David prayed, "Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust." (Psalm 16:1). The Hebrew word that David uses for preserve in this verse is packed with meaning. It says, in essence, “Put a hedge around me, a wall of protective thorns. Guard me and keep me. Observe my every move, all my comings and goings.”
David fully believed that God preserved the righteous. This was born out of personal experience as God preserved him from the lion and the bear, preserved him from Goliath and later from King Saul. David ,as a man of war who fought for the promises of God made to him and to Israel, depended on God’s preserving power. David declares in Psalms 121:
1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills —From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps IsraelShall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming inFrom this time forth, and even forevermore.
We serve the God who made heaven and earth. He is God of all power, and His eyes are always on us day or night to preserve us from evil in this present time and even forever. He does that because of His great love for us and to accomplish His purposes in us. Moses stated in Deut 6:23-25, “Then He (God) brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers. And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.” God raised up Moses to deliver Israel out of bondage and to bring them into the land of promise. God preserved Israel through their wanderings in the wilderness and preserved them as they went to war to lay claim to God’s promises for them.
God brings us out of one place and preserves us to bring us into what He has purposed for us. We may have to war to enter into and lay claim to what God has for us, but God has promised to preserve us and enable us through the process. Maybe God has given you some promises, but as you have moved forward in faith to lay claim to them, all hell seems to be breaking loose. Know today, the “Lord is your keeper…. The Lord will preserve your soul” as you trust in Him.
Andy Clark
Monday, August 23, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Why?
I want to take a brief look at an experience in the life of the prophet Elijah and what the Lord is speaking to us by His Spirit today.
Elijah lived in one of the darkest times in the history of Israel. Ahab and Jezebel, who were in power at this time, were two of the wicked rulers in Israel’s history. They not only promoted idol worship but totally dismantled every aspect of the worship of God, persecuting and killing God’s prophets and those who worshiped God. It was in the midst of this darkest hour that God raised up Elijah and Elisha, two of the greatest miracle-working prophets in Israel’s history, to lead this epic life-and-death struggle with Baalism.
We take up this story in 1 Kings 19, where Elijah at the pinnacle of his ministry calls down fire from heaven to burn up the sacrifice, bringing all Israel to their knees, proclaiming that “The Lord --- He is God! the Lord---He is God!” Elijah then kills the four hundred prophets of Baal, prophesies the end of a seven year drought and outruns Ahab’s Chariot to Jezreel. Awesome! What a display of God’s power! What a revival! But the enemy does not give up control easily, and Jezebel decrees the death of Elijah. He runs for his life to “Horeb, the mountain of God,” which was probably Mt. Sinai, the place of God’s covenant with Israel.
There in the cave of the mountain, discouraged that the great revival had brought no real change in Israel, God confronts Elijah. “What are you doing here Elijah?” Elijah replies, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (I Kings 19:14) Have you ever been in that spot? You have been zealous in your relationship and service of God. You may have begun to see some breakthrough and then run into a wall, or everything seems to fall apart. Our first response is usually, “Why?”
But God’s response to Elijah is very revealing about God’s attitude with regard to what we perceive as failure. God does not address the “why” question or Elijah’s discouragement. In I Kings 19:15-16 He simply gives Elijah a command, to go anoint Hazael to be king over Aram, Jehu to be king of Israel, and Elisha to be his successor. Then as a bit of encouragement, He tells Elijah that He has “reserved seven thousand in Israel --- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.” In essence, God is telling Elijah that Israel is not your concern. I know what I am doing in Israel, I have my people, and I have a plan. Your job is simply to do what I ask you to do and leave the rest to me.
We live in a dark time in the world today. This spring over 130 missionaries were deported from Morocco, and in the past month eight missionaries were killed in Afghanistan. Areas where the kingdom of God is advancing, the enemy has been pushing back. The future for many is very uncertain. The enemy seems to be gaining the upper hand. In the midst of what we see happening in our world and often in our lives, we often ask the question, “Why?” The answer to that question usually does not belong to us. God does not see failure as we see it. God is in control and is fulfilling His plan no matter what is going on around us. Like Elijah, God usually does not give us His plan, but gives us simple steps He wants us to take and then leave the rest up to Him.
May you hear God’s still quiet voice today, and have the courage to trust Him, and simply do what He asks you to do.
