WANTED: GIANT KILLERS #3

It’s impossible to tell the story of David without telling that of Jonathan. As seen in giantkiller#2 Jonathan was a selfless leader, a rare model of what it means to be humble. He lives the words of his mentor David who would later say, “my heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.”(Psa. 131:1-2).

David began to model sound character early in life. When he killed Goliath everybody termed him a hero but he knew where to put all those ululations, all the thumb ups, the attention and the fame. The victory over Goliath placed him on a pedestal but after he was done with it, he climbed all the way down to servant-hood and faithfulness. He knew he had began a long winding road to his destiny and the battles ahead were greater far more complicated than the giant who now lay dead. As Proverbs attests, the crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives (Prov. 27:21).

When Saul tried to get him to marry his daughter David proved that he had passed this test. He said, “Do you think it’s a small matter to become the kings son in-law? I’m only a poor man and little known” (1Sam 18:23). Really David? Did you just say you are, little known? What about those women who raised their voices to give you a hero’s welcome? Did you gather them to welcome you so you could make a political statement, as any clever, cunning politician would do? Did they not gather on their own volition? Did they not compose that song and sung it anyway although it rubbed some people the wrong way?

But you were not a cheap politician. You were different. You had the spirit of a giant killer. You were focused, determined, fearless, selfless, hardworking, humble and godly. You understood leadership is the game of the mature, of the temperate, those that can handle heat without boiling and exploding to the detriment of their followers. Leadership to you was the preserve of those who would never misuse their influence for personal gain. Even when your life was threatened, you did not take the law in your own hands and destroy your enemies before they destroyed you. Like Abraham Lincoln, you knew and perfected the art of destroying your enemies by making them your friends, as wisdom would dictate.

When the rendition, “Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands,” rend the air, it never occurred to you that an old man in the name of a prophet had visited your home and poured oil on you and had said you would be king over Israel. You were a perfect interpreter of times.  Except that the blood of the tribe of Judah ran through your veins, you could have passed for a son of Issachar, men who understood the times and who knew what Israel should do. No wonder they too identified with you and came to help you when you needed it most (1Chron 12:32).

Rejection and suffering never made you bitter but better, and for this reason like a magnet you attracted all those who were distressed, in debt and discontented. If you lived in our time, leadership consultants would have told you, you goofed by picking the wrong men! They would have told you that these men will ruin your prospects. But you were different. You received them and did not turn them into a butch of hooligans. No, you passed them through the crucible of your leadership training and produced warriors, men of valor, giant killers like you. You taught them the hard lesson of respect for authority because you reckoned that the same prophet who anointed you with oil had anointed you predecessor.

You are a true giant killer not an imposter. The picture circulated on social and mainstream media of you stepping on Goliath and cutting off his head was not the work of a computer wiz. It was not the power of photo-shop as we see it today. You were real, and you engaged real giants, floored them all and raised a generation of giant killers.

 In our time may we find people like you, Real leaders not opportunists, men of honor, giant killers that Kenya terribly needs and we shall fearlessly forge forward to destiny.

WANTED: GIANT KILLERS 2

The former Vice President, the late Kijana Wamalwa said, “A good idea should give way for a better one.”

There are leaders who get this truth and others who don’t and the difference between the two categories is the condition of their hearts. In 1 Samuel 18, Jonathan the son of Saul stands as an excellent example on how to give way for a better idea when it has come. He saw David step in and face Goliath when all fainted in fear at the battlefront. What David did that day inspired everyone; the army recovered its lost morale and identity and pursued the rest of the Philistines army, securing a great victory that day.

Optimism filled the air, it was almost tangible, True, Goliath lay dead and a son of Israel had done it singlehandedly. The women raised their voices and shouted, “David has slain his tens of thousands” and that shout could not be erased from the history books in Israel. From that day, Jonathan knew things would never be the same again in Israel.  As an aspiring leader and he knew he had to make a tough choice, either to become an antagonist, or a supporter of the new kid in the block. He chose the latter. He acknowledged that David was a better leader than himself and he loved him as himself. Through his actions he said, “You are a better leader than I am and I will support you and make sure you realize your potential even if that means relinquishing my right as an heir in this Kingdom.” He took his robe along with his tunic and symbolically handed them over to David and made a covenant with him.

