Cut it straight ∙∙

Cut it straight ∙∙

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. – 2 Timothy 2:15

2 Timothy 2:14-17

 14 Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them.

 15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.

 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.

 17 This kind of talk spreads like gangrene . . ..

Individuals who have spent years perfecting their sewing skills develop remarkable talent and expertise. The journey to successful sewing doesn’t start with the needle and thread, but rather, it commences with the selection of the fabric to be sewn.

Mastering the art of cutting fabric straight is crucial and cannot be stressed enough. A misstep in the initial cut can lead to a complete disaster. Fabric pieces that are supposed to align may end up being different lengths, leading to twisted or uneven seams.

It’s essential to cut the fabric “on the grain.” It’s imperative to align the material correctly and identify the weft, which is positioned perpendicular to the selvage (the densely woven edge of the fabric that stops it from fraying or unraveling). Conversely, the warp runs at right angles to the weft. By gently tugging a thread line on the weft and then one on the warp, you can establish two straight lines at right angles to use as a guide.

All you need to get started is the fabric of your choice, a blueprint or pattern to follow, and a cutting instrument such as scissors.

The apostle Paul was a tentmaker by profession (Acts 18:2-3). It was his  “day job.” He had mastered the art and skills required. Tentmaking was not for the faint of heart. Neither is handling the word of God or being responsible for explaining it to others.

Paul admonished Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. The Greek word translated as rightly divide is orthotomeo. Orthotomeo comes from orthos – straight and tomeo – cut. This is an old tentmaking term that literally means to cut straight. As a figure of speech, it means to interpret, analyze properly, teach correctly, or expound rightly. Much like fabric, the word of God also requires accurate and precise handling. This refers to correctly and accurately interpreting, teaching, or explaining the word of truth (UBS). There’s no room for incorrect cuts, shoddy work, personal views, opinions, or laziness.

The Greeks utilized orthotomeo in three distinct ways. It was employed to depict a straight road across uneven terrain, for plowing a straight, unswerving furrow in a field, and the meticulous work of a mason in cutting and positioning a stone so it flawlessly slots into a building’s framework. (Barclay).

Any child of the King who studies the Word of God with the intention of imparting or instructing others assumes a tremendous responsibility. It is not for the faint of heart. Nonetheless, it’s the responsibility of each of His children to share His truth with others.

Reflect for a moment on the teaching you offer others. Is it just “good enough?” And what about the instruction you have received? Is it merely “good enough?”

Paul is saying, “Good enough” is simply not good enough.

James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well” (Philip Stanhope, 1746).

Father thank You for the outstanding and excellent teachers You have provided me over my lifetime. May I do my best when I prepare and share the magnificent truths found in Your Word.

INSIGHT

The Father sets an exceedingly high bar for us. His standard is nothing short of excellence. Would He have established such a lofty benchmark if He didn’t believe we could achieve it? To ask the question is to answer it.

Regrettably, in modern culture, the importance of quality is often undermined and downplayed. There’s a pervasive attitude that paltry efforts are “good enough.” Yet the results are frequently haphazard and slipshod. The prevailing sentiment seems to be, “What does it really matter?” Against this backdrop, the children of the King should feel privileged to have a benchmark of excellence for which to strive.

Don’t be disheartened; instead, be encouraged. While achieving perfection is highly unlikely, excellence is doable. However, excellence requires focus, time, commitment, and practice. Ultimately, we stand or fall before the Father.  

Matthew 25:23 Well done, my good and faithful servant.

The Father presents numerous opportunities for personal growth and development. His challenges are not designed to condemn us. Instead, they pinpoint where we are and the necessary actions we need to take to improve. The ultimate objective is to gain His approval.

The Greek word dokimos, translated as approval or stands the test, pertains to things that have passed a test. For instance, a clay pot must endure the test of fire. It’s placed in a kiln, fired, and then inspected. If it had no cracks, it was approved for service and was stamped dokimos. Dokimos “describes anything that has been tested and is fit for service. For instance, it describes gold or silver, which has been purified of all alloys in the fire. It is, therefore, the word for money which is genuine” (Barclay).