Andy Clark
Elijah lived in one of the darkest times in the history of Israel. Ahab and Jezebel, who were in power at this time, were two of the wicked rulers in Israel’s history. They not only promoted idol worship but totally dismantled every aspect of the worship of God, persecuting and killing God’s prophets and those who worshiped God. It was in the midst of this darkest hour that God raised up Elijah and Elisha, two of the greatest miracle-working prophets in Israel’s history, to lead this epic life-and-death struggle with Baalism.
We take up this story in 1 Kings 19, where Elijah at the pinnacle of his ministry calls down fire from heaven to burn up the sacrifice, bringing all Israel to their knees, proclaiming that “The Lord --- He is God! the Lord---He is God!” Elijah then kills the four hundred prophets of Baal, prophesies the end of a seven year drought and outruns Ahab’s Chariot to Jezreel. Awesome! What a display of God’s power! What a revival! But the enemy does not give up control easily, and Jezebel decrees the death of Elijah. He runs for his life to “Horeb, the mountain of God,” which was probably Mt. Sinai, the place of God’s covenant with Israel.
There in the cave of the mountain, discouraged that the great revival had brought no real change in Israel, God confronts Elijah. “What are you doing here Elijah?” Elijah replies, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." (I Kings 19:14) Have you ever been in that spot? You have been zealous in your relationship and service of God. You may have begun to see some breakthrough and then run into a wall, or everything seems to fall apart. Our first response is usually, “Why?”
But God’s response to Elijah is very revealing about God’s attitude with regard to what we perceive as failure. God does not address the “why” question or Elijah’s discouragement. In I Kings 19:15-16 He simply gives Elijah a command, to go anoint Hazael to be king over Aram, Jehu to be king of Israel, and Elisha to be his successor. Then as a bit of encouragement, He tells Elijah that He has “reserved seven thousand in Israel --- all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal.” In essence, God is telling Elijah that Israel is not your concern. I know what I am doing in Israel, I have my people, and I have a plan. Your job is simply to do what I ask you to do and leave the rest to me.
We live in a dark time in the world today. This spring over 130 missionaries were deported from Morocco, and in the past month eight missionaries were killed in Afghanistan. Areas where the kingdom of God is advancing, the enemy has been pushing back. The future for many is very uncertain. The enemy seems to be gaining the upper hand. In the midst of what we see happening in our world and often in our lives, we often ask the question, “Why?” The answer to that question usually does not belong to us. God does not see failure as we see it. God is in control and is fulfilling His plan no matter what is going on around us. Like Elijah, God usually does not give us His plan, but gives us simple steps He wants us to take and then leave the rest up to Him.
May you hear God’s still quiet voice today, and have the courage to trust Him, and simply do what He asks you to do.
Andy Clark
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Overcoming Crisis
Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:1-29
In this passage three nations come together as a “vast army” to make war against King Jehoshaphat and Judah. Jehoshaphat’s and God’s response to this crisis offer insight into how we can respond to crisis in our lives.
The first thing Jehoshaphat did was he “resolved to inquire of the Lord.” The New King James says “he feared” and “he set himself to seek the Lord.” Satan likes to use shock and awe. He causes unexpected things to suddenly happen in our lives that bring dismay, fear and discouragement. But like Jehoshaphat, despite the fear that may try to arise, we need to quiet our hearts and purposefully resolve to seek the Lord until we get an answer. Not just a quick prayer and then run off to try to resolve the problem, but to truly persist in prayer until we have an answer.
Secondly, Jehoshaphat “proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” This attack was not just against him but the nation. We are part of the body of Christ. When one part of the body is under attack, we are all under attack. Satan loves to isolate us with our crisis. Don’t just try to deal with the problem on your own. Reach out to those around you in the body and get them involved. When you involve others in the battle, you all share in the victory as a testimony to God and the world.
In Jehoshaphat’s prayer in verses 5-12, he declares three things. He begins by reminding God of His promises, then states the problem, and concludes by stating his full dependency upon God. “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." People often ask me why there are so many miracles in Africa. One of the reasons is because so often they have no other resources but God. When God becomes your source, you will begin to see God intervene on your behalf.
After they had finished fasting and praying, the prophetic word came forth from God as to what they were to do. The first thing God said was, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” God said, I can handle this, no problem! Your problem may look insurmountable to you but it is no problem to God. Secondly, God said, “Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Position yourself, posture yourself for victory. Your posture and attitude in the midst of a crisis has a huge influence on others and on God’s response.
