The Big Day...

Today was a significant day in my walk with Jesus.  It was a fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken to me seven years ago:  "You will preach, and you will be sent."  I believed in seven years I would see the word of God fulfilled.  Never could I have imagined in 2002 that God would have moved me out of the trade that I loved, into a full-time position working at a church, and later leave that position to pursue the call of God to march forth to the east side of Australia.  As I stood before the congregation at Calvary Chapel Melbourne, it struck me that God has done a marvelous thing.  He truly does all things well.

If you follow the blog you know a little of my testimony.  I never aspired to be a preacher, and never planned on serving in the Body of Christ in a pastoral role.  Yet the call of God to preach was clear, as clear as His call to minister in Australia would later be.  Australia is certainly new territory for me, but the same LORD has never left or forsaken me.  I have never requested to preach at any point, yet God by His grace has provided opportunities across the world!  It's too great a thing for my mind to fully grasp.

This morning I preached on Jephthah, and tonight we had a Bible study on Barak.  Between the two at this point, I find more in common with Barak, a man listed with notable people of faith in Hebrews 11.  Barak is not introduced to us in Judges 4 as a mighty man of valor, a warrior, general, rugged outdoors-man, or administrator.  But Deborah the prophetess of God called him, told him to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun, and muster on Mt. Tabor to fight Sisera God had delivered he and Jabin's army into the hand of Israel.  Barak was hesitant at first, not willing to go through with the plan unless Deborah the prophetess accompanied him.  After he was assured of her support, he was obedient to the end.  Barak demonstrated his faith in God when he came when called, obeyed God's commands, offered himself willingly, and praised God for His great victory.

I believe there is a little of the reluctant side of Barak the son of Abinoam in all of us.  We respond when Christ calls us, but we stop short of obedience unless the conditions we dictate are met.  Like a spoiled child we rebel against the command because we want to go our own way.  Though God has delivered us from sin and death and granted us life, we act like He owes us something.  But a slave cannot dictate his form of slavery.  He has no authority over the command of his master.  God in His grace is exceedingly patient in His training of us to follow Him.  Like the Good Shepherd He is, He does not drive the sheep but leads them.

I thank God for the opportunity to preach today and pray that His Holy Spirit will quicken our hearts to receive of His truth and wisdom.  I have not come to Australia because I have a gift to share with the world, or I possess a rare gift or talent:  I have been sent here to glorify Jesus Christ and lift Him up that He might draw all people to Himself.  It has basically nothing to do with me, save I am a vessel in His hand.  It has all to do with the refinement process of teaching me to rely upon God, opening my mouth as He leads.  I was very reluctant to preach the message this morning because it is not an easy passage.  But God be praised, who enabled me to preach Christ crucified and point to Him from a passage that seems to divide more than unify.  Only our God can do that!

In my opinion, I could use more of the faith Barak showed by his obedience to God and willingness to offer himself willingly to God.  As the last stanza of Deborah and Barak's song of victory says in Judges 5:31:  "Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord!  But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength."  As Jael pierced Sisera's temple through with a tent peg and hammer, may God skewer dead our unbelief!  Too long have we been oppressed by the iron chariots of fear, uncertainty, and the lies of Satan.  It is time that God's people stand in obedience with the faith of Barak, who came when called, obeyed the command of the LORD, and willingly offered himself.  With man this is impossible:  but with God all things are possible for those who believe.

I am in awe of my heavenly Father, who has brought me into green pastures far out of the range of my nearsighted  vision of even a year ago.  As a sheep I cannot discern the blades of grass at my feet except the Good Shepherd direct my gaze.  Sometimes I believe the LORD is generous and gracious to call us sheep, for few sheep are as stubborn and feeble-minded as mankind is spiritually.  May God grant us the grace and faith to trust Him that we might bring honor to His holy name.  In Australia and in all the earth, may the nations laud and praise the One who is worthy of all worship and honor.  May we shine for Jesus as the sun shines in full strength!