"David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, 'Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.'"
God is with us. When God called Beth and me to Wesley Biblical Seminary, He called us away from everything we knew and loved. The call was to leave everything and follow Jesus. The call was to the unknown. "Go where I send you." The old spiritual provides the direction, "Children, go where I send thee," and then asks, "How shall I send thee?"
How, indeed? God is with us. He sends us. Yet, He accompanies us. He is with us each step of the way.
God is our Victor. The battles of conquest are often fierce. But He is our Victor, our Champion, and He brings the angel armies with Him to the fight. In obeying God to come to Wesley Biblical Seminary, we were faced with the greatest challenge of our lives. Yet, God has worked the greatest miracles of our lives. Financial provision, enrollment, friends, healthy governance, debt resolution, real estate sales, and relocation. These miracles have been brought about by faith, industry, relationships, and utter dependence upon God.
God is our rest. He subdues an out of control, violent land. Unrest surges before us like the waves of the sea. He subdues the turmoil, the chaos, and brings peace. But we have to maintain our trust, commitment, and poise amidst the chaos and uncertainty. We must depend upon Him.
Seek the Lord. Seeking the Lord is a matter of the heart. David told Solomon to "Set your heart." Chaos demands that we turn our face from the surging conflict that seems to flood us, and move our attention, focus, and person into God's Presence. The unremitting waves of conflict dictate dependency upon divine intervention. David recognized that God had subdued the land from all of the warfare, bloodshed, and unrest that had defined his kingdom.
The chaos and conflict of battle have a way of focusing one's attention. But when there is peace in a subdued land, distractions abound. Resolve must be maintained. Intention. Purpose. Laser-like focus.
Advance. The task before Solomon would be the temple--a house of worship--a dwelling place for God.
Advance. The task before Solomon would be the temple--a house of worship--a dwelling place for God.
What is the task God has put in front of you? This is not the season of ease. This is the season to possess and build. This is the season for which you fought the battles. You are victor through our Lord who has fought for you. Fulfill the purpose for which He has brought you to this moment. You have won the war, now win the peace. Advance.
Thank you, Dr. Neihof. It was a pleasure to meet you at the Cursillo Candlelight service Saturday night. I will tell Rick Boyd that I met you when next I see him in church. Thank you for posting these blogs/devotionals.
ReplyDeleteI am considering going back to school. For this old man this would not be easy. I feel as though my mind is more like a sieve than a steel trap. I have been a United Methodist minister for over 17 years and went through the Course of Study. I only have an Associates Degree and therefore would not qualify to seek the MDiv degree without much more schooling. The cost, time, and the fact that I have a chronically ill wife have kept me from even considering more school until now. Please pray for me that the Lord will make His desire clear to me. Thanks and blessings,
Glenn Hoskins
Pastor
Drakes United Methodist Church
Flowood