Abiding Physically - Part Four

 

God Prepares Us Physically for the Extraordinary

 

 

SCRIPTURE:  “When the words that David spoke were heard, they repeated them before Saul, and he sent for him.  And David said to Saul, ‘Let no man's heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.’  And Saul said to David, ‘You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.’  But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.  Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.’  And David said, ‘The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.’” 1 Samuel 17:31-37

 

THOUGHT: David was a young man who had never been to war, and yet, he had been schooled in the art of warfare during the lonely vigils he had with God. It was in those alone times with God he was prepared for the battles he would face, and it started with the humble task of caring for sheep. Later, he would be given the responsibility to watch over the Sheep of Israel, by beheading a blasphemous Philistine giant named Goliath, and then continue his work when he became the king of Israel. David’s power was not because of what a man and his genes could produce. It was because of God’s anointing that David could do spectacular and mystifying things.

 

APPLICATION: “Prayers spoken in our private vigil with God are most often answered publicly before mankind.” The above thought certainly applies to a Man of God, his giant challenges, and times in his prayer closet, pouring his heart out before His King.   It, no doubt, applied to a teenage boy who was a simple shepherd of sheep. He was disrespected by his brothers and other family members because of his youth and position. He was seen as least in his tribe. As an example, look what his brother, Eliab, said about him in verse 28 in the above chapter. He said David wasn’t a “real warrior”, for he had only experience with attending sheep. And yet, I don’t read where the courageous warrior, Eliab, volunteered to face the giant. There were also a few thousand other real warriors who stayed a safe distance from the menacing Goliath. So the question is, “If the men on that hill were God’s people, why were they not acting like it? Where was their courage? Where was their trust in Almighty God Who told them that no force would ever prevail against them, as long as HE was their God? Was it because HE was no longer God in their hearts, but in name only? Was their lack of courage a symptom of a deeper problem, and it took the least one to show them what it was, by putting his trust in God and his life on the line? Ole King Saul, a fallen hero if there ever was one, gave David the put up or shut up nod to go down into that lonely valley to fight the giant, and the real warrior stepped on the scene. Who was the real warrior? Was it David? No, David was simply a weapon for the Real Warrior’s purpose. It was the Lord God Almighty Who went with David, and through David, defeated the behemoth in spectacular fashion. He was the Real Warrior. God allowed David to get the applause from the people, for God was pleased with him, and He wanted David’s witness to be heard loud and clear. Through this challenging event for David, God spoke loud enough that the giant, the cowards on the hill, and the brothers alike would hear it. David said to Goliath, “This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.” God spoke to the Christian world at the same time and told us, “I’ll never let a man down who truly puts his trust in ME. See what I did for David as an example.”

 

So, how will these things connect with a Man of God’s need to stay physically fit? Think about it: Although God did the heavy lifting in the death of the giant, David played his part. His part began with discovering a true faith in God that was found in his alone times with God, and this faith was then applied to real life. His faith was trained with physical challenges, such as something small like hand-to-hand combat with a few lions and bears. (Relax. I’m not suggesting that you and I have to begin there. Maybe a few light weights in the gym first?) David didn’t begin there either. His first physical training likely started with a little running after straying sheep. Weightlifting probably began with lifting sheep out of a “cast down” or dangerous position. The point being is that a little lifting and running with a man starts the process of getting stronger physically, and we must realize we are preparing our bodies for God’s service. In David’s case, he eventually became strong enough to wrestle a bear and win, and cut the head off of a Philistine giant with the giant’s own sword. Make no mistake in thinking that David did nothing physical as his part in the battle. He did a lot, but God did so much more. So it is with our efforts to become physically fit and serve God’s purposes. I believe God would want this of His men, and He will help us, if we are willing to do our part. We do our part by putting in some effort toward an objective of training our bodies along with our faith. Now, we may not have to face a giant in our road. But we may face a mountain of discouragement, and simply feeling healthy and being healthy gives us a leg up in climbing that mountain. 

