A Cloud of Witnesses!

The nursery and produce stand in Caddo Valley has a line of scarecrows out front. They really aren’t scary at all, they are lovely. Each one is a different size, gender, style. They all just make me want to smile! No they make me want to laugh out loud! This row of greeters standing there reminded me of the words in the Bible, “So great a cloud of witnesses”.  Until I saw this lineup I always thought merely of those witnesses as people who remind us that even when times are hard we can make it.  And it’s true. But there’s more. They are not merely bystanders holding up their previous experience. They are cheerleaders! They are shouting, through the Word of God, “you are MORE THAN a conqueror!” You are “victorious”! They are waving wildly the banners of God’s Love Song to you and me. Not just that either…The cloud spoken of says to me they are actively involved, kicking up dust, making a scene!  In this world of compromise and quiet we are meant to kick up our heels and shout it to the rooftops “He’s for us! He loves us! No power in hell, no trouble on earth, Nothing, Nothing, Absolutely Nothing, can separate us from His loving care!”

Oh beloved, do you hear the cheers? Do you hear the accolades, the commendations, the congratulations? God and His heavenly host, along with the host of believers who have gone before us are shouting with joy to you this day: You can do it! You can make it! You are beautiful! You are loved! You are not alone! You win!

I know things can be hard, people can be mean, and finances can be lean. Cars need filling, children need clothing. People check out and life can get frazzled. But God is oh so much more than the things you are dealing with! He’s not only aware, He’s actively involved and He truly cares. This morning, while the night is still hanging on and the sun hasn’t slipped all the way to your window, give it all to Him. He’s got your life covered in His amazing grace and He loves you wonderfully! And, truly that’s all that really matters.

Psalm 149:4 “For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”

Psalm 97:1 The LORD reigns! Let the earth rejoice; Let the many islands be glad!

Zephaniah 3:17   For the Lord your God is living among you! He is a mighty savior! He will take delight in you with gladness! With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs!

Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us!

So Great a Cloud of Witnesses!

This morning as I was having my quiet time, God reminded me of some wonderful things He is doing in the lives of His beloved believers.

He gave us the wonderful Book of Remembrance, the Bible, which is full of witnesses to all of us. There's King David - his life reminds us His call is without repentance, namely who God puts a call on God puts a call on. He is also a reminder of the importance of repentance and of moving on with God. If you are one who is struggling with an issue or a problem right now, give it to Him, forsake it if it's in your power to do so and GO ON WITH GOD! He's standing in front of you, just ahead, waving you towards Him! I'm reminded of how much we hiked with our kids when they were little. A trip to Albert Pike with bologna sandwiches and cheap drinks was so fun! But, with little kids, they would stop and pick up a stone, or move a stick or see a butterly and try to run and catch it. We were often stopping, turning around and waving "Come on, this way, move it!" God is doing that with us! He's waving us on - quit looking at the sin or the problem you've put behind you - it's in the deepest ocean anyway. You can't really see it anymore, so move on with Him.

He has also given us home churches. Full of people who have walked with God for years. They know He is faithful and if you spend time with them, before long they are sharing just how faithful God has been. Talk to your oldest deacon and his wife. They will probably have a well of knowledge of God's work in the lives of His people.

He has given us friends. This is probably, at least for me, one of the most important relationships we can have. Proverbs 12:26 says "The righteous should choose his friends carefully for the way of the wicked leads them astray" In I Corinthians there's a verse that says "bad company corrupts good morals". (I quoted this one to my kids a lot when they were teenagers!) This doesn't mean we can never be around people who aren't Christians, obviously, but our closest, most influential relationships should be with people who know and love the Lord, or there will be consequences. We should choose to be around the highest quality people we can, the ones whose hearts are aimed toward God.

Danny and I have something extra special in our lives, through the ministry of Christian Motorcyclists Association. John Ogden and Becky are wonderful leaders who love God and love others. The board of directors are full of integrity and love. The folks who work "behind the scenes" are there by God's divine grace and direction. Then there are the regional evangelists, the state coordinators and so on. Wow, talk about a great cloud of witnesses! Everywhere we go in ministry for Him through CMA, we are blessed because others have gone before us and prepared the way. "one plants another waters but the Lord gives the increase".

So, you beloved ones, as you seek God, as you go through trials or temptations or snares, remember, you have a cloud of witnesses as well. Talk with God, seek His Word, fellowship with the strongest believers you can find. And, come on, let's get on down the road with Jesus!