A doctor wrote a book called “None of these Diseases” using an Old Testament verse and his knowledge of medicine. In it he affirmed the relationship between a happy, calm spirit and a healthy body. He said that many, if not all of our physical problems are caused by undue stress.
I’ve also heard that if someone is ill, a relaxed and happy attitude leads to healing much faster than worry. This tells me that for my own well-being, I need to relax and rest in God. If I trust Him implicitly, regardless of the circumstances, it will be easier on my body.
They who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
Preacher and author D. L. Moody said there are three kinds of faith a Christian can have: a struggling faith, a clinging faith, or a resting faith. In the above prescription Isaiah uses “wait” instead of “rest” but it means the same thing. Renewed strength is about being at rest as I trust the Lord. It goes beyond that feeling of well-being when life is uncomplicated, even beyond the good feeling of a spiritual high. Waiting on the Lord and resting in Him is an attitude of the heart where I am relaxed and comfortable all the time because I know God loves me and is in control of all aspects of life. He cares for me no matter what, so I do not need to be stressed.
My mother had a saying while I was growing up that usually referred to the weather: “We must need this or we wouldn’t be getting it.” God has used that saying in combination with His Word to help me see that whatever comes my way has a purpose. Because He loves me, I need this and God will use it for my good. I don’t need to fret or be anxious about anything.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)
God wants me to be like Jesus and while Jesus sweat drops of blood before going to the cross, I cannot imagine Him pacing the floor over other circumstances in His life, or wringing His hands when people resisted Him or rejected His life-giving message. Jesus was not a worrier.
. . . . Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. (1 Peter 2:21–23)
The secret to resting in the care of God is knowing that God is just and will do what is right. If I doubt that, I will struggle. If I think He will give me more than I can handle, I might cling to Him in desperation. But knowing who He is and that He wants godliness for me makes it much easier to rest in Him. It also is good for my health. Even though age takes its toll, my doctor tells me that I’m her “most boring patient.”
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God, I’m so thankful that You are who You are — and that You have revealed Yourself to me and given me faith to trust You, to even rest in Your care. So often my only anxiety is that others will also know You and be able to live at rest in this blessed and wonderful truth.
Once my hands were always trying,
Trying hard to do my best;
Now my heart is sweetly trusting,
And my soul is all at rest.
—A. B. Simpson
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| Sunrise — July 19, 2011 |
There is no greater experience than to see and recognize the glory of God. Yet as a sinful and fallen creature, this is another mystery. How can a high and holy God manifest His glory to anyone? We are so full of ourselves and have such a high opinion of our own abilities. We think and say, “Who needs God?” and because of that arrogance, our eyes become blind to the wonder of who He is.
Yet even those taken up with themselves can see the glory of God in what He has made. Consider the flowers of the field, the grandeur of the Rockies, the color and light of a sunset, the glisten of a trillion snowflakes, the stars in the night sky, and the amazing glory of a newborn child!
Yet God reveals His glory in other ways. Noah saw it and feared, building an ark as God told him. Moses saw it too. He said, “O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?” (Deuteronomy 3:24)
There is more to God’s glory than the creation around us. Men like Job, and the Old Testament kings and prophets saw and declared His glory. Then, when Jesus Christ came on the scene, God’s glory was revealed in a man. The Apostle John said of Jesus, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
How does He reveal this glory? Not everyone saw it. In fact, instead of worshiping God because of His glory revealed in Jesus Christ, they crucified Him. What kept so many people from seeing it? Why do so many miss seeing it today?
Spurgeon says that to see God, “self” must get out of the way. He points out that if God is exalted, it is often through us being brought into a place where He can get our attention. We need to become conscious of our weakness and feel helpless. There is something about trials that lifts the scales off our eyes and opens our hearts to receive what God longs to show us.
If God’s glory is seen in deliverance from trials, then those whose lives are smooth and trouble-free will see little of Him. Those have no situations where they feel empty and therefore will not experience being filled with the revelation of God.
If my life consisted of navigating little streams and shallow creeks rather than “doing business in great waters,” I would never see His “wonders in the deep.” It is in the storms of grief, loss, poverty, trials, temptations and reproach that I learn the power of God because those experiences make me very aware of my own smallness.
God even says “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4).
It seems an audacious command, yet I know my own wayward heart. During those “good” days, hours can go by where I never think of God or His glory. But let those days be filled with perplexity and challenges, and He is on my mind. It is in thinking of who He is and what He can do that my heart is settled. The glory of God gives me peace and hope. It should also make me thankful for those good days.