But how do we achieve this? Paul provides us with guidelines, including what to do and what to avoid.

Paul urges us to be zealous and diligent. The Greek word spoudazo, translated as be diligent or work hard, emphasizes the effort required to attain excellence. It implies being diligent, earnest, eager, and making every effort to do one’s best.

We should steer clear of pointless disputes over words and refrain from engaging in worthless and foolish conversations.

There’s a strange thing about foolish and worthless words. They spread like gangrene. They’re akin to gossip, which many people relish hearing and sharing.

Proverbs 26:21-22

 21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

 22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being.

For the Father, the proper handling of His word, extracting the correct interpretation, and explaining it accurately are of utmost significance. Each of the Father’s servants will be either approved or ashamed. Therefore, be diligent, work hard, and make every effort to cut it straight.

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© Dr. H 2023

How to become real ∙

How to become real ∙

Long ago, the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself. – Jeremiah 31:3

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

“The Velveteen Rabbit” is a classic British children’s tale penned by Margery Williams in 1922. The story starts when a stuffed rabbit, sewn from velveteen, is gifted to a young boy on Christmas. He is given several other presents that are modern and mechanical. The boy plays with his other new presents and forgets all about the Velveteen Rabbit.

The oldest and most experienced toy in the nursery is the Skin Horse. He was so old that his brown coat was bald in patches and showed the seams underneath, and most of the hairs in his tail had been pulled out. He was wise, for he had seen a long succession of mechanical toys arrive to boast and swagger, and by and by, their mainsprings break, and they pass away. He knew they were only toys and would never turn into anything else.

One day, the Rabbit curiously asks, What does being REAL mean? “Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?”

“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse. “It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.”

“Does it hurt?” inquires the Rabbit.

“Sometimes,” replies the Skin Horse honestly. “But once you are REAL, pain doesn’t bother you anymore.”

“Does it happen all at once, like being wound up?”

“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real, you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”

“I suppose you are Real?” said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.

“The boy’s uncle made me Real,” he said. “That was a great many years ago, but once you are Real, you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.”

The Rabbit is taken aback by this idea, doubting his chances of becoming REAL. However, one night, the boy’s Nana replaces a lost toy with the Rabbit for the boy to sleep with. From then on, the Rabbit becomes the boy’s most cherished toy, accompanying him on spring picnics and becoming an integral part of his life. The boy considers the Rabbit as REAL. Time passes, and the rabbit becomes shabbier but happy. He became REAL because of love.

Do you see yourself in this story? Are you the young boy, the uncle, the Skin Horse, or the Rabbit?

In reality, we might identify with all four of them in some way. I envy the Skin Horse, but I am probably more like the Rabbit, yearning to become REAL.

The Father God resembles the uncle – older, wiser, and has loved His children for a very long time.

REFLECT & PRAY

“God rejoices over you, though He knows you are in the process of becoming all that He has planned for you to become . . .. God is patiently molding and shaping you into the image of His Son” (Stanley).

Father thank You for loving me with Your everlasting love and drawing me to Yourself. Thank You for taking particular delight in me. You literally shout for joy as You embrace me in Your loving arms.

INSIGHT

Jeremiah 31:3 I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness to myself.

The Father, in His boundless love, gently pulls us closer to Him. This makes us children of the King, but it doesn’t make us real. To become real, we must experience His love for a long time. Like mechanical toys, many of us seem to break easily, have sharp edges, or require a lot of special handling. So, in fact, He has been “handling” some of us for a long, long time. Some of the rough edges have been knocked off. We have received a few dings, but they have not been shattered. Over time, we start loving His tender touch and accepting His warm embrace.

But there’s more.

The Father desires to make Himself known to us in a very special way. Wherever we are, He wants to be right there in the midst of it all. In fact, He is.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

But there’s even more.

