Spiritual Blessings For The Battle Within

1. Why are we still so weak?

I was once asked a question, “If God has made every spiritual blessing available to us through Christ Jesus / his spiritual power has given us everything we need for life, why are we still so weak? What are all these spiritual blessings?”

I will be using Ephesians 1:3-14 to explain these spiritual blessings. Note that these blessings are spiritual and are not material blessings. They cannot be seen because they are eternal. What can be seen are temporal. Your educational qualification can be seen and that is temporal. Your body, job, bank account, health, assets are all temporal because they can be seen and won’t last. But God’s spiritual blessings for you are eternal and will last forever.

2. What are these spiritual blessings?

What then are these spiritual blessings? Blessings mean that they are intended to benefit you and prosper you. But these spiritual blessings are effected in the heavenly realms and not in the physical realm like earth.  Also, these spiritual blessings are based on the work of the three persons of the Trinity. These blessings are yours because of the selection of the Father (v 4-6), the sacrifice of the Son (v 7-12) and the seal of the Holy Spirit (v 13-14).

As a Christian, you are spiritually blessed because God selected you before He created the world. God chose to save you and waited until you are ready to receive His Son as your Saviour. When Jesus sacrificed Himself for you, He bought you back from the grip of the devil, forgave your sins and lavished on you all the riches of God’s grace. Then as a down payment (seal) of better things to come (new body, no more tears/fears/insecurities, eternal life overflowing with joy etc, God sealed you with His Holy Spirit guaranteeing that whatever He promised; He would fulfill.

3. Preference for the material than the spiritual

Although these spiritual blessings are for all Christians, there will be some who will not appreciate the benefits of these blessings because they are spiritual and not material; they are unseen and not seen. These Christians would rather have more savings in their bank account than believe in Jesus saving them from self-destruction by their sinful nature. Instead of valuing Jesus’ sacrifice, they would rather see more rice on the table. They would also rather break the seal on their new iPad2 than have the seal of the Holy Spirit.

4. The real battle is inside not outside; in the unseen not the seen

Such Christians are weak because they fix their eyes on what can be seen instead of what cannot be seen. They like the thought of future salvation but actually prefer immediate visible jubilation. They can learn from what the Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. In this passage we see how Paul derived the strength to overcome his adversities. He was beaten, imprisoned, persecuted, insulted, framed, hungry, thirsty etc. Yet in verse 17, he considered these happenings as light and momentary troubles. Paul could say this because these are external happenings. These events could be seen and therefore temporal. But what could not be seen is the eternal weight of glory that far outweighs these external troubles (v 17-18).

Paul showed us that the battles to be fought are fought in the invisible realm of the mind. The unseen thoughts of guilt, shame, worry, doubt, fear. insecurity, anger, resentment, envy, greed, hatred, impurity etc are overcome when we know our spiritual blessings – that we are chosen by God, forgiven of our sins through Christ and strengthened by the Holy Spirit to deal with what is inside of us. When we know that we are special to God because He selected us before we were born; are put right with God (righteous) because of the sacrifice of Jesus and sealed with the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live our lives now, we will win on the outside (seen) because of our spiritual blessings on the inside (unseen).

A Victor In God’s Eyes

1. A crown for the victor

In the Bible, Christians are told that they will be rewarded with the crown of righteousness (2Timothy 4:8), the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4) by God and Christ. What is this crown and how do we qualify for it?

In the literal sense, this crown was  “the wreath or garland” which was given as a prize to victors in the Greek public games. But in the Christian context, this crown refers to the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ. The crown (wreath) is the reward of the righteous in Christ. The crown will be given to Christians who remain faithful to Christ and persevere to the end ( Revelation 2:10)

2. You are a victor and not a victim

As a Christian, you are a victor and not a victim. No matter how bad your situation is, you will triumph because God is able to make you succeed (Romans 14:4 GNT). With God’s help you are a victor who will rise above your circumstances and not a victim of circumstances. The Bible says you are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you (Romans 8:37).

3. How can you become a victor in God’s eyes?

 A victor in God’s eyes has the following 3 characteristics:-

 (A) Better than yourself and not better than others

God sees a victor or winner differently from how the world sees a winner. In the world’s eyes, a winner has to beat off the competition. A winner has to be better than others. But in God’s view, His winner is not someone who is better than others but is someone who is better than himself. As you grow in your faith, God sees a winner developing. You may not have reached perfection (none of us will on this side of heaven), but you are better today than you were yesterday. And you will be better tomorrow than you are today.

