"Who Stands Guard Over You?"

Daniel 12:1a  "And at that time Michael, the archangel, who stands guard over your nation,  w

ill arise...."

Six years ago Rick and I went to Israel.  Before the trip, I decided to do a study on Israel and this is when I first discovered that God had placed Michael, the archangel to stand guard over that nation.  

At that time the angel Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your 

people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time.    Daniel  12:1

It was exciting to consider that we actually knew where Michael, the archangel was and that we would soon be in his territory.   I know from Scripture that Michael is a spiritual warrior and has a special job in protecting Israel.    But I have lots of other questions...like, 

 I had lots of questions...like, why did God want us to know that He had placed Michael there?  I wondered, would we sense his presence or  feel the spiritual battle that was taking place. 

It also made me consider all the ways that God protects His children...wherever we might be.  And I was reminded of Elisha in 2 Kings....

The King of Syria had dispatched his army to Dothan...to destroy the people of God.  When Elisha's helper got up and got dressed he looked all around and was terrified.  He cried out to Elisha that the surrounding countryside was filled with many armies and the instruments of war .  Elisha smiled and placed his arm around his young helper and assured him, “Don’t be afraid, our army is bigger than theirs.” 

You see, Elisha could see God’s great army of angels already in place, ready to protect both him and his helper.  Elisha then prayed that God would open the eyes of his young helper, that he also might 

be able to see the hosts of protective angels there to protect hem. God answered the prayer of Elisha! The young man’s eyes were opened and as he looked around he “could see horses and chariots 

of fire everywhere on the hills surrounding the city.”  

Isaiah 55:12  ".....for the Lord will go before you 

and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."

Just as God sent His angels to protect Elisha and God sent Michael, the archangel, to guard Israel, today, the LORD Stands Guard over us...For He is our Front Guard and 

our Rear Guard too.....

Standing in Him,

Sharon

"Challenged by the Chariots"

Joshua 17:16  "They said, "...the Canaanites in the lowlands around Beth-shan and the valley of Jezreel have iron chariots--they are too strong for us."

God told his people that they would prevail over all their enemies in the land. Joshua 1:5  "No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I was with Moses,  so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." Victory is assured because God has promised to be with them.  Yet, they were quick to find an excuse why they could not.  

In times like these, when we feel weak and are challenged by the chariots we see, we need to ask the LORD to renew our faith in his promises, especially those that require us to persevere.  

Blessings on your day!

Sharon

"Hey, How Long are You Going to Wait?"

Joshua 18:3 "Then Joshua asked them, "How long are you going to wait before taking possession of the remaining land the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given to you?"

As the children of Israel finally begin to take possession of their inheritance, we find that there are seven tribes that for some reason, have failed to come forward to receive theirs. So, Joshua goes to them and asked them, "How long are you going to wait?" And he gives them "a little hand holding, a little push start."

I wonder what they were waiting for? Where they lazy or fearful, surely it wasn't because they didn't know they had land to claim. I think it was because they would rather remain comfortable right were they were. It was easier to sit back and settle for less...than stand up and fight for something. Besides, who wants to go into battle...someone might get hurt.

I'm like that at times, even worse, instead of standing and fighting, or even sitting and staying put, I turn and run. Whatever their reason, Joshua isn't taking no for an answer...he tells them to select three men from each of their tribes and sends them out to survey the unconquered territory.

Sometimes we need people like that in our life...who will give us a little time and then they come and say, "Hey, how long are you going to wait? Get up and get moving...

This makes me think of those the LORD brought into our life...early in our walk with the LORD, who were just like Joshua. They loved us enough to come and say..."How long?" God has so much more for you and took us by the hand, gave us some instruction and showed us how to live from Victory.

Father, thank you for the "Joshua's" that You sent into our lives to challenge us by asking...why are you living the way you are living...there's a better way. May we be like Joshua and go to those who are settling for less and challenge them, help them to get on their feet and move forward to claim their inheritance...You've already promised the Victory.

Blessings,
Sharon

Hungry Souls

Isaiah 58:10  "And if you draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity and the darkness around you will be as bright as the noonday."

The LORD isn't asking us to "feed the hungry with just physical food.  He is asking us to draw from our soul and give to the hungry.  It's certainly much easier to hand someone some change or a McDonald's gift certificate and feed their hungry mouths.  But that won't meet the need of the hungry soul.  


Only the Bread of Life, Jesus, can truly satisfy.  As we decrease and allow Jesus to increase.  His light shines brighter through us...lighting the darkness all around us...bringing hope. John 6:35  "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life:  
he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst."

Giving spiritual food to others will not only meet their spiritual need, but it will continually meet ours too.  Have you experienced that?  You are sharing the Word of God with someone and as the Word leaves your mouth, you hear it in your own ears and it waters you own life...your soul.  Isaiah 58:11b "...You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."

Funny how that works, when we give, we receive back - if we give with the right motives, with the right heart.  

Jesus is the bread of life.