The Embrace

Luke 2:28 (NIV)

"Simeon took him in his arms and praised God..."

I was reminded last night listening to my pastor's sermon of this powerful statement as Joseph and Mary had their child dedicated at the temple.  For Simeon, it was prophecy fullfilled, a belief come true, and a life now accomplished.  The Messiah was foretold hundreds of years prior.  This prophecy had become the foundation for Simeon's belief system.  His whole life had been to the devotion and study of this belief system.  Dr. Luke shares with us few details about Simeon, but the brief description does use the words "righteous and devout."  Righteous here means "observing divine laws" according Strong's Lexicon while it shows devout meaning "taking hold well."  Parenthetically, as I have examined my life of late, I would admittedly share that I have been far from being one that is righteous and devout.  However, wanting to become so, I immediately think I need to model what one does that is righteous and devout.  Simeon's example is taking the One whom he longed to see come to save the world, simply embracing Him and worshipping the God who sent Him!  How long have you waited to embrace your Savior?  Have you ever embraced Him and then let Him go? Interestingly, the same baby that Simeon rushed to embrace is the same One that stretched out His arms on a cross to embrace the world!  By the way, the Gospel of John tells us that nothing can snatch us out of His hands once we are in them...Romans tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Sounds to me like Simeon's studies were on to something.  No wonder he was quick to embrace the newborn babe!  I think I will hold on tight as well....afterall, He is holding on to me....and He is holding on to you!  Merry Christmas!

The Comfort of Being Heard

As a Dad, sometimes I wonder if I am being heard.  You can talk to little girls, ask them to do some chore that should have already been done, you get an "okay" but there is no action.  "Did you hear what I said?" "What?" "I said...!"  Somewhere in this process, I evitably ask, "Are you listening to me?" 
There is great comfort in being heard, but there is great frustration when one feels ignored.  This weekend, I was privileged to hear several very successful men and women that have built huge businesses by developing relationships by listening to others.  Their success has come because they have learned the art of listening. There is no greater comfort in being heard and understood.  It seems that the Psalmist recognized this comfort when he wrote in Psalm 106:44

"But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry;"

(The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 106:44)

We are reminded here that God not only heard their cry, but He also took note of their distress. 

 

Several years ago in a movie called WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP, the two main characters are discussing the music of Jimi Hendrix when one of them says, "Look man, You can listen to Jimi but you can't hear him. There's a difference man. Just because you're listening to him doesn't mean you're hearing him."  We listen but do we hear?  Many times in the relationships of our lives, we fail to fully hear exactly what is said.  We fail to catch the full meaning of the distress of the situation sometimes because we don't care enough to do so.  Thanks be to God that when He listens to our cry, He hears us! 

 

What would happen if we modeled that in our lives?  What would happen if we allowed ourselves to take the time to listen to those around us?  What would happen if we "took note" of the concerns of those to whom we are connected?  What would happen if we just listened? 

Opportunities

I read a story the other day about Reverend Edgar Tufts, the founder of Lees-McRae College and his unique desire to make the most of every opportunity.  His premise was that no where in the Bible did Jesus take a vacation.  I have thought about that lots and have even made decisions that have been in tune with that philosophy.  For example, I was asked to show up and say a prayer for a group of cyclists as they began a 62 mile ride through the scenic highways of our county.  I did not hesitate to think of this as an opportunity to somehow to share God's love with perhaps at least one person that needed some encouragement.  The whole time in planning and attending this event, I kept thinking of the words of Reverend Tufts and the story that was shared.  However, as I am sitting now on my deck, listening to the sounds of nature, watching the birds of all shapes and sizes, hearing the squirrels jump from limb to limb, I am reminded that Jesus did withdraw from time to time to recharge His spiritual batteries.  He went to the mountains and to the beach. There seems to be a balance there that we often forget.  Yes, we need to seize every opportunity to share the love of Christ in all we do but yet at the same time we need to seize those precious moments to refuel, gain more insight, and allow ourselves to become closer aligned with what God desires, all the time seizing the opportunities that have been placed before us.  In order to do this, we have to intentionally schedule those times to allow for renewal and refreshment so that when other opportunities arise, the overflow can say help us be ready and say yes and we are equipped to handle that which comes our way.  Yes, this needs to happen.  This has to happen.  I think I will go to my calendar now and intentionally schedule some time.

