“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:143-144
Anguish is the inward response to trouble. For those with a balanced perspective, anguish is reserved for extreme circumstances. The Hebrew word used is derived from the word for a narrow place. Therefore, in this context, the connotation is a place of confinement or disability. That’s exactly what anguish does to us mentally; it makes us feel hemmed in and incapacitated. It is both suffocating and immobilizing. Even so, the writer of Psalm 119 expresses delight in God’s commands when faced with trials. While at first blush it may seem odd to experience both anguish and delight in the same circumstance, as Christians, there are several reasons to be delighted in dire situations.
“Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.”Psalm 119:143-144
Healthy relationships are built on knowledge, understanding and grace. Sharing a conversation with a person will, in most cases, allow one to get to know them. However, that does not necessarily mean that they have any kind of significant relationship…at this point they are, for the most part, acquaintances. Solid relationships are built when people share their lives. They celebrate the high points together, comfort at low points and offer aid, wisdom and guidance in the midst of struggles. Grace covers the gap between knowledge and understanding as well as when there is a need for forgiveness. Developing a strong relationship takes time and effort but yields a great reward.
Last week I was looking for scripture verses to post on social media and came across Psalm 119:43-44. Despite having read and sung it many times, this time it struck a nerve. The natural tendency of any human when faced with trouble that causes anguish is to seek understanding. The important question is: what kind of understanding?
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The more you read the Bible; and the more you meditate on it, the more you will be astonished with it.
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29
I believe that one of the great joys of life is sitting around a fire with people you’re close to and enjoying the fellowship as well as the fire. I’m sure that those feelings are partially due to the bonfires at church camp when I was a child and a teen. At the end of the night there was singing (both fun and spiritual) which as followed by the final message of the day. It always seemed that God spoke more clearly and directly with darkness surrounding everything outside the glow of the fire. However, I also have a healthy respect for fire. It doesn’t take much for a fire to get out of control and I am keenly familiar with its destructive nature. I remember my dad, a volunteer fireman, coming home from a fire that claimed a home and the lives of four people inside. I also vividly remember being asked, as an adolescent orderly, to bathe a man who had been burned over most of his body. Despite its ability to destroy and consume, as far back as I can remember I have loved fire. Candles, bonfires, hearth fires, and even consuming fires are beautiful to me and each reminds me of some aspect of God and His power at work.
My mother always set a wonderful table; on special occasions, the tablescape included candles. I have followed that tradition and enjoy having candles of all sorts around the house and occasionally burn them during the day. With little effort, they create a pleasant ambiance as their flames dance and flicker. With the discovery of electricity, their utility and need has diminished, but they are still quite useful for illuminating a home during a power outage. On a greater level, God and His word are both at work to enhance our lives and light our way. In Psalm 18 David says “The Lord my God illumines my darkness” and in Psalm 27 adds “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 119:105 declares “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” while Psalm 43:3 further states “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me”. Finally, in John 8:12 Our Lord proclaims: “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” Candles are a lovely addition to our lives, but how much better it is that our Savior and His word bring godly beauty to our lives, enlighten our souls and illuminate our path out of darkness into the light of eternity.
Bonfires and hearth fires take combustion to another level as they provide both ambiance and significant heat. The atmosphere draws us in and promotes fellowship while the heat warms the body and provides a means to create meals. The Spirit of God works in a similar fashion. Is it not the Holy Spirit that knits our souls to other believers and draws us into fellowship with them? Is it not also the Spirit of God drawing us into fellowship with Him as well? It is no small thing that the Spirit descending on the early Christians showed up in the form of “tongues as of fire” igniting their souls. It is that same Spirit that sets our souls on fire as well. The Holy Spirit provides a catalyst for our spiritual growth, our acts of service, and response to the word of God as it comes to us; but it is a catalyst that needs an outlet. Jeremiah recognized this. Because of his faithful service to God He suffered reproach and mused that he might be silent, yet he could not and declared “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah 20:9) We too, when confronted by the Spirit of God, must not hold the passion in but allow it to lead us “acceptable service” to our God as He provides means and opportunity so that our light shines and our Lord is glorified.
