Mighty In Battle

"Come to me...and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

As a writer I am familiar with, and use often, various forms of poetic language.  Hyperbole, metaphors, similes; these are like colors to me on a painter's palette.  The writers of the Bible use them shamelessly.  And so does God.  Not only in the spoken word, but in the way He has designed us to know Him and live life to the full.

Of the ways God expresses Himself and functions, I think my favorite is His use of oxymorons. (Too bad it doesn't have a better name :)  An oxymoron is when words or actions are used in conjunction but do not seem to go together. It comes from the words oxus, meaning ‘sharp’ and mōros, meaning  ‘foolish.’  And that's what it literally means: Sharp foolishness.  Something so stunningly opposite it makes you say, 'Wait a minute; How can that be?'

God brought some things together for me this week that fall into this category.  I've been reading about God's people after their time of exile in Babylon.  They returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, and God made some grand statements about His plans for them.  He promised restoration and strength.  He told the prophets, "They will be like mighty warriors in battle, trampling their enemies in the mud under their feet.  Since the LORD is with them as they fight, they will overthrow even the horsemen of the enemy." (Zech. 10:5 NLT)

God is referring to the Messiah coming "to look after his flock" and "make them mighty in battle".  And when Jesus came, many were looking for Him to overthrow the Roman government.  However, He didn't do that.  He came preaching a message of love and peace, not one of political revolution.  This begs the question, "What was God talking about?"

When Jesus went around Israel teaching and preaching, He didn't talk about winning battles against the "powers that be" or evil nations.  He didn't talk about winning battles against enemies or troublesome neighbors or people with different views; He talked about winning battles of the heart.  To choose love instead of hate, peace instead of strife, true worship instead religious piety, generosity instead of greed, trust in God instead of worry, rest instead of weariness.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  He was ready to extend mercy, compassion, healing, forgiveness, and redemption.  He was looking for fellowship..."Love the Lord your God...Remain in My love."  He wasn't looking to lead anyone into battle against the government or religious leaders or whoever had wronged them.  He was leading them into a new way of life; abundant love and joy, perpetual peace and blessings.  He was leading them to overcome their greatest enemies: their inner demons of fear, hopelessness, pride, and unbelief.

Rest comes through surrender and trust.  It comes through a belief in His love; It comes through obedience; It comes with humility; It comes by hanging back.  Hanging out with Jesus.  Resting in His Presence. Abiding in His love.

Mighty warriors at rest?  Love trampling enemies?  Surrender overthrowing kingdoms?  

Sharp foolishness; But it's true.

Are you at rest?  It's possible to be busy and still at rest.  It's possible to be lazy and not at rest.  Jesus isn't talking about our activity-level, our schedule, or our calendar; He's talking about the heart.  Are you at peace?  Are you weary and burdened, or alive and free?  Is your heart filled with love and forgiveness, or anger and pride?  Is your life cluttered with a lot of meaningless, unsatisfying struggle, or rich with restful fullness?  Are you living the kind of life Jesus taught His disciples to live and enjoying it? 

The invitation is simple.  The promise of rest is real.  The choice is yours.  You can win the battles that plague you: "...not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6 NLT)

Let go...and let God.

Overcoming Evil With Good

God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well...

This morning I woke up with a depressed feeling.  As I remembered the horrific tragedy of those who lost their lives in a Connecticut elementary school, my heart was broken and angry.  The unspeakable evil that invaded a classroom of children is something I don't want to believe actually happened.  But sadly, it did, and this isn't the first time human beings have terrorized others, and it won't be the last.  I didn't want to get out of bed.  'What's the point of going on in this evil world?' I thought.  I'm so sick of evil, tragedy, and seeing others having to endure such horror and pain.

But as I was lying there, I began to think about what I had to do today.  What did I have to get up for?  Yes, this world is plagued by evil every day, but there is also a lot of goodness: many blessings in my life to live for, many ways to bless others and bring goodness to their hearts and lives.

In the Bible, Paul tells us the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  God has given us His Spirit to possess these qualities of the heart that bring a lot of goodness to this world.  Against such things there is no law, he says.  This fruit of the heart not only exists, but it can abound in us.

I thought about what I had to do today: care for my children and have a lazy Saturday with them--they need that. I needed it, and the opportunity was before me.  I also had some "work" to do.  I have a new book coming out I needed to print.  This is not really work for me.  It's a joy--an opportunity to use the gifts God has given me to teach, encourage, and inspire others.  I needed to add the new book to my website for those who are waiting for its release, and I needed to make copies for those I gift books to this time of year.

And I had a blog to write to remind myself of the good God has given me to do and to remind you of the good you can do for the children and adults you care for, help, teach, comfort, and bring happiness.  Paul tells us to not grow weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up...as we have opportunity let us do good to all people. (Gal. 6:9-10)

In his letter to the Roman Christians, people who were no strangers to the evil of their generation, he said, God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.  So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you.  If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well.  If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching.  If your gift is to encourage others, do it!  If you have money, share it generously.  If God has given you leadership ability, take it seriously.  And if you have a gift of sharing kindness to others, do it gladly.  Don't just pretend you love others.  Really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Stand on the side of good.  Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.  Be glad for all God is planning for you.  Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful.  When God's children are in need, be the one to help them out. (Rom. 12: 6-13 NLT)

So I got up today, and I was a mom.  I also printed and bound books for those I know will be blessed by the story and message of hope, seeking God's best, living in His presence, receiving His love, and living in a way that will bring blessings to their lives.  I prayed for those who are hurting today.  I thanked those who had blessed me in a specific way.  I let a gentleman go ahead of me in line at the grocery store because he seemed to be in a hurry.

