Backing
No one gets far in this life without backing.
The brilliant, highly trained naval officer is worthless without the backing of his/her ship and crew. The same is true in every aspect of life.
- Many of us were blessed with parents who backed us when we didn’t even know who we were. They knew who we were and saw to it that we had what we needed in every stage of childhood. Good parents are focused on their children. Most of their decisions are made with a primary consideration for the welfare of the children God has given them.
- At school, good teachers back their students to the hilt. The best ones are in the business precisely to provide their students with everything they need to learn the things they need to know. Teachers, in turn, are backed by their colleagues, administrators, school workers, materials publishers, and college professors who form a continuing network of support.
Everyone needs good backing.
When we finally graduate from the school system and begin to make our contribution to the world, we realize we need to find some backing. If we are starting a business or starting in business, it is going to require some support from somewhere. Hopefully, we have learned how to make good friends and how to be a good friend. Whatever we choose to do with our lives, we will have to walk the two-way street called “backing.” If we are faithful to our friends, backing them when they need us, many of them will do the same for us.
This is a spiritual way of life:
- Experienced workers should be eager to help the rookie.
- Older brothers and sisters in the church should be available and willing to help younger brothers and sisters get started as faithful men and women of God.
- Older pastors should be ready to counsel the young pastor when he or she needs a larger, more seasoned perspective.
On the other hand:
- Inexperienced workers should be humble enough to seek out the wisdom of experience.
- Younger believers in the church need to respect their elders and carefully consider their counsel.
- The younger pastor needs to revere the elder minister and seek out the priceless wisdom he or she has learned by experience.
In short, not only does each of us need backing, there is someone close at hand who needs our backing. Of course, few things are as un-welcomed as advice we haven’t asked for. If you are young, have the wisdom to ask. If you are old, have the grace to wait until you are asked.
Generational Division
We must realize the strategy of the enemy of the church—generational division. Satan is busy buildings walls around the generations in the Body of Christ. When our structures of worship keep the older folk from the younger folk, both ages groups lose out. The picture they get of the church is distorted. It looks like the church is made up of only one generation. Nothing could be further from the heart of God.
Generational Unity
The truth is this:
- Younger believers need their elders, and,
- Older believers need the young folks.
This is such a contrast to the world! Dividing the generations is big business for the world; the multiply their markets. The church is supposed to be different, really different—we are called to be ONE even as God Himself is ONE. This doesn’t happen by accident—it happens when we shake off the world’s thinking and obey the Lord!
We can step out into the world today fully assured of the Lord’s backing in all we do for Him! He is the original Covenant Keeper! His promises are the best backing we could ever hope for. He is also counting on us to provide the backing our brothers and sisters need. No one gets far in this life without backing.
Scriptures:
2 Peter 1:3-4
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Psalm 119:140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Psalm 145: 3-7; 13-16
Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and …your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
Revelation 19:11
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True.
Hebrews 3:13; 10:23-25
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Titus 2:2-8
Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech…
1 Thessalonians 5:11-15
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
John 17:9-19 NKJV
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You have my back! As I go into this day, I am confident that I am backed by the infallible Word of God, the immutable character of God, and the unmatched power of the Holy Spirit. Who can stand against one who is so thoroughly backed? No one, Lord. Help me keep my eyes open for those who need my backing but help me keep my mouth closed until I am asked for help. Help all of us in Your family to realize how much we need each other! Help us throw off the divisive influence of the world and be ONE! For Your glory, Lord! Amen.
Song:
Standing on the Promises
Words and Music: Russell Kelso Carter
1. Standing on the promises of Christ my king,
Through eternal ages let his praises ring;
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain:
Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.
2. Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
3. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
4. Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
Listening every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
Refrain
Semper Reformanda!
Stephen Phifer
© 2017 Stephen R. Phifer All Rights Reserved
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