"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him.
(Mark 10:51)
Blind Bartimaeus was a beggar who made his living from the few pennies he collected from passers by. He would sit outside the gate of the city, covered in the dust that the crowds kicked up as they busily walked past, waiting to be thrown a few morsels. On a good day, he might have experienced the joy of holding a small handful of coins; on a bad day he’d be lucky to have gotten a piece of dry bread. His life was hardly more than an existence. This is who he was, and we ought to realise that this is who he was with a knowledge of Jesus.
In verse 47 of chapter 10, we are told that when Bartimaeus heard that the crowd was following Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout to him... “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.” Bartimaeus tells us much about his knowledge of Jesus with these few words. He called to Jesus as the Son of David which suggests that he believed He was the Messiah, the salvation of Israel. In the 22nd chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus asked a group of Pharisees, “Whose son is the Messiah?” (v.42). Of course they quickly responded, “He’s the son of David.” But then Jesus says, “Well, why then does David call the Messiah his Lord?”(see Psalm 110). You see, this simply could not make sense if the Messiah was David’s literal son.
The Pharisees didn’t know who Jesus was. They did not realise that the man standing before them was in fact the Messiah they were waiting for, but poor old blind Bartimaeus did! Yet, even with this beautiful, priceless knowledge he remained in the dust waiting for the blessing of a few measly pennies. Sometimes I wonder if God ever questions how His children can be so satisfied with the tiny morsels of ‘salvation’ when He has offered us so much more. There are many Christians who think that a relationship with Jesus Christ means safety and security from an eternity in hell. However, the scriptures clearly tell us that this is the smallest fraction of what it means to be rightly related to God. Spiritually speaking, I can’t help but think that the church of Jesus Christ is largely made up of Christian beggars! There are many who know who He is, but have never known anything other than the tiny tid-bits of ‘being saved’. In some cases the experience of salvation is hardly more than a memory of an event that once happened, and sadly, it has been a life of experiencing a memory since then.
Jesus said in John 10:10 “I have come so that you might have life, and that you might have it in all its fullness.” He was not talking about a life full of luxury and material possessions – that’s only foolishness and frivolity. He was talking about the fullness of His RESURRECTED LIFE! In Christ Jesus we become the heirs to all the riches and splendour of the Kingdom of God, and I believe it is an insult to the glory of God to sit in the dust and be satisfied with just being saved... especially when He has offered so much more! No Christian needs to be a beggar simply existing spiritually. No Christian needs to be satisfied with morsels. God has promised to us His joy, His peace, His glory, His Holiness right NOW!!! The question is, will you take it?
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Give me the joy of your life!
Some details...
- Hey
- My name is Matthew Robert Kean. I'm a Canadian (from Newfoundland specifically) who now lives in Australia. I married a beautiful young lass named Fiona and we serve as officers in The Salvation Army. The Lord has been so very good to us and we are forever indebted to His grace. In comparison to knowing Him, all else pales.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Other than Christ... there's no point!
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." What does anyone gain from all their labours at which they toil under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3)
Solomon, in all the wisdom bestowed upon him by the grace of God, writes this short book of proverbs and poetry with a strange understanding of transcendant truth. There is no doubt that with all his experience as Israel's king, and having been anointed to peer into the heavier questions of existence, he developed a perspective that allowed him to see into things with much insight. So revered was his wisdom that kings and queens from afar came just to sit in the presence of his counsel (see 2 Chron. 9:1-2). Perhaps it's worth mentioning that although his wisdom became his legacy, it was indeed only the reward for his humility (1 Kings 3:7).
Regardless of how or why King Solomon was gifted with this great holy blessing, the most astounding matter is exactly what he concludes as a result of his enlightenment. The more he learned to look through the eyes of his God, and weigh all things in the Eternal Balance, the more he saw the frivolity in the things of this earth. According to Solomon, the truth of every matter was simple: other than the reality of God's will and glory, absolutely nothing held any value whatsoever! His commencing words of "Meaningless, utterly meaningless" are brought to a close with the very certain instruction at the book's end... "Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of every being." In other words, all that consumes our time allotted in life, if it does nothing to glorify the LORD and increase His kingdom, is labour in vain. Strong words!
