“²⁵And he cried to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, ²⁶saying, ‘If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.’” – Exodus 15:25-26 (ESV)

It is important to do what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I see here in these verses the statute or commitment God made with the people of Israel. In this situation, the people were without good drinking water and as had been shown just before at the Red Sea, God delivered His people from the difficult, seemingly impossible situation.

God wants only the best for His people, us. He will make sure that we are taken care of as we make our way along the road He has for us. He has made a covenant to save us and will keep it. We have a part in the covenant as well as these things are not a one way street. My role is to trust Him and do what is right by Him. I have the duty to follow the lead of God in my life so as to do His work in this world. When I hold my end of the covenant, He holds His end and all is in concert for His work to be done and me to receive my protection.

I have to remember that He will protect me from the evil one in this world. And that is the commitment from God. He will deliver me, ultimately, from the persecution of the evil one, however I may have to deal with adversity none the less. When I compare the now to the Isaelites, I am reminded that they were delivered many years and generations later and that those times were not without their struggles and adversity. God however kept His promise and covenant. Those that kept their eyes on the Lord were protected from the evil one and rewarded with entrance into the promised land.

I have to be careful with my expectations of reward and not get tunnel vision and carried away by what my reward is or will be. The reward is not the reason for doing God’s work. Glorifying God is the reason for the work, but there is a byproduct that is pretty fantastic and that is heaven. In doing the work of the Lord, it is most important that I remember to do the work for Him and His glory with the known is that He will protect me from the evil one. That protection is different for each of us, and may not be exactly what we expect, but He will protect us so that we are able to complete the work He has for us.

What kind of difficulty have you experienced? Are you seeking some reward for enduring? What if we were to do the work of God, knowing that He has promised to protect us, what could we accomplish for Him with that mindset?

I struggle daily with a lack of acknowledgment for the work that I do. I seems to me that I continue to pour myself into the work I am tasked with accomplishing in the world and all I get is more of the work. That in and of itself is not the thing that I struggle with, it is the total lack of being acknowledged for doing the work. I am ignored and treated as though I am just a minion doing the work for others and when it all shakes out, the others are thanked and applauded for the work being done.

“⁶But he gives more grace. There it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ ¹⁰Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” – James 4:6 & 10 (ESV)

These verses are why I study God’s word. In my time of down feelings based on the lack of acknowledgment, I am lifted up by the fact that my acknowledgment here in this world is of no consequence to my eternal life with God. I am rewarded in heaven for doing the work of God here in this world. I must compare myself to the completion of the work for God and not to the work of man. I have to look past this world and into my life with Christ.

Being a man is the struggle. I have a predisposition to be concerned with what is going on now. I am an emotional creature and my emotions are torn down each day as the work I do seems to go unnoticed. I have to remember that being unnoticed here in this world is not the goal. It is being noticed by God that matters. I have to concern myself with bring glory to Him as opposed to bringing glory to myself. This is the humbling of myself before God, James mentions in verse 10 above. It is not about me but about thee.

I studied and wrote that God will humble me when I get too far out of alignment with Him just as He did with Nebuchadnezzar. The choice is mine. Either humble myself or be humbled by God. As I recall, all of those that were humbled by God experienced considerable hardship. Those that humbled themselves still experienced difficult times, however they were more manageable comparably to those that were humbled by God.

As I wrap us this morning, I have to remember that grace will be given, and I will be exalted when I am humble before the Lord. It is not this world where I should be seeking acknowledgment, but in the eyes of God. This world only cares about itself and for those that are caring of others, our reward is achieved in heaven with God.

What rewards are you seeking in this world? Are you solely thinking about the acknowledgment or lack of from this world? What if we solely focused our attention to the glorification of God and left ourselves out of it, how then would things be different?

I watch as all go through this world and in watching I see the powerful, the weak, the complicit, the emboldened, the timid. Each of them are carrying on through this world with their own approach and certainly with their own expectations of the final outcome.

“³⁷Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:36-37 (ESV)

Nebuchadnezzar had virtually everything, a kingdom, riches, and power, and as you can see in the above verse there is the implication of pride. All at once, it was taken away, and he was driven to having nothing. That is nothing in the eyes of man and in the name of pride. He had his life and the necessities of life as God saw for him.

I have found that even as a follower of Christ, I have drifted from Him and allowed my ego to get in the way of moving forward for His glory. I think of myself and of how I am going to get or keep what I “deserve”. I am overcome with a sense of pride in my accomplishments and what I see as a “need” to be rewarded for those accomplishments. I fall into the pride that is contrary to the example Jesus gave me to live by. I drift away from God even if for just a short period until He provided the humbling experience to bring me back.

I do not consider myself a powerful or emboldened person, yet I still drift away, and God brings me back to him with some humbling experience. I may not be cast into the wilderness or lose everything in similarity to Nebuchadnezzar, but I am brought back through some humbling experience that drives to remove my pride and again restore me to taking on actions that are glorifying to God.

