1Chr. 4:9 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
1Chr. 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
For the next 2 days we are going to look at genealogy prayers. I call them that because, frankly, most people just aren’t into genealogies. When I spent time at JAARS we would show a video each week about a Bible translator to a tribe in the Philippines and how God worked to bring the people of the tribe that she worked in to Himself. She explains that her tribal “father” had been looking through her little New Testament that she had in her hut. He had started thumbing through it and came to Matthew 1. He was surprised to find a genealogy there. Her initial reaction to his finding was to tell him “yeah skip over that and get to the good part!” But for him the genealogy (for which their culture has 3 words) was a good part, a sign that what he was reading was real...that it was truth and not made up.
I can’t say that I get too very excited over genealogies. Reading lists of “the son of...” and “he begat” the rhythmic droning of the data streaming by my eyes ... it is as likely to put me to sleep as anything. However, I have found them worth reading. Often name after name bounces off my brain and I find little meaning, but occasionally I make a connection I never understood before. But, there is another reason. Every once in a while God slips a little narrative into the droning name. He places a gem that can be mined to the one diligent enough to look. That is how we find Jubal, Enoch and here, Jabez.
Jabez is now well known. Back in 2000 a book by Bruce Wilkinson based on this prayer hit the presses and sold huge numbers. Of course, not having read the book, I risk perhaps being repetitive and boring you. On the other hand I may also risk the negative reaction some people have had to statements or perceived statements made by Mr Wilkinson about this prayer.
Still this is a notable prayer in the Bible and it is one that falls within our 30 days of study together so ... let’s take a look.
We know almost nothing about Jabez. Everything we know about who he was and what he did... they are right here in these few verses. It isn’t much. However, for the little that is said about him, his prayer has made an impact.
Jabez has one of those great Old Testament names. I often wonder who would name their children this way if that is what the name really means. You are Jacob ... the deceiver. You are Jabez ... you cause pain! Then again we do have people in our life time who name their kids “Moon Unit”, “Dweezil” or “Diva Thin Muffin Pigeen”. Maybe Jabez wasn’t so bad after all.
We find that he was more honorable than his brothers. What this means is not really explained. How was it that he was more honorable. We can’t really say for sure, but he did pray... especially at a time when it seems possible that many were not. At a time when he was perhaps setting out in life and he shows dependence not on himself but rather on God. Perhaps it was that because of his name he was sensitive to the pain of others. We can only speculate. Whatever the reason he was more honorable than those around him. He had some kind of character.
We don’t know the circumstances or the occasion of his prayer. But we do have his words retained for us.
Oh that you would bless me indeed ... there is nothing wrong with praying for blessing. Each time we pray we are looking for some kind of blessing. If we praise we are blessed. If we ask we seek blessing. It is the nature of a relationship with God. We remember the priestly blessing from back in Numbers, “the Lord bless you and keep you...”. But as we read this I believe it is more than just a prayer that he would be blessed. It seems that he has blessing in mind that he might be a blessing to others. Some render it “Oh that blessing, You would bless me...” God let Your blessings flow to be true blessings indeed. He knows that every good and perfect gift comes from God. God is the source of any blessing and if we are to be blessed at all we must seek it from Him and not in ourselves.
He asks God to enlarge his territory. God expand the area of my influence. Again we have to ask with what aim? If he is asking for blessing indeed then the expanded area of influence should be one of extending that blessing to a wider area, a larger population. He is not just looking for “land, lots of land under star sky above...” If he is more honorable then his request is probably more honorable as well. He is looking to God’s promises to Israel and since he is praying to this same God then he should be seeking God’s will, plan and blessing not just for himself but for his people Israel.
He asks God to be with him. God I can’t do this in my own strength. Like Moses, perhaps he is saying God if you won’t go with us then we cannot go anywhere. We don’t want to go anywhere without you. God dwell with us. Again as we look at scripture from front to back we see that this was God’s intention all along. That He would dwell among us, among His people.
Keep me from evil and causing pain. What are the greatest commandments? Love the Lord you God... and love you neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm and is the fulfilling of the law. He is basically asking God to turn away the reproach of his name. I may be Jabez but that is not what I want to be known for. God let me fulfill your law and please your heart.
How could God not grant such a request? He prays within the boundaries of God’s express will. His heart and ambitions are right before God. His intention is not placed on himself alone.
As in every prayer we need to examine our heart. What is it that we are asking for and why. Are we asking with God’s heart. Are we asking according to God’s will? Do we have in mind the things of God or will we receive a rebuke like Peter’s. “Get thee behind me... you are not mindful of the things of God but the things of men”. The prayer is short. It is simple. However, it also carries with it a deep passion for God and spiritual truth.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”
Prayer Request
*Please pray for Pastor Justin and his wife-to-be, Erin. They will be getting married 2 weeks from today. Pray for them as the complete the details and preparations for their wedding day. Also pray for them and the church through this time of transition. Pray for Erin as she moves into a new language and culture plus a new role in ministry. Pray for Justin as he will be caring for his wife and helping her to adjust and learn here while continuing to serve God and minister/shepherd the church.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
30 More Days... Day 19
2Kings 20:1 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ ”
2Kings 20:2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
2Kings 20:3 “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
2Kings 20:4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
2Kings 20:5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.
2Kings 20:6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.” ’ ”
Hezekiah is one of those kings that you get confused with minor prophets. Who hasn’t fallen for the one about turning to the “book of Hezekiah” only as you turn pages furiously to hear “just kidding”. Sometimes this story sounds a little bit like that. Isaiah the prophet goes to Hezekiah. “You are going to die.” Just what I want to hear from a prophet. Um-mm, are you sure you have the right person? Maybe you meant one of those minor prophet guys?
No, there is no mistake here. Isaiah is a prophet and a prolific one at that. He had a lot to say (well God had a lot to say through him) and he has a way of always being right. That was the mark of a prophet. He was always right. At least he had to be when he said “thus saith the Lord...” So seeing who is bringing the message and seeing what the message is, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for Hezekiah.
Hezekiah, you have been a good king. You made a lot of good reforms. You celebrated the passover for the first time in years. You restored the right worship of God in Judah and even beyond your kingdom into Israel. Revival has come as a result of your actions. Thanks. This is the end. Sayonara!
That’s it. That’s the message. Put your house in order. Death is coming.
This is one of those Moses like situations. God has spoken and spoken through His prophet whose word is sure. Even so, He is not beyond listening to Hezekiah’s prayer. He is not beyond being entreated. Hezekiah shows great hope in the mercy of God. He shows great importunity. He is not afraid to call out to God. He will still plead with Him. We see Hezekiah turning toward the wall. He cries out to God in his sadness. He is sad and he shows it but he doesn’t let that sadness or bitterness keep him from crying to God. He cries out to God asking Him to reconsider. He cries and weeps bitterly.
God loves us. We are His children. Just as we are not unaffected by the tears of our children He is not unaffected by our tears either. I hate to see my children cry. It happens. Sometimes it is necessary or unavoidable, but I don’t like it. I love to be able (if love permits) to dry those tears away and the remove cause of them. I love to provide for them the desires of their hearts. God is no different with us. It is not Hezekiah’s plea that he has been good that moves God’s heart any more than such a cry from our little ones is likely to move ours. We know better than they how good they have been. It is his tears and that they are directed to God alone that move the heart of the Father. In verse 5 we see part of Isaiah’s message was that God had seen Hezekiah’s tears. God is quick to answer. Isaiah hears from God before he leaves. Go back! Tell Hezekiah I have listened to his prayer. In fact, God gives him more than just an answer for the sickness, but also for the nation. I will deliver it from Assyria. It must have been on Hezekiah’s heart even if it wasn’t on his lips and God sees that as well.
It is always incredible that God loves us so much. He is moved to compassion by the tears of His children. He is merciful and gracious. He hears and answers. He gives more than we ask or expect.
There is one caveat. There is one problem. God had come to Hezekiah before he died, warned him and told him to put his house in order. It was also an act of mercy and grace. He was pointing out something to Hezekiah and it would have been good had he perhaps paid a little more attention. Instead of only having several days, God warned Hezekiah that he had 15 years. God had added that much to him. However, we have some verses that suggest that Hezekiah wavered a bit.