Zephaniah 3:17 For the LORD your God is living among you . . . He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

This verse expresses the Father’s feelings towards the children of the King. He takes “delight” in us. This could be translated as “He will be very happy with you” (UBS). “The great God not only loves his saints, but he loves to love them” (Matthew Henry). “God takes great delight in loving us because we are His very own” (Jerry Bridges).

The phrase, “You will rejoice over us with loud singing,” could be translated as, “He will sing and be joyful over you” or “You will make his heart full of joy, and he will sing loudly” (UBS). He is so delighted that He shouts for joy!

Take a moment and imagine what it’s like being at an athletic event where you are rooting for your team. Your favorite team wins the game. You get ecstatic. You shout, cheer, and literally jump for joy.

Imagine being at an airport, witnessing close friends or family members or a long-separated couple spotting each other. They rush towards each other, radiating exuberance of joy and happiness. They embrace, they dance a little, and perhaps a tear or two trickles down their cheeks.

The Tanakh, the Jewish translation of the Old Testament, renders Zephaniah 3:17 as “He will rejoice over you and be glad, He will shout over you with jubilation. He will soothe with His love.”

Bathed in His love, He cherishes expressing His love for the children of the King. Have you begun shedding any fur yet?

What a charming portrayal of how the Father makes us Real.

The Father takes personal delight in us. He is not remote, indifferent, or merely satisfied in a stoic way. There’s no emotionless contentment. Instead, He bursts into a joyous divine celebration: He rejoices over us with loud singing (ESV Notes).

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© Dr. H 2023

Minor characters ∙

Minor characters ∙

I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. – Romans 16:22

Philippians 2:20-22

 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare.

 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.

Edward Kimball, a man of the 1850s era in Boston, might not be a familiar name to many. He doesn’t even have his own Wikipedia page. He seems like an obscure figure in the grand scheme of the kingdom of God in 19th-century America.

However, when it comes to the kingdom of God, there are no minor characters. Every child of the King is precious to Him. The Father has kingdom work for every one of them.

Kimball was far from insignificant. He leaves an indelible mark on history through his kindness and genuine care for his students. As a Sunday School teacher, he was passionate about sharing the message of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross with his students.

On April 21, 1855, Kimball went to Holton’s Shoe in Boston to share the love of Christ with one of his students. This particular Sunday school student had shown little interest in God or the Christian faith. He found the teenager in a back room wrapping shoes. As Kimball shared his message, the young man listened carefully to what he had to say. On that day, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart and became a child of the King. Later, he reflected, “I had not felt that I had a soul till then.” The young man recalled, “I was in a new world. The birds sang sweeter; the sun shone brighter. I’d never known such peace.”

He immediately began sharing his new faith with others. His family wanted nothing to do with his new beliefs. Undaunted, he searched for young men like himself and shared his new faith with them. When he tried to join the church, he was initially not accepted. Why? He was asked what Christ had done for him, and being somewhat nervous, he simply replied that he was not “aware of anything particular.” But eventually, things got straightened out.

That young boy was none other than D. L. Moody, who grew up to become one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century, reaching an estimated 100 million people.

But that is only part of the story; the rest is even more amazing. Through his influence, F.B. Meyer became a child of the King, and a chain of faith began. Through F. B. Meyer, J. Wilbur Chapman became a child of the King. In turn, Chapman influenced Billy Sunday, a prominent 20th-century evangelist. Through the work of Billy Sunday, Mordecai Ham became a child of the King. Mordecai Ham became a preacher and evangelist. Through his efforts, in 1934, he led another young man to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ: Billy Graham.

Edward Kimball serves as a potent reminder that what may seem insignificant in the world’s eyes plays a significant role in the kingdom of God. Edward Kimball’s story reminds us never to underestimate the result of sharing the love of the Lord Jesus Christ with just one person. His Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).

Ponder for a moment and play the “what if” game. What would have happened if Edward Kimball had not followed the Father’s leading on that April day in 1855 and decided he had better things to do?

