A story I have often heard,
I read again today.
But this time I have seen it in
A new and different way.
So read the story, and may you
Be called as I have been.
But I must stop, else I will tell
Before I e'en begin. :)
Samaria
A peaceful city, it was now
Surrounded by the foe;
Drug to the depths of misery,
Sorrow, and untold woe.
Imprisoned now within their walls
With food becoming short
The people fell to desperate means;
To what could they resort?
But late one night the enemy host
Fell into fear and dread.
The army of the Lord was heard!
Without a thought they fled.
With morning light, four lepers rise
And venture from the gate.
Their hunger drives them to this risk,
No matter what their fate.
As they approach the enemy camp,
A silence rules the air.
And, peering in a tent or two,
Discover no one there.
Within the town, no person knows
The feast that lies without,
Until the lepers, rushing back,
Exclaim to all about.
There is a lesson here, my friend,
Written for you and me.
Just like those men, we've found a feast,
White raiment, gold that's free.
But all around are people starved,
Who want to do the right.
They search for something they know not--
They're looking for the light.
Held captive by a wicked foe,
That peace and joy extorts,
Oft' people fall to desperate means;
To what can they resort?
Without the peace that passes thought,
They seek for joy, and try
At broken cisterns, empty wells
That never satisfy.
They look in wonder at our lives,
And marvel at our peace;
They wonder how to get such joy,
Such free and full release.
My friends, will we withhold such news--
Good tidings such as this?
If we forbear 'til morning light,
Something will come amiss.
So gather up the bread of life,
And spread it far and wide.
From the great honor of this task
Let nothing turn aside.
July 21, 2011
July 15, 2011
"And the sun stood still..."
Lately I have been thinking a lot about a three-letter word.
Ask.
"Why is it that we do not receive more from Him who is the source of light and power?"
Why? "We expect too little, and we receive according to our faith." "I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said: 'Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure.'"
"Ask, then; ask, and ye shall receive. Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. "
Victory can be gained only by those who ask.
Five nations against one. It seemed impossible. But the message had been given, “Fear them not, for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.” So, unhesitatingly, they went.
Marching all night, Joshua and his army arrived at the scene of battle in the morning. Taken by surprise, "the immense host fled before Joshua up the mountain pass to Beth-horon; and having gained the height, they rushed down the precipitous descent upon the other side. Here a fierce hailstorm burst upon them. 'The Lord cast down great stones from heaven: ...they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.'"
"Joshua, looking down from the ridge above, saw that the day would be too short for the accomplishment of his work. If not fully routed, their enemies would again rally, and renew the struggle....He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid."
"Then spake Joshua to the Lord, ...and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.... The sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."
Not until God’s promise to Joshua had been fulfilled, did the sun sink behind the hills. The entire host of the enemy had been routed.
"Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, 'Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,' is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power."
Ask.
"Why is it that we do not receive more from Him who is the source of light and power?"
Why? "We expect too little, and we receive according to our faith." "I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said: 'Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure.'"
"Ask, then; ask, and ye shall receive. Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. "
Victory can be gained only by those who ask.
Five nations against one. It seemed impossible. But the message had been given, “Fear them not, for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.” So, unhesitatingly, they went.
Marching all night, Joshua and his army arrived at the scene of battle in the morning. Taken by surprise, "the immense host fled before Joshua up the mountain pass to Beth-horon; and having gained the height, they rushed down the precipitous descent upon the other side. Here a fierce hailstorm burst upon them. 'The Lord cast down great stones from heaven: ...they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.'"
"Joshua, looking down from the ridge above, saw that the day would be too short for the accomplishment of his work. If not fully routed, their enemies would again rally, and renew the struggle....He did all that human energy could do, and then he cried in faith for divine aid."
"Then spake Joshua to the Lord, ...and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.... The sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day."
Not until God’s promise to Joshua had been fulfilled, did the sun sink behind the hills. The entire host of the enemy had been routed.
"Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm. The man who commanded, 'Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon,' is the man who for hours lay prostrate upon the earth in prayer in the camp of Gilgal. The men of prayer are the men of power."
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