"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me..." Psalm 138:8a (NKJV)
This particular passage of scripture really grips my consciousness. For one I'm amazed at how good God is to me sometimes. Sure I know I'm the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and all that but sometimes just reflecting on His love for me in spite of me is enough to leave me...well...speechless.
I suppose the biggest reason why I'm gripped by this passage is the simple usage of the word perfect. Put in a different context, this Psalm speaks about what God will do (future) in spite of what is happening (present).
I imagine David writing this with a bit of distress upon his life. After all, he tips his hand in v.7 by saying, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble." I guess the juxtaposition of what he is enduring to what he has endured is really shaping what he believes will happen next to him. For if God did not abandon him in his past why would he do so in his future?
Many of us have to see God in the same way. Enough with us allowing our present challenge dictate what we believe for our future. If we are in Christ and we have seen the exploits of God in our past...then why can't we believe that He will perfect or in other translations "complete" our future. Trust can be the issue, but if God has the track record then why is it so difficult for some to continue to trust Him?
I think the warring factions of doubt and faith have a lot to do with that. But like David I want to remind myself of the past victories God has accomplished for me to enhance my faith in spite of the doubt that wants to overcome me. This I believe will cause me to trust fully that He will perfect everything that concerns me.
-Amen
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Why we hope
"But I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: the stedfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)
This passage is written from a very dark place. In the previous passages, the writer (Jeremiah) is engrossed in lamenting the failed glory of a once vibrant republic (Israel and Judah). At present, the writer is faced with peril at every turn and even worse a company of his own people clamoring for his life. In his darkest hour, he begins to think about the one thing that has never failed him, his God.
Fast forward to the present day as I am completely drawn to the fact that though the writer faced perilous times his reason for hope is just as relevant to me. I stop to think for a moment why God does what he does. (don't we all?) One fact is inescapable to me...His faithfulness still is great! I don't know how one argues against that. After all, the sun still rises in the morning, the flowers still bloom in the spring, and the seasons keep changing.
What's my point? I guess its to say that if the seemingly mundane has a rhythmic resonance to it, that no matter what, it will still come to pass. What is to make me think that I'm going to be left abandoned to the situation that seems bleak around me? As I grow older I understand more what the writer pens, "but I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope." Or as another writer put it, "And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here to day and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you..." (Matthew 6:30) This my friends is why we hope.
-Amen
This passage is written from a very dark place. In the previous passages, the writer (Jeremiah) is engrossed in lamenting the failed glory of a once vibrant republic (Israel and Judah). At present, the writer is faced with peril at every turn and even worse a company of his own people clamoring for his life. In his darkest hour, he begins to think about the one thing that has never failed him, his God.
Fast forward to the present day as I am completely drawn to the fact that though the writer faced perilous times his reason for hope is just as relevant to me. I stop to think for a moment why God does what he does. (don't we all?) One fact is inescapable to me...His faithfulness still is great! I don't know how one argues against that. After all, the sun still rises in the morning, the flowers still bloom in the spring, and the seasons keep changing.
What's my point? I guess its to say that if the seemingly mundane has a rhythmic resonance to it, that no matter what, it will still come to pass. What is to make me think that I'm going to be left abandoned to the situation that seems bleak around me? As I grow older I understand more what the writer pens, "but I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope." Or as another writer put it, "And if God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here to day and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you..." (Matthew 6:30) This my friends is why we hope.
-Amen
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Sought and found
"Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13 AMP
I remember years ago I lost a set of my car keys and I went about the entire house searching for it. The search was so pronounced that I looked in places that I haven't even looked at in years. Unfortunately, my search produced no results and I was left wondering and searching for something that could not be found.
While I would never liken my search for car keys to a search for God I won't forget the sentiment of loss I experienced looking for what I thought was a vital necessity for my life to function properly. A car was necessary to get me to work, and to places of commerce where I could purchase things that were of importance to me, or even go to places of worship. Though I needed to get around in my car without my key I was completely at a loss, until I was able to replace the key.
I wonder if sometimes our search for the practical things we believe are of vital importance for us could be diverted to seeking God in the same manner. It's hard to comprehend how one can look for something replaceable with such fervor and not devote that same focus to seeking God. It's truly an indictment on the status of what we elevate as important.
Each time I lose my way, I stop to reflect on that feeling I had when I looked for those keys, and it helps me recalibrate my focus on what's most important. I start to think about if I lost my connection to God like I loss that key I would be worse off than anything that key would ever provide me. The great thing about God is that He always makes himself available for us. Never once in any passage of scripture can you find where God does not make himself available to those who seek Him. That is a tremendous encouragement and comfort. Makes me want to undergo the search daily, so that I experience the things that are truly vital and necessary for my life.
