Unveiling Hope

Two Types of Fear

The children of Israel were at the Red Sea. The chariots of Egypt approached. The thundering of hooves reverberated in the distance. They were very afraid. That is one kind of fear. That’s the kind of fear that makes one second guess a decision.

The Israelites had been freed from bondage. All their previous cries to the Lord for their emancipation had been heard. In Exodus 14:11-12 the Israelites tore a strip off of Moses! What have you done to us!? Why didn’t you just leave well enough alone!? There were no “ifs,” “ands,” or “buts.” It was his fault, and it was His fault. The bondage of Egypt now seemed familiar and comfortable. Now they were under attack. They had bitten the hand that fed them. They were afraid, very afraid.

But, there are two kinds of fear. The bible says, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” Psalm 111:10. This is a good fear to have; it’s a reverent fear. Having seen all the signs and wonders made no more impact on the Israelites than it had on Pharaoh, or his people.

To fear God is to acknowledge His omnipotence – that leads to trust. Trusting God ... there is no greater wisdom than this ... whether it’s familiar, comfortable, or otherwise.

“Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today,” Exodus 14:13.

What!?

Yesterday’s post was a story about Pharaoh and his need for control, a need that adversely affected not just himself, but all his countrymen. Following the same story in Exodus (Chapter 8), we continue.

At Pharaoh’s request, Moses agreed to pray to the Lord that He would remove the plague of frogs. In verse 9, Moses asked Pharaoh to say when.

Some might say that Pharaoh humbled himself by asking Moses to plead with God on his behalf. Some would be wrong.

Pharaoh answered with one word ... “tomorrow.” What!? What was he thinking? He’s humbled himself to ask for assistance; the frogs were swarming the land and he says tomorrow!? True humility doesn’t need to control circumstances. He was willing to maintain status quo just to make it appear that he was pulling all the strings. He just didn’t get it. What do you think those enchanters standing around thought when they heard that? I’m convinced there wasn’t one among them that thought, “Pharaoh! You da man!” They were likely scratching their heads as the stood knee deep in amphibians.

The problem lies herein: the plague of frogs – that was just the second plague – there were eight more to come. The lesson keeps being taught until it’s learned. There’s always something waiting around the corner when we fly the flag of pride.

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands,” Deut. 8:2.

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

During my BC years little of what I did made much sense. For example, I remember a time when someone made a statement that I had appeared to have gained some weight. I was hurt and insulted. Aside from those feelings, I felt out of control. So, I stopped eating. When the weight wasn’t dropping quickly enough I became depressed and I binged. Then I was angry with myself and I starved myself again. As out of control as my behaviour was, I felt as if I was in control. My conduct, as far as I was concerned, was a statement of its own, “Anything you can do, I can do better.”

I was reading the book of Exodus yesterday. In chapter eight, God told Moses to tell Pharaoh that He was going to bring a plague of frogs upon the land. Aaron obediently raised the staff and the rest is history. The plague ensued. It’s what followed next that’s absurd – about as absurd as how I behaved when I felt out of control.

Exodus 8:7 reads, “and the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.” The land was already overrun with frogs. In his pride, Pharaoh’s response was effectively, “anything you can do, I can do better.”

He caused greater harm to himself and his nation by trying to maintain the appearance of control. He was a salve to his pride and it backfired.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom,” Prov. 11:2.

We Are Soldiers

I once heard a very wise man say, “If you think you’re a leader, look behind you – if no one is following you – you’re not a leader.” I think that great leaders become great leaders because they followed someone great. They stood behind them, shielded by the leader’s willingness to take that first step, to take a risk, to finish the job.

Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore gave his troops a final word of encouragement the day before they deployed to fight the Battle of la Drang. Moore was portrayed by Mel Gibson in a 2002 movie called “We Were Soldiers.” While facing the realities that some would die, Moore cemented his leadership by making good on a promise he made. “I can’t promise you that I will bring you all home alive, but this I swear: When we go into battle, I will be the first one to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off. And I will leave no one behind. Dead, or alive, we all come home together. So help me God.”

They didn’t know what was in store for them. Three hundred and ninety-five men were dropped in the valley of la Drang to face an army of four thousand, well equipped men, on their home turf. They had barely landed when they came under fire. Each of them terrified, looked to Moore for strength. He stood in the gap between duty and fear. They stood on his promise. His strength and resolve became their strength and resolve.

God has made us promises we can stand on. He goes before us and He is our rear guard. He is our fortress and our Mighty Tower of Strength in times of need. We follow His Son and fight the good fight because we believe His promise that the battle is won. We follow Him because we are soldiers.

“I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron,” Isaiah 45:2 .

Feeling Sluggish?

I was sitting on the back stoop with my dog yesterday when suddenly I saw a pill bug, (where I come from we call them slugs), making his way across the patio. My dog Buddy doesn’t much care for bugs and critters on his turf so he followed the slug around for a minute or so, just watching.