(Distress + Discouragement) X Decision = Deliverance?

Many times we get caught up in our stuff and we start thinking that God has left us.  We cry out to what seems like an empty ceiling or bury our heads in a tear drenched pillow and nothing seems to happen.  We strain to make sense of it all.  We ache in our distress and what seems like endless agony. It is not a fun place to be.  Those that are close to us and care about us are in agony too. They badly want us to be in a better place.  They feel our pain.

So when you get like this, what do you do?  Where do you turn when you have turned all around and around over and over again?  The best place I have found to turn to, to go to, to realize hope, is the Word of God.  The Psalmist shows us first hand what he did.  Check out the passage below:

Psalm 77

 

¹     I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

²     When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands

and my soul refused to be comforted.

³     I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;

I mused, and my spirit grew faint.     Selah

⁴     You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

⁵     I thought about the former days,

the years of long ago;

⁶     I remembered my songs in the night.

My heart mused and my spirit inquired:

⁷     “Will the Lord reject forever?

Will he never show his favor again?

⁸     Has his unfailing love vanished forever?

Has his promise failed for all time?

⁹     Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”     Selah

¹⁰     Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:

the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

¹¹     I will remember the deeds of the Lord;

yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

¹²     I will meditate on all your works

and consider all your mighty deeds.

¹³     Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is so great as our God?

¹⁴     You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

¹⁵     With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,

the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.     Selah

¹⁶     The waters saw you, O God,

the waters saw you and writhed;

the very depths were convulsed.

¹⁷     The clouds poured down water,

the skies resounded with thunder;

your arrows flashed back and forth.

¹⁸     Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,

your lightning lit up the world;

the earth trembled and quaked.

¹⁹     Your path led through the sea,

your way through the mighty waters,

though your footprints were not seen.

²⁰     You led your people like a flock

by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 77:1-20

 

Do you see the progression?  Verses 1-9 are packed with distress and discouragement. Added together these two give a sucker punch that pretty much leaves us down and out.  The Psalmist reminds us that it doesn't have to be a knock out punch!  He shows us in verse 10, just in time...(isn't amazing that the count gets to 10 but the bell doesn't ring??) Then the decision is made. The decision to remember what God has already done.  His faithfulness shines through and the memories of what He has done saves us from being down and out.  It is as if God in all His glory knew just how much we could take, and allowed us to have hope restored just in the knick of time.  So as we deal the distress and discouragement that this life brings, we can multiply their seemingly overbearing sum with a decision to simply remember what God has already done. As we decide to remember the accomplishments of the Almighty, we become delivered from the distress and discouragement.  The Psalmist was able to remember the mighty works and deeds of God as He delivered the Israelites from Pharoah's hands.  He didn't know what we know.  Ever thought about that?  The Psalmist was delivered by just remembering the deliverance of a nation from captivity.  The Christian has been delivered from the death that comes from distress and discouragement because we have been made alive in Christ.  We are reconciled, paid for, atoned, forgiven, free and delivered.  We don't have to live with that anymore!  The deliverance is ours for the taking.  All we have to do is remember what He has already done!  Just like the Psalmist, remembering reminds us simply that we have hope.  What do you choose to remember?

The Power of a Text

Remember the saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words may never hurt me?"  Yeah, right.  How about the words of English author Edward Bulwar-Lytton, "The pen is mightier than the sword." Yeah, sure.   So which one is right?  In one sense, words cannot hurt.   In another sense, words are capable of greater things than the swordsman in a battle. It doesn't seem to matter whether words scratched in dirt, inked with a quill, or even sent in a text.  Words do have power and the delivery does matter. 

