28“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 (NASB95)
Growing up, I have early memories of my parents teaching me about sin. Not “how to” sin…because I already had an advanced degree in the subject. My parents tried to teach me about sin’s consequences. Their analogy made sense at the time, as a child, but I have come to realize its shortcoming as God reveals in the Scripture.
My folks told me that when I sinned, it made God sad. When I did right, it made God happy. Their explanation reduced my relationship with Jesus to a string of Emojis with me in control.
Again, I am not throwing shade at my parents. The explanation connected when I was a child, but as we grow in our understanding of God, so must our grasp of His redemption. The Lord’s redemptive care toward us does not vacillate based on our actions. Jesus doesn’t smile when we pause to let a person cross the street in front of our car, and then frown or turn his back when we lose our minds in the Walmart parking lot. He doesn’t extend redemption to us when we behave and then pull it back or begrudgingly leave it on the edge of the table when we mess up.
The goodness, sufficiency, and graciousness of God’s redemption does not shift and Christ’s love toward us does not ebb and flow according to some transactional exchange. If so, we ARE ALL DOOMED! Why?
Because we all sin (Romans 3:23). Not, “we once sinned but have given it up,” but our nature is one bent toward sinning. If that word seems harsh…. our nature is bent toward “self-interest and appeasement” rather than “God-interest and worship.” And this does not surprise the Lord one bit. In fact, He knows and knew about our sinful nature before we were ever born and Jesus came to redeem us…not in spite of our unfaithfulness, but precisely because of it.
21For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He watches all his paths.
Proverbs 5:21 (NASB95)
21“For His eyes are upon the ways of a man, And He sees all his steps.
Job 34:21 (NASB95)
Friend, to state it differently, you cannot make Jesus love you more or love you less. You cannot cause Him to rejoice or second guess when He considers your salvation. This truth does not promote sinful license of bad behavior; rather, it empowers us to live freely and to freely choose to worship a God who came to seek and to save that which is lost.
These words from a book of Puritan prayers that I use in my personal worship time, The Valley of Vision…really grip my heart and I hope will be an encouragement to you today:
Thy presence is to me a treasure of unending peace;
Walk in freedom brothers and sisters. Live your life as one of exuberant worship before the King…for His Redemption is not a quid pro quo transaction, but is sola gratia (by grace alone), flowing like a merciful river from the heart of love that can only be His.
Have you ever heard a sad tale of a Christian who blew it? Maybe as you heard the story, you asked yourself, “How could anyone fall for that?” I have certainly asked that question. On both sides: As it relates to others and with myself, “How could I fall for such a simplistic temptation?” I have often said that spiritual warfare would be fairly easy if the devil knocked on your door in the morning with a pitchfork, a red suit, and a long pointy tale. The problem is he, in many cases, wears a dress.
The Bible says that the devil disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Sometimes, the schemes of the enemy are simply to baptize sin in spiritual waters and present it to us as if we were the Judge of the facts.
Proverbs 7, one of the ten introductory chapters of Proverbs, expresses wisdom from Solomon (for the most part) as addressed to his son in order to equip and provoke his son toward godly living. Here he addresses the weak-kneed response toward sexual temptation. You could really insert any temptation into the story because the tactics are similar across the spectrum.
10The woman approached him, seductively dressed and sly of heart…
13She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said,
14“I’ve just made my peace offerings and fulfilled my vows.
15You’re the one I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are!
Proverbs 7:10, 13-15 (NLT)
The writer positions the teacher as a wise onlooker observing an unfolding scene involving a naïve young man and a cunning woman. This woman is stunning in appearance and seductive in her demeanor. She is outgoing as she sought out the man (vv.11-12). When she spots him, she seizes and kisses him, appealing to his senses and feelings, not reason, logic, or worship. She exudes confidence (v.13), taking full charge of the situation, and then makes the case that this is not only not bad…but is a gift from God. The man is precisely what she prayed for earlier in the day! She answers his mental objections…not objecting to the immorality of the situation but to the potential consequences of the sin. Her home offers privacy and comfort. Her arms offer fulfillment, enjoyment, and sensual adventure (vv.16-18). The deed will be a secret as the husband is away (vv.19-20). The liability of her coming back to tell tales is minimal as she is married, after all. And she continues to persuade and entice (v.21).
22Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, Or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Proverbs 7:22 (NASB95)
I am always arrested by the “suddenly” of this verse. For us, we see the situation unfolding over several minutes or maybe hours. But at some point, the decision is made, and the consequences are attached. Certainly, the husband may never learn of the unholy liaison. The man, however, is immediately aware. And God is righteous in judgment.
How can one combat such overwhelming attacks? Solomon says to be attentive to the Word of God, guard your heart, and avoid dark alleys on the wrong side of town (vv.24-25). Choose to pursue the Person and Presence of God through His Word. The Scriptures not only explain the expectations of discipleship but offer wisdom on navigating the distracting schemes intended to take us off the path we were made for. We must choose not to let the consideration of sin enter our hearts, and we must recognize our weaknesses, avoiding situations that could exploit them.
Effectively battling for holiness involves both pursuit and avoidance. Otherwise, we will find ourselves suddenly facing the consequences of yielding to the enticement of the devil in a red dress.
What comes to mind when you think about the blessing of God? For many, the mind races to those things of material significance. A new car, a promotion, a fat retirement account, or perhaps increased influence among men. These are all potential evidence of God’s blessings. After all, James tells us that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17).
But what if the evidence of God’s affirmation, the outpouring of His benevolence, the portrait of His effusive grace was something more subtle?
Notice the words of the Psalmist:
1How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, Who walks in His ways.
2When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, You will be happy and it will be well with you.
3Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, Your children like olive plants Around your table.
4Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the Lord.
One condition and the exhibits of God’s blessing:
The Condition– Fear God and walk in His ways. These are one and the same thing. I know we like to separate them in modern culture and create some spiritual category for those who might claim to love God but walk in willful rebellion. This is a foreign idea to the Scriptures. While all people do, in fact, sin against God…the disciple of Jesus looks to Christ’s atoning work for that sin, repents of sinning, and pursues holy living. This is an ongoing and ever-progressive work for the disciple. As Martin Luther wrote and nailed to the door of Wittenberg Chapel, “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said ‘Repent,’ he intended that the entire life of believers should be repentance.”
The Exhibits:
You shall eat of the fruit of your hands (v.2). This speaks of God’s provision for all our needs and our enjoyment of them. These provisions, contextually speaking, were not only personal but familial. It speaks of the ability to provide for one’s family through his labor. Now, before you @me and start quoting Miley Cyrus lyrics about buying your own flowers, the idea in biblical times was clear. Part of God’s blessing was evident in man’s ability to care for those in his household.
Your wife shall be a fruitful vine within your house. This image would connect with the agrarian mindset of the audience. God’s blessing will be evident through many children from your wife. Large families were considered a blessing from the Lord. Furthermore, the imagery of the vine is used elsewhere to speak of refreshment and lavish enjoyment.
Your table will be surrounded by children like olive plants. Both olive plants and vines are rich in biblical imagery and communicate rich blessings. The children around the table are not commodities to be used or consumed but plants that take quite some time to grow to maturity. They must be tended, nurtured, and cultivated. When this is done, they produce blessings in abundance. This picture communicates to us both responsibility and reward. Children are not inconveniences. They are not interruptions to our otherwise fruitful lives. They are not a means to a particular end. They are blessings that have been entrusted to our stewardship of developing and shaping to know and love God.
I know that the image of success and the evidence of God’s blessing may look different in the mind of the novice or the unbeliever. But for God’s people, satisfying provisions, a fruitful marriage, and the opportunity to develop our children into followers of Jesus, as we walk in the fear of God, are evidence of a life well-lived and God’s gracious blessing.
