SOAP 04/30/2015; Judges 6:12

Today's reading: Judges 6

S) " ¹² The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, 'The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.'"

Judges 6:12 (NASB)

O) This chapter is dense with study topics. I chose to focus on, what I believe, is the crux of Gideon's whole story, though. The principle at work in this verse is fairly simple on its surface: God sees us (and in fact, everything) differently than we see ourselves (and anything). Certainly it's possible that Gideon had, already at this point in his life, proven himself indeed a valiant warrior. However, the Bible does not make that known, and there is evidence that suggests otherwise. First of all, Gideon was found hiding while threshing wheat inside a wine press, for fear that the Midianites would steal it (v.11). This doesn't suggest that he was, at all, regularly fighting anyone. Later, we see that he hid his deeds by the cover of night, when destroying his dad's idols (v.27), because of his fear. Despite this being who Gideon was when God found him, that is not how God addressed him. He called him "valiant warrior," because his identity was not in his habitual character (for he might have been called "fearful"), and his identity was not in what he had done (for he might have been called "harvester"). Instead, God saw Gideon as who he was made to be. After all, who determines identity? The right to identify does not belong to the creation, but to the creator.

A) Children are wonderful examples of this principle. My younger daughter is currently five years old. Her older siblings have learned how to read and write well, and she is eager to do the same as she nears her kindergarten year. Along the way, she has learned to write letters, and has learned what sounds certain letters make. So, occasionally, she works hard to write out script along with a drawing of some kind. To me, a learned and versed English reader, the letters she has formed and combined do not make intelligible words. In fact, they often do not even make pronounceable sounds. However, if I ask her to interpret her creation, she can often tell me exactly what those letters mean. Now, some might counter that, as her dad, I have a role to teach her how to read and spell English words. That is true, but in these cases, she is not arguing that what she has written is English at all. She is only arguing that what she has written has meaning, which she has defined herself as the creator of the image and letters. This is how it is with God, only there is the added truth of His absolute sovereignty. Who will teach God? Who will counsel Him? As created beings, we all have a broken desire to identify ourselves. This can lead to all kinds of trouble! I cannot fall prey to a self-identification. I must cling to the identity I have in Christ. I must seek only the identity I have been given by my Creator. When I accept that, and reject any other identity (whether projected on me, or assumed by me), then I will begin to fulfill God's given purposes for my life. Then, I will not be tempted to question God's calling (as Gideon did later) based on my failure to understand my true identity.

P) Father, You are perfect in Your knowledge. I can never claim to know myself better than You know me. I am complete unqualified to identify myself. Help me to focus less on perceived identity, and perceived value along with that. Help me to focus only on the identity I have been given in Christ. In Him, I have been made a brother. I have been made a son of God Most High. You have called me into purpose based on that identity. Help me to properly value that identity, regardless of how simple it may seem to me. Help me to see the vast possibility in that identity. Help me to see Your glory in that identity. I never want to limit what You are calling me to do, based on a false pretense of who I am. Give me the faith to believe what You say is true about who I am. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/29/2015; Judges 2:10

Today's reading: Judges 2

S) "¹⁰ All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the LORD, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel."

Judges 2:10 (NASB)

O) When the verse says, "that generation," it is referring to the generation who was faithful to the LORD, who was actually the second generation from Egypt. The new generation in this verse, like the first generation from Egypt, was not faithful to God. And so begins the cycle of ups and downs that underlines the book of Judges. Taking special note of the end of our verse, we see that the root of the problem is that they didn't know the LORD or His works - yet. Manifestly, that faithful second generation failed as teachers. However, there is that "yet," which reveals hope. This third generation would learn who the LORD is, and experience His works firsthand, when He would deliver them from their oppressors under the leadership of each elected Judge. The failure to reach their own next generation would repeat, though. Failing to teach the next generations would prove to be a continued theme.

A) So, in this verse the importance of teaching my children is evident. Teaching them to teach their own children is even more important. But, through this cycle of teaching, that word "yet," still rings in my ears. See, without the teaching of the previous generation, the people of God would still come to know the LORD. So, how is it that they learned, if not from the previous generation? Through experiences. And so, my lesson to learn is not to simply teach my children about my God, but to get them to experience the LORD our God, and then to teach them to do the same with their children.

P) Father, in Your grace You invaded my life. You would not be ignored, and you confronted me with the reality of Your existence. I had to make a choice. Lord, I pray for you to invade the lives of my children, and their children, and forever through my generations. Confront them with Your reality. I pray that I am a faithful and effective teacher, so that my children know how to respond in faith and obedience, when they experience Your reality. I pray that they learn to teach their own next generation. This is the greatest request I can imagine, Father God. Be glorified throughout my generations. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/28/2015; Joshua 24:14-15

Today's reading: Joshua 24

S) "¹⁴ Now, therefore, fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. ¹⁵ If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Joshua 24:14-15 (NASB)

