Facing Our Goliath
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.  Psalm 18:34-39
 
After a titillating message, there was a phrase that stayed with me throughout the day. It caused me to think seriously about the Goliaths in my life that need a swift smooth stone because I have allowed them to hinder me from moving forward in some areas. It was such an “aha” moment and I realized that I am bigger than any Goliath because it is the Lord who and gives me the strength and the power to go up against my enemy.
 
In the story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), David was sent by his father to check on his brothers and bring food. While he was there, he heard the giant Goliath spewing threats and David saw that the men were afraid and paralyzed with fear by him. I can imagine David looking around and saying what is wrong with you before he said to them, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of living God? If you’re too scared then I will fight Goliath.” Now, David was not even dressed for battle in the natural sense; he was dressed in his shepherd’s clothes, carrying his sling and a pouch that had five smooth stones. Even when offered, he didn’t want all of the armor that came with being on the battlefield; he wanted to use his weapon of choice, the one that he was comfortable with, the one that he was familiar with using. David had skills with that sling! I heard the preacher say, you have to use the weapon that works best for you to go after your Goliath (i,e., prayer, fasting, seeking God; Mark 9:28-29). And while Goliath was yelling, David simply said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel … and as Goliath moved in for the kill, David slung one stone ... 
 
Even though all of the men, including his brothers were afraid of Goliath, David faced him fearless and with confidence knowing the God he served would prevail. God wants us to move in that same vein when it comes to our Goliaths. He wants us free from worry, free from stress and free from the fears of this world. We have to keep our minds as David, knowing the God of our salvation is with us no matter what giants we are facing. Fear will cripple, paralyze and keep us from developing and not just in our spiritual walk but in our natural lives as well. Fear keeps us from moving forward. The scripture tells us that He did not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. We must stand firm and not be afraid and have the faith and trust that David possessed.  He knew that no man could come against the all powerful and mighty God. Simply, if God is for us, who or what can be against us. Absolutely, nothing can stand against His power. Look at Goliath, speaking loudly and spurting nonsense because of his size just to intimidate, frighten, and terrorize. However, look where that got him. Our Goliaths appear to be grand in size, while talking loudly and wreaking havoc whenever they can to incite fear in efforts to keep us immobilized. Like Saul and his army, scared to move forward and take on the enemy.
 
As I encourage you with this story, I encourage myself as well.  Let’s go full speed ahead and not run in the opposite direction or allow fear to keep us bound. Let’s begin to face our Goliaths (problems, circumstances, situations) with faith and trust in the God who said He would fight for us and with us!
 
Until the morning, be blessed!
Cynde
| |
God is Looking for a Few Good Men
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. Nehemiah 2:11-18
 
“We’re Looking for a Few Good Men” is the campaign slogan to get recruits to come in and join ranks with the Marines. And if that line doesn’t prompt you, they might get you with their infamous tag line, “The few and the proud, the Marines!”
 
The armed services, whether it be the Marines, Army, Navy, or Air Force are required to have intense training in order to become the men and women needed to be equipped for battle and made ready to become one force against the enemy. I am very impressed with the unity of the armed forces; the comradeship and the cohesiveness of these individual units; however, they are all one in their thinking, one in their motives, one in their strategy, and one in their mission. They embody the motto: once a soldier – always a soldier. And even though there are differences in administration, each soldier is working together with one purpose, one mind and on one accord. Naturally, as the people of God, we talk about how we are soldiers in the army of the Lord, Just like the natural soldier, there must be also a willingness to go into intense training to be equipped and made ready for battle. God is in need of some special forces to represent the front line because this is serious spiritual warfare. He is looking for people who are willing to work together, fully equipped to fight against the enemy (Eph 6:11-12).
 
