Reverence and Awe

» Today's reading at Blue Letter Bible

Morning

"The Breaker" (sounds like an MMA champion) has gone into the ring before us and taken on our foe.

We have seen fighting competitions in the ring where one of the competitors gets defeated by an opponent that has superior strength, conditioning and skills. Sometimes it reaches the point of humiliation leaving the weaker opponent barely able to defend himself let alone mount any sort of formidable attack.

What an awesome picture that Spurgeon reveals to us in his devotion. Jesus Christ, aka "The Breaker," has gone before us and literally won the fight for us, before we even step into the ring. We can go forward into the battle knowing that victory is ours. We may get lumped up a bit along the way but in the end we will have our hands raised in victory.

"They are beaten, they are vanquished; all you have to do is to divide the spoil. You shall, it is true, often engage in combat; but your fight shall be with a vanquished foe. His head is broken; he may attempt to injure you, but his strength shall not be sufficient for his malicious design. Your victory shall be easy, and your treasure shall be beyond all count."

Hbr 13:6 so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?"

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Let's approach each day fearless, knowing that (Isa 54: 17) there is No weapon that is formed against us that will prosper.

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Evening

Exodus 22:6 "If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution."

In these sections of Exodus God is presenting the laws establishing precedent for the legal system of Israel, and the judges appointed by Moses.

Here Spurgeon is drawing a parallel between a fire negligently started in ancient Israel to contention set ablaze within a body of believers. He is making the point that though restitution maybe required in either case it can rarely undo the harm caused.

As a life lost in a fire carelessly set ablaze by a neighbor, one's reputation and character may be damaged by gossip or slander from members within the Church body, the damage is often irreversible; financial payment is rarely of any consolation.

Rarely does a causer of problems recognize that they are in fact the problem; in their mind their intentions maybe good. They justify their damaging words by what they see as a problem that needs to be addressed. It is important that members of the body stay focused on their proper functions within the church.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." - Romans 12:4-5

Whatever we do in the church it must be bathed in humility. Jam 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore {it} says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE."

"Oh Thou Lord and giver of peace, make us peacemakers, and never let us aid and abet the men of strife, or even unintentionally cause the least division among Thy people"

Let's not forget that we serve a omnipotent God who has not lost control of anything. He is quite capable of fixing any wrong or restructuring any ministry according to His will, to His Glory. If he uses us in the process allow Him to do so with humility and count it a privilege.