Month: March 2018

See The Goodness

“See The Goodness” By Kirk Hunt

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

Psalms 27:13 NKJV

 

The road stretches out before me, narrow and barren.  For a moment I consider not continuing.  It is then that I remember His many promises, breathed in my soul by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in Scripture.  I will walk on and see the goodness.

Even King David could not settle all of his problems and issues with swords or proclamations.  He had to work our his own salvation with fear and trembling.  Just like you and I.  There were days he had to wait to see God’s goodness, in faith and belief.

It is not always easy; doing right, the right way.  Laboring and staying faithful for promises you see only faith.  Still, now is not the time to lose heart or hope. 

Sometimes, as now, there are storms and difficulties.  His promises remain certain.  There will be better, even in the turbulence.  His joy is in you, not in the circumstances.

Do not let anyone, even yourself, tell you that you lack faith or courage.  Faith does not ignore the difficulties.  Courage does not lessen the blows. 

Your advantage is that you know it will be worth it.  God’s goodness will be there and then, and eventually it will be here and now.  Keep walking the long narrow road to God.  Along the way you will find yourself living in the land of God’s goodness.

Think:       No matter what I see now, I will live to see God’s goodness in the future.

Pray:         “Lord, help me to have faith in Your promises, even in storms.”

 

Copyright © March 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Your Gift Makes Room

“Your Gift Makes Room” By Kirk Hunt

A man’s gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

God is against bribes, but He is for generosity.  May the Holy Spirit convict (not condemn) you about graft, but He will commend you for giving.  The gifts you give make room for you.  What do you put in that space?

“Make room” is not just a reference to physical space.  Your room may be the positive opinion of decision makers.  Perhaps your gifts open the opportunity to witness to souls about Jesus.  Are you wise with the opening made by your gifts?

As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, you have gifts and are a minister.  Your gifts are not just for your benefit.  You are intended and custom-made to benefit the men and women around you.  By giving your gifts, you almost literally compel souls to make space for you in their lives.  What do you place in that hard-won place?

The healing of a skillful doctor or nurse usually gets the gratitude of the patient.  Even difficult students speak well of a key teacher who taught important skills and knowledge.  The friend who comes through at midnight earns warmth from a friend’s heart.  Given a door to another’s spirit, what will you choose to leave behind?

Your gifts lower defenses.  Your gifts draw consideration.  Your gifts soften hearts.  What do you do with that precious opportunity for God’s Kingdom?

Think:        My gifts open the door to interactions with men and women.

Pray:           “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

 

Copyright © March 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Shammah’s Lentils

“Shammah’s Lentils” By Kirk Hunt

And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines.   But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory.

2 Samuel 23:11-12 NKJV

Shammah stood his ground in a field of lentils.  I always imagine him alone, matching his soft brass knife against a squad (or maybe a platoon) of hard steel swords.  Valiantly, Shammah fought the fight of his life over a patch of beans.

Why there?  Why then?  Why single-handed?  Scripture does not say.  The Bible only records that God used one man to bring about a great victory.

Shammah’s lentils are a symbol of the victories God gives despite impossible circumstances.  To those without faith, it seems God’s men and women too often risk everything, against ridiculous odds, for nothing of value.  Even God’s faithful sometimes feel alone and friendless against endless hordes.

You are not alone.  Jehovah-Shammah, the God who is there, fights beside you.  Like Shammah bar-Agee, God will bring about a great victory through you.

What has God called you to do?  Champion the cause He set in your heart.  Nurture the soul he put in your path.  Despite all of the really good reasons you should pull back, push forward in God’s power.

It may seem that you are defending a patch of beans against impossible odds.  Be confident in fulfilling the call of God.  Be faithful and God will deliver victory through your faithful courage.

Think:        If God sent me, the issue is not trivial, and the odds are not impossible.

Pray:           “Lord, help me to have faithful courage over what, where and when You command.”

 

Copyright © March 2018, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press.  You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.