Survival Instincts

Survival instincts are a basic human response to life—even in the spiritual realm. Almost everyone seeks to organize their life according to patterns they believe will bring favor with God. We want to live.

And yet, almost everyone defies the instinct for survival at times. We may drive too fast, eat too much—or we may ignore God’s voice. And there are some people who seem intent on ignoring God—and so they defy their survival instincts.

During a time of crisis, the Lord spoke to King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah: Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights. (Is. 7:11 NIV)

Ahaz was a wicked king. Even though he realized Isaiah was a true prophet, he responded with, I will not ask: I will not put the Lord to the test. (vs. 12b) His answer was an offense to God; it did not even relate to Isaiah’s message.

Isaiah could not understand. He said, Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? (vs. 13b)

But Ahaz was intent on evil and he defied normal survival instincts. When he died, he was not buried with other the other kings. When his son Hezekiah became king, the young man restored God’s favor by cleansing the temple of his own father’s evil influence.

Originally published December 9, 1983.

Rising above Taunts and Threats

David was a young boy who stayed home and took care of his father’s sheep during the early years of Saul’s reign. Out in the fields, he developed an intimate relationship with his God and he learned to trust God’s leading and protection. When his father sent him to check on the status of his older brothers who were part of Saul’s army, David had confidence in the God who had proven Himself faithful.

When David expressed his confidence, however, his brothers taunted him.

This was a test and an important first step for David. He would not have gone against Goliath if he had not first stood strong against his own brothers.

When he did go against the giant named Goliath in a fight to the death, Goliath came at him with threats as well as more taunts. The Bible says Goliath looked down upon him as someone insignificant. He cursed David by his gods. He said, Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. (I Sam. 17:42,44 NKJV)

David had something to say in return: I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts. . . This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand . . . for the battle is the Lord’s. . . . (v. 45,46) And once again, David prevailed because God gave him the victory.

If David was afraid, the Bible does not tell us. He knew his God and he knew his God was in control, regardless of anything that anyone might say.

Originally published April 18, 1986.

Little by Little

Human nature wants instant success.

Sometimes God works that way in our behalf. The Bible tells of many occasions when individuals or nations were instantly delivered—set free—from terrible affliction or oppression.

But the Bible also tells us that sometimes God worked slowly—over a period of time. When the Israelites were about to conquer Canaan, God spoke through their leader Moses that they would not experience quick, painless victory. Rather, they would gradually dominate the people they conquered. He said, And he Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once. . . . (Deut. 7:2 2 NKJV)

Moses also said, [N]o one shall be able to stand against you. . . . (v. 24b)

The words must have been a shock to the Israelites. During their march toward Canaan, they won swift victories. Hearing from Moses that the future would be different surely challenged their mindset and their resolve, but the promise of ultimate victory was their goal. When they had trouble they could remember the promise and trust the God who gave the promise.

Originally published July 31, 1987.

Opportunity to Trust

Moses said to the Israelites, remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart. . . . (Deut 8:2a NKJV)

When reading that verse, it is important to remember that God doesn’t send tests to see how well His people will do. He sends them as opportunities. We can choose Him or not choose Him. And no one—not even God—predetermines responses during a time of testing. Every person—or every nation—is free.

Nor is God a passive spectator. Because He cares so much, He interacts with individuals and with nations, working to bring them to a place where they have greater opportunity to make the right choices.

When the Israelites came to the end of their long journey through the Wilderness and were about to enter the Promised Land, God reminded them of the blessings He had provided: Your garments did not wear out on you or did your foot swell these forty years. (v. 4) That was the case even though he often allowed hardship before He provided. He allowed them to experience hunger, thirst, failure, attack from hostile armies, etc. Each trial was an opportunity to trust Him—to walk in his ways and to fear Him. (v. 6b)

Originally published July 3, 1987.

Good Comes from Problems?

The Bible tells us that bad things can—not will, but can—turn into something good if we love God. . . . (Rom. 8:28b TLB) It's even true when bad things happen because we've sinned. God has a solution if we allow Him to enter the mix.

The prophet Hosea understood problems caused by sin as opportunities for receiving reconciliation from God. He said, Come, let us return to the Lord; it is he who has torn us—he will heal us. He has wounded—he will bind us up . . . Let us press on to know him, and he will respond to us as surely as the coming of dawn or the rain of early spring. (Hos. 6:1,3)

When on this type of personal journey, it’s important to remember God doesn’t send problems to harass us. His goal is healing. When He allows bad things to happen or when problem areas come to the surface, He’s like a doctor lancing a boil. He cuts into our lives so He can replace disease with wholeness.

Originally published March 15, 1985.

Applying Scripture

It’s important to know Scripture. It’s equally important to understand and correctly apply it. Even Satan knows God’s Word. But he applies it wrongly, and he would be glad to entice God’s people to use it wrongly as well.

Jesus is our pattern, and He shows the importance of using Scripture correctly. When He was in the Wilderness—after fasting many days—Satan came to temp Him. Three tests are recorded in Luke 4. In the final test, Satan quoted Scripture when he said, If you are the Son of God . . . throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: “'He shall give His angels charge over You, to keep You. . . .” (Lk. 4:9,8 NKJV) Satan quoted from Psalm 91. He might have understood the meaning, but he misapplied it.

