This morning I have been thinking back over some reading I have been doing lately on Theology and Disability, which is a very interesting topic. It forces one to look at our faith and our beliefs and evaluate them in light of God's presence and desire for relationship with all of us, even with those who are severely limited cognitively (in our modern ideas of cognitive abilities) or significantly disabled. I have discovered some excellent books and am working through them, but I can quickly summarize that for all authors that I have read so far, they point to relationship as the core aspect of faith, relationship with God and relationships with each other. This has long been my understanding of faith and it is my belief that relationships are key to the Kingdom of God, and that which is most valuable to God. However, I also realized that my thinking was relatively limited to my own experience and my own educational and life purpose paradigms, and I had never really spent any time thinking about how my paradigms of faith could be applied to those that we would label severely disabled. I am very grateful for the opportunity to expand my thinking and my understanding of the Lord's heart.
It is clear that the Lord loves us all! Regardless of our abilities, our gifts, our lives, our sin or our present thinking, He loves us. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans 5:8 NIV: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The love of God is previous, it has existed since before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4-6) and is unaffected by our behavior or abilities. His love is our greatest gift and the foundation of our existence.
It is within this context of love that we must understand our life and our own uniqueness. It is also in this context of love that we should view our interactions with each other. One of the authors I read recently talks of our ability to love as being our primary witness to God within us. He describes how this ability and natural propensity to love is the one thing we all possess and are all able to participate in, regardless of our gifts and abilities. It is within this context that our faith must find its meaning and definition. Jesus described it quite simply - we are called to love God (Matt 22:37) and love one another as He loved us (John 13:34).
One of the thing that each of the authors has highlighted is that in coming to Earth, and humbling Himself to being fully man, Jesus completely understands our human weakness and frailty. In fact, in allowing Himself to beaten and crucified, He embraces weakness and brokenness at a level that is completely opposite of what we would think and all-powerful God would ever do. There is something in His brokenness and humility, His being stripped naked and beaten, His own abilities and gifts nailed to the cross that expresses God's love and character like nothing else could.
We like to think of God as all powerful, sitting on His throne, and this is true, but His primary revelation of Himself and His heart is seen in Jesus, in His humility, love, mercy, compassion and brokenness. This is so true that after His resurrection, Jesus still bore the wounds to His Body, symbolizing the depth of His love and His own nature embracing brokenness. We tend to not want to embrace the idea of a wounded God, a broken savior, and yet it was those wounds and brokenness that bought us complete redemption (Isaiah 53). Paul writes the following in his letter to the Philippians 3:10 NIV: "I want to know Christ---yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,..." Paul recognized that in the depth of God's love for us, we find a suffering Christ, and he wanted to know this overwhelming mystery of God's love.
So this morning, I am encouraged to look at my faith, to recognize that there is more that I must understand and embrace, and some of that is found in uncomfortable places of suffering and brokenness. I am encouraged to look to love, to express love and to embrace love for God and love for all as the primary means of communicating my faith. God Loves me, and I am overoyed that is the case. God loves each of us, and that should be my witness in my life, words and actions.
Amen!
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Thursday, July 26, 2018
The Kingdom Comes in Power!
This morning I am meditating on a few verses from the end of the eighth chapter of Mark's Gospel, and the beginning of chapter nine. Here are the verses -
Mark 8:34-38 NIV:
[34] "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [35] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. [36] What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? [37] Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? [38] If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 9:1 NIV
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
I wanted to focus on the verse from chapter nine, but I think it is always important to understand the context in which Jesus was speaking. In this case he was speaking to a crowd of people who were desiring to follow Him, and was speaking of the the cost of that discipleship. It is within that context that His comment about the kingdom of God coming in power is spoken. He isn't speaking about the end of the age here, but rather is referencing the coming outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in power at Pentecost.
I find it interesting that Jesus references an experience of the Kingdom coming in power in light of the fact that he had been already ministering in power and authority. In the few preceding chapters to this statement in Mark's Gospel, Jesus had healed blindness, the deaf, fed four thousand, fed five thousand, and walked on water. It seems to me that Jesus is pointing to a significant increase in power. He had already sent out the 12 and they had ministered healing, deliverance and miracles, and yet this was going to be greater than that, and I believe He was clearly referencing the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
I believe it is also important that we not separate Mark 9:1 from Mark 8:34-38, for without it, the teaching of "taking up one's cross daily" just sounds tortuous! There is certainly self-denial in the Kingdom, but it is supposed to balanced by a release of power. As I was just reflecting on these verses, it seemed to me that Jesus was describing a journey of transformation. We start by deciding to follow Him, secondly we learn that not everything in us, fits with Him and we must choose to let those parts go (deny oneself). Third we invest ourselves in representing Him and representing the Gospel. Fourth, we stand our ground in the face of persecution and trial. Fifth, we receive real power, and see to the expansion of the Kingdom of God, for what else would that power be for?