 

REPLY: Savior, I read the event in the Bible about the battle of David and Goliath and wonder if I had been facing the giant, would I have been as confident as David with the outcome? I look at this man who was anointed by You and see him do things that defy logic, while I ask, “Can I also be so anointed?” Lord, what would it take for me to become a man like this, and to be so completely Yours that You would be able to do marvelous works through my life as well? Surely You have a reason for using men who are ordinary guys, even considered by some as least of the least. These are men who are often overlooked by the world, even brothers, and considered powerless because they are just too ordinary. But You are still able to make of them mighty warriors and fearless men, men who I would want to be in a foxhole with in any war. Could it be  You want to show Yourself clearly to us as being completely sufficien and this is best accomplished when we allow You to take us from being ordinary men who can do nothing to ordinary men who do extraordinary things? Father, if this is true, all I can say is that’s what You have in me ---- just an ordinary guy. But, if You are willing to take me where I am at present, and take me where You want me to be, I give my mind, body and soul to You for your purpose. Train me up into this kind of man, Lord. Honor Yourself through my life as you did with David, and I will be willing to bravely walk to my lonely valleys and fight the giants that come before me,----- and with Your help,----- We will win the battles.

 

To Your honor I ask these things,

 

Rocky

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Abiding Physically - Part Three

 

Meek, But Strong

 

“God places the heaviest burden on those who can carry its weight.” Reggie White

 

 

SCRIPTURE: “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12

 

THOUGHT: In today’s world, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience are seen as weak characteristics for a man. But as a man of God, we are told to embrace these characteristics in our life and live them out. This takes great strength of faith and perseverance to do so. One of our greatest demonstrations, to a lost and dying world, is that we can be both an unashamed man of God who has these characteristics and be strong and courageous at the same time.

 

APPLICATION: Reggie White was nicknamed “The Minister of Defense.” There is a reason. He was not only an unashamed, courageous Christian man and minister of the Gospel, he was also one heck-of-a football player. He played defensive end in the NFL for 15 seasons and was selected to the Pro-Bowl 13 times. He was also chosen NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice. He was a man’s man. But best of all, he was God’s man. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue issued a statement at his death saying, “Reggie White was a gentle warrior who will be remembered as one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history. Equally as impressive as his achievements on the field was the positive impact he made off the field, and the way he served as a positive influence on so many young people.” 

 

I played in the NFL long enough to realize two things. One thing is that no man plays at that level of competition with only normal body strength and speed. Those guys are required to increase their weight, speed and strength from the get-go and maintain it their entire career. If they do not, they are out looking for a real job. The next thing I realized during my brief career in the NFL---- it didn’t take me long before I would be looking for a real job. Therefore, you can understand why I would be impressed with the credentials of Reggie White as an athlete. Another thing that impressed me about the man was that even though it seemed a contradiction, he was both strong and gentle. He was spiritually strong as God’s man, and this made him gentle and kind in spirit. But he was also strong of body, and this made him a successful professional football player. 

 

I have often observed that many men are mistaken in thinking that being “meek’ as a man means weakness. Therefore, they are confused when they read the quote by Jesus when He said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” It is a contrary message to what we hear about the way things are done by the world’s standard. Think about the many success gurus who tell us their formula for being successful, and it is about swagger, arrogance, aggression and self-confidence. Have you heard any of them say that being “meek” is the way to success, whether it is in business or athletics, or anything they promote? On the contrary, their formula is the antithesis of “meek,” for this trait is thought of as weak. So, let’s get it right so that we can understand what Jesus was really saying about meekness, and why it takes great courage and inner strength for a Christian man to live God’s way, rather than the world’s way. “Meek” means gentle and humble, it doesn’t mean weak. It could also be described as having strength under control. This is why Reggie White was admired in both areas of his life and would have been accurately described as “meek,” for he was gentle and humble, yet he was also very, very strong. Even Jesus Christ Himself was described, while on this earth, as being “meek,” because he was gentle and humble, yet He was the strongest man Who ever lived. After all, He could move mountains with His faith and calm a raging sea with a gentle spoken word. Talk about strength! Is there anyone who could top that? And yet, He was “meek.”

 

So, how does this information relate to abiding with Christ physically, and being good stewards of our bodies? I think I can make a case that God’s man will serve His King’s work best, when he is “meek” in spirit, but also strong in body. He must be strong in his faith, and he should be strong of body, so he can have the stamina to stay active. But he must always be gentle and humble, if he wants to be like Christ. When these characteristics are evident in our life, then, as Paul Tagliabue observed about Reggie White, we will make a “positive influence” on our world around us. God created us with minds, emotions, bodies and souls. Although we tend to think God’s main interest about us is the health and condition of our souls, I’ve got to believe He wants us to keep our bodies healthy and strong along with the other aspects of our life. If we delay, there will likely be a day in all our life that we will regret having put off our physical training to a later day. There will also likely be a consequence for doing so. Therefore, let us build strength in our bodies along with faith, and present these bodies as “Living Sacrifices” to the Lover of our soul, mind and body. After all, He created our life, which includes all these aspects, and He then entrusted it to us for proper care and use. So use it to glorify God in all areas, and you will be a good steward of God’s special creation --- which is the man looking back at you in the mirror.

