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Belling the Cat

Old Aesop recounted for his readers the curious tale of a community of mice who called a council to address a deadly concern.  The barn they inhabited had begun to be patrolled by a marauding, bloodthirsty cat.  Every morning another mouse or two would be unaccounted for, likely victims of the tabby’s sharp, deft claws.  Something had to be done.  As the mice met and discussed the problem, only one possible solution gained everyone’s approval.  If a bell could somehow be hung around the cat’s neck, its ringing would sound the alarm and be their salvation.  But the question was soon asked, “Who among us is going to bell the cat?”

Who would be willing to dare do such a thing?  Sadly, excuses were the only reply and the council was adjourned in despair.  What was necessary required a courage and a love unknown in the hearts of those assembled.  Of course, this apathy and lack of faith proved more deadly than the cat.

Our hearts, homes, and communities have our own marauders on patrol.  Satan has long prowled about looking to strike with lethal lies and deadly deceptions and delusions.  We, too, every morning are sobered by another one of our loved ones waylaid by the enemy.  We’re not without hope of a solution, however.  The Apostle Paul makes a sound proposal to the church in Ephesus, one having to do with prayer, spiritual armor, and good old fashioned courage.  It reads really well.  It preaches really well.  It sounds very, very good.  But who among us is willing to bell the cat?  Are you?

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Success Is Not A Science

October 15, 2017

2 Samuel 5:17-25

17 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18 Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 19 And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” 20 And David came to Baal-perazim, and David defeated them there. And he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like a breaking flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 21 And the Philistines left their idols there, and David and his men carried them away. 22 And the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23 And when David inquired of the Lord, he said, “You shall not go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 24 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then rouse yourself, for then the Lord has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 25 And David did as the Lord commanded him, and struck down the Philistines from Geba to Gezer.

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Crash Test Christianity

October 8, 2017

Matthew 18:7-9

7 “Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes!

8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 9 If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell.

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The Siegeworks of Love

Seventeenth century poet and playwright, John Dryden, offered a word of caution to anyone battling the steadfast; “Beware the fury of a patient man.”

Like a cat in the tall grass waiting on the imprudence of its prey or a dug-in army’s captain waiting on the weariness of the walled-in; the patient man waits because he knows what he wants and is confident that time will prove the promise of his approach. The Apostle Paul, writing of God’s desire for His creation, provides the following assurance that such a communion will one day be won: His love is patient. Though daylight fade and darkness increase; love is patient. When reason falls and madness reigns; love is patient. As kindness hardens and anger burns; love is patient. There is never any panic in heaven.God’s steadfast love will win the accomplishment of His will in the world and we, His people, would do well to serve that love with confidence.

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