I thought that there is some parallels to what Jesus is describing and the basic training regimen that people go through in joining one of this nation's armed forces. Boot camp is all about transformation and learning to deny oneself to follow directions. There is a breaking down of individuality to take on a more unified and communal perspective and outlook.
In this case, as described by Jesus, we have eternal reward and our souls profit, and that is a great blessing and privilege. However, it doesn't stop there, but instead is meant to be empowered by the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is greater than what Jesus had already demonstrated, so much so that He felt required to mention it. I am reminded of Jesus' words found in John 14, where He speaks of the greater things we would do in His name - John 14:10-12 NIV:
[10] "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Amen! Lord we want to see the Kingdom of God coming in power!
Mark 8:34-38 NIV:
[34] "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [35] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. [36] What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? [37] Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? [38] If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 9:1 NIV
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
I wanted to focus on the verse from chapter nine, but I think it is always important to understand the context in which Jesus was speaking. In this case he was speaking to a crowd of people who were desiring to follow Him, and was speaking of the the cost of that discipleship. It is within that context that His comment about the kingdom of God coming in power is spoken. He isn't speaking about the end of the age here, but rather is referencing the coming outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in power at Pentecost.
I find it interesting that Jesus references an experience of the Kingdom coming in power in light of the fact that he had been already ministering in power and authority. In the few preceding chapters to this statement in Mark's Gospel, Jesus had healed blindness, the deaf, fed four thousand, fed five thousand, and walked on water. It seems to me that Jesus is pointing to a significant increase in power. He had already sent out the 12 and they had ministered healing, deliverance and miracles, and yet this was going to be greater than that, and I believe He was clearly referencing the Holy Spirit (Acts 2).
I believe it is also important that we not separate Mark 9:1 from Mark 8:34-38, for without it, the teaching of "taking up one's cross daily" just sounds tortuous! There is certainly self-denial in the Kingdom, but it is supposed to balanced by a release of power. As I was just reflecting on these verses, it seemed to me that Jesus was describing a journey of transformation. We start by deciding to follow Him, secondly we learn that not everything in us, fits with Him and we must choose to let those parts go (deny oneself). Third we invest ourselves in representing Him and representing the Gospel. Fourth, we stand our ground in the face of persecution and trial. Fifth, we receive real power, and see to the expansion of the Kingdom of God, for what else would that power be for?
I thought that there is some parallels to what Jesus is describing and the basic training regimen that people go through in joining one of this nation's armed forces. Boot camp is all about transformation and learning to deny oneself to follow directions. There is a breaking down of individuality to take on a more unified and communal perspective and outlook.
In this case, as described by Jesus, we have eternal reward and our souls profit, and that is a great blessing and privilege. However, it doesn't stop there, but instead is meant to be empowered by the Power of the Holy Spirit. This is greater than what Jesus had already demonstrated, so much so that He felt required to mention it. I am reminded of Jesus' words found in John 14, where He speaks of the greater things we would do in His name - John 14:10-12 NIV:
[10] "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. [11] Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
Amen! Lord we want to see the Kingdom of God coming in power!
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Shut the Door on Your Past
On Saturday morning I was listening to Bill Johnson speak and he quoted two different scriptures when discussing our need to put our past in right perspective. They are from Romans 8, and 1 Corinthians 3 - as follows:
Romans 8:37-39 NASB:
[37] "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 NASB:
[21] "So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, [23] and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God."
Reading these verses carefully, the thing missing from both lists is the past. It is interesting, especially if we are to read into the verses from Paul to the Corinthians, all things belong to us today and into the future, but the past apparently does not belong to us. If we look at the list of things that are listed as not being able to separate us from the Love of God, again the past is left off of the list. The question is why?
We can gain some wisdom regarding this from 2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV:
[5] "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."
In Christ, our past has been paid for, our sins have been expunged, our wounds have been healed. It is the application of these truths that must occur, or as Peter indicates, we need to remember these truths. Each day we have fresh mercies, a new start with the Lord, and as we ask forgiveness for our sins and wrong ways the Lord, forgives us completely.
Regarding this forgiveness, a couple of verses come to mind -
Isaiah 1:18 NIV: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Psalm 103:10-12 NIV: "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
These are such great verses to meditate upon and allow the truth to settle deep into our hearts. The Lord (in Isaiah 1) wants to settle the matter. In other words, it is finished, it is completed, it has been paid for by the Lord. In His view, these are true. We need to get His view into our mind and hearts. He does not hold our sins against us, so why should we?
The enemy tries to convince us that these truths are false. He tries to get us to hold onto our pasts, to live in the shame and regret of things we did or didn't do. These are all in the past, and if they would be considered sin, they are forgive and the matter is settled. We can't change the past, it is settled. We can learn from the past and do better next time. In God's perspective, we have been forgiven, cleansed, paid for, healed, and loved.
It is like each day we are given a new clean robe to wear. The enemy tries to get us to put on the old stained and torn one. He wants us to think of ourselves before God from the point of view of our sin, and the whole while God is looking at us as His sons and daughters. Psalm 103 above is a great example of this - as the Psalmist writes from a point of reference knowing his sinfulness and his iniquities, yet realizing that God DOESN'T treat us as one would expect. Instead of punishment he experiences great love and forgiveness. This is true for us all.