 

REPLY: Lord, I want to be a man after your own heart. Make me into this man. Make me strong of character, mind, soul and body. With this life, I come before You as a living sacrifice, to serve Your cause, and to serve the people in my world. Help me in all aspects of my life, by abiding in me in every area. Then, I will be complete, and completely Yours. In the name of Your Son Jesus, I pray, and go forward.

 

Rocky

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Abiding Physically - Part Two

 

Overcoming Discouragement

 

 

APPLICATION: It has been said, “A grain of sand in his shoe can keep a man from climbing a mountain.” That little proverb, from who knows where, seemed a little overstated to me when I first thought on it. Upon further consideration, the truth being conveyed is not about a fragment of stone, but about a bit of discouragement that keeps a man from conquering a mountainous challenge. You see, discouragement, no matter how great or small it is, will eventually debilitate a man in any of his endeavors. For this reason, it is important that God’s man learns to fight a fight of faith against discouragement, and to do so, knowing Holy Spirit is at his side, showing him how to overcome.

 

In case you are not familiar with the background of the scripture mentioned above, you might want to take a look at all passages in Philippians 4. Paul pretty much includes the full list of discouraging “opportunities” he had faced. His extreme hardships were overcome with one trump card, which was his ability to do all things through Christ Who strengthened him. How about you? Are you tapping into the awesome resource of Christ’s discouragement-buster, or are you holding the hand dealt you.

 

Do you remember the lyrics to the old Kenny Rogers song that said, “You gotta know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em - Know when to walk away, know when to run?” Although the song appeared to be about cards, it was really about life. This song gave two options, which was to hold the hand dealt you, or fold your cards and run away like a scared rabbit. Apostle Paul would say “Don’t run away, and instead, play the cards dealt you. But ask God to give you the strength and resources to stand firm and face the challenge.” He would also add, “I have faced the same ‘Dealer’ and his crooked system. The plan I give you will trump anything dealt you by him, for it has helped me.” Like I said, the song is a metaphor for life, and I borrow it and use it as a metaphor for facing discouragement. Satan sells us a lie when he convinces us the sand in our shoe or the hand dealt us will keep us from climbing a mountain of discouragement, and we run away in agreement with him. We accept that our life cannot be changed, and we waste it!   But we do not have to waste our life, for God wants to show us the way up that mountain, if we will take His help.

 

As I have shared in the previous devotionals, I am focusing on that part of abiding in Christ which deals with the stewardship of our body. As it relates to discouragement, there is none greater than when we try to play catch up on years of neglect of our bodies. To do so, there is required of us the discipline of time management to make sure we allocate a period each day for exercise. We also have pain to break through, as we reintroduce physical strain to neglected muscles. Most of us have weight problems, or injuries that challenge our commitment. Oh how easy it is at the beginning of our challenge to simply say, “I think I’ll just stand with the hand dealt me,” and then, we give ourselves permission to allow discouragement to win another battle. Sand in our shoe keeps us from climbing the mountain, and Satan laughs. 

 

I have said it on previous occasions that one of the great benefits of my high school and college football career is the discipline I learned to resist discouragement when facing a challenge.   Some of you may have found this to be true for you as well. This is a very important attitude to have when facing a challenge before us. Certainly, some challenges might be impossible to conquer. But many challenges are not conquered because the impossibility looks so great, and no attempt is even made. In other words, we fold our cards and run away before we see what the strength of Christ can do for us. I have a buddy who was a Navy Seal. He said the one key thing that the Seals look for with candidates is this same trait. It is not the best athlete, or the most intelligent man whom they seek. It is the man who will not accept failure as an option. It is the man who will fight through discouragement and find a way to win. I think this is a good trait to have, and I think it is a trait every man of God should foster in his life.

 

As we look at the life of God’s Champion, we will not see a man without scars. Rather, we will see a man who has been battle-tested, and tempered in his faith, as steel is tempered with the furnace. His furnace is a life of challenges, and the scars come from battles that were fought and won. This man is not one who will run away from a challenge, but will run into the fray. He runs into it because he has been disciplined and prepared for the fight. He thrives in the challenge, and he is never more alive than when he sees the power of Christ coming to him to make him stronger than what he can be alone, and certainly stronger than any foe he will ever face. It is the same with any challenge we face to be a better steward of God’s temple, which is our body.

 

 

 

 

 

Abiding Physically - Part One

 

The Disciplined Lifestyle