THE LORD SPOKE (June 8)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 1-2

What can I draw from all the "begat's" of Scripture?

When it says later that "God so loved the world", it really means something.

• what a rogue's list of sinners!
• what a job to even remember all the birthdays and anniversaries - but He even knows how many hairs each one had on his head
• what a mess trying to keep them all from fighting - or punishing them when they do
• what a lot of grief sinful man has caused through the centuries

When it says that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son" for these people, it really, really means something.

• not too many names on these lists look like worthy recipients
• and He also did it "for such a worm as I"!

God has a lot on His plate.

• Is there anything there that brings a smile to His face?
• I want to be one of the pleasant memories He has.

New Testament: II Corinthians 10

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete. (II Cor. 10:3-6)

“The weapons we fight with.” Most Christians probably don’t take this seriously enough. And that’s a large part of why we’re doing so poorly in this war.

This war? Yes, indeed. We are at war with “the standards of this world”. The world is not just a negative entity that’s out there. It is actively and viciously fighting a war against us. If we are unprepared (or worse, unaware), how can we hope to advance and put the front line forward? We must engage in the conflict and press the attack.

The world has strongholds which must be pulled down. We must not allow it to maintain its foothold in areas such as evolution, abortion, homosexual marriage, and atheism. Our onslaught should make their walls tremble. We need to muster our forces and attack. Its not enough to remain in our bastions waiting for them to sally forth. It’s up to us to press the charge. Why should they determine where the battle lines are drawn?

We have good weapons with which to fight. They are weapons that have divine power. Why do we insist on using old rusty swords? Is it because we’ve failed to read the Operator’s Manual? Have we cowered before the enemies slingshots and pea-shooters because we’re unaware or unsure of our own weaponry? We have what every general dreams of - overwhelming firepower in infinite supply.

Of course, Paul is writing here of an immediate situation in Corinth. But he sees this as a skirmish in a much larger battle. Before the chapter is over, he’s already planning the next invasion and thinking of “the regions beyond” (II Cor. 10:16). He recognizes the joint effort of many others and allows each unit some liberty within a sphere of activity. But he is pressing for his own Medal of Honor (II Cor. 10:18).

Won’t it be great to hear his story after that final Review of Troops? Will you have a story to tell too?