His father did the direct opposite. In response to David’s rising fame, anger, jealousy and fear gripped his heart. He saw David as a threat not a strong supporter of his vision for the common good of Israel. He therefore began to hatch diabolic schemes to eliminate David. What a sad day! What a pathetic leader! A leader who is poor in compassion and vision, a leader who would use and abuse people. Even his own daughter whose only crime was to admire David became a tool to be used for the king  to advance his power game plan. He arranges a marriage of convenience between David and Merab his daughter and asks for the unthinkable—hundred foreskins of the philistines—as his dowry to expose David and get him killed by the Philistines.

Most leaders fail because when they get to power, they forget the big picture, which is service to the people. By their own design or of those that surround them they begin to hatch survival tactics to build an enduring throne while service delivery is relegated to the fridge or completely forgotten. What they fail to understand is that leadership cannot survive if it doesn’t take people from point A to B. If indeed it does survive then it is the toxic kind and it will impact people negatively. They say, “you can fool some people sometimes but you cannot fool all people all the time. Soon followers of such leaders begin to see that the leader doesn’t have their interests at heart. The Bible says, “the people loved David because he led them in their campaigns.” (1 Sam 18:16) He did not lead the people to fight his own battles; he led them to fight their battles. This means whenever victory came, it was never his victory, it was theirs and they loved him for that.

My prayer is that we will get this kind of leaders who are selfless and who are not always constantly posturing to build for themselves an enduring kingdom. Leaders who when they open their mouths inspire confidence but not instill fear. The events of the last two weeks speak volumes on the kind of leaders we have. Suddenly social and mainstream media was abuzz with messages of fear reminding us of our weaknesses and failures in 2007/2008. Instead of being inspired to face the future together with confidence we were left confused by what we saw and heard. I was particularly disappointed by what went on in parliament, the house of our representatives.

Why are we not allowing better ideas to take root in this country? It’s a bad idea to think selfishly, to be ethnically motivated, and worse still to advocate selfish and tribal values in Kenya. Nepotism, tribalism, clanism and religious fundamentalism have no place in our new Kenya. Lets refuse to join hands with those who want to use us to fight their own battles. We know what our battles are and will join however leads and inspires us to win at those fronts. Let the women diminish their ululations to the selfish, corrupt, inept leaders but let us from the rooftops cheer our champions who engage the real enemy. Lets raise our voices and shout to the David’s of our times, “he has slain his tens of thousands!!!!”

We saw it 2002, when we were voted the most optimistic people in the world and then we allowed a few people to hijack our ship and take us where we didn’t want to go. We arrived at the destination in 2007/2008 and we didn’t like it. Lest we waste our pain, let us begin to choose carefully the captains of our destiny. Let us affirm only those that lead us in our campaigns but not theirs.

Like our other Vice President, the late Professor George Saitoti, “There comes a time, when the welfare of the nation is more important than an individual.”

People who affirm and practice this truth are our true heroes, others are just pretenders, wolves in sheep skins, schemers, peddlers of lies whose ideas have no place in the Kenya we aspire to build.

Oh God of all creation

bless this our land and nation

justice be our shield and defender

may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty

plenty be found within our borders

WANTED: GIANT KILLERS

For those of you wondering whats happening in our beloved country, please rest assured that even in the midst of this darkness God's light will arise, especially for the upright (psalm112:4).

We certainly face great giants that threaten our very livelihood. Like Goliath, a dragon as been breathing fire in defiance against us. But when our wits fail, God steps in with a better answer. He anticipates our challenges and has a ready answer at the most appropriate time. 

For forty days, Goliath spoke with impunity but God had prepared and anointed a shepherd boy for this moment. Indeed professional soldiers and the King failed miserably  but David executed God's mandate perfectly and in record time.

I have a feeling that the political machinery will deliver no solution that this nation needs. The solution lies with you and me, the ordinary folks who have sensed a stirring from above and are willing to confront the giants that face us. The most prominent of the giants being tribalism  and negative ethnicity.

Whereas there are those that have stared this monster in the eyes and have completely lost confidence or have been ensnared by its  lie  'if you cannot beat them join them," and have thus become accomplices with it to make use of its huge size to scare their fellow citizens, there is emerging a different generation that have a different spirit.

By instilling fear and propagating lies the giant has escaped the sword of our fathers. Yes it has continued to intimidate and ravish our nation robbing us the energy and will to face and destroy other giants that attack us.

