Chicken Crossing
Our chickens recently had a shock. They emerged from their coop to discover that the garden had been split into two. A large new wire fence spanning from the workshop to the shed. The bark, soil and arid back end is all theirs, while the luscious and exotic lawn and flower beds are off limits.
What would you do- if you were a chicken I mean? stay inside your area, or break out?
Ethel and Hilda rove backwards and forwards along the 'demarcation line', occasionally, when they have plucked up enough courage, thrusting their beaks through the holes in the wire into 'the other side'.
Once or twice they have even managed to fly/leap over the boundary and have enjoyed a few brief moments on the lawn.
The Bible gives Christians some clear no-go zones. A line has been drawn in the sand. The Lord has graciously established boundaries in our lives. He told the newly-freed Israelites "I have bought you out of Egypt- out of slavery- therefore have no other gods." As Christians, we are free. We are free from the slavery of sin in our lives. I think it was Jason Robinson who said "I used to have no choice but to say "yes". Now I have a choice: I can say "no"."
The Lord Jesus Christ has freed us from sin. So why is it that we try to get as close to sin as we can? We cautiously, while casting glances around us, sidle up to that metaphorical fence, reach out and touch it.... and then scurry away.
If we love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls and minds, then why are we tempting him? Why are trying to live as close to sin as we can get?
Our chickens are so desperate to enjoy the magical, wonderful lands on the other side of the fence that they spend no time enjoying the ground they do have! I think one day we will find that Heaven- and living as Christians on earth- is so so so much greater than the pleasures of sin.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
....[Moses choose] rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
1 and 2 Kings
Elijah.... what was his problem?
I've been reading 1/2 Samuel and 1/2 Kings recently, and the prophet Elijah has really leapt out at me. What was his problem?! Just when things are going right- when the bad prophets of Baal have been beaten and destroyed and rain has returned to the dry and barren land- Elijah hears that Queen Jezebel (who closely resembles the wicked white witch, Queen of Narnia in C.S. Lewis' novels) has been told by her sniveling wretch of a husband about his contest with the prophets of Baal. She isn't a happy camper.
Elijah is scared. 450 prophets of Baal have just been defeated by Elijah's God who worked wonders by sending fire on Mount Carmal, and yet Elijah is so scared of Jezebel that he runs all the way to Beersheba in the south, 120 miles.
Arriving in southern Judah, Elijah pleads with God to kill him. When the word of the Lord comes to him all he can say is:
“I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
He is positively dripping with self-pity. So, the Lord shows Elijah his power through wind and an earthquake and fire. And then the Lord speaks to Elijah in a small still whisper. Has Elijah now seen sense? Does he now appreciate the might of his God? Well this is his reply:
“I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”
Hmmm. Nothing changed then. But God doesn't give up on this wreck of a self-pitying worm. Rather he replies that he is going to totally eradicate the line of Ahab and Jezebel. He will purge the monarchy. And you know what? Elijah is going to appoint the new Kings of Israel and Syria. And you know what's more? Elijah is not the only one left. There are 7,000 Israelites who have refused to bow down to Baal.
You know what? We are like Elijah. Faced with God's power and mercy and grace we cower, scared of the apparent might of the world. We are afraid to proclaim Jesus and we are scared to trust the Lord.
You know what else? God will continue to work in us- vessels of clay- and will continue to make us more like Jesus every day, despite our weakness and fear. Isn't that wonderful? I think so.
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