"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust."
- Psalm 16:1
Much of my comfort these recent days has come from the Psalms and from the book of Job, and this verse I read this morning struck me as profound when combined with something I read yesterday. You see, yesterday afternoon, while my family played an exciting game of "Settlers of Cataan" (excellent game!) I spent my time reading from the book of Job. Much in that book is convicting of course, but one verse specifically spoke to me. I will tell you in a moment what verse that was, but first let me point you towards the one above. Why do we turn to God in our times of trouble? Is it not because He is the only One who can truly preserve us? Preservation here does not mean complete rescue from heartache and danger, for we know from the life of David that much of what he wrote was as he was in danger of losing his kingdom and even his life to his own son!
Therefore, trusting in His ability to preserve us speaks to His care for our eternal future. No matter what trials and tribulations we face on this earth, they are a mere inconvenience when laid on a scale against the bounty of His blessings that await us in heaven! What a true comfort and joy this provides!
But read carefully now the following from Job:
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."
- Job 13:15
There now lies the challenge don't you think? Even if my death is required...even if the loss of reputation is at hand...even if possessions and financial stability are at risk...even then will my trust be in Him. This, then, to my thinking, is the hardest thing to do! I may be willing to lay my life down and trust Him as my enemies surround me, but am I willing to lose my honor, my integrity, and my reputation...AND continue to trust in Him? Only through His merciful grace! Because on my own I would much rather perish totally...but by His grace we are able to praise Him while being dragged through the mud by those who hate us.
Indeed, in a moment of weakness I was thinking earlier today that I could easily understand those cultures in which dishonor could only be atoned for by the taking of one's own life. I sympathized with those whose honor was besmirched and who ended it all in order to regain that lost honor...if only for the sake of their families! But you know what? Such an attitude is a slap upon the face of God! Because if we believe that He is truly Sovereign, then we must accept that even the most trying circumstances come to us by His will. The answer lies not in despairing over what others will think of us...it lies in seeking from the Word the comfort only He gives, and it comes from sifting through one's trials and seeking to learn from them. Maybe the Lord wants me to be more understanding...more patient...less quick to judge...more loving towards my fellow man. Whatever it is, His will be done in my life.
And indeed, may I join with Job in saying: "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him."
Amen?
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
God is Faithful
"LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah"
Psalm 3:1-8
My head and my heart were full of self-pity only a few moments ago...I arrived at the point where I was tempted to ask of God..."why me?" But then my best friend, my wife, reminded me that it was the Word I needed to turn to during this time. And so I opened up my Bible...I confess that I did a very charismatic thing and just flipped it open! :) Where did I open the Word to? Well obviously to the words above! And what a comfort they are! Come what may, whatever challenges lie before me, I will NOT return evil for evil. I will rest upon His Word and know that He is with me. Even more, as hard as it is for a man walking within this fallen flesh to wish it so, I pray that He will turn this situation into an opportunity for bringing another of His lost sheep into the fold. May it be so. What does it matter if the whole world turns against me? I serve the Almighty God, and He has blessed me with a family that loves me.
Come what may...He is MY God! :)
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah
I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah"
Psalm 3:1-8
My head and my heart were full of self-pity only a few moments ago...I arrived at the point where I was tempted to ask of God..."why me?" But then my best friend, my wife, reminded me that it was the Word I needed to turn to during this time. And so I opened up my Bible...I confess that I did a very charismatic thing and just flipped it open! :) Where did I open the Word to? Well obviously to the words above! And what a comfort they are! Come what may, whatever challenges lie before me, I will NOT return evil for evil. I will rest upon His Word and know that He is with me. Even more, as hard as it is for a man walking within this fallen flesh to wish it so, I pray that He will turn this situation into an opportunity for bringing another of His lost sheep into the fold. May it be so. What does it matter if the whole world turns against me? I serve the Almighty God, and He has blessed me with a family that loves me.