A dad was once trying to explain the vastness of God to his five-year-old daughter. In a fashion that was both cute and revealing, she posed the question, “If God is so big and I am so small, how can He fit in my heart?” Therein lies the question that has perplexed many who have considered God. Is He truly that big, that powerful, that wise, and that controlling? And if so, how is that not supposed to terrify me but be a source of peace?
Psalm 29 connects the dots. In the eleven verses, David uses eight to describe God’s immense power and control, one to apply why that is hopeful, and two to direct our response.
1Ascribe to the Lord, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in holy array.
Psalm 29:1–2 (NASB95)
These first two verses contain four imperatives:
Ascribe– Give or Come! It carries the idea of honoring God for His attributes. Give to God the Glory and Strength and Honor due His name!
Worship– Bow Down. To respond in humble adoration before the glorious God who alone possesses strength, honor, and glory!
In the Westminster Shorter Catechism, the first question places the spotlight on the ultimate purpose for our existence as the People of God: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”[i] As the people of God…our created purpose, the “why” of our existence is to make much of God. However, we are not Public Relations Agents who are spinning a narrative that somehow moves God to “influencer” status in the world. On the contrary, we simply observe who He is and what He does and respond accordingly.
In verses 3-10, we are presented with truths about the Person and practices of God. Actually, David doesn’t move far from considering the voice of God. His voice is powerful and majestic. With it, He can strip trees bare like an F5 tornado, cause deer to give birth, make calves skip, control fires, and shake the earth more powerfully than any earthquake ever recorded. Even when the world helplessly reacted to the global flood of God’s righteous Judgment in Genesis 7-8, God was not feverishly running to and fro; rather, He sat on His throne, where He resides forever.
If that is overwhelming to you, join the club! Consider how lightly we may take the presence of the Lord, His sovereign rule over all of Creation, and His righteous, unmatched power to give life or to take it. Think for a moment of those offenses toward Him, those acts of willful disregard for His explicit instruction…and consider that He has not destroyed you and me right where our rebel feet stand. Then consider that He reigns, not only over those who know Him by Covenant, but over every despot and dictator, every monster or monarch that has ever terrorized the world or raised a hand against God’s people. Every abuser and those abused both exist under the righteous reign of God.
This God…is for us. That’s how David ended the Psalm.
11The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.
Psalm 29:11 (NASB95)
We should not take that to mean that God will subordinate His holiness to reflect our hellish rebellion; rather, He will work in us all that is needed to conform us to the Image of Christ. And that work will not be deterred. All the weighty resistance of the enemy is no match for the strength God provides us. No seemingly unrestrained chaos can overwhelm the peace that God provides. He reigns on His throne and with His voice exercises control over all things. For not even one sparrow, Jesus said, falls from the sky apart from the Father’s permission.
A trip through parts of the American South will surely reveal gardens and fields growing watermelons. Some small. Some big. Those descriptors probably leave a little room for speculation unless you have something to compare it to. Did you know that the largest watermelon on record was recorded in 2013? It was grown in Sevierville, Tennessee and weighed 350.5 pounds. To put that in perspective…that is 35 pounds heavier than the average NFL Offensive Lineman[i]. Now that’s an image to consider!
David opens this Psalm reflecting on the wickedness of man. He speaks of the ungodly as consumed with evil. He goes to sleep thinking about evil. His words effuse evil. He chooses paths of evil. He approves of all evil.
Now contrast that with God.
5Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
Psalm 36:5–6 (NASB95)
Just as we better understand a “big watermelon” when compared to an NFL football player, we can better grasp God’s goodness when compared/contrasted with the likes of evil man.
Against the backdrop of the ungodly, we start to get a picture of the goodness of God. His compassion, provision, and lovingkindness (He-Sed). Further, not only is God “good” in every way that mankind is bad, but God is loving toward even the most evil among us…or in us. He is the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to pursue the wanderer. He lays down His own life to reconcile and restore the rebel! He is FOR YOU!