(B) Faithfulness

When the Scripture refers to the word “crown”, one common characteristic stands out. The “crown” is not awarded to those who cross the finishing line first but is given to those who cross the finishing line. The “crown” is given to those who are faithful to the end. When you are faithful to your God and faithful to your neighbour, you are on the right track.

When God looks at your faithfulness, He sees the small things you do. In the Parable of the Talents, we read that God rewards faithfulness shown not in the big things but in the small things (Matthew 25:21).

(C) Humble submission to God’s will

A victor according to the Bible is not someone who trust in himself to do what he wants to do. Instead, God’s victor is someone who trust in Him alone. To be a victor, you need to be willing to let God have His way in your life – this is humble submission to God’s will in practice.

Based on what I described above, you can be a victor in God’s eyes.

Generational Curse

1.God is bigger than our mistakes.

Those of you who are subscribers of my blog would have seen a blog with this same title, “Generational Curse” yesterday but can’t find it soon after. The reason is that the blog was still in a draft form when I accidentally pressed the ‘Publish ‘ button instead of the ‘Save Draft’ button. As such, the draft got posted. Although I immediately deleted it within 30 seconds, it was sent to all subscribers.

Even though I pressed the wrong button, my mistake was used by God  to assure a subscriber that she was not the victim of a generational curse. God timed it so well that as I accidentally published the draft blog, it reached the subscriber at the precise  time when she was confused about the issue of generational curse. That is how our God works. He is bigger than our mistakes and can use them to achieve His purposes. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

 

2. Generational curse is Old Covenant thinking

Now that my draft has been used by God to speak to a subscriber, I shall write a more complete version of the topic. This issue of generational curse arose from an Old Covenant thinking mentioned in Exodus 34:7 which states, “he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.” The thinking in the Old Covenant was that if the forefathers had messed up, the subsequent generations would suffer.

Because of such thinking, some Christians (who belong to the New Covenant) think that since their forefathers had sinned by say, dabbling in the occult, they therefore now bear the consequences of this earlier sin even though they have accepted Jesus (who had saved them from their sins). Based on such wrong thinking, they conclude that since they now live a defeated life, it can only be due to the sins of  their forefathers. Some also think that since their parents had divorced, they too will be inclined to divorce and therefore it is better not to get into a serious relationship. Some also think that if their parents had a history of cancer, then they too will have cancer. With the fear of cancer occupying their minds, they have no inner peace and joy in the Lord. Such Old Covenant thinking is misplaced thinking for us New Covenant Christians. We are not responsible for what our forefathers did or did not do.

 

3. New Covenant thinking believes all curses removed by Jesus’ death on the cross

In fact, in the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah already denounced such wrong thinking and spoke of the difference the New Covenant will make in the new believer’s life. In the verses from Jeremiah 31:29 -30, we read that in the New Covenant, each is responsible for his own sin – “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes–his own teeth will be set on edge.”  These verses show the New Covenant emphasises  individual responsibility regarding sin. Therefore , one does not suffer for the sins of the previous generation.

The Bible states that under the New Covenant, Jesus removed all our sins –  past, present and future (Hebrews 10:12) when we accepted Him as our Saviour. Furthermore, Galatians 3:13-14 reminds us that Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from any generational curse which was what they believed in during the Old Testament times:-

“Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Therefore, we can rest assured that when we accepted Jesus as Saviour, He removed all generational curses from our lives and we can live a guilt free life in Christ.

Some people also said that generational curse comes upon people who curse their forefathers. I don’t think that is generational curse at all. If one curses one’s forefathers, it is no different from a sin which involves cursing one’s enemies. If one has done that, one merely agrees with God that one has sinned and reaffirms that God has forgiven that sin in Jesus‘ death on the cross. That sin has always been forgiven and there is no effect on subsequent generations.

 

4. You are free from generational curse

I pray that you will not be worried about what your ancestors had (physical diseases) or had done (sinful actions). Their health and actions are outside your control. When you accepted Jesus, He gives you new life, continues to forgive all your sins and cleanse you from any form of unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) – whether caused by your ancestors or by you. When Jesus, the Son Of God sets you free; you are truly free indeed (John 8:36).

