Saturday, September 6, 2008

The Battle is the Lord's


The Israelites were told a number of times:
"For the battle is not yours, but Gods."
However they were always to do some things, on this occasion while Jehoshaphat was king:
"March down against them...Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you ... Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow and the Lord will be with you." 2 Chronicles 20:15-17
They did take it one step further here, in the Spirit, praising and thanking God on the way. (vs. 21) And, the Lord set ambushes against the invading armies - who destroyed one another! (vs. 22-23) It took them three days to collect all the plunder.

There are things we need to do in faith, trusting God for his outcome. It reminds me of the New Testament account of the ten lepers Jesus told to show themselves to the priests.
"And as they went, they were cleansed." Luke 17:14
They were doing what he had told them, in faith heading off to see the priests, and his healing power was released.

I need to keep remembering to set aside my flesh, listen to the Spirit, heed the Word of God, stand against the enemy and then wait on the Lord for the outcome. Waiting can be difficult. So can being sure you're hearing God correctly. I used to have a women's Bible Study group and we called ourselves "Ladies in Waiting". The idea being a reminder that most of what a servant or waiter does is WAIT for their orders. And then to follow through, not to do what they think might be a good or better idea. The battle is the Lord's, but it isn't always resolved right away, or when we think it should be.

By now you may be wondering what the picture has to do with anything. That's a pretty little okra flower and it is a reminder to me that the blooms don't last long and neither do the okra. You see the okra peeking up in back? Wait too long and they're useless. Pick at the right time - wait for just a few days and a tender little vegetable is yours. I need to keep my eye on them.

3 comments:

  1. Lovely little flower analogy. Is it really that shade of green? Did you go up yesterday?
    Those papers are signed so Jesse should be bringing them in. Developing............

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  2. Gina, It's actually a pale yellow, but I guess the surrounding green gives it a tint.

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