Posts
timewithgod.blog-city.com — September 2007
1 Kings 17 -- God's Back Door Nature
He comes in where you least expect Him
In my earlier years of getting to know God, He seemed to always reveal Himself as a "backdoor" God, I remember saying. My meaning was that I always expected Him to show up one way (at the front door), but He seemed to always show up and reveal Himself in totally unexpected ways (at the back door). As I think about it now, my analogy was entirely appropriate yet totally misunderstood by me back then, because at my house, people who are friends usually us what I call the back door while others use the front door! God was already at work showing me that He was seeking out a closer relationship with me than what existed at the time!
Here in the chapter which introduces Elijah, I see the same thing. On the surface, we are thrilled to see what seems to be God showing up at the front door -- sending Elijah to hide near a brook, with birds supplying his food and water from the brook as God began the drought designed to end Israel's spiritual drought. When the drought caused the brook to dry up, God sent him to Zarephath, north of Israel in Sidon where He miraculously provided for Elijah, his hostess, and her son.
So where's the back door part that I didn't expect from God (and probably Elijah didn't either)? The birds God used to deliver the food to the brook were ravens -- these were specifically mentioned in the Law as unclean birds. And the brook wasn't in the Promised Land, either. Then, God chose to send Elijah north of the Promised Land to the very hometown region of Jezebel -- Ahab's wife and the queen of Israel, who was very busy trying to stoke up idol worship in Israel.
The back door is still open, too -- Jews weren't to associate with non-Jews, yet God picked a non-Jewish widow to provide a home for Elijah, while God provided the food for her, Elijah, and her son. The living arrangements would probably have set off a firestorm in the media today, since she was a widow with a young son at home housing an evangelist.
When Elijah met her, he asked her for a drink and some bread. She told him that they were destitute and about to cook their last meal, and he in effect said, "Supply me with a small loaf anyway," and told her that God would provide for her. By doing as he asked, "She was giving God the first place. When she obeyed, she learned the precious lesson that those who put God first never lack the necessities of life," my commentary said.
My sidebar challenged me to see how God has worked in my life in the last six weeks beyond my expectations. I immediately thought of the flood, one month ago tomorrow, and how He had apparently directed me 25 years earlier to build up my lot and my foundation, and sent all the help I needed the day after the flood to keep us in our house and to clean it up, with a truly minimal amount of damage compared to most homes in town. Back then, I truly wasn't seeking Him!
Father, Your provision for me and my family has been truly awesome. I thank You so much for revealing Yourself to me in ways that clearly show You are here and You are God. Thank You for seeking an intimate relationship with me, not just a formal one, for as they say, "Back door guests are the best!" Thank You for feeling at home in our home.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
1 Kings 18 The tragic effects of indecision
Decide for God or live miserably
God sets up the first "Shoot-Out At The OK Corral" and wins hands-down. This has to be one of my favorite Bible stories!
Today God seems to focus me on a note I'd hand-written in the margin of my Bible at some point, next to verse 21. In that verse, Elijah asks the representatives of Israel, "How long will you not decide between two choices? If the Lord is the true God, follow Him, but if Baal is the true God, follow him!" But the people would not decide. They said nothing.
The note I'd written says, "Indecision between God and sin is a sin. They still wouldn't decide for God."
If there is something going on in our lives that is sin, and we know it is sin, yet we won't admit it and quit it, then we find ourselves exactly where these people were. They hadn't had any rain for 3 years. The "god" they'd been allowing their king and queen to worship was supposed to be the god of rain. The pathway to blessing was through God, but they wouldn't turn loose of their miserable existence to discover it.
Yesterday my boys had football pictures made, and that brought to mind the perfect illustration: Dressing up as a football player doesn't make you a football player. Practicing doesn't either. It takes passion and dedication and a willingness to get into the trenches and do battle. That's what God was calling His people to do here.
Father, help me to do battle against sin in my life. Let me see it not as something that has little effect on me, but instead as an enemy that strives to rob me of the most precious thing I have in this life -- my relationship with You. Don't let me give any quarter to it. Help me not to make any provision for the flesh.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
1 Kings 19 The Great Escape
time alone with God and my boys to recharge
Elijah had just spoken boldly for God and called down fire from heaven. He'd ordered the killing of the 450 prophets of Baal. Since the people carried it out, you'd think that their hearts had returned fully to God.
But Jezebel was still on the throne and steaming mad about what Elijah had done. She promised to see him dead before the day was out. This scared Elijah, and he ran. His servant traveled 100 miles with him, and then he proceeded on his own for another day into the wilderness south of modern-day Israel. He had to get away from it all.