In the same way we are forgiven, the Lord calls us to forgive those that have sinned against us. I think this is for a couple of reasons. First, we are invited to model forgiveness so that we can understand the Lord's forgiveness towards us. Second, forgiveness provides us a path to freedom and healing in Him. Third, unforgiveness keeps us living in the past, not able to move forward and not stepping into the things that belong to us, the present and future. We can't move effectively forward if we are always looking backwards. We can move forward somewhat, but not effectively. Forgiveness allows us to step beyond our past and move forward into our present and future.
The Lord wants to have us to shut the door on our past, and move on. As Paul says in his letter to the Philippians 3:13-14 NIV: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Our future, and our present are what belong to us. Let us step into them with an understanding of the great gift of forgiveness and love that the Lord has poured upon us. Let us step into this new day with our new clean robe, washed clean by the Lord!
Amen!
Romans 8:37-39 NASB:
[37] "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 NASB:
[21] "So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, [22] whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, [23] and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God."
Reading these verses carefully, the thing missing from both lists is the past. It is interesting, especially if we are to read into the verses from Paul to the Corinthians, all things belong to us today and into the future, but the past apparently does not belong to us. If we look at the list of things that are listed as not being able to separate us from the Love of God, again the past is left off of the list. The question is why?
We can gain some wisdom regarding this from 2 Peter 1:5-9 NIV:
[5] "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; [6] and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; [7] and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. [8] For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins."
In Christ, our past has been paid for, our sins have been expunged, our wounds have been healed. It is the application of these truths that must occur, or as Peter indicates, we need to remember these truths. Each day we have fresh mercies, a new start with the Lord, and as we ask forgiveness for our sins and wrong ways the Lord, forgives us completely.
Regarding this forgiveness, a couple of verses come to mind -
Isaiah 1:18 NIV: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Isaiah 53:4-5 NIV: "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. [5] But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Psalm 103:10-12 NIV: "he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. [11] For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; [12] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
These are such great verses to meditate upon and allow the truth to settle deep into our hearts. The Lord (in Isaiah 1) wants to settle the matter. In other words, it is finished, it is completed, it has been paid for by the Lord. In His view, these are true. We need to get His view into our mind and hearts. He does not hold our sins against us, so why should we?
The enemy tries to convince us that these truths are false. He tries to get us to hold onto our pasts, to live in the shame and regret of things we did or didn't do. These are all in the past, and if they would be considered sin, they are forgive and the matter is settled. We can't change the past, it is settled. We can learn from the past and do better next time. In God's perspective, we have been forgiven, cleansed, paid for, healed, and loved.
It is like each day we are given a new clean robe to wear. The enemy tries to get us to put on the old stained and torn one. He wants us to think of ourselves before God from the point of view of our sin, and the whole while God is looking at us as His sons and daughters. Psalm 103 above is a great example of this - as the Psalmist writes from a point of reference knowing his sinfulness and his iniquities, yet realizing that God DOESN'T treat us as one would expect. Instead of punishment he experiences great love and forgiveness. This is true for us all.
In the same way we are forgiven, the Lord calls us to forgive those that have sinned against us. I think this is for a couple of reasons. First, we are invited to model forgiveness so that we can understand the Lord's forgiveness towards us. Second, forgiveness provides us a path to freedom and healing in Him. Third, unforgiveness keeps us living in the past, not able to move forward and not stepping into the things that belong to us, the present and future. We can't move effectively forward if we are always looking backwards. We can move forward somewhat, but not effectively. Forgiveness allows us to step beyond our past and move forward into our present and future.
The Lord wants to have us to shut the door on our past, and move on. As Paul says in his letter to the Philippians 3:13-14 NIV: "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Our future, and our present are what belong to us. Let us step into them with an understanding of the great gift of forgiveness and love that the Lord has poured upon us. Let us step into this new day with our new clean robe, washed clean by the Lord!
Amen!
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Q & A - Who Do You Say I Am??
This morning I was again reflecting on a question and answer session between Jesus and the Pharisees, this one found in Mark 11:27-33 NIV:
[27] They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. [28] “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
[29] Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [30] John's baptism---was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
[31] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' [32] But if we say, 'Of human origin' ” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
[33] So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
As I was reflecting on these verses, I was not so focused on the trap they were trying lay for Jesus, but rather was thinking about Jesus and his merciful response. So often I read about Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees, and I always think they were contentious and that Jesus was hammering on them, but the more I have reflected on Jesus, I just don't get that sense any more. Instead I tend to see His heart for them, and the invitation He gives them to change the way they are thinking.
