Unveiling Hope

The Battle is Won

If a person’s ears are tuned to hear the voice of God they will hear the sound of the trumpets warning of a battle to come. This is the time to seek His counsel as King David often did, “Should I go up against them? Will you give them into my hands?” David sought God’s counsel before making any moves knowing full well that his enquiries would be answered.

Some of us are not so adept at hearing God’s voice; we’re still practicing, still unsure, or perhaps we are slowly moving into a place where we are learning to trust Him enough to seek His wisdom, counsel and protection.

Too many people believe that every battle is of the enemy; this is not the case. God will send us into battle from time to time, but rest assured that when He does He had ordained us for victory. He is for us and not against us. God will never send you into a battle that you have no chance of winning. He is the Commander in Chief and it is for this reason that at the sound of the trumpet – or when we find ourselves at the centre of the battlefield – we must seek Him and not move, nor be paralyzed by fear, until we are sure we have heard His answer.

Can you hear the trumpet sound? Can you hear His voice? Do you trust that He is for you and not against you? Remember this: if God sends you into battle the battle is won.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Isaiah 43:3.

Trying Too Hard

If you’re anything like me the struggle to live in balance is like sitting on a teeter-totter at the exact moment that your friend leaps off. The most often heard words for the first 15 years of my life were “you’re not trying hard enough!”

I always wondered, and still do, if you are trying is it possible to try harder? Is it a question of quantification? Can a person try harder than their best? If you try less than your best, are you even trying? Is it any wonder that people get stressed out in life?

At the beginning of my relationship with the Lord there was a great sigh of relief in my life. I think for the first time I can remember I actually felt relaxed. I felt accepted. I felt loved. I felt as if I was enough, but wasn’t limited to remaining as I was. I just was – no need to try – I just was.

It only took a few years however for me to realize that, occasionally, I find myself straining under the pressure of being, striving, and achieving to be better than . . . well – better than that – whatever that is. It’s in these times – when the vein in my forehead starts to pop – that I hear the Lord whispering to my spirit, “Don’t try so hard.” I like that. Are you trying too hard?

“Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” Matthew 11: 28-30.

Warrior Power

The Word of God spoke creation into being (Gen. 1:3 – “And God said ...”). This particular use of “word” comes from the Greek “logos” which means a living voice has called forth or decreed something.

John 1:3 reads: “All things were created through Him (through the Word).” That is to say that Jesus – the Word – birthed life.

Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as “living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Words have power – our words have power. Many of us often feel as if there is little, if anything, we can do to change the world, but there is. The power of prayer is the greatest and most powerful gift God has given us by His Mighty Spirit.

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective,” James 5:16.

May I Have The Big Piece?

Tell the truth now . . . you know you’ve wanted it. You know you were too shy to ask for it, but you wanted it . . . the big piece . . . whether it was pie or cake or lasagne. Maybe it wasn’t the big piece, maybe you just wanted a second helping. I remember those days with fear; asking for the big piece was a no-no, and asking for more was unspeakable.

How many of us have learned to ask for the smaller portion when we’re asked which piece we want? How many of us have taught our children the same less-is-more attitude? Where etiquette is concerned, perhaps taking the smaller piece or completely denying oneself is the right thing to do, but when we take that attitude and begin to apply it to all areas of our lives, how much are we missing? What are we giving up?

I have to admit that I have been carrying along this attitude for far too long and it is most noticeable in my spiritual life. Jesus said, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matt.7:7-8). I have come to realize that I behave as if I think that God is stingy or that He is waiting to rap my knuckles if I ask for too much. Well, I know He isn’t stingy, but I’ve lost that bold and trusting, carefree attitude I.

Surely, as a friend, a spouse, or a parent, if you had a big piece and a little piece of pie to share wouldn’t it be your good pleasure to give the other person the big piece? Don’t you just love to bless others, to be extravagant? So, does God. The Bible is replete with examples of His generosity and we are repeatedly reminded that He is our Father in Heaven so why are we so reluctant to ask Him for what we need, or want? It’s because we don’t come with our requests with a child’s frame of mind. We’re afraid we’ll be scolded or rejected for asking, or are we frightened that we’ll be disappointed by the answer? To scold and reject a child simply for asking is not the character of God though there are times the answer has to be “no”. Rest assured – Father knows best. I think I’ll “uncheck” my childlike attitude.