O) This is a fairly famous passage in Christian culture, I think. I've often heard Christians edit verse 15 quite a bit, with something like, "Choose for yourselves whom you will serve; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." While that does get the gist of the message across, I think there are a few elements it misses. For one thing, Joshua began this statement with an important qualifier, saying, "Now, therefore," which really required the hearer (and reader) to reflect on all of the words he had just repeated (vv.2-13). That's important, because it means that the choice to serve God is not arbitrary or whimsical. This was a careful, considered choice. No one can truly choose to serve the LORD capriciously. To try and serve Him with little to no thought given to the reasons behind that decision, is to set up for failure. Another thing I've noticed that often goes unnoticed, is that Joshua presented the alternative quite clearly, and this is not always given the consideration it should be given. Joshua did not give a third option, here. He said they will either serve the LORD, or they will serve the gods of their fathers. Whether people can acknowledge it or not, we are all created to worship. As a created race, we are made to worship. If we do not worship the LORD, we will set up for ourselves some other god to worship. There is no middle, neutral ground of no worship. The last thing that stood out to me, as I read this passage, that may be overlooked at times, is the inclusion of the word, "today" in this choice. Every time a person would read these words (which Joshua recorded immediately, per v.26), they are confronted with this choice. Today is always present tense. This choice to serve the LORD is always a present tense choice.

A) The very first lesson is to read Scripture in context. But, relative to these oft-missing elements. Working backwards, I need to remember that my service, devotion, and faithfulness to the Lord my GOD is a daily choice. Everyday there will be opposition to my position as His servant, and everyday I must make the choice to be His alone. Confronted with that choice, I need to remember that there is no middle ground. I cannot abstain from a vote. If I am not choosing the LORD, then I am choosing a false-god in His rightful place, on the throne of my heart. The alternative is not always obvious, or glaringly opposed to the LORD, but it's still there. When it comes right down to it, I have a throne in my heart that refuses to be empty. Last, but not at all least, I must reflect on history when I'm making this daily choice. There is a Bible full of evidence, with thousands of reasons to serve Him. But, even apart from all of the biblical promise and history, I have my own testimony to search. The LORD my God has done great and wondrous things for me, personally, directly. If I made a chart of all of the good that has come from serving all of my false-gods, combined, and compared it to every good thing the LORD has done for me, it would be laughable. It would paint a clear picture of just how foolish it is to choose anything, or anyone, over the LORD my God. Reflection like that, deep and thoughtful, is an important element to my faith that I think I do not do well. I want to spend more time reflecting, so that the "Now, therefore," is the most appropriate phrase I can use, before I ever get to, "me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

P) Father, You preserved my life in my mother's womb. Even before birth, there were those who opposed my life, but You sustained me. You protected me in my youth, preserving my health in the face of many dangers. You kept my heart soft throughout my childhood. Despite my transgressions, You were faithful to hear my prayers, and You prepared my wife for me even when I was unfaithful and completely undeserving. When I walked away from You, and my heart began to harden, You rescued me again through the gracious gift of my wife, whom You gave me. As I turned to You again, You were very quick and faithful to meet me. You brought me up again in Your word, gave me a mission, and began to discipline me in lovingkindness and compassion, love and mercy. I choose to follow You, Lord. I choose to serve You, forsaking the other idols I have wrongly served in my past. Be glorified as the only Lord in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/27/2015; Joshua 20:1-2

Today's reading: Joshua 20

S) "¹ Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, ² 'Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, "Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,"'"

Joshua 20:1-2  (NASB)

O) The "cities of refuge," were designated cities (six were specified here) where a person could flee if he was guilty of involuntary manslaughter. After a priest would hear his case, if no premeditation was found, and no hatred of the deceased, then this manslayer was protected from anyone seeking vengeance. While studying Numbers 35:25, I noted how much grace there is, that the LORD considers our intent, even when our behavior was indeed wrong. When I studied Deuteronomy 19:9, I noted how important it is that we reflect God's merciful character. Now, reading this again but from Joshua's fulfillment of this command, we can see one more element to this: God's timing. Following through the book of Joshua, we see him invade the Promised Land, conquer the alliance of kings to the north and south, divide up the Land between the tribes, then designate the cities of refuge. In terms of establishing new regulations for this nation of His people, one of God's first priorities was establishing these cities of refuge. These cities would impact lives in a very real way, and the LORD knew how quickly they would be needed.

A) God has perfect timing and I do not. Once upon a time, I played the drums a lot. I had pretty good rhythm, but ironically, I have not always had the best timing, or time management, in my life. This has created some awkward social interactions, discipline at various jobs, and generally landed me in some hot water. I have learned lessons through a lot of those mistakes, but one thing I can never have is God's perfect timing. For that, I rely completely on the Holy Spirit to lead me. The real conviction that I have in reading this verse, though, has to do with delaying when God commands my obedience. If I feel called to do something, why should I ever delay? God has perfect timing, but what if He is leading me to obey and I am not obeying when He is commanding? The last thing I want is to mess up the timing of things, and have someone mistakenly think God has messed up the timing, based on my own delayed obedience (which may actually simply be called disobedience).

