White Knuckles

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As I was getting ready for work this morning a not-so-fun fleeting thought raced through my mind. I was a bit tired since I had been up since 5am with my bright sunshine of an 9 month old. It always seems like these not-so-fun thoughts come around when I am most vulnerable.

So, my mind wandered to the thoughts about getting through my husband’s deployment and how September was a long way away. The thought then raced through my mind that I just wouldn’t have a break from caring for my child until then. Would I grow weary? Would I be able to make it? I tried to catch my breath as a knot balled up in my stomach. The Lord then put a new thought into my head.

I was clinging hard to my Jesus’ hand. I was holding so tight that my knuckles turned white. As I was holding His big, mighty hand, things seemed not so bad! What is it about this Jesus that I must cling so tightly to?

He is but a MIGHTY WARRIOR who will fight all of my battles for me and victoriously no less!
Revelation paints a picture of the End Times, but I think this image of Christ suits us just great as we visualized grasping tight to this mighty warrior, Jesus.

Revelation 19:11-16 (The Message)
Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

Check that out: Faithful and True. Jesus is faithful to those who grasp His hand with all their might and His Truth of His Word will guide you along the straight path. This King of Kings is Sovereign-STRONG.

As I meditated on this image, my heart stopped palpitating. I realized that the very strength embodied by my Savior is in me, too.

Colossians 1:11-12
11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[a] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

So, here I am, hours after that not-so-fun thought and my heart just beats with joy and thanksgiving that this MIGHTY WARRIOR is also my Loving Savior who lets me hold His hand as tight as I need to. I am allowed these crazy, not-cool thoughts every now and then. But, I must grip even harder and come to reality that I have His glorious power and strength on my side.

LIVE IT OUT! application:
Is there an area where you need reassurance and strength. Hold on tight, as tight as you can until you have those glorious white knuckles. He will be your Mighty Warrior too!

Numbers 19-20, Don’t Miss Out

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Chapter 20 of Numbers is a hard passage to swallow with regards to Moses. Take a look at what God directed him to do and what he actually did.

Verse 8
8 “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

Verse 11
11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

Read very carefully at the slight discrepancy of Moses actions. He struck the rock instead of speaking to it to bring water. Kind of a small detail. That is why this chapter is so hard to comprehend.

Here is what the Lord had to say about it:
Verse 12
But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

Moses disobeyed God and lost His chance to see that very Promise Land that he was leading his people into. What is that all about?!!

This relates to us in a very real way. Hear me say this first, once you are saved and know Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can NEVER lose your salvation. Moses, with out a doubt went to heaven when he died. No question about that. But, when we do not follow God’s direction, we can most definitely miss out on our earthly promise land. This earthly promise land is a life of abundance in God. Just like John 10:10 says that Jesus brings us life to the full, our abundant life in Christ is full AND fulfilling. We can miss out on that if we go our own way. If we strike the rock rather than talk to it as God directed, we separate ourself from God and miss out on the abundance and joy filled life He gives us.

So, here’s the solution. Pay close attention to the LORD’s guidance by staying plugged into the Holy Spirit. This Counselor will lead you down the correct road and right into the abundant life with Christ. Follow what the Bible says about how we should order our life. It is Truth, treat it as such! Finally, pray that you will have discernment when you are tempted to strike that rock. Don’t miss out on the glory of the Lord while you are on this earth. Though it will pale in comparison to our eternal Promise Land, the earthly promise land with Christ is filled with joy, love, peace and abundance as you live in relationship with God here on this earth.

Numbers 12-15, Don’t be a Downer

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Please take a look at Numbers chapter 13 and 14-the story about Caleb and Joshua. I just love those two guys! Out of that generation of Israelites, Caleb and Joshua were the only ones to see the Promise Land. These two chapters tell us exactly why-they BELIEVED GOD!

So, twelve spies were sent into the land of Cannan to check it out and report back. When they came to Moses with their report-boy were they Debbie Downers! All they could talk about was how scary the people were and how there was no way to conquer it. Did they forget that the had the Almighty leading them into their promised land?

Caleb and Joshua sure didn’t forget:
Numbers 14:7-9
7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

These two gentlemen looked at the glass half full. They mentioned that the land was exceeding good-isn’t that where the LORD always brings us when we follow Him?? Check out what they said in verse 9-BUT the LORD IS WITH US! These two were not very popular, in fact the Israelites picked up stones to kill them.

I see a parallel with this story and our tough times today. These rough economic times can be as scary to us as the giants in the land of Cannan were to the spies. We can doubt the Lord and forget who is our protector.

Let us not be like the spies!!! Let us be Calebs and Joshuas to the world around us. When we follow Christ and obey Him, He leads us into a land that is good. Yes, we might have to go through a battle to get there. But, do not fear, the Lord is on your side.

You might not be popular with those around you when you take this stance. Although, they probably won’t pick up stones…hopefully! But, be that light to your world around you. Proclaim the Lord’s goodness and protection. Have faith that the LORD is good and will bring His people into their promise land His way and in His timing.