Take Heart & Triumph
Take heart, for no matter the trial you face, Jesus has overcome the world.
“The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright…The Reubenites…had 44,760 men ready for military service…who were trained for battle. God delivered the Hagrites…because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him…the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile…They were brave warriors, famous men, and heads of their families. But they were unfaithful to the God of their ancestors and prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples” 1 Chronicles 5:1-25
What does it mean to have a birthright? This is not a term that we use much in our current culture. We live in a world of haves and have-nots, with great disparity between social classes. If you are born into poverty, does that mean you have any less of a birthright in the kingdom of God? The birthright we inherit is one of authority and identity.
As a child of the King, you are born with the ability to have access to all the resources of the kingdom. We are meant to move from an earthly mindset of scarcity of resources to a mindset of abundance. How will you use what you have been given?
Reuben lost his birthright by having an unfaithful heart and defiling what was his father’s. Imagine the regret he must have felt at having traded a short time of satisfying a fleshly desire for losing his inheritance. Sin separates, and Satan wants nothing more than for you to forfeit your full inheritance. Today is a reminder to be careful to guard your heart and stay on the faithful path.
The men had victory in the battle because they were prepared and they prayed. Some people approach life very casually. They do whatever they want and have no protection against the very things that can poison a heart or cause one to be unfaithful. Sin is very clever in how it slowly erodes one’s devotion to the King.
After the people had victory and experienced success, they did not guard their hearts. They allowed fame and fortune to affect their faithfulness to the God who delivered them from their enemies. Why? Why would they allow that to happen? Why would they forfeit their blessings? If we are not careful, we can allow sin, envy, offense, and the ways of the nations to corrupt our hearts too. Have you lowered your defenses? Is there anything you have allowed into your life that is not helping you draw closer to the King or walk faithfully with Him?
“Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalms 43:1-5
Although David lived a long time ago, he is a person who could understand the struggles we face each day. David endured many difficult days. He had enemies and was constantly under attack. People lied and tried to undermine his authority.
Pay attention to how David dealt with drama and difficulty. Like the soldiers who had victory in the previous chapter, David turned to God in the middle of the storm. Many people try different coping mechanisms to ease the pain and get through the pain or pressures of each day. David did not shortcut the process. He allowed the refining fire of the pressures of life to draw him closer to God. He prayed more, praised more, and pursued the path that could lead to more of God’s presence.
Is that your same approach? When others do something mean, offensive, untrue, or unkind, do you respond by seeking more time with God? David did not allow other people’s actions to cause him to undermine his kingdom identity as shepherd, poet, and king. How often do we let something or someone else blow up our day or forfeit our calling to be people full of the Holy Spirit who bring love to the world because of something that happened to us?
Jesus is calling us to be steadfast and faithful. He wants us to turn to Him in the storms of life and see that He has the power to lead us through anything we face. The battle belongs to God, not us. We do not have to fight back or be afraid. We are strongest when we are strengthened by our Savior. David was still able to keep his focus on the Father though others were unfaithful. Can we? Can we still be people who shine His light on the dark days?
“A man may have a hundred children and live many years; yet no matter how long he lives, if he cannot enjoy his prosperity and does not receive proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. Do not all go to the same place? Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied. Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Ecclesiastes 6:3-12
How would you describe the circumstances of your life? Are you blessed? Has God been good to you? Do you feel seen, known, and loved? The way you look at your life will impact how well you walk out your kingdom identity.
Solomon confronts a brutal reality that we live in a world of never-ending consumption. Our appetites are always wanting more and cause our minds to worry about whether we will have enough. What effect do our appetites have on our intimacy with the Almighty? Do our desires draw us closer, or do they leave us divided, afraid, and anxious?
Wisdom tells us that God is good, generous, and faithful. Jesus said why worry about food and clothing, for God knows what you need and will provide for you. Solomon said your heart can find freedom, and you will find satisfaction if you can learn to live with eyes that appreciate what you have instead of allowing your appetites for more to take over. We have a choice to make. Gratitude or gluttony. Craving or Christlike contentment. Appreciation or unsatisfied appetites. Which mindset will you choose today?
“Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done…as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! Then Jeremiah said…reform your ways and your actions and obey the Lord your God. Then the Lord will relent and not bring the disaster he has pronounced against you…Then the officials and all the people said…This man should not be sentenced to death! He has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God…Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death.” Jeremiah 26:8-24
If you find that you fall short, just know that God is already aware of your sin. There is no need to run or hide. God’s heart is full of grace. His desire is that people would turn to Him, not from Him. He wants to redeem and restore. He does not delight in bringing disaster, so He sent His Son, the Word, to save.
A real friend speaks both grace and truth. What kind of friend would Jeremiah have been if he had kept silent or approved of the evil the people had done? A real friend continues to love others during the times when they fail but does not falter in shining the light of truth to help guide the way home.
Notice that all it took was one man named Ahikam to stand for Jeremiah to save him from the people who wanted to harm him. Each of us can make a difference as we stand up for and with those who are going through hard times. The enemy, Satan, wants you to be so worried and hurried about what will happen to you that you forget about helping your friends and foreigners. God calls us to be the people who bring grace and truth when they need it most.
“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. All that belongs to the Father is mine. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father…Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:1-33
Look at the difference between Jesus and Reuben. Jesus was the faithful Son to the point of death on the cross who did not forfeit His authority or His inheritance. Reuben traded his birthright for a lustful affair. One chose authority; the other chased his appetites. Jesus knows our weaknesses. He knows our wants. He knows the world is full of temptations. He said it is better if I go because the truth, the Holy Spirit, can set us free from a life of sin.
Where do you need freedom from temptation? Where have you allowed fear or sin to creep in? Are you prepared for the daily battle and, like David, pursuing more of God’s presence? As you purify your life from past sins by abiding with Jesus, you make room for more of the Spirit of truth to rule your heart.
David gave us the process. He said pray, praise, and pursue God no matter the pressure you face or the problems in your life. Solomon said the truth is that God has been generous, but he questioned whether our appetites or identities will be what define us. Jeremiah was a real friend. He spoke truth and helped save the people who would hear.
Jesus said that it is better that I go and that you will have authority as you ask. Do you believe Jesus? Do we pray with expectation and authority? Who will you pray for today? What will you ask for in Jesus’ name? Will you walk with the authority He has given you?
You have a birthright and have been born again. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you. Jesus never once promised us an easy life. He promised us His presence, His power, and His peace. The battle belongs to God, and we get to be His hands and feet as we commit our lives to Him.
Our circumstances do not determine our identity, nor can they take away our authority. You are a child of God. You belong to the King. Hear His call to take heart today. He has overcome. No matter what or who you face, the love of Christ is stronger. We all will have times when we are in the middle, but we will never fight a single battle alone. Trust in God, and you will have victory.