Minor characters are nothing of the sort in the kingdom of God. Each child of the King is a work of art, a masterpiece that demonstrates the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ for all time and eternity.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

REFLECT & PRAY

There are no minor characters in the kingdom of God.

Father repeatedly remind me that I am precious in Your sight and You have kingdom work for me to do. Encourage me to finish my current assignment and lead me to the next.

INSIGHT

Who are some New Testament “minor characters” that are nothing of the sort?

First, there is the writer of the book of Romans. Paul was the author of Romans, but he was not actually the writer. Instead, Tertius wrote it.

Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord.

In the first century, some individuals were professional writers and scribes. They were like modern-day stenographers who use shorthand to take down someone else’s words. Many modern-day secretaries also play this role. They are called upon to “take letters.” Someone else dictates the message, and they write it down.

In the first century, scribal assistants were commonly employed to write down the words and thoughts of another. This person was called an amanuensis. The otherwise unknown Tertius is actually the writer of Paul’s magnum opus, the magnificent book of Romans. Not too bad for a “minor character!”

In the 21st century, now more than ever, post-COVID, it is hard to get good help. But it has always been so. Paul had a particular problem with this. Many people attended to his needs, helping him and providing comfort and aid. But he had only one go-to person, Timothy.

Philippians 2:20-21

 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

It’s surprising, but not many people know that the Bible addresses the issue of excessive self-love or narcissism. Paul even points out that a lot of people exhibit these traits. Timothy, on the other hand, was the exception. He was one of the many ordinary minor characters who was extraordinary.

What made Timothy extraordinary? The Greek word translated as no one like him, kindred spirit, like-minded is isopsuchos. This is a scarce word, only used once in the New Testament. Isopsuchos comes from isos – equal and psuche – soul, mind. It has the sense to be activated by the same motives, of like character, like-minded. It could be literally translated “like-souled.”

Paul implies that at their core, he and Timothy share a unique bond that isn’t replicated with anyone else. You might say in everyday English, “They were cut from the same piece of cloth.”

Paul and Timothy shared identical passions and perspectives. Their concerns and priorities were aligned. And when it comes to other people, they were genuinely concerned about their welfare. They put others before themselves.

On the other hand, Paul is saying he could count on Timothy like no one else. He is confident that Timothy shared his deep concerns of heart and would carry out his wishes. “In some languages, who shares my feelings is best rendered as “Who shares one heart with me.’ In other languages, one may say, ‘He has my heart and mind,’ ‘He thinks the same in his heart as I do,’ or ‘My thoughts are his thoughts’” (UBS).

In other words, no one was as close to Paul as Timothy. They shared a more profound bond than that of brothers or best friends; it was more akin to the relationship between a father and son. Such a deep companionship is a rare luxury.

This unique relationship meant that when Paul couldn’t be present, he could trust Timothy to represent him perfectly as if Paul himself were there.

“Others might be consumed with selfish ambition, but Timothy’s one desire was to serve Paul and Jesus Christ. He is the patron saint of all those who are quite content with second place, as long as they can serve” (Barclay).

Timothy serves as an ideal role model for us in our spiritual journey. He embodies the quintessential “minor character.”

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© Dr. H 2023

What goes around . . . ∙

What goes around . . . ∙

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. – Proverbs 17:9  

Galatians 6:7-10

 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time, we will reap if we do not grow weary.

 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those of the household of the faith.

Over time, people have identified and understood universal principles that dictate and control “how things work.” Ralph Waldo Emerson regarded the universal Law of Cause and Effect as the “Law of laws.” This law declares that every outcome has a specific cause, and equally, every cause leads to a specific outcome.

Simply put, our lives are shaped by our thoughts, behaviors, and deeds. When we alter our actions, the outcomes also change.

