May 25

“And the LORD discomfited them before Israel…” Joshua 10:10

Attempting to defend themselves, five Amorite kings formed an alliance to fight against the Gibeonites, who had become servants to the already feared Israelite intruders. Their plan was probably to draw Israel into a defensive battle; it succeeded, but not to their advantage. God reassured Joshua not to fear them, and preceded Israel in battle, disturbing, confusing and disadvantaging the enemies. Though Joshua and the people fought valiantly and the battle is described as a great slaughter, yet it is clear that God’s intervention in the battle made the greatest impact by raining huge hailstones on the enemy, which accounted for the larger number of those slain! Throughout the Old Testament we find that whenever God’s people trust in the Lord and keep His commandments, Yahwah is present and prompt to fight their battles. This is a principle we can also rely upon in our day, as Christian believers. Although our enemies are not ‘flesh and blood’, and our battles do not involves human weaponry, we certainly are faced with real spiritual enemies, and are involved in spiritual warfare. The weapons of our warfare, the scripture says are not carnal, but they are mighty through the Holy Ghost! We have Jesus to our General, and He will fight our battles with us, helping us to overcome the enemies of our souls, the devil, the world and the flesh! Some may feel that the battles we face are not as ‘real’ as those we read of in the scriptures, but they are in fact even more definitive. Whereas the battles Israel fought were largely for physical survival and conquest of land, our battles are for our souls and will impact our eternity! It is our task as Joshua did, to lean on, and trust in the leading and direction of God’s Spirit, and with courage and faith, face the enemy and consider that while we remain in Christ, we have the assurance of His overcoming power! 

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Apr 24

 “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” Psalms 16:1

God is refuge and comfort for those who trust in Him. We are not certain whether any specific danger assailed David at the time of this Psalm. The prayer and call for God’s protection however is appropriate at all times for the believer. The man that makes God his shelter recognises the blessing and benefit God has already afforded him through life, and desires for that solid cover to be over him and his continuously. This is what gives rise to the utterance of our hearts and lips, as we appeal to God for that which He has already faithfully supplied. It is a way of saying ‘keep doing Lord, the wonderful work of sheltering me’; or 'keep holding me Lord, in your hands I feel safe'. There is in all of us a need to sense maintained security and ongoing assurance of what we treasure. The enemies abound, whether in a physical or spiritual realm, a true battle for survival is taking place. Insidious forces, we are told in scripture, are at work to defeat us in our progress, stunt our growth and derail us from our purpose, as we serve God. Their ultimate goal, should they have their way, would be our destruction! This alone is cause for being conscious of the need of the Lord’s protection. In fact, the ‘watching’ part of prayer has to do with being awake, alert and aware of the enemy, praying against him and seeking God’s protection of self and others. Added to the ever present spiritual struggle, there are also many physical factors at work, some even unknown to us, which in our overall vulnerable humanity, undermine, lessen and detract, from an already naturally deteriorating physical being. These would no doubt overcome and dissolve us, but for the mercy, love and intervention of God. In truth, we cannot afford to take for granted, even one breath going through our lungs, or one single beat of our heart! Our preservation is God’s intent, but we must remember that it is for His glory and purpose not our own. God knows our motive in asking His fortification. To ask God that He protect us so we can go about doing our own will, desire and task, without regard for His purposes, or in rejection of His values and directions, is not only selfish but also foolish. To lean on ourselves, our own means or the ability of others alone, and have no faith in the Almighty, is also foolishness, we are warned that the ‘arm of flesh will fail us’! As believers then, we belong to Him, and we owe God the trust that befits His power, love and glory. He has reassured us that He will ‘keep’ all who believe in Him and that no matter what challenge or danger may face us, He is able to see us through. It is to the degree that we trust Him and lean on Him that we will mostly see the hand of the Lord in protection, provision and preservation to do and fulfil His will. Let's say it and live it '..O God in thee do I put my trust'!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Apr 12

 “The Lord was as an enemy…” Lamentations 2:5

As the Creator God, Yahwah, is a benefactor and lover of all of His creatures, particularly so of man. It is not God’s default condition to be or behave as an ‘enemy’ to man, especially to His own people! Israel had found God to be their Friend, Protector, Leader and Ruler, but when they turned their backs on Him, they also experienced the reality of His enmity! We learn a great deal from the Lord’s dealings with the people of Israel and can draw much personal instruction from their experiences. God will not play ‘second fiddle’ to anyone or anything else in our lives. Some think that because judgment has not instantaneously fallen upon them, when they violated God’s law that somehow they have got away with it, or that God no longer rules or cares. This could not be further from the truth!  There is a time stored up for the wrath of the Almighty, and in that day, woe to them who find Him to be their enemy! The God, who is love, is also a just and fair God. He will visit his antagonism on un-repented sin. He will reply to the defiance of the atheist and the questions of the skeptic, with answers which will forever silence their tongues, and settle their eternal destiny. The Almighty is not a whimsical God, who simply chooses to turn on His creation. He has given plenty of time for all mankind to turn from sin and make things right with the Creator. When in the final analysis, man chooses to remain the opponent of God, he will find that the Lord is indeed a formidable and terrible foe! How inane for a man to go against the Almighty! How senseless for limited and finite humanity to question and defy the Eternal and Omnipotent! Why does God allow it? How can He put up with it? It seems God is not lessened or harried by man’s defiance. His mercy lingers still and His longsuffering prevails, and there still remains a choice for mankind. The time will come when He will say “no more”! Will He be then your personal Saviour, or your eternal Judge? The choice for now is still left to you and me!

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

Apr 7

“…This day is a day of trouble…” Isaiah 37:3

Hezekiah along with Israel faced severe times. Enemies will try to drive us away from God, but in their efforts, if we remain faithful, they will actually drive us closer to Him. Though Israel had wrongly held onto the Lord in a loose and careless manner, and Hezekiah had somewhat trusted in Egypt, when faced with the blasphemies of the emissary of the Assyrian king, he and all the people found refuge by going to God. Much of what the enemy will try to do is to inject fear and promote intimidation, so that weakened and discouraged, we might let go of our faith and trust in God. Satan continues to use his old tricks against unsuspecting Christians, and one of his main weapons is fear, in many facets - fear of the threats of unbelievers, fear of being ridiculed, fear of the unknown, fear of the future and fear of failure.  The cure for all unhealthy and devil-driven fear is a close, intimate and trusting relationship with Jesus! Hezekiah was being weakened by the calumny and derision of the enemy, but Isaiah, the prophet of God, strengthened him with reminders that God is in control, even of those who have no regard for Him. There may be times of sorrow, rebuke and persecution which we may have to face also. It is good for us to be reminded not to allow anything the enemy throws at us, to terrorise us. We must remember that Jesus is ultimately in control, and He will perform His will and fulfil His purpose. Dark times may come, but the Lord will bring light. We must not be cajoled into believing the lies that the enemy of our souls pushes and promotes, but rather be fully persuaded of the truth and encouragement that comes from the Lord God Almighty!  

http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion