Incomplete obedience ∙

Incomplete obedience ∙

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. –

Hebrews 5:8

Acts 5:1-4

 1 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

 2 He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest.

 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

If you’ve recently become the proud owner of a new puppy, it’s crucial to understand that one of the initial steps is for them to obey. Dog obedience schools are one of the most effective methods to achieve this. Typically, this entails enrolling them in classes where they are taught to obey and follow their leader’s commands. With the rise of digital streaming, organizations like SPCA have endorsed video training programs. These programs allow dogs to benefit from premium training, regardless of where they are in the world, without ever leaving home.

Every training routine should commence with clear communication. Effective training does not involve force but respect, love, and trust. The training should be tailored to suit the dog’s temperament and inclinations – it’s not a “one size fits all” situation.

Dog training encompasses an array of issues, including common concerns such as:

  • Disobedience
  • Aggression toward other dogs and people
  • Barking
  • Anxiety, nervousness, and separation anxiety
  • Chewing, mouthing, and stealing objects or food
  • Potty training
  • Hyperactivity
  • Selective hearing
  • Unpredictable behavior

The Father has provided a training school for each child of the King. His program begins with developing an intimate personal bond with each of His children, starting with clear communication. He does not use force but rather respect, love, and trust. Each of His training programs is individually suited to that particular child of the King. He trains every child of the King according to the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

REFLECT & PRAY

It is sad to say that some children of the King are often obedient only when they want to be. “God didn’t say be perfect. He said be obedient” (Stanley).

Father I want to want to be obedient. Engender within me tremendous love, respect, and trust for You. Obedience will be the natural outcome.

INSIGHT

“Partial obedience is the greatest enemy of obedience” (Stanley). However, what’s more crucial to understand is that partial obedience is, in fact, disobedience.

It appears embedded in human DNA to echo Frank Sinatra’s sentiment, “I did it my way.” The Scriptures abound with individuals who show obedience up to a point but fail to follow through completely.

In the early church, people exhibited remarkable generosity, setting a high bar. Ananias and Sapphira aspired to appear generous in their giving. They wanted to look good while deceit was lurking within. They were only partially obedient, which led to deadly consequences for both of them. They sold some property and donated money to the apostles in a spirit of generosity. They pretended to give the entire amount but secretly held some back. They overlooked the fact that the Father is omniscient. He knows everything all the time, and nothing can be hidden from Him. Peter was given prophetic insight and confronted them. Both Ananias and Sapphira died on the spot, three hours apart (Acts 5:5, 10).

Peter pulls back the curtain on what was happening within their hearts, revealing a terrifying truth. They had lied not just to the apostles but also to the Father.

Acts 5:3-4

 3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.

 4 The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!”

It’s disheartening to realize that this could occur to any child of the King. It likely already has, and we were simply oblivious to it.

How can we rectify this? The answer lies in following the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was tempted in every way, yet he never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He was always obedient to the Father’s will.

John 6:38: I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.

However, it seems there were times when He faced challenges.

Hebrews 5:8 says, “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.”

It is the standard operating procedure for children to learn obedience as they grow up. But the Lord Jesus Christ was no ordinary son; He was the Son of God. This raises a paradox: How could He always be obedient yet learn obedience through His suffering?

The answer to this conundrum is found in His experience in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of His crucifixion. Recall that the Lord Jesus Christ was the God-man: undiminished deity and true humanity in one person. From a human perspective, He dreaded the impending events leading up to the crucifixion. In His humanity, He was reluctant to proceed. He didn’t want to go through with it. He searched for an alternative. He appealed to the Father and asked if avoiding this fate was possible. He made appeals to the Father. Yet, at the same time, He knew that He came into the world for this very reason: to die for sin. However, He had already resolved the issue within Himself. Even as He asked the question, He knew the answer and was resolved in His own heart to obey. He stated, “I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Matthew 26:39 records that He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Luke 22:44 adds, “He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.”

Amid immense distress, along with even greater suffering, humiliation, shame, pain, and ultimately death, He learned in real-time and, for all time, to obey.