P) Father, Your name is holy and good. You are perfect in Your timing, compassion, and commands. The last thing I want is for someone to think You have not heard their prayers because I am disobedient, or delayed. Please forgive me for my selfishness, laziness, and disobedience to Your will. I often pray for Your will to be done, but perhaps I ought to also pray for me to immediately do Your will. Help me to bear a burden of remembering those who might need my obedience. Let me be convicted by the knowledge that to delay in obeying is to put Your holy name at risk of profanity. Let Your will be done, and let me do it without delay. Be glorified in my life, by my obedience. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/26/2015; Joshua 18:4

Today's reading: Joshua 18

S) "⁴ Provide for yourselves three men from each tribe that I may send them, and that they may arise and walk through the land and write a description of it according to their inheritance; then they shall return to me."

Joshua 18:4  (NASB)

O) There were at this time, seven tribes who still lacked a defined inheritance within the Promised Land. Remembering one of Joshua's landmark events, when he went with Caleb and ten other men (one from each tribe) to spy out the Promised Land, it is easy to see why Joshua himself would commission a similar quest. Because of that, there is an important lesson to learn about how we learn from our predecessors, especially when we are doing what they were doing. When Joshua and Caleb brought back the good report about the Promised Land, and they were the only two men of that generation who saw the Promised Land because of that faithful report, I'm sure everyone took note. So, when he commissioned this survey, it's safe to assume he had particular standards of faithful reporting that he expected. Nothing less than complete honesty with faithful perspective was going to pass with Joshua. I'm sure he would have know how it should be done, and would have communicated pretty clear expectations. If the newly commissioned spies were worth their salt, I'm also sure they would have had plenty of questions for both Joshua and Caleb, for how to spy out the land and properly record what they learned.

A) There are times when I get pretty sad, realizing that I don't have an earthly dad to guide me in my faith. In a lot of ways, I lack mentorship with regard to my marriage and parenting. I still have some peer ministry (my older brother, some brothers in Christ in my Life Group), but it's not quite the same. I suppose there is wisdom in me reaching out through our church for just such an opportunity as that. With regard to some other aspects of my faith, there are certainly some people who have guided and counseled me (some level of discipleship), but it hasn't been constant. But, this verse is really about a sort of occupational discipleship. Certainly as I pursue certain things (counseling certification, for example), this will become more constant, but I'm not sure it's any less important for me to pursue this right now. I am, at the very least, comforted by the knowledge that there are resources for me when I am commissioned (as with counseling others), and also that my Father God will always guide me by the Counselor I have in the Holy Spirit.

P) Father, You are faithful to prepare for Your will. You set in place everything I need to do the work You call me to do. I want to be a faithful worker, Lord. I want to be obedient, and ready, faithful to do excellent work in Your name. Help me to learn from those who have gone before me, Father. Give me wisdom, humility, and insight to learn from others who have done well. Help me to seek counsel, even from the men or women who might ask for my help in something. As I do that, as I gain experience, help me to also be faithful in helping those who follow in my steps. All of this to Your glory alone, Father God. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/25/2015; Joshua 16:10

Today's reading: Joshua 16

S) " ¹⁰ But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live in the midst of Ephraim to this day, and they became forced laborers."

Joshua 16:10  (NASB)

O) Each tribe of Israel was given an inheritance, a district if you will, of the Promised Land. After conquering the majority of the kingdom cities in the Land, it was then left to the individual tribes to clear out all the remaining inhabitants of their portions, in order to accomplish the will of God, to execute judgment on the Canaanites. This conquest God has scripted for them was as much about taking this land from wicked inhabitants, as it was about giving the Promised Land to the Israelites. In fact, it was ultimately the very same wickedness that led to the Israelites themselves being spewed from that same Land. In great part, one of the things that led to the Israelites long-term struggle, was their failure to recognize the pitfall of keeping alive the wicked, previous tenants. They made the mistake of assuming that putting the Canaanites under their thumb, so to speak, was going to safeguard them against falling into the same wicked behaviors of those same Canaanites.

A) Context is everything. It is once again prudent to mention that the commands to conquer these lands and destroy these peoples were specifically given to those Israelites, under those circumstances. It is very clear in the New Testament, that physical violence will not advance the kingdom of God (See Ephesians 6, for example). What is very relatable here, is that leaving an area of temptation live, when that area of temptation should be killed, is simply foolish. If something tempts me to sin, it would be foolish to allow that temptation to remain in place. That was the real problem facing the Israelites. This is the analogy that Jesus was using in Matthew 18:8-9. There is inherent danger in allowing temptations to linger. Whether from laziness, selfishness, or plain foolishness, I have fallen prey to lingering temptations. I cannot abide resident temptation.

P) Father, I have been a fool. You call me to holiness, because You know my weakness. You call me to holiness, to be sanctified, because You know that I am prone to sin. I need to be reminded that Your call to purity is for my own good. I thrive in life, as You define my limits. When You set my boundaries, I am protected from myself. When I allow temptations to lurk, when I am lax in my vigil, I am inviting disaster. Purify the desires of my heart, Lord. Continue to change me from the inside out, from my heart. Help me to snuff out any temptation that smolders within me. Remind me that I will be burned by playing with that fire. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.