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Day 47: Hebrews 10/Psalm 127
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Sunday April 11, 2004
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Unless the Lord
builds the house, they labor in vain who build it…
Psalm 127:1 (New International Version)
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Solitude in
the Battle
The theme of doing things “God’s way” is reminiscent of the story of
David and Goliath. Instead of meeting Goliath with the expected proportional
response--a sword--David let God “build the house” (in this case,
choose his weaponry--stones and a sling). By doing it God’s way, David
not only claimed victory in the battle, but he kept his integrity by
not sacrificing his identity-- the very gifts and talents that made him
who he was. If he had disobeyed God and used a weapon that he was
unfamiliar with, the stress alone of using that new tool would have
completely distracted him from hearing God’s strategy, and he would
have been forced to use his own strength and ability to fight the
giant. He would have assuredly “labored in vain,” failing miserably,
bringing shame to God’s name in the process.
Many times in life
our daily battles cause us to desire to “pick up the sword,” believing
that a proportional response to an attack is appropriate. We would be
wise to get alone with God, as David did in gathering stones, and
listen for His strategy and plan of attack. Just like David, we may
find that instead of fighting our battles through an obvious attack,
God’s design is for us to trust Him to fight the actual battle in a
different way, as we focus on using the gifts and talents that make us
who we are.
David found
solitude with God by listening for His voice and His plan before the
battle ever began. The result was the ability to have that same
solitude with God even in the midst of his greatest battle, finding
peace and victory.
Our memory verse
for the week, Hebrews 10:19, speaks specifically to this situation;
“Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of
Jesus… let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful… (v.23) and let us consider how to
stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” (v.24)
The enemy would
like nothing better than to steal, kill, and destroy our identity and
our ability to share Jesus. What better strategy could we use than to
find solitude with God, trusting Him to fight our battles for us. And,
when those battles become intense, what better way to gain victory than
to find rest in His plan, focusing on using our gifts and talents to
love and encourage others, winning victory in Him by just being who He
called us to be.
Today’s
Prayer:
Jesus, help me to find solitude in You by hearing Your voice and trusting
You, even in the midst of my greatest battles. Teach me who You’ve made
me to be, and help me to rest in that instead of trying to fight my
battles on my own. Thank you for Your sacrifice to set me free, even
when I don’t deserve it. Lord, today I ask You to be in charge and
“build the house.”
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Memory Verse of the Week:
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the
Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus..."
Hebrews 10:19 (New International Version)
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For a complete listing
of all the previous devotionals in this "50 Day Experience," click here.
To read the chapter or psalm of the day online, click on one of the
following links:
o
Hebrews
10
o
Psalm
127
Michelle Holland, holland@cincyvineyard.com,
Administrative Assistant in Children's, and Director of Vineyard Dance
Ministry
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