What got me thinking about this tonight were two texts from two people tonight about five minutes  apart. One was from a very close friend thanking me for my friendship with him.  All I did was send him a text to ask him about a situation I knew that had been difficult for he and his wife, then I shared that I would be praying for them.  Then, in an unexpected turn, I was called a friend and told that it was no accident for me to land where I am.  My heart felt joy!  And then, as if God knew that I needed another reminder, my brother sends me a text saying that he was making a bed for my sister and her husband who were coming to visit him and his wife, and ran across a book that I gave him two years ago.  I remember giving him the book as a Christmas present, but I don't remember the note I wrote him as a part of that gift.  Evidently the written note reminded him, two years ago that he read the book but felt like he never thanked me for the book and the note.  So in a text, he said thank you.  Once again, my heart experienced joy.  Funny, as I am writing this right now, yet another reminder has come to mind.  Today I was handed a handwritten note from an intern that has worked in our office.  It was addressed to my wife and I.  She said that we had made a difference in her world and she took the time to say thank you by writing it out and handing it to me as she left, done with her internship. 

Three separate occasions of the use of words have in one day given my heart leaps of joy.  I have been reminded from each of these instances that I matter.  I am very grateful for those reminders, but what has stirred me the most has been the feeling I have received and it is what I have felt that I wish for others to feel.  I have been encouraged.  There's a concept:  encouraging another person with my words.  That is what I need to do.  That is what I want others to feel.  Therefore, I am going to work harder to make my words more affirming to those that come across my path.  By the way, this ah-ha moment in my life was written by the Apostle Paul several thousand years ago in 1 Thessalonians 5:11.  Funny thing, it is still a great thing to do now!  I have been reminded today!   Thank you Scott, Danny, and Sarah!  Your encouragement made a difference for me!

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 1 Th 5:11

A Hill Far Away, Moved Closer

Yesterday at sunrise, I stood on a hill at the foot of a cross with 300-400 early risers.  We sang, prayed, and proclaimed the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  It was a celebration that was full of excitement and opportunity.  The weather was perfect with a gentle breeze blowing as the sun rose over Hanging Rock.  I held the tiny hands of two little girls and watched them take in the excitement of this great gathering of believers.  Just like the old hymn, I stood amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazerene.  Yes, Jesus was there.  I heard Him in the chirping of the birds.  I saw Him in the faces of brothers and sisters who know Him personally and obviously weren't ashamed to show it.  I felt Him as the breeze blew and as I snuggled with two of my daughters and my wife. In just a few minutes, I experienced all of these things.  Then I looked at the cross.  Even though I knew this hill on a Christmas Tree farm in Avery County, North Carolina was not Golgotha, just for a moment in time that "hill far away" was suddenly very close.  I was there and that cross was real, but what I experienced in the greatest of ways was its emptiness!  The cross extended towards the beautiful sky and the cross beam pointed toward the ends of the earth; the symbol of all the pain of humanity becoming reconciled with the Holiness of God.  The reconciliation was complete, the price was paid in full, and forever more the cross would remain empty.  This particular Easter morning, I was able to be reminded of a powerful truth that the Psalmist wrote about thousands of years ago: 

 

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

                              Psalm 57:10 (NIV)

How did he know, centuries before this happened, that God's love could be so great?  How did he know that it would reach to the heavens and God's faithfulness reaches the skies?  Obviously, the Psalmist experienced this great love and knew of His faithfulness first hand.  I wonder though, could the Psalmist have pictured the height of the cross as God's great love reaching to the heavens?  And could he have pictured the width of the cross as God's faithfulness reaching across the skies?  Works for me!  How about you?

