"Why must I go about mourning?" (Ps 42:9)
Why can't I answer this question? I can find no good reasons anymore why I am so often in mourning (or in the depths of depression) instead of rejoicing. But I allow my mind to dwell on gloomy thoughts as though night will never end, or as if the "winter of my discontent" has no spring following.
Day does dawn after night, spring follows winter and showers from heaven follow periods of spiritual drought. As a believer, I must learn to "live by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7)
God never intended for us to live by our feelings. Our inner self, and certainly Satan, would prefer if we did. But God wants us to face the facts, not feelings. Facing the facts of Christ, and His finished and perfect work for us allows Him to take care of my feelings. My feelings are as uncertain and ever-changing as the sea, or shifting sand. God's facts, however, are as certain as the Rock of Ages Himself - "Jesus Christ... the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb 13:8)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
During the Holidays - Here's a Thought
If you knew the end was near, if you knew you had 2 days to live, what would you do or say to leave a lasting impression? What thoughts would you want to clarify to your family and friends given that the last things we say are what will be most remembered?
I wanted to find out what my Savior's last teaching was so off to His Big Book to try to put a time line together for His last days. I have read the passage many times, but never before with the thought that these were among His last words.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" (Matt 25:35-40)
It is easier to think of those less fortunate than myself at this time of year. But realizing that this command was among Jesus' last, a Man who knew He had but hours before His crucifixion, causes me to think that He wanted this to stay top-of-mind. And not just at this traditional time of giving, but year-round.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
On a Sunday Evening
We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Rom 8:26-27)
I remember when I first read this passage. I was a new believer, newly wed to my perfect gift from God, new at prayer and needing to learn how to pray. It was a great season in my life, active in my church, teaching/mentoring young men from the heart, trying to learn at the same time. Exciting, wonderful times; perhaps some of my finest hours.
Again, today, I don't know how to pray except to stand on the promise of this passage; that the Spirit Himself will somehow sort things out for me and make it all clear to God. Oh, the inexpressible longings of my heart for the things I cannot understand!
Yet I know they are an echo from the throne of God, and a whisper from His heart. They are for me more a groan than a song, a burden than a feather. But they are a blessed burden, and a groan whose undertone is praise and unspeakable joy. I cannot always express myself, and today it is enough to know that God is praying in me, praying for something only He understands and that needs His touch.
I saw the woman who plucks the strings of my heart today. I miss her so. I wanted to tell her "Welcome home." I wished we could return to those times when life was so simple, when I knew that with her at my side and God in the lead there was nothing that could divide us. The tears flow tonight as I write this and recall how I drove her away in my sin.
Tonight all I have is a prayer of thanks that I can pour out my heart, the burden of my spirit and the crushing sorrow. I know He hears, loves, understands, receives, and separates from the simple prayer what is in error, imperfect or wrong, and presents the remainder, along with the incense of the great High Priest (Heb 7:25-27), before the very throne of God. I am sure my prayer is heard, accepted and answered in His Name.
I won't be attending my home church in the coming weeks. After prayer with my pastor and friend, the topic is too painful for me now. But I will return. I miss my family.
I remember when I first read this passage. I was a new believer, newly wed to my perfect gift from God, new at prayer and needing to learn how to pray. It was a great season in my life, active in my church, teaching/mentoring young men from the heart, trying to learn at the same time. Exciting, wonderful times; perhaps some of my finest hours.
Again, today, I don't know how to pray except to stand on the promise of this passage; that the Spirit Himself will somehow sort things out for me and make it all clear to God. Oh, the inexpressible longings of my heart for the things I cannot understand!
Yet I know they are an echo from the throne of God, and a whisper from His heart. They are for me more a groan than a song, a burden than a feather. But they are a blessed burden, and a groan whose undertone is praise and unspeakable joy. I cannot always express myself, and today it is enough to know that God is praying in me, praying for something only He understands and that needs His touch.
I saw the woman who plucks the strings of my heart today. I miss her so. I wanted to tell her "Welcome home." I wished we could return to those times when life was so simple, when I knew that with her at my side and God in the lead there was nothing that could divide us. The tears flow tonight as I write this and recall how I drove her away in my sin.
Tonight all I have is a prayer of thanks that I can pour out my heart, the burden of my spirit and the crushing sorrow. I know He hears, loves, understands, receives, and separates from the simple prayer what is in error, imperfect or wrong, and presents the remainder, along with the incense of the great High Priest (Heb 7:25-27), before the very throne of God. I am sure my prayer is heard, accepted and answered in His Name.