In our passage, Nehemiah heard the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, dilapidated and the gates had burned with fire. It caused him to sit down and weep, and he mourned for days. Then he fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven on how to proceed for His people (Neh 1:4). Because of his concern for Jerusalem and its people, it was in his heart to take action. He took a few good men with him to assess the wall and when he realized what was needed he gathered the people together to let them know what he had observed. Because the wall was in such bad shape, broken down and burned, it was an open door for all kinds of things to creep into the city because there wasn’t any protection against the outside forces. With that being said, the people said let us rise up and rebuild the wall. The scripture said, and they strengthened their hands for this good work. Just like Nehemiah, God is looking for a few good men with that mindset; men and women who are willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work.
 
Nehemiah had the help of the people because they were willing to work together to get the job done. Although, they had to deal with the outside opposition, it wasn’t as devastating as the inside opposition among them. There will always be some form of hindrance but with determination and a mind to let nothing stop you , you can move forward in the purpose of God. The people of Jerusalem continued on in their work despite it all and the wall was completed in less than two months. Wouldn’t it be nice if we, as the people of God, the recruits of His army would do the same as the people of Jerusalem? Being as one; willing to work together with one purpose, one mind and be on one accord for one mission to save the city? We see the people of the world are badly in need of repair; there is moral decay and neglect and in a dilapidated state; they are hurting, broken, and in bondage and in need of hope. Are we willing to strengthen our hands to do the good work that God has called for us to do. Will we be that beacon of hope to a dying world? Isn’t that our mission as a soldier in this army?
 
I heard this song yesterday that reminded me of my childhood and was so befitting. “We are soldiers in the army, we have to fight, although we have to cry. We have to hold up the bloodstained banner, we have to hold it up until we die.”
 
God is just looking for a few good men ...
 
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
| |
Voice of Thanksgiving
Cynde Layne Wilkerson
To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. "When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Jonah 2:6-9
 
When I look back over my life and the events thereof, it’s not hard to see the Lord’s hand in all that has transpired. His love, His mercy and His grace has played an intricate part throughout. When I think about where I could have been or where I should have been, all I can do is thank Him for pulling me up and out of the muck and miry of what was my life. Especially, in those times when I did not go and do as He had commanded. Yet, He still kept me in spite of myself. I praise Him for who He is – not for what He can do for me and realizing that in everything, I must give thanks.
 
Such is the story of Jonah and the reason as to why he landed himself inside the belly of the great fish. The Lord had given Jonah specific directions; he wanted him to give a word of repentance to the people and what He wanted him to do. However, Jonah decided that he'll just go in the opposite direction and not do as instructed because he didn't think the people deserved the Lord's mercy. If you read in chapter 1 and 2, you'll see that it didn't go so well for Jonah and finds himself swallowed up in order to give him time to think about what he'd done. The Lord's loving hand of protection was with Jonah, as it is with us, showing His covering even when we are sometimes disobedient. It also shows how He preserves us for purpose and for His will to be done.
 
What a loving and merciful God we serve, unlike idols, man or Jonah, He is full of compassion, mercy and grace. He is concerned about our wellbeing. He is patient and shows longsuffering towards us when we don't deserve it. It does not matter what we think because we don’t know the reasons as to why God does what He wants for others, but we have to remember that we too were in a state at one time when the Lord pulled us out of whatever mess we were in. We should be voicing our thanksgiving as opposed to our unwillingness to share the wonderful things that the Lord has done for us. 

Like Jonah, there is a lesson in this story for us all. Jonah said "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord and my prayer came in unto thee." I would paraphrase by saying,  "when I was calm and I came to myself, I remembered the Lord is in control of all things, and I started to pray and the Lord heard me!" Jonah began to let God know just how thankful he was and vowed that he would continue in the way of thanksgiving.
 
Personally, I'm not interested in being cast out of my comfort zone and into the belly of circumstances because of my disobedience. I vow to keep a word of praise no matter what; whether I understand the what or why the Lord is asking me to do a thing and it doesn't matter whether I agree with it or not. I will be giving him thanks in all things, the good, the bad, and the indifferent. With all that the Lord does for us, we should have a continual voice of thanksgiving!
 
Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde
| |