Necessary Endings And New Beginnings

1. We live a “ful” life

As we stand at the brink of a new year, let us remember three Biblical attitudes of our Christian life. Our Christian life is a “ful” life. When we look at our past, be thankful to God for being there with us through the ups and downs. When we look at the present, be joyful as our security does not depend on our happenings but on our God who holds us securely. When we look forward, be hopeful as we have a God who always goes before us and will be with us; He will never leave us nor forsake us. We are not afraid; we are not discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8). In the Bible, hope means “a confident expectation of good”. We can expect good because our God is good and what He does is good (Psalm 119:68).

2. New Year’s resolutions

Some of us may have made new year resolutions for 2012.  We bid the end of 2011 and welcome  the beginning of 2012 hoping that we can leave the unpleasant events of the past year and have a fresh start . Despite our best of intentions, we often find that we make new year’s resolutions only to soon break them. But that does not mean we don’t need necessary endings and new beginnings. Each year gives us a chance for new beginnings. But if we break our resolutions, does it mean we need to wait till 1 January 2013 to start again? Let me tell you the good news. Each week can be a new beginning. Every Sunday can be a new beginning since it is the day we remember Christ rose from the dead to give us a new beginning. Better still, every day is a new beginning. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that God’s mercies are new every morning.

That’s why we don’t wait for new year’s eve to end something and start a new thing on new year’s day. Instead, we learn to trust God daily. We put an end to what hurts us and which holds us back from becoming what God wants us to be. We forget the past and reach out for what God has for us in the future (Philippians 3:13)

3. Share your reflections and bless us

Since we are starting a new year, I  decided that instead of  sharing my thoughts with you, it will be more helpful if you did some reflection on your own and share your reflections with all our readers. You can use the ‘ Comments ‘ section of my blog to share your thoughts. It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). So  feel free to share with us to bless us.

4. What is your Egypt?

For a start, reflect on the theme, “Necessary Endings & New Beginnings” .  Please read Exodus chapters 14, 15 & 16.  As you  read chapter 14, reflect on what God said in the last sentence of Exodus 14:13. In these words He taught His chosen people about what they needed to end in their minds. They needed to get Egypt out of their minds.  As you apply this truth to your life, ask yourself this question, “What is the Egypt I need to get rid of in my mind?”

5. Who do you trust?

Then as Exodus 14 ends, God taught them to have a new beginning which is to live a life based on trusting God alone ( Exodus 14:31). God showed them that in this fallen world, there will be troubles. But if they trust Him in their troubles, they will discover that He will come through for them. That was why God allowed them to go through the ‘ bitter waters experience’  in Exodus 15:22-27 so that they can learn to trust Him in every situation. Although they started with bitter waters , they would end on a sweet note. Are you wading in bitter waters? God is your healer and will turn your bitterness into sweetness.

In Exodus 16, God taught them that they needed to trust Him daily to provide for them. They are not to depend on human abilities but to rely on God’s ability to provide for them. They need not fear that they won’t have enough because they were not competent enough. God showed them that those who gathered much did not have too much, and those who gathered little did not have too little. Each one gathered as much as he needed (Exodus 16:18). God is your best equaliser when the odds are against you.

 

6. Your reflections

 

Reflect on the following questions based on Exodus chapters 14 to 16 :-

 

·         Why do we need necessary endings and new beginnings?

 

·         Do necessary endings have to be bitter and new beginnings sweet?

 

·         Throughout the 3 chapters, what does God want the Israelites to learn about their relationship with Him as they end their stay in Egypt and start a new beginning in the Promised Land of Israel? What does God want you to learn about your relationship with Him. What is your necessary ending? What is your new beginning?

 

 

Please share your thoughts in the Comments section of this blog. I look forward to reading your reflections.

 

Inner Conversations

1. Inner doubts

When you want something so badly, not being able to get it can hurt. For example, you may want a job promotion and to get it, your company requires you to pass an examination. As you prepare for the exams, you have doubts that tell you that you may not make the passing mark. Furthermore, if you have nasty colleagues that look down on your capabilities, you begin to doubt yourself even more.

Such inner doubts which I call inner conversations can make you wonder whether your God cares about what’s happening in your life. You need a clear direction from the Lord but don’t seem to be getting any. Although you have been taught that God directs a Christian in his life (Isaiah 30:21), yet you don’t hear His inner voice guiding you. What you hear instead are the doubting voices that pulls you down instead of lifting you up.