God had him rest, and He sent him fresh baked bread and water. After more rest, there was more for him to eat and drink. Physically recharged, he walked for 40 days and nights to Mt. Sinai, where Moses had met with God (Elijah had seen that God was present on Mt. Carmel, yet he'd traveled to Mt. Sinai to find Him!).
God spoke and asked, "Why are you here?" Forlorn, disgruntled, and feeling all alone, Elijah poured out his heart to God. God told him to come out of the cave and stand before Him, but Elijah remained inside. God brought a terrible windstorm that caused avalanches, but Elijah dug in his heels. God brought an earthquake, which should have caused anyone to leave a cave, yet Elijah stayed put. A terrible fire followed, but Elijah wasn't smoked out. Finally, God spoke in a still, small voice, and Elijah responded, coming out to meet Him.
My commentary said that, just as the violent storms failed to move Elijah, he should have realized that his harsh method of dealing with Israel wasn't going to move them. Instead, a still, small voice of love and grace would. His heart was a lot like the hearts of those back in Israel in a way. Coercion failed to make him leave where he was, and it wouldn't work to bring Israel out of its sin, either.
Even when God appeared to him in love, Elijah still showed his self-important attitude, claiming to be the only one who was still following God. "His usefulness to God suffered when he adopted this attitude," my commentary added. How amazed he must have been when God told him not only that 7000 others had never prayed to idols, but also that God had already appointed his successor. He wasn't indispensable.
Father, Your timing, as usual, is excellent. I too am feeling a need to get away. Recent events have combined to leave me feeling a little overwhelmed -- the flood, work, the boys' harried schedule, and the duties of being an executor of an estate. But I'm pulling my family away together, for a time of rebuilding. Yes, we too are going to the mountains -- a place where hopefully the world won't intrude. Hopefully, we're going to the top, too. Help us to get there -- even to the very top. Refresh us, grow us closer again to each other, and remove all of the baggage that stress can pour on. Help us to revel in Your glory on the mountaintop. Rest us and draw us close to You and to each other.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
1 Kings 20 -- Doing what I need to be doing
being a dad first and foremost
God actually surprised me in this chapter. I'd forgotten about these stories. Ahab had married Jezebel and aided and abetted her in bringing idol worship to the forefront in Israel. Following Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal and their subsequent destruction, it almost seems like Ahab may be having a change of heart. God is actually pursuing him to win him back.
As large enemy armies attack, God advises Ahab to use a small army of lesser commanders (a lot like Gideon's story) to attack, in order to show that God is giving the victory. I would have expected Him to be bringing an army to carry out His punishment on Ahab and Israel.
Following the stunning defeat, God also instructs Ahab to begin preparations for the next battle. The next spring, Ahab and his army are vastly outnumbered, yet were able to defeat an army of over 127,000 men in one day. This time, it's Ahab dictating surrender terms. He becomes distracted by offers of cities being returned and great trade privileges in his enemy's country, and he lets the enemy king go free instead of killing him.
In a scene reminiscent of Nathan's and David's, a prophet of God lures Ahab in with a story and when Ahab takes the bait as David did, the king is told that it was he who disobeyed and would forfeit his life. Unlike David, Ahab failed to repent but instead sulked in anger.
My commentary quoted G. Campbell Morgan on the parable:
"Ahab had one thing to do by the command of God, and while he did a hundred things, he neglected the one. What a revelation of a perpetual reason and method of failure! We are given some one responsibility by God, some central definite thing to do. We start to do it with all good intentions, and then other things, not necessarily wrong in themselves, come in our way. We get 'busy here and there' doing many things and we neglect the one central thing."
Father, that's really where I find myself right now. Six years ago, You gave me marching orders to become a dad, and 4.5 years ago, You made that happen. Right now I find myself needing to be a banker, a coach, an executor, a guardian, a construction adviser, a teacher, an accompanist, a praise band member, a scout leader, a cook, and a maid. There's nothing wrong with any of those, except that the overwhelming combination of them is dragging my focus away from doing the first thing You told me -- being a dad. Thank You for the insight on it, and help me to start today, and with our trip this weekend, to set my priorities straight.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
1 Kings 21-22 Such Amazing Love God Shows, Even To The Wicked!
even to ME
There were no depths of sin that Ahab and Jezebel would not explore. A man was killed (and later his sons) so Ahab could annex his land, rip out his vineyard, and make it into a vegetable garden. Verse 25 says, "There was no on like Ahab who had chosen SO OFTEN to do what the Lord said was wrong...."
Elijah prophesied against him and predicted his death. This caused Ahab to finally humble himself before God (but not for long). Showing His love for even the most wicked, God had reached out to him, and because he humbled himself, Ahab was promised by God that he wouldn't lose his kingdom -- it would happen to one of his sons.
