S.O.A.P.

The testing of faith is an opportunity for rejoicing–not because the test is a joyful thing, but because genuine and well-placed faith will result in a revelation of Jesus Christ when tested. His presence is revealed not by an absence of trial…but by his faithfulness through the trial.

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Scripture

1 Peter 1:6-7

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Observation

The testing of faith is an opportunity for rejoicing–not because the test is a joyful thing, but because genuine and well-placed faith will result in a revelation of Jesus Christ when tested. His presence is revealed not by an absence of trial…but by his faithfulness through the trial.

Application

I don’t enjoy the testing process. If given the choice, I wouldn’t spend my days enduring the testing! Yet I know that ultimately it is not my faith being tested, but rather the One in whom I have put my faith. And the confirmation of God’s power and love for me will result not only in my own rejoicing, but also rejoicing for those around me who have an opportunity to glimpse the power of God at work.

Today I choose to glorify God in the middle of trials–knowing that his power cannot fail, and that He will be glorified even though the discomfort of the testing process.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of faith: not merely faith to ‘get what I want’, but faith to trust you through the middle of trials and tests. May you be glorified in me, through every test and every season!

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My enemy roams like a roaring lion…but the Lamb of God fights on my behalf. My enemy is the destroyer…but the Creator fights on my behalf. My enemy is the father of lies…but He who is truth fights on my behalf!

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Scripture

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. 8 With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Observation

What an effect these words from King Hezekiah must have had on the people of Judah! King Sannacherib came against them with a mighty army of trained warriors–but the people of Judah had the Lord God on their side, to fight on their behalf.

This was already true before King Hezekiah said it–but ‘the people took confidence’ when he reminded them of this truth.

Application

When everything goes crazy, it’s easy to get focused on the enemy coming at me. It’s easy to focus on the problem, and take my eyes off of the One who fights my battles for me. Like Hezekiah, I must be diligent to remind myself of what is true! My enemy roams like a roaring lion…but the Lamb of God fights on my behalf. My enemy is the destroyer…but the Creator fights on my behalf. My enemy is the father of lies…but He who is truth fights on my behalf.

Today I choose to remind myself of who is fighting for me, so that I can walk with confidence through any attack that comes my way. I know my Savior will not let me down!

Prayer

God, thank you for fighting on my behalf! Help me to keep my attention fixed on you, instead of letting myself become distracted by the enemy that I face. Help me to trust you through every battle, as I walk with you.

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This week, I choose to clean out the clutter in my heart and in my life so that God can freely use me as He sees fit, to accomplish His plans and purposes.

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Scripture

2 Chronicles 29:33-34

33 And the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34 But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.

Observation

Hezekiah had instructed the Levites and the priests to consecrate (purify, or ‘set apart’) themselves and the house of God. This process was not only ceremonial: It was also physical. The rituals and ceremonies had to be followed, but there was also the practical work of cleaning out all of the filth and trash that had accumulated in the house of God.

The priests complied…to a certain degree. But the Levites took Hezekiah’s instruction to heart, and went above and beyond. They not only consecrated enough to handle their own duties…they consecrated enough of them to also handle the tasks that the priests could not keep up with.

Application

What a beautiful example of heart-first service to God! Since the Levites consecrated themselves wholeheartedly instead of half-heartedly, they had enough margin in their lives to step up to the plate when duty called. They had done everything they knew to do, to be ready when God called.

I want to have a heart like that! Not half-heartedly doing the bare minimum that I can get away with…but preparing myself in every way that I can, to be ready when God says ‘Go!’ When I serve God that way, he can use me in new and unexpected ways. When I prepare my heart that way, I have enough margin in my life to be there for a brother or a sister who needs help and encouragement. When I prepare my heart that way…God will be glorified.

This week, I choose to clean out the clutter in my heart and in my life–so that God can freely use me as He sees fit, to accomplish His plans and purposes.

Prayer

God, I choose today to consecrate myself to you. Wash me in your blood, and give me the courage to clear out any spiritual ‘dust bunnies’ that have accumulated in my heart so that you can use me in any way that you desire. I want you to be glorified in me!