 

A History Lesson

We have heard with our ears, O God;

our fathers have told us

what you did in their days,

in days long ago.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 44:1

 

Have you ever had the privilege of sitting at the foot of a grandparent or great-grandparent telling stories about how God worked in their lives?  I was fortunate to have two sets of grandparents that loved the Lord and were faithful church members as long as they were able to do so.  I remember my Pa-pa Marlowe sharing with me how he found Christ in an old saw-dust arbor one hot August night during the annual revival at Hebron Baptist Church.  His life was changed forever because of that Hot August Night.  I was able to serve that church many years later for two summers as a Youth Minister and I experienced first hand those revivals in that arbor.  I remember hearing from Pa-pa Mitchell the struggles they experienced in building Harmony Baptist Church but yet how God continued to provide.  I can still hear him talk about tithing when they had absolutely nothing because they knew and had experienced the faithfulness of God and wanted to thank Him through their tithes and offerings.  I remember looking at my Granny Mitchell's Bible and asking her why she had all those check marks on each chapter throughout that well used copy.  She would smile and answer "Every time I read a chapter I would check it."  There were multiple check marks on chapter indicating to me that she spent a great deal of time reading God's word and had read the Bible completely over and over.  My Granny Marlowe taught the primary Sunday School every Sunday as long as she was able.  I can't help but wonder how many lives were changed over the many years she planted seeds of God's word on those young hearts.  One day I just may see the glorious fruit of her telling the great stories of the Bible and see just how many lives were changed as a result.

 

This verse certainly reminds me of the benefits of sharing God's word and the stories of His faithfulness over the years.  It certainly seems to be an art that is not prevalent today.  Perhaps we are too busy to sit and listen.  Perhaps we are too much in a hurry to even ask.  The amazing thing is that God still is faithful.  His stories are still changing lives.  There are stories to be told.  Maybe we need to just ask.  Father, help me to hear the stories from your faithful servants who have seen first hand Your glory.  Help me make the time to ask, then to sit and listen!

What are you waiting on?

There are country songs that I can't relate to, but there are also lots to which I can relate well!  For example, Brad Paisley's song "Waitin' on a Woman" is definitely one that I can relate too well!  In case you have stumbled on this blog for the first time, I have four daughters, a wife, two sisters, a mom, and a female dog.  So, I am always "waitin' on a woman" it seems!  Of course, there are other things I seem to wait on these days.  I have become Mr. Impatient in drive thru's, waiting for ATM's, and then there is the check-out line at Walmart.  Oh yea, this writing is about waiting not anger!  I am sure that there are many other areas in where I grow impatient waiting.  I admit, I do have a tough time waiting and perhaps you do as well.  When I read Psalm 37:34, these visions of waiting popped into my mind.  However, I am not so sure that this waiting is such a bad thing.  I will tell you that in my experience it is a hard thing, but the rewards are heavenly! 

Wait for the Lord

and keep his way.

He will exalt you to inherit the land;

when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

(The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 37:34)

See how it works?  You wait and keep His way,  He will exalt you.  Did you catch that?  He will exalt you!  He will exalt you!  HE WILL EXALT YOU!!

Remember the words of Jesus? 

     “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

(The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Jn 14:1-4)
See the punchline?  Trust and Wait are synonymous!  In this passage, trusting and waiting also hold a promise:  Jesus is coming back for us!!  In the BIG PICTURE, the waiting is just for a little while!  So hold on!  Stay true!  Keep on keeping on!

Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

Why do you exist? Seriously....why are you here? Many of us have pondered that question at some time or another. Perhaps you have asked, "What on earth am I doing? What is life all about?  What does it mean to live, love and be happy?  Is it possible to be happy?"  Many in this world would say a resounding no...that it is not possible to be happy.  Others would emphatically say, "Yes....it is very possible to always be happy!"  Somewhere in the middle, there is a place where we can rest and do so quite comfortably. 

