by Chad Lewis on December 1, 2009
As I have been on an illness sabbatical, God has been teaching me tons and dealing gently with my heart. I’ve been blessed reflecting on the following prayer so I wanted to throw it on the blog for others to see and reflect upon.
A Soldier’s Prayer
I asked God for strength, that I might achieve,
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity, that I might do better better things…
I asked for riches, that I might be happy,
I was given poverty, that I might be wise…
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God…
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life,
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things…
I got nothing that I asked for– but everything that I had hoped for,
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all men, most richly blessed!
(Written by an anonymous soldier)
by Chad Lewis on July 1, 2008
In Jeremiah 17:5 and following, we get a look into the difference between a person who trusts in man and the person who trusts in God. The differences are like night and day.
In verses 5 and 6, we see that the person who trust in man and depends on flesh for his strength is cursed. This person is also described as having their heart turn away from the LORD. I believe this can allude to the person who trusts in other friends, themselves, governments, or anything other than God. Just like the Psalmist said, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7). People can trust in a variety of things, but none of these things give life and the foundation they offer is like shifting sand.
So what is this person like? The descriptions here are pretty drab and hopeless. A bush in the wasteland that does not see prosperity. This person’s thirsty soul is never quenched. This doesn’t sound like a place I want to visit though I have seen the affects of wandering scar my soul during some seasons of life.
The good news comes in verses 7 and 8. The opposite is true of the person who trusts in the LORD and puts their confidence in Him. What is true of this person? They are like a tree planted by water and this tree grows it’s roots deep down into the ground and finds water and life from a source unseen to the naked eye. These roots drink from a stream that never runs dry.
When heat comes, this person does not fear for he knows and ruthlessly trusts in the Lord. The most amazing thing is told to us next. In times of drought, this tree produces green leaves and does not dwell in worry during the dry spells. And by God’s grace and good pleasure, this person produces fruit for the world to see and wonder. As many see our good works and the fruit that pops out, they will praise our God who fills up empty and weak believers who trust in Him.
So what are you trusting in today? Your intelligence? Your ability to convince? Your future? Your spouse? Are you trusting in some future ministry to fill you or to validate your life? Are you trusting in ______________? You fill in the blank and get before the Lord and ask Him to reveal what you are trusting in other than Him. Repent, confess it to some fellow believers, and seek to trust in the Lord. It will always be a daily battle, but God will empower us to do what He calls us to do.
by Chad Lewis on June 23, 2008
So we are supposed to bloom where we are planted. We are supposed to be about growing up in maturity so that we won’t be spiritual babies. Even so, it is important to remember that we cannot grow ourselves. This is a work that only God can do. So you might ask, “If we can’t grow ourselves in righteousness, what are we supposed to do?” Well, I’m glad you asked.
The best example I’ve heard is from a book called the Green Letters by Miles Stanford. We all know that a plant cannot grow itself. But if you take a plant and place it in a closet with the lights off and cease to water it, that plant is going to go downhill fast. However, if you take a plant and put it in direct sunlight, water it regularly and even give it plant food, that plant has been put in a position to grow.
It is like that in the Christian life. When a Christian puts himself in the dark places and stops eating spiritual food and being around other believers, that Christian is not going to grow in righteousness. I picture someone who is glued to the TV all of the time and who stops being around God’s people (which has been me in the past). That person is not going to grow. But, the Christian who has deep spiritual friendships, seeks God through prayer and reading the Bible, attends a local gathering for corporate worship, and seeks to love God and others is a person who is putting himself in a place of fertile soil, sunlight, and much good spiritual food.
God will throw in times of darkness and trials, times of joy and victory, along with seasons of doubt and distress. God is using all of these things to grow us and let’s be thankful once again that Philippians 1:6 is true whether we feel like it is or not. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
