Generation (un)Gap!

“And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.”                                          [Exodus 17:11 NKJV]

In an age where the “generation-gap” is widening day-by-day, it’s challenging for the older generation to accept and delegate responsibilities to the younger generation and for the younger to honor and respect the older generation. Yet, throughout the Bible we see that God worked wonders when the old and young come together as “one generation.”

The battle between Israelites and Amalekites at Rephidim (Exodus 17:8-16) is a beautiful picture of the “old” and “young” coming together as “one”. When Amalekites came out to fight against Israel, Moses instructs Joshua to lead the battle while Moses along with Aaron and Hur went up to a nearby hill.  As long as Moses held his hands up, Joshua and the Israelites overpowered the enemy. When he let his hands down Amalekites prevailed. Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands until sunset so that Joshua could lead the Israelites to victory in battle.

Exodus 19:9 “And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand” is a key verse. A few lessons from the verse:

Delegation: This is the first time Joshua is being asked to lead something. Yet, Moses gives him the complete choice to choose men and go out against the enemy as he leads the battle. Moses did not interfere with those decisions. Rather than doubting Joshua’s capabilities, Moses trusted God who alone can equip Joshua for the battle.

Non-Interference: Moses gives the instructions to Joshua and then goes to the top of the hill. He places sufficient distance between him and Joshua to avoid any scope of interference while Joshua was fighting the battle. The strategies and way forward were Joshua’s decisions to make and Moses did not interfere in it.

In-Sight: To avoid any interference, Moses did not turn away and isolate himself. Rather we read that he went to the top of the hill from where he could clearly see everything. He delegated the responsibility of the battle to Joshua, but he led the battle by standing in the gap connecting with his heavenly Father!

Joshua needed Moses and Moses needed Joshua that day to be victorious. Victory would not have come if they did not face the enemy together as “one generation”. The Lord led them to victory as they both fulfilled their responsibilities.

“Moses the greatest leader of Israel delegated the role of fighting the battle to Joshua. Though non-interfering, Moses kept Joshua in sight!”

We all face similar battles in our life. There are “Amaleks” around us trying to wring us (the meaning of Amalek is, “A people that wring”). However, to be victorious, the “old” and the “young” must come together as “one generation”.  The “old” cannot discount the “young” and the “young” cannot despise the “old.” Both need to come together as “one.” That is the model Jesus taught us (John 10:30). He and His Father are one – this great unity helped Jesus accomplish everything on earth. (John 5:19).

A Tough Journey!

But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” [Numbers 13:30]

Here were the Israelites on their way to the promised land. Before entering the promised land, Moses sends twelve leaders as spies into the land of Canaan as God had instructed him. Few lessons that stood out in this event:

God’s promise: Before sending the spies, God spoke to Moses saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel…” God’s promise still holds true. God’s reason for sending out the spies was not for Him to evaluate enemy’s strength, but for the Israelites to get a glimpse of the goodness of the land that God was preparing for them.

Moses’ instruction: Moses gave clear instructions as he sent out the spies to go and see the goodness of the land and bring some of the fruit from the land. He gave them eight instructions, but nowhere did Moses ask the spies to find out if they were strong enough to defeat the land. Moses tells them prophetically, “Be of good courage…” It is as if Moses knew that their courage might fail them as they spied the land, hence he sent them encouraged. Sad to see however that the spies forgot Moses’ instruction!

Spies’ testimony: After forty days, the spies brought a good report about the land. However, they also brought a report that was not asked of them! They brought the report that people living in Canaan were much stronger and Israelites were not a match for them. This shattered the confidence of Israelites.

“Obedience to God isn’t attempting things for Him in our strength and wisdom. We must not venture out of God given boundaries.”

Minority opinion: Even while the majority’s opinion shattered people’s faith, God had reserved a remnant of two spies to remind them of God’s promise. Joshua and Caleb, the two spies didn’t care about the enemy’s strength but wanted to go at once and capture the promised land. God’s promise was of supreme importance for Joshua and Caleb than the popular opinion. Because of this, God spared their lives while the other ten died (Numbers 14:37).

Our life on earth too is a journey to the promised land. We notice that people who profess their faith and trust in the true living God are a minority. The majority living in the world live in fear and uncertain of what the future holds. Amid fear and chaos, let us be reminded of God’s promise, “…He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phi. 1:6) The God who chose us for this journey is faithful to take us to the promised land. The journey is tough, but how do we perceive things around us? Do we see a God who is trustworthy and able or are we overwhelmed by the sight of the enemy and what he is doing?