It is true that they were looking for ways to trap Him, looking to ensnare Him in such a way as to be able to arrest Him and kill Him, but I just don't think Jesus was that concerned by that threat. Instead, I think His response was always loving and merciful. In this case, He turns their question into a question for them to consider. They were at a decision point, where if they chose correctly they would have realized that He was the Messiah. If they chose to believe John was from God, then they would have had to believe that He was the one that John was preparing the way for, the Messiah. They knew scripture, they knew the passages from Isaiah 40:3 speaking of the one in the wilderness crying "prepare the way for the Lord." Jesus was giving them the opportunity to repent! He was ready to tell them the truth, if they would have chosen to believe. They had the choice, they saw it clearly before them, and they chose to deny Him.
I think that most of the time this is how He leads us as well. The question is always a variant of the following verse - Matthew 16:15 NIV: “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” When we receive this question from the Lord, He is always giving us the opportunity to draw nearer to Him, to change the way we think, to repent in our thinking and recognize His truth! He loves us and wants us to see Him for who He is, and to see who we are in Him!
For example, when we are confronted by difficult circumstances, we have the choice to believe that He is our provider, that He is faithful, that He is all powerful, and that He is sovereign, or not. Our choice affects our relationship with Him, we either go deeper and entrust ourselves to Him at a deeper level, or we deny or doubt Him or His characteristics and turn to something else. We may not see the choice as clearly as that, but if we distill our thoughts down, that is what we are deciding.
He either is God, or He isn't. His Word is either true or it isn't. There really isn't any in-between options. He isn't mostly powerful, mostly faithful, and sometimes our provider. Somehow we convince ourselves that is the case though, when we choose to believe otherwise. I love the fact that Jesus is never surprised by our struggle, nor only willing to give us one chance. I love that He is always merciful, and compassionate and loving! He came to reveal the Father to us, and He continues to do that every day! He wants us to be in relationship with Him and wants to remove anything that is impinging our faith and experience of His faithfulness and blessings.
So today, I am encouraged to see the opportunity in my circumstances to answer the question, "who do I say He is?" Every time I am confronted with that question I know there is an opportunity to go deeper in relationship and revelation of Him!
[27] They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. [28] “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
[29] Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. [30] John's baptism---was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
[31] They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' [32] But if we say, 'Of human origin' ” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
[33] So they answered Jesus, “We don't know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
As I was reflecting on these verses, I was not so focused on the trap they were trying lay for Jesus, but rather was thinking about Jesus and his merciful response. So often I read about Jesus' interactions with the Pharisees, and I always think they were contentious and that Jesus was hammering on them, but the more I have reflected on Jesus, I just don't get that sense any more. Instead I tend to see His heart for them, and the invitation He gives them to change the way they are thinking.
It is true that they were looking for ways to trap Him, looking to ensnare Him in such a way as to be able to arrest Him and kill Him, but I just don't think Jesus was that concerned by that threat. Instead, I think His response was always loving and merciful. In this case, He turns their question into a question for them to consider. They were at a decision point, where if they chose correctly they would have realized that He was the Messiah. If they chose to believe John was from God, then they would have had to believe that He was the one that John was preparing the way for, the Messiah. They knew scripture, they knew the passages from Isaiah 40:3 speaking of the one in the wilderness crying "prepare the way for the Lord." Jesus was giving them the opportunity to repent! He was ready to tell them the truth, if they would have chosen to believe. They had the choice, they saw it clearly before them, and they chose to deny Him.
I think that most of the time this is how He leads us as well. The question is always a variant of the following verse - Matthew 16:15 NIV: “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” When we receive this question from the Lord, He is always giving us the opportunity to draw nearer to Him, to change the way we think, to repent in our thinking and recognize His truth! He loves us and wants us to see Him for who He is, and to see who we are in Him!
For example, when we are confronted by difficult circumstances, we have the choice to believe that He is our provider, that He is faithful, that He is all powerful, and that He is sovereign, or not. Our choice affects our relationship with Him, we either go deeper and entrust ourselves to Him at a deeper level, or we deny or doubt Him or His characteristics and turn to something else. We may not see the choice as clearly as that, but if we distill our thoughts down, that is what we are deciding.
He either is God, or He isn't. His Word is either true or it isn't. There really isn't any in-between options. He isn't mostly powerful, mostly faithful, and sometimes our provider. Somehow we convince ourselves that is the case though, when we choose to believe otherwise. I love the fact that Jesus is never surprised by our struggle, nor only willing to give us one chance. I love that He is always merciful, and compassionate and loving! He came to reveal the Father to us, and He continues to do that every day! He wants us to be in relationship with Him and wants to remove anything that is impinging our faith and experience of His faithfulness and blessings.
So today, I am encouraged to see the opportunity in my circumstances to answer the question, "who do I say He is?" Every time I am confronted with that question I know there is an opportunity to go deeper in relationship and revelation of Him!
Monday, July 16, 2018
A Life of Heavenly Affluence
This morning I am reflecting on a couple of amazing verses from Paul's letter to the church in Galatia. Here are the verses - Galatians 4:4-7 NIV:
[4] "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship [daughtership]. [6] Because you are his sons [and daughters], God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
This is one of those verses that it would be good to read over and over again until the reality of it settled into our hearts! We are God's sons and daughters! He loves us like a Daddy! He desires a Father / son or Father / daughter relationship with us. REALLY!!!
In fact, He loves us so much that He made us an heir, as in, He wrote us into His will! We will inherit eternal Life! (Matt 19:29) Even better this is not just limited to the end of our life, but we get to experience this life even now! What heir or heiress of a billionaire, lives out their lives in basic poverty here in the natural, on earth in our day? If we think about the Walton Family whose father founded Wal-Mart, they all lived lives of significant affluence even before their father passed away. In the same way, every rich family I know of, the heirs are living lives of affluence even before they inherit their main inheritance, after their parents pass away. If earthly parents understand how to bless their children and heirs, how much wore does the Father!
I am reminded of a couple of verses from Luke 11:9-13 NIV: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
I am so encouraged to ask for more this morning - more faith, more power from the Holy Spirit, more authority, more encouragement, more opportunities, more understanding, more hearing, more of Jesus in my life! I am encouraged that the Father wants me to live a live of eternal affluence, even now! I was just wanting to make sure I was using the appropriate noun, so looked up the definition of affluence from Websters:
1 a : an abundant flow or supply : profusion
b : abundance of property : wealth
2 : a flowing to or toward a point : influx
1a: Think Holy Spirit!
b: Think Spiritual Gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and general fruitfulness in the Kingdom
2: Think of the lost, the lonely, the unsaved - all of this Holy Spirit empowered eternal life has been given to us to flow out of us to the them!
I am reminded of Jesus' words to the woman at the well in Samaria, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:38-39 NIV).
Amen! Father, I ask for more that Your river of life, the living water would flow out of me! Help me learn to live a life of heavenly affluence here and now!
[4] "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship [daughtership]. [6] Because you are his sons [and daughters], God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."
This is one of those verses that it would be good to read over and over again until the reality of it settled into our hearts! We are God's sons and daughters! He loves us like a Daddy! He desires a Father / son or Father / daughter relationship with us. REALLY!!!
In fact, He loves us so much that He made us an heir, as in, He wrote us into His will! We will inherit eternal Life! (Matt 19:29) Even better this is not just limited to the end of our life, but we get to experience this life even now! What heir or heiress of a billionaire, lives out their lives in basic poverty here in the natural, on earth in our day? If we think about the Walton Family whose father founded Wal-Mart, they all lived lives of significant affluence even before their father passed away. In the same way, every rich family I know of, the heirs are living lives of affluence even before they inherit their main inheritance, after their parents pass away. If earthly parents understand how to bless their children and heirs, how much wore does the Father!
I am reminded of a couple of verses from Luke 11:9-13 NIV: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [11] “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
I am so encouraged to ask for more this morning - more faith, more power from the Holy Spirit, more authority, more encouragement, more opportunities, more understanding, more hearing, more of Jesus in my life! I am encouraged that the Father wants me to live a live of eternal affluence, even now! I was just wanting to make sure I was using the appropriate noun, so looked up the definition of affluence from Websters:
1 a : an abundant flow or supply : profusion
b : abundance of property : wealth
2 : a flowing to or toward a point : influx
1a: Think Holy Spirit!
b: Think Spiritual Gifts and fruit of the Spirit, and general fruitfulness in the Kingdom
2: Think of the lost, the lonely, the unsaved - all of this Holy Spirit empowered eternal life has been given to us to flow out of us to the them!
I am reminded of Jesus' words to the woman at the well in Samaria, "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:38-39 NIV).
Amen! Father, I ask for more that Your river of life, the living water would flow out of me! Help me learn to live a life of heavenly affluence here and now!
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Our Questions Allow Jesus to Speak to Our Hearts!
Yesterday I was reflecting on some verses from Mark's Gospel where the Pharisees ask Jesus a question and He answers in a way that they were not expecting. Today I am reflecting on another question and answer session, this time recounted in Matthew's Gospel and the story of a rich young man. Here are the verses - Matthew 19:16-26 NIV:
[16] "Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
[17] “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
[18] “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “ 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' ”
[20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[22] When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
[23] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
[25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This is such a powerful and simple interaction. It is recorded by Mark, and Luke as well, so it must have been one of the many key teachings, and memories of the Apostles. I would like to add one verse from Mark's Gospel, because I think it is important in understanding this exchange. Here is the verse - Mark 10:21 NIV: "Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
I believe it is very important to understand that Jesus' motivation in this interchange was love and the invitation was to intimacy with Him. In fact, this is always Jesus motivation in every single interaction we have with Him! He loves us, and will always love us, and always wants relationship with us! To receive anything from Jesus in any other understanding is wrong, His only motivation is Love (John 3:16-17). It was love that drove Him to come to earth and love that caused Him to endure the cross. It is Love that motivates Jesus in all his dealings with us.