While most people enjoy candles and bonfires, most fear the all-consuming fire as they immediately consider the loss of forests, homes or lives. The difference has to do with control. With a bit of intelligence and attention, candles, bonfires, and fireplaces can be managed with minimal risk; however, the consuming fire is beyond control in some form or fashion. Despite the possible devastation, there is a sense in which extreme and uncontrolled fires produce a benefit. For example, intense fires are used to purify metals and forest fires actually purge the land allowing rejuvenating growth and balanced ecosystems. It should therefore, come as no surprise that God is referred to as a “consuming fire”. As our Sovereign and Almighty God, His decisions and actions are beyond the control of man. As Holy God, the destruction that He ordains is used to purge and eradicate sin whether it is on a grand scale throughout nations or in a more precise manner in the lives of His children to refine and perfect them. As the One Living and True God, He punishes and consumes those who oppose Him. Further, scripture teaches us that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (Hebrews 1:11-12, 2 Peter 3:10-13, Revelation 20:11, and Revelation 21:1) As dreadful as that day will be, it will bring the return of our Lord; establish a new heaven and earth; usher in a new holy existence eradicating sin and death once and for all and allow us to dwell with God. In light of our God who is described as a consuming fire, the apostles Peter and Paul give us two appropriate responses. We are to live in “holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11-12) and “offer to God acceptable service with reverence and awe”. Given our intense immersion in this world and the fact that these responses are countercultural, we need to focus intently on God’s holiness, greatness and all-consuming nature in order to develop a proper sense of urgency to live in holy conduct and godliness as well as to properly revere and stand in awe of Almighty God.
Fire is an integral part of human life that consumes whatever it touches and yet it provides light, beauty, warmth, fellowship and the means to nourishment. The fire of God is also both dangerous and beneficial. It destroys the wicked and purges sin, but it also brings us out of the darkness and leads us to the light of eternity. Accept Christ’s “Light of life, allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to ignite your soul and let the consuming nature of Almighty God cause you to live well and stand in awe of Him who has made you, redeemed you and has given you hope for eternity.
May God send out His light and His truth, let them lead you; let them bring you to His holy hill and to His dwelling places.
“The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:16
The passage above is from the story of Elijah and the widow in Zarephath. God sent Elijah to this particular widow for provision during a drought. When he asked for bread, she replied that she only had enough oil and flour to make bread for her and her son one last time and then they expected to die. Elijah asked her to feed him first promising that her provisions would not be exhausted. She obeyed and her meager provisions lasted until the rain returned. (You can read the whole story here. (www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+17%3A7-16&version=NASB)
I think of this story often as it has been associated in my mind with anything that is running out. About the time I’m tempted to throw out the shampoo bottle or tube of tooth paste that has very little left, I think of this story. More times than not when I’ve resisted that urge, the bottle, tube or whatever has lasted much longer than I expected. Case in point, the hair gel that I am currently using has lasted three weeks longer than anticipated. I trust that the Holy Spirit has made this connection in my mind to remind me that I am dependent on God for all things and that He will supply my needs. It is subtle but effective. At times God provides in great way, but most often He provides just enough at just the right time in a subtle fashion.
“But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, ‘Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.’ However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.”Acts 28:3-6
My wife and I were recently on vacation and decided to stop for dessert after while walking back to our hotel from a craft fair. The dinner rush had passed, but there were still a few stragglers entering the restaurant for a meal. After being seated, we waited an unusually long time without being acknowledged by a server…long enough that the couple in the next booth who had been seated after us had already received their drinks. Slightly irritated at the lack of service, I suggested that if we weren’t acknowledged in the next five minutes, we should just go back to the hotel. Our waitress finally showed up just before we were ready to leave and seemed less than enthusiastic about serving us. However, she apologized and explained that a tourist had come out of the ladies’ room and hit our server’s nose with her elbow causing intense pain. What we had assumed to be poor service was in actuality something entirely different. Having heard the explanation, our demeanor quickly changed from frustration to concern. That’s the problem with assumptions, just because we have a little information, doesn’t mean that we know the truth of the matter.
