Some things are a mystery . . .

Yesterday was one of those ‘down days’ that hit me without any apparent reason. The best word, but not a nice word, is crappy. I sat on the sofa with the television on and fell asleep sitting up — for two hours! My stomach felt odd and all sorts of other things seemed odd. I was not sick yet had no energy at all. By supper, I felt better. We went out for fast food (a rare thing) then did a bit of shopping. I asked for eight hours of solid sleep and the Lord gave it to me. Weird and awful day that ended well.

This morning, I asked Him to give me what I need to hear. This is what I read:

“For when they are humbled you say, ‘It is because of pride’; but he saves the lowly. He delivers even the one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” (Job 22:29–30)

The first part seems clear, but not the last part. When I read this in several other translations, it became clearer and even the first part surprised me. This is from the New Living Translation:

“If people are in trouble and you say, ‘Help them,’ God will save them. Even sinners will be rescued; they will be rescued because your hands are pure.” (Job 22:29–30, NLT)

Tozer points out that sometimes we really don’t know what God is doing with us. As I walk with Him, His light reveals to me my sinfulness but that same light reflects Jesus to those around me. This is a puzzle, and if true, Tozer is totally on the mark.

He writes that there is such a thing as the “secret workings of the Spirit” in the soul for a time unknown and unsuspected by the individual and that most of the fruits of the Spirit are unsuspected by the person in whom they are found. He adds that the most loving, patient, compassionate soul is unlikely to be aware of these graces. Others will discover and see the Holy Spirit long before he or she will. They will thank God for that sweet Christian even as the person who has it mourns the absence of the very graces that others know he or she possesses.

If nothing else, the events of yesterday illustrate the unpredictability of human life. I cannot figure out or explain the bad days, nor the good ones. In the same way, I cannot figure out or explain whether the Holy Spirit is using me for anything. These verses say that God hears and answers my cries when I pray for those in trouble. They also say that as I walk with the Lord, sinners will be rescued. I don’t rescue them, but when I walk with Jesus, my demeaner contributes to their salvation. This is no more explainable than my physical situation yesterday.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, reflecting You when I don’t think I am also makes no sense. My conclusion is that faith is in that which is unseen. I don’t know everything and don’t need to know. I just need to trust the One who saved me. You are in charge of my life. I also need to stay on the path with You and trust that You will use me, whether I realize it or not.

Eyes on context = eyes on Jesus

Context is important. Consider the words, “Rise up and protest!” and how they would words affect a crowd who did not want a certain law passed, or a group of seniors in wheel chairs who didn’t like the dessert served in their retirement home, or a few teens who hate their math teacher, or a little child trying to tie his shoes.

Context is particularly important when reading the Bible. In the following verses, Jesus is talking to a crowd of people who do not know who He is. He is not talking to His disciples or even to the religious Pharisees . . .

So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. (John 12:34–36)

Chambers applies this warning to Christians. Sorry sir, but Jesus has other words about light and darkness for those who believe in Him. He shone His light in our hearts. We have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God. His light has changed our lives. We need to walk in the light and believe it, but we already are the “sons of light” and we know who Jesus is.

“For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

The Apostle Paul testified to King Agrippa — that he had been delivered from his people and the Gentiles . . .  “to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:17–18)

Darkness is not going to overtake Christians. That said, how does the Christian apply these words that Jesus said? For one thing, they describe how to talk to those who have little understanding about Jesus or spiritual matters. They have heard something about God’s law and something about Jesus. They have a bit of light in their life, only a small knowledge, but they need to be encouraged to pursue it.

For example, I met a woman from a religious background that shunned her because she had been divorced. She knew that I was writing a biblical column for the local newspaper and as we talked, I told her I had been divorced also. She was surprised and delighted, almost shedding tears. I’d already observed that she was a gracious lady and thankful for everything. I told her that the Bible (Romans 1) says that creation shows us who God is, and being thankful is an important part of learning more about Him. She was overwhelmed to recognize that her thankfulness is something God wants and that she was on a good path. Her divorce could not keep her from knowing God.

Walking in the light that God gives is like walking a dim path with a flashlight. Each step takes me forward and with it, the light also moves forward. God illuminates the next step in the path, then the next step. If I do not move into the light I have, I won’t get very far. However, the darkness does not remove my understanding of where I am going or that I believe in the Giver of light. He is there with me, in light or darkness, and promises that He will never leave me or forsake me. Psalm 139 says light and darkness are both alike to Him.

Without considering the context, my focus today could have turned to my spiritual condition and raised questions about whether or not I am walking in the light. Such inward thinking without the conviction of the Holy Spirit takes my eyes off Jesus. Instead of moving forward, I stand still in confusion and fear rather than letting Him show me if I’m off the path.

What delight (and light) to consider the context of Jesus’ words. He reveals to me a need some people have, and one way to help them consider the light God has given them. This results in both of us turning our eyes on Jesus and moving toward Him.

Walking by Faith

Now and then I shut my eyes and walk about my home as if I were blind. Odd, I know, but this does produce an appreciation for sight. It also makes me more aware of what it means to walk by faith . . .

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:6–7)

However, walking by faith is not the same as blindness. When blind, nothing is visible. All is dark and other senses heighten so the blind person can function, but still must depend on dogs, canes, and other people.

Faith does not need eyes or smell or touch. Yet “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) Without being able to hear the word of God, faith would be impossible.

Problems arise when I become overly-dependent upon those other senses. I want to see what God is doing, hear His voice, be aware of His presence in my situation. Verses that tell me to walk by faith, not by sight, are reminders that I must continue doing as He asks even though there is no spiritual insight or sense of Him at work. When that happens, I feel as if I am ‘plodding’ along in pitch darkness.

Chambers refers to this as a discipline. He says that God is at work trying to make me do my duty without fanfare, a sense of inspiration, no halo about my head, no high-flying spirituality. Those things feel good and make me want to serve God, they easily side-track me. Instead of walking in obedience, I want those emotional and physical rewards, and if they are not there, I start thinking God is not with me and I cannot carry on. This is not walking by faith.

For most of my Christian life, I’ve looked forward to those high spots, the times of God’s blessing, answered prayer, events that I can tell others about where God made His presence and power known. While this is part of Christian living, it cannot be the focus. If I want to walk with God, sometimes that walk will be in darkness. My eyes will be shut to eternal matters and I might not sense His hand in mine. There may not be any answers to prayer, or at least answers that I can see.

During these dark spells, heaven seems to be shut and yet the Word of God says it is not. God may seem as if He is gone, but He said He would never leave me or forsake me. If I fall into walking by sight and wanting evidence that God is with me and doing something, then I need the discipline of darkness, of walking by faith and depending only on His Word and His promises.

Sometimes the learning curves are so steep and the darkness so gloomy that I feel I will fall off the curves and get lost in the blackness. But no matter how I feel, God is there – faith tells me so.