2Chr. 32:25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up...
His remarkable recovery and the blessing of God hearing him blocked out the message that God had given him. Instead of being humbled, he was lifted up with pride. Instead of putting his house in order he put it on display... an example of a “blessed” man. It is the danger of God answering our prayers or the prayers of another. The person can come to think that they carry some kind of special favor with God. God must be pleased with them. They become lifted up in what was given as a gift of grace. In the end when God confronts him with his pride, Hezekiah does humble himself before God. It is, however also interesting to note that Hezekiah’s son went on to reign longer than any other king in Judah. Manasseh reigned 55 years! However, we are told that he was also one of the most evil kings of Judah. He undid all of Hezekiah’s reforms. He re-instituted the worship of idols. He practiced sorcery. He probably killed Isaiah. Isaiah, according to tradition, was sawn in half. It took a trip to Babylon in chains to turn him to God and then God had mercy on him. Hezekiah had been told to out his house in order. Yet, Manasseh goes his own way. We can’t blame it all on Hezekiah, but we can wonder why and how it happened. God listened to Hezekiah. Did Hezekiah listen to God? We entreat God. Can we be entreated by Him?
Prayer Request
*Pray for Borut, Petra and their daughter Ana. We have enjoyed wonderful times with the family. Olya especially enjoys her friendship with Petra. They have been hurt by some past “religious” experiences. Pray for their healing in these things and that we would be able to be Godly friends to them. That love & friendship (especially God’s love) would overcome the legalism they have known from their years in the Adventist Church.
2Kings 20:2 Then he turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying,
2Kings 20:3 “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
2Kings 20:4 And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,
2Kings 20:5 “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: ‘I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.
2Kings 20:6 And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.” ’ ”
Hezekiah is one of those kings that you get confused with minor prophets. Who hasn’t fallen for the one about turning to the “book of Hezekiah” only as you turn pages furiously to hear “just kidding”. Sometimes this story sounds a little bit like that. Isaiah the prophet goes to Hezekiah. “You are going to die.” Just what I want to hear from a prophet. Um-mm, are you sure you have the right person? Maybe you meant one of those minor prophet guys?
No, there is no mistake here. Isaiah is a prophet and a prolific one at that. He had a lot to say (well God had a lot to say through him) and he has a way of always being right. That was the mark of a prophet. He was always right. At least he had to be when he said “thus saith the Lord...” So seeing who is bringing the message and seeing what the message is, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for Hezekiah.
Hezekiah, you have been a good king. You made a lot of good reforms. You celebrated the passover for the first time in years. You restored the right worship of God in Judah and even beyond your kingdom into Israel. Revival has come as a result of your actions. Thanks. This is the end. Sayonara!
That’s it. That’s the message. Put your house in order. Death is coming.
This is one of those Moses like situations. God has spoken and spoken through His prophet whose word is sure. Even so, He is not beyond listening to Hezekiah’s prayer. He is not beyond being entreated. Hezekiah shows great hope in the mercy of God. He shows great importunity. He is not afraid to call out to God. He will still plead with Him. We see Hezekiah turning toward the wall. He cries out to God in his sadness. He is sad and he shows it but he doesn’t let that sadness or bitterness keep him from crying to God. He cries out to God asking Him to reconsider. He cries and weeps bitterly.
God loves us. We are His children. Just as we are not unaffected by the tears of our children He is not unaffected by our tears either. I hate to see my children cry. It happens. Sometimes it is necessary or unavoidable, but I don’t like it. I love to be able (if love permits) to dry those tears away and the remove cause of them. I love to provide for them the desires of their hearts. God is no different with us. It is not Hezekiah’s plea that he has been good that moves God’s heart any more than such a cry from our little ones is likely to move ours. We know better than they how good they have been. It is his tears and that they are directed to God alone that move the heart of the Father. In verse 5 we see part of Isaiah’s message was that God had seen Hezekiah’s tears. God is quick to answer. Isaiah hears from God before he leaves. Go back! Tell Hezekiah I have listened to his prayer. In fact, God gives him more than just an answer for the sickness, but also for the nation. I will deliver it from Assyria. It must have been on Hezekiah’s heart even if it wasn’t on his lips and God sees that as well.
It is always incredible that God loves us so much. He is moved to compassion by the tears of His children. He is merciful and gracious. He hears and answers. He gives more than we ask or expect.
There is one caveat. There is one problem. God had come to Hezekiah before he died, warned him and told him to put his house in order. It was also an act of mercy and grace. He was pointing out something to Hezekiah and it would have been good had he perhaps paid a little more attention. Instead of only having several days, God warned Hezekiah that he had 15 years. God had added that much to him. However, we have some verses that suggest that Hezekiah wavered a bit.
2Chr. 32:25 But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up...
His remarkable recovery and the blessing of God hearing him blocked out the message that God had given him. Instead of being humbled, he was lifted up with pride. Instead of putting his house in order he put it on display... an example of a “blessed” man. It is the danger of God answering our prayers or the prayers of another. The person can come to think that they carry some kind of special favor with God. God must be pleased with them. They become lifted up in what was given as a gift of grace. In the end when God confronts him with his pride, Hezekiah does humble himself before God. It is, however also interesting to note that Hezekiah’s son went on to reign longer than any other king in Judah. Manasseh reigned 55 years! However, we are told that he was also one of the most evil kings of Judah. He undid all of Hezekiah’s reforms. He re-instituted the worship of idols. He practiced sorcery. He probably killed Isaiah. Isaiah, according to tradition, was sawn in half. It took a trip to Babylon in chains to turn him to God and then God had mercy on him. Hezekiah had been told to out his house in order. Yet, Manasseh goes his own way. We can’t blame it all on Hezekiah, but we can wonder why and how it happened. God listened to Hezekiah. Did Hezekiah listen to God? We entreat God. Can we be entreated by Him?
Prayer Request
*Pray for Borut, Petra and their daughter Ana. We have enjoyed wonderful times with the family. Olya especially enjoys her friendship with Petra. They have been hurt by some past “religious” experiences. Pray for their healing in these things and that we would be able to be Godly friends to them. That love & friendship (especially God’s love) would overcome the legalism they have known from their years in the Adventist Church.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
30 More Days... Day 18
2Kings 6:15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
2Kings 6:16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2Kings 6:18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
2Kings 6:20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
Hidden in plain view. I have this ability to lose things in plain view. It is right there in front of me and I can’t see it. I am looking around for someone that I am supposed to be meeting and not see them until they are right on top of me waving and getting my attention. Now I am happy to say that this is not always the case. The fact that it happens more often that I like is bad enough.
We all seem to have this little problem from time to time. In aviation this idea is known as “open field myopia”. It happens when you have a relatively clear, uniform sky in front of you and you are not careful to “keep up your scan” of the sky. What happens is that your eyes, because the have no real focal point, relax and begin to focus on a spot about 18 inches in front of you. When this happens, you can be looking out the window all you like and not see any other airplane. You have to actively, systematically scan the sky so that you don’t get lost in this error.
In a way, I suppose this is what we see here.
Elisha, the man of God after Elijah, the man of God. Like Elijah, Elisha occasionally got involved in politics. In this election season it is good to remember that God often calls His people to be involved in these processes and to have a good and godly influence on them ... but that is another topic. We are talking about prayer.
There has been a time of war and the Syrians have been causing trouble ... well, they wanted to cause trouble, but Elisha kept telling the king of Israel where the Syrian army was and what it was doing. This, of course, gave the Israelites a distinct tactical advantage. Talk about having a “God’s eye view”. The king of Syria was sure there must be a “mole” among his advisors, but then he is told, “no it is just Elisha”. Maybe it is just pride, but I would think that if a guys sitting in a town some distance away was able to track my troop movement without leaving home that I might be tempted to admit defeat. God is working against me and nothing good can come of this. However, that is not his reaction. He sends his army after Elisha. I don’t know how exactly you plan to sneak up on a guy that always knows what your next move is, but that doesn’t seem to bother this king or keep him from trying. He sends a great army of horses and chariots off to Dothan where Elisha is staying. Again I am a bit amazed by the tactics. This Elisha has been telling the king exactly where to find enemy troops and camps, however, maybe if we go up by night.... Yeah, that might work!