Life, love and the pursuit of happiness is found only through a restored relationship with Christ.  If you go any other way, you will find yourself falling short, being incomplete, and essentially empty.  So why do we exist?
God has designed you and I to Glorify Him! All that we do, all that we are, should exist to Glorify Him. It is interesting to note that even those that claim to not know God are used by Him to Glorify His Name! Take Pharaoh of Exodus as an example. In Exodus 9:16, God specifically told Moses to tell Pharoah that "I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." With good folks and even with bad folks, God desires that He is glorified.  Somehow, some way, He is going to make that happen.  We can be for Him, or against Him.  Pharoah chose to be against Him, yet God used Moses to tell Pharoah that "you are here so that I can show my power and my name proclaimed!"  Can you imagine what Pharoah was thinking?  I bet he was livid!  I am certain that he was furious and wanted to punch Moses in the face!  I must admit that there have been too many times when I have developed Pharoah-like thinking.  Sometimes I feel that I know what is best and it is my way or the highway.  It is funny when I do that!  I am like a big dog whose bark is worse than his bite.  I make noise but run with my tail tucked between my legs when something jumps out of the bushes of my life.  I have come to realize that God is bigger.  God is better.  His way is perfect.  His way is marvelous!  His plans for me are much more than I could ever dream of doing on my own.  He has created me to glorify Him by showing me His power and proclaiming His name in all the earth.  Guess what?  He has created you for that very same reason!  Whatcha gonna do about it?  

Dealing With Regrets

I have used this phrase made popular by Dandy Don Meredith on Monday Night Football in the 1970's many times. Dandy Don, known for his wit and his heavy Texan accent, stated "If if's and but's were candies and nuts, we would all have a Merry Christmas!" Obviously, whether Dandy Don originated this statement or it came from someone else, I am certain the reason it was stated first was all about regrets. Something happened and someone responded, "If only I had done this" or "But what if I had gone down this path?" I could spend hours perhaps even days thinking about poor decisions I have had in my life. Some have been life changing. Some have changed the lives of others. Some were good. Some were bad. Some have made me say, "whew!" Some have made me shout with joy. Some have made me cry. All however, have made me into the person I am right now. Am I the best I could possibly be? I am far from perfection. To assume so would mean that God is finished with me. If (there goes that word again!) I believe in the Word of God, it tells me that I continue to be a work in progress. So shall I live with regrets or shall I anticipate rewards? If scripture in verses like Philippians 1:3-6 are true, then the best is yet to come! Verse 6 in this great passage states, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This presupposes a good work has been started, in spite of my misgivings, shortcomings, and regrets. So we have to press onward and upward! The Philippian theme of a greater future continues in chapter 3 with verses 12-14. Here is my paraphrase: "Forget the past. There is nothing you can do about it both good and bad. But you can keep going. You can have hope. You can know that God has a purpose and a plan for your life! So press on! Don't stop! You have a huge plan from a huge God because of a huge sacrifice made by His Son." Therefore, when I allow myself to begin to regret, I shall strive to become more like Paul who has determined that in all states...yes even the most regrettable, I will be content and I will rejoice. Why? Because living with regrets stinks! Been there. Done that and I have several of those t-shirts! My prayer is this: Lord help me to live in your will, your way, your wisdom and with no regrets.

Horses and Horsepower

Recently I watched the 1969 version of TRUE GRIT on AMC. John Wayne just can't be beat! As I watched this great western, I watched as the character portrayed by Glen Campbell (the Rhinestone Cowboy)shoots the horse out from under the bad guy. I remember thinking, "don't you know that PETA would have had a field day with this movie!" Then later on in the movie, John Wayne's horse is shot and falls on the Duke, leaving him just out of the reach of his Winchester. Of course, he is able to retreive his gun and shoot the bad guy as well as get out from beneath his fallen horse. After watching the movie and totally enjoying dreaming about being a cowboy, I turned over to ESPN to watch the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the race where modified Porsches are driven by Indy, Grand Prix, and NASCAR drivers for a 24-hour period. I must admit that being a cowboy is still a dream but so is being a race car driver!As I watched, I saw one driver stall his car in a curve because his clutch went out and then couldn't start it because his battery had died. His chariot had failed him.