May God’s promises encourage us to place our trust in Him and complete this journey with endurance and in faith!

Hope!

“… They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off.” (Ezekiel 37:11b)

God gave Ezekiel a vision depicting the condition of Israelites. The Spirit of the Lord set him down in the midst of the valley; and the valley was full of very dry bones. God posed a question to Ezekiel – “Son of man, can these bones live?”

Israel was a defeated nation. It had been crushed militarily, its people had been separated from one another in exile, and they had suffered the inevitable result of its abandonment of the Lord. Alone, exhausted, discouraged, and impoverished, Israel was indeed good as dead! The hope of restoration from a human point of view was impossible.

Against this background, God asks Ezekiel to prophecy to the bones, “O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” Though everything around him was dead, Ezekiel exercised his faith and prophesied. God did not ask Ezekiel to prophesy that the bones should live but that they should hear the word of the Lord. As Ezekiel exercised his faith and prophesied there was a noise and rattling. God’s word and His Spirit made the dead and dry bones alive into a great army.

God’s word has the power to bring dead situations alive!

Mary and Martha from Bethany were facing a dead situation one day. Their dear brother had been dead for four days. Though they had sent word to Jesus, He was nowhere in sight. As time passed by, hope faded. Suddenly, Jesus walks into the scene. Then in a series of dramatic events, the dead Lazarus responds to Jesus’ voice and comes alive. Jesus’ presence and his words brought dead Lazarus back to life!

We all face dry and possibly dead situations in our life. A dead dream; a dead opportunity; a dead relationship; a dead spiritual life… the list can go on. But as Ezekiel prophesied, things started changing. Prophesying to a dead situation requires extraordinary faith and trust in God. But only when we put our faith into action, situations will change. God’s word has the power to bring dead situations to life.

Declaring God’s word to dead situations require faith!

Dry bones and dead situations are not an end but an opportunity for us to exercise our faith in God. So, go ahead and declare God’s word to the dead situation and see His word breathe life!

Don’t Give Up!

“But me, I’m not giving up. I’m sticking around to see what God will do. I’m waiting for God to make things right…” Micah 7:8[MSG]

Micah lived in a very difficult time in the history of Israel. This prophetic book centers around the threat of Assyrian invasions that occurred during 730 to 701 BC. Micah warns Judah about an impending national disaster. Chapter 7 brings out Israel’s sorrows very explicitly (vv. 1-6). Micah laments over the sad situation of his nation.

  • There is no food
  • Godly and honest people have disappeared, and the place is filled with murderers who set trap for their own families
  • People indulging in evil, officials and judges demand bribe and twist justice
  • Even your own family cannot be trusted. Members of household treat each other as enemies.

Against this background, Micah 7:7 talks about the hope he has in the Lord. He says, “I will look to the Lord for help. I will wait confidently for God to save me, and God will certainly hear me.” Micah knew that even in a national disaster, it is only God who could save them. He confidently declares that the nation will bounce back because God is loving and compassionate towards them.

I was recently reminded of the palm trees that stand strong in the midst of storms and hurricanes. When every other tree breaks or falls when strong winds beat against them, the palm tree doesn’t! It bends itself during the gutsy weather and bounces back and stands again after the winds have stopped. God has made them amazingly with the ability to withstand any stormy winds.

“Don’t give up. God’s love and compassion will help us rise again!”

We all go through storms in our lives. During this pandemic, probably we can’t find encouragement in anything around us. But don’t give up! Wait on God to make things right. He will set things right, in His time! His love and compassion towards us will never fail. We will certainly bounce back!

“But you should be strong. Don’t give up, because you will get a reward for your good work.” 2 Chr. 15:7

Abundance in Adversity!

The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous. (Genesis 26:13)

Famine in the land! Business difficult, food scarce, resources depleting, hope receding… Isaac decided to move to Egypt and escape the famine. But the Lord appeared to him in Gerar and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you and I will be with you and bless you” (Genesis 26:2-3). Isaac could have asked questions. It’s famine, everyone is moving, what am I going to do here? How is my family going to survive? But Isaac chose to obey God’s voice. He dwelt in Gerar and sowed in that land. He had to make another choice too! Would he use the grain as seed to sow or as food so they can survive? Sowing required trust, faith and patience. You won’t see the harvest immediately. But Isaac obeyed God’s voice and trusted Him. His obedience paid off – the same year he reaped a hundred-fold and the Lord blessed Him! Because Isaac trusted Lord and obeyed His voice during the famine the Lord blessed him.  He became very prosperous. It is obedience to God’s word that brings blessings into our life.

