Amazing Two Little Flocks of Goats

[S] 1 Kings 20:27-29 --
27  The sons of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went to meet them; and the sons of Israel camped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Arameans filled the country.28  Then a man of God came near and spoke to the king of Israel and said, "Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Arameans have said, "The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys," therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’"29  So they camped one over against the other seven days. And on the seventh day the battle was joined, and the sons of Israel killed of the Arameans 100,000 foot soldiers in one day. (highlights added)

[O] The immense discrepancy between two little flocks of goats versus the great masses of the Arameans stood out and yet God's strength countered what I would consider an impossible battle (not only a losing one).  And yet when God's name is at stake he would even raise the dead branches to ensure His name is lifted high above all attacks against His name.  So, He used even the "two little flovks of goats" to destroy 100,000 soldiers.  This is how God operates, in His terms with His instruments no matter how minuscule it may seem to me.

[A] I feel very small these days when I begin to evaluate and measure against all the factors in life I face daily whether it be the workplace's ever increasing amount of work load, being the "best" dad to my children, being the "best" husband to my wife, being the team player in my community, and even partaking in God's ministry at church.  It definitely feels like I'm just a "two little flocks of goats" against the great flood gushing at me.  God comforted me through this scene today because He does not care how prepared I am or how "strong" I am because He cares for my heart to be committed to lift up His name above all.  Then I will be in His grip to be used as His instruments to raise up His name and that is the most significant way of living my life.  I need to keep my focus on this.

[P] Dear Father, I surrender my "two little flocks of goats" into Your hands such that it will be used to lift up Your wonderful and powerful name in this world I live in.  Thank You for reminding me to keep my eyes on this.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

King's Mule is More Than a Mule

[S] 1 Kings 1:43-44 --
43 But Jonathan replied to Adonijah, "No! Our lord King David has made Solomon king. 44 "The king has also sent with him Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet, Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, the Cherethites, and the Pelethites; and they have made him ride on the king’s mule.

[O] The power of King's throne is displayed here when King David anoints his son Solomon as the king while Adoniajah was scheming to make himself the king.  When the people heard this news, they were fearful to associate with Adoniajah because the new king has been announced by King David and even Adoniajah himself was afraid of Solomon.  In this display of the royal power I can't help but to notice the mention of king's mule because it signified the approval of the king.  When did mules used for such a prestigious position?  For me the image of mules is about carrying heavy load up the mountain or to a distant location.  Although they strong, they are not fast or good looking like horses.  Nevertheless, when such an animal is known as the king's mule, it carries the king's authority.  As I was reflecting on this, I associated with the mule merely because it's not what I do for God that is so fabulous but rather God's amazing strength and authority abiding in my life shining through me will put me in a position of strength and authority.

[A] As even a mule is used to display the power and authority of a king, not what I do but how the Heavenly King labeling me as His own should be sufficient for me to take part in His ministry.  Nothing of my doing but all of His doing will shine through.

[P] Dear Father, it's so good to know that I carry Your Name by receiving what Jesus did at Calvary.  Even though I seek other people's recognition, I'm no better than a mule.  However because of Your Name engraved in my life, I am significant.  Thank You for making my life significant in this world.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

For Whose Name's Sake

[S] Luke 21:12-13 --
 ¹²"But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake.
 ¹³"It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony.

[O] The focus of this passage for me was "for My name's sake."  Many things will happen as I participate in His ministry -- some good and some I'd gladly avoid -- but more than what's happening on the surface, I must ask a deeper question of have I been keeping Jesus' name right at the core of all my actions/plans because if I did, then all that I face will be done for His name's sake.  Only then as stated in verse 13, all I do and encounter will lead to opportunities for testifying God's wondrous works.

[A] It is very challenging to sustain my transparency to let God's image shine through (or reflect His image clearly) especially when going through some humps in ministry.  This reminder from Jesus lit up some dark corners today and will continue to engrave this truth in my heart.

[P] Dear Jesus, in all circumstances I face partaking in Your ministry, may my heart be aligned to doing them for Your name's sake and through my determination, please bring forth Your message of Love and Grace.  May I totally surrender and lean on Your leadership rather than trying to figure it out on my own efforts.  In Your name.  Amen.

Please Get Used To My Voice

[S] Jeremiah 11:14 --
 ¹⁴"Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them; for I will not listen when they call to Me because of their disaster.

[O] What a scary concept of God not listening to my prayers especially when I call out in my distress.  In this context His people blatantly worshiped other idols and veered away from following God and that attributed to this result, however, if these people were like me most of them probably got into this point gradually by compromising their spiritual boundaries little bit at a time.  My reason for this thinking is that if they had totally turned away from God intentionally why would they even bother to call on God in their own disaster?  Deep inside they probably never gave up God but distracted by other idols that seem attractive on the surface.

[A] Just having a wishful thinking of wanting to draw closer to God and follow Him is not going to make me a true and faithful follower of God because more so than what I wish for, I how I align my daily living according to God's principles is what's going to please God's heart and He will answer prayers coming from such people.  The question is:  will I call on His name every day and fall at His feet instead of calling on many other gods when things are going well and call on God when things are not going well?  Practice calling His name daily!

[P] Dear God, I want to not only get to know Your voice daily but I also would like for You to get used to hearing my voice calling Your name.  Please hear my prayers every moment I call on Your name.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.