The Great Struggle Within

The other morning upon waking, I found my heart musing on the story of Rebecca in Genesis 25.  After being barren for about 20 years she had finally conceived, but "the children struggled together within her."  This was not a normal kind of movement because the Hebrew word brings out the meaning of "to crack in pieces, to crush, bruise, oppress."  And in fact, the mother asked, "If all is well, why am I like this?"...and she went to the LORD.   HE spoke to her, to say, "Two nations...two  peoples shall be separated from your body, one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."

As Esau, the first one grew, he was stronger; and because he loved hunting his red meat he was later called Edom (red).  Jacob, the younger one spent his time more 'in the house' as his mother's favorite. Likely she pondered the prophecy given by the Lord.  In those days, the firstborn was to get a double portion of blessing BUT one day when Esau was pressed with hunger he gave up his birthright for a good meal!  "I am about to die, so what is this birthright to me?" (was he REALLY dying?? Not likely, but discomfort tempted him to sell out.)
Jacob obviously schemed to get what the Lord had already said would happen, and of course this did not go over well with Esau who lost the birthright completely.  "So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and 'he' said in his heart..."I will kill my brother." 

If we now fast forward to Galations 5:17 "For the flesh lusts (passionately, fiercely over) against the Spirit and Spirit against the flesh..."  We can see that the two brothers are a picture of this struggle.   The flesh can never repent, even though it may talk as if it wants God; and therefore it MUST be ruled over by the Spirit!

Remember that God said in Romans 9:13 "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."  If we can look past our natural thinking we can understand that God loves the Spirit, but cannot tolerate the flesh.  And so must we!!

Hebrews 12 is a chapter on God's discipline.  Don't despise His chastening...don't be discouraged when rebuked by Him...whom He loves He chastens.  Be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live!  Even when it is so very painful, chastening yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness "to those who have been trained (exercised) by it."   Pursue this peace so that what is lame may be healed.  That is truly the Lord's purpose in difficulties we pass through. 

And finally in this same chapter, He warns each of us " look carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble (vex/harass) and by this many become defiled (tainted, contaminated.)... like Esau who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." He was called a profane person...one who had contempt for God and for sacred matters.

This is a serious warning, but also such a necessary vision for us to see!  There are two peoples within each of us as well. The flesh which just wants its own way, and the spirit which desires God.   Dear reader, pray that you will clearly see this, and reject what God rejects by putting off that "old man" and putting on the new one in Christ.  We CAN do this! HE is living within us to accomplish it as we cooperate with HIM!

The Self Existent , Eternal One is my Shepherd

The Self Existent, Eternal One is my Shepherd

Last week while on a walk I thought to pray through Psalm 23, and what an abundance the Lord gave me while I did this verse by verse!

The Lord is!  Right now, HE is!  And HE is "my" Shepherd!  All the pronouns in this Psalm are in the first person...so very personal!  He is MY Shepherd (which makes me one of His sheep, so I shall not lack (the old word for this is 'want.')

"He makes me lie down in green pastures"...a place where it is comfortable, pleasant and plentiful in nourishment!  "He leads me beside the still waters"...waters where I can easily drink.  To be fed richly and to drink plentifully brings us to the next verse, "He restores my soul."  Oh how our mind, emotion, and will needs restoring!  We have inherited by birth, a soul that has been afflicted with sin, but when nourished with the Lord's Presence and His Words, our soul truly begins to be restored--transformed.

It goes on to say, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." And yes, He can lead us into wonderful places--uplifted places as He heals the way we think, feel, and choose...and in turn, His name is glorified!

Interesting that the next step appears to be testing: "Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil."  Our Shepherd knows we need these tests, but look how gentle and wise; in that they didn't come until we were somewhat restored.  Yes, they will 'feel' terrible perhaps.  IF we can only see that even these are under His control we will not panic! "YOU are (present tense again) with me;  His rod and His staff comfort me."   He NEVER leaves us to walk through these alone, but also gives us a sense of authority (even when being disciplined) with the rod; and supported/defended with His staff.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." He wants us to learn to feast on HIM, even though the enemies of our soul are still present. This is wonderful victory because- even before it looks like it- they are defeated foes!!

"You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over."  Priests and kings were both anointed by men of God in the Old Testament; and in the New Testament, I Peter 2:9 says that we believers are called a "royal priesthood.". This is our portion to foretaste right now! No wonder it says "my cup runs over." We have an anointing right now...every day!

The Psalms ends by saying, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Notice "all" the days...each and every day of MY life!...and to dwell is to 'sit down/remain/settle' in His house.   I love the sequence though these 6 verses.  No wonder it has been one to commit to memory for so many generations of people! Thank YOU wonderful LORD!

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