Come what may...He is MY God! :)
Monday, June 23, 2008
My Trust in Him Alone
Today has been a rough day for me and I was deeply troubled at work. Even so, at this time I am feeling so very grateful for my faith and for His faithfulness because I know that no matter what happens to me I am His and He is my Lord. He brings comfort to my soul and the knowledge that He knows all things, indeed is sovereign over all things, gives me the courage to do more than merely face the day...it gives me the strength to face it while praising His name.
Earlier today I was feeling quite low, even to the point of wanting to vomit. And yet, during my afternoon break I read from Psalm 141:1-10, and while all of it was inspiring, the following words were a deep comfort:
LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice... my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely."
You know what? Even if the Lord does not have a safe escape in store for me, yet will I always worship Him alone.
Earlier today I was feeling quite low, even to the point of wanting to vomit. And yet, during my afternoon break I read from Psalm 141:1-10, and while all of it was inspiring, the following words were a deep comfort:
LORD, I cry out to You; Make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice... my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; In You I take refuge; Do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely."
You know what? Even if the Lord does not have a safe escape in store for me, yet will I always worship Him alone.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Words of Wisdom from Arthur Pink
My wife has been reading "The Sovereignty of God" by Arthur Pink and came across a quote that she shared with me. It is really good and I just wanted to post the excerpt here in order to stir some thoughts! :)
"ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BELIEFS OF THE DAY IS THAT GOD LOVES EVERYBODY, AND THE VERY FACT THAT IT IS SO POPULAR WITH ALL CLASSES OUGHT TO BE ENOUGH TO AROUSE THE SUSPICIONS OF THOSE WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THE WORD OF TRUTH. GOD'S LOVE TOWARD ALL HIS CREATURES IS THE FUNDAMENTAL AND FAVORITE TENET OF UNIVERSALISTS, UNITARIANS, THEOSOPHISTS, CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, SPIRITUALISTS, RUSSELLITES, ETC. NO MATTER HOW A MAN MAY LIVE- IN OPEN DEFIANCE OF HEAVEN, WITH NO CONCERN WHATEVER FOR HIS SOUL'S ETERNAL INTERESTS, STILL LESS FOR GOD'S GLORY, DYING, PERHAPS WITH AN OATH ON HIS LIPS,- NOTWITHSTANDING, GOD LOVES HIM, WE ARE TOLD. SO WIDELY HAS THIS DOGMA BEEN PROCLAIMED, AND SO COMFORTING IS IT TO THE HEART WHICH IS AT ENMITY WITH GOD, WE HAVE LITTLE HOPE OF CONVINCING MANY OF THEIR ERROR. THAT GOD LOVES EVERYBODY, IS, WE MAY SAY, QUITE A MODERN BELIEF. THE WRITINGS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS, THE REFORMERS OR THE PURITANS WILL (WE BELIEVE) BE SEARCHED IN VAIN FOR ANY SUCH CONCEPT. PERHAPS THE LATE D.L. MOODY- CAPTIVATED BY DRUMMOND'S "THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD"- DID MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE LAST CENTURY TO POPULARIZE THIS CONCEPT.