“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,’ so that we confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’ Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”Hebrews 13:4-7
This past weekend Marie and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. While I would like to say that it was an entirely blissful 40 years, that would not be a true statement for two reasons. We are both fallible humans still in the process of sanctification and there have been trials that have tested our faith in each other and our God. However, what I am able to declare as true is that those 40 years have been blessed and I would, therefore, like to share a bit of our walk with you.
If you read from the beginning of Hebrews 13, you will see that Paul is asserting a list of essential behaviors for the body of Christ; they are in essence keys to living well. Honoring marriage is just one of them. However, if you look beyond the issues themselves, you see a few common denominators that allow for success in these areas.
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
Two years ago we put down what we thought would be our last pet. We had decided that we couldn’t take having to say goodbye to another beloved dog; further, the freedom the lack of pets would afford seemed beneficial. That plan began to erode when our younger daughter’s family rescued a shih tzu last fall. I liked the dog so much that our grandsons regularly reminded me that Leo was their dog and he had to go home with them. As a result we adopted Tiffany in December. She is mostly a sweet and somewhat timid dog, but as she is part terrier, she has an aggressive side as well. In fact, her outbursts of aggression are the primary reason that she ended up back at the humane society after roughly seven months with another couple. While she has historically been fine with all others, she has a tendency to snarl at her owners when she doesn’t want to be disturbed. This is her greatest weakness and the ultimate manifestation of her animal instincts. The difference in her owners is that the first family quickly gave up, but we have enrolled her in obedience school and are working with her to make her a good companion. The goal is to teach her to submit to us in all ways for her safety and well-being as well as to provide more peaceful lifestyle for us all. While none of us likes to be compared to an animal, the fact remains that as Christians we are all like Tiffany in varying degrees. We have this sinful nature that urges us to follow our “animal instincts” rather than to humbly submit to God. Left unchecked, it separates us from God. Consequently, the process of sanctification is in reality obedience school in which we learn to give up control and submit to our Savior, our Master, our Lord and our God.
We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. 1 John 4:16-17
We all like to be reminded that we are loved…especially by those who are dear to us. My wife was out of town this weekend and I wasn’t feeling the greatest on several levels. At one point, I considered staying home from church on Sunday morning. However, realizing that it was not a wise choice in that moment and that there are others who would love to attend a worship service, but are unable, I rose to the occasion and went. During the praise time, the worship team led us in “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”. For various reasons, I desperately needed to hear those words.
Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.Philippians 3:17-19
I love music and listen to it quite a bit. Sometimes I use it to calm me or rearrange my thoughts, sometimes I listen to get motivated and at other times it’s for the pure enjoyment of it. My collection is quite varied in both genres and eras as it ranges from the 1930s to the present. Recently, I was at the gym and the song “Lady Godiva” by Peter and Gordon started playing. While some may not appreciate the song, I listen to it occasionally as a reminder to not get caught up in “lesser things”. In case you’re not familiar or haven’t heard the song in the last five decades, the lyrics tell the story of a young and beautiful woman pursues fame and fortune. In the process, she compromises and forfeits all of the things that made her beautiful, but never achieves the fame that she desires and becomes so poor that she can’t afford her clothes. God offers us so much, but too often people get off course with respect to godliness and forfeit their faith for lesser things that are useless and meaningless in light of eternity. Time and time again we are reminded in scripture to pursue God and His truth in various ways and the reasons are clearly explained to us. However, some reject the concept, some ignore it, while others struggle with it. Three reasons why it may be difficult are: hope, pride, and fear.