“‘To learn obedience,’ then, meant coming to appreciate fully what conforming to God’s will involved. But this is not to suggest that Jesus had previously been disobedient and now needed to grasp what it meant to obey the will of God. Rather, authentic obedience is practiced in particular, concrete circumstances. So, as Jesus encountered fresh situations – and the focus of the text is on his suffering – his faithfulness to God was challenged, and his unfailing obedience to the Father’s will was tested again and again” (O’Brien).

As a human being, He acquired knowledge and experience just as other people do. “He especially came to know firsthand what it cost to maintain obedience in the midst of suffering” (O’Brien).

“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence” (Vince Lombardi).

Children of the King are required to chase complete obedience. But we know we will never obtain it, being imperfect people. But along the way, we will humble ourselves before our Lord and Master, submit to His authority, and willfully obey to the best of our ability.

Paul put it like this.

Philippians 3:12-14

 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-03-1

© Dr. H 2024

Don’t make me angry! ∙∙

Don’t make me angry! ∙∙

Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. – James 1:20

Ephesians 4:26-27

 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

 27 and give no opportunity to the devil.

Dr. Bruce Banner, also known as The Incredible Hulk, transforms into a green-skinned, rage-fueled beast when angered or provoked. The Hulk is a central character in the Marvel Comics universe and is best known for his famous catchphrase, “Don’t make me angry!”

Anger? What is anger? It is a common human emotion and part of the everyday human experience. Even the Father experiences anger. The Father gave us the ability to feel anger as well. However, the Father is holy, righteous, and totally sinless. He feels and expresses anger differently than fallen people.

There are three primary sources of anger:

  • Not getting your own way
  • Having your way blocked
  • Unmet expectations

Anger isn’t a one-size-fits-all emotion. All anger is not the same. Anger exists along a continuum from mild to extreme. It may manifest as frustration, irritation, or seething, explosive, uncontrollable, murderous rage. And, of course, it may arise anywhere in between.

But what does anger truly achieve? Sadly, these are not the righteous outcomes our Father seeks.

James 1:20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things God wants done (James 1:20, The CEV).

Uncontrolled anger and rage are essentially pointless. They are an exercise in futility. So stop kidding yourself. Short tempers and thoughtless words only stir up strife.

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

James 1:19 You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

We have the ability to manage our responses. In His wisdom, the Father gave us a practical lesson by designing us with two ears and only one mouth. Engage your intellect and develop strategies to overcome useless, futile reactions to real or perceived offenses. Be sensible and exercise prudence.

Proverbs 19:11 Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking an offense.

REFLECT & PRAY

An angry person stirs up dissension and starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin (Proverbs 29:22).

Father how many children of the King struggle with anger and rage? It is almost as though a savage beast lives within us, trapped within a cage of our human bodies. Now and then, we open the door. Please help me to control my anger.

INSIGHT

The wrath of individuals doesn’t bring about any positive outcomes and, in fact, often results in unnecessary complications and unintended harm. Therefore, it would be prudent to keep our anger in check as much as possible.

There are those amongst us who harbor a simmering rage within them, which frequently erupts uncontrollably. These individuals could be described as having a short fuse. Webster’s dictionary defines such a hot-tempered disposition as being prone to anger quickly. Unfortunately, their emotional restraint is akin to that of a volatile velociraptor. In such situations, Solomon’s wisdom serves as a warning.

Proverbs 19:19 Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

Proverbs 25:28 A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

Paul provides a strategy for dealing with it.

Ephesians 4:26-27

 26 Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,

 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

As fallen people, we tend to hold on to anger and harbor resentment. Regrettably, this anger can become embedded in our personality, taking on a life of its own. It becomes a part of our character. It seeps into our core, occupying a permanent space in our innermost psyche. This anger starts to warp our sensitivity and thought processes, causing us to find fault and become irritable without any foundation in fact. Some people even develop paranoia, feeling as though the world is conspiring against them. One wise sage once said, “The world is not sentient; it does not know you exist. It is not out to get you.”

The peace of God and inner joy and satisfaction that the Father offers to each child of the King are often conspicuously missing in such individuals. Peace and joy simply cannot coexist with anxiety, frustration, anger, and bitterness. Anger left unchecked all too frequently results in depression and a desire for revenge.

In essence, the Scriptures perceive anger as rebellion against the living God.