IT HAS BEEN CUSTOMARY TO SAY GOD LOVES THE SINNER, THOUGH HE HATES THE SIN. BUT THAT IS A MEANINGLESS DISTINCTION. WHAT IS THERE IN A SINNER BUT SIN? IS IT NOT TRUE THAT HIS "WHOLE HEAD IS SICK," AND HIS "WHOLE HEART FAINT," AND THAT "FROM THE SOLE OF THE FOOT EVEN UNTO THE HEAD THERE IS NO SOUNDNESS" IN HIM? (ISAIAH 1:5-6). IS IT TRUE THAT GOD LOVES THE ONE WHO IS DESPISING AND REJECTING HIS BLESSED SON? GOD IS LIGHT AS WELL AS LOVE, AND THEREFORE HIS LOVE MUST BE A HOLY LOVE. TO TELL THE CHRIST-REJECTOR THAT GOD LOVES HIM IS TO CAUTERIZE HIS CONSCIENCE, AS WELL AS TO AFFORD HIM A SENSE OF SECURITY IN HIS SINS. THE FACT IS, THAT THE LOVE OF GOD, IS A TRUTH FOR THE SAINTS ONLY, AND TO PRESENT IT TO THE ENEMIES OF GOD IS TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S BREAD AND CAST IT TO THE DOGS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JOHN 3:16, NOT ONCE IN THE FOUR GOSPELS DO WE READ OF THE LORD JESUS- THE PERFECT TEACHER- TELLING SINNERS THAT GOD LOVED THEM! IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, WHICH RECORDS THE EVANGELISTIC LABORS AND MESSAGES OF THE APOSTLES, GOD'S LOVE IS NEVER REFERRED TO AT ALL! BUT, WHEN WE COME TO THE EPISTLES, WHCH ARE ADDRESSED TO THE SAINTS, WE HAVE A FULL PRESENTATION OF THIS PRECIOUS TRUTH- GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS OWN. LET US SEEK TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN WE SHALL NOT BE FOUND TAKING TRUTHS WHICH ARE ADDRESSED TO BELIEVERS AND MIS-APPLYING THEM TO UNBELIEVERS. THAT WHICH SINNERS NEED TO HAVE BROUGHT BEFORE THEM IS, THE INEFFIBLE HOLINESS, THE EXACTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE INFLEXIBLE JUSTICE AND THE TERRIBLE WRATH OF GOD. RISKING THE DANGER OF BEING MISUNDERSTOOD, LET US SAY- AND WE WISH WE COULD SAY IT TO EVERY EVANGELIST AND PREACHER IN THE COUNTRY- THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH PRESENTING OF CHRIST TO SINNERS TODAY (BY THOSE SOUND IN THE FAITH), AND FAR TOO LITTLE SHOWING SINNERS THEIR NEED OF CHRIST, I.E., THEIR ABSOLUTELY RUINED AND LOST CONDITION, THEIR IMMINENT AND AWFUL DANGER OF SUFFERING THE WRATH TO COME, THE FEARFUL GUILT RESTING UPON THEM IN THE SIGHT OF GOD- TO PRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN SHOWN THEIR NEED OF HIM, SEEMS TO US TO BE GUILTY OF CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE." (page 200-201)+
Wow. That is all I can say. Pink was truly a gifted man, and in the following paragraphs he teaches eloquently from the Scriptures on this subject. Hope it sparks some musings and that you are led to want to read his book!
God Bless!
"ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR BELIEFS OF THE DAY IS THAT GOD LOVES EVERYBODY, AND THE VERY FACT THAT IT IS SO POPULAR WITH ALL CLASSES OUGHT TO BE ENOUGH TO AROUSE THE SUSPICIONS OF THOSE WHO ARE SUBJECT TO THE WORD OF TRUTH. GOD'S LOVE TOWARD ALL HIS CREATURES IS THE FUNDAMENTAL AND FAVORITE TENET OF UNIVERSALISTS, UNITARIANS, THEOSOPHISTS, CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, SPIRITUALISTS, RUSSELLITES, ETC. NO MATTER HOW A MAN MAY LIVE- IN OPEN DEFIANCE OF HEAVEN, WITH NO CONCERN WHATEVER FOR HIS SOUL'S ETERNAL INTERESTS, STILL LESS FOR GOD'S GLORY, DYING, PERHAPS WITH AN OATH ON HIS LIPS,- NOTWITHSTANDING, GOD LOVES HIM, WE ARE TOLD. SO WIDELY HAS THIS DOGMA BEEN PROCLAIMED, AND SO COMFORTING IS IT TO THE HEART WHICH IS AT ENMITY WITH GOD, WE HAVE LITTLE HOPE OF CONVINCING MANY OF THEIR ERROR. THAT GOD LOVES EVERYBODY, IS, WE MAY SAY, QUITE A MODERN BELIEF. THE WRITINGS OF THE CHURCH FATHERS, THE REFORMERS OR THE PURITANS WILL (WE BELIEVE) BE SEARCHED IN VAIN FOR ANY SUCH CONCEPT. PERHAPS THE LATE D.L. MOODY- CAPTIVATED BY DRUMMOND'S "THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD"- DID MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE LAST CENTURY TO POPULARIZE THIS CONCEPT.
