Scripture
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Observation
On this day 30 years ago I asked Leslie to marry me. We drove out to the snow encrusted shoreline of Lake Pactola just outside of Rapid City, South Dakota. I read a Psalm. I asked. She said yes. Then our car got stuck in the snow. For the next six months, I lived in Australia while she lived in the United States. Because of our betrothal, we remained faithful to each other, though separated by 10,000 miles. Love motivated my integrity to be sure. But equally, was my fear of her dad. Don Hemstock was a gun-packing, police servant whose scowl could make a bandit squirm. When I asked him for her hand in marriage, I knew that this was a woman under surveillance by his watchful eye.

A good pastor is like the father of the bride. He raises up the church and then gives her away to another man. He leads the church with jealousy. He wants the church not to belong to him but to Christ. The only reward a pastor has it to be called a “friend of the bridegroom.” As a friend of Christ, his desire is for the benefit of Jesus. The pastor wants his best friend to have the woman of his dreams.

Application
The goal of my ministry is to present my local church to Christ as a unspoiled girl.

Prayer
Father, help me to be the spiritual father you want me to be. Amen.

Scripture
The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

Observation
We want strength first then action. God wants our action and then he will supply his strength. From the Lord’s point of view, sending us is all that is necessary to do anything. Everything else will be provided as we go.

Application
I don’t think that way. I want the strength before the journey. He gives the strength during the journey. I need to consider some of my prayers for more power as acts of cowardly hiding from God’s call. I must follow.

Prayer
Father, I see that some of my prayers for more power are a delay tactic. Instead, I pray for more followership today from me. Amen.

Scripture
But the sons of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who lived in Jerusalem; so the Jebusites have lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day. Judges 1:21

Observation
If there were ever a city to conquer to occupy the land it was Jerusalem. Not taking Jerusalem and yet claiming victory, would be like occupying all of Germany in 1945 except Berlin. Yet it would take hundreds of years for that city to become God’s. The people walked around it. The fortress was on a high hill. It’s easier to skirt around the incline.

Application
What are the unconquered parts of my heart? Is the high ground held by Christ? I had a discussion yesterday with a man about accountability. What he described to be was not accountability, it was a form of mutual affirmation to sin. “Oh, are you struggling too, well so am I and so I guess it’s okay. Whew!” That’s the logic that keeps the high ground of our lives in enemy hands. Jesus said to occupy until he came back. That implies we should be fighting forward and taking ground.

Prayer
Father, I pray that you would stand watch with me. Scan the horizon of my soul. See the places in my heart where smoke rises from the campfires of the enemy. March behind me to take the high ground. Amen.

Scripture
I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my brothers who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt with fear. I, however, followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly. Joshua 14:7-8

Observation
A true man of God, assesses the present and projects the future not on what he fears, or what others think, but upon the right as revealed by the Lord. That sense of rightness resides in the core of his being and he acts from that for the rest of his life. I remember the words of Jonathan Edwards, “Resolved: To follow God with all my heart.  Resolved also: Whether others do or not, I will.”

Application
There are many times in life, I have been convinced of the rightness of a certain line of action, but have allowed myself to be talked out of it by others. Then in the future, I’ve lived to see what I knew would happen come to pass. So I will no longer second guess by discernment. I will keep hope alive even when others push it away. Hope overcomes.

Prayer
Father, recently you have given me a resolve to believe for greater blessing on my life and those around me than I have ever known before. I’m like an Irish Setter with a tennis ball. I’m not letting go. Amen.