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December 19, 2004 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments ()

I love the story of Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20

2chron20:15-17;

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

It seems that often we do not trust God with our battles. We either storm onto the battlefield, or we run away. We are not patient to see how God's plan works out.

I had a friend when I was in college named Bart Wilcox. Bart was a very likeable, friendly and smart kid who's life really testified to the Love of Christ. To meet Bart was to know Bart. He was authentic with everyone. People like him are very hard to find. Bart planted some seeds in the few months that I knew him that flourished into a relationship with God once my heart was softened years later.

I distinctly remember Bart standing his ground on one occasion or two. Our fraternity was engaging in activity that Bart didn't approve of. Bart was the only member out of the 70 or so who stayed home. I think that most of the members respected him for his courage, even if they did not agree with his position. He didn't make a fuss about it and attack anyone for thier belief. He didn't compromise his own convictions and go with the flow. He stood his ground, and let the truth speak for itself.

Jesus prayed

John 17:15-19

15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Knowing that we have the Son of God praying for our protection, we should have courage to stand our ground as well. We should not run from this world, but stand firm against it.

I haven't seen my friend Bart in nearly 14 years. During spring break the year I met him, he decided to devote his life to God, and has broken off communication with everyone he knew. Last I heard, he was a nomadic wanderer going by the name Zephaniah. He travels the country with members of his fellowship, discussing the bible with college age kids, and trying to get them to devote themselves in the same way that he has.

In many ways I really respect Bart. He was willing to give up everyting to serve Christ. He is reaching out to youngsters and exposing them to the Word of God.

I love my church for many of the reasons I love Bart. There are a lot of young idealistic people who live by faith. Many of them left their communities and moved to Spokane to start the church. One of the church's values authenticity, one of the main traits that attracted me to Bart.

What greives me about Bart's current situation as I understand it is that the steadfast willingness to stand his ground that I admired so much is gone. His group is nomadic because they fear persecution and they fear temptation. They are constantly on the run from their families.

If we are effective servants, Satan will find a way to tempt us. There is no avoiding this fact. Avoiding temptation is a temptation in and of itself, and if we fall for this temptation, Satan can use our fear to herd us and manipulate us. It is hard to have an effective ministry if we are constantly on the run, or are trying to remain anonymous.

The Godly response to temptation would be to stand firm, and put on the full armor of God,

Eph 6:10-18;

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Comments

I love the story of Jehoshaphat from 2 Chronicles 20

2chron20:15-17; 15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

It seems that often we do not trust God with our battles. We either storm onto the battlefield, or we run away. We are not patient to see how God's plan works out. I had a friend when I was in college named Bart Wilcox. Bart was a very likeable, friendly and smart kid who's life really testified to the Love of Christ. To meet Bart was to know Bart. He was authentic with everyone. People like him are very hard to find. Bart planted some seeds in the few months that I knew him that flourished into a relationship with God once my heart was softened years later. I distinctly remember Bart standing his ground on one occasion or two. Our fraternity was engaging in activity that Bart didn't approve of. Bart was the only member out of the 70 or so who stayed home. I think that most of the members respected him for his courage, even if they did not agree with his position. He didn't make a fuss about it and attack anyone for thier belief. He didn't compromise his own convictions and go with the flow. He stood his ground, and let the truth speak for itself. Jesus prayed

John 17:15-19 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Knowing that we have the Son of God praying for our protection, we should have courage to stand our ground as well. We should not run from this world, but stand firm against it. I haven't seen my friend Bart in nearly 14 years. During spring break the year I met him, he decided to devote his life to God, and has broken off communication with everyone he knew. Last I heard, he was a nomadic wanderer going by the name Zephaniah. He travels the country with members of his fellowship, discussing the bible with college age kids, and trying to get them to devote themselves in the same way that he has. In many ways I really respect Bart. He was willing to give up everyting to serve Christ. He is reaching out to youngsters and exposing them to the Word of God. I love my church for many of the reasons I love Bart. There are a lot of young idealistic people who live by faith. Many of them left their communities and moved to Spokane to start the church. One of the church's values authenticity, one of the main traits that attracted me to Bart. What greives me about Bart's current situation as I understand it is that the steadfast willingness to stand his ground that I admired so much is gone. His group is nomadic because they fear persecution and they fear temptation. They are constantly on the run from their families. If we are effective servants, Satan will find a way to tempt us. There is no avoiding this fact. Avoiding temptation is a temptation in and of itself, and if we fall for this temptation, Satan can use our fear to herd us and manipulate us. It is hard to have an effective ministry if we are constantly on the run, or are trying to remain anonymous. The Godly response to temptation would be to stand firm, and put on the full armor of God,

Eph 6:10-18; 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.