2. Dark night of the soul

Sometimes, God’s guidance is as clear as daylight but there will be times when He is so distant that you wonder if He cares about what is happening in your life. The saints of the past call such a situation ” the dark night of the soul”. Has God abandoned you when you don’t feel His presence? Is He even there when you are enveloped in darkness? The Bible says that your God is not only a God of light but He is also a God in your thick darkness (Exodus 20:21).After you pass through the dark times, you will be able to say like King Hezekiah, ” Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish “(Isaiah 38:17)

 

3. Talk to yourself

When you have inner conversations that pull you down, follow the example of the psalmist who talks to himself and  brings God into his situation (Psalms 42:11). Like the psalmist,you counter the inner doubts with  Biblical truths which remind you of who you are in Christ. If you are the Christian who wants to be promoted and has to take an examination, you remind yourself that God has equipped you with abundant intelligence to get to where you are – you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalms 139:14).  In addition, you are a child of the God who promised to be with you always till the end of time (Matthew 28:20). God also said that He has a plan for your life which will give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). Such inner conversations give you strength when you bring God’s truths to bear upon your situation.

4. You can’t lose

With God on your side, you can’t lose. You might get bruised along the way but He goes through your trials with you. Jesus was insulted, rejected , opposed, shamed etc even as He was following God’s will – what more us? Jesus knows what you are undergoing. Pour out your hurts to Him and tell Him you will let Him have His way in your life. Then trust Him to fulfil His purpose for your life (Psalm 138:8)

5. God determines your future

No event in your life (exams included) can ever determine your future. But your God of the future does. Rest in His love for you. Just do your best while trusting God to do the rest. He will surprise you!

Terminal Or Eternal

1. God of 1%

Some time ago, I was talking to a friend of mine who was undergoing treatment for cancer. His doctor did not give him long to live (about 6 months) and said that the cure rate for his type of cancer is only 2%. When my friend told me of the low percentage indicated by the doctor, I told him that our Father in Heaven does not need a 2% cure rate to heal him. In fact, our Father is the God of 1%. For example, He would leave 99 sheep to look for 1 sheep. And He reduced Gideon”s army from an original number of 32,000 men to only 300 men – that is less than 1%. Yet, God won a mighty victory through Gideon’s 0.9375% army. In the final analysis, our God does not need any percentage on His side. He has always been a God who can heal when it is even 0%.

2. More than a conqueror

More than 2 years have passed since the initial conversation with my friend. Although the cancer has not fully gone yet, my friend is physically able to continue ministering for the Lord and has even travelled overseas. During a dinner at his home recently, my friend shared his testimony of the Lord’s goodness in his life. I thanked him for his words of triumph in the Lord. I told him he is more than a conqueror and our Father has used his testimony to bless so many people. In all things God works for our good.

3. My work is not finished

I remember my friend’s parting words as I left his home after the dinner. He said that the Lord would not take him home because he had not finished His work here. That was what Paul also said in Philippians 1:24-26. I then told my friend that he would be here for our progress and joy in the faith (verse 25). That was also what God did for the two witnesses as recorded in Revelation 11:7 – they only went home when their testimony is finished.

4. We are all terminal

During a Sunday Worship Service, my pastor testified that when he was diagnosed to have cancer, his doctor told him that it was terminal. With deep spiritual insight, my pastor replied, ”We are all terminal”. My pastor is right. All of us will die one day. It is only a matter of earlier or later. What truly matters is whether we have lived a life pleasing to God who placed us here for His purpose. He placed us here not to use up resources but to be used by Him to touch the people He brings into our lives. Since then, my pastor has been healed after treatment and continues to testify for our Lord.

5. We are also eternal

I reflected on my pastor’s words, “we are all terminal”. While he is right, I also see that as a believer , not only are we terminal but we are also eternal. We will never die but will always live with the Lord ( John 11:26). This truth gives us hope in the midst of what seems hopeless. On earth, we are terminal. But with God, we become eternal. Even when we are separated temporarily from our loved ones through physical death, we will be reunited with them eternally when Christ comes back for us.

Both my friend’s and my pastor’s words were based on God’s truths. In their weakness, they brought strength to us who heard them. They showed us that God’s grace is always sufficient for us because when we are weak, then we are strong ( 2 Corinthians 12: 10).

What Does Salvation Mean?

1.         Salvation is more than forgiveness of sins

Very often, Christians think that salvation is mainly about forgiveness of sins and booking a place in heaven.  Their lives on earth goes on and they live lives as if God is only up there watching things happening here on earth.  That is not the God of the Bible.  And salvation is not just about the forgiveness of our sins.