Judah’s response to the prophetic word was “all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, fell down in worship before the Lord,” and the Levites “praised the Lord with a very loud voice (or shout).” They are having a shouting celebration of victory even before the battle has started because of faith in the prophetic word. Then Jehoshpahat stands up and declares, “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” Then “the Lord set ambushes” and completely destroyed the enemy without Judah even lifting a sword.
Just like with Jehoshaphat and Judah, God wants to give us victory over the challenges we face in life, if we position ourselves as Judah did, so that God can respond and bring us deliverance. How big is your God? May the God you serve be bigger than the problem that you face.
Andy Clark
In this passage three nations come together as a “vast army” to make war against King Jehoshaphat and Judah. Jehoshaphat’s and God’s response to this crisis offer insight into how we can respond to crisis in our lives.
The first thing Jehoshaphat did was he “resolved to inquire of the Lord.” The New King James says “he feared” and “he set himself to seek the Lord.” Satan likes to use shock and awe. He causes unexpected things to suddenly happen in our lives that bring dismay, fear and discouragement. But like Jehoshaphat, despite the fear that may try to arise, we need to quiet our hearts and purposefully resolve to seek the Lord until we get an answer. Not just a quick prayer and then run off to try to resolve the problem, but to truly persist in prayer until we have an answer.
Secondly, Jehoshaphat “proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” This attack was not just against him but the nation. We are part of the body of Christ. When one part of the body is under attack, we are all under attack. Satan loves to isolate us with our crisis. Don’t just try to deal with the problem on your own. Reach out to those around you in the body and get them involved. When you involve others in the battle, you all share in the victory as a testimony to God and the world.
In Jehoshaphat’s prayer in verses 5-12, he declares three things. He begins by reminding God of His promises, then states the problem, and concludes by stating his full dependency upon God. “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You." People often ask me why there are so many miracles in Africa. One of the reasons is because so often they have no other resources but God. When God becomes your source, you will begin to see God intervene on your behalf.
After they had finished fasting and praying, the prophetic word came forth from God as to what they were to do. The first thing God said was, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.” God said, I can handle this, no problem! Your problem may look insurmountable to you but it is no problem to God. Secondly, God said, “Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” Position yourself, posture yourself for victory. Your posture and attitude in the midst of a crisis has a huge influence on others and on God’s response.
Judah’s response to the prophetic word was “all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, fell down in worship before the Lord,” and the Levites “praised the Lord with a very loud voice (or shout).” They are having a shouting celebration of victory even before the battle has started because of faith in the prophetic word. Then Jehoshpahat stands up and declares, “Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” Then “the Lord set ambushes” and completely destroyed the enemy without Judah even lifting a sword.
Just like with Jehoshaphat and Judah, God wants to give us victory over the challenges we face in life, if we position ourselves as Judah did, so that God can respond and bring us deliverance. How big is your God? May the God you serve be bigger than the problem that you face.
Andy Clark
Monday, August 2, 2010
How Big is Your Jesus?
John 14:12-17
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
This is an amazing promise. “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it.” It is hard to wrap our mind around this promise. But it is so important that Jesus repeats it twice for emphasis. Two verses later Jesus makes a second promise. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth.” The promise of the Helper is given to us to enable us to do greater works than Jesus did. Jesus had said earlier that He had to return to the Father so that He could send the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of truth who enables us to ask in accordance with God’s will, so that anything we ask in His name, He will do for us.
Sandwiched between these two incredible promises, Jesus says “If you love me, keep my commandments.” There is the matter of obedience connected to these two promises. In John 15:7, Jesus says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Jesus himself in His ministry repeatedly emphasized that He only spoke what the Father told Him to speak and did what the Father told Him to do. It was out of relationship and obedience to the Father that Jesus did what He did. If Jesus, the Son of God was totally dependent upon the Father through obedience and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, how much more are we dependent upon Him, if we are going to do what He did and even greater works than He did.
I love this testimony Peter gives about Jesus’ ministry in Acts 10:35. “God anointed Jesus of Nazaretwith the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Jesus did not start an organization, church or ministry. He had no earthly position or possessions. His only aspiration in life was to obey and glorify the Father.
