Hamstring your horses!

Joshua 11:6 reads,

“The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”

When King of Hazor heard about the continuous victory of Israelites, he joined forces with at least more than 11 kings surrounding the entire nation, to attack Joshua’s army. Bible says it was ” a huge army, as numorous as the sand on the seashore” (v4)

This is the question. Why did God asked him to destroy the horses and chariots after the victory? Horses and chariots could have been the great asset to the Israel army for the further battles, especially there are so huge number of them. And I wouldn’t believe desert-wondering-nation of Israel had such weapons and horses to carry around.

Here’s the answer. God was interested and concerned in something far more important than horses -spiritual condition of Israel. Healthy horses and powerful weapons could be an impediment to their trust in God. And once they begin to trust in their own power and weapons rather than in the Lord, all is lost.

God is the one who gives everything and takes away everything. Then why should we concern that we might miss out God’s will while we trust God and obey God’s given authority over us? Although at times leaders may have really made a mistake in giving certain advice, God will not allow anything to disturb his good, perfect and pleasing will.

In ALL things God works together with those who love him to bring about what is good (Rom 8:28 )

As for me I am determined to obey my leaders and shepherd regardless. So I will not be under his judgement. Also I will trust in the Lord and not in any other things that might replace my trust from God -Finance, secure Job,  my own capability, Parents, Wealth whatever.

Just how challenging is it not to take matters into our own hands? Especially when God seems to take forever and a day. So let us have this attitude in us;

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon YOU.”

2 Chron 20:12

Self examine

After watched the movie ‘Dark Knight’, I could hardly sleep.  (some spoiler)

Now Batman has been supporting and protecting “Dent” who were the hope and justice for the Gotham city. At first Batman looked like he is sacrificingly acting on behalf of the good citizens of Gotham. But, his real motivation has been put to the test when the batman had to choose to save either Dent (the righteousness and hope of the Gotham city) or Rachel (the personal desire and preference).

Without a micro-second of hesitantation, He sprung out to save Rachel. And here, he made a mistake. When Batman reached to where Rachel was supposed to be, there was Dent instead. So Rachel died.

Here is the thing. Batman’s real motivation of supporting Dent was, so that the city doesn’t need Batman anymore, and he might get marry with Rachel. This is the ’shadow mission’, the hidden motivation of doing something. The hope of being with Rachel has been a strong motivation for Batman to do what he has done. Even when he acted on behalf of the weak and the poor, there was the desire to compensate his feeling of inadequacy that he could not do anything when his parents were attacked. So on purpose of ‘punishing the evil’, he himself violates all kinds of rules and regulations of the Gotham city. Was he really a selfless “Hero” who acts on behalf of the city? I doubt it.

We need to examine ourselves dead straight. Is there any shadow mission in we doing the things that we do? Do I want to be a leader because of the taste of authority and position? Do I want to serve God so that I might get a recognition from others? Do I shepherd my sheep so that they might admire and praise me? Do I offer to help others so that I might get the sense of self worth? Do I want to reveal my success so that I may be looking good and worthwhile? Do I subtly empathize that is ‘my good idea’ so that I might get a credit with a little tag ‘Praise God’ attached to it?

Word of God is living and active.

Sharper than double-edged sword.

It penestrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;

it judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.

Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him..

Heb 4:12-13

To go far as a servant of God requires strict standard of self examination. And when God’s kingdom and hidden motivation crashes, there our real motivation laid bare and naked before the eys of him. And we will have to answer to set of questions God would ask.  Let our heart fear the Lord who examines the very motivations of hearts.

Search me, O Lord, and know my heart.

Test me and know my anxious thoughts;

see if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

-King David

A line jumped out of the page

“Courageous leaders are those who would rather challenge what needs to change and pay the price than remain silent and slowly die inside.”

-Andy Stanley.

Romantic parents

This time when I visited my parents in South Korea, I was surprised at how romantic my parents are. Sure, they are in their mid 50s, but this how they celebrate their christmas!!

and don’t forget the romantic jazz music on the background. Oh babe~

In close up, you can see the praying Jesus picture frame on the firplace. They didn’t forget whose birthday it is.

These are actually handmade decorations by mom. This genuine sheep skin is made in Australia.

The first night after we arrived at home, we had a family worship service unto the Lord. I took this right after the service. This faith was the bond that tied the family strong together in many crisis.

I can say confidently, i just want to live like how my parents lives. Of course they have been in tune with each other for past 30 years, but now, they are even more made-for-each-other couple. When they go out walking about with holding hands, all the neighbors look at them with such envious eyes. (especially all the wives) They can laugh at nothing (something I don’t even find it funny) and can talk and listening to each other for hours! God bless them! @.@

But it look so good. I know they had real difficult times where even the marriage was at risk. But God kept them strong and faithful unto the Lord. And even their childrens (three of us all) were so blessed and protected by the very hand of the Lord.

This is what you should look for in your future partner. Not the infatuation, feelings that will go away, the killer look that will fade away indeed very soon, but the unshakable faith unto the Lord, it will keep everything together tight. And everything will get better and better each year goes by.

Every morning they do their own quiet time, and pray in calling each children’s name one by one. With the power of their prayer, I live another day of joy and safety.

Wanted

This is where all things fall into the place for Daniels. (apple, gerald, and gin is not in the picture..)

These are the bunch I admire. Because there must have been many times that they wanted to throw the towel, but they didn’t. At times they had to bear with the uncertainty of the future, criticism of the people they try to protect, investing their prime time and energy to serve God’s people, and many times have to deny their own desires and carry the cross of calling as leaders in the house of God. Trust me. There are times they fast just to hear from God the next direction to turn. There are times just have to take the responsibility even non of them might be their fault. There are times you just see the bottom of yourself and be speechless in the midst of sole frustration. But these are the people who speak of hope. The ray of light.

Also these are the people Satan hates the most. He knows without the shepherd the sheep will scatter. When our leaders stand firm and strong, we all can rest under the unbrella of the protection. So please pray for them as you their lovely smily faces. Because in times of storm we would be grateful that our unbrella does not flip backwards and fly away.

8th year I have been serving in Hope movement together with wonderful people. I would not exchange this period with anything else I might have missed out during this time. What a privilage person am I to be called to serve the living God, and given the grace to taste the fruit as well, (many people do not see the fruit of their labor yet work wholeheartedly! ) and the rich fellowship in Christ that is a very special kind. I testify that this is the way to live a life and life to the fullnest. Here and now they change the history through who they are and what they do.

Whenever my sinful heart is storing up grumbles and complaints, I will remind myself of the saying,

You can’t ask the Lord “WHY ME?” in times of trouble, if you don’t ask the Lord “WHY ME?” in times of blessing.

..In deep sea where salmons swim around, two young prawns fell in love. After they married, their love bear the fruit of two potatoes, and they lived happily ever after..in our stomach. Yummy!!!