7How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:7–9 (NASB95)
Those that turn to Him, that trust Him, that depend on Him, that follow Him…experience not just meager provisions but abundant living (See John 10:10b). Remember, this infinitely good God of He-Sed sought out you and me while we were living in active, willful rebellion against Him. Every aspect of His reign in our lives was rejected by us…and yet He showed us His love in coming toward us. While evil people think nothing of God, God is never far from considering those who are evil and He desires to draw us back to Himself so that we would be His people and He would be our God.
Let me say right out of the gate (pun intended) that it can be frustrating to travel with me. Many travelers fit neatly into one of two camps: They like to arrive, clear TSA, and walk right onto the plane as its boarding; or they want to be safely at the gate at least an hour before the jet bridge opens. Typically, I fit in the latter camp. For a lot of years, it stressed me out to arrive at the airport less than an hour before my flight. Numerous scenarios would circle my mind of things that might hold me up. After all, it is plausible for a circus transport to overturn on the highway near the airport and to be caught in a stampede of lions chasing clowns down the highway. However, once I was sitting at the gate, everything seemed to take a calming posture. But arrival at the gate is not the arrival.
“Of course, Captain Obvious!” After all, who thinks that arriving at the gate is the end of the journey? Honestly, some professing Christians I have known through the years.
I visited some parents once who prayed for their child to be saved. The day their child trusted Jesus, the mom said, “Finally! My work here is done.” To her, salvation was getting out of hell. It was payment for sin. It was what scholars refer to as Justification. The Bible speaks of this over and again in terms of a judicial finding. But the Bible also speaks of Salvation as a process, what we call sanctification. This is the abundant life that Jesus said He came to provide for us (John 10:10).
12Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12–14 (NASB95)
I find it curious that the Apostle Paul seems to emphasize sanctification over justification consistently in his writings. Of course, there is a Damascus Road moment for Paul. He never loses sight of that moment when Jesus arrested his soul and Paul was saved. But there is also a consistent witness of Paul “working out” his salvation (Phil 2:12), walking out his faith (Eph 5:8), constantly expanding the reach of the gospel (Romans 15), and as in our text to consider, pressing forward toward the goal of the prize.
I wonder if the apathy toward the faith that some describe to me isn’t rooted in a misunderstanding that making it to the gate is the end of the journey. If so, no wonder there’s no wonder in the gospel! No airport is that exciting. But if you see arrival at the gate as the starting block rather than the finish line, what great joy awaits you still as you journey throughout the land of purpose and traverse the mission in the company of grace.
Sometimes people are shocked when I tell them that the longer I walk with Jesus, the further I realize I have to go. This doesn’t mean that I am uncertain of eternity; rather, it is a clear-eyed observation that I am a work in progress and the closer I get to reflecting holiness, the more aware I am of the unholy parts of my own life. This does not discourage me. It humbles me. It provokes repentance. It prompts movement. It reminds me that arrival at the gate is not arrival.
Have you ever tried to help God out? Maybe you gave him an escape clause in a prayer like, “If it be your will…” Maybe you “sensed” a direction for your life, but you kept your options open, “Just in case.” One of the things the Lord the Lord is teaching me is the need to close doors that God whispers to you about, even if they promise some benefit. I say whispers because if an Angel trumpeted some announcement from the sky or we received an email from God, or Jesus stood by the bed and said, “Do it,” obedience seems more plausible. However, if it is a sense, a leading, or a whisper…we may lack confidence in what we think we heard or felt. These are the times when I am most tempted to leave a door propped open, just in case.
The consistent counsel of Scripture is different. Burn the boats! Close the door! Abandon contingency plans two, three, and four. Go All in with the Lord.
1My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.
2He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.
Psalm 62:1–2 (NASB95)
Not only do we see these strong declarative statements from the Psalmist, but they are personalized, and he makes a faith decision based on them. “I shall not be greatly shaken!”
5My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.
6He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Psalm 62:5–7 (NASB95)
While everything else seems to shift with the winds, the tides, or under my feet, God is my rock and my stronghold.