Suddenly Buddy decided to dive his snout in for a closer inspection. He snorted at the slug who immediately rolled up into a ball. He must have sensed danger looming. As long as Buddy stood over him, breathing doggie breath on him, he did not move. Seconds later, Buddy backed off a bit and laid down on the patio. After a decent amount of time, Mr. Slug decided to motor on his merry way but there was a little problem, when he unrolled himself he ended up on his back. Frantically, he began struggling to flip himself over to no avail. Buddy noticed but hey, this was a slug not a cat – why waste the effort. The slug didn’t get that memo.

Mr. Slug must have worn those little legs out trying to roll over and then, after a couple of minutes, he stopped. He just stretched out on his back and rested. I’m sure he rested an amount of time equal to that of his struggle. Then finally, he flipped himself over and went on his merry little way.

It occurred to me, how often – when I face a giant, when I face danger, when I face pressure – I curl up into a ball? How much time do I spend on my back, frenetically tried to get on my feet on my own steam? It’s not as if I don’t know any better. How many times has God looked down from Heaven, smiled at Jesus, and said, “She’s doing it again.” How he longs to step in and help except I’m too busy flailing about. But when I’m spent, when I have no fight left in me, I lay there. It is through my natural need for rest that I realize had I just rested supernaturally in the first place, I wouldn’t have wasted so much energy.

Have you been feeling a little sluggish lately?

“So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10.

Guilt, Fear and Promises

My grandmother was a wonderful, God fearing woman. I lived with her for some time. She was the only person in my life who told me that she loved me and nothing would ever change that. When my parents weren’t around she would take me to church – something they would have never approved of. She had significant influence over my life and my beliefs.

Every morning, Grandma would make herself a cup of tea and place two sugar covered mint leaves on the saucer beneath her cup. She had a tiny silver spoon that jingled as she stirred the milk into her tea. She’d take a sip and give me one of the mint leaves. I loved that spoon. The only time she used it was in the morning when she sat with me. It was shiny and special. One morning I pilfered it and hid it inside a napkin and placed it under my pillow.

That night, Grandma was getting ready to tuck me in. I had been feeling guilty all day. I loved her so much but I really wanted that spoon – something to remind me of her when she wasn’t with me – it was like a little piece of her. I knew she was upstairs waiting to tuck me in and my fear that she had found the spoon under my pillow made me queasy. I didn’t want to disappoint the only person I was sure loved me. Gran sat on the side of my bed and pulled the covers back while I got in. She gave me a kiss on the forehead and began walking away. I couldn’t let her walk away but I was afraid to face her. “Grandma,” I called out as I took the spoon from under my pillow, “remember you said you’d always love me, no matter what? I took your spoon.” I stood on the promise she had made to love me no matter what and faced my fear because of my guilt.

Jacob had a similar experience. He had stolen his brother’s blessing, but Jacob didn’t hang around to face the music - he high-tailed it out of town. Years later he heard that Esau and his posse of 400 were on their way towards Jacob and his family. Guilt and fear abounded. Jacob sent his men ahead with a peace offering but the fear didn’t subside - the fear for himself and his family. So what did he do? He did what he knew best to do – he prayed. He prayed to God. He wrestled with Him until he was blessed and he stood on the promises God had made him. He walked behind God to meet his brother and was met with an embrace.

Not everyone we’ve hurt will embrace us when our paths cross; reconciliation does not always bring about restoration, but one thing is sure, if we ask Him, God will go before us. We can always stand on the promises of God.

Staying Inside the Lines

My friend Evelyn and I walk as often as the weather permits. I’ve come to learn much about her just by the way she walks. When approaching a pedestrian crossing, Evelyn always walks between the lines. I can feel her body edging me over in order to get between them; she is completely oblivious to the fact that she does it. Yesterday however I teased her about it. “I bet you never went outside the lines in your colouring book when you were little.”

I’m more adventurous during our walks, walking willy nilly all over the place. But ... when I was a child unless I was assured that no one would colour outside the lines, no one but me could colour in my precious books. And there was no colouring anyone’s hair blue or purple. Everything had to perfect.

After our walk I sat at home and thought about my childish ways. I began to wonder what God thinks when He flips through the colouring book that is my life. What does He think when He sees me stepping over the lines? What does He think when He sees that I’ve coloured someone inappropriately, or when I’ve skipped over pages that don’t appeal to me?

If you know Him, really know Him, you’re as certain as I am that when we go out of the lines on one page - on the next His hand will gently guide ours. He often addresses our behavioural issues by placing off-coloured people in our lives that mirror how we conduct ourselves from time to time. When we try to jump ahead to the next page of our lives, He smiles and brings us back until the previous page is finished.

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me,” 1 Cor. 13:11.

Truth and Nothing But

I've missed a few posting opportunities due to illness. I'm still a tad under the weather. This was originally posted last June. Life is like a circle and sometimes you catch yourself chasing your tail. I've been chasing mine. Hope you enjoy the repeat! I should be back in full swing tomorrow!