In this adventure from horse to horsepower, I found myself reflecting on my recent reading in Psalm 20:7. The passage in the NIV reads "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." The Duke and the bad guys in True Grit trusted in their horses. The professional race drivers were trusting in their chariots and their horsepower. Both ended up in predicaments that indicated failure. Fear, disappointment, and many other emotions prevailed. I could not help but think about the many horses and chariots I have had in my life in which I have placed my trust. Relationships, paychecks, vehicles, toys, selfish desires, all of which had led me down a path of disappointment. The Psalmist once again reminds me to place my trust in the name of the Lord. If I could trust just the name of the Lord, is it possible that I could also trust the Lord Himself? The answer is a big YES! Lord, help me to not put my trust in horses or horsepower or things that I could label as such, help me trust You completely, wholly,and with the understanding that it is You that works for the good of all things of those who are called according to your purpose. Thank you for being such a God that just with the mentioning of your Name, lives are transformed!

Got Counsel?

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 16:7Where do you get your counsel?  Do you trust the daily horoscope?  Does your political party make your decisions?  Do you have friends on Facebook or Twitter that help guide your decisions? I once heard author John Eldredge say something like this: "Are you trying to figure out what God wants you to do?  Just ask Him!"  When I heard this I was mad!  Surely there is more to this I thought! man  I mean seriously, this man is speaking to thousands of people right now and is a proven best-selling author and he says "Just ask Him?"  As I regained my thoughts and began to tune in more, I realized that I had once again been guilty of trying to make life and the will of God too complicated.  Then I got mad because I wasn't the one up on stage sharing this incredible truth. 
We are so bad at going everywhere to learn God's will for our lives except going to God Himself.  The Psalmist knew that his counsel came from God.  The amazing thing reality is that when one's heart is aligned with God, we can follow Him with our eyes closed!  Okay, it doesn't literally say this, but it sure is implied.  Notice the truth of this verse, "even at night my heart instructs me."  In my mind, I am thinking that at night time one sleeps and the eyes are closed.  So, if I am receiving counsel from the Lord, when I sleep with my eyes closed, my heart or my inner most being that is connected to the heart of God, will instruct me!  Talking about "peace that passes ALL understanding!"  No wonder we call Him Wonderful Counselor! 
So how does the Lord counsel?  The answer is simple.  He counsels through His word.  Want the counsel of the Lord?  Want get it even when it is nighttime?  Get into His word.  Hear it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it.  Meditate on it. Better yet, do it!

Treasure lost?

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 14:7

 

For years humanity had lost its treasure.  In the Garden of Eden, man had everything he needed.  His treasure included walking with God, having food and water, having a helpmate, and had dominion over all the animals.  The deceiver deceived.  The treasure at hand suddenly became boring its beauty became dull.  Selfishness was conceived and separation from God occurred.  The treasure was lost.  Humanity realized that life without this treasure was miserable.  This misery was compounded by hopelessness, despair, agony, and the desire that something could happen that would change.  The promise of salvation seemed like a fairy tale that would never come true.  Stories were shared from generation to generation that Hope was coming.  Some thought it was ridiculous.  Others continued to believe.  The Word of God revealed the direction from which Hope would come, "out of Zion."  Where is Zion?  Zion was considered to be the citadel in Palestine which was the center of Jerusalem.  It was the ideal nation and society envisioned by Judaism.  It would only make sense that out of Zion, salvation would come.  The Bible is so cool to point us to this incredible place called Zion.  There are over 100 Old Testament references to Zion and several New Testament references like 1 Peter 2:6 and Revelation 14:1.  This particular verse in Psalm 14:7 reminds its readers that the truth of Zion is linked to fortune.  This is not a reference for material gain or instant wealth, but a reminder that God's plan is to restore His people and make them much better than they could ever imagine!  Colossians 2:2-3 remind us of this connection!  Check it out for yourself!

 

 

² My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Col 2:2-3

 

Salvation has indeed come to us from Zion.  The fortunes have been restored!  They are both found in Christ!  Why are you looking anywhere else? 

 

 

Sick at Heart

I am sick at heart.

How long, O Lord, until you restore me?

