Judges 18 is the story of two journeys. The first journey was taken by five men who scouted out a potential land for their tribe. The second journey was a military action of six hundred soldiers who were ready to battle the current occupants of this land. Verse 2 says “So the Danites sent five warriors from Zorah and Eshtaol to spy out the land and explore it. These men represented all their clans. They told them, ‘Go, explore the land’." Does this sound familiar to you? God had told Moses to do the same thing years before when Israel had not yet entered the promised land. Verse 7 says “They answered, "Come on, let's attack them! We have seen that the land is very good”. Once again does this sound familiar? Remember the land “flowing with milk and honey”? The Danites were repeating an established system, a process they had seen before. They felt that following this program would place them in Gods favor.
In both journeys there is a break that occurs at Micah’s house, these breaks seem to reveal the heart of the story. At this break a Levite (priest and prophet) was asked and predicted that God was with the Danites. This was a part of fulfilling the pattern of history that they knew well. This process of asking God to bless man's plan has been played out many times before. When we look into the actions of everyone in this story we do not see a group of people looking for God’s will. We find a group of people going off to war and then asking for God’s approval. We find a Levite that quickly changed allegiance based on what was best for him and not based on what God may have called him to. We find soldiers stealing from Micah showing further greed, and before you get too misty eyed for Micah, don’t forget this is the same man who stole from his own mother. The actions of everyone involved show a sinful greedy heart yet they tried very hard to follow programs that would place them in God’s favor.
This is where we need to stop and check our motives. Do you find yourself fully engaged with God when you are facing a potential job change or move? What about when you are facing an aggressive quota at work? Seeking God’s face during these times is very wise, but are we just as engaged with God the day after we have meet that quota or made that life changing decision? We need to seek God every day. God desires our lives, every day of it. He is not looking for us to follow some religious process for him to bless us. He loves us and is simply looking for us to surrender to his good and perfect will for our lives.
Posted by Jim
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR OBAMA
For many people the day January 20, 2009, date on which Mr. Barack Obama assumes the presidency of the United States, becomes an historic day. It is the first time an African-American becomes the leader of one of the most powerful nation in the world.
A crowd of people were present to see Mr. Obama assume the presidency, perhaps motivated by seeing the man who fed hopes of a nation immersed in a strong moral and economic depression.
Pastor Rick Warren began the ceremony with a prayer that really leave much to be desired. But with more gold inspiracion who was an elderly friend Reverend Luther King and who won the embrace of the president.
The new president's speech was very realistic but little motivator, something overshadowed by the cold of minus 6 degrees and the nuance that Hollywood was given to the act. However, it was clear to see there faces as well as cheerful and enthusiastic, also faces serious surrounding the president Obama.
One such face is that of former president George Bush, representing the major groups in power, and that will be closely watching Obama's intentions.
Another of the faces in the government of Israel, who is not looking to grace a descendant of the Muslim as president.
Other faces are the rulers of Arab nations, which do not look at Obama as an ally for them.
As finishing touch, faces no shortage of traditional segregationist groups, who are offended to hear that the same God in the eyes of whites and blacks.
Undoubtedly, the president Barack Obama is sitting in a chair where the sword of Damocles hanging over his head.
I hope that the Christian churches in the United Esrtados not cease to pray for their president for the American people and themselves.
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