2.         Our Saviour is very involved with us

The Biblical truth is that our Saviour Jesus Christ is very involved with us.  His Father in heaven is not merely watching but participates in what happens to us.  We do not merely live lives here till it’s time for heaven.  God has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us and enable us to live lives here that will be a good witness for Him.

3.         Salvation is a package deal

When we say that God is our Saviour, we are referring to the Hebrew word “Yeshuwah”.  Some of you will recognize that it’s the same word for Jesus.  And when we say that Jesus is our Saviour, it means more than being saved from our sins.  The word “Yeshuwah” refers to salvation (Psalm 62:6), deliverance (Exodus 14:3), welfare (1 Samuel 2:1), prosperity (Deuteronomy 32:15) and victory (1 Samuel 14:45).  Salvation is a package deal and includes God delivering us from troubles, ensuring our welfare, prospering us (not just money but success in our undertakings) and victory in our trials.

4.         The psalmist’s salvation

Let’s see a practical example of how salvation works.  In Psalm 37:32-40, the psalmist was in trouble from people who were out to get him.  Yet in the midst of his troubles, he recognized that God’s salvation was available for him. (verse 39).  When he saw God as His Saviour, the psalmist knew that the Lord would not let his opposition overpower him (verse 33), his enemies would be defeated even though they looked strong now (verses 35-36).  There is always a future for those who believe in God (verse 37).  God will help them.  He will deliver them.  He saves them (verse 40).

5.         Is Jesus your Saviour?

When you are in trouble, believe like the psalmist did.  God was His Saviour.  Jesus is now your Saviour.  He did not come just to take away your sins. He is your “Yeshuwah”.  Do you regard Jesus as your Saviour?

God Arranges Your Friendships

 

1.         What is a friend?

I was attending a wedding ceremony where the pastor told us that there would be a photo-taking after the ceremony for the couple’s relatives.  However, the friends of the couple could proceed for the reception.  As to who is a relative and who is a friend, the pastor quipped, “a relative is who you have, while a friend is someone you can choose.”

 

2.         God places friends in your life

We all have friends. Some closer than others. Some become bosom pals and finally one of them may even become a spouse.  As Christians, we need to believe that it is God who arranges our friendships.  Every friend whom you have, God has placed them in your life.  He placed you in a community where you grew up with friends (Acts 17:26).  He arranges your friendships so that you can always find love and acceptance.  He places you in His body; a family of believers so that you will grow in Christ as you exercise His spiritual gifts for you.

 

3.         A Christian Parent’s Concern

As Christian parents, some of us are concerned about who your children will befriend or marry.  As such,, we want  to trust God to bring friends into our children’s lives who will one day be good friends or even a future spouse.  When faced with this concern, Christian parents should pray to God to bring people into our children’s lives who will be used by God to grow them.  These friends are not only those who will bring joy to our children but they will also include those who will bring them pain.  We believe that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

 

4.         The friends are on the way

As we pray for good friends for ourselves and our children, we are reminded of how God will guide relationships and work them out for good.  In Exodus 4:14, God told Moses that Aaron “is already on his way to meet you and his heart will be glad when he sees you”.  That’s how our God works in relationships.  He sends people on their way to meet you or your child.  He will also make them glad to see you or your child.  Therefore trust God for friendships.  God is the best friend a Christian will ever have.  He is the best friend you and your children will ever need.  He is the best friend who will arrange friendships.  Will you trust Him for friendships?

 

 

If Your Life’s Stinking, Just Check Your Thinking

1.         Think about what you are thinking

You must have heard someone saying, “My life stinks!”  He means that whatever has been happening to him is not turning out right.  Probably for him, his wife nags, his children rebel, his parents complain, his boss scolds and his pastor condemns!  Nothing is turning out right.  When events in your life seem to turn bad, the problem may not be that your life stinks.  The problem can well be that you should watch what you think.  That’s right.  Think about what you are thinking.

2.         What are you storing up?

Jesus knows that if our life stinks, we need to watch what we think.  In Luke 6:45, Jesus said, “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart.  For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks”.  Before a word is spoken, a thought already exists.  Before you can complain about your boss, your unhappiness exists as a thought in your heart.  When you store up more than enough of these unhappy thoughts, they will overflow from your heart and come out as words of complaint.  So, watch what you are storing up within your mind.

