“For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.” (Psalm 75:6-7, NKJV) Two men. Two very different motivations. They lived in the same city and crossed paths often. We find their stories in the Book of Esther. The time is around 480 BC, and the place is Shushan, a royal city in Persia. Haman’s Story Haman was an Agagite who held a position of prominence under King Ahasuerus, the Persian king. Haman had wealth, status, and power. People bowed as he walked by. But none of…
For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me. (Psalm 18:39, ESV) What do we do when the enemy comes at us full force? What kind of battle plan do we make when things look bleak and we are outnumbered? In II Chronicles 20, the enemies of Judah aligned themselves against King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. The Israelites were greatly outnumbered, and the outlook was grim. What Jehoshaphat did next cannot be found in any military manual. What he did required bold faith. He did not call for the generals and top military strategists. Instead, he called a prayer meeting. That was the best way to resist the enemy. HOW TO RESPOND TO ADVERSITY Jehoshaphat chose to pray, not panic. Yes, there was momentary fear, but he replaced his fear with faith. Verse 3 tells us that he “set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” Jehoshaphat’s plan of action was to seek God and to call the nation to fasting and prayer. The people admitted that they did not have the answer to their problem. They needed direction from God. “’For…
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” (Proverbs 14:30, ESV) Having a tranquil heart is a good way to live. It sounds peaceful, calm, serene. But often life is not as tranquil as we would like because other things creep in—things that tear down rather than build up. Throughout the Bible, along with many uplifting passages we find stories of conflict, dissatisfaction, resentment, envy, and jealousy. Cain killed Able because of jealousy and resentment that Able offered the better sacrifice. Joseph’s brothers grew jealous because their father favored him most. King Saul became jealous and resentful of David’s popularity with the people. Leah felt envious of the love Jacob showed toward Rachel. In Jesus’ parable, the elder brother was jealous that his father welcomed the prodigal home. Jealousy is destructive and has been described as a cancer of the soul. James 3:16 warns us that, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (ESV). If life feels messy and chaotic, it’s time to check your heart. Could envy or jealousy be contributing to the turmoil in your life? Margaret Thatcher, former British Prime Minister, once wisely…
“I am who I am.” There are no more important words than these spoken by God. All other words in the Bible are only important because these words are true. In Exodus 3, God manifested Himself to Moses in a burning bush, so He could manifest Himself through Moses as a deliverer for His people. Because Moses’ authority was wrapped up in the God who commissioned him, he asked for His name to capture the essence of God’s character and being. In reply, God said, “‘I am who I am.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I…
Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible was an art exhibition that displayed 197 works from the Renaissance period to present day. The exhibit addressed the question of when a work of art is finished. On display were art pieces in various stages of completion leaving behind traces of the artistic process. The “artwork in progress” reminds us of these three attributes of a masterpiece: A masterpiece takes time. Alice Neel met James Hunter by chance and asked him to sit for a portrait. The young man had just been drafted for the Vietnam War and was scheduled to leave within a week. Following her usual practice, Neel started to outline the body directly on the canvas and then filled in parts of the head and hands. When Hunter did not return for their second sitting, Neel declared the work complete in its unfinished state by signing it on the back. The key to creating a masterpiece is to be committed to the process. Every day we return to sit in the presence of the Master allowing Him access to our imperfections and flaws. Some days are painted with strokes of genius. Others may seem random, insignificant, or terribly wrong. Rather than run…
The greatest obstacle preventing the Israelites from escaping Egypt and entering the Promised Land wasn’t Pharaoh and his vast army. It wasn’t the daunting Red Sea or the fortified Canaanite cities. The greatest obstacle to the fulfillment of God’s promise was the grumbling of God’s people. Grumbling gives voice to our distrust of God’s sovereignty in our lives. God said, “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me” (Numbers 14:27, ESV). Like a parent who has reached the end of their patience, God had heard enough complaining, criticizing, and resisting. His response to that generation was forty years of wandering in the wilderness and denied entrance into the Promised Land. God takes grumbling seriously. If entitled thoughts like “It’s not fair,” “I deserve better,” or “Is that all?” have begun to take root in your heart, the cure is closer than you might think. Scripture offers us a better way—one that leads to freedom, contentment, and trust. Here are six practices to help us begin: 1. Surrender Desires. Jesus is the only one who has ever truly been entitled—yet He laid down His rights…