Think for a moment of the kinds of ambitions and goals that mesmerise most people today. Things like wealth, prosperity, success, status, and the like are the priority of almost every heart. In the western church particularly there is a very powerful desire to have, possess, and own material things. There seems to be a dominion that rules the priorities of the world which has done well to infiltrate the body of Christ.
Now more than ever, people strive to accumulate more and more things, and sadly it seems that the picture painted by popular Christianity is no different. I believe that the wise words of king Solomon need to be seriously considered. All our efforts invested in worldly things are at best vanity! 2 Peter 3:10 warns that all such things, along with the efforts that reap them, will be be destroyed by fire. They are worthless and without substance. The return of Christ will expose it to be as it truly is - utterly and completely futile.
Imagine if the church stood before the King of Kings at the end of ages and held up all it has worked for only to see it all melt away to nothing! "Oh Lord, just look at our wealth, our success, our massive congregations, our bank balance." The reply will be, "And how did it profit My kingdom?" You see, Solomon figured out something that I believe too many Christians have forgotten... Other than Christ, all is meaningless.
Solomon, in all the wisdom bestowed upon him by the grace of God, writes this short book of proverbs and poetry with a strange understanding of transcendant truth. There is no doubt that with all his experience as Israel's king, and having been anointed to peer into the heavier questions of existence, he developed a perspective that allowed him to see into things with much insight. So revered was his wisdom that kings and queens from afar came just to sit in the presence of his counsel (see 2 Chron. 9:1-2). Perhaps it's worth mentioning that although his wisdom became his legacy, it was indeed only the reward for his humility (1 Kings 3:7).
Regardless of how or why King Solomon was gifted with this great holy blessing, the most astounding matter is exactly what he concludes as a result of his enlightenment. The more he learned to look through the eyes of his God, and weigh all things in the Eternal Balance, the more he saw the frivolity in the things of this earth. According to Solomon, the truth of every matter was simple: other than the reality of God's will and glory, absolutely nothing held any value whatsoever! His commencing words of "Meaningless, utterly meaningless" are brought to a close with the very certain instruction at the book's end... "Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of every being." In other words, all that consumes our time allotted in life, if it does nothing to glorify the LORD and increase His kingdom, is labour in vain. Strong words!
Think for a moment of the kinds of ambitions and goals that mesmerise most people today. Things like wealth, prosperity, success, status, and the like are the priority of almost every heart. In the western church particularly there is a very powerful desire to have, possess, and own material things. There seems to be a dominion that rules the priorities of the world which has done well to infiltrate the body of Christ.
Now more than ever, people strive to accumulate more and more things, and sadly it seems that the picture painted by popular Christianity is no different. I believe that the wise words of king Solomon need to be seriously considered. All our efforts invested in worldly things are at best vanity! 2 Peter 3:10 warns that all such things, along with the efforts that reap them, will be be destroyed by fire. They are worthless and without substance. The return of Christ will expose it to be as it truly is - utterly and completely futile.
Imagine if the church stood before the King of Kings at the end of ages and held up all it has worked for only to see it all melt away to nothing! "Oh Lord, just look at our wealth, our success, our massive congregations, our bank balance." The reply will be, "And how did it profit My kingdom?" You see, Solomon figured out something that I believe too many Christians have forgotten... Other than Christ, all is meaningless.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
God's enemy is still subject to God's authority
"Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail." (Luke 22:31-32)
According to the words of scripture our enemy is like a savage lion that goes around seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He knows his end is certain for God's word has decreed it, but there is such a bitter hatred for the God who expelled him from Heaven's glory that his last sting against Him is to lead His children into death. The only way left for the devil to bleed the heart of God is to sabotage the eternities of His most prized creation. And, we can be absolutely sure that until his kingdom is completely eradicated at the return of Christ Jesus, Satan will not stop trying to hinder God's redemptive plan for humanity.
In this portion of Luke's gospel, Jesus is speaking to the disciple Simon Peter. Jesus would soon be handed over to the chief Jewish officials and eventually crucified. As He eats His last meal with the disciples, He tells them of how they ought always to reflect Him by being humble servants and warns them that their faith will soon be tested. But when I read this verse (above) I am startled by the truth it conveys.
