"Now these are the nations that the Lord left, to test Israel by them, that is, all in Israel who had not experienced all the wars in Canaan." (Judges 3:1)
The book of Joshua was a book of Victories. Much of the book of Judges is a book about defeat. God instructed Israel as they entered Canaan to completely destroy their enemies. But they did not obey. In Judges 2:2 God tells Israel that what they were not willing to do in obedience to Him, He would not do for them.The enemies they failed to destroy absolutely became a constant thorn in their sides and continual snares to their living in Victory.
God has provided for those who are Christians everything that we need for living a Victorious life. Sin is our great enemy, and it conspires against us through the flesh. Whatever we fail to conquer by full surrender to Christ becomes the stronghold in our life from which Satan wages continual war on us. That is why Paul admonishes us in Eph. 4:27 not to give the devil any opportunity in our life.
That is why God has provided for us weapons that are mighty to pull down strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:4).
As we end the year 2009 let me challenge you to take inventory in your life. What enemies remain to be conquered and are thorns in your flesh? Sin addictions. Some little compromise here or there. It could be subtle in form, and we hold on to it. Like the Israelites we will discover those unconquered enemies lead us to spiritual adulteries.
Get alone with God and let Him lead you to deal with the areas of your life that are thorns in your flesh and keeping you from Victorious living. Determine that in 2010 you will live surrendered fully to Christ as Lord of all.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Wile E Coyote Principle
"Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling." (Prov. 26:27)
As I consider this text, I cannot help but think of Wile E. Coyote. Do you remember him from the Road Runner cartoons, one of my favorites growing up. He was always trying to catch the Road Runner, and yet every evil plan he concocted backfired on him. That coyote was flattened by falling rocks, run over by trucks, and had more dynamite blow up on him that anyone could endure. He was one indestructible coyote, but everything failed.
God's Word says that when we plan for evil toward others, it always catches us instead. I was reading the book of Esther again this morning. A man by the name of Haman was angered because Mordecai the Jew did not show him the honor and respect that he wanted. So he concocted a plan to destroy all of the Jews. But in the providence of God, Esther whom Mordecai had raised had become Queen. She had gained the King's favor, and she brought about a reversal of fortune for Haman. The gallows that Haman had built to hang Mordecai became his own death instrument.
We need to remember to always do good and to please the Lord. God said, "Vengeance is mine." I think one of the reasons we are hesitant to leave things in God's hands is that we think God will treat those whom we are upset with the same way that He has treated us. We are afraid that He will show them mercy. Aren't you glad that God did not give you what you deserved?
As I consider this text, I cannot help but think of Wile E. Coyote. Do you remember him from the Road Runner cartoons, one of my favorites growing up. He was always trying to catch the Road Runner, and yet every evil plan he concocted backfired on him. That coyote was flattened by falling rocks, run over by trucks, and had more dynamite blow up on him that anyone could endure. He was one indestructible coyote, but everything failed.
God's Word says that when we plan for evil toward others, it always catches us instead. I was reading the book of Esther again this morning. A man by the name of Haman was angered because Mordecai the Jew did not show him the honor and respect that he wanted. So he concocted a plan to destroy all of the Jews. But in the providence of God, Esther whom Mordecai had raised had become Queen. She had gained the King's favor, and she brought about a reversal of fortune for Haman. The gallows that Haman had built to hang Mordecai became his own death instrument.
We need to remember to always do good and to please the Lord. God said, "Vengeance is mine." I think one of the reasons we are hesitant to leave things in God's hands is that we think God will treat those whom we are upset with the same way that He has treated us. We are afraid that He will show them mercy. Aren't you glad that God did not give you what you deserved?
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