My commentary mentioned Ezekiel 33:11, in which God gays, "As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die?"
How amazing that, after all Ahab had done to lead Israel away from God and into idolatry, God would care enough for him to want him back, even pursuing him!
Father, thank You for pursuing me when I was not Your friend. Thank You for not giving up on me and for bringing me back to You! Your love is amazing!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
2 Kings 1 & 2 -- Comparing Two Lives
wanting to be on the better end of it
What a contrast between the two chapters -- the king of Israel was Ahaziah, whose name meant "whom Jehovah sustains", and yet he was crying out to Baal-zebub (Beelzebub) for healing! One of Elijah's last official acts as God's prophet was to condemn him for his idolatrous beliefs and to show that even Israel's army was powerless as a result. One hundred and two men died before a wise captain finally approached Elijah with humble acknowledgment of God's power in his life. Only then did the king finally get God's message personally delivered -- he would die for his idolatry.
But the next chapter tells the amazing story of the passing of the mantle from Elijah to Elisha. Like all of us though, Elisha's love for Elijah made it tough for him to discuss or even acknowledge that Elijah would soon leave this world -- not in death, but translated straight into heaven! How proud of his pupil Elijah must have been when Elisha requested the first-born son's double portion inheritance of Elijah's spirit! Yet still Elijah was probably also saddened, knowing what he'd endured in his own life and what would most likely be the same treatment that Elisha would endure.
Father, thank You for the time I had with my two sons this weekend. Thank You for the teachable moments in which I could share with them, even on vacation, what You mean to my life and how they should come to expect Your intervention in their lives. I pray that You will mold them into men after Your own heart and make their belief in You strong so that their lives will reflect You much better than mine ever will. Thank You for giving them to me!
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
2 Kings 3 When What God Demands Seems Harsh...
He is wiser than us
I remember in the first Gulf War how Saddam Hussein followed a "scorched earth" policy as he retreated from Kuwait, setting every oil well on fire and destroying infrastructure as he retreated. The nations were stunned by what he'd done and most thought him to be pure evil.
On the other side of the coin, there are several times in the Bible when God demands total destruction. Saul had been told by God to completely wipe out the Amalekites and everything they owned. He failed to do so and was rejected as king by God.
In this chapter, we see another country and people whom God orders destroyed. This time, it wasn't to include taking and using the land. God said, "You will destroy every strong, walled city and every important town. You will cut down every good tree and stop up all springs. You will ruin every good field with rocks."
Of course, to our American ears this sounds wasteful and probably abominable. We remember the rebuilding of Japan and Germany following WWII. We think of resources wasted and profits unrealized. But God SAID it!
Imagine the destructive effort it would take to pull apart the walls that surrounded every city. Think about the manpower required to spread rocks throughout every bit of farmland to render it unusable. And with water being such a precious commodity in that area, it seems almost unconscionable to ruin and stop up natural springs. Imagine a country totally devoid of all trees! Such a country was not to be inhabited or utilized again without tremendous effort.
I know that God did know what He was doing in this case, and it makes me wonder if perhaps we have become too lenient with troublemaking nations and too eager to make a dollar (or a billion). Perhaps following this policy in the rugged mountain areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan might drive out the likes of Al-Qaeda. Perhaps we have become "too good" for our own good .... like allowing the president of Iran to not only enter our country, but also to speak at a major university. The other nations must be laughing at our stupidity, and we may pay dearly for it once he returns and gloats.
Father, please direct our nation as You directed Judah and Israel here. Our "wisdom" cannot compare with Yours. Help us to re-examine what we do and why we do it and see where we are abetting those opposed to You.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
2 Kings 4 & 5 Not Always About The Obvious
thanks for the reminder
Another "for such a time as this" story. It's not so much today about the fact that God healed a commander in the army of Israel's enemy. Nor is it about the greed and lying of Elisha's servant which resulted in his getting the leprosy that was removed from the man who was healed.
Instead, today it's about the little girl who had been torn from her Israelite family when Syria invaded. She was taken as a household slave back to Syria. Her world had been turned upside down, and her future hopes dashed, but her faith in God remained strong.
Seeing the plight of her owner, she didn't do what most would have done -- thanking God for bringing the leprosy upon him as payback for her misery. Instead, she had compassion for him and stated her firm belief that her God could for a Syrian commander what He had apparently never yet done for one of His chosen people.
Her faith was so sure, and his need so great, that Naaman decided to believe. His cure as received. There's no record of her name and we have no evidence that she even benefited from her witness by being set free to return to her family. She was content to simply reveal the God she knew to those who did not know Him at all -- a true missionary. She never dreamed that her story would still be alive centuries later.