IT HAS BEEN CUSTOMARY TO SAY GOD LOVES THE SINNER, THOUGH HE HATES THE SIN. BUT THAT IS A MEANINGLESS DISTINCTION. WHAT IS THERE IN A SINNER BUT SIN? IS IT NOT TRUE THAT HIS "WHOLE HEAD IS SICK," AND HIS "WHOLE HEART FAINT," AND THAT "FROM THE SOLE OF THE FOOT EVEN UNTO THE HEAD THERE IS NO SOUNDNESS" IN HIM? (ISAIAH 1:5-6). IS IT TRUE THAT GOD LOVES THE ONE WHO IS DESPISING AND REJECTING HIS BLESSED SON? GOD IS LIGHT AS WELL AS LOVE, AND THEREFORE HIS LOVE MUST BE A HOLY LOVE. TO TELL THE CHRIST-REJECTOR THAT GOD LOVES HIM IS TO CAUTERIZE HIS CONSCIENCE, AS WELL AS TO AFFORD HIM A SENSE OF SECURITY IN HIS SINS. THE FACT IS, THAT THE LOVE OF GOD, IS A TRUTH FOR THE SAINTS ONLY, AND TO PRESENT IT TO THE ENEMIES OF GOD IS TO TAKE THE CHILDREN'S BREAD AND CAST IT TO THE DOGS. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF JOHN 3:16, NOT ONCE IN THE FOUR GOSPELS DO WE READ OF THE LORD JESUS- THE PERFECT TEACHER- TELLING SINNERS THAT GOD LOVED THEM! IN THE BOOK OF ACTS, WHICH RECORDS THE EVANGELISTIC LABORS AND MESSAGES OF THE APOSTLES, GOD'S LOVE IS NEVER REFERRED TO AT ALL! BUT, WHEN WE COME TO THE EPISTLES, WHCH ARE ADDRESSED TO THE SAINTS, WE HAVE A FULL PRESENTATION OF THIS PRECIOUS TRUTH- GOD'S LOVE FOR HIS OWN. LET US SEEK TO RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF GOD AND THEN WE SHALL NOT BE FOUND TAKING TRUTHS WHICH ARE ADDRESSED TO BELIEVERS AND MIS-APPLYING THEM TO UNBELIEVERS. THAT WHICH SINNERS NEED TO HAVE BROUGHT BEFORE THEM IS, THE INEFFIBLE HOLINESS, THE EXACTING RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE INFLEXIBLE JUSTICE AND THE TERRIBLE WRATH OF GOD. RISKING THE DANGER OF BEING MISUNDERSTOOD, LET US SAY- AND WE WISH WE COULD SAY IT TO EVERY EVANGELIST AND PREACHER IN THE COUNTRY- THERE IS FAR TOO MUCH PRESENTING OF CHRIST TO SINNERS TODAY (BY THOSE SOUND IN THE FAITH), AND FAR TOO LITTLE SHOWING SINNERS THEIR NEED OF CHRIST, I.E., THEIR ABSOLUTELY RUINED AND LOST CONDITION, THEIR IMMINENT AND AWFUL DANGER OF SUFFERING THE WRATH TO COME, THE FEARFUL GUILT RESTING UPON THEM IN THE SIGHT OF GOD- TO PRESENT CHRIST TO THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN SHOWN THEIR NEED OF HIM, SEEMS TO US TO BE GUILTY OF CASTING PEARLS BEFORE SWINE." (page 200-201)+
Wow. That is all I can say. Pink was truly a gifted man, and in the following paragraphs he teaches eloquently from the Scriptures on this subject. Hope it sparks some musings and that you are led to want to read his book!
God Bless!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Christians and Politics
I've already written a little on this topic but today I was reading through the Pyromanics blog and found this little gem that does an excellent job of addressing the topic in a very powerful way.