Actually if they had only been after Elisha’s servant it would have worked. His servant gets up in the morning. He probably set off about his work. He probably walks outside the door of the place they are living or looks out the window, and his jaw drops to the floor. That will wake you up faster than your morning cup of coffee, but it is also probably worse on the heart as well. I can almost imagine him running back to his master. Big... big ... big ... big ... big problem... big! He is totally surprised. Fortunately for him, Elisha is not. Not only is he not surprised, but he already knows what the next step as well. The servants wants to know what do we do? That’s it! We’re done! There is no escape! There is no sending coordinates to the king of Israel. No cell, not sat. phone. There is definitely no calling in an air strike. And, I am sure that the next words that Elisha has to say to his servant must have sounded incredulous. There are more with us than with them.
Again you can almost see the servant doing the math. One plus one.... and if they would just hold still maybe I could count them but I am pretty sure that it takes more than two to surround Dothan. I am sure that even stopping to consider any population in Dothan would not have encouraged him that the odds were in their favor. This is where prayer comes in.
Elisha prays. He asked God to open the eyes of his servant.
What a beautiful picture. How often do we only see the physical, logical, everyday solid objects that surround us? How often are we tricked into thinking that this is all there is to it. We can be so blinded to the spiritual world. It is here that we most often lose the battle. The things around us, the cold hard facts and figures ... they are all that we see and understand. This is why Paul has to remind us in Ephesians that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. He tells us in 2 Corinthians that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty to pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations - anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. He encourages us not to look on outward appearances. The enemy can overpower us if we look at what is seen, even though we have so much power at our disposal. Elisha already sees the truth of the situation. He is not concerned. He knows that he has no reason to fear. He also knows that the servant doesn’t see things as he does. That is why he prays. He prays to God for his servant to see as he sees. He wants the servant to see the truth that he knows so well. Ultimately it is God who must open the eyes. It is God who must reveal the truth. The prayer is simple, yet full of concern for another. Please God let him see!
Suddenly the perspective of the servant must have changed. They are not the ones surrounded after all. It is this great army that is surrounded and without hope of escape. What an army he and Elisha have protecting them. Chariots of fire fill the hills. Horses of fire stamping and ready for the fight. Now he knows that he has nothing to fear, even when the charge of the enemy comes.
There is however another problem. The enemy sees only with physical eyes. They believe that they have the superior force. There will be a confrontation. They will charge. They are like the pharisees. They think they see and understand. They claim to know better. They will attack. So again Elisha prays and asks God to strike the Syrians blind. The servant had his eyes open so that he could see the spiritual strength in which he stood. The army had their eyes blinded so that they would not trust in their perceived but anemic strength. They are led to Samaria where again Elisha prays that they will see again. They now see that their situation truly is hopeless. Again we have a beautiful picture. It is the mercy and compassion of God. Rather than run these troops into a spiritual massacre He takes all their strength and shows them the true hopelessness of their own strength. Then just when all seems lost they are fed, they are shown mercy and they are returned unharmed to their homes and families.
Each prayer has its purpose. For the servant it is a prayer for one whose faith is faltering. He sees the glory of God and is given a fresh look on all his struggles. For the army it is a pray for mercy for those marching to their deaths. It is a prayer to show them that all they are trusting in and holding onto are lies, yet they can find mercy from God. They are rushing to destruction only to have someone lead them to life (ironically the very one they are attacking), but first their sight, their strength ... what they trust in ... must be shown for what it is, nothing. Then their eyes can be opened so that they can see. Grace. Mercy. Compassion.
Prayer Request
* Pray for our friends Miro, Mateja and their daughters Lia and Enja. We have enjoyed our friendship with them and continue to do things with them. Christian loves spending time with the girls and they are happy to see him as well. They know why we are here but are not really open to spiritual things. Ask that God would soften their hearts and open opportunities to share the gospel with them. Also pray for them as they consider buying a house or building one and all that goes along with such an endeavor. It can be a stress and unknown to know what is best.
2Kings 6:16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
2Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2Kings 6:18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
2Kings 6:20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
Hidden in plain view. I have this ability to lose things in plain view. It is right there in front of me and I can’t see it. I am looking around for someone that I am supposed to be meeting and not see them until they are right on top of me waving and getting my attention. Now I am happy to say that this is not always the case. The fact that it happens more often that I like is bad enough.
We all seem to have this little problem from time to time. In aviation this idea is known as “open field myopia”. It happens when you have a relatively clear, uniform sky in front of you and you are not careful to “keep up your scan” of the sky. What happens is that your eyes, because the have no real focal point, relax and begin to focus on a spot about 18 inches in front of you. When this happens, you can be looking out the window all you like and not see any other airplane. You have to actively, systematically scan the sky so that you don’t get lost in this error.
In a way, I suppose this is what we see here.
Elisha, the man of God after Elijah, the man of God. Like Elijah, Elisha occasionally got involved in politics. In this election season it is good to remember that God often calls His people to be involved in these processes and to have a good and godly influence on them ... but that is another topic. We are talking about prayer.
There has been a time of war and the Syrians have been causing trouble ... well, they wanted to cause trouble, but Elisha kept telling the king of Israel where the Syrian army was and what it was doing. This, of course, gave the Israelites a distinct tactical advantage. Talk about having a “God’s eye view”. The king of Syria was sure there must be a “mole” among his advisors, but then he is told, “no it is just Elisha”. Maybe it is just pride, but I would think that if a guys sitting in a town some distance away was able to track my troop movement without leaving home that I might be tempted to admit defeat. God is working against me and nothing good can come of this. However, that is not his reaction. He sends his army after Elisha. I don’t know how exactly you plan to sneak up on a guy that always knows what your next move is, but that doesn’t seem to bother this king or keep him from trying. He sends a great army of horses and chariots off to Dothan where Elisha is staying. Again I am a bit amazed by the tactics. This Elisha has been telling the king exactly where to find enemy troops and camps, however, maybe if we go up by night.... Yeah, that might work!
Actually if they had only been after Elisha’s servant it would have worked. His servant gets up in the morning. He probably set off about his work. He probably walks outside the door of the place they are living or looks out the window, and his jaw drops to the floor. That will wake you up faster than your morning cup of coffee, but it is also probably worse on the heart as well. I can almost imagine him running back to his master. Big... big ... big ... big ... big problem... big! He is totally surprised. Fortunately for him, Elisha is not. Not only is he not surprised, but he already knows what the next step as well. The servants wants to know what do we do? That’s it! We’re done! There is no escape! There is no sending coordinates to the king of Israel. No cell, not sat. phone. There is definitely no calling in an air strike. And, I am sure that the next words that Elisha has to say to his servant must have sounded incredulous. There are more with us than with them.
Again you can almost see the servant doing the math. One plus one.... and if they would just hold still maybe I could count them but I am pretty sure that it takes more than two to surround Dothan. I am sure that even stopping to consider any population in Dothan would not have encouraged him that the odds were in their favor. This is where prayer comes in.
Elisha prays. He asked God to open the eyes of his servant.
What a beautiful picture. How often do we only see the physical, logical, everyday solid objects that surround us? How often are we tricked into thinking that this is all there is to it. We can be so blinded to the spiritual world. It is here that we most often lose the battle. The things around us, the cold hard facts and figures ... they are all that we see and understand. This is why Paul has to remind us in Ephesians that we wrestle not against flesh and blood. He tells us in 2 Corinthians that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty to pull down strongholds and cast down imaginations - anything that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. He encourages us not to look on outward appearances. The enemy can overpower us if we look at what is seen, even though we have so much power at our disposal. Elisha already sees the truth of the situation. He is not concerned. He knows that he has no reason to fear. He also knows that the servant doesn’t see things as he does. That is why he prays. He prays to God for his servant to see as he sees. He wants the servant to see the truth that he knows so well. Ultimately it is God who must open the eyes. It is God who must reveal the truth. The prayer is simple, yet full of concern for another. Please God let him see!
Suddenly the perspective of the servant must have changed. They are not the ones surrounded after all. It is this great army that is surrounded and without hope of escape. What an army he and Elisha have protecting them. Chariots of fire fill the hills. Horses of fire stamping and ready for the fight. Now he knows that he has nothing to fear, even when the charge of the enemy comes.
There is however another problem. The enemy sees only with physical eyes. They believe that they have the superior force. There will be a confrontation. They will charge. They are like the pharisees. They think they see and understand. They claim to know better. They will attack. So again Elisha prays and asks God to strike the Syrians blind. The servant had his eyes open so that he could see the spiritual strength in which he stood. The army had their eyes blinded so that they would not trust in their perceived but anemic strength. They are led to Samaria where again Elisha prays that they will see again. They now see that their situation truly is hopeless. Again we have a beautiful picture. It is the mercy and compassion of God. Rather than run these troops into a spiritual massacre He takes all their strength and shows them the true hopelessness of their own strength. Then just when all seems lost they are fed, they are shown mercy and they are returned unharmed to their homes and families.
Each prayer has its purpose. For the servant it is a prayer for one whose faith is faltering. He sees the glory of God and is given a fresh look on all his struggles. For the army it is a pray for mercy for those marching to their deaths. It is a prayer to show them that all they are trusting in and holding onto are lies, yet they can find mercy from God. They are rushing to destruction only to have someone lead them to life (ironically the very one they are attacking), but first their sight, their strength ... what they trust in ... must be shown for what it is, nothing. Then their eyes can be opened so that they can see. Grace. Mercy. Compassion.
Prayer Request
* Pray for our friends Miro, Mateja and their daughters Lia and Enja. We have enjoyed our friendship with them and continue to do things with them. Christian loves spending time with the girls and they are happy to see him as well. They know why we are here but are not really open to spiritual things. Ask that God would soften their hearts and open opportunities to share the gospel with them. Also pray for them as they consider buying a house or building one and all that goes along with such an endeavor. It can be a stress and unknown to know what is best.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
30 More Days... Day 17
1Kings 19:2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”
1Kings 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
1Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
Elijah the prophet. Elijah the man of prayer. Elijah, the man who saw the dead raised. Elijah, the man who called down fire from heaven. Elijah, the man who prayed and the rains were withheld and came again. Elijah the mighty man of God.
Elijah the depressed.
Elijah has gotten kind used to having God’s ear. He has gotten kind of used to praying to God and having God answer his prayers. He has seen God do mighty things. After the past 3 1/2 years of running, after the famine induced by lack of rain, after the contest on Mt Carmel, after a mighty victory, after the coming of rain on the land once more, perhaps Elijah felt that it had all been for nothing. All of the hardships he had suffered...useless. All the conflict and confrontation ... for nothing. No real change has taken place. His life is still threatened. He has no one to stand with him. Jezebel has no hesitation, no qualms, about threatening his life. The people have not risen up to repentance. What is the point of it all. What good has it all been.
Elijah runs again. We see him undertake quite a trip. He travels south out of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom, through the Southern Kingdom to the southwest corner of Judah. He leaves his servant there and then travels another day out into the wilderness that lies in the direction of Egypt. He runs and comes to a place where finally exhausted (probably more emotionally and spiritually than physically) he sits under a tree and prays. He prays for death.
This is one of those times that we can look to and be thankful that God sometimes chooses to say “no”. We have already seen God say “no” to Moses. While God doesn’t come to Elijah and say “no” and “don’t ask me again” we do see that ultimately the answer is “no”. Actually, in retrospect the whole situation is kind of strange. Elijah has gone to a lot of trouble to come to a place far away from danger only to ask for death. Had he really wanted to die, all he had to do was stay where he was! Jezebel would have been more than happy to accommodate him. In fact, she had taken a vow to that effect. She wanted to make Elijah “like one of” her dead prophets of Baal. Elijah could have stayed. He could have become a martyr. He could have died proclaiming the God of Israel, a public testimony of his devotion to God and a witness to the people that God was worth dying for. He could have been an example to the people of Israel that they should stand up, even in the face of death, to do what is right and serve their God. Instead he has gone to a lot of trouble to stay alive, only to ask God to let him die. He has failed. It has all been for nothing.
We can all get to feeling sorry for ourselves. We can all get “fed up” with life and feel that it is all for nothing. As the depression overtakes us we come to God in a pretty fatalistic manner. We are no different than Elijah or again (more to the point) it shows us that Elijah was truly a man like us. We can see the difference between his effective prayers of a righteous man and prayers that are far from prayers of faith. God refuses to “hear” such prayers. Instead he does just the opposite. He feeds Elijah with heavenly food. He strengthens him so much that he can go 40 days in the strength of that food.
God is making a point. When it is not by might and not by power but by His Spirit then God is there. There are many impressive things in life. Fire from heaven is impressive. The plagues of God and the judgments of God are convincing. However, this is not always the way that God works. He can work in those things and often those things are impressive, but empty. On the other hand God can also work in the quiet of the heart. He works in the hidden and weak things to confound the wise and the strong. Elijah has had a bit of “pity party” for himself. He thinks that he is alone. He thinks that it is all a lost cause. He is ready to give up. I am the only one left. I have been very zealous, but for nothing. God sets the record straight. No Elijah, you are not the only one left. I have worked openly through you, but I have also worked as a “still, small voice” among 7000 others who have not bowed the knee or kissed the mouth of Baal. Your prayer is flawed. Your journey not my will. Why are you here? Why are you running? The results are mine, not yours. Take courage Elijah. It hasn’t been for nothing. Others stand with you. Others take courage from your obedience, even when you don’t see it.
As Elijah sees this, he is then ready to once more follow God step by step, day by day. He can be used once more by God to accomplish His plan and proclaim His word. He can see that the results belong to the Lord. He can see that the best things aren’t always seen. They aren’t always loud and impressive. Just imagine for a moment if God had listened to Elijah’s request. I am ready to die. No Elijah you aren’t. I still have things I want you to do. I still have a plan that I want you to be a part of. You still have lives that your faithfulness can influence. Besides, you’d miss out on one great chariot ride.
Prayer Request
*Please pray for the Crisis Pregnancy Training weekend coming up from September 26-28. Pray for Sylvia who will be (for the first time) giving the seminar/training. Pray for the people from Ljubljana, Celje and Maribor who will be taking part in this training. Pray volunteers to be a part of the center. Pray for the center to be able to open in the near future (finances, offices, resources) and that it would be an effective help to those suffering crisis and an effective witness. This training will be a big part of that.
1Kings 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.
1Kings 19:4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”
Elijah the prophet. Elijah the man of prayer. Elijah, the man who saw the dead raised. Elijah, the man who called down fire from heaven. Elijah, the man who prayed and the rains were withheld and came again. Elijah the mighty man of God.
Elijah the depressed.
Elijah has gotten kind used to having God’s ear. He has gotten kind of used to praying to God and having God answer his prayers. He has seen God do mighty things. After the past 3 1/2 years of running, after the famine induced by lack of rain, after the contest on Mt Carmel, after a mighty victory, after the coming of rain on the land once more, perhaps Elijah felt that it had all been for nothing. All of the hardships he had suffered...useless. All the conflict and confrontation ... for nothing. No real change has taken place. His life is still threatened. He has no one to stand with him. Jezebel has no hesitation, no qualms, about threatening his life. The people have not risen up to repentance. What is the point of it all. What good has it all been.
Elijah runs again. We see him undertake quite a trip. He travels south out of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom, through the Southern Kingdom to the southwest corner of Judah. He leaves his servant there and then travels another day out into the wilderness that lies in the direction of Egypt. He runs and comes to a place where finally exhausted (probably more emotionally and spiritually than physically) he sits under a tree and prays. He prays for death.
This is one of those times that we can look to and be thankful that God sometimes chooses to say “no”. We have already seen God say “no” to Moses. While God doesn’t come to Elijah and say “no” and “don’t ask me again” we do see that ultimately the answer is “no”. Actually, in retrospect the whole situation is kind of strange. Elijah has gone to a lot of trouble to come to a place far away from danger only to ask for death. Had he really wanted to die, all he had to do was stay where he was! Jezebel would have been more than happy to accommodate him. In fact, she had taken a vow to that effect. She wanted to make Elijah “like one of” her dead prophets of Baal. Elijah could have stayed. He could have become a martyr. He could have died proclaiming the God of Israel, a public testimony of his devotion to God and a witness to the people that God was worth dying for. He could have been an example to the people of Israel that they should stand up, even in the face of death, to do what is right and serve their God. Instead he has gone to a lot of trouble to stay alive, only to ask God to let him die. He has failed. It has all been for nothing.
