Echoes from the Campfire

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

You must work hard while the book of God is still open, and God’s message is easily read. When the outside world comes, men will turn the page, and you may lose the place.”

                    –Harold Bell Wright  (The Shepherd of the Hills)

       “Remember how short my life is.  Have You created everyone for nothing?  What man can live and never see death?  Who can save himself from the power of Sheol?”
                    –Psalm 89:47-48 (HCSB)
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“Our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope.” (1 Chronicles 29:15, NKJV)  I don’t know if this is a lament from David, or a statement of reality.  For those who do not know Christ it shows a hopeless and wasted life, but one with Christ, life becomes more than a shadow.  David writes further regarding this brevity of life.

          “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.  For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children.”
                    –Psalm 103:15-17 (NKJV)

     Life is brief, that is the reality of life.  It is a fact that all will eventually come to life’s end.  All will die, never more to tread along the journey of life.  It may be seventy years or less; some may be granted more, but the fact is that it will end.  
     Look at what David said–“our days are like a shadow.”  A shadow has no substance; it cannot be grasped.  Many times I have been camping or hiking in the forests.  I have watched the “wisp-of-smoke” rise from a campfire and suddenly disappear.  I have watched the mist lying low upon the ground begin to rise and suddenly it is no more.  Once lifted there is not even a trace.
     Someone has said, “Life is a series of breaths ordered by God to the fulfillment of purpose and then we leave this world sometimes way too soon.”  We are but a thread in this thing we call “time.”  And only a speck of dust in view of eternity; yet, yet this is a time appointed to each of us.  The question is, what do we do with it?  It was Seneca who said that, “the human span is long enough if time is properly employed–which it seldom is.”  
     Job says that, “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.  He comes forth like a flower and fades away; he flees like a shadow and does not continue.” (Job 14:1-2, NKJV)  He continues in verse 5, “Since his days are determined, the number of his months is with You; You have appointed his limits, so that he cannot pass.” (NKJV)  “Tomorrow is not promised.  We may plan for it, but we may not assume we can control it.” (Alistair Begg)  Our time, down to the last second is determined by God.
     So what do we do with this limited time?  Do we simply fade as the mist into the air?  Do we race the clock, trying desperately to get all done that we wanted to do in this moment of eternity?  Begg writes, “The wise person knows that we have limited time and that the best way to spend it is on the Lord’s errands.”  Our responsibility in this life that the Lord has given us is to grow in conformity to Christ.  We are mortals, yet we are here for a purpose.  However, this life should have purpose, and first and foremost is to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Then, and only then, is there more than a shadow to our life.  Then, there is more substance to our life; it is not like the wisp of smoke.
Then secondly, our purpose is to be conformed to Christ, and thirdly, to further the kingdom of God.  Ultimately our purpose is “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

When the fight comes, he goes to it and not away from it…he doesn’t want to die, but he doesn’t expect to live to be an old man either.”
                    –Lou Bradshaw  (Abe)

       They shall be like mighty men, Who tread down their enemies In the mire of the streets in the battle. They shall fight because the Lord is with them, And the riders on horses shall be put to shame.”