In the same way, we can have an impact for God. Our quiet, daily witness of our faith and trust in Him, and our willingness to be used by Him in even small ways is enough to change lives.
This summer, we visited Joseph's birthmother in Ukraine. She really only spoke in response to our questions. As we talked, her only question was "Why did you choose him?" and my answer was, "God pointed him out to me." Yesterday we received the heart-warming news that her life has been radically changed. She'd given birth to a son, is planning to marry the boy's father, ad she has quit drinking and has made herself more presentable. God took what little we said plus the small picnic we provided and the love we showed her and told her she has worth in His eyes.
Father, continue Your work in her life. Change not only her but also those around her. Work in the lives of others we met. Change Ukraine, God.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
2 Kings 6 & 7 Spiritual Sight and Spiritual Blindness
open our eyes, Lord
What would it be like to be a trained soldier, camped outside the city of the enemy, preparing to do battle and suddenly finding yourself blinded? Moreover, what it everyone who might help you was blinded, too? That's what happened to the soldiers who'd been tasked with finding Elisha. They couldn't do what they were meant to do because of their blindness. In much the same way, we can let spiritual blindness hinder us is what we are meant to do.
Just prior to this happening, Elisha and his servant had scanned the countryside before dawn. They were greeted with the fires of this same army, which had arrived silently during the night. The sight was surely enough to make any man wilt, but Elisha wasn't just any man. When his servant expressed dismay, I wonder if Elisha wasn't wearing a "Mona Lisa smile" as he prayed, "Lord, open my servant's eyes, and let him see."
Did Elisha have an advantage over the rest of us? Had he been granted the ability to constantly see the presence of those sent by God to help? Or was he simply trusting God entirely, knowing without seeing that help was all around?
Was it the same when Samaria was under siege and famine was so rampant that mothers were boiling and eating their babies? Had Elisha simply been told by God that the following day would look like Christmas, or did he see through spiritual eyes the deserted camp of the Aramean army?
How amazing it must have been for his servant to see the horses and chariots of fire surrounding and ready to attack the army besieging Dothan! It reminds me of frank Peretti's book, This Present Darkness, and the descriptions of the unseen demons and angels walking among us and affecting our lives without our knowledge or comprehension.
I believe God instills in believers the ability to sense the unseen and the impossible, though we may never see them. It's what gives fuel to faith in times of trouble. The blinded Aramean army was led around easily by their enemy, much as Satan leads around the unsaved even today without their knowing it. Spiritual blindness is sometimes of our own making and sometimes God-ordained. How important it is to pray the prayer that Elisha prayed for his servant -- this time for ourselves: "Lord God, open my eyes and let me see!"
Father, give spiritual sight to me and to anyone who reads this. Let us be keenly aware of the army You have ready and available to fight for us and with us when Satan tries to whip us down. Remove our spiritual blinders and let us see Your power and glory, which is alive and well and active each day in our lives.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
2 Kings 8 Accepting God's Will
takes an amazing trust in God
Elisha had healed Naaman, a Syrian commander. Now, he travels to Damascus, Syria at a time when King Ben-Hadad is physically ill. Offering a lavish gift, Ben-Hadad sends Hazael to inquire of God through Elisha as to whether he would survive his illness. What happened next is amazing.
Elisha told Hazael to tell Ben-Hadad that he would "surely recover", but he also told Hazael God had told him that Ben-Hadad would "surely die". God is not being duplicitous in His answer. The illness wouldn't kill Ben-Hadad, but Hazael would.
Hazael stared at Elisha until he felt ashamed, probably because he could see that this man of God could see right through to his deepest secrets and his unspoken plans.
Next, Elisha began to cry, and Hazael asked what he was crying so. Elisha told Hazael all of the evil that Hazael would bring about against Israel. Hazael had been exposed as a traitor to the king, and later to the Israelites, but Elisha did NOTHING about it.
Elisha could have exposed Hazael's plot to Ben-Hadad, who would certainly have had him killed. This quite possibly would have saved the lives of many Israelites. Instead, he bowed to God's will, mourning the tragic results of Israel's sin and God's need to judge it. What a shame that Israel had started down the slippery slope into idolatry to such a point that Elisha could only stand and watch, since the people wouldn't change. What a testimony to Elisha's faith in God's sovereignty that he would not interfere in something God had pre-ordained -- he could only weep at what sin had wrought in Israel.
Father, I know how often I have prayed for healing or deliverance for those who's sin has gotten them to a point of great trouble. As hard as it is to do, I still say, "Not my will, but Yours." Thank You for showing me over the years that ultimately I can trust You in everything You do, and that You are the sovereign God of the universe.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
Gary Ford
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