We can all get to feeling sorry for ourselves. We can all get “fed up” with life and feel that it is all for nothing. As the depression overtakes us we come to God in a pretty fatalistic manner. We are no different than Elijah or again (more to the point) it shows us that Elijah was truly a man like us. We can see the difference between his effective prayers of a righteous man and prayers that are far from prayers of faith. God refuses to “hear” such prayers. Instead he does just the opposite. He feeds Elijah with heavenly food. He strengthens him so much that he can go 40 days in the strength of that food.
God is making a point. When it is not by might and not by power but by His Spirit then God is there. There are many impressive things in life. Fire from heaven is impressive. The plagues of God and the judgments of God are convincing. However, this is not always the way that God works. He can work in those things and often those things are impressive, but empty. On the other hand God can also work in the quiet of the heart. He works in the hidden and weak things to confound the wise and the strong. Elijah has had a bit of “pity party” for himself. He thinks that he is alone. He thinks that it is all a lost cause. He is ready to give up. I am the only one left. I have been very zealous, but for nothing. God sets the record straight. No Elijah, you are not the only one left. I have worked openly through you, but I have also worked as a “still, small voice” among 7000 others who have not bowed the knee or kissed the mouth of Baal. Your prayer is flawed. Your journey not my will. Why are you here? Why are you running? The results are mine, not yours. Take courage Elijah. It hasn’t been for nothing. Others stand with you. Others take courage from your obedience, even when you don’t see it.
As Elijah sees this, he is then ready to once more follow God step by step, day by day. He can be used once more by God to accomplish His plan and proclaim His word. He can see that the results belong to the Lord. He can see that the best things aren’t always seen. They aren’t always loud and impressive. Just imagine for a moment if God had listened to Elijah’s request. I am ready to die. No Elijah you aren’t. I still have things I want you to do. I still have a plan that I want you to be a part of. You still have lives that your faithfulness can influence. Besides, you’d miss out on one great chariot ride.
Prayer Request
*Please pray for the Crisis Pregnancy Training weekend coming up from September 26-28. Pray for Sylvia who will be (for the first time) giving the seminar/training. Pray for the people from Ljubljana, Celje and Maribor who will be taking part in this training. Pray volunteers to be a part of the center. Pray for the center to be able to open in the near future (finances, offices, resources) and that it would be an effective help to those suffering crisis and an effective witness. This training will be a big part of that.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
30 More Days... Day 16
1Kings 17:20 Then he cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?”
1Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”
1Kings 17:22 Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.
1Kings 18:36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
1Kings 18:37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”
1Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
1Kings 18:41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
1Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
1Kings 18:43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” ¶ So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
1Kings 18:44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Elijah. The man who prayed. He prayed and the heavens were shut up so that it didn’t rain for over 3 years. He prayed and fire fell from heaven and burned up the sacrifice, the altar, the water and the dust! He prayed again and it rained. He is remembered as a mighty prophet, a mighty man of God. He wasn’t always viewed that way though. When Ahab “greeted” him, he called him the “troubler of Israel”. James on the other hand calls him a man with a “nature like ours”. Some translations put it “just like us”.
Perhaps the biggest problems during Elijah’s time were a king named Ahab and queen named Jezebel. It was because of their wickedness and idolatry that God sent Elijah. He called on Elijah to pray and shut up the rain for a long time. Of all the events of Elijah’s ministry, perhaps, none is so well known, told and re-told as the face-off on Mt Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Challenge. Drama. Impossible odds. Fire from Heaven.
After 3 1/2 years of hiding out, Elijah comes back into the open. He must now go to Ahab, a king who has been searching for him high and low for all this time. Ahab has sent agents and emissaries all over looking for this “troubler”. He has made foreign governments take oaths that they are not hiding Elijah. Yet, we really don’t see any hesitation or fear as Elijah once again emerges out into the open. Nor, is there any hesitation as he challenges the (false) prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. He openly mocks them. Fire from heaven isn’t enough. He soaks the sacrifice and the altar, the wood and ground around it. He doesn’t sound like a man just like us.
On the other hand Elijah has had a track record of listening to God and seeing Him work. God sent him, he went. God told him, Elijah prayed. God hid him, he hid and was safe. God fed him by the ravens, he ate. The brook dried up, God provided. The widow had a handful of flour, the three of them ate a long time. Over the past 3 1/2 years Elijah has been faithful to carefully follow God’s directions and he has learned from experience that God is true to His word. God is faithful to provide. God is good ... all the time!
Even when God allowed the widow’s son to get sick and die, Elijah had already seen God work in impossible ways. He had been seeing it for some time, yet here is a chance for that faith to grow. The story is interesting. Most of us probably know this one as well. He has been staying with the widow and she has been feeding him. The oil and flour continue to be there even though it is impossible. However, one fateful day her son dies. Elijah takes the boy, prays for him and God resurrects the young man. The the woman makes an incredible statement.
“Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
Here is a woman that recognized Elijah as a man of God from the first. She gave him the last of her food trusting that God would honor the man’s word. She has seen the oil and flour there day after day when she had used it up the last time. Yet, only now does she state that now she knows he is a man of God.
The widow was not unlike the people of Israel. She has seen over and over again. She has been provided for day after day and yet, there is such small faith. So little belief. It is almost a sign to Elijah. A way to help him understand the nature of the people. They have seen so much, but at the first sign of trouble, at the first chastisement of God, they start to wavier.
Therefore when Elijah stands upon the mountain he can call to the people and ask “how long will you wavier between two opinions?” He can identify what obstacles their faith might face. He has not missed the lessons God has taught him during his long years of hiding. The people have their history, their traditions and their background. They are caught between that and the prevailing political climate and popular culture - Baal worship. God has brought trouble on Israel so that they may once more know the truth and not wavier. Elijah has already been prepared through his experiences to meet the needs of others. It is because he has been faithful. Each day he had to make decisions. Do I trust God? Do I do as He says? Is He able? Will I be safe in His hands? Can He provide? Can He do it? He has found God to be unerringly true and faithful. But Elijah didn’t just wake up one day and walk to the top of Mt Carmel to challenge the prophets and see fire fall. God has prepared him and brought him to this place.
Even his prayer then becomes one of letting the people know what he has come to know. That God is God in Israel. He has not been displaced or supplanted. Elijah speaks the truth. He has no aims to deceive or dominate the people. His concern is that they would know and worship God. That they would know He is true as Elijah has come to know that He is true. In the house of the widow, Elijah’s cry had been that of Ahab.
“O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?”
“Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
The difference, of course, was that Elijah cried out to God. As he did, the widow knew that the word of God was in Elijah’s mouth. Elijah has simply wanted to help this woman. He wanted to ease her grief. God wanted her to truly believe, not just live and survive. Now having experienced this, Elijah also wants not just to ease the grief and suffering of the people of Israel, but that they would truly believe. He has caught God’s heart in prayer for the people. However, his prayer doesn’t end there. He goes on then at the end of the chapter to pray for the coming of rain. The people have seen and proclaimed that the Lord is God. Now Elijah will pray that rain will be restored to the land. His concern and care for their physical, as well as their spiritual, well-being blossoms. It doesn’t matter that Ahab is still king. It doesn’t matter that Jezebel is still queen. The people know that the Lord is God and that He makes Himself and His truth known. What they do now is choose day by day if they will walk in that truth, as Elijah did, or not.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He was a man like us. He had to follow God step by step. He had to be faithful. He had to learn from God and be taught His words so that he would know what to say and what to pray. His prayer is unremarkable. He only asks that God would hear and convince His people. The results on the other hand...
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer Request
*Please pray for our friend Miha. He is a teacher and this week has an opportunity to teach a class about the Bible and religion in his music school. After “advertising” the class in school he has had 70+ people sign up (they expected maybe 15). Please pray for him as he teaches to have wisdom and for the students as they ask questions that God would work in many lives through this opportunity.
1Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.”
1Kings 17:22 Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.
1Kings 18:36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.
1Kings 18:37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that You are the LORD God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.”
1Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.
