Our dog, Jack, loves a good game of chase, but not every dog wants to join in the game. One day this week Jack was running up to dogs, enticing them to chase. A few entered into the fun, but one dog, a large German Shepherd, did not appreciate the invitation. The Shepherd did not behave in aggression but his stance and facial expression was one of solemnity. Jack stopped and stared. I could tell he was a bit bewildered with the situation. He wasn’t certain what to do. Dare he turn his back on the Shepherd?
I walked in the dog’s direction, coming up behind Jack. The Shepherd, who had been unflinchingly staring at Jack, saw me coming. He glanced at me, turned, and walked away. Suddenly Jack’s body broke into a picture of excitement. His mouth parted, tongue out, joy in his eyes. He glanced around as if to say to any onlooker, “Did you see me scare away that big dog?” I watched with delight as Jack ran on to find another, more willing, canine to engage in chasing games.
I wonder how often, when you and I get into a difficult situation, that we forget our Father is watching our backs? He never leaves us. He is always watching over us. In His presence we have His own strength, courage, and wisdom to carry on. The problem we face may be menacing, but it will never be able to conquer us, because our Father is stronger and wiser than any dilemma that comes our way.
Wasn’t it God who shut the lions mouths when Daniel was thrown into a pit with them? Wasn’t it God who gave young David the fortitude and skill to bring down Goliath when the whole army of Israel was afraid to even try? Wasn’t it God who gave such peace to Paul and Silas that they sang loudly in great joy while imprisoned for their faith?
If God is the same “yesterday, today, and forever,” as we are told in Hebrews 13:8, then we must never forget that His ways are the same as they have always been. Therefore, He is ever present, never leaving us. Just like me with my eyes on Jack, our Heavenly Father never takes His eyes off us. Remember the truth of Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
Every Spring and Summer my mother and I enjoy watching a pair of seagulls who live on the roof across the street. We watch them build their nest, always amazed at how it stays on the roof no matter winds and rain that come. Then we watch them take turns sitting on the nest. Finally the day arrives when a little chick is hatched. This year, to our absolute delight, the seagulls had triplets! It must be unusual because the triplets have caught the attention of others in the neighborhood who come to watch and take photos.
Two days ago, while I was out taking our dog, Jack, for a walk, my mother witnessed a scary event. She was watching the chicks step cautiously about, when all of a sudden, one loses its footing and begins to tumble down the roof! My mother said she gasped in horror, fully expecting the poor chick to fall to the ground, but just then, one of the parents swooped quickly below, blocking the fall with its body. For several moments the parent sat, no doubt comforting, and waiting for the baby to regain its footing. Then together they walked back up to the nest where the chick climbed into safety.
My mother had not seen the parent seagulls anywhere. She assumed they were out gathering dinner for their babies, but somehow, though presently unseen, at least one had been near enough to come to the rescue just in the nick of time.
In our spiritual worlds, it is no different for every child of God. There are moments in our lives when perhaps we feel alone. We are going through something and who can help us? We feel we are tumbling into inescapable despair. Take heart, our Father is always there, unseen, but there, watching over, preparing our meal to eat in the presence of any enemy, ready to lead us into His shelter of calm peace and sweet joy.
Do you remember the comment Jesus once made when He stood looking back at the city of Jerusalem? Luke 13:34 tells us. He said, “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.” Let us be certain at all times to keep our minds stayed on Him and His ways. After all, our Father knows the road on which we travel, He knows the dangers that lurk, He is watching, not some of the time, but all of the time. Never fear to do what He asks or to follow the way in which He leads. He is there and will swoop in to keep you from tumbling off the roof of fear. He will shelter you in His arms, helping to strengthen you; then together, you will walk on in the way He has planned, and nestle in His peace.
I read a verse this week in Matthew 28:20. It says, “…And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” When I read the verse, a strong memory of long ago popped into my mind. I had been visiting a friend in southeast Alabama in the United States. She lived in the country with acres of land. She also owned and rode a motorcycle. “Hop on,” she said, “I’ll take you for a ride.” The idea sounded like lots of fun so I eagerly took my place on the seat behind her. Away we went. It was not a gentle ride.
We drove over bumps that lifted me off the seat. “Jaaaane!” I yelled. “You’re alright,” she called back, “just hang on.” We drove through open fields and into a grove of trees. Then we were on the open road. We went around curves where I felt my body tilting nearer the road. Once again I yelled, “Jaaane!” Again she called back, “You’re alright. Just hang on.” We rode for miles between the towns of Banks and Brundidge, and then off the road and into the woods, riding along the banks of Pea River. By this time I had stopped yelling and kept doing exactly as I had been instructed to do — I hung on!
