Daily Wisdom...Artistry of God

“For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater.”  Esther 9:4

In the life of Mordecai we see the great artistry woven into the life of man by God’s hand. Mordecai’s life was filled with defeat of his people, captured and taken as a slave by Babylon and yet God was still working.  While his life was filled with challenges, God used them as opportunities. During his bondage Mordecai was placed at the palace to serve, and was made aware of an attempt, by Haman to assassinate the king and a plot to kill himself and all the Jews.   But God had also placed Mordecai in the right place years earlier. God revealed to the king that Mordecai had once saved his life, and the king realized he had never thanked Mordecai. The great honor then given to Mordecai ruined Haman's plans. God had woven an effective counterstrategy against which Haman's plan could not stand.  In Mordecai's life, God blended both character and circumstances to accomplish great things. God has not changed the way he works. He is using the situations you face each day to weave a pattern of Godliness into your character to face adversity.  Even when it looks as if the world is in the hands of evil people, God is still in control, protecting those who are his. Although we may not understand everything happening around us, we must trust in God's protection and retain our integrity by doing what we know is right.

He that gains strength to overcome obstacles; obtains what is needed to overcome adversity.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Spiritual Stability

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”  James 1:8

Reuben was Joseph’s first born and thus had his father’s favor, and yet Reuben squandered such privileges and blessings by his inability to garner truth and stand on it. While he saved his father’s life against his brother’s and even showed great love for his father by offering his own son as a guarantee for Benjamin’s life, he was unable to stand against a crowd, in spite of his good intentions. His instability made him hard to trust. He had both private and public values, but these contradicted each other.  Many Christians stand unstable like Reuben and are double minded in their convictions. Many Christians are like water, except when frozen, have no stable shape of its own; it always shapes itself to its container or environment it’s exposed to.  Compromise has a way of destroying convictions, and without truthful convictions life can quickly become a ruse. We must strive to maintain consistency in our convictions towards truth in both our public and private lives. Jacob describe his own son as “…unstable as water” (Gen 49:4); is that how your Heavenly Father sees you?

HSAY…Todd  

Daily Wisdom...Retribution

“And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore…Dinah’s brethren took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.” Gen 34:25

As far as we know, Dinah was Jacob's only daughter. She lived among ten older and two younger brothers. She grew up in a family rocked by struggle between two sisters married to the same man; Dinah's mother, Leah, and her sister and rival Rachel. While the bible does not illustrate how the bitterness and jealousy between these women affected the only girl-child in the family, we have to assume a sense of dysfunction about it.  Yet, we are told that Dinah was eventually placed in a greater affliction of being raped by Shechem, the ruler of the city.  In this tragedy Dinah’s brothers sought revenge and even prospered from it (vss 26-27) which brought about anger, but no action from their father Jacob.  In all this, the victim was overlooked and even used in haste by her brothers without regard to Dinah herself.  Often revenge/retribution can bring about a greater destruction for the victim as well as those involved. We must be cautious in our response to evil, knowing God sees and God cares when all others appear to forget.  Dinah needed ministering love, not menacing actions from those around her. The greatest response that can be offered one, who is damage, is God’s great love for them.

Man that studies revenge only keeps his own wounds from healing!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Bitter vs Better

“Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour forever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?...” 2 Sam 2:26

Although Abner and David frequently saw each other across battle lines, the Bible gives a glimpse of the respect they had for each other. As a young man, David had served under Abner. But later, Saul's campaign to kill David was carried out by Abner; to only see him change sides after David took over the throne.  How easy it is for men to use Godly reason, when it makes for them, who would not use it, if it seems to work against them! Abner had selfish motives in his effort to reunite Judah and Israel rather than Godly conviction and thus lived by his wits and his will. To him, God was someone with whom he would cooperate if it suited his plans. Otherwise he did what seemed best for him at the time. Obedience is easy when the instructions in God's Word are cooperative with our plans…vs contrary.

Abner’s life had a tragic end; he would've been better served, not bitter, standing in God’s truth.

HSAY…Todd 

Daily Wisdom...Grateful Guidance

“And David said to Abigail; blessed be the Lord of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me. And blessed be the advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.”  1 Sam 25:32-33

Abigail, by her own bequest, sought David’s mercy towards her husband for unworthy railing against him and his men. By her swift action, she kept David from taking vengeance upon her husband, Nabal.  She saw the big picture and left plenty of room for God to get involved and prevented David from future grief (vs 31).  Whoever meets us with wise counsel, direction, comfort, caution, or seasonable reproof, we must see God sending them. We ought to be very thankful for those providences which are the means of keeping us from future grief. Most people think it enough, if they take reproof patiently; but few will take it thankfully.  Like Abigail, look beyond the present crisis to the big picture and reflect, don’t react, with Godly wisdom to promote peace and prudence.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Wisdom

“And he (Jehoram) walked in the way of the kings of Israel; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Kings 8:18

Jehoshaphat arranged the marriage between Jehoram, his son, and Athaliah, the daughter of wicked Ahab and Jezebel.  Jehoram’s father, no doubt, had taught him the true knowledge of the Lord and yet did ill to marry him to the daughter of a wicked and idolatrous family.  While the alliance had political and social advantages, it was disastrous spiritually. Knowledge of the Lord, by itself as an antidote, is inadequate; it must be applied through faith (obedience) in one’s life to offer any benefit…”why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?” (Lk 6:46).  Jehoram, influenced by his wife, Athaliah, introduced Baal-worship into Judea which lead to destruction for him, his family and his kingdom (2 Ch 21:12-19).