1Kings 18:41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
1Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
1Kings 18:43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” ¶ So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
1Kings 18:44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
James 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Elijah. The man who prayed. He prayed and the heavens were shut up so that it didn’t rain for over 3 years. He prayed and fire fell from heaven and burned up the sacrifice, the altar, the water and the dust! He prayed again and it rained. He is remembered as a mighty prophet, a mighty man of God. He wasn’t always viewed that way though. When Ahab “greeted” him, he called him the “troubler of Israel”. James on the other hand calls him a man with a “nature like ours”. Some translations put it “just like us”.
Perhaps the biggest problems during Elijah’s time were a king named Ahab and queen named Jezebel. It was because of their wickedness and idolatry that God sent Elijah. He called on Elijah to pray and shut up the rain for a long time. Of all the events of Elijah’s ministry, perhaps, none is so well known, told and re-told as the face-off on Mt Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Challenge. Drama. Impossible odds. Fire from Heaven.
After 3 1/2 years of hiding out, Elijah comes back into the open. He must now go to Ahab, a king who has been searching for him high and low for all this time. Ahab has sent agents and emissaries all over looking for this “troubler”. He has made foreign governments take oaths that they are not hiding Elijah. Yet, we really don’t see any hesitation or fear as Elijah once again emerges out into the open. Nor, is there any hesitation as he challenges the (false) prophets of Baal on Mt Carmel. He openly mocks them. Fire from heaven isn’t enough. He soaks the sacrifice and the altar, the wood and ground around it. He doesn’t sound like a man just like us.
On the other hand Elijah has had a track record of listening to God and seeing Him work. God sent him, he went. God told him, Elijah prayed. God hid him, he hid and was safe. God fed him by the ravens, he ate. The brook dried up, God provided. The widow had a handful of flour, the three of them ate a long time. Over the past 3 1/2 years Elijah has been faithful to carefully follow God’s directions and he has learned from experience that God is true to His word. God is faithful to provide. God is good ... all the time!
Even when God allowed the widow’s son to get sick and die, Elijah had already seen God work in impossible ways. He had been seeing it for some time, yet here is a chance for that faith to grow. The story is interesting. Most of us probably know this one as well. He has been staying with the widow and she has been feeding him. The oil and flour continue to be there even though it is impossible. However, one fateful day her son dies. Elijah takes the boy, prays for him and God resurrects the young man. The the woman makes an incredible statement.
“Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”
Here is a woman that recognized Elijah as a man of God from the first. She gave him the last of her food trusting that God would honor the man’s word. She has seen the oil and flour there day after day when she had used it up the last time. Yet, only now does she state that now she knows he is a man of God.
The widow was not unlike the people of Israel. She has seen over and over again. She has been provided for day after day and yet, there is such small faith. So little belief. It is almost a sign to Elijah. A way to help him understand the nature of the people. They have seen so much, but at the first sign of trouble, at the first chastisement of God, they start to wavier.
Therefore when Elijah stands upon the mountain he can call to the people and ask “how long will you wavier between two opinions?” He can identify what obstacles their faith might face. He has not missed the lessons God has taught him during his long years of hiding. The people have their history, their traditions and their background. They are caught between that and the prevailing political climate and popular culture - Baal worship. God has brought trouble on Israel so that they may once more know the truth and not wavier. Elijah has already been prepared through his experiences to meet the needs of others. It is because he has been faithful. Each day he had to make decisions. Do I trust God? Do I do as He says? Is He able? Will I be safe in His hands? Can He provide? Can He do it? He has found God to be unerringly true and faithful. But Elijah didn’t just wake up one day and walk to the top of Mt Carmel to challenge the prophets and see fire fall. God has prepared him and brought him to this place.
Even his prayer then becomes one of letting the people know what he has come to know. That God is God in Israel. He has not been displaced or supplanted. Elijah speaks the truth. He has no aims to deceive or dominate the people. His concern is that they would know and worship God. That they would know He is true as Elijah has come to know that He is true. In the house of the widow, Elijah’s cry had been that of Ahab.
“O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?”
“Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
The difference, of course, was that Elijah cried out to God. As he did, the widow knew that the word of God was in Elijah’s mouth. Elijah has simply wanted to help this woman. He wanted to ease her grief. God wanted her to truly believe, not just live and survive. Now having experienced this, Elijah also wants not just to ease the grief and suffering of the people of Israel, but that they would truly believe. He has caught God’s heart in prayer for the people. However, his prayer doesn’t end there. He goes on then at the end of the chapter to pray for the coming of rain. The people have seen and proclaimed that the Lord is God. Now Elijah will pray that rain will be restored to the land. His concern and care for their physical, as well as their spiritual, well-being blossoms. It doesn’t matter that Ahab is still king. It doesn’t matter that Jezebel is still queen. The people know that the Lord is God and that He makes Himself and His truth known. What they do now is choose day by day if they will walk in that truth, as Elijah did, or not.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours. He was a man like us. He had to follow God step by step. He had to be faithful. He had to learn from God and be taught His words so that he would know what to say and what to pray. His prayer is unremarkable. He only asks that God would hear and convince His people. The results on the other hand...
The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Prayer Request
*Please pray for our friend Miha. He is a teacher and this week has an opportunity to teach a class about the Bible and religion in his music school. After “advertising” the class in school he has had 70+ people sign up (they expected maybe 15). Please pray for him as he teaches to have wisdom and for the students as they ask questions that God would work in many lives through this opportunity.
Monday, September 15, 2008
30 More Days... Day 15
1Kings 8:22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;
1Kings 8:23 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You,
1Kings 8:28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:
1Kings 8:29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, “My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.
1Kings 8:30 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
1Kings 8:54 And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
2Chr. 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2Chr. 7:15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
For a children’s book it is a truly momentous event. Bob the builder may be sick but the tractors and trucks have succeeded in getting the road open on schedule. All the vehicles line up at the side of the road as Wendy takes the scissors and proclaims the main artery into the city open for use! The tractors are euphoric. They completed their work. They did an excellent job. It is time to celebrate.
For 7 years Solomon and the people of Israel have been involved in a momentous building project. It is a bit bigger than getting the road through town built. It is the temple! Solomon’s temple. It is one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. So much mastery and excellence have been poured into this building and no wonder. It is the house of God.
Therefore, the ceremony of dedication must be no less excellent and splendid. There is a great feast. There are many people gathered for the event. There are sacrifices. So many sacrifices that they can’t be counted. The ark and all the furnishings of the Tabernacle are brought up by the Levites and all the people in a kind of holy parade. These things are brought into the new Temple and put into their places. The Lord comes and fills the Temple. The priests can’t go back in to continue their ministry. God is there. Solomon steps up and blesses the people and then in their sight he kneels and prays, arms stretched up to heaven.
It is a prayer of dedication. He is praying for everything that he hopes that this temple will be and symbolize to the people. That this is only a symbol is clear from the opening paragraphs of the prayer, but all the same this place is to have an important role and place in the lives of the people of Israel. Solomon may have spent years building this building. He may have spent millions and hundreds of millions in gold, silver, bronze, precious materials, labor, wood and much more. However, the place this building is to have in the hearts, minds and lives of the people is much more than the cost of the materials and labor. It is much more than artwork and craftsmanship. It is much more than aesthetics or serene environment. It is the place that God dwells among the people. It is the place that God will put His name. Now it is time for Solomon to dedicate it to use and as he does there are ideas he wants to convey. There are dangers that he sees. Most importantly God must ultimately agree to be there or it is just a pretty, empty building.
As he prays he begins by affirming that this project was not their idea. Had it been then they would most certainly have been expecting a lot from God to come and put His “stamp of approval” on it. The only reason that they could build this house is because God had okayed the work. David had desired. God had said no! But then, He went on to make a promise to David about his family. He blesses David and then confirms that you will not build this house, but your son will. Ultimately, this is a God initiative, done by God’s allowance. So really He is only asking God to bless what He has already said they could do.
The second thing that he prays is about the building itself. It was important to the dedication. This building was to, practically, become the center of Israel. The Israelites would be so proud of this (and later) temples. It was to become a part of their national identity. So deeply was it engrained into that identity that 2000 years after its destruction in 70 A.D. the people and the land still suffer from its loss. They long for the day when it will be built again. However, the danger was that this building would become more important than the one to whom it was dedicated. Solomon prays knowing, that for all its beauty and greatness, it is nothing compared to God. It could not contain, encompass or even begin to express the greatness of God who places His name there.