I won't be attending my home church in the coming weeks. After prayer with my pastor and friend, the topic is too painful for me now. But I will return. I miss my family.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Wake Up Calls
People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does God always get blamed? (Pr 19:3 TM)
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again (Ps 71:20)
I have been trying for some time to connect the dots and get some thoughts to gel. Proverbs 19:3 from The Message lays the fault for a ruined life squarely where it belongs - at my feet. The psalmist in 71:20 seems to be tossing responsibility back at God.
Since Adam, we have tried to shift responsibility for our poor decisions on whomever else was available. Adam even tried to blame God for his decision to join the forbidden fruit fiasco. The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree... (Gen 3:12)But I think the psalmist is expressing a different truth. God makes me "see" troubles. As part of my education I have had to go down to the depths of the earth (Ps 63:9) and lie among the dead. But ultimately, from the dead, He will restore my life again.I have received numerous "wake up" calls in my life, but I repeatedly hit the snooze button. Seems I still do sometimes. When the serpent tempted Eve, his tactic was to create confusion about God's instructions, to make room for doubts. "Did God really say....?"My brain still looks for wiggle room, responding with "Well.... not in so many words." But what was his intent in leaving me with an instruction manual, available in so many translations and paraphrases? It was to make certain I could find the answers to my questions, and maybe spare me some pain.
Sadly, I have had to learn from my mistakes, the hard way. I think He allows me this out of His love for me. It is not that He is unsympathetic. He will restore my life again.
I include the 71st Psalm from The Message, without permission. But I do thank Eugene Peterson for his brilliant translation.
Psalm 71
1-3 I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it.
Do what you do so well:
get me out of this mess and up on my feet.
Put your ear to the ground and listen,
give me space for salvation.
Be a guest room where I can retreat;
you said your door was always open!
You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.
4-7 My God, free me from the grip of Wicked,
from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
You keep me going when times are tough—
my bedrock, God, since my childhood.
I've hung on you from the day of my birth,
the day you took me from the cradle;
I'll never run out of praise.
Many gasp in alarm when they see me,
but you take me in stride.
8-11 Just as each day brims with your beauty,
my mouth brims with praise.
But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old
or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
My enemies are talking behind my back,
watching for their chance to knife me.
The gossip is: "God has abandoned him.
Pounce on him now; no one will help him."
12-16 God, don't just watch from the sidelines.
Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
and daily add praise to praise.
I'll write the book on your righteousness,
talk up your salvation the livelong day,
never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
I post signs marking his right-of-way.
17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth,
God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I'm telling the world your wonders;
I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray.
God, don't walk off and leave me
until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
ways, O God.
God, you've done it all!
Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
I've been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
turn to me, be tender to me,
And I'll take up the lute and thank you
to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I'll make music for you on a harp,
Holy One of Israel.
When I open up in song to you,
I let out lungsful of praise,
my rescued life a song.
All day long I'm chanting
about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
slink off looking ashamed.
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again (Ps 71:20)
I have been trying for some time to connect the dots and get some thoughts to gel. Proverbs 19:3 from The Message lays the fault for a ruined life squarely where it belongs - at my feet. The psalmist in 71:20 seems to be tossing responsibility back at God.
Since Adam, we have tried to shift responsibility for our poor decisions on whomever else was available. Adam even tried to blame God for his decision to join the forbidden fruit fiasco. The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree... (Gen 3:12)But I think the psalmist is expressing a different truth. God makes me "see" troubles. As part of my education I have had to go down to the depths of the earth (Ps 63:9) and lie among the dead. But ultimately, from the dead, He will restore my life again.I have received numerous "wake up" calls in my life, but I repeatedly hit the snooze button. Seems I still do sometimes. When the serpent tempted Eve, his tactic was to create confusion about God's instructions, to make room for doubts. "Did God really say....?"My brain still looks for wiggle room, responding with "Well.... not in so many words." But what was his intent in leaving me with an instruction manual, available in so many translations and paraphrases? It was to make certain I could find the answers to my questions, and maybe spare me some pain.
Sadly, I have had to learn from my mistakes, the hard way. I think He allows me this out of His love for me. It is not that He is unsympathetic. He will restore my life again.
I include the 71st Psalm from The Message, without permission. But I do thank Eugene Peterson for his brilliant translation.
Psalm 71
1-3 I run for dear life to God, I'll never live to regret it.
