We are on His mind

Last night the weather gave us scenes from the storm in the eastern seaboard and the resulting havoc. One man was shoveling snow standing on the top of his car. He had to move at least a couple feet of the white stuff before he could see his vehicle. Even those of us who live in ‘snow country’ would have difficulty dealing with a storm like that.

Closer to home, several family members are going through painful trials that are bringing tears to our eyes and us to our knees. We cannot help but wonder about the mind of Christ when a disaster happens, when tragedies occur. Is He crying? Does He grieve too? Will He fix this? What is going on in the plan of God?

Today’s devotional reading is about a tragedy in the family of Jesus. John the Baptist was a relative, a godly man besides. He had been proclaiming the message of repentance, but it ended badly for him . . .

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’

“For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because John had been saying to him, ‘It is not lawful for you to have her.’

“And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

“Prompted by her mother, she said, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.” (Matthew 14:1–12)

John told the truth and was murdered for doing so. If this happened to a Christian brother or sister who was also a blood relative, I would be outraged. If I had the power of Jesus Christ, I’d likely seek justice for such an unwarranted crime. He didn’t do that.

“Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:13–14)

Jesus withdrew, perhaps to pray, to grieve, but circumstances didn’t allow solitude. Needy people were all around Him, so He took care of them. Did this mean He didn’t care what happened to John? I don’t think so. What I do think is that Jesus was able to see the bigger picture and it sustained Him, even motivated Him to keep on ministering to others.

First, John was in God’s care when he was living and when he died. He was a man of God, and now that he was gone, he was in a better place — with God, and eternally whole and forever blessed.

Second, John’s work was done. Repentance was the first part of the gospel, and soon Jesus would complete the good news by His own death, followed by His resurrection from the dead. When the plan of God ran its course, the world would know that those who repent will be forgiven, not because they are anything special for doing it, but because Jesus paid the full penalty for sin. Repentance is required; Jesus did say without it, there is no forgiveness, but without the Cross, repentance is not enough. Our being sorry and turning from sin will not save us. Only Jesus can do that.

Human life often experiences things that seem terrible to us, to me. My vision is short and sees only what it sees, but the mind of Christ sees ‘the rest of the story.’ In Him, there is always hope, always the promise of eternal life, always the promise that even in this life God uses all things for our good, that we might become more like Jesus.

In my family, I see His children suffering, but I also know that God isn’t heartless or mean. Not only can He transform their lives through these trials, but He can also give them a comfort so great that only those who experience it would even believe it.

The old hymn says, “His eye is on the sparrow, so I know He watches me.” My personal version says, “His eye is on the sparrow, so I know His mind is on His children, now and forever.”

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Since I started the online courses to finish my degree, I’ve felt a combination of great joy at the truths being studied and great struggle at the sense of being in the wilderness sorely tempted by the devil. I’ve learned more about my sinful self as the readings and lectures have opened my eyes to more about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Many days it seems as if I am standing in a blessed place, but wielding a sword at the enemy who keeps coming at me from every angle.

The Lord takes me this morning to a passage in Revelation concerning the vision John had of what is to come. These two verses offer encouragement. The battle will end and when it does, the saints of God will sing praises to the Lord who won it for us.

And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! (Revelation 15:2–3)

The devotional speaks of our struggle. If it isn’t with suffering, it will be with temptation and wickedness, with the power of evil in its earthly manifestations, with all that tries to drag down anything that is right. Praise God that everyone who belong to Jesus Christ will come out of this “victorious over the beast” and will enter the kingdom of heaven.

We will stand beside this “a sea of glass mingled with fire” — and sing. The sea of glass speaks of a calm, clear place, a symbol of rest and peace. The fire is used in the Bible to illustrate the testing of all things that consumes evil and purifies good. It never rests, never spares pain, but is a symbol of active trials and struggles. That makes this “sea of glass mingled with fire” a rest mingled with struggle, peace and achievement, yet trial and suffering alive and working with it.

This is where I am right now, not in the image in heaven where the victory is depicted yet the battle is over, but here, in the battle, in the sea of glass mingled with fire. If I focus on the sea, I’m blindsided by the fire. If I focus on the fire, I cannot defeat it — or sing.