Basically, in these words Jesus paints a very similar picture to the one portayed in the book of Job (see Job 1:6): Satan, or literally The Adversary, approaching the LORD Almighty and asking to tempt and test the faithful. As strange as this is, and even though my first reaction is to argue the possibility of it, the truth that seems to be exposed here is that the enemy of God actually serves a function! He is evil by nature because everything in him that was once good has been corrupted by pride (see Ezekiel 28:14-19), but the devil still seems to be subject to the authority of The Great I AM. He cannot do to men and women anything that violates his restrictions. In other words, the power of the Adversary is actually quite limited. The scriptures seem to suggest that the only reason he is able to devour anyone at all is because we give him the means. We buckle under his pressure, so to speak.
Jesus says that Satan asks to apply pressure - to tempt us into disobedience and doubt, and away from God - but all he is permitted to do is apply pressure... nothing else. In everything else he is bound to the decrees of God pronounced against him. This kind of scripture is a great challenge for me... I believe it, but I don't really want to. Sometimes I wish God would just stop Satan from tempting me, but then of course my faith would not grow stronger. It couldn't be groomed to last. The purest gold must go through the hottest fire, I guess. It's amazing really... that the enemy of God is still subject to His authority!
Jesus, I thank you that you are always interceding to keep us faithful.
According to the words of scripture our enemy is like a savage lion that goes around seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He knows his end is certain for God's word has decreed it, but there is such a bitter hatred for the God who expelled him from Heaven's glory that his last sting against Him is to lead His children into death. The only way left for the devil to bleed the heart of God is to sabotage the eternities of His most prized creation. And, we can be absolutely sure that until his kingdom is completely eradicated at the return of Christ Jesus, Satan will not stop trying to hinder God's redemptive plan for humanity.
In this portion of Luke's gospel, Jesus is speaking to the disciple Simon Peter. Jesus would soon be handed over to the chief Jewish officials and eventually crucified. As He eats His last meal with the disciples, He tells them of how they ought always to reflect Him by being humble servants and warns them that their faith will soon be tested. But when I read this verse (above) I am startled by the truth it conveys.
Basically, in these words Jesus paints a very similar picture to the one portayed in the book of Job (see Job 1:6): Satan, or literally The Adversary, approaching the LORD Almighty and asking to tempt and test the faithful. As strange as this is, and even though my first reaction is to argue the possibility of it, the truth that seems to be exposed here is that the enemy of God actually serves a function! He is evil by nature because everything in him that was once good has been corrupted by pride (see Ezekiel 28:14-19), but the devil still seems to be subject to the authority of The Great I AM. He cannot do to men and women anything that violates his restrictions. In other words, the power of the Adversary is actually quite limited. The scriptures seem to suggest that the only reason he is able to devour anyone at all is because we give him the means. We buckle under his pressure, so to speak.
Jesus says that Satan asks to apply pressure - to tempt us into disobedience and doubt, and away from God - but all he is permitted to do is apply pressure... nothing else. In everything else he is bound to the decrees of God pronounced against him. This kind of scripture is a great challenge for me... I believe it, but I don't really want to. Sometimes I wish God would just stop Satan from tempting me, but then of course my faith would not grow stronger. It couldn't be groomed to last. The purest gold must go through the hottest fire, I guess. It's amazing really... that the enemy of God is still subject to His authority!
Jesus, I thank you that you are always interceding to keep us faithful.
Friday, November 6, 2009
And then the end will come...
"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people." (Matthew 24:10-11)
The hard reality about the gospel of Christ is that every Christian is expected to persevere. Any faith that does not last is worthless. In fact, the truth is that a lifetime of service is negated the moment a heart recants. There is a haunting future being depicted here by the words of the Master: the church WILL lose faith and shrink to a remnant. It is inevitably the result of a belief that is founded on sand (see Matt. 7:26-27). It is also worthy to point out, at least according to Jesus, that those who turn away from their faith return to a depravity that comes natural to them. They will betray and hate even those they once called brothers and sisters. A Christian that rejects the Christ they once knew will regard those who endure as enemies. They must; their former siblings are a constant reminder of their broken covenant.
