Obtaining Mercy

(A repost from 2008)

I've been reading in the Old Testament about the different sacrifices that God commanded Israel to offer up to the Lord.

It is amazing how detailed and meticulous the instructions are for each offering:

• burnt offerings
• meat offerings
• peace offerings
• sin offerings
• trespass offerings
• unacceptable offerings
• wave offerings

Each of those categories was divided further into the different types of animals necessary, and the different groups and individuals who would need to offer the sacrifices.

God gave very specific instructions and expected them to be obeyed.

The people could have chosen not to offer the sacrifices, and I'm sure some of them did. That meant, though, that their sins were not forgiven.

The offerings were bloody and messy and tedious and offensive to their senses; but the forgiveness of sins was worth far more than the life of a cow or dove.

Perhaps worshiping an idol would have been easier and less demanding; but a graven image has

• no life to bestow blessings,
• no power to forgive sins and
• no love to be returned.

We are no longer required to offer animal sacrifices for the forgiveness of our sins, because the ultimate and final sacrifice was made for us by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary.

We are, however, still called to a life a sacrifice: the sacrifice of our will in obedience to the Father.

Because God is Creator, He can pretty much give us whatever instructions He desires. Because He is also Saviour, He can also demand our obedience to those instructions.

It is our decision to follow His commands or to disregard them.

However, when we choose to not follow God's commands, we forfeit the right to receive the blessings.

What command has God given you for your life?

Are you choosing to obey His command?

If you are, I know you are reaping the benefits of your obedience.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to count those blessings; and let the recognition of God's faithfulness fill your heart and mind today.

Have you chosen to disobey God's command to you?

Do you see blessings that you are missing?

If so, why not humble your heart to His will today?

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
II Corinthians 10:5-6

The benefit will far outweigh any sacrifice that you will make.

Find hope today in sacrificial obedience.

"The way to peace and victory is to accept every circumstance, every trail, straight from the hand of a loving Father, and to live up in heavenly places, above the clouds, in the very presence of the Throne, and to look down from the glory upon our enviroment as lovingly and Divinely apointed." Streams in the Desert

Why are we surprised when trials come?  Why is our resolve shaken by temptation?  Why do we feel sorry for ourselves when things go wrong?

Well, because we are human, aren't we?

We forget…

It's all part of a bigger picture.

Our small cog is just a tiny, tiny part of the bigger machinery of God's plan for humanity.

If we are such a small gear in the giant motor, why does it matter if we do our part when troubles come?  Couldn't we just stop for a while, lay down to rest, leave off the discipline of a spiritual life?

No!  We cannot stop!  Do you know what happens when one tiny part of a big motor fails?

Eventually the entire engine grinds to a shuddering halt…

Because of one little cogwheel.

In the midst of turmoil, we must not stop living our lives for God's glory. 

We must continue to trust Him, the Master Engineer, as He applies His annointing Oil of the Holy Spirit in such abundance to the squeaky, grinding, slow-moving, rusty, painful parts of our lives.

Psalm 72:5-7 "They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth."

II Corinthians 6:9-10 "As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."

Paul seemed to rejoice in things that we try to avoid: 

• Anonymity,
• Death,
• Chastisement,
• Sorrow,
• Poverty

In fact, these are part of a list that he gives for those who are in the ministry of God:  Not just pastors or full-time church staff members, but all who are "workers together with him." (I Corinthians 6:1a)

Bottom line:  If we want to be God's servants  

(in our Home, in our Church, in our Workplace, in our World),

we are going to face difficulties.

Why?

There are 2 reasons:

1. Christ uses difficulties to teach us about Himself, to draw us closer to Him, to chastise us and to make us more Christlike.
2. Satan is going to try to hinder our service.  The more Christ-like we become, the more power we have to reach others for the Lord.

So the trials, hardships, tribulations in our lives???  It's ALL good!

Either Christ is doing a work in us because He loves us so much; OR we are doing such a great job of ministring God's grace to others, that Satan is running scared!

Our storms take on a Divine glow when we know they have a greater purpose.

I Peter 4: 12-13a "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice…"

I Peter 4:14 "If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you"

"In one thousand trials it is not five hundred of them that work for the believer's good, but nine hundred and ninety-nine of them…and one beside." ~George Mueller

Every time…every trial…every pain…God is working it for our good.

Can we trust Him with that?

It's easy to mentally agree with that truth, but when the waves of a crisis are coming fast at us, and we are losing our footing in the crash of the breakers around us…when we feel ourselves falling…out of control…can we emotionally practice that truth to which we have mentally assented?

It is not easy.  However, the more we practice, the more natural that reaction will become.

How, then, can we practice this reaction?

I'll tell you…start small.

• Did you wake up late?  Trust God with that.  Do not fuss and fume.  Peacefully acknowlege that He will work it out for your good.  (And tonight, be sure to set your alarm!)
• Did the child spill powdered sugar all over the kitchen floor?  Do not explode in anger.  Practice your "gratitude attitude" that the ants have not discovered it yet. (And place the sugar container out of the reach of the child…and correct the child with calmness…allow God to teach you as you teach your child.)
• Did you stub your toe on the doorjamb?  Don't mentally harrass yourself all day about being clumsy.  Deliberately decide that what's done is done, and thank the Lord that you didn't fall and break a limb when you stubbed your toe.  (And move more deliberately, with less haste…I have to do this a lot, as I get older…my body just doesn't respond as quickly as it used to.)

I know these are situations that can get under our skin and turn into what we commonly call "a bad day."  However, if this day is from the Lord, how can it be "bad"?  Even our terminology is not faith-filled!!!

As we practice acknowledging God's presence and control in every situation, our faith in Him grows.  Our responses to situations become testimonies of God's goodness, mercy and grace.  Then when the huge storm sets in, and we have lost all control, we have a seasoned response of faith in our God.

Practice your faith today…not by attending a worship service (although that is fine, too), but rather by recognizing your dependence on God in every situation as you go through the day.  

(***This devotional is a little late, but I'm praying it is a blessing to you today anyway…trusting God's timing with it.)

"No matter how dark it is, no matter what the trouble may be, a quick lifting of the heart to God in a moment of real actual faith in Him, will alter the sutuation in a moment. " ~Streams in the Desert

 

I John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

So many times, we become overwhelmed by the situation at hand.  Circumstances are often difficult, especially during times of physical pain and suffering.  It is really hard to focus our mind on spiritual things when our physical body is crying out for attention.

On those days, we must mentally, physically and literally throw ourselves on Him.  We have to let go of every bit of pride, self-will and self-pity; and allow God to hold us up and hold us close, being pleased with everything He allows because we actually believe He is working it out for our good.

I know by personal experience (due to a back injury) when the physical pain is overwhelming we can find relief when we surrender our wills to His.  I was amazed that I could feel peaceful while in so much physical pain.  I could even laugh (very carefully, of course, because too much laughter will add to the agony!) and make jokes with my family, even though it literally hurt to breath at times.

My bed of pain became a place of sweet fellowship with the Lord as I placed all of my faith in Him.

We can "overcome" the world with its physical, mental and emotional pain because of our faith in Him!

I encourage you today, no matter the pain that you are suffering, take "a moment of real actual faith in Him" and see just how He will alter your situation.  Perhaps you will find that instead of altering your situation, He will alter you…and that, my friends, is an even greater miracle!