The stock market could nosedive, but our hope in twenty years is settled because God provides. Enemies seemingly tower over us, but we rest well because God holds their leash in His hand. I know this may not seem logical, but it is faithful. And faith is the irreducible minimum of the disciple’s life.
If you are in Him and pursuing His glory as ultimate:
Look to Him alone for your provision and your protection. He is faithful.
You don’t have to make a loud fanfare about your circumstances. God sees… (Gen 16:13).
Though the opposition bellows and smiles believing they have overcome you, it is God whom they fight and against Him, they are powerless.
Though the ground you walk is soft and uncertain, He is your rock, stronghold, and refuge. Get out of the dirt and up on the rock.
Some years back, a friend of mine and I were traveling by car one winter night. Actually, it was a lot of years back. We were both in our twenties and in the Army. Mark began to wax eloquent about how our temperature sensitivity was more mental than physical. He said that no matter how cold the temperature, if we could convince our minds that we were warm, we would be. So, to test this theory at 70 mph or so, we rolled down the windows with sub-freezing temps outside. The whole time we simply claimed aloud, “This is warm, this is warm, this is warm.”
By the way, my shivering body never got the message and apparently, no matter how loudly we said it or how many times we repeated it, we still felt cold.
You may think, “How silly. Who thinks they can change circumstances by simply declaring their opposite?” Actually, a lot of well-meaning Christians.
I have met folks who have said, “Christians don’t grieve at the grave because we have the truth about heaven.” Or, “Take your fears captive and choose to not be afraid.” Interestingly, these mental exercises are often more in line with some Eastern philosophies than the Scriptures. After all, Paul tells us that we should not grieve like those who have no hope but comfort one another with the hope we share in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:14, 18). We do grieve loss, just not in the same way as those without Christ, or who think they can change the temperature by declaring it is warm. Any cursory read of the Psalms reveals time and again, that a man who killed lions, bears, and a bully named Goliath, was fearful of his opponents. The Bible’s prescription to combat fear is to place our faith in someone bigger.
4I sought the Lord, and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.
5They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him out of all his troubles.
7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
8O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
9O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want.
Psalm 34:4–9 (NASB95)
David experienced fear, even though he was one of the most accomplished warrior kings in history. He also directed those fears to God, in faith, and found freedom.
When we fear man, we subtly imply that man, our circumstances, or our opponents are more powerful than the Lord. In some sense, we have more faith in the triumph of our enemies than the Sovereign power of our God. So, is there a better way? Yes! Three actions to combat controlling fears.
See the Person of the Lord. Notice v.4. David sought God and God delivered him from his fears.
Rehearse the Provision of the Lord. “Preach” to yourself the ways that God provided for you in the past. How He did not abandon you in your troubles. God was always “in time” and “on time.”
Choose the promise of the Lord. It is a choice to sleep well because the Angel of the Lord protects us (v.7). It is also a choice to worry that our enemies can get through His protective barrier. Either God is the Refuge we run to (v.8), or He is the one we run by on our way to something else. Either He is our Provider (v.9), or He has a starring role in some form of fictional story in our mind.
Confronting the difficulties and pressures of this life is not a matter of trying to pretend it doesn’t happen. The battle is one of faith. Choose to place faith in the one who stills the seas, overcame death, and sets enemies to flight.
One of the features of the Psalms that I have come to appreciate over the last decade or more is the window that it gives to see into the human heart. A friend recently asked me what the Lord was teaching me these days. The answer is expressed in this Psalm. David, a man after God’s own heart, the slayer of Goliath, the youngest of his family, selected by God above all others to be anointed as king…is in a deep pit of his feelings. That’s not to say that there isn’t good reason! There is! His enemies are fierce, and his friends are scarce. This lament of grief flows from that.
In the opening verses, he declares that he has already taken refuge in God (v.1), that God is his Rock, Fortress, and Leader (v.3), that God reveals hidden traps and is his strength (v.4), and that God has set David free by paying his ransom (v.5). These are statements of faith. They are presented as facts.