Jesus speaks of two different times in this 24th chapter of Matthew's gospel. In the first 2 verses He speaks of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (which happened around 70 A.D.) and in the following dissertation He speaks of the earth's last days. How alarming is it that when Christ returns for His church, true members of the church will be most few! This pronounces a stern warning to all Christians, doesn't it? Perhaps this suggests that the kind of faith Christ will look for upon His return is very different than the faith that fills today's churches. From these words in Matthew, it seems that Jesus will not return to a Bride of vast congregations, but to a certain few who are dotted among the crowds. Who are these certain few? Who are these faithful ones? They are those who remain in Christ's love... and those who remain in His love are those who keep His commands (John 15:10). Almost certainly, they are the disciples who stand alone.
There is indeed a popular Christianity that exists today that is easily seen in churches, on television, in magazines and newspapers and speaks well of itself. It might look like Christianity, but often it is built on nothing that lasts, and will be treated as nothing (Matt. 7:22-23)! I wonder how long after the going is good will it linger? Will it slip away as soon as any kind of tribulation comes? I wonder sometimes exactly how much actual faith is in today's Christianity. When Christ returns will He even find real faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)? Whatever the case, the reality remains that perseverence (or faith that lasts) will become less and less of a quality within Christianity, and as this quality continues to diminish, the return of King Jesus gets closer and closer. For me, this is quite a sobering thought.
Come, Lord Jesus... but cover the faithful by your grace until you do.
The hard reality about the gospel of Christ is that every Christian is expected to persevere. Any faith that does not last is worthless. In fact, the truth is that a lifetime of service is negated the moment a heart recants. There is a haunting future being depicted here by the words of the Master: the church WILL lose faith and shrink to a remnant. It is inevitably the result of a belief that is founded on sand (see Matt. 7:26-27). It is also worthy to point out, at least according to Jesus, that those who turn away from their faith return to a depravity that comes natural to them. They will betray and hate even those they once called brothers and sisters. A Christian that rejects the Christ they once knew will regard those who endure as enemies. They must; their former siblings are a constant reminder of their broken covenant.
Jesus speaks of two different times in this 24th chapter of Matthew's gospel. In the first 2 verses He speaks of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem (which happened around 70 A.D.) and in the following dissertation He speaks of the earth's last days. How alarming is it that when Christ returns for His church, true members of the church will be most few! This pronounces a stern warning to all Christians, doesn't it? Perhaps this suggests that the kind of faith Christ will look for upon His return is very different than the faith that fills today's churches. From these words in Matthew, it seems that Jesus will not return to a Bride of vast congregations, but to a certain few who are dotted among the crowds. Who are these certain few? Who are these faithful ones? They are those who remain in Christ's love... and those who remain in His love are those who keep His commands (John 15:10). Almost certainly, they are the disciples who stand alone.
There is indeed a popular Christianity that exists today that is easily seen in churches, on television, in magazines and newspapers and speaks well of itself. It might look like Christianity, but often it is built on nothing that lasts, and will be treated as nothing (Matt. 7:22-23)! I wonder how long after the going is good will it linger? Will it slip away as soon as any kind of tribulation comes? I wonder sometimes exactly how much actual faith is in today's Christianity. When Christ returns will He even find real faith on the earth (Luke 18:8)? Whatever the case, the reality remains that perseverence (or faith that lasts) will become less and less of a quality within Christianity, and as this quality continues to diminish, the return of King Jesus gets closer and closer. For me, this is quite a sobering thought.
Come, Lord Jesus... but cover the faithful by your grace until you do.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Run to Him!
"The LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness..." (Exodus 34:6)
It often brings me to tears when I think of how many times I have failed as a Christian. Whether it be out of selfish ambition or ignorance, stubbornness or sheer disobedience, it seems like every time I earn God's trust as His servant, I get distracted, take a step backwards, and I find myself being guided once more by the tender hand of Jesus back to the Heart of God. Over the years He has taught me to fail less, and His Spirit directs me to live more in His grace, but only because He is so very patient and kind as a teacher - not because I'm deserving.
There are so many things about God that continuously bewilder me. His wisdom is far beyond my deepest thought. His love is limitless. His power is unmatched. His holiness only affirms His transcendence. All that He is far surpasses any and every object-line I try to draw around Him. Yet, having said that, it also stands true that He is merciful beyond comprehension. This attribute of our Heaven Father beautifully reminds us that He loves to forgive.
