Now is the time...... To Check for Holes!

Then Moses told them, "Do not keep any [manna] overnight." But, of course, some of them didn't listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of worms and had a terrible smell. Exodus 16:19-20

Last week I made the mistake of picking a small rose from the tub on my front deck because I really wanted a flower on the counter in front of my kitchen sink. I had been watching this little rose for a while and I noticed that some insect had been chewing at it but I thought that it would be okay - I was desperate!

The first mistake I made with this rose was that I hadn’t cared for it properly, that is, I hadn’t been diligent in spraying it to protect it from the insects. The second mistake I made was trying to use it to decorate my kitchen. Why was that you ask? Because as the bud began to open it became apparent that there was a hole right near the centre of my rose (see picture), and a mess began to appear on the counter. You see the little worm was still at work feeding on this beautiful flower and ‘recycling’ the waste. I felt a bit like Jonah when he got angry at a worm eating his shade plant!

So why am I writing about this? Because the thought that came to me is that we often have worms ‘eating at us’ and sometimes we don’t realise the mess we make, which other people then have to suffer or perhaps even clean up. If we are holey and not holy we cause a lot of problems in the body of Christ, or with family, friends and colleagues.

We need to have the courage to examine ourselves and see if there are areas that need cleaning up. There can be holes of hurt from past abuse, (verbal and emotional abuse can be just as damaging as sexual abuse). You may have holes from disappointments suffered in broken relationships or there may be bitterness, anger or unforgiveness from situations that you have either faced in the past or are facing right now. I promise you that if you do have these, they will be eating away at you just as that little (unseen) worm was eating away at my rose. You may think these things are well hidden but I can assure you that our insecurities and ‘issues’ do show up….. sometimes to everyone but us! If you are very brave you could ask a wise and trusted, loving friend to suggest any area of weakness that is obvious to them.

We need to do ourselves, (and those around us), a favour and face the worms and find healing at the cross of Jesus Christ. We can bring our ‘baggage’ and leave it with Jesus; and we need to if we are to live lives that will demonstrate the love, grace and power of God. If we refuse to deal with our stuff then our lives will be like the manna that the Israelites held onto overnight when they were told not to. We will be full of worms and have an unpleasant smell. There, I’m kind to you…. I didn’t say you would stink as the King James version says! Our lives are to be a sweet-smelling aroma of Christ to all we meet. Is yours?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to honestly face my issues and bring them to you for healing. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Now is the time.... To Be Renewed

…….arrayed in holy garments, your vigour will be renewed each day like the morning dew. Psalm 110:3 (NLT)

There is no better time to be reminded that there is renewal of strength available to us than right now. As I write we are already into the second month of a new year that will bring new challenges.

After the Christmas holidays (which last for a few weeks here in Australia) I am finding it a little difficult to get my mind and body geared up for what is proving to be a busy and challenging first half of this year. Though not so challenging and heartbreaking as thousands of people in our land who are dealing with severe floods in the north and south and fires in the west. Many have lost everything but their lives and our heartfelt prayers go heavenward for them.

What a comfort the word of God is just when we need it; “As your days, so shall your strength be….” (Deuteronomy 33:25); “those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength;” (Isaiah 40:31); “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;” (Psalm 28:7). There are so many passages of comfort and encouragement for us as believers to grab a hold of and walk in.

The scripture at the top of this devotional grabbed my attention late last year. The full verse reads “In that day of battle, your people will serve you willingly. Arrayed in holy garments, your vigor will be renewed each day like the morning dew.” What a promise to have. There will be battles this year, maybe not severe ones for you personally, but you will know people who face battles; sickness, loss, loneliness, fear and so on. For those times, the word of God gives us clear promises to believe. You will see that there is almost a condition here. It says “arrayed in holy garments…..” . What does that mean for us? I think it means that we put on the garment of salvation and the robe of righteousness that Jesus has given to us (Isaiah 61:10), we put on the garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3) and we put on the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:11). If we array ourselves in these garments the promise is that our strength will be renewed each day for whatever we face. Hallelujah!

Not only that we will be in a position to take up the challenge that Jesus gave Peter before he realised that he wasn’t as strong as he thought he was…. “But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32). We need to realise that we need to walk in His strength, His power, His righteousness, His holiness. We do not rely on ourselves because without Him we are nothing. Then we can strengthen those around us.

Prayer: Jesus, my Saviour and my friend, help me to walk through this year strengthened in the knowledge that I can do nothing without you, but with you I can do all things with you. Amen