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Lord, Spurgeon says to thank You if I have been led by a rough road also. Not that my life is always rough, but he is right; the rough spots have given me experience of Your greatness and lovingkindness. I see Your glory in my troubles, and gain an understanding of You that I would never have gained by any other means. When I am suffering, those “trials have been the cleft of the rock” in which You hid my life, and like Moses, You let me behold Your glory as You pass by that hiding place. I’m thankful that You have not allowed me to stay in the darkness and ignorance that total prosperity can produce. Instead, You give just the right amount of affliction to humble my heart and open my eyes. Thank You for glimpses of the glory of who You are and what You can do.
In the beginning, God told male and female, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
One of the ways that we try to take dominion is by understanding everything. If we can figure it out, then we have command over it. If not, then it somehow seems to master us, or at least eludes our dominion.
I see this played out in matters of faith. The Bible says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith asks us to trust a God whom we cannot fully figure out and trust in the promises He makes that have not yet come to fruition. If we could figure out God and see for certain all He says, it would not be faith. Our desire to “see” or reason it out or make sense of its mystery would give us a sense of dominion over God.
Paul tried that. Before he met Jesus Christ, he attempted to control what he could not understand. Those who believed in Jesus didn’t make sense to him. As he was on this way, Christ met him on the road and put him on his knees. In broken humility, Paul said,
“Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (Acts 9:5–6)
By a miracle no one can fully explain, Saul of Tarsus was turned in one second from a strong-willed, intense Pharisee who persecuted Christians into a humble, devoted slave of the Lord Jesus. It is this amazing ability of God that most eludes us. How does He do it? How can we make this happen?
When Christ came into my life, a friend said, “It takes a second to be saved — and many spend the rest of their lives trying to figure out what happened.” I agree.
An arrogant and self-sufficient man once told me that he could become a Christian anytime he wanted to, that it was totally up to him. Like most, he thinks he controls his own destiny. While in one sense our choices have bearing, to his notion that he could make himself a Christian, I said, “No, you cannot. If God does not do it, it will not happen.”
Saying “I am a Christian” does not work. The Bible is clear that this transfer out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God is not of our own doing.
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12–13)
(The Father) has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Colossians 1:13)
False teachers such as cult members and Christian imitators say that matters of faith are logical and make sense. In the mind of anyone who has been granted salvation, this is partly true, but even believers know that faith is largely a mystery. We cannot control what only God can do.
On the other hand, some people say that if all the above is true, then God will save them and they do not have to do anything. However, we also need to realize that the “default” for humanity is rejection of Christ and going our own way. The Bible is clear on this. No one is righteous and no one seeks God. By default, we are lost in our sin.
None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. (Romans 3:10–12)
In an Eden-given desire to take command, sin makes us think this includes God and matters that only He knows and understands. The world’s quest for knowledge and control is rampant and quite amazing, yet we still have not figured out how to conquer our own wickedness. Instead of going to this mysterious God and asking Him for help, our default position is to stay where we are, and as some say, “take our chances.”
Yet God leaves nothing to chance. He sent Jesus, the Light of the world, and invites us to choose that direction. We cannot do it without Him, nor can we understand how He does it, but He has made it possible by His Spirit that we can be drawn out of our darkness. This happens mysteriously as He somehow makes us willing to seek the truth and turn in the direction of light.
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works (including this work of turning to the light) have been carried out in God. (John 3:19–21)
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Father, I’ve been thinking about those who insist their teaching must make sense. However, some of the gospel is beyond us. I continue to pray for those who stumble over this element of mystery that is out of their comprehension zone. Grant them light and a desire to know You.
I can relate to them. I’ve spent many hours trying to figure out things that were too deep for me. Now I see that some of my effort was to give me a sense of being in control, but faith is not about control. It is about trusting You, the only One who can control everything. Thank You for revealing truth to me and for giving me a desire to seek truth in Jesus Christ. I am so undeserving. I am so blessed.
Speaking of unbelievers, Paul wrote: “They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity” (Ephesians 4:18–19).
At first, I didn’t see or understand myself as a person who had a hard heart and was sinful in every way. Then God opened my eyes to realize that all humanity is separated from God, not by poverty, pain, or the mistreatment of others, but by sin. Until that issue is brought to Him in confession and repentance, no one can call themselves a Christian or expect His help with the other hard issues of life.
This morning’s devotional passage reminds me of how to identify genuine believers. Paul saw the “work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” in the Christians at Thessalonica. He thanked God every day for them and then gave his reasons . . .
For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. (1 Thessalonians 1:4–8)
Paul knew that God had chosen them because they responded to the gospel with conviction of sin. They confessed and repented and their lives were changed as God forgave them and gave them new life. They understood the ministry of Paul and others, willingly living as they did even though it brought them much affliction.