There’s another story in Genesis 46 where the entire household of Jacob was moving to Egypt to escape from the famine. But God didn’t stop them. God said to Jacob, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there (Gen. 46:3).

There are seasons that God chooses to stop us or move us! The question really is: are we willing to listen to His voice, obey Him and trust Him? Circumstances around us and our logic might prompt us to do otherwise but trust in the Lord, He knows what’s best for you.

“Obedience to God’s voice is the key to blessing in times of adversity!”

We are in difficult times now. But as God’s children we don’t have be fearful about the future. Nothing happens in our life without His knowledge. He knows the end from the beginning (Isa. 46:10). Let’s tune-in to listen to God’s voice and be willing to obey His voice!

They shall not be put to shame in the time of evil; and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied (Psalm 37:19).

A Desperate Prayer!

“O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12

Jehoshaphat, king of Judah was in a desperate situation. He was faced with the impossible task of fighting more than four kings with a vast army that had come against him. When a messenger came and told him that a great multitude is coming against him beyond the sea, he was fearful. Although in fear, he set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. He gathered everyone including women and small children! They stood before the Lord.

We see a beautiful pattern of prayer as Jehoshaphat prayed in 2 Chronicles 20:6-12.

  • He acknowledged that God in heaven rule over all the nations.
  • He declared that God’s hand is filled with power and might and no one can withstand Him.
  • He confessed that God is personal and with gratitude remembers God’s divine interventions in the past.
  • He trusted God will hear them whenever they pray from His sanctuary.
  • He admitted his helplessness and total dependence on God.

God hears Jehoshaphat’s prayer and sends a messenger with a word of encouragement. Jehoshaphat didn’t wait for the victory but started worshiping the Lord the moment he heard God’s word. He knew that the One who promised is faithful to give them victory!

Indeed, God kept His word! He set an ambush and defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies. The people of Judah took three days to collect the spoils! People who were fearful were now collecting spoils from a battle they never fought! And on the fourth day, they gathered at the Valley of Berachah to worship the Lord again.

“Prayer, faith and worship was Jehoshaphat’s strategy when faced with a desperate battle!”

We are in desperate times! Like Jehoshaphat, can we cry out to the Lord acknowledging that we are powerless against the enemy, nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon Him! The Lord will certainly hear and answer us because the battle belongs to Him.

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace (Exodus 14:14).

Perfect Peace!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

We are living in troubled times. There’s chaos everywhere. People are living in fear of an uncertain future. The most dreaded word in this season is “quarantined!” Those infected with the deadly coronavirus are isolated to stop the spread. The ones not infected want to stay in isolation to avoid meeting an unknown “carrier.” There’s panic and fear everywhere!

Amid all this, how do we, the children of God react? Do we have to react the way the world reacts? We must be wise and take the health advisory seriously but does that mean we live in fear? The word of God says that our God gives us perfect peace. How can we have perfect peace amid panic? Isaiah 26:3 gives us two insights:

Let your mind stay on God: When faced with trouble, it is our mind that easily gets distracted. It is in our mind that we fight a lot of “invisible wars.” It takes conscious effort in training our mind to stay on God. Paul says, “… bringing every thought into captivity to obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). It is a continuous exercise! The present continuous verb ‘bringing’ shows that it is an ongoing activity. Rom 12:2 teaches that it’s the renewing of our mind that brings transformation into our life.

Trust in God: Trust is a result of our faith in God. It is not a choice, but it is a call to believers! Psalms 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”  When we trust in God as our refuge, He helps and delivers us (Psa. 37:40)

“In the midst of chaos, God gives peace to those who trust in Him.”

Let the chaos around us not shake our faith but help us stay close to God by trusting in Him. Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Rom. 8:37). The key to bring healing into the land is in our hands. Let us humble ourselves, pray and seek God’s face by turning from ungodly ways so that God will hear us and heal our lands (2 Chr. 7:14).

Let us enjoy perfect peace in trouble because the One who gives peace is within us!

Attitude!

Genesis 45:2 And he (Joseph) wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. [NKJV]

Joseph finally decides to remove the veil and reveal himself to his brothers. Though Joseph recognized his brothers at the first meeting itself, his brothers didn’t recognize him. He was playing games with them since the time they had come to Egypt to buy food grains.

His brothers had already bowed to him a few times without knowing it was Joseph and his dreams had come true! They had the most difficult journeys returning from Egypt both times. But finally, when Joseph revealed himself to his brothers, his attitude towards them was different and it was evident in the way he dealt with them.

