S) "5 The officers also shall speak to the people, saying, ‘Who is the man that has built a new house and has not dedicated it? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would dedicate it. 6 Who is the man that has planted a vineyard and has not begun to use its fruit? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would begin to use its fruit. 7 And who is the man that is engaged to a woman and has not married her? Let him depart and return to his house, otherwise he might die in the battle and another man would marry her.’ 8 Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’ 9 When the officers have finished speaking to the people, they shall appoint commanders of armies at the head of the people"
Deuteronomy 20:5-9 (NASB)
O) This passage immediately made me think of Gideon's 300 (see. Judges 7), or two of the instances when Jesus plainly lays out the costs of following Him (see Matthew 19:16-22 and Luke 14:25-33). God has a way of weeding out people who are wavering in their faith, so that the people remaining are fewer, but more potent in their faith. Consequently, God does more, with fewer people, when those few have greater faith. In His physical army, He wanted only the most committed, most ready, most faithfully devoted soldiers. It is also remarkable that the people are not reprimanded for returning to their lives, because sometimes that is the appropriate thing to do.
A) The physical call to arms is no longer relevant to me, but there is certainly a spiritual battlefield where I can and should fight. Sometimes, I look at men and women of great faith, whom God used mightily, and I long for that kind of story. I want to do something amazing for God. The dynamic of faith is that it is proven by action. If I have the faith to, say, move my family to CA to be youth pastors, God will use that faith to do mighty things. I know this dynamic to be true, and the LORD to be faithful, because of firsthand experiences and biblical examples. Consequently, when I hear of some opportunity, and I do not step out in faith, it's easy for me to feel guilty, like my lack of faith is the reason I am not going on a mission trip, or selling all my possessions for some cause, etc. The truth is that, thankfully, sometimes I am supposed to turn away from a particular battlefront and return to my home, to my own personal wars. If God calls me directly, I have a responsibility to answer that call. Otherwise, He can and will use me according to my faith, if or when I answer. In the meantime, I have a battles of my own to fight, for myself, my marriage, my own family, my extended family, etc..
P) Father, I sometimes feel a stirring within me to step out in faith and do something big for You. I do not want to shrink back, simply out of fear. Help me discern when I am actually called to do something that will require great faith, as opposed to an immature desire for excitement. I want to be used more and more, but I also want to be responsible in faithfully ministering to my own immediate family. I never want to neglect existing battles, domestic fronts, while chasing some foreign adventure. When You call me to something more, make it clear to me, LORD. Confirm it to me however You must, and let me prove my faith in You through obediently answering that call. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) The physical call to arms is no longer relevant to me, but there is certainly a spiritual battlefield where I can and should fight. Sometimes, I look at men and women of great faith, whom God used mightily, and I long for that kind of story. I want to do something amazing for God. The dynamic of faith is that it is proven by action. If I have the faith to, say, move my family to CA to be youth pastors, God will use that faith to do mighty things. I know this dynamic to be true, and the LORD to be faithful, because of firsthand experiences and biblical examples. Consequently, when I hear of some opportunity, and I do not step out in faith, it's easy for me to feel guilty, like my lack of faith is the reason I am not going on a mission trip, or selling all my possessions for some cause, etc. The truth is that, thankfully, sometimes I am supposed to turn away from a particular battlefront and return to my home, to my own personal wars. If God calls me directly, I have a responsibility to answer that call. Otherwise, He can and will use me according to my faith, if or when I answer. In the meantime, I have a battles of my own to fight, for myself, my marriage, my own family, my extended family, etc..
P) Father, I sometimes feel a stirring within me to step out in faith and do something big for You. I do not want to shrink back, simply out of fear. Help me discern when I am actually called to do something that will require great faith, as opposed to an immature desire for excitement. I want to be used more and more, but I also want to be responsible in faithfully ministering to my own immediate family. I never want to neglect existing battles, domestic fronts, while chasing some foreign adventure. When You call me to something more, make it clear to me, LORD. Confirm it to me however You must, and let me prove my faith in You through obediently answering that call. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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