I think of people who go to a church, are sincere, yet believe Christianity is about being mild mannered, nice to others and sticking up for the underdog. For them, sin isn’t an issue and the message of the gospel is met with puzzled scorn or downright anger, not with conviction and repentance. Yet these folks, some very good people, make up a large body of the so-called “Christian” church. Entire denominations are filled with people who consider themselves Christian because of their good deeds and their refusal to call anyone a sinner. I tremble that they could stand before Jesus and say, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?” only to hear Him reply, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:22–23)
In contrast, Paul says that the gospel touched the people of Thessalonica “in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” Key to this is that these people heard it, but the words were not delivered as mere words. God was at work. His Spirit was speaking too, and because of that, they heard more than words. They experienced conviction and then a new life.
Those who have been convicted of sin and turn to Christ for forgiveness are familiar with that power. Paul recognized it in these and other believers. I’ve experienced it in my own life, and seen it at work in others. True salvation results in dramatic changes. It isn’t just that nice people become nicer, but that everyone who hears and responds to the gospel becomes like the apostles (sold out for God) and like Jesus Christ. Yes, they do good things, yet their faith in Him as Savior and Lord becomes the identifier.
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Lord, I know that You love everyone, even the religious people who “have a zeal but not according to knowledge.” You must be sad for those who ignore Your gospel to “establish their own way of righteousness.” They want to be identified as Christians and do good in the world, yet they have rejected the salvation that will save them for their own sin and bring them into intimacy with You. How sad.
I am thankful that you forgave my sin and I’m delivered from its penalty. May I never forget that I still need You to save me from sin’s power. Don’t let it rule my life, nor let me look down on others who do not know You. Help me live as an example of a true believer, with joy even in affliction, and with great compassion for those who do not yet know You.
Events in our community verify that life can change in an instant. A child was killed by a stray bullet while asleep in his home. A man fell from a balcony and was gravely injured. An apartment burned leaving people homeless. A seemingly healthy husband and father discovered he is terminally ill. A business suddenly closes leaving several people without work.
For me, this speaks of how dependent I am on the Lord. My life is physically comfortable, but what would it be if our home burned? I feel safe, but how would I feel if our neighborhood had drive-by shootings? I’m healthy, but what would happen to my plans should my doctor tell me I had only weeks to live? My husband has a good job, yet what if he became unemployed?
My husband is the first person to say “Don’t ‘what if’” yet I’m not sure these are totally negative and pessimistic questions. Sometimes such thinking forces me into reestablishing my priorities, or at least being more thankful for our blessings. Certainly it makes me aware of how much I need to rely on God to take care of things.
Spurgeon brings this to a daily experience, reminding me that my spiritual life is also totally dependent on the grace of God. For that reason, and for the unexpected events of each day, I need to spend time with Him each day, feeding on His Word. Yesterday’s manna will not suffice.
Morning by morning they gathered (manna), each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted. (Exodus 16:21)
Spurgeon says to work hard to maintain that sense of entire dependence on the Lord’s goodness. I’m never to attempt living on the old manna, just as I’m not to look for help from the secular world. All that I need is supplied by Jesus Christ. Yesterday’s blessings are not intended to meet today’s needs. For that, I need a fresh word from Him each day.
Manna does not last long because my spirit can quickly falter. I also quickly forget what God spoke to me about in the past. Besides, God may put me on a mountain top today, but tomorrow take me into a valley. I might see His face yesterday, but He hides it from me today. The past can build a foundation, but each day has its own demands.
I know that God loves me and nothing can separate me from His love, yet I also know that He is the source of all goodness. He could withdraw joy from my heart, light from my eyes, or strength from my life. Jesus told His disciples to pray for their daily bread for good reason. His promise is that “as our days our strength shall be.” That means seeking daily grace, daily understanding, and relying on that mercy that is “new every morning.”
He wisely designed this daily need because He knows that in ourselves we need daily reminding and daily replenishing. We also need to discover that His supply is never exhausted. In my need and utter inability to do anything without Him, He continually supplies all and more because of His inexhaustible love.
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Father, knowing that no matter what happens I can run to You gives my soul nourishment. I’ve no idea what this day will bring, yet You know all my days. By telling me that You are here for me, I have no reason to be apprehensive. I will not enter the day carelessly either, but watchful and depending on You. Whether today is ‘normal’ or goes to the other extreme, You assure me that no matter my experiences, You are in them with me.
Fire burned much of an Alberta town early this summer. This week, an apartment fire made many people homeless and put some in the hospital. These news stories grab my attention, not because I’m fascinated by fire, but because I fear it. I tend to associate it with destruction.
This morning, God reminded me that fire has other connotations. I had asked about my plans and projects, enough for two lifetimes and wanted His priorities. He gave me this verse:
Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it shall not go out. (Leviticus 6:13)
Scripture speaks of literal fire, but also uses it as a symbol. It can represent several things including God’s presence and power, His judgment or purifying work, prayer, or zeal for God. In this Old Testament verse, continual fire was associated with burnt offerings for sin and was God’s reminder to the people that their sin was continual, but so was His provision for it.