True knowledge is not a passion of the mind, but an exertion of obedience and discernment to the word of God!

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Right Choices

“And Hazael said, why weepeth my lord? And Elisha answered; The Lord hath shown me that thou should be king over Syria.”  2 Kings 8:12 & 13

Few can imagine how strong the temptations of power and prosperity are, which, if ever they arrive at, they will find how deceitful their hearts are, much worse than they suspected.  Hazael was a servant to the reigning king of Syria; when he received word from Elisha that the king would recover from his current illness, but would die later and that he (Hazael) would become king, Hazael was quick to usher in his reign by killing the king himself the next morning (vs 15).  The devil ruins many a good men, by saying they shall certainly recover from their self actions and do well, so rocking them asleep in security. Elisha wept as he warned Hazael he would do evil unto the women and children of Israel (vs 13) and yet Hazael was impatient, unwise and chose to take matters into his own hands.  Be cautious with opportunity presented you, be sure it’s God’s timing and God’s direction. Satan will be quick to blur your vision with the lure of power and prosperity causing you to act in self direction and wisdom. (Heb 11:24-26).

Choices will not destroy you when made in the wisdom and direction of God’s Spirit.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Prosperity

“They said one to another, we do not well: this day is a day of good tidings and we hold our peace…” 2 Kings7:9

Prosperity seldom strengthens the spirit as much as adversity does; in adversity we see our need for God while prosperity blurs our vision.  Often one man’s blessing is another man’s prayer.  That which blesses and enriches you can have just or even greater tidings on those around you.  Every good and perfect gift from God (James 1:17) comes with great stewardship on our part. One must be cautious not to become so preoccupied with one’s own faith they neglect sharing it with those around them. Like that of the lepers, our good news, cannot wait until morning. What one prays for in earnest and receives should be as intense to pay forward as a testimony and witness to God’s goodness.

“Watch lest prosperity destroys generosity.”

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Dangers of Doubt

“Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.”  2 Kings 7:2

 Elisha responded to the threat of his captures concerning the famine, clarifying the famine would end in a single day (2 Kg 7:14-16); the passage shows the doubtful response of the messenger. Man's point of extremity is God's opportunity of making his own power to be glorious: His time to appear is when their strength is gone. Unbelief is a sin by which men greatly dishonor and displease God, and deprive themselves of the favours the Father designed for them. Such will be the portion of those that believe not the promise of eternal life; they shall see it at a distance, but shall never taste the goodness thereof. No temporal deliverances and mercies will in the end profit the sin of unbelieving and doubt, unless they are led to repentance by the goodness of God.  For His children, sometimes we become preoccupied with problems when we should be looking for opportunities. Instead of focusing on the negatives, we should develop an attitude of gratitude and expectancy in the promises of the Father.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Healthy Heart

“And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he rent his clothes; and he passed by upon the wall, and the people looked, and, behold, he had sackcloth within upon his flesh.” 2 Kings 6:30

Unfortunately the king changes everything about himself, except his heart! The truths and justice of God are displayed in the awful transaction that takes place in (2 Kg 6:28-29). Those that lack humility are prone to blame any and all for such afflictions. In this case the king swears the death of Elisha (man of God) yet refuses or is unable to acknowledge his own actions that Elisha himself warned them about. If rending the clothes, without a broken and contrite heart, would avail; if wearing sackcloth, without a renewing of the spirit of the mind, would serve, then as the king one would never find need of the Lord.  A true desire for change must start in self-humiliation and true penitence of the heart (2 Kg 5:7-8). If one seeks change one must look at his own heart first.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Spiritual Vision

“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17

Jeremiah accused the people of his day of spiritual blindness (Jere 5:21) and Christ himself quoted Jeremiah to chide the disciples concerning their lack of spiritual awareness (Mk 8:18); interesting that Elisha prayed for the spiritual vision of his protégé rather than protection against their enemies. Spiritual discernment is not automatic.  Mature faith in God, faith that allows us to remain steadfast amid all the turmoil of life, comes because people seek after it, "faith cometh by hearing ane hearing by the word of God" (Rom 10:17).  Spiritual maturity, and mature faith, comes because we have deliberately chosen to see, and to grow in God's word.  We cannot see until we decide to open our eyes towards God's promises.   Elisha's servant was no longer afraid when he saw God's mighty heavenly army. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can't see them; look with the eyes of faith, and let God show you his resources. If you don't see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God's power.

HSAY…Todd

Daily Wisdom...Axe-Head

“But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water…” II Kg 6:5

Here we see the story of the labour that lost his axe-head, the sharp tool for all his services and without his effort was useless. But, he did not lose the handle and thus from a distance it might appear as if his equipment was complete, yet it wasn’t (Zech 4:6). It would’ve been foolish for him to continue to try and work without it. He had been working well, but gradually the axe-head slipped down the handle and into the water. It was a gradual problem, as it is for most Christians as they lose their power and effectiveness for God. Job, in chapter 23:3, cries out “Oh that I knew where I might find him…” longing for the power of God in his life again. Maybe you’ve started this New Year realizing you’ve lost your axe-head and effectiveness for God?  This passage assures us that it’s still recoverable.  Verses 5-7 shows us that if God can make a piece of iron to swim, how much more will he do for His children that turn to Him. No one has wondered too far to be gathered back. Stop trying to work without an axe-head and confess it to God and tarry (Lk 24:49) and you’ll find the strength and power to be effective again.

Any fool can count the seeds in an apple, only God can count all the apples in one seed.

HSAY…Todd