Numbers 15:30 But the person who does anything with a high hand . . . (NAS)

Numbers 15:30 But those who brazenly violate the LORD’s will . . . (NLT)

Numbers 15:30 But the person who acts defiantly . . . (NET)

In the original Hebrew, the phrase, translated as brazenly violate, acts defiantly, with a high hand, is beyad ramah. Beyad ramah is an expression of arrogant, deliberate defiance “in spite of what the LORD said” (NET notes). It is a graphic word picture of a person filled with rage shaking a clenched fist. Try to visualize this in your mind. Can you see an angry person shaking their fist in the air? Ask yourself what is on the other end of this defiant high hand. Could they be shaking it in the unseen face of the Father God? In this case, unrestrained anger is ultimately a deliberate, intentional act of sin.

Anger is a form of toxin that harms our character, our relationships with others, and our ability to connect deeply with the Father. It pains the Father’s heart when His children are consumed by anger. When we are clenched in rage, we are unable to receive and appreciate His blessings.

Ephesians 4:30 states: “Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.”

Is there hidden anger within you? Is it so deeply buried that you’re oblivious to its existence? Seek the Father’s help to uncover what is concealed. Make a firm decision to let it go and not welcome it back into your life.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-01-1

© Dr. H 2024

Does anything make God sick? ∙

Does anything make God sick? ∙

So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth! – Revelation 3:16

Revelation 3:15-17

 15 I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!

 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

 17 You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

The Laodiceans boasted that they were rich and needed nothing.

In the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus Christ addresses seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Each letter is meticulously crafted to suit its intended recipient, considering each congregation’s distinctive conditions, cultural aspects, and collective mindset. These epistles contain His personal evaluations, commendations where appropriate, critique, and instruction.

The nearby Lycus River’s water was too muddy to be potable. It was essentially undrinkable. Consequently, Laodicea’s water supply was delivered via an aqueduct, remnants of which can still be seen today. The deposits lining the pipes attest to the poor quality of the water. By the time it reached Laodicea, it was lukewarm. Moreover, due to its impurities, the water had an emetic property – it caused people to vomit.

Hieropolis, renowned for its therapeutic hot springs, and Colossae, celebrated for its pristine, cold water (Wiersbe), were located nearby. Hence, the terms “hot” and “cold” bear historical relevance that illuminates our understanding of the reproof issued by the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, this passage is misinterpreted because it is taken entirely out of its historical and geographical context. Knowing the backdrop of the local surroundings allows its meaning to be properly unpacked.

Revelation 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.

REFLECT & PRAY

Ephesians 4:30 Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Father encourage and enable us to have lives that are refreshing or helpful to others. May we be pleasing in Your sight.

INSIGHT

Laodicea was unique among the seven churches in that it received no commendation. Much like its own tepid water supply, the Laodicean church was also lukewarm. “The condemnation of Laodicea begins with a picture of almost crude vividness; because the Laodiceans are neither cold nor hot, they have about them a kind of nauseating quality, which will make the risen Christ vomit them out of his mouth” (Barclay). This analogy might seem a bit confusing to the 21st-century audience, but to the inhabitants of Laodicea, the message from the Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear.

The Greek word, translated as spit or vomit, is emeo. Emeo literally means to spit out, vomit, or throw up. The English word emetic is derived from it and refers to a substance that induces vomiting. Spitting is frequently an act of contempt (Luke 18:32). This anthropomorphism indicates the intense disgust of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be lukewarm?

The correct understanding of the term lukewarm is understood in light of the water supply. The water of Laodicea traveled some 6 miles from the aqueduct. It was tepid, lukewarm, and emetic when it reached the city. This is in contrast to the nearby cities of Colossae, known for its cold, crisp mountain water, and Hierapolis, which had hot springs with water often used for medicinal purposes.

The water of Laodicea was a metaphor, a perfect fit for the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church. The Greek word, which is translated as lukewarm, is chliaros. This word is only used here in the entire New Testament. Chliaros means tepid, warm, or intermediate between hot and cold.

The Lord Jesus Christ found the people’s attitudes repugnant. Their hearts were tepid, impure, proud, and arrogant. How might we characterize being lukewarm? It connotes being equally removed from two opposite extremes. In that the Lord Jesus Christ used it in a pejorative sense, it could mean middle-of-the-road, uncommitted, indifferent, lethargic, unremarkable, mundane, mediocre, unexceptional, apathetic, halfhearted, lacking zeal, paltry, or the like.