After the woods ride we hit the road again and made our way back to her house. By that time, to my surprise and relief, the fear had subsided. When we went around curves I sensed that all would be well. When my body left the seat as we hit another bump on the the dirt track that led back to her home, I didn’t yell in fright for my life. After all, thus far in our journey, her instructions had been true. I was alright as long as I hung on. The wild ride would not be my last. Jane was in the driver’s seat. She was in control. Hanging onto the driver, I would be just fine.
Isn’t it like that in our spiritual world? The way God plans for us is sometimes bumpy. We feel we will fall to our peril. Danger lurks. We can sense it waiting to strike. We look ahead and the way is dark! Surely we will crash! We cry out in our fear and dread — then we hear a gentle, assuring voice call back — “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Our heavenly Father has designed the way. He is already aware of every curve yet to come, of every bump in the road that could send us flying off, but He knows perfectly well, we will be alright if we just keep hanging on.
Our Heavenly Driver will not leave us. He knows where He is going. He knows the lay of the land. He knows every danger and He is stronger than any hazard. He is with us always. He is in control. Trusting His leading will make us stronger. Cling to Him with all your might. His strength will melt into your being and bring you peace. It may be a wild ride but — you’ll be alright. Just hang on.
There is a memory that brings my mother and me into fits of giggles every time we think of the incident when she was airborne like a bullet. It was years ago when we decided to join a local gym. We bought the right attire, joined the club and was shown around the facilities. I was riding the stationary bicycle while my mother got on the treadmill.
We were clocking up the miles. I glanced at my mother walking up a storm when she put her hand to the dial to turn up the speed. I’m so glad I happened to glance over at that precise moment, because as the treadmill burst into an immediate faster speed, my mother’s body was swiftly taken to the end of the conveyor belt, causing her to fall on her front, and shooting her out like superman flying backwards. Of course I jumped off my bike and ran to her aid, but when she rolled over laughing, I joined right in. It was a hoot!
I recalled this as I was thinking about our walk with God. Life can be like training in a gym. Sometimes we’re strolling along peacefully at a very nice pace. At other times we get in a hurry. Waiting on God’s timing isn’t always a piece of cake. Human nature easily grows impatient. We may be walking in the direction God is leading when we think to ourselves that we’ll help God out; we’ll quicken our pace to get the job done more quickly. We may have the very best of intentions, but going ahead of God’s perfect timing could well send us belly flopping and flying backwards. Then we have to start all over again.
When that happens, and it happens to us all, don’t beat yourself up. That never helps. Just laugh with Jesus. Tell him you got a little ahead of yourself and ask forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to keep you sensitive to God’s timing. Remember, every walk with God, in whatever direction He leads is a training moment for us. We can walk at His pace and grow stronger or we can run ahead and flop.
If you have flopped recently, may you, as the song goes from that old Fred Astaire movie, Swing Time, “pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again.” Our Heavenly Father is patient and loving — and He has a sense of humor, too.
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His Word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 (NIV)
I never tire of the story found in the Old Testament book of II Chronicles 20. A man with the unusual name of Jehoshaphat was leading the army of Judah. War had just been declared on them, from not one, but three other armies. We read in verse 3 of this chapter that, “Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news…”
It would have been understandable if Jehoshaphat asked to meet the army leaders to discuss terms of surrender. We would not have been surprised to read that they turned back to get away from the armies, giving them time to think of a defense plan. They did neither of those things; they advanced, with an amazing front line of offense — Jehoshaphat ordered the musicians to lead the way playing and singing praises to God. What?! Singing in the midst of great battle? Yes. Praising God is a mighty weapon.
If you read the rest of the chapter you see that God confused the attacking armies to the point they began to kill each other! Verse 24 tells us, “When the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.” Did you know the same thing can happen in our spiritual worlds in the midst of attacks by our enemy, Satan?
Satan is forever sending demonic forces of despondency and despair to control our minds. When he sees that we are in a situation of stress, he rubs his evil hands in glee and sends in the troops of darkness to shoot arrows of mental fatigue and defeatism at us. We have all battled with such attacks. We must not leave our minds open to such assault.
What can we do? We can keep our minds filled so it’s too full for the enemy’s poisonous arrows to penetrate. We can take a lesson from Jehoshaphat. Bring on the singers — bring on the praise. You see, God’s Word, which never lies, tells us in Psalm 22:3, “God inhabits the praises of His people.” If the army of Judah could be outnumbered three-fold, and defeat the enemy by praising God, is it any different for us today? No, because God Himself said in Malachi 3:6, “I am the Lord and I do not change.”
