Throw Them Away

The Canaanites were the people who occupied the promised land before the Israelites arrived. They worshipped idols, and they often enshrined their idols on hills. These idols were a problem for the Israelites. There were even times when the Israelites loved the idols.

We wonder why they would, but idols did not tell them they were sinners. Idols did not tell them to repent—or to feel sorry for sin—or to give up sin. In fact, the people who worshipped idols delighted in encouraging others to get involved in idol worship. When more were involved, they could feel just a little bit better about their activities. At one point, the Israelites said to God’s servant, Give us no more visions of what is right. Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions. (Is. 30:10b NIV) They gave themselves to sin.

Throughout Israel’s history, however, a faithful remnant of believers resisted idol worship. And then there were the godly prophets who faithfully brought God's messages of truth.

True messages from God share two facets of His love. Isaiah prophesied judgment. He also prophesied healing from the effects of sin. And he spoke about a time when the Israelites would return to the Lord and throw them [their idols] away. (v. 22)

The Israelites might have felt they could live life however they pleased when they worshipped idols that remained silent. But during times of trouble, the Israelites discovered problems with a god who said nothing—who seemed to be asleep. Then they needed and wanted a living God.

Originally published April 25, 1984 and June 22, 1984.

Only Be Strong

It’s never easy to replace a strong leader. Joshua had served as Moses’ assistant during the Israelites 40 years in the wilderness. As the assistant, Joshua witnessed multiple miracles. He led the Israelites in battle. He even entered the cloud of God’s presence with Moses when they climbed up Mount Sinai. Joshua received the best training possible.

But Moses had carried all the authority and all the responsibility. After Moses died, when Joshua assumed the position of leadership, Joshua responded as a normal human responds. He was afraid and he felt weighed down by the burden and challenge.

God prepared Joshua by speaking a Word into his heart that specifically addressed his fear: Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land. . . . (Josh. 1:6a NKJV)

Remarkable things happen inside a person who hears and believes God’s Word. Joshua got the message, and the people were ready for his leadership. They said, All that you command us we will do . . . Just as we heeded Moses in all things, so we will heed you.” (v. 16a,17a)

And so, when the time came to cross the Jordan and enter Canaan, Joshua was ready. He provided the leadership necessary for his army and for the people.

Originally published September 4, 1987.
Picture: Commercial display, Grand Forks, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Search God's Word

It’s dangerous to build a belief system or doctrine on a single portion of Scripture. Unless we draw from the multi-faceted wisdom of our Bible, we become hard or narrow in our response to life.

For example, on one occasion Jesus supported an open confrontation. He said to His disciples, If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault. . . . (Mt. 18:15a NIV) His teaching was based on Leviticus 19:17, and it applied to settling disputes quietly and peacefully with another believer. Involving others was necessary only if agreement wasn’t reached.

Other Old Testament Scriptures seem to contradict that approach. For example, Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. (Prov. 9:7,8)

There are no pat answers to relationship problems; each circumstance requires individual attention and wisdom. We need to search God’s Word for direction—we need to search our hearts to determine our own error—and we need to be sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Originally published September 13, 1985.
Picture: Potted garden plants, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Too Much to Grasp

Although the Hebrew slaves in Egypt knew something about God, they didn’t walk with Him or live in relationship with Him, and they had no understanding of His nature. God instructed Moses, say to the children of Israel: I am the Lord; I will bring you out from under the burden of the Egyptians . . . I will redeem you with an outstretched arm. . . . (Ex. 6:6 NKJV)

This was too much for the people of slavery to grasp, so they didn’t listen to Moses. Their pain was too deep to understand thoughts about a future and a hope.

It’s possible to live this way today. We might know something about God. But if we don’t have a vital connection with Him we cannot overcome our problems. When that happens, we are unable to hear God’s Word. We might even live in bondage.

While we struggle, God waits to reveal Himself. John the Baptist said to the people of Jesus’ time, There stands One among you whom you do not know. (Jn. 1:26b) The same is true today. The Spirit of Jesus is real. Ask Him to reveal Himself and move for you.

Originally published June 28, 1991.

A Good Condition

The word sanctify is usually associated with purity or freedom from sin. However, the literal meaning is set apart for a sacred purpose. It is associated with purity when people or objects are set apart for spiritual reasons. Because they are set apart, they are unstained by sin and the world and they are recognized as holy or pure.