As I've shared many times before, I have a real problem with people who place political activism above the proclamation of the Gospel. I have a real problem with people who protest anything and everything but never present the only real solution to the problems of the worlds...Jesus. And I have a real problem with people who think that a political defeat of their chosen candidates will result in the ushering in of the one world government. Finally, it really annoys me that there are so many people out there who would vehemently defend a monument to the Ten Commandments and (as Al Mohler once said) cannot even tell you what those commands are!
Read the blog here, I think you'll like it!
As I've shared many times before, I have a real problem with people who place political activism above the proclamation of the Gospel. I have a real problem with people who protest anything and everything but never present the only real solution to the problems of the worlds...Jesus. And I have a real problem with people who think that a political defeat of their chosen candidates will result in the ushering in of the one world government. Finally, it really annoys me that there are so many people out there who would vehemently defend a monument to the Ten Commandments and (as Al Mohler once said) cannot even tell you what those commands are!
Read the blog here, I think you'll like it!
From Frank Page to Johnny Hunt...Great.
Well this is all old news but I'm sure some of you at least know that last Tuesday, on the 10th, Johnny Hunt was elected the newest President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I am no longer a member of a Southern Baptist church but like to see what goes on within the convention, since I spent the majority of my Christian life in that denomination. I had hoped that someone less opposed to Calvinism would be elected...not a Calvinist necessarily, but at least someone who does not see the doctrines of grace as heresy.
While I will not waste my time keeping a close eye on the situation, I do wonder what will happen as such a rabid opponent of Calvinism takes the helm. You think Frank Page was anti-Calvinist...let's see how Johnny Hunt does.
I am no longer a member of a Southern Baptist church but like to see what goes on within the convention, since I spent the majority of my Christian life in that denomination. I had hoped that someone less opposed to Calvinism would be elected...not a Calvinist necessarily, but at least someone who does not see the doctrines of grace as heresy.
While I will not waste my time keeping a close eye on the situation, I do wonder what will happen as such a rabid opponent of Calvinism takes the helm. You think Frank Page was anti-Calvinist...let's see how Johnny Hunt does.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
I'm Still Alive
Hello everyone! I figure before this ends up becoming a dead blog I'd better post something! I have had so many thoughts going through my head lately but have just been unable to discipline myself to sit down and type them down, so I apologize if anyone has been wondering where I have been!
I will put up a more in depth post later this week but for now I just wanted to say I'm still here. I had a good Father's Day...went to church, had a good lunch, then went on what ended up being a two hour bike ride! I was exhausted when I got home but it felt good afterwards. I'm trying desperately to lose weight and I guess if I do this once a week along with going to the gym and lifting weights I should begin to lose weight again. In the last three weeks I did lose 5 lbs so I'm happy about that...not too happy, however, because it turns out in the last year I've gained about 30 lbs.! :( The only good news is that I had a blood check done and while I'm not going to be the example of perfect health any time soon, I'm not in any major danger categories. Praise be to God for this. Still, I'm in my mid thirties now so I guess it's time to get serious...again! That way I can extend my life! ha ha I don't believe this is possible but thought I'd throw it out to confuse everyone! :)
Well, more later.
In Christ,
enoch_elijah
I will put up a more in depth post later this week but for now I just wanted to say I'm still here. I had a good Father's Day...went to church, had a good lunch, then went on what ended up being a two hour bike ride! I was exhausted when I got home but it felt good afterwards. I'm trying desperately to lose weight and I guess if I do this once a week along with going to the gym and lifting weights I should begin to lose weight again. In the last three weeks I did lose 5 lbs so I'm happy about that...not too happy, however, because it turns out in the last year I've gained about 30 lbs.! :( The only good news is that I had a blood check done and while I'm not going to be the example of perfect health any time soon, I'm not in any major danger categories. Praise be to God for this. Still, I'm in my mid thirties now so I guess it's time to get serious...again! That way I can extend my life! ha ha I don't believe this is possible but thought I'd throw it out to confuse everyone! :)
Well, more later.
In Christ,
enoch_elijah
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