me I am going in the right direction not the wrong one.

Jesus said, "…I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16).  We are called to be different… and some people don’t like different. But many churches focus on being innocent to the exclusion of wise, for fear of offending.  This is illogical. We are in a war and the enemy has no interest in peace negotiations.  Nothing is easy since the fall and we must expect to struggle. 

When we follow God - there will be opposition. Both spiritual and physical. The easiest way to get blindsided is to not expect resistance. We are working against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil. (Ephesians 6:12) And when you advance God’s Kingdom you can expect a response from the gates of hell . 

The Jews were trying to build an altar. The enemy schemed to stop those plans. Be certain that no good work goes unnoticed or unopposed.  The bigger the goal the bigger the fight that should be expected. Be wise… be determined… be prepared.  

We are to be peaceful when it is up to us… but it is often not up to us.  Be prudent and sensible… but in a reckless kind of way. God has demonstrated that there is no reason to fear those who try to discourage us and make us afraid. ….Remember that the lamb of God is also the Lion of Judah… Build the altar.

 “It’s a jungle out there…used to be a garden.” - Tonio K.

Isaiah 6:6-8 5/7/2024

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your guilt is taken away and atonement is made for your sin.”   Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

Put yourself in Isaiah’s shoes  … There is an angel approaching you with a coal in his hand from a fire so hot that he used tongs to get it out. As he stretches it towards your lips do you duck, do you run?  – does it burn?   However it feels, you are told that your guilt has been removed and your sin has been paid for by the grace of God … How do you respond?  

The chorus of the song “I can only imagine” asks a similar question : “Will I stand in Your presence? Or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all?”… when I hear that, I think to myself, I will  definitely fall down in silence - ashamed of how undeserving I am … That sounds good on the surface, however with that response the focus is still on me.  As I fall in silence my thoughts are about me and my weakness, not the power of the blood that was shed for my atonement. 

But Isaiah focuses on God… when God asks for volunteers he shouts,  “Here I am, send me!”   Isaiah is thinking of God’s power not his own failures and  lack of strength … they are irrelevant.  Can I get there?  Can I die so completely to myself that I don’t have to “humble brag” about my unworthiness. Can I be so sure of God’s strength that my past weakness becomes immaterial? Today I will focus on The King of Kings. I will eliminate the self-centeredness I have disguised as humility, and eagerly look for ways to boldly serve God.  

Will you yell “here I am, send me”… Will you trust God - or will you sit in silence today, focused on what you can’t do?

"True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” -  Rick Warren