It’s a ‘bit’ part not a starring role

I’ve an old book called “His Part and Ours” (or something close) that has helped me notice those two distinctions when reading the Bible. This is helpful because I am silly enough to get into God’s to-do list and neglect my own responsibilities or to give God my list and not respond to His work as He expects.

These two verses remind me of what God does and how I need to respond:

“Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.” (Psalm 31:19–20)

In truth, God does what He does out of His abundant goodness. He stores it up for His people, for me. I can imagine a large container, perhaps the entire universe filled with the goodness of God. Much of it has already been poured out in Christ and God’s redemption, yet what marvels await me in that storehouse!

He also works that goodness for me so that all can see it. I am on the stage in the drama of God revealing Himself to the world and He does it through being good to His people, to me.

Another item on God’s to-do list is that He, by His very presence, hides me from those who plot evil. He protects me, even stores me in His shelter from those who would verbally attack. His goodness and the fact of His presence is my shield and my refuge.

My part is simple. Fear God. Take refuge in Him in the sight of everyone. Allow God to be my protection and while it does not say it here, this implies that I trust Him with whatever might be allowed to get at me, for God knows what kinds of trials will build and strengthen my faith.

Fearing God is different from being terrified of a lion or other danger. Fearing Him is about reference, about the kind of reference that is like a fearful awe. Perhaps it is like standing on the shore of the Niagara River, near the falls but safe behind the fence, or like being taken home on the back of a wild stallion who knows the way; who needs no bridle or guidance from me. Sometimes a bit scary but mostly an exciting adventure.

Taking refuge in Him hides me yet these words seem to say that He intends me to hide so everyone can see me hiding. That is, my trust in Jesus Christ as my refuge and strength is not a ‘private matter’ as some would claim. It is to be open, obvious, vocal at times yet very visible. My faith is supposed to be something others can observe.

This brings the need of God’s protection from plots and attacks. The world out there will not go after me if my faith is kept private. However, I am to live it publicly . . .

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16)

The goal of my visible faith in God is that God is glorified, yet the Bible warns that it can also result in persecution: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

This warning is not that I go into hiding so no one will see me, but my part concerning His protection is that I will hide myself in Him so everyone will see that the Lord is my stronghold. The emphasis is not ‘hiding from the world’ but ‘hiding in the Lord.’

^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, Lord of all goodness, I take refuge in You from the nasty stuff of life, but not so others are unable to see that I am trusting You. Otherwise, I will live a nice, safe little life but few will realize what is keeping me safe. Thank You for doing Your part. May I continually and faithfully do mine!

My hiding place

Daily news is troublesome. Illness, accidents, wars, unrest, mass murders, fires, floods, and elections are stressful. Closer to home, several friends are in their last days and weeks as cancer is defeating them. One of my cousins died yesterday from this rampant disease. Our city’s crime rate is higher this year than last year. The weather is incredible, yet hailstorms pop up and are ruining entire crops that had been lush and beautiful. Rarely do I have horrible dreams but last night I dreamt that two of my children were in a burning house. Before that, I took a picture of myself and felt dismay that I am aging (duh).

As the troubles pile up, I feel like hiding. Today’s Scripture offers a place of refuge . . .

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

My thoughts go to several Old Testament promises that offer the same refuge:

“You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah” (Psalm 32:7)

“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalm 119:114)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah” (Psalm 62:8)

As Chambers says, God does not promise to remove trouble from me, but He will deliver me in it. That is, when life piles up, God will equip me, stay by me, comfort me, supply whatever I need in that situation to take me through the challenges by faith. Because of Him, I am usually wiser and stronger when the trouble is over than when it started.

This hiding place is for those things that are totally outside of my ability or opportunity to do anything about. I cannot change world events. I cannot cure cancer. I’ve no control over the weather, or the passing of time, or the events in the lives of my kids. I might be able to pull them out of the burning building (I did in my dream), but most of what goes on can only be observed and experienced, not changed.

Jesus said that in this world I would have tribulation. That word means “an oppressive state of physical, mental, social, or economic adversity.” It is not restricted to outside events, yet it can mean the way that I feel about those events. This is where the refuge, hiding place comes in. Abiding in Christ and trusting Him is my deliverance. He declares that He is sovereign over all. Nothing happens as a surprise to God. Further, He can even fit the horrible things that happen into His plan, working them out to be part of what He intends in this world. That alone gives me a great deal of comfort. He has overcome this world.

As for the aging bit, the older I get, the closer I am to being with Jesus. From that perspective, anticipation and joy slide into my heart.

From the largest and most dismaying things out there to the less significant yet still dismaying stuff that goes on in my personal life, Jesus is the overcomer. Abiding in Him gives me a victory too. Besides being my hiding place here and now, when He returns all those trials will be over and our victory will be complete.

Afraid of God?

When the Bible talks about fearing God, it usually means ‘profound respect’ but it can also mean to be afraid, even terrified. This command to fear God will relate to the attitudes and lifestyle of those who hear it. If I were blatantly sinning, I should be afraid of God because He hates sin. If I were humbly repentant, I should respect God because He is gracious to forgive sin.

“Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.” (Psalm 25:12)

In context, this verse from Psalm 25 is talking about respect and trust. Only those with that kind of fear will actively listen to God’s instructions and make godly choices.

Chambers talks about living in the presence of God, not so much in the awareness of it, but in the habit of considering everything in relation to God because of His continual presence.

When my husband was very ill, people said to me, “This must have been scary for you.” I said no, because God blessed me with the sense of His presence and when I knew He was right here with me, nothing bothered me. As Chambers says, nothing else can get in, no cares, no tribulation, no anxieties.

Chambers also says worry is a terrible sin, and I believe that. How can I worry when I know that God is in control of everything and is walking alongside me?

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)

Another way to think of the fear of God is that godly fear knows who He is and His power, but it does not drive me away from Him. Instead, this Almighty God is my hiding place. I can draw near for protection, comfort, safety, and instruction.

A fortress might look something like the Acropolis or other military structures, but these man-made do not last forever. They crumble and no longer protect anything, but God does not fade. He is always here with me, teaching me in the way I should live. He combines the same concepts in the Great Commission.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

Fear God, listen to what He says and do it, then teach others what He has taught me — for He is always here, always my fortress, always my hiding place!