                    –Zechariah 10:5 (NKJV)
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I want to look at a few more similarities between David and Jesus.  I know we have to be careful with types, shadows, and symbols.  Too much liberty can be taken, but at the same time we should not forsake them completely.  
       We read in 1 Samuel 17:17, that David was sent by his father to the battlefield.  He had been keeping the sheep, but now would soon be embroiled in conflict.  Jesus was sent by His Father, “As we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.” (1 John 4:14, NKJV)  He was somewhat in isolation in heaven with the Father, as David was in the wilderness with the sheep, but soon both would find themselves in a battle, not only for their lives, but for the lives of others.
       I mentioned last week that David was scorned by his brothers, especially Eliab.  We also know that our Lord was scorned by His own brothers, but also the people of Israel.  When Saul questioned David’s credentials, David told about the lion and the bear which he fought to protect his sheep.  Saul, I believe, in his mind ridiculed the thought of David fighting Goliath.  He told David that he was but a youth, while Goliath was a man of war, trained from his youth (1 Samuel 17:33).  Jesus, before He met the “giant” on Calvary had faced the devil previously in the wilderness.  Redpath says, “He had a private conflict face-to-face with the devil in the wilderness, and defeated him there.”  We also do not know of other times that the vile serpent may have tried to deceive the Lord, tried to trip Him with one of His snares.
       David was sustained by the Word of God and his faith.  “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.  But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled…  Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with the sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:45,47, NKJV)  With that David stepped forward.  Christ defeated the devil in the wilderness over and over with the Word of God.  With each attack, Jesus replied, “It is written.”  He will again be victorious when He bursts out of the grave.
       Saul wanted to make David look like a warrior, or at least a soldier.  But David did not need that.  He knew his weapons and the warrior-ethos was engraved in his heart.  David strode, sling in hand and in faith toward Goliath.  At some point he began to whirl his sling, around and around, and at the right moment, he released it.  All his training, all his faith came together in that moment and the rock struck Goliath in the forehead.  He fell to the ground and David then cut off his head with the giant’s own sword.  Victory!
       The Philistines, instead of surrendering as Goliath promised, fled the scene with the Israelites giving chase.  David won the victory, but all of Israel shared in it.  Jesus won the victory at Calvary and in His coming forth from the tomb.  He was victorious over the enemy not only for Himself, but for all who would accept this victory and follow Him.  David had prepared himself, not only physically, but in private He was with God.  Before he entered the public fight with Goliath, he has spent time with God.  Jesus knew the will of the Father.  He didn’t go into the way of the cross unprepared, ignorant, but He knew His mission and He fulfilled it.  To face the giants of our lives we must be strengthened by the knowledge of our weapons, through experience, and then sustained by the Word of God.
       Goliath was powerful of that there is no doubt.  But we, as David, have the Spirit’s anointing.  We have His power and authority.  Too often, however, we become like Saul, we forfeit that anointing.  We try to face the giants on our own.  We forget that He is the God of today; that He is a “living power in our hearts!” (Redpath)  “In Saul’s mind, God was absent from the whole conflict; He didn’t enter into it.  But in David’s mind, God was the greatest reality of all.” (Redpath)  Far too often we are like Saul, we “imitate the devil’s methods, to try to resist Satan by the same kind of program and technique, ability, and organization, which he himself has perfected.” (Redpath)  We must face the giants in the might and power of the Holy Spirit.  We must know–I repeat, we must know that it is “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, NKJV)

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

If a body takes out to follow a made trail down over the hills, he’d best hold to that trail… Most of the trouble a man finds in the mountains is when he tries shortcuts or leaves a known way.”
                    –Louis L’Amour  (Treasure Mountain)

      “Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him.
                    –Deuteronomy 11:22(NLT)
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Psalm 102 started with gloom and despair then moved into the faithfulness and patience, and greatness of the Lord.  To finish we see a challenge.  We, whatever generation you find yourself in, are to leave a record for future generations.  Believers are to leave a godly heritage and legacy to those coming up.  They are to fill the gap and it is the responsibility of the older generations to teach, guide, and provide the means for them to do so.

          18 — This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.
          19 — For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary; from heaven the LORD viewed the earth.
          20 — To hear the groaning of the prisoner, to release those appointed to death.
          21 — To declare the name of the LORD in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem.
          22 — When the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the LORD.
          23 — He weakened my strength in the way; He shortened my days.
          24 — I said, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations.
          25 — Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
          26 — They will perish, but You will endure; yes, they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed.
          27 — But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.
          28 — The children of Your servants will continue, and their descendants will be established before You.”  (NKJV)

       What does your biography say?  Was it a broken road, a road full of failure?  Or was it a road of battle and victories; overcoming adversity?  Most likely it was a mixture, but the important thing is that God kept you.  That is your testimony.  God looks down from heaven to view you upon your journey, in fact, we have the Holy Spirit (Paraclete) with us along the way to guide us, to help us, to comfort us, to chastise us and give us direction.
       The people were looking forward to the end of captivity in Babylon.  Then a new people came along, the Persians.  They must have wondered where God was in all of this.  Yes, He said He would discipline the nation, but now has he forgotten His people?  Here the Psalmist says with a resounding cry, No, God is looking down at His people.  I imagine the people had their problems in the midst of being held captive.  Look for example at Daniel, after leaving Babylon, he went to Persia where he would one day enter the lions’ den.
       The Psalmist reminds us that God does not change.  In the midst of life’s journey–God is there and He does not change.  Through life’s journey, we may have pain, sorrow, and heartache–God is there and He does not change.  Along the road there may be vicious attacks and the lions’ den may be our destiny, or a fiery furnace–God is there and He does not change.  “God will forever remain the same, immutable in his divine person and unchangeable in his eternal purpose.  Because the Lord does not change, his future work through his people will be established.” (Steven J. Lawson0
       If you see the church caving into the world it is your duty, your obligation to remain strong and stable.  This is your legacy to those that follow.  If it seems as if the nations rage against God it is your responsibility to be a light and salt to those around you.  Live in hope; live in faith.  Tell the stories of God’s faithfulness from Scripture; tell the stories of His faithfulness in your life.  No matter what, remain faithful and this will be recorded for future generations.

