Friday, March 20, 2009

The longest blog yet!

"Do not be afraid or discouraged" "Do not be afraid or terrified"

Do you know how many times this is said in the Bible?! So far, I've found sixteen times and I wasn't even looking hard. :) I think that means there might be a little bit of importance to it. It probably also means that this is something the people in the Bible struggled with. And since not much has changed since then (concerning our emotions and struggles with trusting God at least) this probably means this is something we struggle with now as well. At least I know I do.

In Deuteronomy 1:21, Moses is telling the people about how they lost the promised land. He had said to the people that they should not be afraid to go into the land that God promised them. The people however, don't listen and get scared. So they send in spies to look over the land, which makes them even more afraid. So Moses reminds the people again that they should not be afraid because God promised them the land they were afraid to take. But, once again, the people will not listen. Because they would not trust God, they never got to enter into their promised land.

When Joshua becomes leader of Israel, these words are spoken again, three times. Obviously, the people have learned their lesson from when they did not listen to God's command, and they want those who have a chance to go into the promise land to not make the same mistake.

After Moses dies, these words are repeated to Joshua by God. Right off the bat, he tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous.... be strong and very courageous... be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged..." You think God wanted Him to be strong and courageous and unafraid, maybe?

Once again, in Joshua 8, the Lord commands Joshua to go into battle. The first thing He says to Joshua is... I'll give you one guess... "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged."

I think by this time Joshua understands what the Lord is trying to say to Him because in chapter ten, He tells his people "do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous." He then proceeds to strike and kill five kings and hang them from five trees to show what God will do with their enemies (I know gross!).

This "motto" definitely passes on through the people of Israel. In 1 Chronicles, David tells his son Solomon, whom God has chosen to be the king who begins the building of the temple, to be strong and courageous and not afraid or discouraged. After David has described to Solomon how he is to build the temple, he once again reminds him to "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged." Figure that one out, huh? :)

More time goes by, and now Jehoshaphat is king. Once again, a nation is planning on attacking them (although you'd think they'd get the clue by now that they weren't gonna win) and all the people of Judah prayed to God. What do you think he said? "Do not be afraid or discouraged... Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged." Surprising? I hope not by now.

Once more, the Bible talks about fearlessness with God. When Hezekiah is king, another country comes to invade Jerusalem. What does Hezekiah tell them? "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged..."

Even in the New Testament, people are becoming discouraged and afraid. In Ephesians, Paul tells the Ephesians to not be discouraged because of his sufferings.

Okay, so have you gotten the point yet? :) I'm pretty sure I don't need to sum this up for you, especially since that will probably make you fall asleep if this blog hasn't already. :) But obviously this is important to remember. So.... Oh, you know it already!

Monday, March 16, 2009

Warning: Drama!

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

2 Timothy 2:23-26

God wants us to stay away from drama. Interesting. :) He says right here in the Bible that He wants us to have nothing to do with arguments, especially when they do not concern us. And drama is everywhere we turn. It is in our schools, our workplaces, even our churches. But God deliberately says to not have anything to do with it. Stay away from it. Avoid it at all cost. Why would He say that?

Drama is vacuum. It creates a barrier between us and God as it sucks the joy out of everyone that is involved in it. When someone's life is constantly filled with drama, they are not usually very joyful. Their life is an emotional roller coaster, which is not what God wants for us (Ecclesiastes 3:12). God wants us to be happy and joyful and grateful for the things He has given us. He wants us to enjoy life and to not give in to the problems that the world face. We know that through God, nothing in this physical world can truly harm us. Though we may have hardships and though we may have to deal with issues that involve other people, we do not have to and definitely should not be involved with petty differences and ridiculous dramatizations. We should stay clear of such things, because it is the will of God. And as at least I have found in my life, the will of God always has the best answers.