They were complacent, self-satisfied, self-sufficient, obtuse, insensitive, and lacked commitment to the Father and the word of God. They were just going through the motions spiritually. They had one foot in the world and the other in church. They had fallen for the allure of pleasures of the world. They were ambivalent, being content with their wealth and materialism. Consequently, they were obtuse, blinded to their spiritual impoverishment. The Lord Jesus Christ declared that they were wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked (Revelation 3:17).

Yet, despite their moribund, delusional condition, the Lord Jesus Christ continued to love them.

It is no coincidence that the Lord Jesus Christ calls upon them to repent. He makes a magnificent offer and promise.

Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

Is Revelation 3:20 written as an appeal to non-believers? Does it target those who have not placed their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ? Or is it directed towards the indifferent children of the King?

The Lord Jesus Christ invites the hearers to experience fellowship with Him. The hearers claim to be self-satisfied and in need of nothing. The reality is quite different. From the perspective of the Lord, they are deluding themselves. Morally and spiritually, they stand exposed, naked in the sight of God. Such attitudes are not limited to any particular group. They are characteristic of nonbelievers, nominal believers, and sadly lapsed, fleshly children of the King.

The church in Laodicea reflected the values of its culture: exhibiting pride, self-reliance, and a perceived lack of need for external support, even from the Father. Comparing the church in North America with churches across various other regions of the world, it’s somewhat alarming to note how the challenges faced by the Laodiceans are eerily similar to our own (Keener).

Shallow, repetitive prayer and dry devotional times are sadly commonplace in our lives. They often arise from a diminished sense of need for the Father. Our material abundance has become a source of our spiritual poverty as it did for the Laodiceans.

“If the Book of Revelation were written today, and there was a letter to the church in America, I think it would decry the fact that our materialism and wealth . . ..” (Richard Stearn).

His knock and call are a reproof and yet a loving request. Rather than being spiritually bland, as lukewarm water, we are to be soothing, restorative, and revitalizing water: either refreshingly cool or therapeutically warm.

The church at Laodicea provides ample motivation for each of us to examine our hearts.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-29-1

© Dr. H 2024

Spiritual germination ∙∙

Spiritual germination ∙∙

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit. – John 12:24

John 12:24-26

 24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels – a plentiful harvest of new lives.

 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

 26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

The germination process is a fascinating enigma that continues to elude complete understanding by contemporary science. Plant seeds can be likened to compact survival kits packed with sufficient food, nutrients, and a blueprint for life. These seeds burst into life, cultivating roots and a small plant, eventually emerging from the soil as a sprout. This entire sequence of events is what we call germination. For sustained growth, the seedling relies on light, water, and nutrients present in its environment.

In its initial state, the seed is dormant, appearing lifeless and serving no apparent purpose – it seems dead. By itself, the seed serves no function, and it is, practically speaking, useless. However, once it’s planted, everything changes. The seed undergoes a metaphorical death, only to be reborn with renewed vitality.

Similarly, the concept of spiritual germination is equally miraculous and paradoxical. Spiritual life and growth only come by death. To bring salvation to humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ had to die. But His death was not the end. By the mighty power of the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead to live again. He offers salvation and eternal life to anyone who will take it. Life comes from death.

“Jesus used the image of a seed to illustrate the great spiritual truth that there can be no glory without suffering, no fruitful life without death, no victory without surrender” (Wiersbe). All children of the King are His seeds. Each of us comes with life within, the Father’s eternal life, and an instruction manual of sorts. New pages unfold as we walk with Him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Only when we die to our personal ambitions and goals can we truly begin living for the Father.

Father how I long to fulfill Your dreams for my life. Encourage me to continually surrender my personal ambitions and goals in exchange for Yours.

INSIGHT

As children of the King, truly living and fulfilling the Father’s dreams and ambitions for our lives requires a trade-off. Dying to self is difficult, and each of us struggles with it. This personal challenge is presented to each child of the King.

