David wrote Psalm 138 as a testimony of God’s caring love for him, and we can relate it to us today: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands” (Psalm 138 6-8).
Notice that David mentions two things that God’s hands had done: 1) “You stretch out Your hand against the anger of my foes“; and “with Your right hand You save me“. Using a visual picture of God’s intervention as a work of God’s hands, David tells God that he recognizes God’s guidance and protection.
Then, after voicing this great praise for what God had done with His hands, David then adds a prayer: “Do not abandon the works of Your hands“. David was saying: You have carried me this far, Lord, don’t drop me now! Make this your prayer today. See what God has already done, give Him proper credit, and then ask Him to continue to watch over his workmanship.
I took the Spiritual Gifts Test at our church’s new web site to see how it worked before we introduced it. I found the test difficult to do for me. Because of the unique gifts and calling I have, I’ve learned to be pretty good at and enjoy most of the things in there. Of the 98 questions they asked, there were only about three that I scored myself on the negative side.
But, I really wasn’t surprised at the result. The Survey placed me as a Teacher first, a Pastor second, and gift of Knowledge third. I guess that’s not a surprise to anyone. I’ve often said that in the 5-fold ministry gifts Paul listed in Ephesians, I saw myself as a Pastor-Teacher. Its good to know that the church’s new spiritual gifts survey supports what I’ve known all along.
But, the purpose of the church putting that gifts test on our web site was to help you determine how God has uniquely wired you. I want to encourage you to go to the church website: www.mynewhope.in and click on the yellow duck. It will open an introductory page with a brief video message from me. Then click the word ‘Help’ under the video box and the simple test will appear. Follow the prompts and discover your spiritual gifts. Then look for a volunteer opportunity from the other options on the opening page of the website. Discover where you fit, and then get involved. This is the great adventure Christ has ahead for you.
Last week I officiated at the funeral of 97-year old Evelyn Camp, a widow who had been a public school and Sunday school teacher all her life. She was a stubborn and feisty lady who was respected by all. She was a committed Christian and I knew she would want everyone to know about her faith.
Evelyn graduated from High School during the Great Depression, something few people did. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree, something very few women did. When she died she wanted three items in the casket with her. She wanted her High School diploma, her Bachelor of Science Degree, and her marriage license to Russel. These were the three things she wanted to depart with her. These were her most cherished possessions in life. I observed as those three items were carefully placed in the casket with her before it was closed.
When your life is over and they close the lid on your casket, what will be the most valued items in your life? What are the two or three items that represent what your life was all about? What will be your most cherished possessions? Maybe its eye-opening to think about it. I’m anxious to hear your answers.
Elisha had delivered marauding Arameans into the walled city of Samaria, and then restored their eyesight. They were trapped.
“When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, ‘Shall I kill them, my father, shall I kill them?’“. I can almost see the king jumping up and down in excitement as he had his enemy cornered. There’s nothing like seeing the Lord turn our enemy upside down.
But Elisha answered, “Do not kill them…Would you kill men you have captured with own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master,’ So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory” (2 Kings 6:21-23).
If you are in a war, you can kill your enemy in self defense. But if God wins the battle for you, you may not kill your enemy. The king of Israel wanted to kill them so he could claim a victory, but God won’t share His glory with anyone. The godly way to deal with your enemy when God has humiliated them, is to bless them, and send them away.
Notice the end of the story is that Aram didn’t raid Israel anymore. That was the goal and the mission was accomplished. Treat your enemies like this if you want God to fight for you.
The prophet Elisha led the blinded Arameans straight into a trap. They marched helplessly into the fortified capital city of the country they were invading. “After they entered the city, Elisha said, ‘Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.’ Then the lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria” (2 Kings 6:20).
The great lesson here is that even blind sinners can get their eyes opened. I clearly remember when I invited God’s Spirit into my life. Man, were my eyes opened to the sin and pain I had caused. Its not a pleasant place to be when you suddenly understand what a wretch you have been. It was the Lord that opened their eyes. And they immediately saw that they were in deep trouble.
If you haven’t looked at your life through God’s eyes, I invite you to do so. Compare your life to Jesus’ life. How are you measuring up? Are you bringing blessing into the world or just taking it out? Go ahead, take a good look. It will inspire humility and gratitude.
Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an invading Aramean army. As the enemy made their attack, Elisha prayed: “Strike these people with blindness“, and it stopped the army cold. Every last attacker lost his vision and couldn’t complete the attack.
Then Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for“, and he led them straight into the Israeli capital city of Samaria (2 Kings 6:18-19).
When people are blind, they can’t see. You can lead a blind person down whatever road you wish, and they will follow, because they have no vision of their own. Blind people who are led by blind people both fall into a pit (Luke 6:39).
But we Christians have vision! We should use our spiritual insight to lead the blind into the truth. You’ll be dealing with some spiritually blind people today; lead them.
Elisha’s servant was terrified when he saw the size of an invading Aramean army that had surrounded the city. “And Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).
When Elisha prayed, God opened the servant’s eyes to the spiritual army that was defending the people of God. No one else could see this spiritual army, but they were there the whole time. The servant now understood Elisha’s faith.
I pray that God would open your eyes to the spiritual army of angels God has dispatched to watch out for you and protect you from what looks like insurmountable odds. God is the God of the Underdogs.