               “In heavenly love abiding,
               No change my heart shall fear;
               And safe is such confiding,
               For nothing changes here.
               The storm may roar around me,
               My heart may low be laid;
               But God is round about me,
               And can I be dismayed?”
                         –Anna L. Waring

 

Echoes From the Campfire

by Ira Paine, Posted on

Never give up. Life is too important. You find a way to fight for every second of life.”

                    –C.J. Petit  (Luke)

       “Is there not a cause?…  Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
                    –1 Samuel 17:29, 32 (NKJV)
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I was fortunate that from the age of two onward, I was told or read the stories from the Bible.  My aunt either told them told me, or read them to me, and they were certainly brought to my attention in Sunday School.  I must have heard the story of David and Goliath over a hundred times because of this and subsequent sermons.  Now I may have heard this somewhere before but it really didn’t stick in my thoughts until the other evening when I was reading a book by Alan Redpath.
       I have always imagined Goliath strutting around, mocking the armies of Israel.  When you read about his appearance he must have been something to behold.  He was clothed in brass, and he was a majestic sight.  Then add to his image that of his weapons.  Wow, what a specimen, and he knew it.  Not only was he a great warrior, but he was arrogant.  “Look at me,” he would proclaim, and he did so in the sight of Israel’s army for forty days, challenging, mocking, and scorning them.
       Satan is much the same.  He strides through cities and countries in marvelous garb.  It may be an ideology, it may be modern education, it may be evolution, it may be postmodernism, or any numerous other ideas.  The modern mind is brought to the strutting being with his flashing garb of whatever it may be.  He looks at Christians and mocks them.  And much of the time we are like the army of Israel–pathetic.  Fear grips us, compromise looks alluring, what could it hurt.  Think of COVID and remember how the nations quaked in fear.  “They were a people in covenant relationship with God, but actually in the bondage of fear before Goliath and all that he stood for!” (Redpath)  Paul writes, “Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4, NKJV).  Man will believe the giants around him, but not the word of Almighty God.  How foolish!  Satan, like Goliath, defies the people of God.  
       I always wondered why Saul, the king, a warrior in his own right, did not go out to face Goliath.  Wasn’t that his responsibility?  But Saul, by this time had forfeited the anointing of the Holy Spirit that was once upon him.  Disobedience, dabbling in the things of the world, things he was told not to do, Saul was quaking with the rest of the army.  One the scene a champion.  The giant was calling, “Give me a man!” (1 Samuel 17:10)  David appears and in the larger sense, Jesus appears.  Yet he was scorned, by his brethren, especially Eliab.  Hmmm, why didn’t Eliab go face Goliath?  He ridiculed David, “Eliab’s anger was aroused against David…I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.” (1 Samuel 17:28, NKJV)  A picture of our Lord, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11, NKJV)  Isaiah said, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…” (Isaiah 53:3, NKJV)
       David was a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, who overcame the “giant” (Satan) at Calvary.  Know this, as it was with Goliath, who cried, “Give me a man!”  The same is true of Satan, give me a man.  The battle was to be decided by representatives of each side:  Goliath–Satan; Jesus–church of believers.  Satan, the giant who sneers at the Church, and on the scene comes a man.  He doesn’t look like much.  He is not arrayed in magnificent armor.  All He has is the Word of God.  He will face this giant for us.  I am amazed that Saul even allowed David to go fight.  After all, he was a representative.  If he was killed then the Philistines would prevail and Israel would be their slaves.  But Saul sends him out, his brothers are angry with him, but he doesn’t care–he has a mission.  The world didn’t care about the coming of Christ–ah, but He had a mission.