In the verse above, God is speaking to Moses about Himself. This is not a description of God spoken from the mouth of a man, but they are the words chosen by God to describe Who He is. How encouraging is it to know that God introduces us to His personality by introducing us to His compassion and grace?! ... His Mercy!
Forgetting that our God is merciful and longs to forgive sin is detrimental to any soul and any church. Satan's kingdom grows stronger as long as people remain separated from God by their sin. There is no need to be at a distance from the heart of God! Although we are a people that may fail Him, and we might turn our eyes away from Him, it is the pinnacle of our faith that He forgives all who humbly come to Him. Bring your repentant heart to the cross of Christ, find yourself in His all-covering blood, and remember that He loves to forgive. Run to Him! Never away! Seeing a returning child approach Him with an earnest heart might very well be the greatest joy of our God.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your longing to forgive your people.
It often brings me to tears when I think of how many times I have failed as a Christian. Whether it be out of selfish ambition or ignorance, stubbornness or sheer disobedience, it seems like every time I earn God's trust as His servant, I get distracted, take a step backwards, and I find myself being guided once more by the tender hand of Jesus back to the Heart of God. Over the years He has taught me to fail less, and His Spirit directs me to live more in His grace, but only because He is so very patient and kind as a teacher - not because I'm deserving.
There are so many things about God that continuously bewilder me. His wisdom is far beyond my deepest thought. His love is limitless. His power is unmatched. His holiness only affirms His transcendence. All that He is far surpasses any and every object-line I try to draw around Him. Yet, having said that, it also stands true that He is merciful beyond comprehension. This attribute of our Heaven Father beautifully reminds us that He loves to forgive.
In the verse above, God is speaking to Moses about Himself. This is not a description of God spoken from the mouth of a man, but they are the words chosen by God to describe Who He is. How encouraging is it to know that God introduces us to His personality by introducing us to His compassion and grace?! ... His Mercy!
Forgetting that our God is merciful and longs to forgive sin is detrimental to any soul and any church. Satan's kingdom grows stronger as long as people remain separated from God by their sin. There is no need to be at a distance from the heart of God! Although we are a people that may fail Him, and we might turn our eyes away from Him, it is the pinnacle of our faith that He forgives all who humbly come to Him. Bring your repentant heart to the cross of Christ, find yourself in His all-covering blood, and remember that He loves to forgive. Run to Him! Never away! Seeing a returning child approach Him with an earnest heart might very well be the greatest joy of our God.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for your longing to forgive your people.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Infidelity: Satan's Victory!
And you ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. (Malachi 2:14)
These words in the verse above came as a result of God's anger against the Priests of Israel and Judah. "You flood the LORD's altar with tears, and weep and wail because He no longer pays attention to your offerings." Basically, the priests of God were living as hypocrites. Several things are held against them, including robbing God of tithes (see chap. 3), but without a doubt the most severe words spoken by God are written in this portion of the 2nd chapter. God addresses the fact that the priests were divorcing their wives and engaging in marital relations with other women. It so disgusted the LORD that He refused to listen to their prayers and petitions. As far as God was concerned, unfaithfulness in their covenant to their wives resulted in unfaithfulness to their covenant to Him.
Within today's Christian church, infidelity is widely accepted. Statistics on divorce in the church are staggering. It is not uncommon to find senior leaders, teachers, and mentors who are on their second or third marriage. Of course, each one requiring new "vows" that are binding under the watch of the Almighty. How is this so? Within a church that is supposed to represent the holiness of God, the purity of Christ, and His faithfulness, how have we come to a point where one of the few things our God hates is so acceptable?
Throughout each denomination of the church there is an increase in marital breakdown and divorce (Roman Catholics may be excluded). I wonder how many of these denominations are struggling with church membership and growth? We fast and pray, give our tithes and time, but yet something just seems to be hindering our progress. The world sees almost as much discord and mistrust in the church as it does on television! Jesus said very clearly in 3 of the 4 gospels that marriage unites two people forever under God -- both partners being covenanted to sexual fidelity -- and what God binds together no man has the right to sever. Ministers of the gospel of Christ, representatives of truth, proclaimers of God's redemptive plan for a fallen race, claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit and yet cannot love their spouse enough to remain married.
