Grace and Joy

Grace is God's unmerited favor freely bestowed upon all of us. Because he has extended grace to me, I try to extend grace to others. Just as he has extended love and mercy to me, I try to do the same to other. As God fills me with his love for ohers, the more I can extend His Grace.

Joy is more than happiness. It is peace, contentment and a sense of God's blessing on one's life. Unlike happiness, Joy is not dependant on one's circumstances either. Joy is like effortlessly walking three feet up in the air.



Saturday, July 9, 2011

Deliverance

Some put their trust in chariots and some in horses, but we will call upon the Name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7

A part of learning to trust in God and become fully dependent on God is to no longer trust in our own ability to protect ourselves but in God. I know for our own nation, we have a tendancy to trust in our military to protect us. But really, to be fully protected from our enemies, we as a nation need to be more dependent upon God and follow his will. The Israelites had to learn and relearn that lesson. When they trusted God, they had peace. When they disobeyed God, they had war and discord.

I especially like Judges chapter 7 in which God shows Gideon and his people that it is the Lord whom we need to trust in, not in the number of warriors.
Verses 2 - 8 say
" The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’ ” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.” So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others...."
So, when looking at your problem and the little ability and strength that you have, look instead at how big your God is and rely on him for deliverance.