March 27: Judges 1-3, 1 Corinthians 12
March 28: Judges 4-5, Psalms 39 and 41, 1 Corinthians 13
IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU
Joshua 23:15 ...
"But in the same way that every good thing that the Lord your God promised about you has been fulfilled, so the Lord could bring against you every bad thing as well. He could wipe you out from this fertile land that the Lord your God has given you."
Read: I brought you into this world and I can take you out. That's what I heard when I read this verse the first time through. These early days of the Israelites were filled with constant reminders to reflect on all they've experienced. The point is NOT to then conclude that they (or we) are all that. The point is to learn of God's character, to gain deeper confidence in God as a promise-keeper, to bank on the next promise though it may require some crazy trust from them (us).
Isn't it just like us to experience a little success, get the big head about how it all came about, and forget just who the opportunity, the wisdom, the strength, the courage, and the victory all came from? God knew His people would make that turn and Joshua's words were supposed to serve as a warning. Funny how that warning can't be heeded if the person(s) won't listen. Like running the hair dryer while you're enjoying that nice hot bath, we often think little and remember even less.
I believe that this short verse tucked into Joshua's strong call to remembrance is a warning against our sense of entitlement and arrogance. And, both of those rear their ugly heads in our relationship with God. God's lovingkindness extended again and again becomes an expected commodity in our lives as we grow to believe we deserve ... whatever. It's really not about you (except that God loves you enough to send Jesus for you and to you, over and over again). The way we hang on to that immeasurable gift of love, though, is stop thinking about how good we are or are not. You're not. I'm not. It's not about you or me. It's about God.
FOLLOW THE LEADER
Judges 2:16, 19
"Then the Lord raised up leaders to rescue them from the power of these raiders ... But then when the leader died, they would once again act in ways that weren't as good as their ancestors', going after other gods, to serve them and to worship them. They wouldn't drop their bad practices or hardheaded ways."
Sad, but true. As long as the teacher/leader/project manager/parent, etc. is in front of us, we believe we're enough on our own; but, as soon as they exit, we're in a turmoil. Before we "tsk tsk" at our early brothers and sisters, let's remember in our own lives how crunch time has come and we panicked at least on the inside, often defaulting to what comes easily and what's lived out in front of us. Examples: we want to allow the Spirit to tame our tongue, but when the gossip gets juicy, I jump in without thinking, even if it's just to listen. Though I know that one more cookie is not good for my waistline or my blood pressure, "just this once"...
We need companions in this life. Of all creation, God only says it's NOT good once ... when Adam was alone. We need each other. You can be strong when I'm not feeling it; I can remind you of who and Whose you are when you've lost your way, and we can be that example for one another that jogs our memory and our commitment.
This independent, selfish culture that's got it's hooks in us would tell us that we should be able to figure life out on our own, that we deserve the opportunity to make our own way. Phooey. I tend to side with Admiral Richard Byrd who said that "we must learn from the mistakes of others; none of us have enough time to make them all on our own." (Soapbox Alert ... Parents who want their children to make up their own minds about religion or whatever else drive me crazy. For fear of unduly influencing your children, you forget that: 1. they will make up their own mind one day with or without your help, 2. God has entrusted them to you and is waiting for you to give them a headstart by standing for something, and 3. the world and someone in their lives will step in to teach them where you won't step up.)
Truth in a nutshell, in my humble opinion, is that effective leadership is rooted in committed follower-ship. More specifically, how in the world will I be able to lead anyone else, if I have no real clue how to be led? And, how will I learn better how to be led unless I give myself to One who will lead me will without leading my astray?
Friend, choose carefully the One whom you will follow.
YOU GO, GIRL!
Judges 4:9 ...
"Deborah answered, 'I'll definitely go with you. However, the path you're taking won't bring honor to you, because the Lord will hand over Sisera to a woman.' Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh."
Quick recap. God gave clear commands and promises to everyone, especially leadership. God expected that the Israelites would follow those commands and trust those promises to the letter. Barak had received a command from God concerning standing against Jabin's army and Barak was too chicken to go without Deborah. The verse above is her answer to Barak.
Quick spoiler. Barak does what God told him to do with his friend, Deborah, marching into battle with him and he's not worried about who gets the honor or the credit. But, it's not the one you think! It's not Deborah, but another strong woman who decides to act instead of waiting for someone to do it for her, or for God's people.
Though I'm female clergy and our ranks are small in numbers compared to our brothers, this is not work built on or for comparisons. I'm not a banner-waver or a drum-beater because to swing the pendulum of thought or action too far in 'the other direction' isn't helpful either. Suffice it to say: God loves us all, has empowered and gifted us all equally yet differently, and God longs for each of us to step up and out in faith to be used for God's glory and for the healing of the world. You get the picture.
Judges sets the stage for that very picture of a God who commands and calls, who gives Himself away and trusts in the abilities assigned to each of us to make us that same kind of living example. Think back in your reading (or go back and read it for yourself). In 5 short chapters ...
- Achsah (Caleb's daughter), who was to be property, basically, given by her dad to the warrior-victor who captured a specific town turns the tables and becomes, with her father, the arbiter of property lines to ensure the health and success of her 'new family'
- Deborah becomes a trusted and wise judge/prophet for the Israelites ... at the same time she is the wife of another trusted leader of the Israelites. Maybe the first dual-income household, by God's ordination ... they figured out how to share work and ministry. AND, she marched in battle with Barak. Hmmm.
- Jael remembered when other Israelites had forgotten ... she knew her God, she trusted His commands and his promises. And, she became a warrior in her own home, not hesitating to do what God commanded though she must have been surprised, too, that stopping Sisera became her work when Barak was too chicken. Not your average Suzy Homemaker.
So, you go girl. You go, fella. Not on your own or for yourself. Go with God!
Lord Jesus, your Word is absolute wisdom and hope, encouragement and challenge. I am filled with gratitude for the boldness of Achsah, the strength of Deborah (especially in how she gave herself away in so many ways), and the deep, simple trust Jael shows for you. Help me be like them. Not for my own sake, but the sake of being your follower first so that others might be encouraged, too. That's the only way that I can ever make a difference in my own family, my own community, my own church/Your Church, this ol' world. Have your way in me, God, and I trust you enough to follow that way ... if you'll help me. I love you, Lord. Let it be.
This redirected by efforts about a very personal matter that is too personal to post. Thank you Pastor Sandra. You always lift up instead of tear down.
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