Personally, I’d not expected this conflict. I’ve been to seminary, but was distracted in a living classroom by interaction with other students. These online discussion groups are not the same. Students tend to be more open, more to the point with their comments, if they make them at all. We are taking a difficult course, eight modules/weeks of foundational yet deep material, difficult to grasp yet incredibly wonderful. Our enemy does not want us to “get it” or apply it to our lives and ministry. He is hitting hard with those fiery darts.

The devotional writer says of this scene in heaven that our victory will be colored with the hard struggle that won it. That sea of glass will always be mixed with fire. Those whose life has been overturned by the strong hand of God, filled with the deep forces of suffering, and purified by the strong fires of temptation will stand by that place of discipline — forever victorious and singing praises to our God.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning

It's time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord, O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I'll worship Your holy name

(Matt Redman lyrics) 

 

My Hiding Place

During the late 80s, I experienced a terrible event that challenged me on every level. At that time, I was in Bible school (the only granny there). One of the professors often began his classes by playing the piano. His mastery of music calmed the class in preparation for learning. On a day when I was about as low as I could get and still function, he played a piece that the class sang. “You are my hiding place, You always fill my heart with songs of deliverance. Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You…”

That song that day blessed me to the core. I spent much time trying and finally found a recording. Since then, this song comes to mind, comforting me with the truth in its words. God’s promises kept me going back then, and still do as I think of the reality of His grace and protection.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (Psalm 91:1–2)

Sometimes people in distress will hide themselves in their work, or in a hobby, or even something as drastic as emotional shutdown, alcoholism, drugs or psychosomatic illness. These escapes may allow a reprieve from the pain of their experience, but one important thing is missing. None of those human refuges actually do anything for us simply because they are without power. 

Only God can remove or change the situation, or give us the ability to stand and survive. As the psalmist says, He is the “Most High” and the “Almighty” — above and in control, Lord in charge of the events of life. Things, devices, ideas, strategies might manipulate our emotions, but they do not have ultimate control, nor do they care if we suffer or not. On the other hand, God cares deeply, proving it by dying for our sin.

Psalm 91 is a wonderful promise of God’s power and continuing care. He is my refuge, not only during the storms of life, but is my haven when I need to pull away from the stresses of ordinary days when my list is too long and I feel overwhelmed. Hiding in Him always produces peace and rest. 

But He also protects. Yesterday I told someone that I often felt like God’s spoiled brat. He takes care of me. He is in charge of every part of my life and I am deeply aware of being protected by the Lord.

Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:9–11)

Thank You.

Endurance pays

During the early 90s I experienced an exceedingly difficult trial. When it was over, I realized I had survived the worst and that nothing could ever harm me now. Perhaps that is what James meant when he ended his discourse on trials by saying, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation [trials]” (James 1:12).

My devotional reading in Truth for Today says, “People who successfully endure trials and overcome temptation are truly happy. James is not saying that happiness comes in freedom from trials but in victory over them. There is a big difference. It’s not the shallow joy of the spectator who never experienced conflict; it’s the exuberance of the participant who fought and won.”

Victory is more than exuberance about winning. It is also the blessing of realizing that God is true and with me in all trials, and the blessing of a changed life. Just like Job, I thought I knew God when I went into that trial, but after it was over, my knowledge of God and His power and love had increased beyond my imagination.

James thought about Job too. He later wrote in his book, 

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. (James 5:10-11)

At first, making it through a trial doesn’t seem like a blessing, more of a relief. Yet hindsight and honesty help me recognize how God has changed my life and sometimes the lives of those around me during my trials. When they are over, I am more equipped to deal with the tough things, and more confident in Him. I’m less fearful of life handing me lemons because I know that God makes great lemon pie.

At the same time, Job was plainly not the picture of patience during his trials. He complained and struggled, asking lots of questions. Yet Job did not lose faith or his integrity. He was an honest man, griping because he was so miserable, yet insisting he would “come forth as gold” after this trial was over. He did, and so did God.

The biggest trial in my daily life right now is having my dance card full, as my husband would say. I’ve too many responsibilities and not enough hours in the day. I’m teaching a Bible study called Making the Most of Your Resources and realize I’m being tested on what I am teaching. In the process of these pressures, just like the events of almost twenty years ago, God has my ultimate good in mind. He wants me to also come forth as gold.

Instead of complaining that the days are not long enough, I need to count even this work load as a joyful thing because God promises blessing after I persevere and endure. I must listen and pay attention to Him.

While this seems a smaller battle, even an ongoing life battle, He will teach me new things and change my life. My part is joyfully relying on Him in faithful endurance.