I cannot do anything to change the events of yesterday, nor the evils that will likely take place tomorrow, but I did the good I can do today.  I pray you will do the same however you have the opportunity to do so.  In your home, community, church, local school, and however far your world goes.  God has given you His Spirit for that purpose.  Those who died in that school did not live in vain.  Those children brought a lot of goodness to this world during their short time here: to their families, teachers, and classmates.  The teachers and other school workers were doing what they had been called to do in making a difference in the lives of children and in many other ways we may never hear about.  We can honor their memory by doing the same.  We can live today and bring goodness to those around us.  And we can do it well.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
 (Romans 12:21)

God's Dream For You

"Cheer up, Zion! For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you."  Zephaniah 3:16


God is a dreamer.  He has BIG plans and BIG dreams.  He doesn't give up easily, and He never gives up for good.  I wouldn't say that all of His dreams come true, but that doesn't stop Him from dreaming them.  And He's not afraid to share His dreams.  

I've been reading things in the Old Testament lately, specifically during the time prior to the people of Judah being exiled to Babylon and returning to Israel seventy years later.  God delivers two types of prophecy through His messengers.  First He lays out the dream: The way He wants things to be.  The way it could be if everyone listens to His instructions and is obedient to His ways.  Many of these passages are familiar to us in a "heavenly future" sense.  Like God is talking about something that isn't possible on this earth but will magically happen in His "heavenly" Kingdom.  Things to give us hope for after this life is over, but not something to expect before then.

The other type of prophecy falls into the category of what happens because no one listens.  Warnings about what's coming if the disobedience continues.  And it's horrible stuff.  Things that certainly should give the people the incentive to change their ways, but for the most part, they don't.  But even these "doomsday" prophecies aren't the final word.  God doesn't end the story there.  He says, 'Yes, these horrible things will happen, but "The LORD Almighty has not forsaken Israel and Judah.  He is still their God, even though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel." (Jer. 51:5)  "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel.  Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!  For the LORD will remove his hand of judgement and will disperse the armies of your enemy.  And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!  At last your troubles will be over, and you will fear disaster no more." (Zeph. 3:14-15)

We see these things happening later too.  Not in an "afterlife" way, but in an earthly kingdom way.  God speaks to the kings of Persia after they conquer the Babylonians, and the Persian kings set God's people free to go back to their homeland.  In fact, they give the freed exiles everything they need to return and rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem!  The new generations return and rebuild the Temple and enjoy a time of peace in their land as some of their ancestors who followed God.

The best way to describe the way God functions during this time is this: "Let's try this again.  Same rules as before.  Same promises as before.  Same warnings as before.  Same choice as before: Listen and live; Don't listen and...But I really want you to listen!"

I was thinking today about what happens when Jesus comes on the scene.  The last report we have about the people of Israel is they have rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem to protect the city and the rebuilt Temple, and the people are living in obedience to God.  400 years pass before Jesus is born in Bethlehem.  Israel is now under the rule of the Romans and the Jews are facing oppression.  The current king of Israel is not a God-fearing man, the religious leaders are corrupt and placing heavy burdens on the people, the poor and needy are "like sheep without a shepherd".  (Mark 6:34)

From God's promise of prosperity and peace for the ones who obey, we know this generation was falling short.  They were on a dangerous course leading to eventual destruction and exile, but before that can happen, God intervenes, not only with a promise of salvation if they turn things around, but a means of salvation even if they don't.  This is new.  This is God saying, "Let's not go through all that again.  I know where this is headed, and I'm going to step in.  This Temple and this city are going to fall again, but before that happens, I'm going to give the people a new way to return to the Promised Land and remain forever secure.  Not with their righteousness, but with Mine.  With My love, My mercy, and My grace, I will rescue them.

Jesus comes to share the good news. "Change your thinking!  God's got a new plan.  A new dream.  A new covenant!  You are headed in the wrong direction, but still, the Kingdom is near.  In fact, it's here among you.  Cheer up, Zion!  Don't be afraid!  For the LORD your God has arrived to live among you.  He is a mighty savior.  He will rejoice over you with great gladness.  With his love, he will calm all your fears.  He will exult over you by singing a happy song." (Zeph. 3:16-17)

The gospels tell us that Jesus proclaimed the good news to all the towns and villages in Israel, from Jerusalem to Galilee to his hometown of Nazareth.  He raised up disciples to travel with him and sent them out to share the message too.  He backed up His credibility by healing the sick and driving out demons.  He told stories of hope and shared His dream of this new Kingdom.  God's Kingdom.  A place of prosperity and rest and love and peace.  A perpetual life-altering, heart-altering Kingdom.  

Forty years later, Jerusalem and the Temple fall once again.  The Jewish Nation at large: the kings, priests, and many of the people were living in rebellion to God, and they were driven away from their land into exile just like their ancestors.  Since that time, 2000 years later, the Temple has never been rebuilt.  But it doesn't need to be.  God's dream went beyond a Promised Land and a Temple City.  It went beyond a place where people could worship Him, be in His Presence, and live in peace and prosperity.  A country is no longer necessary.  A building is irrelevant.  A Holy City is no longer a physical earthly location on a map.  

It's a heart-thing now.  It's wherever you are.  The prophecy given in Zephaniah has taken on new meaning.  God dreamed a bigger dream, and it comes true for those who cheer up, fear no more, and rest secure in His love.  Not "someday" but today.

Are you living the dream?


"I have set the LORD always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices...you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:8, 9, 11; NIV)

Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.