Nothing new to report tonight. Still working to catch up while I have the time...
It's a basic fact of life; we all need to be rescued at times. Whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually, it all counts. My biggest need for rescue thus far, has been emotional. Between having a Narcissistic mother at home and bullies at school, I had little respite. Growing up, my father was my main source of solace. He still would be if I could get time alone with him (and if he wasn't on the oh-so-gradual slide of Alzheimer's and Dementia that flows down from both sides of his family) As a kid, my father and I would often go on bike rides around Henniker village. (The only one on Earth, it's about 20 mins west of where I am now, in Concord, NH) Other times, when mom was playing the organ in S. Weare, we would show up extra early so she could practice the hymns before the soloist showed up with their music. Once she was settled, dad and I would walk up Mt. Dearborn road and just talk and enjoy the morning before going back down in time for church.* I really miss that closeness I had with dad in those days. :/
In his opening comments, Pastor Matt shared a brief story of physical rescue. He grew up in a tight knit community where everyone looked out for each other. This, of course, included the kids. One day, there was a surprise 30th birthday party* for one of the neighbors. The hosting family had an above ground pool, and one of the curious little boys fell in. Without missing a beat, one of the dads jumped in to rescue the boy.
Our story tonight is another example among many, of how God rescues His People.
Turn with me, if you will, to 1 Samuel 11 --
1 Samuel 11
New International Version
Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh
11 Nahash[a] the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”
2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”
3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”
4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud. 5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. 7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one. 8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.
9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated. 10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”
11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
Saul Confirmed as King
12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”
13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the Lord has rescued Israel.”
14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.
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As we all know, the more we struggle when problems arise, the worse things are likely to be. For example, if I had ever tried to talk back to those who bullied me with words as harsh as theirs, I don't think they would have taken it very well.*
The truth we find in the Bible is that, when the Enemy comes on strong, God completely rescues, and Jesus is King. As we look at Israel, the enemy is very real. (See maps below) During this time, National Unity is still new to the them, and they are learning how to navigate it.
Verses 2 and 3 of our passage above show the Ammonite leader's intention to humiliate and dehumanize the Israelites. The gouging out of one eye, as Pastor Matt brought out, would significantly weaken their fighting abilities. He also pointed out here Jesus' words on lust, as the same idea had been a part of Jewish Law since the days of the Exodus.
Verses 6-11 show how Saul was moved to action at the words of the messengers concerning the challenge from the Ammonites. This bit speaks of the Holy Ghost prompting him, not only to act on the threat, but providing wisdom in how to go about it. God doesn't do anything half-way. If He leads us to a particular course of action, He will also provide the resources required to accomplish it.* As our title indicates, "God's rescue is complete."
Looking at verse 11 in closer view, we see in this the coming together of God and humanity to move things forward according to His Purposes. There was no question here as to the source of Israel's victory as worship to God immediately ensues. This, in turn, sealed it in their minds that God had chosen Saul to lead them.
The remaining verses show Saul confirmed as King by the same group who were devoted to him at the end of chapter 10. At the same time, it is worthy to note how Saul shows mercy to the "haters" from earlier in the narrative. Just as God was revealing Himself to the Israelites in that time, He continues to do so today; and not only to them, but to all of us who Believe. At the same time, He is working in the lives of future Believers, to ultimately bring them to Himself.
How do we see God working in our own lives?? Pastor Matt outlined 3 ways in which we may observe the effects of His Work --
The Enemy is Real -- Paul encouraged the Ephesians in Chapter 6, starting in verse 10, to be "strong in the Lord and the power of His might..." He goes on to speak to them about rulers, authorities, and powers in the spiritual realms against which they would be required to fight. He then provides a comprehensive list of "Spiritual Armor" for them to employ. In light of this truth, we should not be looking at people, but at the animus behind their words and actions. The battle is not won by human ideas of power; but by humility, love, and self-sacrifice. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us that the Devil prowls around like a lion -- patient, cunning, and crafty with a roar of division in all aspects of life.
God's Rescue is Complete -- Divinity and Humanity come together as never before in Jesus. We read in John 1:1-3 how Jesus was present at Creation. In His humanity, He brought fullness, flourishing, humility, and love. In Psalm 103:11-12, we find total forgiveness in the heart of God. Paul encouraged the Corinthians in his 2nd letter to them, that all things are made new in Christ. (5:17)At the same time, we continue to read verses 18-19 to find full reconciliation, thus resulting in the Re-Creation of the original Created Order.
Jesus Confirmed King -- As we saw in our message from 2 nights ago*, Jesus' confirmation as our king only came at the moments of His death on the Cross and His Resurrection. Paul's words from God to the Philippians confirm this as he writes in chapter 2, verses 9-11 that Jesus was exalted by the Father and, as a result, every tongue will eventually confess and every knee will bow to His Lordship*.
-- God Bless!!
Footnotes:
Of course, all bike rides and walks were weather permitting. ;)
Ironically, my oldest is turning 30 later this month!! <3
My parents had sent me to a Private Christian School in hopes of avoiding bullies, but that clearly wasn't going to work. Not with a mother who told me (more than once, mind you) that she never actually wanted children, and asked the doctors to put her under anesthesia so she wouldn't suffer through the labor pains. Add to that her emotional distance and constant negativity, not only towards me, but my father and grandfather whom we also lived with (her own father), and what do you get?? A little girl who grows up with zero confidence in herself, or in most anyone else. And that's what the bullies go for every time; the weakest among the group. The fact of the Christian School made no difference whatsoever. Kids will be kids, and back at that time, the teachers just kept telling me to ignore them and they would stop. Nope... Idk, maybe standing up to them WOULD have been the right thing, but how was I supposed to do that without the confidence I inherently lacked?? (The most I ever actually did was to turn a Creative Writing assignment into an object lesson) LOL
The bit about God providing for His direction in our lives is mine. In relation to this, I recently saw something that brought out the verse in Isaiah 58 where he encourages the people in the thought that God will be with them wherever they go, and He will provide for them. The point that was suggested here is that, "Where God leads you, He will provide all you need".
As you will notice on the posting dates lately, I've been doing one every other night. That being said, Mike called me while I have been typing this and he's coming to "steal" me for a few days, starting tomorrow, so you won't see anything more for a little while. My Baby misses me and needs me. <3
Just to be clear on the whole thing of "every tongue confessing, etc..." this in no way suggests that everyone will one day be Saved. It only speaks of the realization in the minds of unbelievers when Jesus returns for His Church. Looking at other verses on Salvation confirms that not everyone will be Saved when it says, "Whosoever will...", indicating specifically that there will be some who won't.
Music -- Never any rights, I promise!!
Main St., looking west. The road that forks off in the foreground was part of dad's and my regular biking route. The house I grew up in used to sit 2 houses south of the stone arch bridge. (to the left in this pic)
The New England College Covered Bridge was also a regular part of our route. Henniker Elementary and Middle Schools are near the north end of the bridge, (to the right) toward Western Ave. We used to stop and play on the playground for a bit if we had time. You can find more on my Days in the Life page on the blog side of my site.