Each day, what actions are you performing that are contrary to those that glorify God? Are you focused on your own glory instead of the glory of God? What if you were to realize that even you, regardless of your person, should be thinking less of yourself and more of God?

“⁸Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, ⁹yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— ¹⁰I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.” – Philemon 1:8-10 (ESV)

The book of Philemon, Paul’s letter to him, “is about reconciliation and relationships between Chistians” as noted in the introduction of my ESV Bible. And these verses are indeed a big part of that reconciliation. Paul is leading in a very big way as the example of our approach when faced with difficulty and conflict.

What I see here is the different approaches to getting something accomplished. There is the way identified in verse 8 as a “command” from someone of authority, or there is the way identified in verse 9 as an “appeal” from someone in a similar position.

I see the first too often in my work, in the world, and frankly in just about any situation where something is “needing” to get done. The “leader”, and I use that term loosely, hears of or knows of something that should be accomplished and takes the chance to demonstrate power by telling others to get it done. In so doing, the result is that it may come about, but the result is not sustaining and the relationship between the two, leader and others, is not sustained or built in any way. What you have is a machine, the others, carrying out the programming of the operator, the leader, and nothing more.

The second is a much more effective way of getting things accomplished. There is the appeal or ask from the leader. That which needs to be done is something that may or may not be done by the leader and therefore the leader is asking for help. Not from a position of authority, but from the position of equality. This appeal is out of love and not of power.

Now when you only take in verse 8, it seems as though Paul is telling Philemon to take Onesimus back with open arms. When in fact as you continue to read the entirety of the sentence, he is asking as a fellow Christian, and not forcing anything on Philemon at all.

I see this opportunity as a learning of the importance to our approach as leaders for Christ and brothers and sisters as Christians. I have to be bold enough to not shy away from the conflict or difficulty. I have to come forward when something is needing to be done for the glory of God. But, I have to have the love to appeal and not command. I should be asking for help as opposed to demanding compliance. I have to be bold in my approach and loving in my appeal, as the example Paul gives here, and the example Jesus gives through His life.

What is your approach to leadership as a Christian? Are you one that stands and tells others to take up a particular action? What if you were to approach the need boldly and appeal for help lovingly instead?

“¹⁵Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. ¹⁶But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.” – 2 Corinthians 3:15-16 (ESV)

Paul is referring here to the old and new covenants. With the old covenant there was a fear of God that did not allow for the commune with Him personally and as such, we and He were hidden from one another with a veil. In the temple, there were different rooms that separated God from everyone aside from a select few priests. This was the way of the time and the people embraced it as it was.

Now with the new covenant the veil was torn and we are given direct access to God so that we may commune with Him personally. We no longer are separated by a veil and as such are able to establish and have an individual, ongoing relationship with Him. With the new covenant came a transformation that allows us to see God for ourselves.

Now this transformation by God’s glory, does more than give us the personal access to him that we all crave. It also allows us the opportunity to stand with Him. And not only stand with Him, but stand boldly with Him.

“¹²Since we have such hope, we are very bold,” – 2 Corinthians 3:12 (ESV)

When you think of your relationship with God, what are your thoughts around your transformation? Are you the same as you were before? What if you were to know and embrace your transformation and stand boldly with God?

Ever notice how the cheap shot artist always seems to never be found when all quiets down? Ever wonder how it is that no one ever seems to hold them accountable to their actions because no one can find them.

“¹The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” – Proverbs 28:1 (ESV)

I was reading this morning and was brought to this verse as I study the word “bold”. I was drawn to the idea of the pseudo bully that comes in, gives a quick pop or snarky comment and then simply disappears. Later they can be found boasting of their “strong” actions and how they are such the “cool” one for doing so and that all should be following their lead. These are the ones that can be found lounging around waiting for things to calm down so that they can come out of hiding and continue to be the “cool” one around town. Meanwhile the one that was on the receiving end of the comments or actions stood there to take it and be ridiculed by the onlookers that approved of them at the time.

Who is the one to be revered? Society seems to think that the one popping in as they were the bold one to “take action”. Accordingly we find ourselves in the position of allowing the bully to get away with whatever they want. The real truth is that the one to be revered should be the one to stand boldly and take it. Those that hear the comments and experience the actions and stand their ground to face the situation head on.

The thing is that society sees the inaction and the fact that retaliation in the face of cowardice as a weakness. Those on the receiving end did not fight back and therefore they must be weak and feeble. The reality is that there is a great boldness in the standing still. By not attacking back, the one running away is running scared as they are not willing to face the situation. By standing bold, the strength of confidence is manifest for all to see. As time continues, the bold will not be attacked for much longer. The bully stops coming around when they realize there is nothing to be gained by someone simply ignoring their feeble attempts to antagonize.

It is my job as a follower of Christ to stand bold as the lion and know that at some point, the wicked will come to antagonize. Just as quickly will they back down when they realize that I/we will not be drawn into the conflict. We will not back down either. We will stand for Christ and know that He wins in the end.