Tyndale House Publishers: Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 2nd ed. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2004, S. Ps 6:3

 

What a confession!  I wonder just how many people have come to a point in their lives where they have thought this?  What about those that have actually said this out loud?  There is no doubt that this is a terrible place to be.  Sick at heart.  Not necessarily a physical heart disease as we might hear about that comes from high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and congestive heart failure.  The Psalmist is talking here about a sick heart that perhaps comes with depression, sadness, despair and agony.  The NIV uses the phrase "my heart is in anguish."  There are times when we struggle because life can be tough.  After all, there is sickness, death, pain, and suffering in this world.  The Fall of Man as outlined in the Book of Genesis describes how that all came to be.  However, even in this verse of gloom there is hope!  "I am sick at heart.  How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  Did you catch that? It is not "can you restore me?"  It says, "How long, O Lord, until you restore me?"  There is a sense of hope in this verse.  It does not lead one to think that God can't accomplish restoring a sick heart.  In fact, it shows that not only that He is able, but it is anticipated.  Are you anticipating God to restore you or are you experiencing gloom and doom in a way that keeps you clouded and hopeless?  Here is the big picture:  God is able and God will restore you, if you are willing to let Him.  Perhaps you need to pray this prayer:

"Father, I know you love me.  I know you have washed me and my sick heart with the blood of Christ.  Help me Lord, to realize that from this day forward I will be restored and in the big picture, I am redeemed!"

 

Next, it may be helpful to remember the great passage found in Ephesians 3:20-21,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

 

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Eph 3:20-21

 

Reflections on Psalm 5:7

But I, by your great mercy,

will come into your house;

in reverence will I bow down

toward your holy temple.

The Holy Bible  : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Ps 5:7

I don't think the majority of Christians today fully understand the mercy of God.  I am reminded daily of my sinfulness and just how unclean I am.  My uncleanliness prohibits me from being able to approach a Holy and Just God.  Just a few verses preceding this verse in Psalm 5:4, we are reminded that God is not a God that takes pleasure in evil nor One where evil can dwell.  I am absolutely unable to approach God because I am a wicked, evil person by nature.  I don't mean to be that way, but I am.  In fact, all of us are.  The Bible tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Indeed, we are but filthy rags before a pure and clean God.  Psalm 5:7 reminds me that by His great mercy, I can come into His presence.  His great mercy?  Wow.  What an understatement!  I am convinced that the older I get the more I recognize just how great is the mercy of God!  It seems that the harder I try to live a life of purity and holiness, the further I fall.  However, the great mercy of God is always prevalent and helps me to realize His love more and more.  In fact, the more I learn and experience the mercy and love of God, the more worshipful I become.  I am realizing the truth of the second half of this verse, "...will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple."  I learned a long time ago that I don't necessarily have to be in the house of God to worship Him.  I have been able to worship Him in many places- along a beach, in the woods, on a mountaintop, in my car, in my house, and many other countless places.  Even though there have been many places of worship I have been able to experience the Holiness of God, it always helps me to be among other believers who are experiencing in their walk the truth of this verse and have recognized just how great God's mercy is to us. Last week at an Advent service, we sang as a community of faith the beautiful Christmas song "O Holy Night."  For years I have felt that I needed to sing that song on my knees in reference to the line "fall on your knees, oh hear the angels' voices..."  As we sang this beautiful hymn, I was pleasantly surprised that many of the people of God in this particular service were on their knees with hands raised high.  I worshipped because they were worshipping.  As the old country preacher might say, "it was catchin'."  We need other believers to come along side us as the writer of Hebrews reminds us to "spur one another along."  We do need this.  However, there are times when I need to realize through my private worship that I have comprehension that Almighty God is great with His mercy and when I realize this, I must be reverent with my posture, my place, and the position of my mind.  In fact, as we have just started the hoopla of celebrating a New Year, I am recognizing that in my life I must worship more, not just on Sundays in a service, but I must worship more daily.  Part of my worship has been to commit to studying for a year the Book of Psalms.  Five days into this study, I am realizing just how great God's mercy is and already am I wanting and desiring to worship more. Wow!The best is yet to come!!