Back to the story, the first thing to note is that the individual coming to Jesus was not a proud and self-righteous Pharisee, but rather a rich young man. Luke adds that He was a ruler (Luke 18:18). He came to Jesus asking a question not in judgment, but in sincere desire to do better. His focus was eternal life, and he had come to the right place - for Jesus holds the Key to eternal life, at the Father's direction. Jesus speaks of this in John 17:2-3 NIV:
[2] "For you (The Father) granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Jesus deals gently with this young man, drawing Him into deeper conversation and inviting him to relationship with Him, for we can certainly understand verse 21 as that invitation. I think that many times people get so caught up in the first part of that statement "go, sell your possessions..." that they miss the second part (recorded in Mark 10:21) of Jesus' invitation to follow Him (implied here in Matthew's retelling. Jesus is expressing love towards this young man, and is once again extending the invitation to relationship, and literally making the same offer that He does in Matthew 11:28-30 NIV: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He is offering the young man a way to release his burdens, those things that wear him down, but the young man has too much at stake, in his own heart, too much identity wrapped up in his wealth. Jesus offers the invitation that will set him free of all those bonds, and His motivation is love and desire for relationship. Jesus saw in this man the things that limited his pursuit of God, and showed him what was in his (Young man's) heart. He gave the young man the opportunity to repent, to change the way he thought and acted, but the young man was unable to take that step forward.
Jesus, in His following statements (verses 23-26) was expressing His understanding of the young man's plight, and I don't think He was judging the rich, only identifying the difficulty they have in stepping free of the bonds of responsibility and greed that can so easily ensnare us. I love the fact that Jesus finishes this with one of His most significant statements - "with God all things are possible!" This is so important for us to grasp, God is beyond capable, He is arguably the only one who is truly capable!
Although we don't hear anymore about this young man, as far as we know, I like to think that this was not the one and only encounter between Jesus and him. I am sure Jesus' words stayed with the young man for the rest of his earthly life. Maybe his name was Zaccheaus?? Whatever his future, you can be sure that he saw life differently after this encounter with Jesus. That is how Jesus draws us and leads us with His gentle touch. He is always wanting to lead us in deeper paths of relational intimacy, as well as to freedom from those things that bind us up.
I find it interesting that Jesus only went down this path once the man asked his second question, "What do I still lack?"(Matt 17:20) As I mentioned yesterday, if we ask Jesus a question we can be sure He will answer, but He might answer in ways we don't want Him to answer. The young man was probably thinking of some additional task he could do, and instead Jesus totally switched it up and went for his heart. Jesus doesn't just want platitudes and offers and intentions to do good, He actually wants to see us become more like Him in words and deeds, in faith and love! I think in some ways Jesus' answer to pretty much any question is going to be the same, 'come follow me". To respond to this invitation is a daily decision on our part. This is not like the French foreign legion where once you say yes they own you, instead, we get to make our decision every single day, even multiple times every day. Our choice to follow Him must be re-upped every day, and we must choose to step free of the things He shows us that still bind us.
Jesus understands that this invitation can be a struggle for many of us. He understands our weak nature. He loves us patiently, and always provides us as many chances as we need to change our lives! With our own will it is impossible to fully embrace His invitation, but with Him all things are possible!
Thank You Lord for Your loving invitation! Thank You for understanding us and helping us! Thank You for making the impossible in our grasp!
Amen!
[16] "Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?”
[17] “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
[18] “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “ 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, [19] honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' ”
[20] “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[22] When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
[23] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
[25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This is such a powerful and simple interaction. It is recorded by Mark, and Luke as well, so it must have been one of the many key teachings, and memories of the Apostles. I would like to add one verse from Mark's Gospel, because I think it is important in understanding this exchange. Here is the verse - Mark 10:21 NIV: "Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
I believe it is very important to understand that Jesus' motivation in this interchange was love and the invitation was to intimacy with Him. In fact, this is always Jesus motivation in every single interaction we have with Him! He loves us, and will always love us, and always wants relationship with us! To receive anything from Jesus in any other understanding is wrong, His only motivation is Love (John 3:16-17). It was love that drove Him to come to earth and love that caused Him to endure the cross. It is Love that motivates Jesus in all his dealings with us.
Back to the story, the first thing to note is that the individual coming to Jesus was not a proud and self-righteous Pharisee, but rather a rich young man. Luke adds that He was a ruler (Luke 18:18). He came to Jesus asking a question not in judgment, but in sincere desire to do better. His focus was eternal life, and he had come to the right place - for Jesus holds the Key to eternal life, at the Father's direction. Jesus speaks of this in John 17:2-3 NIV:
[2] "For you (The Father) granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Jesus deals gently with this young man, drawing Him into deeper conversation and inviting him to relationship with Him, for we can certainly understand verse 21 as that invitation. I think that many times people get so caught up in the first part of that statement "go, sell your possessions..." that they miss the second part (recorded in Mark 10:21) of Jesus' invitation to follow Him (implied here in Matthew's retelling. Jesus is expressing love towards this young man, and is once again extending the invitation to relationship, and literally making the same offer that He does in Matthew 11:28-30 NIV: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He is offering the young man a way to release his burdens, those things that wear him down, but the young man has too much at stake, in his own heart, too much identity wrapped up in his wealth. Jesus offers the invitation that will set him free of all those bonds, and His motivation is love and desire for relationship. Jesus saw in this man the things that limited his pursuit of God, and showed him what was in his (Young man's) heart. He gave the young man the opportunity to repent, to change the way he thought and acted, but the young man was unable to take that step forward.