I need to remember this too. If I pridefully think that I do not sin, I will move toward a God-dishonoring self-righteousness. If I forget that my sin is covered by the sacrifice of Christ, I will shrivel in despair.
Fire is also God’s way of revealing His presence. When Moses was wandering in the wilderness and had not yet been given orders to lead God’s people out of slavery in Egypt, he had an experience that set the direction of his life and ministry.
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. (Exodus 3:2)
God has never come to me in fire, but the sense of His presence is important. When I think of His promise to never leave me or forsake me, I have confidence to do whatever He asks. If I mistakenly think He is not with me, I am fearful and uncertain.
Fire can be about judgment too. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I do not fear the fires of hell; I am not going there. However, the things that I do in this life will be evaluated at the Judgment Seat of Christ. I do need to think about that, hence my prayer this morning.
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15)
Spending time on frivolity is not only a waste of time but a sure way to suffer loss at that judgment of my works. God wants me to do things that have eternal value. Sometimes I know what they are, but not always. Reading my Bible all day could look good, but is not good if I’m doing it to avoid helping someone in need. Helping someone in need could look good too, but not if I’m doing it to avoid time with God in His Word.
The fire that God wants burning on the altar in my life sounds more like having a zeal for Him. In this, I am to use the gifts He has given me to help others and to bring Him glory.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6)
Zeal is not necessarily about fanatic behavior like chanting “turn or burn” on every street corner. It is more about being eager to let God judge and purge my sin now — so that I am free from every hindrance and can eagerly do the things God says as the Spirit of Christ leads, motivates and empowers me.
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:9–13)
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Lord, I hear You. You want me to pay attention to You, do what You say, and do it with all my heart. I don’t get a six-step plan or a clear outline. Instead, You want me to live in a right relationship to You with great zest. I’m to spend time with You each day, even each moment of the day, eagerly paying attention to Your Spirit and enthusiastically doing (and giving up) whatever You ask. For me, life with You is not a road map but a grand and daily adventure.
One concern that burdens my heart is trying to do the Lord’s work my way instead of His. I so easily rely on my own reasoning about what makes sense. I also fall into the rut of what is familiar rather than listening for His direction and willingly move as He leads me.
Our church is in the midst of an evaluation. Godly people came in and used surveys, discussion groups, interviews, etc. to ascertain our strengths and weaknesses. Then they offered a prescription for change and growth. These recommendations are based on biblical principles. However, we need to be careful. What happens in my life can also happen in a church. We can rely on our own reasoning. We can fall into the rut of “we always do it this way” instead of seeking the face of God and being willing to go in new directions.
If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. (Exodus 20:25)
When the Lord gave direction for a place of worship, He told His people to use stones that were untouched by human skill or workmanship. This is a prefigure, even a warning against us using our own plans in an effort to build our church. This is not about a building but the Body of Christ and how we function.
Spurgeon says, “Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial with the depraved tastes of fallen nature. However, instead of improving the gospel, carnal wisdom pollutes it until it becomes another gospel and not the truth of God at all.”
Doctrinal truth is not to be messed with, but that is only one way we can rely on our own devices. Churches desire to grow, but some come up with very human ideas of how to make that happen. I’ve heard of one that offered free ice cream to children who came to Sunday school. Any gimmicks or such bribes are hewn stones.
Churches need what is called a “good governance model” these days, yet instead of going to the Bible for it, they look to business and modern management principles. Sometimes secular consultants are hired to create structures that supposedly will benefit the church. These also are hewn stones.
Other ideas abound. Make the church a place of entertainment. Use music and art to delight people. Put new people without faith into positions of leadership. Appeal to felt needs. How easily we can saw those stones, wielding our tools of reasoned appeal. We carve what looks nice and works to suit us. We attract people with what makes them feel good, a form of emotional manipulation. All of this falls short of Jesus’ plan.
His wisdom is that we have His heart and attitude. We are to care about each other and those around us, tell people what He has done for them, and let Him change their hearts. Those whose lives have been touched by the love, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ want to be with others who have had the same experience. Then those unhewn stones tumble together to build a temple for God, the Body of Christ. This temple is not always as neat and pretty as a building with sawn blocks, but God makes it fit together and can create from it a holy thing.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19–22)
Again, it may not look “pretty” in the eyes of the world, but when God does the work, we become what we need to be to do His work.
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4–5)
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Lord, I know that I reason too much and have too many of my own ideas. I want neatly cut blocks, not a bunch of lumpy and uncut stones, but Your plan is not like mine. It is simple and I must obey You. All of us must follow Your blueprint, not rewrite it to suit our own desires. I pray today that our church, Your church, will not be the work of our own hands. Even though we must labor, may our efforts be in obedience to the truths You reveal to us. Let us not rely on our own devices or methods. What You give us may seem as rough, unhewn stones, yet only these are fit to build a church that honors and pleases You.