Jesus recognized the verses and understood them. He also He recognized Satan's deceipt and rejected Satan's argument. In response, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:16: it has been said, “'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.” (v. 12)

Originally published March 11, 1988

Picture: Potted plants, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Wrestling With God

Jacob struggled almost every time he did something. In his mother’s womb, he and his twin brother Esau jostled each other. . . . (Gen. 25:22) Their enmity didn’t stop in the womb, either. Although Jacob grew up knowing about God, he both tricked and deceived his brother when they were young men. He finally had to flee for his life from Esau.

But deception caught up with Jacob as an adult. In the land where he acquired wives and children, he also acquired a new set of problems. He eventually had to flee again, and now he was ready to go home. Even if it meant facing his brother Esau.

Jacob was afraid. He divided his large family—thinking if one group was lost, another group might be safe. That night, before setting out, a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him [Jacob], he [the unseen stranger] touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched. . . . (Gen. 32:24,25)

The mysterious man, Jacob’s adversary, was God Himself and Jacob knew it. Yet he continued to strive.

Although other Old Testament characters encountered God without fighting, Jacob was a fighter, and God met him at that level. He returned to Bethel where he once again built an altar and once again, God met him and blessed him.

But this time God changed Jacob. He limped the rest of his life. From that point on, he also depended on God.

Originally published April 26, 1985.

Picture: Commercial display, Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Birds of Prey

God spoke to Abram in a vision: I am your shield, your very great reward. (Gen. 15:1 NIV) That sounds wonderful, but Abram was less than thrilled. He might have appreciated God as his shield, but in his world, children were a primary blessing. He and Sarah had none. He wanted a child and he said, O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless. . . . (v. 2)

God answered by again promising Abram that he would receive a son. He promised land, too. And Abram was so free in God’s presence that he asked how he could believe God was really speaking to him. God replied by instructing him to prepare a specific sacrifice.

Abraham followed the instructions, but then something strange happened: birds of prey came down on the carcasses. . . . (v. 11) In this tender moment of communion with God—of knowing God’s divine love and attention—Abraham was forced to deal with wild animals that threatened to destroy his offering. He drove them away. (v. 11)

Was it a test? A challenge? Later than night, God spoke to him in a dream—revealing the future of his descendants. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram. (v. 18)

We don't know why God deals with people the way He does. Abraham's experience with birds of prey might not have seemed as strange to him as it does it us. Abraham somehow knew God was with him.

We, also, somehow know God is sovereign and that He is with us. And like Abraham, we might experience strange events when God comes to us with His promises. Then, like Abraham, we're called to trust Him. And like Abraham, we stand against whatever threatens to destroy our relationship with this God who speaks and offers promieses.

Originally published March 9, 1984.

Picture: Oriental poppy, Patty's garden, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Jesus—Only Jesus

Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians telling them he had been God’s wise master builder when he was among them. He had shared Christ with them and he had helped establish them as members of God’ family. Then he said, For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (I Cor. 3:11 NKJV)

If we think of our life with God as a building, we might like to add many things to our foundation. We might like to add our good works, our accomplishments, or our talents. We might even like to add our background—the accomplishments of parents or grandparents.

But Scripture is clear. Jesus—and only Jesus—can be a foundation for life with God. Nothing else is strong enough to withstand the shaking each Christian must face.

Because everything will be tested—even those additional aspects of our Christian life: Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw . . . the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. (vs. 12,13b)

Originally published August 9, 1991.
Picture: Cactus in bloom, Arizona desert, 2008. Photo by Patty.

Contend Earnestly

Peace from God doesn’t mean loss of conflict. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit, and Jude verbally offered peace when he wrote, Mercy, peace and love be multiplied to you. (Jude, v. 2 NKJV) Jude also supported conflict when he wrote, contend earnestly for the faith. . . . (v. 31)

Jude instructed the believers to contend because outsiders had come to the congregation with heretical doctrine. Without making their intent known or immediately apparent, men were gradually introducing doctrines that said it was okay to turn the grace of our God into licentiousness. . . . (v. 4)

The teaching must be resisted, but the people didn’t need to lose their peace while they stood for truth. Their peace rested upon their inner relationship with God—not upon circumstances—or even on the presence of ungodly men teaching ungodly doctrines. They could have peace amidst strife because they trusted God.

Originally published June 23, 1980.
Picture: Red River of the North, 2009. Photo by Cindy.

The Lord Thundered

When the Israelites gathered at Mizpah, they turned toward God. To act upon their resolve, they did something we might find strange—they poured precious water (they lived in a semi-arid country) onto the ground as an offering. Then they fasted and acknowledged their sin.

Whenever God’s people turn to Him, God’s enemies try to interfere. In this instance, the army of the Philistines advanced toward them, and the Israelites were afraid. Had they given in to their fear, they would have lost the ensuing battle.

Instead, they asked their leader Samuel to continue to pray fervently for them. Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it. . . . (I Sam. 7:9a)

We don’t offer suckling lambs today either—Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb. But regardless of the historical reference point, when people trust God and turn to Him, God has the upper hand in any ensuing battle.

The story of the Israelite battle is exciting: Now as Samuel was offering up the burn offering, the Philistines drew near . . . But the Lord thundered with a loud thunder. . . . (v. 10a)

Just like that, their enemy became disoriented and they were able to take the initiative by pursuing the Philistines and routing them out of the area. God intervened for His people when they cried out to Him.

Originally published October 11, 1991.