Thursday, February 14, 2013

NO CONTEST

Time with Jesus - Friday, 15 February 2013

Hi all,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
“73 years ago on September 1st 1939, Germany invaded Poland, without warning, sparking the start of World War Two. By the evening of September 3rd, Britain and France were at war with Germany and within a week, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa had also joined the war.”
It was the most titanic struggle in history. The cost in money and human lives is incalculable. It could have gone either way. The German war machine crushed all opposition in the West. Britain was saved by a twenty mile stretch of water between England and France. It was only the hand of God and the stupidity of Adolph Hitler, that prevented Britain from being invaded, for the first time in almost 1000 years. It was Hitler’s hatred of communism that diverted his attention from the Western front and ultimately sealed the fate of Germany.
Militarily, the German armed forces were superbly trained and well led. In those early days they were almost irresistible. As far as the British and French forces were concerned, it was “no contest”. The German forces reigned supreme and resisting them was futile. Only God could rescue Britain from the Nazi war machine.
What many do not know, is that Britain had a different sort of army, quietly at work in the background; an army of prayer warriors, mainly female, who continued to pray and ask the Lord for victory. This comparatively small army of women, prevailed with God, such that, in the end, the Allies were victorious. Today’s meditation looks at the futility of trying to resist God!
Shalom,
Jim & Phyllida Strickland  
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give
Time with Jesus – Friday, 15 February 2013
Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give

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These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes
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INTRODUCTION
DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
No Contest
Way back in 1956, I was in Marist Brothers College Walmer boarding school. I was in standard 7 (grade 9 today) and rather enjoyed boarding school life. It was fairly regimented; a very busy life with hardly ever a dull moment. The school had a boxing club and we were free to join if so wished. A number of the boys joined the club which met regularly. The top boxer in the school was “Bully” Victor. I’ve no idea how he acquired the name “bully”. I don’t recall him bullying anyone. However, in the boxing ring he was a bully. Few boys challenged him. Usually he made short work of any competition. From my observation, anyone who had the misfortune of climbing into the boxing ring soon learned the error of their ways. He was too good for the competition.
In a small way, “Bully” Victor and his opponents are similar to God and his opponents. I was only 14 so I think I was overly impressed with “Bully” Victor’s ability. In my eyes he was an awesome “irresistible” figure. He was by no means in the same class as God. Nevertheless as an impressionable young teenager, I was duly amazed. I knew he wasn’t invincible, but that thought didn’t really cross my mind.
At the same time, I was going to confirmation classes in the Anglican Church and was beginning to learn something about God. I’d learned, God was invincible against all opponents. However, to my young mind, it seemed that “Bully” Victor was also invincible in his own field. There wasn’t really any comparison between God and “Bully” Victor. They were individually compartmentalised and never the twain would meet.
Reading today’s Scriptures and observing the overwhelming power of God, I was reminded of “Bully” Victor. If they ever “squared off” against each other in the boxing ring, it would be “no contest”. Poor old “Bully” Victor would have more than met his match.
God’s word shows us the futility of fighting against God. God doesn’t have power, He is power. Fighting with Him is pointless. It would be a “No Contest” match. So how great is His power compared with ours? I have a little indication from a TV show in UK in the mid 1960’s. The contestants were supplied with an earth-moving vehicle. At the front it had a mechanical jaw, enabling it to take huge bites out of the sand, with very little problem. The contest was to pick up a raw egg, without crushing the egg. I can’t recall the outcome, other than to say that most eggs were crushed, while getting the jaws in position around the egg. If nothing else, we had a lot of laughs.
God’s power is infinite. The competition does not have infinite power, and ability. The waves, the seas, a tsunami, or fire cannot match our God. Such confrontations with Him will always be a “no contest”.
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
2 Your throne, O LORD, has stood from time immemorial. You Yourself are from the everlasting past. 3 The floods have risen up, O LORD. The floods have roared like thunder; the floods have lifted their pounding waves. 4 But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore--the LORD above is mightier than these! 5 Your royal laws cannot be changed. Your reign, O LORD, is holy forever and ever.
Psalm 93:2-5 NLT
8 LORD God who rules over all, who is like you? LORD, you are mighty. You are faithful in everything you do. 9 You rule over the stormy sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them down.
Psalm 89:8-9 NIrV
22 Shouldn't you have respect for me?' announces the LORD. "Shouldn't you tremble with fear in front of me? I made the sand to hold the ocean back. It will do that forever. The ocean can't go past it. The waves might roll, but they can't sweep over it. They might roar, but they can't go across it. 23 But you people have stubborn hearts. You refuse to obey me. You have turned away from me. You have gone down the wrong path
Jer 5:22-23 NIrV
1 The LORD created Jacob and formed Israel. Now, this is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid, because I have reclaimed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through the sea, I am with you. When you go through rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, and the flames will not harm you.
Isaiah 43:1-2 GW
29 Jesus said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately, Jesus reached out, caught hold of him, and said, "You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?"
Mat 14:29-31 GW
3 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you. 4 I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh and blood do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4 GW
He cannot be resisted, though scores of people try.
They get their fingers badly burned and seldom wonder why.
It isn’t very difficult, to see where they went wrong.
They’re fighting with Almighty God and He is far too strong!
But people keep on doing it. Their lesson they won’t learn.
Their attitude is stubborn and they would rather burn,
In Hell with all the sinners, than to admit defeat.
What’s needed is a “caning” upon their precious seat!
They think the Lord won’t do that; He is the God of Love.
And that He’ll always treat them, with a velvet covered glove.
But it is a delusion. It doesn’t work that way.
If they deserve a spanking, He’ll give them one today!
The sea tried to oppose Him. Its waters surged and roared.
The breakers pounded on the beach; but they did not record,
Any sort of victory. It tried with all its might;
But it was not a contest, when God came into sight.
The ocean tried another stunt. It swept upon the beach.
“We know we are invincible; the victory’s in reach”
That’s what they had decided but it all came to naught.
It was with the Almighty God, with whom the oceans fought.
The beach was still a barrier the oceans couldn’t cross.
Not even a Tsunami could challenge Him as boss.
For after it spewed violence and dashed onto the shore,
It then had to retreat in shame. It couldn’t beat God’s law!
The Lord God is the Master of all in time and space.
Though He may be resisted by some of the human race,
It all amounts to nothing. A little grain of sand,
Has more chances of a victory disputing God’s command.
And He has told His people, “There’s nothing you need fear.
The rivers can’t defeat you. Not while your God is near.
The fire cannot harm you; Indeed, you won’t be burned”.
But there’s a tiny lesson that still needs to be learned.
We overcome these monsters, by faith and faith alone.
Never doubt or whimper; don’t try things on your own.
There is no possibility that you will win the fight!
Unless your God is with you, you’ll certainly take flight;
And end up like the others, who thought they could succeed,
Against these mighty enemies. A Christian should plead,
The blood of Jesus over, the things which they all face.
This is the sure prescription, for finishing the race,
And knowing that the victory is not what they achieved.
But by the Lord Almighty, Who knows what they believed.
Jim Strickland 
Written
15 February 2012

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