Often, we as disciples of Jesus have categorical statements of faith like this. Jesus is my Lord! He is my Refuge. He is sufficient. He sees all. I Trust Him. He is Sovereign. He spoke to me, and I acted according to His Word! Our faith feels strong!
This informs David’s response to the ungodly.
6I hate those who regard vain idols, But I trust in the Lord.
7I will rejoice and be glad in Your lovingkindness, Because You have seen my affliction; You have known the troubles of my soul,
8And You have not given me over into the hand of the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place.
Psalm 31:6–8 (NASB95)
He not only trusts in the Lord but has set Himself squarely on the side of God and hates those who regard idols. Not just idols, but he hates those who regard wickedness! He rejoices in God’s loyal covenantal love (He-Sed), the lovingkindness of God…
Then the shift of feelings within him as he reflects on his circumstances…in the very next verse! He says that he is wasting away from grief (v.9). Notice how he expands on that feeling.
11Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach, Especially to my neighbors, And an object of dread to my acquaintances; Those who see me in the street flee from me.
12I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel.
13For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life.
Psalm 31:11–13 (NASB95)
David is a hot mess! Not the next day or the next hour but in the very next thought! He KNOWS truth! Theologically, he has settled on the Person and provision of God. And his feelings are so overwhelming that he experiences “terror on every side.”
Is there any better image of a disciple’s heart and experience in the narrow and shadowy places of life’s journey? God, I know…but I feel…
Verse 14 helps us if we have ears to hear. What do you do when your feelings conflict with what you know to be true about God?
A decision, by faith.
Now if you are like me, doubt can creep in. You can start to wonder if you truly knew what you said you knew. Doubt has always been the “adjustable wrench” in the devil’s toolbox (you can make it work in nearly every situation). The only effective response to doubt is a reasoned response. Before the flood of feelings that churned up doubts…you had settled in your heart who God is and what God does. You were thinking clearly then. There was no barrage of emotional missiles flying overhead. By faith, choose that again.
14But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:14 (NASB95)
We will never experience the enemy’s “cease fire” or “surrender” in this life. Here, we will have troubles but take courage, Jesus already won! (John 16:33).
My mom had a favorite response that she always had on a hair trigger to encourage folks going through difficulties. “This too shall pass.” It seems simplistic, but it is a wise observation of life.
David offered a similar encouragement in a Psalm that was written as a song of dedication. It served as a reminder that nothing in this life lasts forever. Not homes, fortunes, or even relationships. Not even brokenness and suffering. No matter how glorious or how awful life seems to be now, take courage, “This too shall pass.”
…Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5 (NASB95)
What has arrested your spirit? What has brought you immeasurable pain? What relational conflict are you embroiled in as we speak? Perhaps your situation, your suffering, or your dispute has a grip on you that seems relentless. Remember, “This too shall pass.”
The principle applies on the other end of the spectrum as well. You may be living your best life. Perhaps you are sitting in the catbird seat. Maybe you are the most comfortable and secure you have ever been. Take care, “This too shall pass.”
Some struggle with the suffering of this life. They experience it and, at times, will attribute its existence as evidence that there can be no loving and good God in the world; otherwise, they would be more at ease. Is the Lord less loving when He accompanies us through the valley than if He happens to guide us around it? Personally, I find that I am more aware of His gracious provision when I am in a difficult place than when I am resting on a mountaintop. My self-interested heart doesn’t need much of an excuse to start singing my own praises and attributing my comfortable existence to my own efforts.
At the same time, suffering can be unbearable. Hurt, betrayal, criticism, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming for us. We can feel as though we are being crushed in their hands. Such an occasion requires a faith response. To survive, we MUST preach to ourselves, the truth of God’s Word. Listen to how Paul expresses it in Second Corinthians.
5For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.
6For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
8we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing;
9persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
11For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12So death works in us, but life in you.
2 Corinthians 4:5–12 (NASB95)
The reality for those who follow Jesus cannot be anything except His reality. He suffered on behalf of others. You too will suffer, but “This too shall pass.”
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