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I don’t want to be among the nameless crowd who knows something is amiss, but waits for someone else to be brave enough to speak up. I would rather be an Azariah: willing to be personally inconvenienced. I want to be a Berechiah, willing to stand out awkwardly from the crowd of onlookers. I want to be a Jehizkiah, making a difference in someone’s life–or an Amasa, enduring temporary inconvenience in order to have an eternal impact.

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Scripture

2 Chronicles 28:12, 15

12 Certain chiefs also of the men of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who were coming from the war…

15 And the men who have been mentioned by name rose and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them. They clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them, and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kinsfolk at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.

Observation

The children of Israel were experiencing some family drama. The kingdom of Israel was at war with the kingdom of Judah! It seems that God allowed the conflict to happen in order to judge Judah. The war was a terrible thing to start with–but the men of Israel took it far beyond the bounds of reason. Not only did they win the fight…they also took 200,000 captives, and gutted the kingdom of Judah in gathering spoils of war to bring home.

Only 4 men stood up for what was right: Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa. Though there was a price to pay, they stood for what they knew was right. They forfeited the spoils they could have pocketed, and took time away from their own responsibilities to personally make sure that the captives were treated well and returned home in safety.

Application

“Someone should DO something about that!” How often I’ve heard that phrase! I’ve heard it said as a fire raged out of control. I’ve heard it said at the scene of deadly traffic accidents, and spoken over people experiencing medical emergencies. It seems to be a natural reaction when something is going wrong, to wait for someone else to step up and take action. It’s so common, in fact, that psychologists have a name for it: the “Bystander Effect”.

The same thing happens in families, churches, organizations, relationships, and teams! We see the catastrophe unfolding in slow-motion, and think ‘someone should DO something!’ The truly sad part is, the thing that needs to be done is often quite simple. A bully needs to be confronted. An apology needs to be offered. A face-to-face conversation needs to be arranged. A clarifying question needs to be asked. An uncomfortable truth needs to be shared. A gentle reminder needs to be given. A word of encouragement needs to be spoken. A personal sacrifice needs to be made.

I don’t want to be among the nameless crowd who knew something was amiss, but waited for someone else to speak up. I would rather be an Azariah: willing to be personally inconvenienced. I want to be a Berechiah, willing to stand out awkwardly from the crowd of onlookers. I want to be a Jehizkiah, making a difference in someone’s life–or an Amasa, enduring temporary inconvenience in order to have an eternal impact.

Prayer

God, help me to see the world around me–not with the passive gaze of a bystander, but with the active and engaged awareness of Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa. Give me boldness to speak up when truth must be spoken, and help me to never value my own peace and comfort more than the well-being of someone whose life I could impact for you. Help me to become more comfortable, with being uncomfortable.

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I’ve heard it said that ‘leaders are the shock absorbers of an organization’. The storms will blow, the sun will beat down harshly, the desert will dry up the water–but the princes (or leaders) consistently operate as a shelter and a protection for those they lead. This is only possible because the Righteous King leads by example, and is a covering and shelter for the princes.

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Scripture

Isaiah 32:1-2

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.”

Observation

As the king rules in righteousness, the princes follow the example that he sets. Each one is like a shade covering to those under them–protecting, sheltering, nurturing, providing life and guarding from death.

Application

I’ve heard it said that ‘leaders are the shock absorbers of an organization’. What a beautiful example of this I see in Isaiah! The storms will blow, the sun will beat down harshly, the desert will dry up the water–but the princes (or leaders) consistently operate as a shelter and a protection for those they lead. This is only possible because the Righteous King leads by example, and is a covering and shelter for the princes.

Today I choose to lead well with the help of God, and guard carefully those entrusted to me. Sometimes that will mean absorbing the ‘hit’ for them, or enduring the heat of the sun–but I can do what I’m called to do, because my king leads the way in righteousness.

Prayer

God, help me to lead well! Help me to love those that you’ve called me to lead, with a self-sacrificing love that is willing to take the hit when necessary. Thank you for being my covering, and for sheltering me from the storm!

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