Jesus, in His following statements (verses 23-26) was expressing His understanding of the young man's plight, and I don't think He was judging the rich, only identifying the difficulty they have in stepping free of the bonds of responsibility and greed that can so easily ensnare us. I love the fact that Jesus finishes this with one of His most significant statements - "with God all things are possible!" This is so important for us to grasp, God is beyond capable, He is arguably the only one who is truly capable!
Although we don't hear anymore about this young man, as far as we know, I like to think that this was not the one and only encounter between Jesus and him. I am sure Jesus' words stayed with the young man for the rest of his earthly life. Maybe his name was Zaccheaus?? Whatever his future, you can be sure that he saw life differently after this encounter with Jesus. That is how Jesus draws us and leads us with His gentle touch. He is always wanting to lead us in deeper paths of relational intimacy, as well as to freedom from those things that bind us up.
I find it interesting that Jesus only went down this path once the man asked his second question, "What do I still lack?"(Matt 17:20) As I mentioned yesterday, if we ask Jesus a question we can be sure He will answer, but He might answer in ways we don't want Him to answer. The young man was probably thinking of some additional task he could do, and instead Jesus totally switched it up and went for his heart. Jesus doesn't just want platitudes and offers and intentions to do good, He actually wants to see us become more like Him in words and deeds, in faith and love! I think in some ways Jesus' answer to pretty much any question is going to be the same, 'come follow me". To respond to this invitation is a daily decision on our part. This is not like the French foreign legion where once you say yes they own you, instead, we get to make our decision every single day, even multiple times every day. Our choice to follow Him must be re-upped every day, and we must choose to step free of the things He shows us that still bind us.
Jesus understands that this invitation can be a struggle for many of us. He understands our weak nature. He loves us patiently, and always provides us as many chances as we need to change our lives! With our own will it is impossible to fully embrace His invitation, but with Him all things are possible!
Thank You Lord for Your loving invitation! Thank You for understanding us and helping us! Thank You for making the impossible in our grasp!
Amen!
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Questions and Answers with Jesus
This morning I am reflecting on some verses form Mark’s
Gospel. Lately I have been reading of
Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees in a different light, since reading
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book “Ethics”. In
his book, Bonhoeffer discusses the interactions between the Pharisees and Jesus,
and describes them as having two completely different perspectives, thus it
often seems that when Jesus answers them, He isn’t even answering their
questions. These verses are a good
example of that dynamic. Here are the
verses – Mark 7:1-8 NIV:
1”The
Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem
gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were
defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their
hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they come from the marketplace they do
not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the
washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])”
5 So the Pharisees and teachers of the law
asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the
elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”
6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is
written:
“‘These
people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]
but their hearts are far from me.
7 They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’[b]
8 You have let go of the commands of God and
are holding on to human traditions.”
This is such an interesting exchange, as Jesus doesn’t
slowly turn the discussion towards His perspective, He comes right out and sets
the Pharisees back on their heels, calling them hypocrites (literally two-faced). His point is that they didn’t really care
about worshiping God, loving God and serving God, their concern was with
keeping focus on outward observances, rules and practices that had been modified
and refined, and that they were missing the whole point.
Jesus was directing them to review their actions and their
hearts, and see what motivation was really present. This is actually a great question for us to
consider. Why do we do the religious
expressions and observances that we do?
Where is our heart, what is our goal?
Are we working to look holy and pure to others, or are we trying to
worship God? Are our hearts turned
towards Him, or are we turned towards ourselves? Do we put rules and regulations before things
on God’s heart?? Are we more concerned
about what others think, than God? Do we
actually have a relationship with God or are we following our parent’s faith
with little thought of God?
The question the Pharisees raised was about observance of external
religious practice and Jesus answered with a call to examine one’s heart. This pretty much summarizes the difference
between the Law and the Revelation of Jesus.
The Law had become focused on outward expressions, and the Lord is far
more concerned about our inner expressions.
Going back to Jesus’ foundational “sermon on the Mount” (Matt
5-6), He was taking the external perspective and calling them to internalize
and embrace these ideas in their hearts.
God is far more concerned with our hearts than He is with our
works. This is the perspective Jesus is
presenting. His is a constant call to
embrace relationship and heart connection with the Father, and Himself. He wants our hearts, and that is always His
first concern.
Jesus came that the people might be set free from the judgment
of external works and released into true Life with and in the Father! It is so easy for us to forget this and
embrace the certain things we are told will make us more favored in God’s
eyes. There are all sorts of lists and
guides, rules and life-styles that purport to make us more holy, more blessed
by God, but these are so often void of the actual relationship God so desires. I can follow a list and never give my heart
away, for the list can be accomplished with external observances. I can appear externally to be pious and pure,
yet be wholly different internally.