Do what you do so well:
get me out of this mess and up on my feet.
Put your ear to the ground and listen,
give me space for salvation.
Be a guest room where I can retreat;
you said your door was always open!
You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.
4-7 My God, free me from the grip of Wicked,
from the clutch of Bad and Bully.
You keep me going when times are tough—
my bedrock, God, since my childhood.
I've hung on you from the day of my birth,
the day you took me from the cradle;
I'll never run out of praise.
Many gasp in alarm when they see me,
but you take me in stride.
8-11 Just as each day brims with your beauty,
my mouth brims with praise.
But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old
or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight.
My enemies are talking behind my back,
watching for their chance to knife me.
The gossip is: "God has abandoned him.
Pounce on him now; no one will help him."
12-16 God, don't just watch from the sidelines.
Come on! Run to my side!
My accusers—make them lose face.
Those out to get me—make them look
Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you,
and daily add praise to praise.
I'll write the book on your righteousness,
talk up your salvation the livelong day,
never run out of good things to write or say.
I come in the power of the Lord God,
I post signs marking his right-of-way.
17-24 You got me when I was an unformed youth,
God, and taught me everything I know.
Now I'm telling the world your wonders;
I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray.
God, don't walk off and leave me
until I get out the news
Of your strong right arm to this world,
news of your power to the world yet to come,
Your famous and righteous
ways, O God.
God, you've done it all!
Who is quite like you?
You, who made me stare trouble in the face,
Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
I've been to the bottom;
Bring me up, streaming with honors;
turn to me, be tender to me,
And I'll take up the lute and thank you
to the tune of your faithfulness, God.
I'll make music for you on a harp,
Holy One of Israel.
When I open up in song to you,
I let out lungsful of praise,
my rescued life a song.
All day long I'm chanting
about you and your righteous ways,
While those who tried to do me in
slink off looking ashamed.
Monday, November 2, 2009
So Much Yet To Learn
God has blessed me with an inquisitive mind. Additionally, I have a renewed zeal for His Word. It seems that the more I read, not huge amounts, but regular devoted reading, the greater understanding I gain from it. Even Old Testament books that once seemed so dry are yielding gems of knowledge. A good study bible and a desire to be connected to "the One who has all power" is all that is required.
Then he said, "Take the arrows... Strike the ground." He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times." (2 Kings 13:18-19)
Huh? What's up with that passage? But there is a powerful message in these words. Jehoash, king of Israel thought he did OK when he "struck [the ground] three times and stopped." But the Lord and His prophet, Elisha, were deeply disappointed at a half-hearted effort.
Sure, Jehoash did receive something for his effort, quite a bit actually. In the final analysis he got exactly what he believed God for. But Jehoash did not get everything God and Elisha had intended for him to receive. He got more than any human could have offered him, but he didn't get God's best.
There is a sobering truth to this story. It is that the importance of enthusiastically praying through our circumstances can not be understated. We must fully examine our hearts with God's message to us. Unless we do so, we will never claim the fullness of His promises to us or all the possibilities available that believing prayer offers.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
Paul uses seemingly redundant words, immeasurably more than all, to describe God's infinite love and power. And he also wanted us to know that we ought not limit God with our puny imaginations. So pick up the arrows and act like it's your last drum solo! Beat the ground like you want it tattooed! God expects a bit of enthusiasm in return for His best.
Then he said, "Take the arrows... Strike the ground." He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times." (2 Kings 13:18-19)
Huh? What's up with that passage? But there is a powerful message in these words. Jehoash, king of Israel thought he did OK when he "struck [the ground] three times and stopped." But the Lord and His prophet, Elisha, were deeply disappointed at a half-hearted effort.
Sure, Jehoash did receive something for his effort, quite a bit actually. In the final analysis he got exactly what he believed God for. But Jehoash did not get everything God and Elisha had intended for him to receive. He got more than any human could have offered him, but he didn't get God's best.
There is a sobering truth to this story. It is that the importance of enthusiastically praying through our circumstances can not be understated. We must fully examine our hearts with God's message to us. Unless we do so, we will never claim the fullness of His promises to us or all the possibilities available that believing prayer offers.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)
Paul uses seemingly redundant words, immeasurably more than all, to describe God's infinite love and power. And he also wanted us to know that we ought not limit God with our puny imaginations. So pick up the arrows and act like it's your last drum solo! Beat the ground like you want it tattooed! God expects a bit of enthusiasm in return for His best.
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