How big is your Jesus? If we are to ask for anything in His name, our vision of Jesus must be enlarged to the point that He is bigger than anything in our lives and in this world. He has to become bigger than our circumstances, our programs and our plans. John the Baptist upon encountering Jesus said, He must increase and I must decrease. Just as Jesus’ life totally revolved around the Father, so must our life totally revolve around Jesus. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. He becomes our very existence and the air that we breathe. His Spirit becomes the dominant person in our lives.
As you spend time with Him and in His Word, may Jesus become bigger to you than anyone or anything in your life.
Andy Clark
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
This is an amazing promise. “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it.” It is hard to wrap our mind around this promise. But it is so important that Jesus repeats it twice for emphasis. Two verses later Jesus makes a second promise. “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth.” The promise of the Helper is given to us to enable us to do greater works than Jesus did. Jesus had said earlier that He had to return to the Father so that He could send the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of truth who enables us to ask in accordance with God’s will, so that anything we ask in His name, He will do for us.
Sandwiched between these two incredible promises, Jesus says “If you love me, keep my commandments.” There is the matter of obedience connected to these two promises. In John 15:7, Jesus says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Jesus himself in His ministry repeatedly emphasized that He only spoke what the Father told Him to speak and did what the Father told Him to do. It was out of relationship and obedience to the Father that Jesus did what He did. If Jesus, the Son of God was totally dependent upon the Father through obedience and the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, how much more are we dependent upon Him, if we are going to do what He did and even greater works than He did.
I love this testimony Peter gives about Jesus’ ministry in Acts 10:35. “God anointed Jesus of Nazaretwith the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Jesus did not start an organization, church or ministry. He had no earthly position or possessions. His only aspiration in life was to obey and glorify the Father.
How big is your Jesus? If we are to ask for anything in His name, our vision of Jesus must be enlarged to the point that He is bigger than anything in our lives and in this world. He has to become bigger than our circumstances, our programs and our plans. John the Baptist upon encountering Jesus said, He must increase and I must decrease. Just as Jesus’ life totally revolved around the Father, so must our life totally revolve around Jesus. It is in Him that we live and move and have our being. He becomes our very existence and the air that we breathe. His Spirit becomes the dominant person in our lives.
As you spend time with Him and in His Word, may Jesus become bigger to you than anyone or anything in your life.
Andy Clark
Monday, July 26, 2010
Your Inheritance
Num 18:20
“Then the Lord said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.”
When Israel entered the land of promise and divided up the land among the tribes, clans, and families of Israel, God commanded them not to give the priests and Levites any land. God said He would be their portion of land and their inheritance. Land during this time was very important to people. It was their means of livelihood, their place of security, their savings program, retirement, and the inheritance for their children for generations to come. In fact, they were not allowed to sell their land. It was the family’s security for generations.
But while everyone else was getting land and security for their family, God did not allow the priests to own land because He was to be their land, their livelihood, their place of security, their savings and retirement plan, and their inheritance for generations to come. Today, we live in perilous times when people are losing their jobs, homes, and pension plans. Our world economy is rocking and reeling, and no one is really sure what the future holds for us. But as the people of this world desperately try to hold on to what they have, God declares over you and me that “I am your portion and your inheritance.”
I Peter 2:9 says “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” God has chosen you and me to be His royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people in the world today. We are distinct from the rest of the world because our security is not in our jobs, our land, our homes, our savings, our retirement plan, or inheritance for our children. God Himself is our portion and our inheritance. The God of the universe who rules over all things, who has all power in His hands is our security. The God who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air is our provider. The God who does not change and is not affected by political and economic climate is our portion.
God has called us to be a distinct people not only to be our inheritance and portion, but that in the midst of this economic and political chaos “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” It is in the midst of the darkness, confusion, hopelessness and chaos that we can shine the brightest. But we can only shine if God is truly our portion and our inheritance. As a royal priesthood we represent God to the world, and we intercede for the world before God.
Whatever challenges, uncertainties, or fears you may be facing, make God your portion and your inheritance today. In doing so, may “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Andy Clark
“Then the Lord said to Aaron: "You shall have no inheritance in their land, nor shall you have any portion among them; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.”
When Israel entered the land of promise and divided up the land among the tribes, clans, and families of Israel, God commanded them not to give the priests and Levites any land. God said He would be their portion of land and their inheritance. Land during this time was very important to people. It was their means of livelihood, their place of security, their savings program, retirement, and the inheritance for their children for generations to come. In fact, they were not allowed to sell their land. It was the family’s security for generations.
