Standing. ( Romans 4 v 18 - 21 ) 2 Deut

 Continuing on as regards Israel about to enter the promised land,the raising up of an army to fight and conquer the inhabitants of that  land. ( Deuteronomy 20) They are told had greater armies ,that were better equipped, God told how it was ,He didn't hide anything back. They needed to know what awaited them, it was not going to easy,but most important they are exhorted not to be fainthearted or afraid, to not panic or be terrified by them (v 4).Whatever challenges we may be facing,and like Israel of old ,we will face challenges but we will not be facing them alone, for as He said to Israel ,He says to us,'The Lord your God is the one who goes with you ,to fight for you,against your enemies to give you victory.' That's the wonderful thing about the  word of God,the encouragement one receives from  it,they are precious promises of God. Lean hard on God precious promises,and all He asks from you and me,is to believe them, and to trust Him to fulfill them. 

                                                  ' Standing on the promises that cannot fail'

                                                   When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,

                                                    By the living word of God I shall prevail;

                                                    Standing on the promises of God '

                                                                Words R.K . Carter.

What can we do?. ( Ephesians 6 v 18 - 20 ) 1 Deut

 Israel was about to enter the promised land ,but it meant that they would have to  conquer the land,that meant  raising up an army,it would not be easy.Moses tells them that those they fight against would have horses and chariots,it was not going to be easy. (Deut 20) Fighting the Lords battles is never easy, consider those who are being persecuted in the lands where Satan's strongholds are.They are at the coal face suffering the slings and arrows of misfortune,yes it really is a battle,and there is cost, don't pity them ,pray for them.Early on in their exodus journey , Israel  was attacked by the Amalekites, (Exodus 17 v 8 -15) so the Israelites led by Joshua fought them ,as they were fighting, Moses stood on top of a hill with the staff of God in his hands,which he held up. As long  he held it up Israel prevailed,if he let it down, the Amalekites prevailed. Moses arms became tired, so Aaron and Hur held his arms up,and Israel won the day/.The uplifted staff as Alec Motyer writes, was an encouragement to the fighting troops that God was enlisted in their cause. Matthew Henry  sees it as an appeal to God for His help,he simple says ,''Joshua fights.Moses prays''.The important  thing we learn from this,as I have said earlier,we may not be at the coal face,but it is vital that we uphold those who are, by praying for them.

Do it. ( Hebrews 4 v 16 )

 Let us consider Matthew 7 v 7- 8 ,which is all about prayer, Asking,seeking, and knocking, one can raise so many aspects  as regards prayer,prayer is not all about asking,but asking comes into it a lot.As we consider those three aspects mentioned they gave the impression of keeping at it,of not giving up,hanging in there.We are to be serious about it,and earnest about it,and not limiting God,for there is nothing to hard for Him for Him to do,but all things must fall within His will.Ask, that seems simple it is not always multiplying words,when Peter began to sink in the sea,Matthew 14 v30, he cried out three simple words,' Lord , save me',and He did just that.Prayer must not just be for emergencies ,Corrie Ten Boom said,'Is prayer your steering wheel or you spare tyre? ' So lets consider the asking ,seeking ,knocking, I will simple say this one thing, just do it,put it into practice.God delights to hear His children pray, our Lord is encouraging us to pray,and stresses God's willingness to answer our prayers. In v 9- 11 He speaks how a father will give  what his children ask,how much more will our loving heavenly grant to us what we ask.

                                                    My soul, ask what  thou wilt,

                                                    Thou canst not be to bold,

                                                    Since His own blood for thee  He spilt,

                                                    What else can He withhold?

                                                            Words John Newton.

A quite time. ( Proverbs 15 v 8 )

When is the best time, to have ones quiet time of prayer?, King David said,''In the morning you hear my prayer'', Psalm 5 v 3.Lets be clear ,one can pray at anytime and anywhere, but I am talking about what one would call having a quite time. We must be careful not to get into legalism,or to make people guilty,or inferior, because they don't pray in the morning.There is a number of reasons I have my quite time in the morning ,one, I wont be disturbed ,also things can crowd out prayer. Everybody's circumstances are different , a mother of children can find it hard to have a set time,there are so many different reasons.The  thing is, we need to pray,it can be anywhere, the main thing is, to do it, find your own rhythm as regards your prayer life.God delights to hear us pray ,be yourself ,sometime when we listen to certain people pray we feel inadequate ,well don't, that's the way they pray,you pray as yourself, for that's what God your heavenly Father wants to hear,the real you, not someone impersonating someone else. In 1 Thessalonians 5 v17 we read,' Never stop praying', have a prayerful spirit, God's  listening 24/7 it's is a mystery how God can hear all our prayers individually but He can, and He does,and what is more we have His full attention. It is wonderful having a relationship with our God, because of Jesus, our great high priest , who ever lives to make intercession  for us.

Not now. ( Deuteronomy 29 v29 )

 Chuck Swindoll one of my favourite preachers, tells how as a young man attending a seminary,found himself struggling with questions as to the whys in life.One of his tutors whom he respected and admired greatly, said something like this to him,'' Chuck , I've come to the place where I believe only on rare occasions does God tell us why, so I've decided to stop asking'', It is in 1 Corinthians 13 v 12 we read, 'Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror but then we will see everything with perfect clarity'.  Our Saviour said to Peter ,''You don't understand now what I'm doing,but someday you will''.( John 13 v 7)

                                                   'Not till the loom is silent,

                                                   And the shuttles cease to fly,

                                                  Shall God explain the reason why,

                                                  The dark threads are so needful,

                                                  In the weavers skilful hand

                                                  As the threads of gold and silver

                                                  In the pattern He has planned'

                                                            By Betty Kramer

 

Persecution. ( John 15 v18 - 25 )

It is terrible the suffering many dear Christians are enduring, Christians being hacked to death,shot,and so many other ways. I pray daily for our dear brothers and sisters ,and feel so sad.This is not something new ,as we look back over history we see that it is ongoing,and it will never cease. It is amazing the courage many show in their suffering, John Lambert a godly man who lived in the 15th century, during Henry the eights reign, was ordered by the king  to be executed by being burnt at the stake.At his martyrdom at Smithfield in1538 he suffered such a cruel death, but as he died, faith was victorious for he lifted up his fingers flaming with fire , and cried,'None but Christ, none but Christ'.Our Saviour said,''If the world hates you,keep in mind it hated me first''.( John 15 v18 ) He also said this,''In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world''.( John 16 v 33 )

Making preparation. ( John 3 v16 )

 One of my sons was  talking about the will he was going to make, it is an important thing to do, a sensible thing to do.Insurance is also  another way of making preparation in case the unexpected happening,it is also an important and a sensible thing to do.Here I believe is the thing we need to make preparation for that moment when we shall  stand before our maker, God. In these days we receive warnings as to a severe storm that is coming ,which enables us to batten down the hatches, or to move to a place of safety.Let me say this there is a storm coming ,  when God will destroy this world by fire (2 Peter 3 v 10) and every soul that ever lived will be ushered into Gods presence.For the Christian that day will hold no fear, for those who have never accepted Jesus as Saviour, judgement will fall ,it will be to late to seek forgiveness,the door of mercy will be shut,the door of judgement will be opened. We live in a time of opportunity ,a day of grace,in which we can be saved from ,sin, Satan ,and hell, be prepared don't leave it to late ,trust Jesus to be your Saviour today.