Personally, I honestly believe this is the single greatest inconsistency within the Christian faith. It is a corrosion and rot that has impregnated the purity of the Bride of Christ. We talk to those still lost in sin about allowing Jesus to change their lives from the inside out, but our pulpits and offices are stained with adultery and broken covenants. It seems to me that we have become so tolerant of our own blasphemies that we have forgotten that God promises they have dire consequences. Only a few things draw hatred out of the heart of God... Infidelity is one of them. "I hate divorce!" says the LORD God (v. 16). Why, then, is it so condoned by Christians? Satan proves himself again to be a clever foe.
Oh Lord God, in your mercy, please forgive us for our broken covenants with each other and with you.
These words in the verse above came as a result of God's anger against the Priests of Israel and Judah. "You flood the LORD's altar with tears, and weep and wail because He no longer pays attention to your offerings." Basically, the priests of God were living as hypocrites. Several things are held against them, including robbing God of tithes (see chap. 3), but without a doubt the most severe words spoken by God are written in this portion of the 2nd chapter. God addresses the fact that the priests were divorcing their wives and engaging in marital relations with other women. It so disgusted the LORD that He refused to listen to their prayers and petitions. As far as God was concerned, unfaithfulness in their covenant to their wives resulted in unfaithfulness to their covenant to Him.
Within today's Christian church, infidelity is widely accepted. Statistics on divorce in the church are staggering. It is not uncommon to find senior leaders, teachers, and mentors who are on their second or third marriage. Of course, each one requiring new "vows" that are binding under the watch of the Almighty. How is this so? Within a church that is supposed to represent the holiness of God, the purity of Christ, and His faithfulness, how have we come to a point where one of the few things our God hates is so acceptable?
Throughout each denomination of the church there is an increase in marital breakdown and divorce (Roman Catholics may be excluded). I wonder how many of these denominations are struggling with church membership and growth? We fast and pray, give our tithes and time, but yet something just seems to be hindering our progress. The world sees almost as much discord and mistrust in the church as it does on television! Jesus said very clearly in 3 of the 4 gospels that marriage unites two people forever under God -- both partners being covenanted to sexual fidelity -- and what God binds together no man has the right to sever. Ministers of the gospel of Christ, representatives of truth, proclaimers of God's redemptive plan for a fallen race, claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit and yet cannot love their spouse enough to remain married.
Personally, I honestly believe this is the single greatest inconsistency within the Christian faith. It is a corrosion and rot that has impregnated the purity of the Bride of Christ. We talk to those still lost in sin about allowing Jesus to change their lives from the inside out, but our pulpits and offices are stained with adultery and broken covenants. It seems to me that we have become so tolerant of our own blasphemies that we have forgotten that God promises they have dire consequences. Only a few things draw hatred out of the heart of God... Infidelity is one of them. "I hate divorce!" says the LORD God (v. 16). Why, then, is it so condoned by Christians? Satan proves himself again to be a clever foe.
Oh Lord God, in your mercy, please forgive us for our broken covenants with each other and with you.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Be brave or go home!
Then the officers shall add, "Is anyone afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that the others will not become disheartened too." (Deuteronomy 20:8)
In time of war there is dire need for hearts of iron. In other words, the person who cowers at the thought of fierce combat has volunteered themselves for the wrong vocation. No soldier can successfully stand against an adversary with a fearful heart. They become the weakness of the lot. Fear and timidity is as dangerous as the enemy simply because it paralizes, as well as disarms, the soldier... and it's not long before disarmed soldiers create a disarmed army.