Solomon prays, despite all this, that God would still pay attention to this humble shack and listen to the prayers offered there. After this much of the rest of the prayer is focused on asking God to hear. Many times throughout his prayer Solomon asks that God would hear from heaven, His dwelling place, and answer their prayers. He realizes that God will not dwell there. It is not a house for God. God will still reign from heaven, not from this house. He simply asks that God be attentive to the prayers made in this place. However, he goes beyond that. He realizes that, unlike the pagan gods, God is not confined to the area of a temple or land. So Solomon asks also that God would be attentive to prayers prayed in this place, toward this place and also in other lands toward this place. He knew that God would dwell among His people and go with them always. The people should not think that God would not hear them because they were far away. However, remembering and praying toward the temple would help them remember who their God is, what He desires and requires.
Solomon realizes that this temple is a picture of forgiveness for sin that is available to all who will turn to God and call on Him. Over and over he prays that God will hear prayers and forgive sin. The temple was a picture of all that Christ would do in the heavenly tabernacle not built with human hands. The gift of God through faith. Forgiveness to all who turn in faith to God. Notice that Solomon did not pray for God to pay attention to the sacrifices offered in or toward that place. He asks God to hear the prayers. It was not so much a house of sacrifice, as it was to be a house of prayer. It was something that the people failed badly to understand. So Solomon dedicates and intercedes that God would now, as He promised, place His name there and that it would be a house of prayer to seek God’s face.
As we think about dedication of ourselves and things in our lives we have some wonderful guidelines for seeking God’s blessing... for dedication to Him
First, we can only expect God to bless that which He has ordained and ordered. It is His will we need to be seeking. If He has not “built the house, they labor in vain that build it” Every part of our lives can be praise to Him, from eating and drinking to corporate worship - every part.
Second, God is bigger and wiser than our prayer and dedication. We can actually limit God in our prayers by placing Him in a “building” the size that we can understand and see the ends of. We have heard it time and again but “God is able to do more than we ask or think”. Unfortunately, we can get to the place where we limit God to a place, a time, a way of working, a will to work in miraculous ways and so forth. God is bigger, indescribable, uncontainable.
Another thing we can do is forget that God is a God who dwells among His people. Sometimes we feel extremely limited in how we can pray if we are in the wrong place or the wrong situation. Solomon’s prayer reminds us that it is not our place or circumstances that are important in God hearing us. It is important that we turn to Him and pray to Him.
Finally (for us today) is that God is not looking so much for our sacrifice. He is looking for our prayer. He doesn’t need anything from us, but He wants our hearts. He looks for us to turn to Him, humble ourselves before Him, to be obedient to Him. Then He is happy to hear, forgive and heal. The best part about all this then is that for us God’s temple is not a building that stands in some physical location. We are the temple of God and His eyes and ears are open and attentive when we call to Him.
Prayer Request
* Zoran, Nada and Indi. Friends of ours that we have spent time with and gotten to know. We have a good relationship with them and they are very dear. Nada has even gone to church with Olya once. They are super people! They come from a catholic and orthodox background but don’t go to church at all. They are always ready to help and just good folks all around. Pray for their salvation and open doors to share the gospel with them. Pray for hearts ready to listen to God’s voice calling to them.
1Kings 8:23 and he said: “LORD God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You,
1Kings 8:28 Yet regard the prayer of Your servant and his supplication, O LORD my God, and listen to the cry and the prayer which Your servant is praying before You today:
1Kings 8:29 that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, “My name shall be there,’ that You may hear the prayer which Your servant makes toward this place.
1Kings 8:30 And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.
1Kings 8:54 And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.
2Chr. 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2Chr. 7:15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.
For a children’s book it is a truly momentous event. Bob the builder may be sick but the tractors and trucks have succeeded in getting the road open on schedule. All the vehicles line up at the side of the road as Wendy takes the scissors and proclaims the main artery into the city open for use! The tractors are euphoric. They completed their work. They did an excellent job. It is time to celebrate.
For 7 years Solomon and the people of Israel have been involved in a momentous building project. It is a bit bigger than getting the road through town built. It is the temple! Solomon’s temple. It is one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. So much mastery and excellence have been poured into this building and no wonder. It is the house of God.
Therefore, the ceremony of dedication must be no less excellent and splendid. There is a great feast. There are many people gathered for the event. There are sacrifices. So many sacrifices that they can’t be counted. The ark and all the furnishings of the Tabernacle are brought up by the Levites and all the people in a kind of holy parade. These things are brought into the new Temple and put into their places. The Lord comes and fills the Temple. The priests can’t go back in to continue their ministry. God is there. Solomon steps up and blesses the people and then in their sight he kneels and prays, arms stretched up to heaven.
It is a prayer of dedication. He is praying for everything that he hopes that this temple will be and symbolize to the people. That this is only a symbol is clear from the opening paragraphs of the prayer, but all the same this place is to have an important role and place in the lives of the people of Israel. Solomon may have spent years building this building. He may have spent millions and hundreds of millions in gold, silver, bronze, precious materials, labor, wood and much more. However, the place this building is to have in the hearts, minds and lives of the people is much more than the cost of the materials and labor. It is much more than artwork and craftsmanship. It is much more than aesthetics or serene environment. It is the place that God dwells among the people. It is the place that God will put His name. Now it is time for Solomon to dedicate it to use and as he does there are ideas he wants to convey. There are dangers that he sees. Most importantly God must ultimately agree to be there or it is just a pretty, empty building.
As he prays he begins by affirming that this project was not their idea. Had it been then they would most certainly have been expecting a lot from God to come and put His “stamp of approval” on it. The only reason that they could build this house is because God had okayed the work. David had desired. God had said no! But then, He went on to make a promise to David about his family. He blesses David and then confirms that you will not build this house, but your son will. Ultimately, this is a God initiative, done by God’s allowance. So really He is only asking God to bless what He has already said they could do.
The second thing that he prays is about the building itself. It was important to the dedication. This building was to, practically, become the center of Israel. The Israelites would be so proud of this (and later) temples. It was to become a part of their national identity. So deeply was it engrained into that identity that 2000 years after its destruction in 70 A.D. the people and the land still suffer from its loss. They long for the day when it will be built again. However, the danger was that this building would become more important than the one to whom it was dedicated. Solomon prays knowing, that for all its beauty and greatness, it is nothing compared to God. It could not contain, encompass or even begin to express the greatness of God who places His name there.
Solomon prays, despite all this, that God would still pay attention to this humble shack and listen to the prayers offered there. After this much of the rest of the prayer is focused on asking God to hear. Many times throughout his prayer Solomon asks that God would hear from heaven, His dwelling place, and answer their prayers. He realizes that God will not dwell there. It is not a house for God. God will still reign from heaven, not from this house. He simply asks that God be attentive to the prayers made in this place. However, he goes beyond that. He realizes that, unlike the pagan gods, God is not confined to the area of a temple or land. So Solomon asks also that God would be attentive to prayers prayed in this place, toward this place and also in other lands toward this place. He knew that God would dwell among His people and go with them always. The people should not think that God would not hear them because they were far away. However, remembering and praying toward the temple would help them remember who their God is, what He desires and requires.
Solomon realizes that this temple is a picture of forgiveness for sin that is available to all who will turn to God and call on Him. Over and over he prays that God will hear prayers and forgive sin. The temple was a picture of all that Christ would do in the heavenly tabernacle not built with human hands. The gift of God through faith. Forgiveness to all who turn in faith to God. Notice that Solomon did not pray for God to pay attention to the sacrifices offered in or toward that place. He asks God to hear the prayers. It was not so much a house of sacrifice, as it was to be a house of prayer. It was something that the people failed badly to understand. So Solomon dedicates and intercedes that God would now, as He promised, place His name there and that it would be a house of prayer to seek God’s face.
As we think about dedication of ourselves and things in our lives we have some wonderful guidelines for seeking God’s blessing... for dedication to Him
First, we can only expect God to bless that which He has ordained and ordered. It is His will we need to be seeking. If He has not “built the house, they labor in vain that build it” Every part of our lives can be praise to Him, from eating and drinking to corporate worship - every part.
