By Many or By Few 5

Psalm 35:1-3 and 22-23

This movie has become one of my absolute holiday favorites.  Watch this clip:

Wouldn't it be great to have someone on your side like Buddy the Elf?  Someone who loved you, even though you barely knew them?  Someone who leapt to your defense, even when you rejected them?  Someone who others might find a little strange?  Someone who was exceptionally good at making snowballs and defending you?

Well, don't we already have that?

In today's scripture reading, the Psalmist is asking for God to come and defeat his enemies.  I know there have been times I've felt like that.  Later in the chapter, he pleads with God and basically says "How can you let this go on?" and "Don't you know what they are going to do to me?"  His enemies are the people who gossip and spread lies.  They are the folks who he has helped, but instead of returning the gesture, mock and harass him when he is down.

It's important that we learn, like yesterday's reading, that we can't do this on our own.  We must let God handle those who attack us.  Put Him in front and just be like the kid in this video clip who watches Buddy's amazing display. 

Writer Erwin McManus has a quote that applies so well to this idea that he calls "The Jonathon Factor" and it is expressed "when we have absolute confidence in God in the midst of uncertainty and are willing to move with god even without a guarantee of personal success."

DAILY CHALLENGE:  What battle are you trying to fight alone that you need God to just take over and win for you?   Before Sunday, read 1 Samuel 14:1-14.

By Many or By Few 4

Joshua 23:9-11



Not much to go into battle with, is it?

 In today's passage, it's Joshua's final words to the people of Israel.  But they definitely still pack a punch today.  And it triggers several questions for me:

1. Why, oh why, do we have such short memories?  Joshua has to remind the people that they've defeated a bunch of powerful armies!  You would think that they might just remember that, wouldn't you?  And we're no better.  How many times has God won the battle for us over something we were struggling with (when we let Him - see my next point) and we turn right around and forget.  It's always been that way (see the 10 Lepers!).  But what if we were to live our life not based on fear of the next thing, but rejoicing over the last thing.   And carrying that knowledge with you everywhere you went?
2. Why don't we trust God?  When He proves himself time and time again, you'd think we'd start to learn and trust?  But we don't.  It seems like every situation that arises, every attack and every disappointment becomes a chance for another selfish little pity party and not a chance to let God triumph.  He has promised over and over again that he will take care of our enemies, yet we don't seem to really believe it.  Even after he's done it over and over, we still don't really believe it.  We need to begin to give the battles in our life to God and step back and let him work miracles!
3. What does it mean to love the Lord?  Our understanding of love is so limited.  But the word used here is 'ahab and it's used throughout the Bible as the kind of love between parents and children or husband and wife.  We're supposed to love God in the way we love someone romantically -- be excited to spend time with them, want to know all about them, want to share everything about yourself with them.  That's how we are to love God. 

DAILY CHALLENGE:  What battle has God won for you?  Have you ever stepped aside enough to let Him?