Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester,OK
May 7, 2012

“Strength in Numbers…But Always Hope in Christ.”
“And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.” – Proverbs 5:14

Solomon has been talking us through this chapter regarding how to handle temptation and seduction. His instruction in this regard is pretty blunt—don’t do it! Don’t go near it. Stay as far away as possible for it you are caught, it will take from your dignity, honor, strength (physical and spiritual) and according to this verse, it creates a separation from one of our strongest resources…God’s people, the Body of Christ. When that occurs, we lose an element of protection that was designed to help us when we need it most—when face to face with the enemy! But there is another element to this that we must first consider. We’ve always heard the phrase, “There is strength in numbers.” I’ve often thought of that just in terms of working together but I am also beginning to see it work in terms of staying strong spiritually! When are strongly tied-in with the “Body” of Christ, the probability of having temptations and seductions is lessened greatly because we are working for each other and praying for each other! David’s biggest fall came at a time when he was separated from his people and his army. “In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army.”(2nd Samuel 11:1) This was a self isolation. He was not where he should have been and not with the people he should have been with and it was at that time he would have his ill-fated relationship with Bathsheba. What does that say about neglecting the “assembly of God’s people?”
During World War II, a marine unit was patrolling in the jungles of the Philippines. One of those was Private Jacob Ingersol. Ingersol and two other marines were given strict instructions to “stick” together. They were suddenly attacked by a Japanese patrol and in the intense fighting he lost touch and contact with his comrades. Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be captured or killed. As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.” After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, well, I guess the Lord is not going to help me out of this one! I should have stayed closer to the others. Then he noticed in the corner of the front of the cave, he saw a spider begin to build a web. As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave. He thought, what I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is spider web. God does have a sense of humor! As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could now see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. “Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man. “I had forgotten that in you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.” We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget the victories that God would work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. As the great leader, Nehemiah, reminded the people of Israel when they faced the task of rebuilding Jerusalem, “In God we will have success!” (Nehemiah 2:20)

One of the reasons for Nehemiah’s success was that they worked together! They bonded together with one purpose—build the wall and rebuild their lives. And should we get separated from the body of Christ—even if the separation is due to our own mistakes, God will not abandon us—if we would seek Him!! Whatever is happening in your life, with God, a mere spider’s web can become a brick wall of protection. Believe He is with you always!!
Pastor J. T. Carnell