I remember years ago I lost a set of my car keys and I went about the entire house searching for it. The search was so pronounced that I looked in places that I haven't even looked at in years. Unfortunately, my search produced no results and I was left wondering and searching for something that could not be found.
While I would never liken my search for car keys to a search for God I won't forget the sentiment of loss I experienced looking for what I thought was a vital necessity for my life to function properly. A car was necessary to get me to work, and to places of commerce where I could purchase things that were of importance to me, or even go to places of worship. Though I needed to get around in my car without my key I was completely at a loss, until I was able to replace the key.
I wonder if sometimes our search for the practical things we believe are of vital importance for us could be diverted to seeking God in the same manner. It's hard to comprehend how one can look for something replaceable with such fervor and not devote that same focus to seeking God. It's truly an indictment on the status of what we elevate as important.
Each time I lose my way, I stop to reflect on that feeling I had when I looked for those keys, and it helps me recalibrate my focus on what's most important. I start to think about if I lost my connection to God like I loss that key I would be worse off than anything that key would ever provide me. The great thing about God is that He always makes himself available for us. Never once in any passage of scripture can you find where God does not make himself available to those who seek Him. That is a tremendous encouragement and comfort. Makes me want to undergo the search daily, so that I experience the things that are truly vital and necessary for my life.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Thank God!
"Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done." 1 Chronicles 16:8 (NLT)
At the end of the day what matters most in life is us taking a moment to appreciate what God has done for us. Many of us begrudge this fact by saying, "well my life isn't what it's supposed to be, and things around me aren't all that great." My answer to you is...perhaps that's true, but is that a result of what God has done? Or what you have done yourself?
I've grown to find that at least in my life when things go wrong, I had a lot to do with it. Conversely, when things start breaking my way, curiously I had nothing to do with it. I maintain that typically the cause of my demise is... well... Me. I guess that's what compels me to write. Not because I want people to read about me for me, but instead serve as a warning for what not to do when all you want to do in your life is work out your own problems and issues.
This passage of scripture matters in life because it sums up the purpose of why we live. It gives us perspective that in this world there IS a greater power at work within us, doing things we can't even come close to doing on our own merit if we allow it.
I stand in awe of the greatness of God because he took a guy like me and placed me in places I never dreamed I would have been. The world needs to know this because this is actually a person giving credit to someone other than themselves, which was supposed to be the point all along.
At the end of the day what matters most in life is us taking a moment to appreciate what God has done for us. Many of us begrudge this fact by saying, "well my life isn't what it's supposed to be, and things around me aren't all that great." My answer to you is...perhaps that's true, but is that a result of what God has done? Or what you have done yourself?
I've grown to find that at least in my life when things go wrong, I had a lot to do with it. Conversely, when things start breaking my way, curiously I had nothing to do with it. I maintain that typically the cause of my demise is... well... Me. I guess that's what compels me to write. Not because I want people to read about me for me, but instead serve as a warning for what not to do when all you want to do in your life is work out your own problems and issues.
This passage of scripture matters in life because it sums up the purpose of why we live. It gives us perspective that in this world there IS a greater power at work within us, doing things we can't even come close to doing on our own merit if we allow it.
I stand in awe of the greatness of God because he took a guy like me and placed me in places I never dreamed I would have been. The world needs to know this because this is actually a person giving credit to someone other than themselves, which was supposed to be the point all along.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The right time
"So let us not grow tired in doing good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing, if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9
This is an interesting passage to read because one would surmise that it's critical advice for those who see much labor but little fruit for their labor. I think many people misunderstand cause and effect. Many people think that the cause of one immediate thing should often produce an immediate effect and often times that is just not the case.
I'm sure that Paul saw a lot of his dear friends in Galatia experiencing this type of frustration, as I'm sure many were falling away from their faith because they were being faithful in doing good, but it wasn't quite producing the results they were imagining it would. He felt the best way to respond to this type of frustration was to show others that there indeed was a better way, but sometimes the better way is not always revealed at what we would consider "the right time."
More often than not when I wallow in my frustration with doing good but seeing no results God always reminds me of this passage in Isaiah 55:8-9 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." This was God's way of helping me understand that there is a higher purpose at work that I can't possibly fathom.
Could it be that what you thought was leading to nothing would indeed be something that would be life altering for you? I mean I would consider a harvest of blessing to be life altering for sure. My advice to you is to keep moving forward, keep grinding, keep up the good work, because you just never know when that harvest would show up in your life. But I do guarantee that it's going to be enough to alter the course of where you were heading. That's just how God works.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Heart of Redemption
"When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others why are righteous and haven't strayed away." Luke 15:6-7 (NLT)
When I read this passage I look at it from the perspective of a father. Being a dad has really shaped the way I have begun to look and evaluate things in my life. It also helps me understand a little better the way God looks at us.
