Yet for us there is but
one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one
Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him. 1 Corinthians 8:6
Yesterday was another rough day. I had a dentist appointment, met with my trainer briefly and went to the doctor. Prior to illness taking over my life, working these in around my job and responsibilities at home would have been nothing exceptional. They were minor adjustments to my normal routine. However, yesterday, they wiped me out and left me pretty useless. Some days, the thought of getting out of bed and simple routine tasks such as taking a shower can be daunting and insurmountable. While chronic illness seems to bring with it a regular cycle of pain and fatigue leaving one feeling alone, defeated, and useless, other trials in life like the death of a loved one or a job loss can do the same until they are resolved or the critical stage has passed. In an effort to combat those feelings consider the following passages about God and His perspective.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
Merriam-Webster defines encumbered as impeded, hampered or
hindered with respect to functions or activities. A reality of my life and the lives of others
dealing with chronic illness and pain is that we are encumbered in everything
we do. Those of us are encumbered with
respect to our ability to function are also, by definition, encumbered in our
activities. Often it’s not just the
physical issues but also the mental ones.
It takes so much energy to accept and manage our physical problems and
limitations that we are also mentally encumbered. Further, the problem is not limited to those
with physical or mental problems, but also extends to those who are grieving,
have relationship problems or are enduring some other trial. These may also find themselves encumbered as
they attempt to accomplish the tasks set before them. Despite our struggles, God still calls us to
complete tasks for Him. It is not ours
to question or deny but rather to complete with aide of our Heavenly Father.
Cease striving and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a
Despite my chronic illness, I would be considered by many to
still be high functioning and unless one knows me, they would be unlikely to
recognize my limitations. I have learned
over time that when I yield to the needs of my body for rest and watch what I
eat, I can function somewhat normally; that said I still struggle. It’s a
challenge not to worry about the cost of my illness both financially and as a source
of stress to myself, my family and close friends. I also struggle to maintain some sense of
control; if I can’t fix my illness than I try to fix other things that don’t
matter in the larger scale as they provide some sense of reassurance that
things are ok. I also struggle with my
self-image. Physically I want to appear
normal yet not so normal that people think I’m a hypochondriac. It’s a common struggle for those of us with
invisible illnesses. Further, I want to
be relevant and useful, but feel that is regularly not the case. The verse above is displayed in our den right
beside our TV. I’ve put it there for two
reasons. First it is the primary focal
point of the room and my focal point needs to be God’s sovereignty over all
things. Second, it sits next to the TV
as a reminder that God is the final authority on whatever the world offers as
truth. Part of that truth is that I need
to let go and trust God.
Oh give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1
As it is Thanksgiving in the United States, please join me in refection upon Psalm 136 which is a beautiful model for being truly thankful. As this Psalm states, no matter what God is doing, His love for us is everlasting. It starts with who God is, moves through various things that He has done and finishes with how He is ever mindful of us.
But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:11-12
I’ve watched several people die…it’s not a particularly pleasant experience. The closer you are to them, the harder it is. The longer it takes, the more time you have to think. That time and that pondering offer an opportunity for personal reflection in a way that no other experience does. As someone you love is on the brink of entering eternity, what is important in life seems to be much clearer than when we are in the daily race meeting deadlines and running errands, etc. Knowing that a loved one will shortly meet their Lord and God allows the Holy Spirit to speak to us and apply God’s word to our lives in ways that drive home His message with more depth and understanding. In short, it is a wake-up call to pursue a life well lived…that is, to live intentionally rather than passively.
“For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” Exodus 34:14
The context of Exodus 34 is that Moses is on Mount Sinai for the second time to receive God’s commandments. While he was with Jehovah the first time, the Israelites got impatient and made a golden calf to worship. After dealing with their sin and interceding on their behalf, he is once again with God.
It’s one thing to be described by another as jealous. However, to not only declare yourself as jealous, but to also bear it as a name seems to be extreme. Yet that is exactly what God does when He meets Moses for a second time. For us to consider this as extreme, harsh or even a bit wrong would be an incorrect stance.
“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
Trouble…it seems like a simple enough word to understand. However, when looking at definitions from secular sources, those provided were vague and had more to do with how trouble affects our comfort level or convenience rather than anything significant. In contrast, “Vine’s Bible Dictionary” states it clearly as: tribulation or affliction. Trouble comes in many forms. At times it is the result of a personal attack while at other times it is and “random”/general attack that we’re caught in. It may be an external threat or an internal one such as mental or physical illness. The point is that, as those living in a fallen world, we are going to experience trouble throughout our lives from the trivial to the monumental. We will enjoy a more peaceful existence if we learn to view it as God does and trust that He is ever faithful to care for us. One of the mental hurdles for us is that from our perspective, God’s care for us appears to be inconsistent.
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.
“I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness. They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.” Psalm 145:1-7
As I was finishing a run recently, I was overcome with the urge to glorify God. As I pondered His glory, I had to check my soul to make sure it wasn’t merely an emotional high. After all, it was a beautiful day and I had just completed my first good run in a long time. Thankfully, while the weather and my mood may have been contributing factors, upon reflection, they were minor ones as I truly just needed to praise God. However, my contemplation led me to consider how easy it is to glorify God when the sun is shining and things to seem to be going well, but what about the dark and cloudy days or when times are tough?
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows.” Psalm 23:4-5
The past couple of weeks I spent some time with my mother-in-law helping take care of some things around her home. On the long drive there and back I listened to two sermons from Ligonier Ministries…in fact, I listened to them twice. The second, “All Scripture is Profitable” (https://www.ligonier.org/blog/believing-god-new-teaching-series-rc-sproul-jr/) was by R. C. Sproul, Jr. which brought up the concept of whether our cup is half full or half empty. As this is a subject close to my heart, I spent a fair amount of time on the trip considering this topic. Like the phrase “cup half empty or half full”, the word cup in scripture has a figurative meaning that refers to one’s lot in life whether sorrowful (half empty) or joyous (half full). Like many, if I ponder my life without God, I would have to conclude that it is half empty for I have accumulated 60 plus years of losses, trials and ordeals. However, when I consider my life’s experiences in light of God’s involvement, I see a different outcome. What was half empty becomes half full by God’s grace. Let me walk through a few “for instances”.