So my thought this morning is I probably need to be careful
what I ask Jesus about, because He will likely answer me with something I wasn’t
wanting to hear! J He does love me and desires me to be free and
in relationship with Him! Sometimes I
forget who I am and who He is and get caught up in my own little vain imaginations,
and lose complete focus. He gently calls
me back, calls me back into His loving embrace where I recognize that He is
mostly concerned with my heart. He loves
me and will always love me and my actions can’t make Him Love me any more or
less!
Monday, July 9, 2018
Help In Times Of Dryness
This morning I am reflecting on David's Psalm 63. He wrote it while in the desert, and it seems very appropriate today. Here are the verses I am meditating upon - Psalm 63:1-8 NIV:
[1] "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
[2] I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
[3] Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
[4] I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
[5] I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
[6] On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
[7] Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
[8] I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."
In the natural realm here in KC, we haven't had any rain for a long time. When I look at the trees, the grass, anything that needs water, they are all drooping. I find myself longing for rain for the sake of the ground around me, for the farmers who depend on their crops, etc. I can't imagine life in a desert where there is hardly ever any rain.
David is using a similar experience to shape his language of longing for the Lord, and that too I can relate to in my daily life. Personally, it seems like I have been waiting on the Lord to move for a good year and a half in the area of my job. While there have been occasional breaks, and signs of hope, the gradual direction has been a downward trend, and I was telling someone recently that I felt like Elijah sitting by the stream and I was watching it dry up (see 1 Kings 17).
Some days feel exactly like David in the first verse. However, I have been choosing to focus less on my dryness and more on God's goodness. I have been reminding myself of the truth, of all that I have seen the Lord do in my past, and holding onto to those, clinging to the Lord! The truth is HE is good! He has a good plan for me! He is my provider! My identity isn't in my job, it is found in Him! He loves me! He isn't punishing me! He isn't surprised by this situation, and knows how it will be resolved! He is teaching me more about His faithfulness. He is actively arranging everything even though I can't see it. He will not forsake me! I am greatly blessed! I am in His favor!
In the same way as I can water my garden and flowers, and even my yard in the natural, I can provide water to my soul by remembering the good things the Lord has done, even while I am waiting for Him to move! I can praise God for His answer before I see it! I can remind myself of His faithfulness in the past and His never changing character! I can remember all the good, all the blessings, all the sweet times of intimacy and water my own soul, and establish hope as my foundation of understanding. I may not see my future clearly, but I know God and can trust in Him.
Looking back at David's song to the Lord, he was in a desert, but was looking forward into his future and seeing how God was going to bless him. He knew God, knew His promises were good, knew he could put his trust in God, and cling to Him. That is what I am choosing to do today! I will praise Him i the midst of my uncertainty knowing that God is fully in control, and has a great plan of blessing and abundance!
Amen! I will praise You Lord!
[1] "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
[2] I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
[3] Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
[4] I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.
[5] I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
[6] On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.
[7] Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.
[8] I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."
In the natural realm here in KC, we haven't had any rain for a long time. When I look at the trees, the grass, anything that needs water, they are all drooping. I find myself longing for rain for the sake of the ground around me, for the farmers who depend on their crops, etc. I can't imagine life in a desert where there is hardly ever any rain.
David is using a similar experience to shape his language of longing for the Lord, and that too I can relate to in my daily life. Personally, it seems like I have been waiting on the Lord to move for a good year and a half in the area of my job. While there have been occasional breaks, and signs of hope, the gradual direction has been a downward trend, and I was telling someone recently that I felt like Elijah sitting by the stream and I was watching it dry up (see 1 Kings 17).
Some days feel exactly like David in the first verse. However, I have been choosing to focus less on my dryness and more on God's goodness. I have been reminding myself of the truth, of all that I have seen the Lord do in my past, and holding onto to those, clinging to the Lord! The truth is HE is good! He has a good plan for me! He is my provider! My identity isn't in my job, it is found in Him! He loves me! He isn't punishing me! He isn't surprised by this situation, and knows how it will be resolved! He is teaching me more about His faithfulness. He is actively arranging everything even though I can't see it. He will not forsake me! I am greatly blessed! I am in His favor!
In the same way as I can water my garden and flowers, and even my yard in the natural, I can provide water to my soul by remembering the good things the Lord has done, even while I am waiting for Him to move! I can praise God for His answer before I see it! I can remind myself of His faithfulness in the past and His never changing character! I can remember all the good, all the blessings, all the sweet times of intimacy and water my own soul, and establish hope as my foundation of understanding. I may not see my future clearly, but I know God and can trust in Him.
Looking back at David's song to the Lord, he was in a desert, but was looking forward into his future and seeing how God was going to bless him. He knew God, knew His promises were good, knew he could put his trust in God, and cling to Him. That is what I am choosing to do today! I will praise Him i the midst of my uncertainty knowing that God is fully in control, and has a great plan of blessing and abundance!
Amen! I will praise You Lord!
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