“If a seed could talk, it would no doubt complain about being put into the cold, dark earth. But the only way it can achieve its goal is by being planted” (Wiersbe).

We can choose to remain alone, isolated, seemingly protected, and comfortable. But as such, we are not experiencing the spiritual life the Father intended for us. It is a decision that we have to make for ourselves. Once we choose to die to ourselves, it is a commitment that we will continue to make throughout our lives.

John 12:25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

We are the seeds of the Father; He is the one who does the sowing. He plants us wherever He desires. Consider the story involving an isolated mission station. A group of outsiders decided to visit and speak with the missionaries living there. The dialogue ensued as follows:

“You certainly have buried yourself out here!” one of the visitors exclaimed.

“We haven’t buried ourselves,” the missionary replied. “We were planted!” (Wiersbe)

But there’s more. Only when we choose to follow the Lord Jesus Christ do we become the Father’s servants and Christ’s disciples.

John 12:26 Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

The statement “I serve at the pleasure of the President” has been used since the 1700s. When somebody uses the phrase, it means, “I will continue to serve as long as the president wants me to.” It’s an official way to explain that the President is one’s direct boss, and only the President has the authority to remove that person from their post …and no one else. That person will continue to serve as long as the president wants them to.

The term “the pleasure of (someone),” as defined by Webster, implies that “an action is or can be performed because someone desires it.” The statement “I serve at the pleasure of” was frequently used by individuals who were in service to kings and other royal authorities. Serving the King was considered a significant honor.

“The origin (of the phrase) is the Latin durante bene placito regis, which translates as ‘during the pleasure of the king’” (William Safire).

Being children of the King bestows upon us the great honor and privilege of serving at the pleasure of the King of Kings. What a high and great calling to be a servant of the King. Yet the Father has called us to be just that.

How do we maximize our existence in this life? How do we achieve the most in this life? The teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ are explicit: it is done by living sacrificially, dying to ourselves, and surrendering our own desires instead of living for our own interests. Putting it another way, a life focused on self is a squandered life. Any benefits derived from a self-centered lifestyle are ephemeral and transitory. What we do in His service has everlasting consequences.

If we lead a Father-centered life, we acquire eternal significance and value. The Father will honor anyone who serves the Lord Jesus Christ (John 12:26). “People whose priorities are right have such an attitude of love for the things of God that all interest in the affairs of this life appears by comparison as hatred” (Constable).

“Of itself, a seed is weak and useless, but when it is planted, it ‘dies’ and becomes fruitful. There is both beauty and bounty when a seed ‘dies’ and fulfills its purpose. If a seed could talk, it would no doubt complain about being put into the cold, dark earth. But the only way it can achieve its goal is by being planted.”

“God’s children are like seeds. They are small and insignificant, but they have life in them, God’s life. However, that life can never be fulfilled unless we yield ourselves to God and permit Him to ‘plant us.’ We must die to self so that we may live unto God (Romans 6; Galatians 2:20). The only way to have a fruitful life is to follow Jesus Christ in death, burial, and resurrection.”

“In these words, Jesus challenges us today to surrender our lives to Him. Note the contrasts: loneliness or fruitfulness; losing your life or keeping your life; serving self or serving Christ; pleasing self or receiving God’s honor” (Wiersbe).

Galatians 2:20 My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

“Death is the way to life” (BKC).

What a great honor and privilege to be able to say, “I serve at the pleasure of my King, the King of kings.”

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-04-1

© Dr. H 2024

God acts on behalf of those who wait ∙∙

God acts on behalf of those who wait ∙∙

Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down. – Isaiah 64:1

Psalms 18:1-13

 1 He sang this song to the LORD on the day the LORD rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang: I love you, LORD; you are my strength.

 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.

 3 I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

 4 The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.

 5 The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.

 6 But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

 7 Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger.

 13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals.                                                                                                                                                                            

The Battle of the Alamo was a 13-day siege that met its tragic end on March 6, 1836, with the majority of the defenders being slaughtered by General Santa Anna’s forces. Throughout the siege, the commander, William B. Travis, sent numerous letters seeking additional men and resources, but less than 100 reinforcements arrived.

Faced with the overwhelming Mexican army, General Sam Houston decided against rushing to their aid with his inadequately trained troops. Instead, he initiated a series of tactical retreats to buy time to get his soldiers ready for battle.