For this matter I have been on my knees, praying that God will raise a generation that sees differently. A generation that refuses to buy the lie that the giant is too big to confront or can be used to their tribal advantage.

A generation who like David are indignant when they see the plight of its people, living in caves as though they had no homes of their own. A generation that inspires confidence in us to arise and united realize our potential and reach our destiny. A generation that is innovative, willing to abandon that which did not work yesterday for our fathers and forge foward with what they have tested and proven reliable in their day. A generation that attributes victory to God and does not let success get into their head and dishonor their fathers inspite of their shortcomings. A generation of giant killers.

That's the Kenya I am praying for. A nation that will be known for slaying giants. A country where poverty, ignorance, disease, corruption, tribalism and terror lies bleeding, slain by the sword of a people that have caught the vision of where the nation needs to go.

I have picked up my five smooth stones, have you? Get ready, shoot!!

Tribalism falls and so does poverty, ignorance,  disease and corruption

THE TIME OF FAVOR HAS COME!

In my previous post we discussed how God has chosen to work within the precincts
 of time to carry out His purposes for us His people. He thus sets up seasons in our lives and its important to discern the season we are in. I announce today we are in a season of favor. The appointed time has come.

When the Appointed Time or season has Come, for God to raise His people, He Acts in Favor Towards them.

 In the appointed time He will hear and helps you in ways that will shock you and puzzle many. Those who had already put a conclusion on your story will be so shocked to see the new developments He will bring in your life. They will have to begin to rewrite your story again.  In His appointed time, God will hear and help us.

 He says in 2 Cor 6:2,  “in the time of my favor I heard you… I tell you now is the time of Gods favor…”

He offers to brings justice to you, and punish whatever people, problems and challenges impending your progress. When confirming his covenant with Abraham God told him in Gen 15:13-14,

 “know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill treated four hundred years. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterwards they will come out with great possessions.

According to Genesis Israel moved into Egypt at a time of great favor through Joseph and were saved from starvation. However after sometime there arose a Pharaoh who never knew Joseph. This king saw the prosperity of Gods people as a threat to the economy of his nation. He was afraid the people of God were poised to take over Egypt. So he structured violence against them to limit their potential and curtail their success.

Regardless of their suffering the people continued to increase in number. Their suffering was great and unbearable and their groaning rose up to heaven. They had been in Egypt for four hundred years. That was the time God intended but it had already lapsed. In fact they overstayed an additional thirty years. When they called upon the LORD, God dispatched Moses. A polished shaft that he had been prepared to midwife their release. The voice of God through Moses resonated throughout Egypt. He cried out to the Egyptian official; Let my people go! The time of Israel’s favor had come and Egypt could not contain them anymore. There was no turning back. Israel had to go free.

The most amazing thing is that God ensured that Israel would not leave Egypt empty handed. He made their tormentors favorably disposed towards Israel. They came out with articles of gold and silver. They had to be compensated for their hard work.  They plundered Egypt.

God said to Moses in Exo. 3:21 “and I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed towards this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty handed.”

The Appointed Time has Come, God acts with favor towards you.

Psalm 102 says, You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come

There are three critical points to consider about favor:

·      We are assured to live and enjoy God favor when we walk in a covenant relationship with God

·      We appreciate Gods favor when we look at the condition and circumstances we have been through or that currently face us.

·      We appropriate God's favor for us by believing and acting on what God says.

The time of favor has come. Heaven smiles on you. Heaven backs you for recovery, renewal, restoration and establishment.

You are not a permanent resident of trouble land. Shame and reproach and disgrace are not part of your identity. You are marked for grace, favor, honor and for establishment.

May all circumstances, all people, whether friends or foes be favorably disposed towards you for recovery, restoration and establishment.

Look up to God this morning for this kind of favor, for yourself your family, your friends and your church.

The appointed time has come!!!

IT'S ABOUT TIME!

Time is of essence. God operates within the confines of time. Though not limited to time, it has pleased him to confine Himself to time for our sake. He has set aside times and seasons through which He fulfills His purposes for His people.

That is why I am persuaded that as the preacher said in Ecclesiastes 3:1

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

This is a very comforting truth because it means that whatever circumstances, situations, problems and challenges I may be going through, they have an expiry date.

So from today I make it my habit to check the label of any problem that comes my way because I know it has an expiry date. I don’t want any expired problem in my life. If it’s expired, it must be shown the door. It has outlived its usefulness or its problematicfulness (if there is such a word in the dictionary). I don’t want any problems acting on me illegally. It’s harmful to allow problems to overstay in your life. They should be allowed in as guests; passersby who help us see the world in different perspective, catalysts that spur growth of character in us. Don’t allow the problem to overstay and affect your DNA (read Desires, Nature, Abilities).

Stop fretting about wasted opportunities. Though you may lack the power and wit to create an opportunity, but you can prepare for one. You may not dictate the seasons of your life, but you can prepare for them.

The Bible says in Galatians 4:4 that Jesus came at the appointed time.

When time had fully come God sent his son… (Gal 4:4)

Jesus acted within the confines of the times and seasons set before Him. When pressurized by interest groups, he expressed His reservation to act before the appointed time.

He told the mother in John 2:4 “Dear woman why do you involve me…my time has not yet come.” However out of compassion HE ACTED. Compassion produces combustion—power to deliver solutions and answers before their time. It’s amazing what people can do when motivated by love. Jesus still went ahead and did something fantastic. He changed water to wine and saved the day.

His brothers in John 7 convinced that Jesus had some political/leadership blood running through his veins had tried to pressurize him to create a greater constituency. “They said, No—one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things show yourself to the world.”(John 7:4)

Jesus response to them reflects his understanding of leadership dynamics and timing, especially from a political perspective. He said, “the right time for me has not yet come; for you anytime is right.” (John 7:6)

I have noted that the best way to destroy a political opponent is to get them declare their intentions prematurely. Timing is a critical element for success in life. Indeed the secret of success is pegged on the ability to understand and act at the appropriate time. Benjamin Disraeli  asserted, “ the secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.”

The wise teacher reiterates this principle. He says, “ I have seen something else under the sun: the race is not for the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (Eccl 9:11)

Daniel understood by reading the Bible that their time in captivity had expired and acted accordingly by petitioning God in prayer.

Daniel 9:1-2 in the first year of his reign I Daniel understood from the scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years so I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting and in sackcloth’s and ashes

The sons of Issachar on the other hand understood the times and knew the appropriate accompanying action for Israel as a nation. These were credible men, 200 indispensable chiefs who’s advise came in handy for an aspiring King (1 Chron 12:32).

Oh, how I pray that in our church and nation we may find such men!

So my dear readers don’t allow things to overwhelm you. If the tide of the problems that accosts you rises high, know that for sure it will soon die down. Calm will soon be restored. It’s a matter of time. Allowing the problem you face to fester and dictate your outlook to life is a misnomer. In the midst of the storm, remember that your DNA cannot be altered. You will outlast the storm. Remember the phrase, tough times don’t last but tough people do?

If you have been facing down moments and you think that your chapter has been closed forever, I urge you to check the label on your problems. They have an expiry date.  You are not a permanent resident in problem land. Shame and reproach and disgrace are not part of your DNA. You are marked for honor, for grace and for favor, for establishment. May your troubles expire today in Jesus name!

Why you may ask? Because Gods favor in your life makes a great difference. Read my next Blog

THE WEIGHT OF HIS PRESENCE

When I learnt that I would be speaking to day, I thought of speaking to you about raising praise to be raised. Isa 54:1 say sing oh barren woman, you who never bore a child, burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor, because more are the children of the desolate woman, than of her who has a husband.

BUT

On Wednesday we had a wonderful time in the presence of the Lord during the lunch hour meetings in the minor hall. After the meeting we were talking with Pastor Ochieng and he told me “you know this is what the young people are missing today” but it’s not just the young people but all people, white, yellow or black, men and women. People are hungry and thirsty but they are meeting their hunger and quenching their thirst on other things, things that cannot fulfill. And as Mrs. Weru said a few Sundays ago, people lives are full but not fulfilled.

As I read the 1 Samuel, I couldn’t help but shed tears. The word of God was rare those days; there were not many visions. Eli had been the priest of God at Shiloh. He was growing old. His sons had taken over as priests at Shiloh but they were evil in the sight of God. To this sanctuary a family visited every year. Elkanah and his two wives Hannah and Peninah. Driven by the fire of barrenness that burned in her womb Hannah began to call on the Lord. After years of arguing with her co-wife she realized that nothing would change unless she shifted her focus. She sought God and God shifted the weight of his presence in her favor. Eli confirmed it. The Bible says that she left the tent of meeting and was sad no more

Later she prayed,

Do not keep on talking so proudly

Or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. (1Sam2: 3)

Application: Sometimes some doors are shut because God has a greater purpose in mind that we cannot see at the present. He wants to bring forth a prophet and all we ask from him is just a child. A Samuel is coming but will only be delivered as an answer to prayer. Why is that so, so that you wont treat him as a common child.

When Hannah prayed she encountered Gods presence that totally transformed her life, attitudes, mind, heart. Peninah’s antics to get to her nerves could not work anymore. She was confused. Hannah had been with Jesus/God. Hannah had been in the presence of God. Yes her perspective changed and she began to sing the Lord’s song. She conceived and bore a son, called his name Samuel, Saying, “I asked him from the Lord” and she gave him over for the service of the Lord has she had pledged in prayer to God.

Samuel grew up in the presence of God (1Sam 2:21).

Application: How many of our children are today growing in the presence of God?

The sons of Eli despised the presence of God and their fathers warning

·      They took people’s sacrifices by force

·       They slept with women in the Sanctuary.

I Samuel 2:22-25: Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons; it is no good report that I hear the people of the LORD spreading abroad. If someone sins against a man, God will mediate for him, but if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?” But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the LORD to put them to death.

Application: are you living in rebellion against God and doing things you know are not right before God? Why should you die before your time? Quit your evil ways be reconciled to God

It was not just the sons of Eli but also the entire nation of Israel had turned their hearts away from God.

I Samuel 4:2-3: The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. And when the troops came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.”

When they were defeated in battle instead of seeking God earnestly they in-fact accused God of causing their defeat and presumptuously decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant in the battlefield.

They did not know that God had lifted the weight of his presence. Even when they took the Ark of the Covenant, which was the visible representation of Gods presence in Israel, nothing happened.

I Samuel 4:5-22 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the LORD had come to the camp, the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before.

Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”

So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli.

Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

Ichabod

The wife Phinehas captured the moment when before she died called her son I-chabod.

Chabod-is the Hebrew word-translated glory. It means weight, burden, possessions, impressive appearance, weightiness, heaviness, splendor, magnificence, distinction, respect, mark of honor, abundance, glory and riches.

I-chabod means no weight, impressive appearance, weightiness, heaviness, splendor, magnificence, distinction, respect, mark of honor, abundance, glory and no riches

Note the glory did not depart when the philistines defeated Israel. It had departed long time ago before they even contemplated going to war.

When the fear of God ceased, when God was not being given glory due to His name. When His word/counsel ceased to carry weight in their lives. When He was not respected, not honored. That’s when the glory departed and it was just a matter of time before this manifested physically.

Application: Does God carry weight in your life? Are you leaving in total disregard of his presence and counsel? Are you compromising little by little and reasoning it out that God understands. I warn you today, you are courting an ichabod situation in your life.

Without Gods presence

1.    We may be full but not fulfilled

·      Busy building but building the wrong wall

·      Busy trying to enjoy life but end up being enjoyed by life

2.    We may have fun but will never be fired up

·      Fun is an artificial inducement to amuse from without, passion is a fire that burns from within defying and conquering the spirit of apathy or boredom

·      Fun or fire what’s your choice?

·      With Gods fire your choices and decisions generate heat that is able to conquers the cold spells of any shoulders shrug in disapproval

3.    We flee instead of fighting our enemies

·      Our faith dissolves into fear

·      We cannot hold ground against the enemy

4.    We feed on falsehood instead of the truth

·      We live in self deception

·      We lack wisdom and understanding even in very basic matters

5.    We walk with a false sense of security

·      We assume God is with us when he is not

6.    Without God’s presence we are featherweights who fall everywhere and for everything

·      Without his presence we are mere mortals, ordinary people, with no distinction, just part of the mob, just part of a crowd. We wake up in the morning, work, eat, sleep, grow old and wait to die. Life is meaningless, chasing the wind.

·      With Gods presence we are heavyweights. We determine which direction the weighing balance falls for our careers, friends, family and nation.

Conclusion

The plan of God since creation has always been to bring up people of distinction. Unique men and women who carry the aura of his presence wherever they go

What would you rather be, a featherweight or a heavyweight in his presence?

God is looking for a man, a woman, a boy or a girl.

I believe God wants to raise heavyweights in our midst. Young men and women like Samuel whose word He will never allow to fall to the ground.

 Do we have people in this place people whose hearts desire is the weight of his presence? People who are willing to refocus their lives and organize them around Gods presence and his purposes.

I Samuel 7:3-5 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the LORD only. Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you.”

It is as we turn to the Lord that the weight of his presence will shift in our favor. We will triumph over all the forces of darkness that have held us captive.

I Samuel 7:10: As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the LORD thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were routed before Israel.

I anyone willing to turn towards the Lord in repentance...

STEP OUT: Lessons from The Book of Nehemiah

In 587 BC Judah was removed from the land of Israel and led to captivity in Babylon. Only few people remained in the Land. In 538 BC King Cyrus sent some of the people to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah’s possible return is thought to be around 430 BC. He was the contemporary of Zerubbabel and Ezra. They share a common history. While Zerubbabel helped built the temple, Ezra brought back the Law of the Lord into Israel’s life but Nehemiah helped rebuilt the wall and make Jerusalem a secure place.

In the time of Nehemiah the nation of Judah needed a strong leadership to help them rise from the ruins of their captivity and once again assume their position as the kingdom where Jehovah God reigns. The Persian Empire helped midwife Judah’s return, rebuilding and restoration to nationhood. Nehemiah as a cupbearer to the King was stationed at Susa. When he steps out of the palace his leadership gift stands out. When Nehemiah receives updates from Jerusalem his heart is strongly stirred by the plight of the people and the city of Jerusalem. Jerusalem, the pride of Israel had now become a symbol of their shame and reproach as the people of God (the walls were broken down and their gates burned with fire). Yet in spite their condition the people who lived in Jerusalem were in a condition of passivity. They had gladly accepted the culture of the people around them and probably surrendered to their present circumstances. They intermarried and made political alliances with other nations. There was no striking difference between Israel and the other people.  Nehemiah not only steps out to build the wall but also to build the people and help them regain their identity as the people of God. He travels to Israel and rallies the people to rebuild the wall and becomes their governor.

Reading this book should arouse in us the courage, determination and motivation to confront great needs in our own lives, family, church and society. Nehemiah not only secured a permit to rebuild the wall, he helped gather resources, identified workers gifts, assigned position, confronted criticism and opposition and galvanized the people to focus on the work and complete it. 

RAISE PRAISE AND BE RAISED

1. Praise exalts God. It invites His presence and moves God to act on our behalf. When King Jehoshaphat (2Chr 20:21-22) and the entire Israelite nation faced a great army and they knew the odds were against them, they mobilized a great choir and in songs and praise marched towards the enemy. God came down in a mighty way and struck down the enemies of God and His people. Paul and Silas after a grueling ordeal in the hands of their persecutors raised praise. The enemy had completely immobilized them but forgot one of the very vital weapons in Christian warfare, their mouth. Imprisoned, their hands and feet chained (Acts 16) they began to raise praise unto God and suddenly there was an earthquake and the prison gates opened to grant them freedom. It’s impossible to hold in prison a praising soul. They have the secret of releasing every weight in their soul through praise to God and slip out of the snares of the enemy. A praising soul is an anointed soul.

2.     Praise silences the enemy and gives us strength to face the challenges of life. Psalm 8 says that God perfects praise coming out of the mouth of infants and nursing babes. Meaning you don’t need to be so experienced to praise God. If God can perfect praise out of the mouth of a nursing infants and a babe what about an adult.  Verse 2b of Psalm 8 says that God does perfect strength or praise (NIV) because of the enemy. To silence the foe and the avenger.  Your mouth is a critical weapon to defeat any enemy that rises against you. Don’t keep silent even if it appears like you are totally besieged. Raise praise and you will be delivered.

3.     Praise changes the environment around us and makes the conditions favorable for increase and harvest (psalm 67). Despising praise or Lack of it leads to barrenness (2 Sam 6:20)

4.     When people praise, their hearts are liberated from negative emotions and begin to demonstrate gratitude and generosity. That is why people who understand how the psychology of man works, when they want something from someone, they first praise the person. Men can be deceptive in their praise to you but God looks at the heart and He cannot resist a heart that is full of praise for Him.

5.     Our praise to God is an indicator of faith, hope and victory. The best way to know which team is losing in a soccer march is not to look at the scoreboard but to just listen to the fans. The losing team will be the one making the least noise.

6.     As believers we are called to praise God. We are made to praise God (1Pet 2:9).