We always have the authority to decide our responses to life’s highs and lows. Our reactions can be either wise or foolish. Wise decisions yield positive results, while imprudent ones can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

Thoughts and actions have repercussions. These effects are akin to ripples expanding across a body of water, impacting us and those around us. Unfortunately, we often believe that our actions exist in isolation.

People from cities often overlook farming wisdom: “You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow” (Stanley). In modern terms, “what goes around, comes around.”

This truth applies not only to the natural world but also to our relationship with the Father. To believe otherwise is, at best, wishful thinking and, at worst, self-deception. Paul cautions.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.

What does it mean to mock? In English, mocking implies treating someone or something with contempt or scorn. The Greek word translated as mock is mukterizo. Mukterizo is used only once in the New Testament (Galatians 6:7). Mukterizo comes from the Greek noun from mukter – nose or nostril.

Mukterizo could be translated as turning the nose in scorn or sneering. Thus, it has the sense to mock, deride, cheat, outwit, or despise. The meaning of the whole statement is captured in the TEV – “No one makes a fool of God!” The JB translates it, “Don’t delude yourself into thinking God can be cheated.”

How many individuals presume they can disregard the Father and His immutable laws without consequences? They may believe they can hoodwink the Father and trick Him without adverse repercussions. Maybe they don’t believe in His existence, or if they do, they assume He isn’t observing or paying attention. Really? Take a moment to reflect on that.

REFLECT & PRAY

Our current position in life is essentially a reflection of our choices. Poor decisions lead to adverse outcomes, while good choices yield positive results.

Father I seek your guidance in learning and cultivating sound decisions. Please help me.

INSIGHT

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got” (Henry Ford)

Regrettably, our inherent fallen nature predisposes us to make poor choices and engage in detrimental actions.

“Today is the father of tomorrow. What we are today is the result of what we have been thinking and the way we have lived in the past” (Stanley).

“Change is inevitable. Growth is optional” (John Maxwell).

To change takes awareness and desire, then commitment, courage, and effort. But the good news is that when we choose to do what is good and sow to the spirit, we are on the positive side of the equation. Paul reminds us that our actions invariably lead to either positive or negative consequences.

Here are three principles to remember:

  1. The Father instituted the law of cause and effect, the principle of sowing and reaping. The saying “what goes around comes around” holds true as a principle laid down by the Father.
  • The law of the harvest, reaping what you sow, is a double-edged sword. It applies to both good and bad deeds.
  • As the law of reaping and sowing is a principle established by the Father. It just happens. There’s no need to struggle to enforce it.

The law of the harvest, reaping what you sow, is always in effect, but its results aren’t instant. The outcomes of our decisions and actions may not be immediately visible. Moreover, if we have been nurturing our earthly desires, sowing to the flesh, we might have a substantial harvest of corruption to reap and eliminate.

Relationships can often be challenging. What should the children of the King do when life becomes tough? When hurt or wronged by others, especially family and close friends, we should aim to forgive and not dwell on the hurt.

Proverbs 17:9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

The thought is, “If you wish to have friends, forgive their wrongs” (UBS). This has been translated as “If you wish to have friends, forgive their wrongs” (UBS), “To forgive a wrong fosters friendship” (FRCL), or “Whoever wishes to keep a friendship forgives offenses” (GECL).

“The ability to practice forgiveness and discretion is essential for the survival of an atmosphere of friendship” (Garrett).

James 4:17 cautions us that knowing what’s right and not doing it is a sin.

Sadly, many of the children of the King feel like they’ve “heard it all before.” They feel like they’re just going through the motions despite their knowledge and faith. They feel disconnected, as if things aren’t working out for them. They drift away, and the gap widens. Darkness envelops them, and many feel like giving up.

Even so, there is light at the end of the tunnel! 

Ephesians 5:14-17

 14 “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.

 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

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© Dr. H 2023

Wanna Get Away?

Wanna Get Away?

I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! –

Psalms 139:7

Psalms 55:2-7

 2 Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

 4 My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.

 5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me, and I can’t stop shaking.

 6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!

