Yesterday, as I sat down to study, I got my Bible, a pencil, and opened up one of my favorite computer programs to aid my study; only to have a message flash across my screen "Your Computer will automatically restart in 38 seconds. Please save any unsaved data." As irritating as this was, I was thankful for the reset. My computer, which had been running very sluggish lately, was in desperate need of some updates. Today, at work, a coworker was having trouble with their department's iPhone. I took one look at it and said "it needs to be reset." Again, same thing, the reset was completely necessary as the iPhone could not continue to operate on old data, it needed to be refreshed. How much like this is our Christian life? I am reminded of Joshua and the Battles of Jericho and Ai. Joshua sought the LORD for wisdom and direction before the battle of Jericho and was met by the Captain of the LORD's Host. Of course, you know the story, "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came a-tumblin' down." Next, the Children of Israel were faced with another battle; the battle of Ai. This time the outcome was very different, they lost. Had Joshua sought the LORD he would have been aware of the sin in the camp and maybe the outcome would have been much brighter. Joshua failed to reset.
To often we live on past victories, past spiritual triumphs, past encounters with God and His Word. This is like living on yesterday's food, maybe last week's, month's, or dare I say it... last year's. David, a man after God's own heart, said in Psalm 63 "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;" and again "Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will live up my hands in thy name." and also " When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." Can we say with David, "My flesh longeth for thee?" I give an illustration quite often about mowing the lawn in the middle of August. It's dry out side the temperatures are high, and so is the amount of dust in the air. Your mouth is parched and your lips are cracking due to the sun's vehement rays. When you swallow it seems as if your throat sticks together. All you want is a nice cold glass of ice-water. Imagine wanting that water so bad that all you can think of is taking hold of that cold glass, feeling the water drip down your face as you pour the contents into your aching mouth. Do you long for the LORD's company like that? Or do you try to operate with old data.
Maybe its not old victories that cause you to need the reset, maybe it is current failure. When I was in second grade, I remember needing to cut a circle out of a piece of construction paper to make the face of a lion. We were to use the corners as ears. Needless to say there was one kid in the class who just couldn't get it right. It didn't matter how hard he tried he couldn't get it. So in defeat, I started to cry. (yes it was me) I remember one of my classmates telling the teacher "Robbie (that's what they called me before I grew up in the fourth grade and was called Robert) is crying." My teacher said not to worry about it and gave me a new piece of paper. That seemed to erase the failure and provided a new, fresh start at the art project. David, again as an example, was caught in a pit of failure. He did not go to war with his army, he gazed on a woman, he lusted after her, he committed adultery, he tried to cover it up, he made someone drunk, and he murdered a man. Upon being confronted with this debauchery, he had nowhere to hide. He then penned Psalm 51 "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips: and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: an broken and contrite heart O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness with burn offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar." God promises that if we confess our sin to Him, He will forgive us. His mercies are new every morning.
Weather you are living off of old data, or in need of a fresh start, God is right where you left Him. He does not change, nor does he sleep. Run to Him and He promises that he will be there to help you.