When you find yourself in a difficulty situation, what are the actions you take? Are the one getting in the pop shot and then running to hide? What if you stand boldly in the name of Christ and know that He wins in the end?

I have to remember that just because I know what is right and under the law, that does not give the freedom to speak of it and then do that which is contrary. I am the one that should be even more conscious of my actions and that I am seen and known as one that is living according to the law and should be the positive example for those around me.

“¹⁵They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them ¹⁶on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 2:15-16 (ESV)

Now as I add the above verse, I have to remember that Paul is referring to the Gentiles that do not know the law, they are only living by it as they do what is right in the eyes of God and are rewarded by God for doing so. As a follower of Christ, since I know the law of God, it is up to me to not only outwardly profess, but also to live according to His law for all to see.

“¹⁷But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God ¹⁸and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; ¹⁹and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— ²¹you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?” – Romans 2:17-21 (ESV)

I have to be careful not to fall into the trap as noted by Paul above. I have to be fully true to God and His law as I am out in the world as His example to the world. Just the last question in the verses above is very telling. Am I talking about integrity and holding others to a standard and then turning right around and taking something from the office that is really not mine (pens, paper, equipment, time, etc…). I have to be true to the law of God in not just my words but in my actions.

To bear witness is to be true. I do not have to consciously know all that there is to know, I only have to be true to what I know, and do not know, from and in the eyes of God. I am His witness and should be talking and acting according to His law.

When you are out there, what is your understanding of the law of God? Are you even fully aware of His law? What if we just worked to do right by the law of God and allowed that to guide all of our words and actions as a witness for Him?

I am important to the spreading of the gospel. I am here in this world for a purpose. I have to remember that. I also have to remember that I am but here for a little while. My time here is temporary and therefore so is my witness.

“³⁵He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.” – John 5:35 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking here and declaring that John the Baptist was a lamp in the darkness and as such was a witness for all to see. He provided the immediate shining for to refer to and follow.

“⁸He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.” – John 1:8 (ESV)

John may have shown to refer to in the moment, he was not Jesus. He was only to bring Jesus to the forefront and lit Him up. As John, we are here as a lamp, or temporary shining to bring attention to all that is Jesus as Savior. I have been placed where I am as an important part of the spreading of the gospel. I am to bring Jesus to those that I come in contact and ensure that His light outshines mine in the process. I have the task of simply leading others to His light and then I will go and bring more.

What do you think about your shining as a witness for Christ? Are you disappointed when your lamp is overshadowed by the light of Christ? What if we understood that whereas our shining is important to the spreading of the gospel, but it is also temporary?

My witness seems to not always be working and I find myself in essence “banging my head against a wall”. I have found myself giving and giving and giving, serving and serving and serving, doing what appears to be more than what my role requires of me and yet, I am seeing very little if anything in return.

I have to remember that Jesus does not promise riches in this world. He provides for our reward in heaven. It is up to me to continue my witness here in this world without the concern for the return. I have to give all of myself for God.

“²¹Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’” – Matthew 19:21 (ESV)

I have to be willing to and take the action of giving everything away and work with content and serve and do whatever it takes to be the witness for God that I am to be. It is up to me to follow Him with all I am and all I have and all I will be. I have to give my heart and not just my head. I have to be there at all times, knowing that the world does not owe me anything. I have to do and know that God provides for my needs and this world is of no consequence save for the land where I have been tasked with carrying out God’s work. For my to be the witness I am to be, I have to do from my heart.

What is your take on being a witness for God? Are you finding yourself wondering where your reward is coming from? What if we simply gave and served with everything and all of ourselves as a witness for God?

I am sure that most of us know those that are not exactly trustworthy. They may talk a good game, but when it comes down to it, they are only speaking and there is a lack of action or the actions are contrary to their words. I encounter these people each and every day.

“²⁵A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.” – Proverbs 14:25 (ESV)

This verse seems to be too simple and frankly a bit obvious. But, when you really consider all that is really there, it is something that makes a lot of sense and is definitely something that all of us should heed. When I encounter those that talk a good game, I encounter those that are not in it for anyone but themselves. Their actions are not the actions of someone that will work to save anyone other than themselves. I would not count on them to come to my rescue in a dire situation. When things go sideways, they are the first, in my mind, to run for the hills and save themselves.

The opposite is true about the truthful witness. Those that do as they say are those that I would not have to look for in a time of crisis. Those will be there putting their lives in jeopardy for the good of others. They will be there rescuing those in need. They are there to help.

To be one of those, I have to remember to say what I mean and do what I say. There is no room for deceit. There is no time to think of myself. I must be a servant. I must be one who is always there to help.

I find it so exhilarating when I am asked by others for help, even when I have to seen or interacted with them in some time. In those times, I get the sense that the reason I am being asked is that I have demonstrated the willingness to help and have come through at some point for them. I have been truthful and there for am trusted to be so again. I have been asked to rescue someone in need.

When you are out there, what person are you? Are you the one that others look to for help or the one that talks a good game but when things get heated, are no where to be found? What if we just acted with truth and to rescue others without thought of ourselves?