But while everyone else was getting land and security for their family, God did not allow the priests to own land because He was to be their land, their livelihood, their place of security, their savings and retirement plan, and their inheritance for generations to come. Today, we live in perilous times when people are losing their jobs, homes, and pension plans. Our world economy is rocking and reeling, and no one is really sure what the future holds for us. But as the people of this world desperately try to hold on to what they have, God declares over you and me that “I am your portion and your inheritance.”
I Peter 2:9 says “you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” God has chosen you and me to be His royal priesthood, holy nation, and special people in the world today. We are distinct from the rest of the world because our security is not in our jobs, our land, our homes, our savings, our retirement plan, or inheritance for our children. God Himself is our portion and our inheritance. The God of the universe who rules over all things, who has all power in His hands is our security. The God who clothes the lilies of the field and feeds the birds of the air is our provider. The God who does not change and is not affected by political and economic climate is our portion.
God has called us to be a distinct people not only to be our inheritance and portion, but that in the midst of this economic and political chaos “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” It is in the midst of the darkness, confusion, hopelessness and chaos that we can shine the brightest. But we can only shine if God is truly our portion and our inheritance. As a royal priesthood we represent God to the world, and we intercede for the world before God.
Whatever challenges, uncertainties, or fears you may be facing, make God your portion and your inheritance today. In doing so, may “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Andy Clark
Monday, July 19, 2010
Give Me This Mountain
Numbers 14:24“But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.”
In Numbers 14, God brought Israel to the edge of the land of promise to take them into the inheritance He had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, Israel because of fear and doubt, Isreal failed to enter into and take possession of God’s promise. Caleb “was of a different spirit.” What kind of a spirit did Caleb have that caused God to single him out with a commendation and promise? He had a spirit of faith. While the rest of the children of Israel saw all the problems and challenges of the promise, Caleb and Joshua saw what God saw. He saw a land of great potential and possibilities and believed God’s promise to give it to them. (Joshua 14:7)
God also declared Caleb as His “servant” who followed Him “wholeheartedly.” Caleb was not out doing his own thing or pursuing what he wanted. There is a liberty and reward with being a wholehearted servant of God. Paul in Romans chapter one identified himself as a bond servant of Christ. The picture there in Roman times was of a slave who was given his freedom but chooses to remain a slave for life. He would put his ear to the doorpost of the master’s house, the master would pierce his ear with a punch, and he became a slave for life. It is a total abandonment of one’s self, one’s freedoms and one’s will to the will of the master. It is in wholehearted servanthood to Christ that we come into the fullness of His enablement and the fulfillment of His promises.
There are some other benefits to wholehearted servanthood. Forty-five years later as Israel under Joshua has begun to take possession of the land of promise, Caleb reminds Joshua of God’s promise. “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said." (Joshua 14:11-12)
Out of wholehearted servanthood comes a strength and authority. It is from this place of strength and authority that Caleb declares, “give me this mountain.” Possession of the mountain was not automatically his because God had promised it. It had giants and great fortified cities that had to be conquered. But as a wholehearted servant of God, Caleb knew that He came to conquer by the authority of his Master.
God has “given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4) They are promises that have great potential and great challenges. These promises that can only be fulfilled through servant people who have a different spirit and follow God wholeheartedly or with utter abandonment. May we wholly abandon ourselves to God and His purposes that His glory may be seen in us.
Andy Clark
In Numbers 14, God brought Israel to the edge of the land of promise to take them into the inheritance He had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, Israel because of fear and doubt, Isreal failed to enter into and take possession of God’s promise. Caleb “was of a different spirit.” What kind of a spirit did Caleb have that caused God to single him out with a commendation and promise? He had a spirit of faith. While the rest of the children of Israel saw all the problems and challenges of the promise, Caleb and Joshua saw what God saw. He saw a land of great potential and possibilities and believed God’s promise to give it to them. (Joshua 14:7)
God also declared Caleb as His “servant” who followed Him “wholeheartedly.” Caleb was not out doing his own thing or pursuing what he wanted. There is a liberty and reward with being a wholehearted servant of God. Paul in Romans chapter one identified himself as a bond servant of Christ. The picture there in Roman times was of a slave who was given his freedom but chooses to remain a slave for life. He would put his ear to the doorpost of the master’s house, the master would pierce his ear with a punch, and he became a slave for life. It is a total abandonment of one’s self, one’s freedoms and one’s will to the will of the master. It is in wholehearted servanthood to Christ that we come into the fullness of His enablement and the fulfillment of His promises.