Have you ever heard the expression, “Watch what you ask for – you just might get it?” I have and I do – all the time. I’m very careful about what I ask God for. There have been times, in the past where I’ve had to backtrack and make my request very specific because I realize after having asked that I may have just asked something that I might regret without being specific. I’ve found a way to ensure I’m not found stuck in precarious positions with my friends. I tell the truth. When my friends approach me and say, “Can I ask you something?” or “Can I ask your opinion?” My answer is always the same, “Only if I can be honest.” Oh, of course – they all say yes. A friend of mine used to ask me to review his letters before he sent them, then he’d get upset when I’d actually point out errors. I had to start refusing to help him because I’d end up having to listen to his snide comments all day. Listen, I know – grace before truth. But sometimes, all the grace in the world can’t make the ugly truth look any prettier. The fact of the matter is that most people CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH! Last week, I was part of a discussion group. We ended the group with a suggested “reflection of the week”. The assignment, if you will, was to ask God to reveal the root of any pride in our lives and allow Him to deal with the issue. While driving home I could hear a gentler version of Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson brewing around in my head. “Please, Lord, tell me the truth.” He would answer, “Are you sure you want me to do this?” I’d reply, “Of course, Lord. By the way, why are you and Jesus laughing so hard?” and He’d reply, “We don’t think you can handle the truth.” Okay, so it wasn’t that dramatic. You know how I love to exaggerate! He’s been exposing the hidden pride in my life over the last week. It’s not always been very flattering, but to be honest, at the end of the day, I’m glad He loves me enough to show me the truth. I so very much want to be like His Son that I must know the truth and I must know it always. I need to grow and nothing, (except mushrooms and evil), grows in the dark. Truth is exposed in the Light and no matter how many times I have to give my head a shake. I want to walk in Truth. So, go ahead, Lord – I can handle it – because I know how gentle you’ll be and I know how much I’ll grow into who you created me to be! I just can’t wait to see what we’ll have to work on this week, (yes there is some sarcasm in there).

Tainted Love

Once I ran to you, now I’ll run from you, this tainted love you’ve given ... I love you though you hurt me so ...

I heard someone say the other day, “love is a verb not an adjective.” I submit that initially it depends on how we received love. If we learned about love as an adjective it’s difficult to know how to love in any other way. Difficult yes – impossible no.

Once we understand the truth about love we are faced with a decision; to love or not to love, that is the question. It’s not easy. It’s not easy loving the unlovable. And while no one is literally unlovable some people seem to make it their mission to be just that.

Having been loved by tainted love does not preclude one’s ability to seek the truth and then walk it out. Have you been loved by tainted love? There is an upside if you’re looking for it. Have been loved by tainted love gives one the insight to recognize others that have been loved the same way. It gives us the right to speak into their lives with authority and compassion.

Paul had a lot to say about love; all of it required vigilant contemplation and accomplishment. We love because we were loved first. Is there effort required? You better believe it, especially if it doesn’t come naturally. But what did Jesus say about love? “My command is this: love each other as I have loved you,” John 15:12.

When God Gave the Nod

Timing is everything. Batters don’t bunt on a whim. Catchers don’t signal a curve ball on impulse, and runners don’t steal home plate capriciously. Everyone waits for the nod. The important thing to understand is who is responsible for giving the nod. If the pitcher looks to the outfielder to give the nod for the knuckle ball he’ll be standing on the unemployment line before you can say Rocket Roger Clemens.

Just about everyone knows the story about Noah and the Ark. If you ask someone how long Noah, his family and his friends, were in the ark many people will respond saying forty days and forty nights. Well, that just ain’t so.

In fact, the occupants of the ark remained inside for about 370 days, (following a lunar calendar). Genesis 8 tells us that at month 10, the tips of the mountains were visible as the waters began to recede. The dove flew away, came back, and flew away again. On the first day of the first month the waters were dried up from the earth and Noah removed the covering of the ark.

I imagine everyone including the animals were pretty anxious to disembark. Even a family that enjoys their time together needs a time apart every once in a while. As for me – I would have lead the stampede towards the poop deck the minute the roof came off. But Noah? No sirree, Bob. Noah stayed put. Noah’s family stayed put. And Noah’s guests stayed put – for 8 more weeks!

No one left the ark until Noah got the Nod from God. When they finally did disembark they did so in an orderly fashion. So, what was the result? God blessed Noah and his sons,” Gen. 9:1.

You see Noah could have easily let everyone get out as soon as he noticed dry land around him. It’s what I would have likely done. It seems obvious. Why would God care? He saved me from the flood. He obviously doesn’t want me to stay in here for the rest of my life otherwise He wouldn’t have bothered to dry the ground. God might actually begin to think I’m stupid if I don’t leave the ark - and if He doesn’t - there’s about a thousand other living creatures – including my kids – who already think I’m crazy!

But Noah waited. It all made sense to him. God’s perfect timing told him when to start construction on the ark. God’s perfect timing told him when to embark and Noah had remained obedient to the very end. He wasn’t about to make a move without being absolutely sure it was part of God’s plan and he was simply THAT confident that it was part of His plan in His perfect timing. So, he waited. That perfect timing came when God gave the nod.

Have you been trying to steal home without the nod?