Challenged To The Core - Del Brixey

When trouble comes we are often tempted to adopt a “circle the wagons” mentality to protect ourselves and our family. But is that what real warriors do? Sure there is a time and place for defense, but do we really want to live our life in constant fear of our spiritual enemies? Why not find “enough arrows” to support a powerful offense? A friend of mine used to say that “with God on our side we could storm the gates of hell with a squirt gun!” I like that analogy because our God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20). I believe that when we become serious about growing in our faith, strengthening our marriages or overcoming any area of weakness, God will provide “enough arrows” to resist all of our “fears”.

Find...
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8

Jesus gives us a very good reason for our lack of “arrows” in this passage; He said that we don’t have what we need because we don’t ask God. Does that mean we can have anything we want? Not exactly, but we can ask for anything that we believe we need. The answers to our prayers are dependent on what God believes is best for us. You wouldn’t give your child a gift that they were not mature enough to use wisely would you? This earthly principle is just a reflection of how God operates, except that God has the ability to fulfill any request that we bring Him. Our prayer life will become more exciting and fulfilling when we desire and ask God for what He would want to have happen in our life. God’s timing might be different than ours, but we will see a drastic increase in the number of positive answers to our requests when we seek after God’s heart.

Enough…
“Then the Lord said to Moses, "I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.” Exodus 16:4

Just how much is enough? When the Israelites needed food God gave them just enough manna from heaven for that day. If they gathered more than what their specific portion requirements were, it would spoil regardless of the amount. When we ask for God’s help in any situation we need to be specific. We need to ask for “enough” to meet our needs. If we are not sure what that amount is, then we might want to examine our situation a little more closely so God knows that we are serious. If we are asking for too little God knows that we don’t really understand the gravity of the circumstances. If we are asking for too much God knows that we are being selfish. Before you start throwing rocks at me consider how asking for “enough” is more in line with what a wise manager would do with the resources entrusted to them.

Arrows…
“They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning. But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down. He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn. All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.” Psalm 64:6-9

What are arrows anyway? Arrows are assistance from God to overcome whatever struggle we are facing. Arrows meet the need of the moment; they are not always the same. An arrow to overcome our pride or an uncontrollable tongue would be different from an arrow needed to help combat an injustice or an arrow of wisdom for making wise financial decisions. Arrows are not toys; instead they are weapons with the ability to strike distant targets with great accuracy. When God hits His target people pay attention. Remember the hard hearted Pharaoh who didn’t want to let God’s people leave Egypt? It took a few miraculous events or “arrows”, but finally he relented just long enough for Moses to lead everyone to safety as God parted the Red Sea. Now that’s some fine shooting!

Resist…
“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13

Resistance, deliverance or victory; it’s all the same. When we “find enough arrows” from God we have everything we need to face our “fears”. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to paint a picture of God running around hiding arrows for us to find when we need them. God is watching over us just waiting for us to ask for His help. He has delivered “arrows” (aid, assistance, comfort, etc…) twenty four hours a day, seven days a week since the beginning of creation. All we have to do is ask. This passage is written proof that in “whatever” situations we find ourselves, God has already “provided a way out”. The choice is left to us; are we willing to ask for directions or do we just want to complain?

Take some time this week to “check your pulse” and consider what area of your life could use an “arrow” or two. Maybe a well placed arrow could free up some time to build a stronger relationship with your wife or children. Perhaps you have a few friends who could use some encouragement, even if it’s just an email. Who knows, you may “find enough arrows” to completely change your life, but you’ll never know if you don’t take the time to hit your knees and look.