Trusting God. Believing like David.

I remember years ago having the habit of asking my Spanish class if David from the Bible was good or bad.  Seniors in High School, who had been in a Christian school their whole lives and many who came from Christian families struggled over that question.  It's a hard one.  "David is good,"  they would answer. Pause. "Wait but he did some bad things.  He did some really bad things." "Well which one is it?  Is he good or bad?" They'd ask.  And they would be stumped.

For the past few months, I have been reading about David.  In my personal quiet time, I am in the book of 2 Samuel and in our missionary Bible study, we just finished reading through Psalm 119.  Various things stick out to me about David:

He was courageous, had a clear understanding, respect, and love for God, and he desired to do God's will.  And at the same time he was human and suffered the consequences that his sin had on his family and his life.  And yet, God showed grace and was faithful to His covenant with David.

When we first meet David in the Bible, he's a kid, a shepherd boy, and God's chosen future king.  He's the unlikely choice to fight Goliath, but does so and defeats the philistine giant.  Later,  he "fails" when he lusts after Bathsheba, hides her pregnancy and kills her husband.  This man, who is clearly chosen by God and has shown His deep love for Him struggles.  And yet, over and over again, he refocuses, repents, and keeps going.  He's a perfect reflection of life as a Christian, of our human struggles, of our need for God's grace, and of the daily need to look to God for direction.

David, like all of us was human.  He was a sinner like us all.  He struggled to keep God's commands like us all, and yet he had a deep desire to follow God plan and serve Him.  Other things that catch my attention and that I can learn from:

David was patient. He was anointed as a boy to be king and waited until he was 30 to have that position.

David was forgiving and merciful.  When I think of all the ways that Saul came after him and the evil that he desired for David, I am amazed at David's respect for Saul as king, forgiveness, and non-vengefulness.  And again, David showed all the same characteristics with his son Absalom who tried to kill him and take his place as king.

David accepted suffering.  There is a point towards the end of 2 Samuel where David is being cursed by a bad man.  And David basically says, "It's okay. God is allowing it." (2 Samuel 16:10-12) Wow!  

And David, in spite of his humanness, in spite of his weaknesses and suffering, was used by God.  He loved God's Word.  He remained steadfast even in the midst of struggle.  And God used him as one of the men in the lineage of Jesus -- in spite of his mistakes and wrong steps.

This past month I have been reflecting on my own need for God, my missteps, and struggles.

I, like David, love God and want to be in His will, do good, and serve Him.  I want for my eyes to be fixed on Him above all else and yet, the fight with my flesh is continual.  The more I know God, the more I recognize my sinful nature.  I struggle with being a Martha.  I struggle with my desire to be comfortable and avoid change or "the messy stuff."  I struggle to be courageous. I struggle with anxiety and fear. And I struggle to put my trust fully in Him, to spend enough time with Him, and to believe that what His Word says is true for me. 

I know that God, in the midst of struggles, is asking me to trust Him. 

In the last month, many around me have come to me and shared in confidence some problems that they have in friendships, in marriage, and with ministry.   I thank God for those moments because it is a testimony to my friendships and deepening relationships with the people here.  I can't fix their problems and often I can hardly give advice, but GOD CAN FIX IT.  And in the past couple of months, I have witnessed the un-relenting spiritual warfare that presents itself in this culture in the form of demons.  And I thank God for those moments as well, because although scary, I am reminded of the spiritual realities of the kids and families we serve and IT CAUSES ME TO PRAY THAT MUCH MORE.

And God reminds me of the fact that this world is sinful and that Satan hates Him and those of us who follow Him. He reminds me that our hope can only be found in Him. He reminds me that He is my constant in the midst of all the changes around me.  And, He reminds me that courage and strength comes from Him alone. 

God,

Give me faith 

to trust what you say

That you're good 

and your love is great

I'm broken inside

I give you my life

I may be weak

but your Spirit's strong in me

My flesh may fail

but my God you never will

-Elevation Worship

May God give us His strength, true faith, and trust in Him alone.  He's at work!

A GLANCE AT MY LIFE THESE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS:

Chichigua and the Local Church.  I had the opportunity to be the link between a local church in Puerto Plata and the local church in Chichigua.  I gave them a tour of the community, introducing them to my friends in the community and the Makarios kids and they prepared a VBS-like program.  It was great to have a local Dominican church reaching out to a mostly Haitian community in such a dynamic way.  Please pray that more local churches would reach out to the communities in need  around them.

Literacy. Our second cycle of literacy has come to an end.  We have had classes three evenings a week since September.  Lord willing, two ladies will graduate from the program at the end of next semester.  Please pray that the women and will stay committed to the program and for them to have confidence that they can learn!  Please also pray for God to provide some more volunteers to help out!

Discipleship.  Family Empowerment has a weekly discipleship program for new believers.  I got to teach the class about prayer a few weeks ago.  Please pray that these women would continue to learn God's Word and guard it in their hearts and that they would get connected to a local church if they are not already.

Interviews and Applications.  This past month, the Family Empowerment Ministry has begun to accept applications for Makarios' 3 year old class for next year.  Meet Louis and Alex, two of the kids who will most likely be a part of Makarios next year.  They are from Chichigua and have older siblings in the school.  I also get to visit and spend time with them when I am in Chichigua.   Please pray for the process of finding new families and discerning who should be a part of the newest Makarios class!

Girls Bible Study.  Earlier this month, we had our last Bible Study with high school girls until January. Their questions and curiosity about God's Word shows that seeds are being planted and that God is working in their hearts.   Will you pray for them to come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ?   

Goodbyes.  This last month has been a month of goodbyes which has been hard for me.  Some of my closest friends here have moved or are moving soon.   Please pray for me, for Makarios, and for my friends who are moving as they experience transition.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Thanks, as always, for your prayers and support.  God is definitely at work here!  To HIM be all of the glory!

END OF YEAR GIVING.

Are you interested in giving a one-time end of year gift to support Makarios and the work that God has me doing here?  If so, click here. Your financial support is always a blessing!