12/29/2009 9:07 AM
SPIRITUAL DIARY
My Worship Time Focus: Praise the Lord for the volunteers
Bible Reading &
Meditation Reference: Judges 5:13-18
Message of the verses: “13
"Down from Tabor marched the remnant against the mighty. The people
of the LORD marched down against mighty warriors. 14 They came down from Ephraim —a land that once
belonged to the Amalekites, and Benjamin also followed you. From Makir the
commanders marched down; from Zebulun came those who carry the rod of
authority. 15 The princes of Issachar
were with Deborah and Barak. They followed Barak, rushing into the valley. But
in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. 16 Why did you sit at home among the
sheepfolds—to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? In the tribe of
Reuben there was great indecision. 17
Gilead remained east of the Jordan. And Dan, why did he stay
home? Asher sat unmoved at the seashore, remaining in his harbors. 18 But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali,
on the battlefield.”
In order to
help understand what is going on in these verses, especially those that tell of
the tribes that did not come to the battle, I want to quote the very last verse
in the book of Judges: “25 In those days there was no king in Israel;
everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Not only is
Deborah writing about those wonderful people who volunteered to go to battle
for the Lord and for Israel,
she also tells of those who did not go to battle, but stayed home for various
reasons. Dr. Wiersbe writes: “The people of God today are not unlike the
people of Israel when it comes to God’s call for service: some immediately volunteer and follow the
Lord; some risk their lives; some give the call serious consideration but son
no; and others keep to themselves as though the call had never been given.”
Spiritual meaning for my life today: I would suppose that there have been times
when I have fit in all of those categories which are written in the quote
above, but I also believe that there is a balance to serving the Lord, and no
matter what it depends on how I believe that the Lord is leading me. I can get to busy for the Lord and do a lot
of things in the flesh, which is not good, or I can turn my back on doing what
it is that the Lord is leading me to do and be just as wrong. There has to be balance, and most of all
there has to be a leading from the Holy Spirit.
My Steps of Faith for
Today:
- “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
- “11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”
- “23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”
- “12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.”
12/29/2009 9:37 AM
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