3.         Inside vs Outside

What is inside you is more important than what’s outside of you.  Paul the apostle was constantly beaten up and locked up whenever he tried to witness for Christ.  Although called by God to be His messenger, Paul often found that the outside circumstances were not conducive to his witnessing for Christ.  Yet, Paul did not let the outside circumstances affect his internal peace.  When Paul was imprisoned and could not go around witnessing freely, he said, “What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:12-13).

Paul did not sulk in prison. He did not complain that he was deprived of his freedom to spread the gospel.  Instead, he looked at his situation and was glad that everyday, he had a Roman soldier chained to him.  Paul had a captive audience!  I believe that whoever was chained to him got converted.  God was sending Roman soldiers to Paul to be converted even as they were on duty.  That was how Paul saw his imprisonment.  He was in chains but he was free to witness to the soldier chained to him.

4.         Secret of Joy

Therefore you can see why Paul could say, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4).  Paul’s joy does not depend on what’s happening outside.  His joy was based on what’s happening inside of him.  Paul focused on what he was thinking.

In Philippians 4:8, Paul said, “Whatsoever is true, whatsoever is noble, whatsoever is right, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praise worthy, think about such things”.  Paul’s secret of joy was in his thinking.  He was not a positive thinker as some of the self help books tell us to be.  Paul was a Jesus follower.  His thinking was anchored on Jesus and not on self.  Paul drew his strength from Christ.  He can say, “My life in Christ makes me strong and His love comforts me” (Philippians 2:1 Today’s English Version).

What is your life now like?  If it’s stinking, then check your thinking.  Also check what you are saying because out of the overflow of your heart, your mouth speaks.

Stones or Source?

1.         Five stones from the Valley of Elah

When I visited Israel, they brought me to the Valley of Elah which was the place where David defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17).  In the Valley was the stream where David chose five smooth stones to be used with his sling as he challenged Goliath (17:40).  With one stone, David brought down his giant.  The old stream is still there and so are the many stones.  Whenever the pilgrims visit the Valley of Elah, they would collect these stones.  I did the same during my two trips to Israel and have a box of stones from the stream in the Valley of Elah.

2.         Defeating the giants

When a friend of mine heard that I have collected some stones from the Valley of Elah, he asked me if I could lend him five stones.  He said that his pastor’s seven year old daughter was suffering from cancer and undergoing radiotherapy.  He wanted to let her hold the five stones and believe that like David, she could also defeat the giants (cancer, fears, pain, etc) in her life.  I gladly handed the five stones to my friend who then passed it on to the little girl.

3.         Who is the source of healing?

A few days ago, I received an sms from my friend informing me that the little girl has moved on  to glory and is now with the Lord.  I felt sad that she did not receive her healing from God.  Perhaps I was also sad that the five stones did not achieve what they were intended.  But what was the five stones intended for?  Was there anything magical in the stones that could have healed her?  Have I forgotten that the stones were not the source of healing but God was the source of healing?

4.         Symbols of strength

As I reflected on this, I realized that sometimes we can forget what the stones meant.  They were symbols to remind the little girl of how she can trust God for the trial she was facing.  The stones were symbols of strength.  They were not the source of her healing.  The source of her healing is the Lord who first created the stones.  It is so easy for us to remember the godly experiences associated with certain things that we forget that it was God who was the provider of the experiences. We remembered the gift and forgot the Giver.

For example, if a Christian couple is childless, should they go to a particular church for prayer by a particular pastor who is well known to have successfully prayed for childless couples to have children?  If they do so, then they have replaced God with the pastor.  They have begun to think that there is something supernatural coming from the pastor and have forgotten that it is God who provides the healing through the pastor.

5.         The five stones became the bronze snake

In the Old Testament, a bronze snake was erected to provide a symbol of healing for the Israelites (Numbers 21:4-9).  Anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed.  However, this symbol later became an idol worshipped by the Israelites (2 Kings 18:4).  Like the Israelites we sometimes replace the source of our strength with the symbol of our strength.. Like the Israelites, the five stones had become the bronze snake.

We have forgotten that it is God who is the source of healing and not the five stones.  As the provider of all our needs, God knows what is best.  He provided the little girl strength during her trial through the five stones and gave her complete healing by taking her home to be with Him.  There in heaven, she will meet David and maybe even see the actual stone he used.  There she will remain until she is reunited with her parents at the second coming of Jesus.   As we examine our lives, let us differentiate between what we rely on versus who we rely on.  In every situation, we rely on God and not on the symbols associated with God.  Then and only then will we see that God is always the provider of all our needs.