 7 I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.

Southwest Airlines ran its unforgettable “Wanna Get Away” marketing campaign from 1998 to 2008. The campaign humorously highlighted awkward and cringe-worthy situations and quickly became an instant success after its debut. Characters in these ads yearned for an escape after experiencing some embarrassing mishap.

The clever campaign used a catchy tagline to highlight the low-cost, affordable fares offered by Southwest Airlines. One memorable commercial from this series portrayed a nosey guest while snooping around her host’s bathroom. She began to rummage through the medicine cabinet. Suddenly, without warning, the cabinet’s shelves collapsed, causing a loud, disorderly mess of medicine bottles and pills scattered everywhere.  Another commercial spotlighted a museum curator meticulously explaining the art of “sand painting,” only to have a spectator sneeze and scatter sand everywhere, ruining the artwork.

Perhaps the most uncomfortable moment occurred when a law enforcement officer conducted a live interview with an informant in a dimly lit room. The informant, whose voice was disguised to protect his identity, was detailing his infiltration into a notorious criminal gang. Suddenly, an assistant entered the room with coffee, switched on the lights, and unintentionally exposed the informant’s identity.

Each ad ended with a shot of the mortified individual, followed by the question, “Wanna Get Away?” Subsequently, Southwest Airlines’ budget-friendly fares were showcased as the ideal way to escape.

Who among us hasn’t felt a strong desire to escape at some point? When we face trials and consider fleeing, it should not astonish us that even great faith leaders have experienced moments of intense struggle.  Jeremiah yearned for a remote refuge to escape the chaos and turmoil of his times (Jeremiah 9:12). As did Elijah (1 Kings 19).

Jeremiah 9:2 Oh, that I could go away and forget my people and live in a travelers’ shack in the desert.

The prophet Elijah caved and succumbed to the urge to flee.

1 Kings 19:2-5

 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow, I have not killed you just as you killed them.”

 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there.

 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”

 5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

It was a temporary lapse of faith and courage. The Father soon restored Elijah and returned him to service.

1 Kings 19:13-15

 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 15 Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came . . ..

REFLECT & PRAY

“When the walls close in and the floor gives way, we often wish we could be anywhere but where God has put us. Trusting God, however, means looking beyond what we can see to what God sees” (Stanley).

Father thank You that You are my safe place and my protector. I trust You will see me through even the most embarrassing and challenging times.

INSIGHT

When we find ourselves in the midst of trouble, our first thought is, “How can I get out of this?” But the dedicated believer needs to ask, “What can I get out of this?” (Wiersbe).

The Lord Jesus Christ became fully human. In His humanity, He underwent real struggles and temptations just as we do.

Hebrews 4:15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

Even the Lord Jesus Christ grappled with the desire to escape the impending suffering and agony of death by crucifixion.

Luke 22:42 Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.

The Lord Jesus Christ cautioned the children of the King to anticipate severe and daunting situations in the world. Yet, He offered a remarkable promise. During our bleakest, most frightening, or humiliating moments, we are to remember that He has already triumphed over the world.

John 16:33 Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Why a dove? Doves are creatures of gentleness and exhibit gentleness and harmless behavior. They are renowned for their beauty, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty to their mates. A dove’s demeanor is gentle; it neither fights nor defends itself.

Despite being a target, doves seldom fall prey due to their remarkable speed and agility, allowing them to evade predators effectively.

Doves have mastered the art of evasion from threats and can cover substantial distances quickly. They find safety high up in the rock crevices, where they take refuge.

David voices his yearning for the tranquility and safety embodied by doves. Of course, David’s wish is not to transform into a dove but to possess their capabilities. He proclaims, “If only I had such abilities, I would fly away and find rest.”

But why simply escape? “But we don’t need wings like a dove so we can fly away from the storm. We need wings like an eagle so we can fly above the storm (Isaiah 40:30-31)” (Wiersbe).

Isaiah 40:31 Those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Why fly away under the radar when you can soar high above it?

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© Dr. H 2023