Houston’s strategic withdrawals were met with resentment by his officers and soldiers, who criticized him for not being eager to fight the Mexicans. His insistence on proper military training was also met with resistance. His officers and troops were infuriated. However, after nearly a month of tactical pullbacks, the moment to act had arrived. The waiting was over. Houston commanded his men to confront Santa Anna’s forces at his chosen location.

On April 21, 1836, the forces under Houston initiated an attack, which resulted in a resounding defeat for the Mexican troops. Santa Anna was taken prisoner and forced into signing a treaty that recognized the independence of Texas.

For the Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of heroic resistance, and their rallying cry became “Remember the Alamo!” Hence, the Lone Star Republic was born. Sam Houston emerged as a revered hero, with Texas bestowing numerous honors upon him, including having a city named after him – Houston, Texas.

Many children of the King become disheartened when their Father does not respond according to their expected timeline. Some even struggle to believe that the Father would wish to aid them.

Sadly, skepticism and doubt are an inherent part of the DNA of all fallen beings, including children of the King. When the Father does not act, we simply lose faith. How can we believe in a God who does not ever seem to do anything? We all face this gut-wrenching question at one time or another. We find ourselves caught in the midst of national and international upheaval. Everything is in a state of constant flux. There is no end in sight, and things seem to be getting worse. On top of that, we carry our own heartbreak. We long for the Father to intervene and take action.

The Jewish nation has endured such experiences on numerous occasions. Judah was devastated by the Babylonians, who reduced Jerusalem to ruins. The prophet Isaiah didn’t shy away from expressing their deep-seated doubts.

Isaiah 63:11-15

 11 Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?

 12 Where is the one whose power was displayed when Moses lifted up his hand – the one who divided the sea before them, making himself famous forever?

 13 Where is the one who led them through the bottom of the sea? They were like fine stallions racing through the desert, never stumbling.

 14 As with cattle going down into a peaceful valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. You led your people, LORD, and gained a magnificent reputation.”

 15 LORD, look down from heaven; look from your holy, glorious home, and see us. Where is the passion and the might you used to show on our behalf? Where are your mercy and compassion now?

Did Isaiah pull away because of doubt? Absolutely not. Isaiah drew closer to the Father than ever. He boldly prayed to the Father, seeking His help and guidance.

Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down.

The difficulties we face, and the subsequent doubts we experience are actually remarkable gifts from the Father. They expose our lack of faith and our immense need to strengthen our bond with the Father. As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.

James 4:8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

REFLECT & PRAY

Sadly, we often cannot imagine how God will act on our behalf. Yet He does exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. We can confidently expect Him to act when we wait for Him in faith (Stanley).

Father, how often do I pretend I can successfully manage my life independently? But the truth is, I can’t. I am in desperate need of You. Rend the heavens and come down.

INSIGHT

In the bizarre atmosphere of the 21st-century pandemic and post-pandemic fears, lockdowns, and ambivalence regarding vaccination, it seems far easier to lose our temper and our good sense and fall into fear and doubt. From the Father’s perspective, we are simply in a waiting room where hard lessons are taught and hopefully assimilated. Perspective transformation, patience, and hope are among the results.

Why does the Father so often ask us to wait? Waiting has many wonderful outcomes.

1. We discover His plan and purpose.

2. We receive supernatural physical energy and strength. Impatience drains us and wears us down. Actively waiting on Him energizes us. Waiting on Him is never wasted time!

3. We win battles. We overcome when we do things in His way and in His time. We are kept from foolish and precipitous acts.

4. We see our faith substantiated and realized. We are never put to shame or embarrassed by waiting on Him (Isaiah 49:23).

5. We see God working on our behalf. The Father works for those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4) (Stanley).

Although we are the children of the king, due to our fallen DNA, waiting is one of the most challenging things for us to do. Yet, waiting is not time wasted. The Father uses these times to sift our motives and strengthen our faith. When we choose to wait, the Father produces benefits that often are quite unexpected (Stanley).

Isaiah 49:23 Those who wait for me will never be put to shame.

The Father is our great hero; He also has a city named after Him: The City of God.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-28-1

© Dr. H 2024