“For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.’” Matt. 18:2 MSG.

Hanging On

Hanging on with all one’s might, hanging on by the skin of one’s teeth, hanging on for dear life, hanging on by a thread or a strand ... all expressions we use to describe the desperation in which we hang on to something for a desired result.

Hanging on is a waiting period, it’s the distance between now and then, the time between present and future, the journey through a dessert to springs of life-giving, free-flowing water - the sustenance of life. Hanging on is synonymous with hope. And while it’s true that most often we don’t necessarily enjoy that journey we most certainly always enjoy the arrival at the final destination.

I’ve been on one of these journeys for almost a year now. I don’t know how long I’ll be travelling, but I have finally taken notice of what the Lord has been willing to teach me as we’ve traveled this distance together. He has placed a series of oases from which I am to drink, to refresh myself with, that I would not despise the journey but continue to walk with Him from glory to glory.

There are times when looking too far ahead into the future convinces us that there is no relief in sight – perhaps it’s exactly that which makes us long for the end rather than viewing the journey as a training season – a time of spiritual preparation.

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever,” 1 Cor. 9:25.

Facing the Giant

Every human being, at some point in their life, will have to face a giant. Some of us will have to face more than one at a time. The worse giant anyone could ever have to face is giving up hope. The loss of hope is surrender on the battle field.

The Israelites faced the Philistines for 40 days. Every day, and every evening, that beastly giant Goliath came out and taunted them, he frightened them by his very size and arrogance. He persisted until they had lost hope. Even the valiant King Saul stood on the sidelines. Israel had all but raised the flag of surrender; their hope was lost.

In his youth, David had the answer; David had a fearless faith in the power of God. David looked upon the battlefield as fertile ground for God to manifest His glory. David ran toward Goliath with the very attitude that made him a man after God’s own heart. He had seen the hopelessness that had impaled Israel’s soldiers to ground.

What made him so sure that God would win the battle for him? He had a relationship with God – the intimate kind of relationship that doesn’t merely sustain faith and hope – the kind of intimacy that grows faith and hope. There would be no facing this giant alone. He knew that as he ran toward Goliath that the God of Israel had already gone ahead of him to secure the victory.

The size of the battle should not invoke fear. Wherever we are in the battle, whether it’s hidden in a foxhole or standing in the middle of the battlefield, God is waiting for us on the other side. God fights for us from victory; our hope is in Him alone.

‘David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."’ 1 Sam 17:45-47.

Can You Hear Me Now?

Yes! Yes! I can hear you. I hear every word you say, I know every thought you think. I’m with you. Yes! I’m here, always and forever.

I know you’re beginning to think I’m not listening or that our connection has been broken; it hasn’t dear heart. Every prayer you pray I collect in a bowl, waiting for the perfect moment to pour out blessings upon you. I’m not ignoring you. I’m not disappointed in you. I love you, with all my heart, without condition. There is nothing you’ve done to change that. There is nothing you can do to change that.

You will hear me again, know this for sure. The din of this world is making much static, but I’m still on the line. I won’t hang up. Quiet yourself. Find a place of solitude and meet me there, you’ll find less noise on the line. You’ll hear me. You might have to try a few times, but please don’t give up. Don’t give up on me for I will never give up on you. My heart is for you - all the way. You have my full attention.

You said you wished we could talk the way we used to, we still can, if you cling to the Hope I’ve given you. Nothing has changed – this is a temporary situation. You’ll see, soon you’ll understand everything. Let this be a time that drives your passion for me to persist regardless of what is going on around you. You will hear me again, I promise. You can stand on that promise. For all the promises I’ve made to you are the foundation of an everlasting covenant. You are mine! Stay on the line!

‘And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him,’ 1 Kings 19:11-13 NIV.

