The book of Psalms is a well of strength for the soul. In reading Psalm 69, 70, & 71, you see and hear how David, for a season, was pursued and persecuted by attackers from literally all sides. Time after time he's crying out to God in the midst of being pursued and attacked. He even prays for the attackers to be cursed by God. How relevant this feels to my soul, yet I am not physically being pursued and attacked by anyone. As a matter of fact, being born and raised in the U.S. has completely sheltered me from experiencing anything like this. So why do I feel like I relate? Is the answer found on the inside...in my soul?
Do temptations pursue and persecute me on all sides so that my soul longs for this deliverance and refuge that David so often cries out for? I don't think it's a stretch to say...Yes! I believe a worn out soul needs refreshing and reminding that the LORD of all is in control and mighty to save. When we're beaten down by temptation and our soul is worn thin, we experience more pain and suffering. Just like a worn out sole on a shoe allows bruising and discomfort throughout the whole body, so too a soul worn out by temptation to deny it's Creator. We become worn out from the inside out.
What do we do? What should we do? Follow David's lead and cry out to God! In so doing we strengthen the soul...our soles. You find that God is waiting to hear our cry and deliver according to the multitude of His tender mercies. His righteousness and His salvation is our hope and saving grace to which we will never know their limits.
"Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
'Let God be magnified!'" - Psalm 70:4
"In You, O LORD, I put my trust...Deliver me in Your righteousness...Incline Your ear to me, and save me. Be my rock of refuge, to which I may resort continually. You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress." - Psalm 71:1-3
Monday, March 8, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
3 Amazing Stories
2 Kings 6-7 tells three amazing stories from the life of Elisha. The first is about a floating ax head, which I just don't get, but it's pretty incredible. The second and third stories are just waiting for Ridley Scott to take hold of them and create another epic film.
Verses 8-23 is titled "The Blinded Syrians Captured." It tells of God using Elisha in some miraculous ways. He heard the plans of the opposing king without being present in the room with them, and then he saw an army (of angels?) that were ready to fight and protect the people from their attackers. God allowed Elisha to listen through His ears and see with His eyes so that he would know that God would protect them. You've got to read the rest of the story to believe what happens next...amazing!
Chapter 6:24 through 7:20 is titled "Syria Besieges Samaria in Famine." It tells of how God protected and provided again for the people even during a time of consequence for their sin. I'll tease you with this crazy verse, 25 "And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver." What? Dove droppings and a donkey's head? Read the story...it's amazing!
If my eyes could see beyond the physical
like Elisha who saw into the spiritual
If my ears could hear beyond the walls
the attacker devising evil to make me fall
Then I could see the windows open in heaven
and the LORD's blessing flowing down over the people
And I could say, "Do not fear, for those who are with us
are more than those who are with them."
LORD, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that obeys.
Verses 8-23 is titled "The Blinded Syrians Captured." It tells of God using Elisha in some miraculous ways. He heard the plans of the opposing king without being present in the room with them, and then he saw an army (of angels?) that were ready to fight and protect the people from their attackers. God allowed Elisha to listen through His ears and see with His eyes so that he would know that God would protect them. You've got to read the rest of the story to believe what happens next...amazing!
Chapter 6:24 through 7:20 is titled "Syria Besieges Samaria in Famine." It tells of how God protected and provided again for the people even during a time of consequence for their sin. I'll tease you with this crazy verse, 25 "And there was a great famine in Samaria; and indeed they besieged it until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver." What? Dove droppings and a donkey's head? Read the story...it's amazing!
If my eyes could see beyond the physical
like Elisha who saw into the spiritual
If my ears could hear beyond the walls
the attacker devising evil to make me fall
Then I could see the windows open in heaven
and the LORD's blessing flowing down over the people
And I could say, "Do not fear, for those who are with us
are more than those who are with them."
LORD, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that obeys.
How could they even do that!
Psalm 81:11-12, "But my people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels."
This is the age old "some people just have to learn the hard way." If we would just listen to God's voice (through Scripture and through the Holy Spirit speaking through those who have gone before us), we would not suffer the consequences that come with doing things "the hard way." Sometimes we do learn from our mistakes (sins), but sometimes our actions can be so destructive that we don't survive.
In light of the various situations of sexual sin that have occurred lately in our "little world," I had read Romans 1 that speaks further on this subject. It says in verse 21, "...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." Verse 24 goes on to say, "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchange the truth of God for the lie..." verse 26, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions..." verse 28, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting..."
How could they even do that? Well, the formula is laid out in those verses above: refusal to glorify God, un-thankful, and futile in thought. We get so selfish and full of lust that we neglect our Creator and the window of blessing He so desires to pour out on us when we obey. The craziest part to me is the lack of consideration for consequence to our action. Ephesians 5:15 is one of my favorite challenging passages that says, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." Circumspectly means to consider the circumstances and consequences. How is this thought/action going to affect me, my family, and ultimately my relationship with God?
So is there hope for someone who's on this path? Yes, Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" No, this verse doesn't sound very positive on the surface, but if you look at the Truths it claims, forgiveness is just waiting to be bestowed on the one in sin. There is not a guarantee to be saved from the path we may be on, but verse 4 describes not only God's patience with us, but more importantly that His goodness "leads us" to repentance. Repentance restores our relationship.
God desires sinful man to be reconciled to Him. He is the author of forgiveness. How many awesome stories are there of the "lost" finding grace and love that so overwhelms them that they can't help but cry out for healing and forgiveness!
Please take heed, all who know God, from those who have fallen to their own selfish, evil desires. Learn from their stories. Pray for purity and protection from temptation. Long for holiness in a land of corruption. Be the light that you were called to be. Let your life reflect God's greatness! Bless His holy name!
This is the age old "some people just have to learn the hard way." If we would just listen to God's voice (through Scripture and through the Holy Spirit speaking through those who have gone before us), we would not suffer the consequences that come with doing things "the hard way." Sometimes we do learn from our mistakes (sins), but sometimes our actions can be so destructive that we don't survive.
In light of the various situations of sexual sin that have occurred lately in our "little world," I had read Romans 1 that speaks further on this subject. It says in verse 21, "...although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." Verse 24 goes on to say, "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchange the truth of God for the lie..." verse 26, "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions..." verse 28, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting..."
How could they even do that? Well, the formula is laid out in those verses above: refusal to glorify God, un-thankful, and futile in thought. We get so selfish and full of lust that we neglect our Creator and the window of blessing He so desires to pour out on us when we obey. The craziest part to me is the lack of consideration for consequence to our action. Ephesians 5:15 is one of my favorite challenging passages that says, "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise." Circumspectly means to consider the circumstances and consequences. How is this thought/action going to affect me, my family, and ultimately my relationship with God?
So is there hope for someone who's on this path? Yes, Romans 2:4 says, "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" No, this verse doesn't sound very positive on the surface, but if you look at the Truths it claims, forgiveness is just waiting to be bestowed on the one in sin. There is not a guarantee to be saved from the path we may be on, but verse 4 describes not only God's patience with us, but more importantly that His goodness "leads us" to repentance. Repentance restores our relationship.
God desires sinful man to be reconciled to Him. He is the author of forgiveness. How many awesome stories are there of the "lost" finding grace and love that so overwhelms them that they can't help but cry out for healing and forgiveness!
Please take heed, all who know God, from those who have fallen to their own selfish, evil desires. Learn from their stories. Pray for purity and protection from temptation. Long for holiness in a land of corruption. Be the light that you were called to be. Let your life reflect God's greatness! Bless His holy name!
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