Second, God is bigger and wiser than our prayer and dedication. We can actually limit God in our prayers by placing Him in a “building” the size that we can understand and see the ends of. We have heard it time and again but “God is able to do more than we ask or think”. Unfortunately, we can get to the place where we limit God to a place, a time, a way of working, a will to work in miraculous ways and so forth. God is bigger, indescribable, uncontainable.
Another thing we can do is forget that God is a God who dwells among His people. Sometimes we feel extremely limited in how we can pray if we are in the wrong place or the wrong situation. Solomon’s prayer reminds us that it is not our place or circumstances that are important in God hearing us. It is important that we turn to Him and pray to Him.
Finally (for us today) is that God is not looking so much for our sacrifice. He is looking for our prayer. He doesn’t need anything from us, but He wants our hearts. He looks for us to turn to Him, humble ourselves before Him, to be obedient to Him. Then He is happy to hear, forgive and heal. The best part about all this then is that for us God’s temple is not a building that stands in some physical location. We are the temple of God and His eyes and ears are open and attentive when we call to Him.
Prayer Request
* Zoran, Nada and Indi. Friends of ours that we have spent time with and gotten to know. We have a good relationship with them and they are very dear. Nada has even gone to church with Olya once. They are super people! They come from a catholic and orthodox background but don’t go to church at all. They are always ready to help and just good folks all around. Pray for their salvation and open doors to share the gospel with them. Pray for hearts ready to listen to God’s voice calling to them.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
30 More Days... Day 14
2Sam. 22:1 Then David spoke to the LORD the words of this song, on the day when the LORD had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul.
2Sam. 22:2 And he said:
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
2Sam. 22:3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
2Sam. 22:4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;...
2Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.
Often when we come to God in prayer we come with an agenda. When we speak to Him it is because we want something. Sometimes we refer to these as “grocery list” or “laundry list” prayers. Okay God, little business meeting here... we need to get this, that and the other thing done, and, oh yeah, we need this list of resources. God doesn’t mind. He likes when we come to Him. He likes when we share what is on our minds and in our hearts. He likes that we bring to Him our cares and concerns, our problems and petitions. In fact, even in our conversations with the people around us, even the people closest to us, we often speak with them because we have some agenda. We want something from them. We value something in them that we want to share. But sometimes, sometimes, we just want to tell them something. We just want to tell them how much they mean to us.
What we see here is a prayer song. David is just going to express who God is and what He has done. It is first and foremost to God. David speaks it to Him. But it is also before other people for them to hear and understand.
David has come to a point in his life, where, after many years of struggle, survival and tough choices, God has brought him to a place of rest. God has brought him through countless years, adventures, dangers and threats. David has seen his share of hardship. Now, things are “looking up”. David is out of danger. Saul no longer chases and threatens. David has been through wars and campaigns. He has survived a couple of rebellions, attempted coups and many other close shaves. Through all this time God has been his foundation, his support, his help, his guide, his hope, the basis of his principles and ethics, his protection, his strength and his deliverer. David just wants to express to God all his love, thankfulness, appreciation and praise for all that God has done. He has no other agenda than just this. He pours out the words of this song he has written directly to the Lord, directly to God who is worthy of all praise.
This probably does not happen enough. I know I find it so hard just to go to God with praise and thanks. It is not long before the needs, concerns, plans and desires of my heart are once more on my lips. It is not long before my thoughts well up and drown out that praise and thanks. As I remember His greatness and consider His power I find myself praying for that power to be made known. As I think about His strength, I find myself praying for Him to bring it to bear in some situation or circumstance. As I think about His power to protect I find myself asking Hism to please continue. There is nothing wrong with this. We need to rest in the Lord and the power of His might, the assurance of His greatness and goodness. Why though can I not just praise and thank. He deserves this. David finds a way to go on for about 50 verses to do nothing but praise and proclaiming the inexpressible about God. His God.
As we come down to the end of the prayer we find that David did have an agenda after all. He spoke these words before the Lord, but he also reveals right at the end that there is another purpose for this song. His agenda?
2Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles...
He is not just thanking God or praising Him. He also had a purpose to proclaim Him. It is odd though David’s choice of words. He doesn’t just wish to praise, nor to proclaim God to Israel. He also wants God to be proclaimed among the gentiles. He is desperate that the gentiles should know the inexpressible things of God and how very good He is. To know how He stands in such stark contrast to their false gods. This is what praise does and why it is so worthy. As the heart dwells on God and praises Him a proclamation is made that even unbelievers cannot help but see and hear.
Prayer Request
* Pray that God would establish His church in Slovenia and Maribor. That people would see His true greatness. That they would see beyond the bricks and buildings, the rites and rituals to see the importance of honest and true relationship with God. That they would open their hearts to Spiritual things and the gospel. That they would turn to Him. That the spiritual strongholds would be torn down, the spiritual stupor taken away and the fallow ground broken up.
2Sam. 22:2 And he said:
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
2Sam. 22:3 The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge;
My Savior, You save me from violence.
2Sam. 22:4 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;...
2Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles,
And sing praises to Your name.
Often when we come to God in prayer we come with an agenda. When we speak to Him it is because we want something. Sometimes we refer to these as “grocery list” or “laundry list” prayers. Okay God, little business meeting here... we need to get this, that and the other thing done, and, oh yeah, we need this list of resources. God doesn’t mind. He likes when we come to Him. He likes when we share what is on our minds and in our hearts. He likes that we bring to Him our cares and concerns, our problems and petitions. In fact, even in our conversations with the people around us, even the people closest to us, we often speak with them because we have some agenda. We want something from them. We value something in them that we want to share. But sometimes, sometimes, we just want to tell them something. We just want to tell them how much they mean to us.
What we see here is a prayer song. David is just going to express who God is and what He has done. It is first and foremost to God. David speaks it to Him. But it is also before other people for them to hear and understand.
David has come to a point in his life, where, after many years of struggle, survival and tough choices, God has brought him to a place of rest. God has brought him through countless years, adventures, dangers and threats. David has seen his share of hardship. Now, things are “looking up”. David is out of danger. Saul no longer chases and threatens. David has been through wars and campaigns. He has survived a couple of rebellions, attempted coups and many other close shaves. Through all this time God has been his foundation, his support, his help, his guide, his hope, the basis of his principles and ethics, his protection, his strength and his deliverer. David just wants to express to God all his love, thankfulness, appreciation and praise for all that God has done. He has no other agenda than just this. He pours out the words of this song he has written directly to the Lord, directly to God who is worthy of all praise.
This probably does not happen enough. I know I find it so hard just to go to God with praise and thanks. It is not long before the needs, concerns, plans and desires of my heart are once more on my lips. It is not long before my thoughts well up and drown out that praise and thanks. As I remember His greatness and consider His power I find myself praying for that power to be made known. As I think about His strength, I find myself praying for Him to bring it to bear in some situation or circumstance. As I think about His power to protect I find myself asking Hism to please continue. There is nothing wrong with this. We need to rest in the Lord and the power of His might, the assurance of His greatness and goodness. Why though can I not just praise and thank. He deserves this. David finds a way to go on for about 50 verses to do nothing but praise and proclaiming the inexpressible about God. His God.
As we come down to the end of the prayer we find that David did have an agenda after all. He spoke these words before the Lord, but he also reveals right at the end that there is another purpose for this song. His agenda?
2Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles...
He is not just thanking God or praising Him. He also had a purpose to proclaim Him. It is odd though David’s choice of words. He doesn’t just wish to praise, nor to proclaim God to Israel. He also wants God to be proclaimed among the gentiles. He is desperate that the gentiles should know the inexpressible things of God and how very good He is. To know how He stands in such stark contrast to their false gods. This is what praise does and why it is so worthy. As the heart dwells on God and praises Him a proclamation is made that even unbelievers cannot help but see and hear.
Prayer Request
* Pray that God would establish His church in Slovenia and Maribor. That people would see His true greatness. That they would see beyond the bricks and buildings, the rites and rituals to see the importance of honest and true relationship with God. That they would open their hearts to Spiritual things and the gospel. That they would turn to Him. That the spiritual strongholds would be torn down, the spiritual stupor taken away and the fallow ground broken up.
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