When God gave instructions to the Israelites in regards to them engaging in warfare, His instructions begin with "Do not be fainthearted or afraid" (v. 3). This was not simply a suggestion, but an insistance that the nation of Israel ought to trust in His faithfulness. After all, their God was YHWH - the Great I AM, the All-Consuming Fire, the Almighty! He had proven Himself so many times before and His power and glory were unmatched. There was simply no need to fear or become weak at heart... victory was certain because the God of Israel was certain. Interestingly, although His instructions begin sternly with telling the soldiers not to fear, He also gives clear instruction to not allow anyone who is overcome with fear to fight (v. 8). The reason is explained: A soldier that is afraid or disheartened before war is a detriment to the whole army. Now, at first glance, this seems a little unfair. What soldier is comfortable with war? But, in light of the first order, "Do not be fainthearted or afraid", allowing a soldier to enter the ferocities of battle with a timid heart would be blatant disobedience. Basically, it didn't just convey fear, but also a complete lack of trust in the faithfulness of God... and the order was given for "Any soldier that does not trust ME should go home!" They could be of no good use to an army of the faithful.
As a soldier of the gospel of Christ, I take very seriously the fact that I am in the middle of a massive war against sin and evil. Jesus went so far as to describe our enemy as a strong man who is fully armed, but assuring as well that He is indeed much stronger and able to disarm the enemy (see Luke 11:21-22). Without a doubt, as Christians we are in times of war and, like the Israelites, our only assurance is the certainty of our God. But surely the same instructions remain unchanged for us! Any soldier that attempts to fight against an adversary as sinister and vicious as ours with a faint or fearful heart is only able to weaken the rest of the army. Too often, people who call themsleves soldiers - men and women who are supposed to be brave and true - come to the field with a faint heart and it cracks the morale of the faithful. Christians who will not open their mouths and be a witness for their Saviour, but yet assume they are a benefit to the army, should go home! The war is too great! Souls are too precious and they continue to die in darkness! Unless we are an army made up of ones who will boldly carry The Light we are useless in this war. Please... forget your fear, cast off your faint heart, trust the faithfulness of our God, and fight... or go home!
In time of war there is dire need for hearts of iron. In other words, the person who cowers at the thought of fierce combat has volunteered themselves for the wrong vocation. No soldier can successfully stand against an adversary with a fearful heart. They become the weakness of the lot. Fear and timidity is as dangerous as the enemy simply because it paralizes, as well as disarms, the soldier... and it's not long before disarmed soldiers create a disarmed army.
When God gave instructions to the Israelites in regards to them engaging in warfare, His instructions begin with "Do not be fainthearted or afraid" (v. 3). This was not simply a suggestion, but an insistance that the nation of Israel ought to trust in His faithfulness. After all, their God was YHWH - the Great I AM, the All-Consuming Fire, the Almighty! He had proven Himself so many times before and His power and glory were unmatched. There was simply no need to fear or become weak at heart... victory was certain because the God of Israel was certain. Interestingly, although His instructions begin sternly with telling the soldiers not to fear, He also gives clear instruction to not allow anyone who is overcome with fear to fight (v. 8). The reason is explained: A soldier that is afraid or disheartened before war is a detriment to the whole army. Now, at first glance, this seems a little unfair. What soldier is comfortable with war? But, in light of the first order, "Do not be fainthearted or afraid", allowing a soldier to enter the ferocities of battle with a timid heart would be blatant disobedience. Basically, it didn't just convey fear, but also a complete lack of trust in the faithfulness of God... and the order was given for "Any soldier that does not trust ME should go home!" They could be of no good use to an army of the faithful.
As a soldier of the gospel of Christ, I take very seriously the fact that I am in the middle of a massive war against sin and evil. Jesus went so far as to describe our enemy as a strong man who is fully armed, but assuring as well that He is indeed much stronger and able to disarm the enemy (see Luke 11:21-22). Without a doubt, as Christians we are in times of war and, like the Israelites, our only assurance is the certainty of our God. But surely the same instructions remain unchanged for us! Any soldier that attempts to fight against an adversary as sinister and vicious as ours with a faint or fearful heart is only able to weaken the rest of the army. Too often, people who call themsleves soldiers - men and women who are supposed to be brave and true - come to the field with a faint heart and it cracks the morale of the faithful. Christians who will not open their mouths and be a witness for their Saviour, but yet assume they are a benefit to the army, should go home! The war is too great! Souls are too precious and they continue to die in darkness! Unless we are an army made up of ones who will boldly carry The Light we are useless in this war. Please... forget your fear, cast off your faint heart, trust the faithfulness of our God, and fight... or go home!
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