I'd Rather Fight than Switch

You’ve heard, no doubt, people use the phrase “I’m a survivor.” There was a period of time in my life when that’s how I thought of myself, a survivor. Many people define a survivor as an individual who lives through adverse circumstances. Yes, I was a survivor for years. I don’t necessarily count that as a good thing however. When I think how I lived through various situations, I have to admit that it wasn’t really living at all – it was more like hanging on by the skin of my teeth – there no “quality” of life; I wasn’t really living.

When a fighter can’t stick it out to the end of the fight his trainer throws in the towel. Throwing in the towel signifies that he has conceded – given up. He’s going to “survive” the fight (which of course is good), but he’s definitely not going to win; he forfeited his chances when the towel hit the mat. He fought toward victory and didn’t just lose the fight, he lost hope; he survived.

A champion, a prize fighter - a warrior – however fights from a different perspective. He’s got the belt. He’s got the title. He fights from a place of victory. The champ may one day meet his match; he may even lose the belt, but every fight – from the moment he took inherited his title – is fought from victory. Case in point: Mohammad Ali – people still refer to him as the champ, “The greatest.”

Today, I’m not a survivor. Today I’m a thriver. Today, I fight my battles from a place of victory – the victory I have in Jesus. The enemy meets me on the mat and tempts me to throw in the towel; he tries to convince me that I’m a loser, that I should switch teams. I’d rather fight than switch. Today, I’m a warrior; I am a champ. I have inherited a title: “Child of God.”

“But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ's victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,” 2 Cor. 2:14 AMP.

A Perspective on Perspective

Not too long ago, my son and I were at the other end of the city – the part of the city where I lived when I was about ten years old. Like many parents, I had recounted stories about my childhood to him – that included the story of my long and lonely walks to school during those cold winter days. I drove around the old neighbourhood and showed him my primary school and the townhouse I lived in.

“Mom!” he said, “I thought you told me your school was like two miles away?! It’s like not even a block away!” A flashback to my childhood flooded my mind as I looked at my former home, and then the school, and then my home again. He was right, it was – at the very most – half a city block away. It was so much farther when I was smaller!

It seems that I have made a habit throughout my life of seeing things bigger than they are. I am far too easily intimidated when it comes to things that seem out of my reach, or difficult. I let fear settle in and over-power me as if I’m a tiny little minnow swimming about in the sea. Lately however, thanks be to God, I have come to realize that there is nothing – no one – greater and more powerful than He is. He is for me and not against me. He’s on my side. He cares about the small details of my life – every detail. When I look at what seems to be a battle before me, instead of feeling small and insignificant, I need to run to Him – I need a new perspective – His perspective – on every “battle” before me.

““When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

"But sir," Gideon replied, "if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, 'Did not the LORD bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the LORD has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."

The LORD turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"

"But Lord , " Gideon asked, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."

The LORD answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together." Judges 6:12-14.

In Deed

From May 2007 until May 2009, someone I love very much was in a pit so deep that there were times – long periods of time – when he had no vision of being rescued. From his perspective, although he appreciated the support, it mattered little in the thick of the quagmire how many people were routing for him.

He had begun to question his very foundation; was it built on Rock or sand? Doubt was beginning to drown him and guilt, fuelled by the doubt, was the anchor pulling him down. How easy it is to tell someone to “have faith.” The truth is, unless we are going through the exact thing at the exact time, and under the exact circumstances, we can only begin to imagine what someone is living through.

What could I do? What can any of us do for others on our own? The only thing I could do was pray. And while I know that God heard my prayers – I also knew that when two or more are gathered, there He is. I began asking for others to lift him up in prayer without divulging personal and intimate details. Groups of people began praying for him; some he knew of – others he did not.

On September 21st, 2008 – someone spoke into this life – someone spoke life into this situation. A brother had a vision of the Lord reaching down into that pit and leading him into a bright future.

James (2:14-17) wrote that faith without deeds is dead. Believing that God can and wants to change a situation is faith. Uniting with others in prayer is a deed; giving encouraging words is a deed. Faith indeed. Faith in deed.

God is Great. God is Faithful. God deserves all glory; He did reach into that pit. He did pull out one that I love. He did give him a vision and is leading him into a bright future. God deserves all the glory.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:13-14.

Hallelujah, Lord. To you be all the glory.