Therefore, if God gave His people victory through praising yesterday, then He will do the same today and tomorrow. Are you down today? Are you stressed out? Are you dreading what happens next? Do you just want to stay in bed? Then choose to praise. No excuses — just do it, and watch God give you victory over the attacking enemy. Breathe in His peace as it fills you through praising. Grab hold of His strength, His joy, and His courage. Will the enemy attack again tomorrow? Most likely. Will God always inhabit your praises and give you strength? Always.
I was enjoying some dog walking time with Jack. He was loping along the edge of a field, lost in his sniffing adventures. There were other dog walkers about, a few boys kicking a soccer ball, and a group of girls talking together. As we neared the girls I heard one of them say to the other, “I don’t believe a word you say!”
I glanced at the girl being accused of lying. She looked rather hurt at the allegation. As Jack and I walked on by I thought that whether the girl was telling the truth at that moment, I couldn’t know, but it was unlikely that she could never be believed in what she said. The other girl was upset in the moment, making her unrealistic declaration in anger.
My thoughts churned over as I then thought about someone who did indeed lie all the time. He can never be trusted! We truly cannot believe a word that ever comes out of his mouth. You may have already guessed I’m referring to Satan. What is the first thing we learn about his character in Genesis? He lied. In fact, he told Eve that it was God who had lied to her! It was unthinkably irreverent! However, not surprising because lying is at the very core of Satan’s being. By stark contrast, God is truth all the time.
Jesus warned us about Satan’s character when He said of him in John 8:44 “…He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” What a statement: “there is no truth in him.” The teenage girl mentioned above no doubt has some truth in her at some time in her life. We all do. At times we have all told the truth, and at other times everyone of us has told a lie. It’s that spiritual nature fighting with the carnal nature that will not finally be slain until we see Jesus face to face. Until then, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we press on, reading the truth of God’s Word, following the truth of God’s Word, desiring to live always in the truth of God’s Word. There is no better road leading to the greatest of happiness on earth.
Beware, because the evil forces of Satan are always lurking about, seeking and taking every opportunity to lie to you and me. They despise the very thought of you and I living in the ultimate joy and peace of God. Their evil mission is revealed to us in John 10:10. It is a mission to kill our joy, steal our peace, and destroy all hope of being happy with God while living on this earth. Never forget, Satan lies, not some of the time but all of the time. Never forget also, the Word of God tells the truth, not some of the time but all of the time. Satan wants to bring you down. God wants to build you up.
Last week’s blog encouraged growing in faith by doing what you know to do — pay attention to God’s Word for there we find truth, guidance, wisdom, peace, and joy. Satan’s first recorded lie in Genesis did not end well when Eve listened and believed it. When you and I are tempted by Satan and succumb to his lies, be certain, the consequence of believing Satan will not bring an ounce of joy.
Never, ever forget — Satan lies all of the time.
Never, ever forget — God’s Word is a spring of truth all of the time.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 and, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Acting by faith, believing by faith, stepping into the unknown by faith, can be daunting. Often we may cry in our own hearts, pleading to have more faith! We berate ourselves for lack of faith, but self scolding doesn’t really help to build our faith, does it. Paul said something interesting in Ephesians 6:16, “…Hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.” We may read this and feel despondency begin to grow in our hearts as we tell ourselves, yet again, but I am so lacking in faith I can’t hold up the shield! The quest to obtain greater faith probably discourages the Christian more than anything else. Satan loves this and just keeps shooting more fiery arrows of doubt to keep weary souls in the doldrums.
Good News! We don’t have to obtain some special, yet undiscovered secret code, to walk in faith. We don’t have to amble around feeling inferior because our faith isn’t even as big as a mustard seed. All we need to do is — do what we know to do. Dr. Charles Stanley expressed this so well when he said, “When we fill our minds with Scripture and live according to its principles, Satan’s schemes lose their power over us.” So simple but so powerful. When we simply do what we already know to do, then we are acting in faith. When we obey God’s principles, then we are trusting, by faith, that He will strengthen us. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, as Paul tells us in Romans 10:17. When we hear and respond in obedience, that is an act of faith. Every single time we obey God’s word, we are acting in faith. Therefore, when we act in faith, those “fiery arrows of the devil,” must cease.
Jesus did that very thing when He was tempted by Satan. We read the story in Matthew 4. Three times Jesus was severely tempted, and three times He stood on Scripture and lived by it. Satan was defeated and left Jesus alone.
The greatest faith building exercise you and I can do is what we already know to do. Pay attention to God’s Word. They are living words providing strength, comfort, guidance. They are powerful over Satan. They make our faith stronger. Then, when situations call, we can be confident to act by faith, believe by faith, and step into the unknown by faith. When Scripture saturates us, we become strong, living in faith, defeating Satanic attacks, and bearing good fruit; all because we are — doing what we know to do.
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