Joseph’s brothers were dismayed when they knew it was Joseph who is the prime minster of Egypt. The images of them selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites years ago, the brother pleading with them to not to do so and all the lies they told about the incident would have all flashed through their minds! But Joseph comforted his brothers saying, “do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5).  Four times Joseph comforts his brothers with these words. Joseph didn’t hold any anger or grudge against his brothers! It was not that Joseph forgot whatever his brothers did to him, but he chose to forgive as he understood the divine purpose even through the harm caused to him.

We see so many times that Joseph threw himself on his brothers’ neck and wept aloud. He wept so loud that even the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s house heard it. He again kissed all his brothers and wept over them. His love towards his brothers were overflowing!

“Joseph had the power and position to persecute his brothers, but he chose forgiveness and love!”

Sometimes God lets us pass through difficult situations and trials in our life.  These difficult situations and trials may come through people who intentionally harm us. When God lets us go through those seasons, we have a choice, either to forgive and love them or to stay in unforgiveness and show anger towards them. May we like Joseph, always carry the right attitude towards all our fellow human beings. Relationships are built stronger when forgiveness and love is the attitude we choose to keep!

What drives our attitude today?

Unmerited Favor!

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be as you desire.” Matthew 15:28 (NKJV)

Matthew 15:21-28 talks about a significant encounter, sometimes lost between Peter’s supernatural walk on the water and Jesus feeding the four thousand episodes. For the first time in His earthly ministry Jesus stepped into a non-Jewish territory (region of Tyre and Sidon). Looks like He had something in His mind! Jesus was intentional! He meets a Canaanite woman who begged him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Some things that she did stands out for us to consider.

Prayer: The woman cried and came out to Jesus saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed” (v22). Her daughter’s pitiful condition made her cry out (literally scream) loudly to Jesus. She wanted Jesus to hear her no matter what anyone thought!

Worship: Seeing that she didn’t get a favorable response, she comes back to Jesus in worship saying, “Lord, help me!” (v25). When the created one met her Creator, her heart was filled with worship. She recognized Jesus as her Lord and worshiped.

Faith: Faith is evident throughout this encounter. Canaanites were ancestral enemies of Jews. Yet, the woman had the courage to come to Jesus (a Jew) because of her great faith in Him. It is faith that brought her back to Jesus in-spite of the His harsh initial response.  Jesus acknowledged her great faith and was moved in His heart to grant her desire! Faith made her fight back and receive favor!

“Prayer, worship and faith of the woman got her unmerited favor!”

After this encounter, in the very next verse we see Jesus is back in Galilee. Looks like He traveled into this non-Jewish territory just to meet this woman of great faith who had great love for her daughter and a desperate need. Jesus always comes in search of His children who place their faith in Him. May we always approach our Master’s presence through prayer, worship and faith to move our Master’s heart and receive our heart’s desire!

Other Side!

“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side…” (Matthew 5:22)

Jesus had his disciples take a journey all by themselves. A journey to the other side. But the journey to the other side was not smooth. The disciples had some important experiences as they journeyed to the other side.

Boisterous Winds: It was at the middle of the sea, the disciples had to face the boisterous wind. If they had seen the contrary wind at the beginning of the journey, probably they would have gone back to the shore or they would not have started the journey.

Immediate vs. Fourth Watch: Three times in Matthew 13:22-31, Jesus does something “immediately” – Immediately Jesus made the disciples go to the other side (v. 22). Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid”. Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter. Yet, He let the disciples fight the boisterous wind the whole night until the fourth watch! Jesus knew till what point in time he would let his disciples endure, and when to do things immediately! His timing is perfect… on time, every time!

Supernatural Walk: In the midst this crazy wind, Peter dared to attempt the supernatural walk! His Master’s presence and permission gave him the boost. The tossing wind around him did not make him fearful as long as his eyes were fixed on his Master. As soon as he took his eyes away, he began sinking. Boisterous winds and waves could certainly drown Peter, but when his eyes were fixed on the Master, they couldn’t do anything to him!

The Other Side: As soon as Jesus got into the boat the wind ceased, they crossed over and reached the other side – which is the land of Gennesaret. As many as touched the hem of Jesus’ garment were made perfectly well. The journey to the other side was worth it!

We all are on a journey to the other side and can encounter similar experiences. Sometimes, immediate answers, at times the tossing waves, and sometimes all pumped up for a supernatural walk! There are times we feel that our Master’s presence is not felt. In this incidence, Jesus sent his disciples away and was praying. Even today, He is always interceding for us. His presence and our faith will help us cross over to the other side! And once we cross over and turn back, we realize it was a risk worth taking!