There are a few reflective questions that help me digest the Scriptures. Here are two of them:
- What do we learn about God from this passage? (perhaps the most important question we could possibly ask and answer)
- What do we learn about mankind/myself from this passage?
I think we find a great case study in 1 Chronicles 19:6-13 of how Christian leaders should operate (i.e., a specific application of the second question above):
(... two armies formed against the Israelites outside of an Ammonite city ...)
10 Joab saw that there were battle lines in front of him and behind him; so he selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. 11 He put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai his brother, and they were deployed against the Ammonites. 12 Joab said, "If the Arameans are too strong for me, then you are to rescue me; but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will rescue you. 13 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight."
- Realize that we are fighting battles on multiple fronts
- Team up with other leaders who you can trust with your life
- Delegate responsibility so that one person is not trying to do it all
- "Be strong and fight bravely" for His Kingdom
- Trust the victory to Yahweh
Wow! As a Bible Life group teacher/leader, this is directly applicable to me. I pray that I will follow this model and watch Yahweh win the victory!
And to answer the first question listed above, here is some rich (and I mean RICH!) language from Psalm 33 that tells us who God is:
4 For the word of the LORD is right and true;he is faithful in all he does.5 The LORD loves righteousness and justice;the earth is full of his unfailing love.6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,their starry host by the breath of his mouth. ...10 The LORD foils the plans of the nations;he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.11 But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,the purposes of his heart through all generations. ...20 We wait in hope for the LORD;he is our help and our shield.21 In him our hearts rejoice,for we trust in his holy name.22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,even as we put our hope in you.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, your Word is right and true; you are always faithful. You love righteousness and justice, and the world is full of your love. You created everything that exists; you are the definition of existence. You frustrate the ways of the wicked, but your good plan will be accomplished! I will wait in hope for you to rescue me. I will trust your timing and your means. I recognize that your ways are so far above my ways that I can't even begin to try to understand you. I humbly submit to your will for my life. I trust in your Holy Name, Yahweh. May your never-ending love rest upon us, O Yahweh; I put my hope in you alone. It is for your glory that I live this day, and it is only by your grace that you will be glorified because I am a broken man. I need your Holy Spirit to teach me your way and lead me in your path of righteousness. Wash my mind, cleanse my heart. Make me pure in your sight. I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment