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Beauty From Ashes

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Daniel 1:8 But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself.

Mental Performance Coach, Bryan Cain wrote: Unbroken is a book by Laura Hillenbrand, and a movie by the same name. Unbroken is the story of Louie Zamperini and his amazing journey of:

• Being a boy who was bullied and always in trouble to…
• Running in the 1936 Olympics to…
• Enlisting in the military during WWII to…
• Surviving a plane crash in the Pacific to…
• Surviving an amazing 47 days adrift in a raft to…
• Being captured by the Japanese navy, being sent to a POW camp, and becoming the favorite target of a particularly cruel prison commander to…
• A life of severe post-traumatic stress disorder to…
• A life filled with forgiveness, service and peace.

Daniel, and Louie had one thing in common: determination. The AMPC translation uses the word “purposed”. Figuratively in the Hebrew it means to set a direction for or towards. Long before Daniel and Louie ever got to the challenges they faced they had set a direction for their lives. That direction of their hearts had taken them from one challenge to the next. But with each challenge they chose to ascend and not set up a camp, or turn around and retreat. It’s interesting that often the Bible talks about the Mountain of the Lord. Isaiah 2:2-3 states: It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be [firmly] established as the highest of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it. 3 And many people shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. It’s the ascent up to and into His Presence that teaches us, molds and weaves us into the tapestry of the Master Weaver, and Master Potter. We are shaped by our circumstances becoming things of beauty that glorify Him – as long as we submit to the process of weaving, and molding. Throughout Colorado you will see dead pines as far as the eye can see in many places. These pines are the victims of the pine beetle. Forest management enforces the policy of leaving these dead trees standing. Unfortunately for those living in or near the foothills and mountains these free standing pines can become kindling for fires you cannot even imagine. Fortunately, others have been permitted to cut the trees down, processing them at sawmills throughout the region. From the milled wood many a carpenter has fashioned them into beautiful, and unique pieces of furniture that can’t be found any where else. Every piece of wood has a unique color, hue, and grain pattern. From tragedy comes beauty, or unimaginable destruction. The outcome is determined by the choices we make through the process.

Milk and Meat of God’s Promised Land

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Judges 1:1-3 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.3 And Judah [the tribe] said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my allotted territory, so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your territory. So Simeon went with him.

There are several ways to interpret the writings found in the Bible. Some are literal, like commands, instructions, and teachings. Others are inferred, like following the examples set before you. Still others are historically, and literally true, yet there is an allegorical, or symbolic meaning behind their narrative. For example when you read the parables of Jesus, or the Book of Revelation, most are not to be read literally, but symbolically. Participants in the New Covenant, primarily get their spiritual “milk” (a metaphor for the Word of God) from the New Testament. We can read and ascertain clearly what we are to do and not do. (which explains why most New Testament readers scratch their heads in confusion when they read the Parables of Jesus or the Book of Revelation). Unfortunately, or fortunately, when it comes to reading the Old Testament you will need to come prepared to read most of it allegorically, or symbolically (although it is literally, and historically true). You will need to see the message behind the message.

The passage in Judges 1:1-3 is just such an example. You can read it literally, and historically but it doesn’t make for much of an in-depth Bible study. As a pastor-teacher I could make the obvious point (which we all know and need to be reminded of) that when it comes to conquering our enemies we can’t do it alone. We need to call on others to help us achieve our goals. Which is a nice devotional thought – what the Apostle Peter, Paul, and the writer of Hebrews would call spiritual milk. But if you want some spiritual meat added to the meal you would need to ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. He would reveal the message behind the message. You could begin with the Hebraic meanings of the words for the two tribes that partnered together: Judah, and Simeon. Judah means to praise, or give thanks, which is a form of worship (serving or ministering to the Lord). Simeon, on the other hand, means he who hears or a man of listening; or one who hears and accepts what is heard. Now, what’s the application? When I, or the church, partners in praise, thanksgiving, and worship (serving and ministering to the Lord) – with hearing and listening (to God) – accepting what has been heard – I, or the church, can defeat enemies. Not only can you defeat your enemies you are empowered to possess the manifestation of His Promised Inheritance. The real challenge comes when you ask, Is He calling you to partner with another – to see the manifestation of His Inherited Promises – in your life and theirs? Another thought, even more challenging, would be to ask, Do you want me to lay down the promises You’ve specifically given; the inheritance you have prophesied was mine; the dreams, and prophetic words You have given – so another can inherit theirs? Now, all of that taken together has enough milk, to wash down the meat at the table He has prepared for those who are spiritually hungry. But that table has only been prepared for those who have made the Lord their Shepherd.