Slaying the Giants

"Who is this Philistine anyway, that he should be allowed to defy the armies of the living God?"
1 Samuel 17: 26

In reading the story of Goliath and David, I am so touched by David's incensed anger. He had such an undeniable faith! God had armies in heaven, he reasoned. Who was this giant compared to that? I need to see things with this amazing perspective when giants belittle me. Like David, I can boldly say, "I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven and of Israel." (verse 45)
I also adore how his older brother, Eliab, admonished him in the usual pecking order of siblings, treating David like a pesty brat. I wonder what went through Eliab's mind when David drew his sword and cut off Goliath's head? The Lord works without regard to human means and I praise him for that. When he uses the weakest, the youngest, the stutterer or the poor to carry out his plans, it flies in the face of the influential people of power.
Like Old Testament Joseph, God's spirit in David helps him to carry out his assignments successfully. Both men rose to places of authority, both were confident in the Lord even when times were tough and unpredictable.
In my own life, my lack of faith often led me down the wrong road. I am sorry, Lord, that I listened to the enemy. Encourage, strengthen and preserve your mighty spirit within this frail vessel, so that maybe someday, I will have a David or Joseph story of my own.

A Reluctant Leader

"But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.'" But God said, "I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do."
Exodus 4:13, 15

I can identify with Moses. He's very much at peace, living as a shepherd far from the problems he left behind in Egypt.  He has a good wife, some kids, probably a dog. Life is good. Then, like a lightning strike, God's burning bush sears his placid existence by asking him to return to Egypt!
I often feel tremulous when God asks something of me, either citing my ineptitude or placing the blame on my circumstances, yet God provides all I need, just as he did for Moses. He'd said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, go. I will help you speak. I will teach you what to say."
What a gargantuan task, to go to Egypt and stir up hornets' nests. Moses lacks courage, but God can still use him, just as he can use me, too. I just have to go.

God's Original Intent

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Psalm 51: 10

While peeling a small orange today, I was thanking God for this colorful treat, anticipating its flavor, yet I noticied it was not as juicy as the one I had yesterday. Does this mean it's God's fault, he made it wrong? No. I believe when he created it, each orange had the potential for being as glorious as the original in the Garden of Eden, but inclement weather, incompetent farmers or the passage of time have all taken their toll on the friendly fruit, bringing changes, even though God has tried to protect it with its rind.
God created me with power and potential, but imprints left by circumstances have diminished some of my zest.  I ask God today, on this new day, to restore unto me HIS goals for my life.
What did you have in mind when you created me, Lord?

Don't Blame God

"The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered...The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, becasuse the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did."
Genesis 39: 2, 29

Joseph was ripped from his loving home, sold as a slave in a foreign country and thrown in prison for a crime he did not commit. Does this sound like a man over whom God is watching?  No, sounds like God forgot about him, doesn't it?  However, God was not the one who put Joseph in these various circumstances; evil people did. God is taking of him, making him successful and prosperous, even in a dank jail cell because he is grooming Joseph for his future role - second in command of the entire nation. Now, is Joseph feeling sorry for himself, drowning in apathy? No, he is busy doing his jobs very well.
Lord, remind me of your presence when it seems like things are going badly. You do have a plan for my life.

A Family Resemblance

"Why do the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him but their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mourths but cannot speak, eyes but they cannot see; they have ears but they cannot hear, noses but they cannot smell; they have hands but they cannot feel, feet but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.  Those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them."
Psalms 115: 2-8

Conversely, my God made me, I didn't make him and he made me in his image! It comforts me to see that I resemble my parents, not only by physical features, but by creed, posture, tone of voice or characteristics.  I've been recognized as a relative simply by the way I carry myself. I have my dad's forehead, my mother's eyes, my grandfather's height. I love poring over old photos because they bind me to a clan. The wise Lord created families so we'd have a bracework of strength and a lasting connection.
But, the bigger picture is I am made in God's image. He has eyes, so do I. He hears all that I hear. He has hands and feet that were pierced for my transgressions. He experiences tastes and smells.  He is not an idle idol, prone and mute. He is an interactive, breathing, vocal, upright, holy, living God. May I strive to be just like him.

What Legacy Will I Leave?

"Alexander the coppersmith has done me much harm. The Lord will punish him, but be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said."
2 Timothy 4:14

Not everyone mentioned in the Bible is honorable. If I apply my own name and occupation in the above verse, it really sheds a new light on the importance of my beliefs and actions. What legacy am I leaving in my wake?
At church, I learned about Daniel of the Old Testament. Dealt a difficult hand at a young age, he was forced to erase his heritage, nationality, language and even his very name when exiled from his home, yet God saw his strong faith and used him as a light during a dark time.
Father, I'd rather be like Daniel than Alexander. Strengthen me to fight FOR you, never against you. If I can at least influence one person for Christ, then my life has not been in vain. Forgive my inadaquacies as I surrender to your will.

A Hearse Pulls No U-Hauls

"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him."
Psalm 49:16

Everything I see will not last, even as I view my own reflection. My spouse, children, pets, belongings...I take nothing with me from here. Then I think about wealthy people who have sprawling homes, many cars and jet planes - they leave it all behind, too. Just as the laws of gravity are absolute, so is this fact: you can't take it with you. What does meet my creator? My soul. This is the safe keeping vessel for my treasures. Like a satchel I can pack for a lengthy stay, this is one thing I can attend to. May I pack it with compassion, mercy, charity, grace and an unconditional love for Jesus who redeemed me.