Thursday, February 12, 2009
victory through stillness
So...picture the scene...the Israelites have just left Egyptian bondage, they are standing at the edge of the Red Sea, and Pharaoh's army is rushing towards them in an angry rage. They come with chariots, weapons, and vengeance...the Israelites stand with cattle, children, and unleavened bread. Surrender? Panic? Or pass out? One might think those were the Israelites' only options. But...through their 80 year old leader, the Lord tells them something different. "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" (Exodus 14:13-14) Be still. I am reminded of the verse in Isaiah which says, "...in quietness and trust is your strength..." (Is. 30:15). We trust in THE omnipotent God...the One with all power, might, and victory. We can truly be still and know that HE is GOD. (Psalm 46:10) When the world calls for panic, the Lord calls for peace...for with Him, the victory is sure.
Monday, February 2, 2009
testimony in forgiveness
"...For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably..." (Genesis 33:10)
We all know those famous words spoken from the lips of our mothers, "Wait until your father gets home..." Oh no. That's it. You're in trouble now! After that comment was made, you had to wait in quiet torture until Dad walked in the front door. You know what you did was wrong, but now you have to face the reality of consequences. In Genesis 32 & 33, Jacob had this feeling of "quiet torture" as he prepared to meet his brother, Esau. Much time had passed since Jacob deceived their father and had stolen from Esau what was rightfully his- his birthright. Esau had every right to be upset, bitter, and vengeful. Who knows what would happen? So, Jacob tried his best to make this a pleasurable meeting...highly doubting that it would go over well. But, listen to their initial encounter in Genesis 33:4, "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept." WOW! Can't you picture Jacob? His eyes were probably bugging out, his jaw dropped wide from shock, and he was silent in amazement. His brother, Esau, had welcomed him with open arms, brotherly love, and true forgiveness. It was almost too much to accept. Jacob replied to Esau in verse 10, "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." Because of Esau's true forgiveness, Jacob witnessed God's love in a real way...he saw the Lord shining through Esau. When we forgive, it is a beautiful picture of God's forgiveness for us...not in its entirety, by any means, but it gives people a glimpse of God's unconditional love. I would love to have someone say of me, "...to see your face is like seeing the face of God..." Wow! By showing God's love in forgiveness, we have the perfect opportunity to shine for Him!
We all know those famous words spoken from the lips of our mothers, "Wait until your father gets home..." Oh no. That's it. You're in trouble now! After that comment was made, you had to wait in quiet torture until Dad walked in the front door. You know what you did was wrong, but now you have to face the reality of consequences. In Genesis 32 & 33, Jacob had this feeling of "quiet torture" as he prepared to meet his brother, Esau. Much time had passed since Jacob deceived their father and had stolen from Esau what was rightfully his- his birthright. Esau had every right to be upset, bitter, and vengeful. Who knows what would happen? So, Jacob tried his best to make this a pleasurable meeting...highly doubting that it would go over well. But, listen to their initial encounter in Genesis 33:4, "But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept." WOW! Can't you picture Jacob? His eyes were probably bugging out, his jaw dropped wide from shock, and he was silent in amazement. His brother, Esau, had welcomed him with open arms, brotherly love, and true forgiveness. It was almost too much to accept. Jacob replied to Esau in verse 10, "For to see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably." Because of Esau's true forgiveness, Jacob witnessed God's love in a real way...he saw the Lord shining through Esau. When we forgive, it is a beautiful picture of God's forgiveness for us...not in its entirety, by any means, but it gives people a glimpse of God's unconditional love. I would love to have someone say of me, "...to see your face is like seeing the face of God..." Wow! By showing God's love in forgiveness, we have the perfect opportunity to shine for Him!
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