Jesus did not envision this as a rare condition. He applied the word sanctify to His disciples when He prayed to His Father. He said, Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is Truth. As You have sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (Jn. 17:17-19 NKJV)

Observe that being sanctified or set apart occurs when the truth of God’s Word shapes individuals. Jesus perceived it as a good condition—one that helped the disciples influence others positively. Jesus willingly allowed Father God to set Him apart—to sanctify Him. He also prayed for His disciples sanctification.

Originally published January 22, 1993.

Picture: Pink peonies beginning to bloom, viewed from the street, West Fargo, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Opened Doors

The first Pentecost was a remarkable occasion. But the weeks and months that followed were equally remarkable for the disciples and the people who listened to them. Amazed political leaders wondered what to think and what to do when uneducated men began proclaiming God’s Word with power. The leaders wondered even more when miracles followed the men's words—because the men were led by the Holy Spirit.

Meanwhile, the people listened to the message and witnessed everything that happened. Many responded. Then, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42 NIV)

The jealous, stymied leaders felt they had to do something. So, They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. (5:18) Imagine the leaders consternation the next day when they learned that during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors. . . . (5:19)

For the disciples and for all people, a new era—the era of the Christian Church—was underway. Nothing could stop the spread of faith in Jesus when the disciples proclaimed God’s Word. God’s Church became a living reality.

Originally published June 3, 1983.

A Spiritual Goad

Ecclesiastes tells us, The words of the wise are like goads. . . . (Ecc. 12:11a NKJV)

Goads are sharp pointed sticks used to drive oxen. They look similar to javelins. So here Scripture compares words spoke by wise leaders to sharp or pointed instruments that push willful but slow-witted creatures in the right direction. When we extend the analogy, we realize we’re the slow-witted creatures! Oxen, to be specific!

Who can be excited about an analogy that compares people to oxen. However, if we recognize God as the source of truth, then wisdom makes sense. God’s Word does serve as a goad—and it does, on many occasions, reveal our sin. It jabs against our willful opinions and desires. It performs spiritual surgery by supernaturally identifying and removing offense.

Perhaps we’re not so different from oxen after all.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piecing even to the division of soul and spirit. . . . (Heb. 4:12a) This kind of penetration can cause pain. Wisdom might even cause a measure of suffering. But wisdom brings us to God.

Originally published June 12, 1987.

Free from Tyranny

Because Jesus spoke God’s Word, the people hoped He would miraculously remove Roman soldiers and tax collectors from their land. That’s one of the reasons why the early ministry of Jesus attracted a great a deal of attention. The people were looking for a Messiah, a man who would set them free from Rome’s tyranny, and they hoped Jesus was the man.

But some of the followers were surprised by the things Jesus said and did. He challenged them in unusual ways. He said to Peter, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Lk. 5:4 NKJV)

As an experienced fisherman, Peter knew better. He tried to explain to Jesus why the effort would be useless. Then something about the person of Jesus changed his mind. He replied, “nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (v. 5)

When he obeyed, Peter learned that Jesus does set people free—not necessarily from foreign powers or tyranny but from personal limitations. For, when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was braking. (v. 6)

Soon after Peter’s act of obedience, Jesus chose Peter as one of His disciples.

Originally published October 5, 1990.
Picture: Flower, Hawaii, 2004. Photo by Patty.

He Makes Us Whole

Jesus met a man with a withered hand in the synagogue, and He healed it. One Word—and it was done.

But before He spoke the Word, Jesus dealt with the Pharisees—religious men who would rather see the man suffer than acknowledge Jesus’ ministry. They were watching Jesus closely, looking for fault, looking for a way to reject the ministry of God’s Son. They didn’t care about the man who needed healing.

Jesus cut through their opposition, and He spoke directly to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” The man followed Jesus’ instructions, and his hand was restored as whole as the others. (Lk. 6:10 NKJV)

There will always be people who would rather see others suffer than acknowledge Jesus’ ministry. They look for ways to reject God and His Son.

Jesus continues to deal with their opposition. If we look beyond opposition and respond to Him—stretch out our soul, our very being—in answer to His call, He promises to restore. He makes us whole again.

Originally published April 8, 1988.