There are some other benefits to wholehearted servanthood. Forty-five years later as Israel under Joshua has begun to take possession of the land of promise, Caleb reminds Joshua of God’s promise. “As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the Lord will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the Lord said." (Joshua 14:11-12)
Out of wholehearted servanthood comes a strength and authority. It is from this place of strength and authority that Caleb declares, “give me this mountain.” Possession of the mountain was not automatically his because God had promised it. It had giants and great fortified cities that had to be conquered. But as a wholehearted servant of God, Caleb knew that He came to conquer by the authority of his Master.
God has “given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.” (2 Peter 1:4) They are promises that have great potential and great challenges. These promises that can only be fulfilled through servant people who have a different spirit and follow God wholeheartedly or with utter abandonment. May we wholly abandon ourselves to God and His purposes that His glory may be seen in us.
Andy Clark
Monday, July 12, 2010
Living with Purpose
These days in which we are living, I believe God is calling us to live life with a greater sense of purpose. So often we get caught up in the routine of life, whether it is in ministry, our job, marriage, or family. God is calling us to be more intentional in serving Him, loving our wife and family, serving our church, at work, or in our community.
To enter the promises of God we need to live intentionally. We need to intentionally hear God’s voice in the small daily decisions and activities of our life. We need to purposefully take ownership or act on the prompting of God’s Spirit. We need to purposefully meditate on God’s Word and allow it to shape our character, values, decisions, and lifestyle. We need to live on the edge, where the supernatural happens in our marriage, family, church and career. Supernatural -- such that God invades these areas and does things beyond our capabilities and we begin to see that supernatural wisdom and favor of God in our daily lives.
I like the way Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
“Run in such a way.” There is an art to running correctly to enhance speed and endurance. There is an art to swinging a golf club. Every aspect of the swing must be intentional to be able to hit the ball right where you want it. You can not excel without first developing your skill in whatever you do and doing it God’s way. He is prepared to coach us by His Spirit.
“Strict training.” This is the discipline to achieve the goal or purpose. The New Kings James uses the word “temperate,” which has the sense of balance in what you do. We tend often to succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and fail to do that which is most important.
“Running aimlessly and beating the air.” In the midst of the endless distractions in life we have to keep focused on the purposes of God in our lives, whether immediate or long term. Satan loves to get us caught up in daily, small challenges and activities that take our eyes and our efforts off of God’s purposes.
Let us endeavor not to run aimlessly or beat the air, but to run with God’s purposes, both daily and long term, so that we may enter into His promises for us.
Andy Clark
To enter the promises of God we need to live intentionally. We need to intentionally hear God’s voice in the small daily decisions and activities of our life. We need to purposefully take ownership or act on the prompting of God’s Spirit. We need to purposefully meditate on God’s Word and allow it to shape our character, values, decisions, and lifestyle. We need to live on the edge, where the supernatural happens in our marriage, family, church and career. Supernatural -- such that God invades these areas and does things beyond our capabilities and we begin to see that supernatural wisdom and favor of God in our daily lives.
I like the way Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
“Run in such a way.” There is an art to running correctly to enhance speed and endurance. There is an art to swinging a golf club. Every aspect of the swing must be intentional to be able to hit the ball right where you want it. You can not excel without first developing your skill in whatever you do and doing it God’s way. He is prepared to coach us by His Spirit.
“Strict training.” This is the discipline to achieve the goal or purpose. The New Kings James uses the word “temperate,” which has the sense of balance in what you do. We tend often to succumb to the tyranny of the urgent and fail to do that which is most important.
“Running aimlessly and beating the air.” In the midst of the endless distractions in life we have to keep focused on the purposes of God in our lives, whether immediate or long term. Satan loves to get us caught up in daily, small challenges and activities that take our eyes and our efforts off of God’s purposes.
Let us endeavor not to run aimlessly or beat the air, but to run with God’s purposes, both daily and long term, so that we may enter into His promises for us.
Andy Clark
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