Time with Jesus - Friday, 15 February 2013
Hi all,
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| Jim & Phyllida Strickland |
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
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Matt 10:8
Freely you received, Freely give |
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devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright
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©
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INTRODUCTION
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DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES
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No Contest
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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
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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
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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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