What Does Your Desk Look Like?

2 Chronicles 20:1-30

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Chronicles+20%3A1-30&version=NIV;NLT

  

You can tell a lot about a person by their desk or work space or living area. For instance, my desk is almost always uncluttered and neat. Everything is in its place. You won’t find papers scattered all over my desk or a half-eaten sandwich stuffed in a drawer. Do you know why? Because it’s an attempt to control a small part of my world.

 

The story in 2 Chronicles 20 that surrounds verse 17 is about the struggle between trust and control. Early in the chapter, King Jehoshaphat learns that there is a “vast army from Edom” that is marching against them. His immediate reaction is to be terrified, but this leads him to “beg the Lord for guidance”.

 

The men of Judah begin praying. They plead for the Lord to rescue them based on the history of God’s work with Israel and on who God is – His promises, faithfulness, love and power. While praying, Jahaziel receives a word from the Lord. That word is “do not be afraid... for the Lord is with you”. Just trust Him.

 

It sounds easy, but it isn’t. Keep in mind, while the men of Judah are praying instead of preparing for battle, the mighty army from Edom is steadily marching towards them. Talk about trust and giving up control.

 

What the Lord said through Jahaziel was counterintuitive. There were no instructions to prepare for battle; no strategizing; no sharpening of swords. In fact, the only action to be taken was, “take your position; then stand still and watch. Watch the Lord’s victory”. Impossible for us as humans who need control.

 

We don’t like to trust others because it involves risk. And risk can result in failure, losing valuable resources, rejection or just plain looking bad. We prefer to keep control ourselves in an attempt to avoid the painful consequences of risk, and to gain power over our circumstances and people.

 

Our lives are like my desk. I try to control my life as much as I can so that everything has its place; everything is orderly. That way I know what to expect. Risk is minimized. But what about trusting the Lord? Where does that fit in with my orderly life? I frequently need to remind myself of Jahaziel’s word: “the Lord is with you” Joe.

 

What does your desk look like? Is it neat and orderly because you have control, or does God have control?

 

 

¹⁷ But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”     NLT

 

 

 

 

 

Superman

1 Timothy 6:11-21

 

 

“Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive!

Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!”

“Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

It’s Superman!”

 

These are the powerful words that I heard as a little boy every time Superman was on TV in the 50’s. Normally, he was mild mannered Clark Kent, a journalist. But when he put on his cape, he became a hero who went flying around Metropolis defeating the bad guys with super human powers. He was one man who changed the world around him. And I wanted to be like him.

 

In today’s passage Paul addresses Timothy as a man of God. Obviously Paul had great respect for him and believed that Timothy, like Superman, could change the world around him. He could do it, not because he had super human powers, but because God was with him and had called Timothy to Ephesus. Being called a man of God carried with it high expectations.

 

Listen to some of Paul’s challenging words to Timothy:

 

• But you, man of God, flee from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
• Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.
• I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame.
• Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth.
• Guard what has been entrusted to your care.

 

Clearly, being a man of God who is called to change the world is not an easy task. However, like Timothy, God has called us to guard what has been entrusted to us; to keep his commands without spot or blame; to flee sin and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness; to live a life that shares Christ’s love.

 

In so doing, we will be fighting evil in the world. We may not be Superman, but we can be a Man or Woman of God who can change the world around us. Not because we have super human powers, but because we know God will never leave us, is always faithful, has gifted us, loves us and has sent us to do His will.