How does God line up these things?

Numbers 26; Psalm 69; Isaiah 16; 1 Peter 4

Before opening my Bible, the first thing I read today was a short prayer “for a time of war” asking the Prince of Peace to bring peace to this world in our time. Numbers 26 is about a census made of those preparing for war. Psalm 69 is a prayer in a time when the psalmist was being attacked by his enemies. Isaiah 16 is about a war against Moab in which this enemy of God’s people would be defeated. 1 Peter 4 describes being ready for opposition and suffering as those who hate God persecute those who follow Christ.

Peter’s chapter touches life here and now as we experience the world at war with a virus, sometimes at war with one another, and certainly the war a spiritual enemy who wants God’s people to fail in our faith. God blesses my heart concerning how to live in the midst of so much conflict . . .

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.

Only the way Jesus handled suffering and conflict will bring me into the will of God. His way brings victory. My gut responses and human thinking will not do it. Peter agrees . . .

For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.

Don’t be surprised; those who live in selfish indulgence and sinful excess will react negatively to godliness. Don’t let that stop me from sharing the gospel with them in hope that they will hear it and be saved!

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

No one knows when Jesus will return, yet I’m to anticipate it and live for Him — this is vital so my prayers will be answered. Love other Christians and welcome them. Use my gifts to serve them and receive their ministry to me. As we do that, God will be glorified — and this glory belongs to Him alone, always!

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (1 Peter 4:1–19)

My faith will be tested, just as Jesus was tested by suffering. I’m blessed if that happens because I am living for Him and this is nothing to be ashamed of. If I suffer for sin, that is not glory, but suffering in the will of God is His glory resting on me. Never forget that He is more concerned about my godliness and reaction to trials than He is about those who are causing bad things to happen to me. In all that the enemy throws at me, I am to trust the Lord and do good!

APPLY: See all of the above!

Weapons against the biggest lie of all

Yesterday I wrote that God's word tells me Satan is constantly after me trying to make me believe something that isn't true. Jesus said the devil is a liar and the father of lies. His first lie is his most used lie; he tells God's people (and all people) that God doesn't love them. If he said it plainly we might not believe him but he is sneaky. He works on our desire to be accepted and loved — those basic human desires.

God is teaching me the answer for the enemy’s strategy. Most of it is clearly stated in these verses:

“And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!’” (Revelation 12:10–12)

Yes, the accuser has been thrown down, the one who constantly tells me God doesn't love me and I'm not worthy and all sorts of other thoughts and ideas that make me feel unaccepted. But he is a loser. He's been conquered by the blood of Jesus Christ and not only that, he is defeated by my declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and by my willingness to die for that faith.

However, if I keep quiet about what Jesus Christ is done for me then I am more vulnerable to Satan's lies. If I love my life more than I love Christ then I'm more apt to fall for Satan's lies.

These days this is more practical than ever. I'm in a situation where constant pain temps me to complain, to feel sorry for myself. When I do that, I'm not giving testimony to Jesus Christ and what He has done. This makes me more vulnerable to the lie that I'm not loved and valued by God.

I'm also had an age where death enters my thoughts more than before. As my husband often says, we are all terminal, however if I'm not going to accept that truth and fight it, then I am more vulnerable to Satan's lies because I'm loving my life more than I'm loving the idea of seeing Jesus face to face.

Someone once said to me that it must be easier to be a Christian as you get older. I almost laughed in his face. The problems of aging and of declining health makes Christians more vulnerable to the enemy’s lies. Our battle is more difficult than ever or perhaps we are more aware of it than ever.

Praise God that there is an answer. Even seniors need to be vocal about their faith. Any fear of death needs to be faced in conquered. My faith in God who loves me needs continual examination and strengthening so I can conquer the enemy with blood of Christ — plus using the weapons God gave me to secure my victory.

^^^^^^^^

Jesus, these are encouraging words. Standing strong against the accuser who wants to destroy me involves two clear strategies for defeating him. One is a mouth willing to declare what You have done and the other is a heart that gladly looks forward to seeing You. Satan has no power against someone whose life is saved by the shedding of Your blood declared by a bold and spirit-filled testimony and is not afraid to die.

God cares for His children

Joshua 4:1–6:27, Psalm 46:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, Psalm 48

Just before Joshua would lead the advance into the Promised Land — first stop: Jericho — he saw a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”

The man replied, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.”

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”

And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13–15)

It seems that this man was more than an angel, perhaps even a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus (although that possibility is debated). Whoever he was, he wanted Joshua to know that this was a holy place and an undertaking commanded and sanctioned by God.

Most know the story. Joshua was given strange orders for capturing this first stronghold. What army takes a city by marching around it seven times in seven days while blowing trumpets? How can the walls fall down on the last day — a day of marching around it seven times? It makes no sense to a military mind, and no sense to anyone else. Marching feet would never cause an earthquake or vibrate city walls so as to make them fall to the ground.

I’m certain that this happened this way because God wanted them to know that the commander of the army of the Lord brings the victory. This was an important lesson for the Israelites, the people to whom the Lord said, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). They needed to know that their victories depended on Him, not their own might.

The NT reading contains another lesson for God’s people. This time it is about the marvel of God’s provision. Just tonight, a Christian friend said, “All of us know what it is like to need a certain amount of money, to have no hope or idea where it would come from, and then God supplied, almost as if it fell from the sky.” It is this God who says . . .

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.” (2 Corinthians 9:10–13)

God supplies my needs. His supply can be just what I need, or overflowing. It isn’t about financial strategy or clever use of time or money. It is about God and about submission to Him and the gospel of Christ. We sometimes say it with both humility and a bit of smug confidence: “God takes care of His kids.”

Perhaps in contrast to remembering Jericho, the psalmist tells of another wonder about the Lord we love: “Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.” (Psalm 48:12–14)

We fumble and stumble, but sometimes we march and blow trumpets. In it all, He is taking care of His kids, even the bratty ones. Ask me how I know.