Here Jesus uses the portrait of a shepherd to help us understand how God views the unsaved or lost. How if he has 100 sheep and one strays away the shepherd will leave his 99 and go through all hell and high-water to find the lost sheep, and once the sheep is found there is great rejoicing more over the one who was lost than the ones who remained.
This may seem paradoxical to some that use human reasoning because we tend to favor and reward those who are faithful and loyal and don't stray, but it is interesting that God while happy that you have stayed and remained loyal places a premium of concern and joy to those who are redeemed. I guess it all makes sense now why He will send his Son for our redemption, and why we should feel the same about those who are found. We demonstrate the heart of God by rejoicing with him for those who are found.
When I read this passage I look at it from the perspective of a father. Being a dad has really shaped the way I have begun to look and evaluate things in my life. It also helps me understand a little better the way God looks at us.
Here Jesus uses the portrait of a shepherd to help us understand how God views the unsaved or lost. How if he has 100 sheep and one strays away the shepherd will leave his 99 and go through all hell and high-water to find the lost sheep, and once the sheep is found there is great rejoicing more over the one who was lost than the ones who remained.
This may seem paradoxical to some that use human reasoning because we tend to favor and reward those who are faithful and loyal and don't stray, but it is interesting that God while happy that you have stayed and remained loyal places a premium of concern and joy to those who are redeemed. I guess it all makes sense now why He will send his Son for our redemption, and why we should feel the same about those who are found. We demonstrate the heart of God by rejoicing with him for those who are found.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
I know
"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
This is a very well known scripture in Christian circles because lots of people love to hold on to its promise. They love what it says about their future and the hope that comes with it all. But what about those times where you take the future in your own hands? When you decide you know what's best for you and proceed to do it. Then when all of your options have failed you turn back to Him for help. What happens then?
Recently, I faced such a situation. A place where I felt I needed to handle some business and take matters into my own hands. I prayed to God for assistance in the matter but I didn't allow Him to work the matter for me because I felt I could handle it (How audacious of me). I came to realize my efforts to save myself were consistently adding to my detriment. The more I worked on the matter the worse it became. And yet I kept praying for God to help me and it seemed like He was not.
Later on the thought had occurred to me, that He was allowing me to go on my own because He doesn't want to mix oil and water (my way and effort with His power). Suppose for a moment He "helped" me, and I got what I needed to get out of this situation. While I may have given Him part of the credit, the majority of the credit I would have given to myself (after all that is human nature). You have to understand, "He shares His glory with no man," (Isaiah 42:8) so why would I think He'd ever contribute to my failed effort? Yet here in the key scripture lies the true answer to my dilemma. Two simple words often overlooked in Jeremiah 29:11 that revolutionize the way you we should look for answers. "I know."
The words "I know" give us every indication that we need to stop where we are and let the one who has intimate knowledge of the path lead the way. It may be hard to comprehend or recognize because it take a great measure of faith to allow Him to work, but consider how great you will feel when you release the burden of trying to figure it out. I think it's as simple as taking Him at His word. If He says He knows... and what He knows will lead to good and not disaster. In my feeble, mind I think that's good enough to at least give it a try. Don't you?
This is a very well known scripture in Christian circles because lots of people love to hold on to its promise. They love what it says about their future and the hope that comes with it all. But what about those times where you take the future in your own hands? When you decide you know what's best for you and proceed to do it. Then when all of your options have failed you turn back to Him for help. What happens then?
Recently, I faced such a situation. A place where I felt I needed to handle some business and take matters into my own hands. I prayed to God for assistance in the matter but I didn't allow Him to work the matter for me because I felt I could handle it (How audacious of me). I came to realize my efforts to save myself were consistently adding to my detriment. The more I worked on the matter the worse it became. And yet I kept praying for God to help me and it seemed like He was not.
Later on the thought had occurred to me, that He was allowing me to go on my own because He doesn't want to mix oil and water (my way and effort with His power). Suppose for a moment He "helped" me, and I got what I needed to get out of this situation. While I may have given Him part of the credit, the majority of the credit I would have given to myself (after all that is human nature). You have to understand, "He shares His glory with no man," (Isaiah 42:8) so why would I think He'd ever contribute to my failed effort? Yet here in the key scripture lies the true answer to my dilemma. Two simple words often overlooked in Jeremiah 29:11 that revolutionize the way you we should look for answers. "I know."
The words "I know" give us every indication that we need to stop where we are and let the one who has intimate knowledge of the path lead the way. It may be hard to comprehend or recognize because it take a great measure of faith to allow Him to work, but consider how great you will feel when you release the burden of trying to figure it out. I think it's as simple as taking Him at His word. If He says He knows... and what He knows will lead to good and not disaster. In my feeble, mind I think that's good enough to at least give it a try. Don't you?
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