We Remember

Today is a day that most, if not all, Americans will never forget. Though as we look at this day, and the memories that were forever etched in our minds 10 years ago we all have mixed feelings of fear, anger, disgust, or more than I can write here. Though as you go about your business today I encourage you to remember. Remember for those who lost their lives. Remember for those who lost someone. Remember for your nation. And through all this remember the grace and mercy of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. ## His House We are faced with an hard task. We are tasked to trust in the Lord, and find our provisions from Him alone, even when there are insurmountable odds or difficult circumstances in front of us. I like to read Numbers 13 when I think on making a hard decision that could cost me something in this world. It is the report the spies give about the Promised land, and through all of the ones saying how great and beautiful the land is, only two men stand up and say that the God is with us so lets go. > "At the end of forty days they returned from spying out the land. And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, 'We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.' But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.' > (Numbers 13:25-30 ESV) Caleb and Joshua believed that all that was there would be given to them, because the Lord had promised it. They knew God, and what God does when He makes a promise. Do you know the answer? Well, when God says that He is going to do something He does it. There aren't any second guesses. Caleb and Joshua had both had seen the power of God, and didn't need anymore convincing about the mission. Though it was for the doubting of the few who had seen God's power, but still were unable to believe that the nations already in the land could be overcome. It was their fear of what stood before them that caused them to shrink back and forget what God had already done for them. ## Lord, Let Me Fall No Longer The power of such a story that speaks to us today. When you read this do you see the fear that you sometimes have when you are asked to do something scary, or hard. I am a prime example of the one who can shrink back faster than he grows. I can run backwards faster than I can run forwards. But it was only when I started reading the scriptures for transformation that I was truly able to see the inadequate man I was being. I have God on my side! God is on your side! How can we be fearful when the God who made the universe is on our side? What can He do that we have not even begun to fathom? What more does God need to do in our lives before we realize what God has already done for us, and continues to want to do for us? > "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory." > (Ephesians 1:11, 12 ESV) Our faith is our trust in God. When we shrink back in fear or do not utilize what God has given us then we become ineffective warriors. I think sometimes about a warrior who charges into battle with his shield, but forgot to bring his sword. We are in the midst of battle standing without a sword. We might be able to defend ourselves for a while, but if we cannot strike back how can we hope to win. So when you charge into the battle this week, this year, and for the rest of your life equip yourself with the armor and tools of God. Do not find yourself ineffective, but show yourself strong and trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul. He has overcome the world, and now we have that power at our disposal.