Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”   “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”  The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.  Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.  Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.  March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.  Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.  When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

                    Joshua 5:13-6:5               

Background

Delivery from a few hundred years of Egyptian captivity didn’t sufficiently lift the Israelites faith.  10 miraculous plagues?  Nope.  Manna delivered from heaven?  Nope.  Fire in the sky?  Nope.  Surely parting the Red Sea?  Not so much.

It was time to enter the Promised Land.  To scout it out a bit and chart the next steps.  The debriefing didn’t go down well.  Most only saw the visual challenges.  The giants.  Joshua and Caleb tried to remind everyone a more important force would insure victory.  But the recent memories of the giants were too freshly imprinted.  The two guys were in the minority.  The majority prevailed.  And on this day fear won over faith.

The Lord had enough.  At least for a bit.  It was time to wait…40 years.  To prepare.  The Israelites were having a difficult time.  The obstacle in front of them continued to be assigned a larger stature and weight than the invisible power that was available.   Faith was elusive.

Forty long years had expired.  It was time.  In a previous week the people had recently crossed the Jordan.  Another water miracle.  But now was a time for a battle.  A live opponent.  Spears.  Arrows.  The real thing…against the mighty Jericho.  Big walls.  Large army.  Skilled.  The Israelite special ops team would be needed.  Maybe.

A heavenly host met with Joshua face to face.  There was no ambiguity about the military instructions:  1.  Days 1-6:  March around the city with the armed men; 2.  Day 7:  March around city seven times and have the priest blow the trumpets.  Yup.  The armed men would set the stage.  But the worshippers would deliver the decisive blow.

The real power was yet again going to come from this heavenly source.  And what activated the power?  Worship.  This upside-down kingdom calculus was in fine form again.

Reflections

It is so easy to become fixated on what we see.  Or experience.  The frightening and painful reality in front of us.  And to dismiss the massive power offered by the spirit of God.  The Lord clearly wants us to do the opposite.  It is in the act of worship that we step back and revere his sovereignty.  Lean into awe.  Even lean into faith.

Well, what do you do when the “invisible” God seems small or distant or quiet…and that darn very visible giant seems big?  Or what is seen gets priority over what is invisible?  How do you unlock the power?  Simple.  Worship.

Some of the most impressive military exploits in Israelite history were under King David’s leadership.  Was it a coincidence he was a worship leader?

What should you do when family relationships are fractured and hopeless?  Worship.  When the job transition and future looks bleak?  Worship.  When the medical prognosis leaves a pit in your stomach?  Worship.  When the adoption process is going on for years and has no immediate end in sight?  Worship.

Lord, I continue to forget as well.  Your hand has been so graciously guiding our family for years.  In the good times.  And the difficult.  And you always deliver.  Even in the pain.  Help me to engage in my biggest battles with worship.  You have been reminding me of this truth many times over the last few years.  To shift my gaze from the very visible giant.  To the source of real power.  You.  Please change my vision so I can see You more clearly than what is in front of me.   And to worship.  Activate the power.  Be glorified.  Amen.

What if our spiritual instincts shifted and we became more heavenly minded?  And engaged in the most difficult battles of our lives with worship?  How do you think the heavenly hosts are reacting?

What if our church’s instinct in chaos and crisis was to lean into worship?  Would corporate faith be lifted?  Would miraculous outcomes become more the norm?

Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord,
at the presence of the God of Jacob,
 who turned the rock into a pool,
the hard rock into springs of water.

 Psalm 114:7-8

Background

Psalm 114 reminds us of God’s power.  With a focus on two scriptural events that project a God not limited by natural laws.  Or science.  Or even our mental limitations.

One, as the Israelites were backed up to the Red Sea. The mighty and well-armed Egyptians were charging.  In the moment it looked like a catastrophe…until the sea began to part.  A path.  Hope emerges.

Two, the Israelites had been camped outside the promised land for 40 years.  Moses had just died.  It was now time to claim the land.  Joshua, a man more known for liking to “linger” in God’s presence than his leadership exploits, instructed the priests to step into the flood waters of the Jordan.  It was go time.  They did.  The water stopped.  A path.  Hope emerges.

• The sea looked and fled (verse 3)
• The Jordan (river) turned back (verse 4)

And then the psalmist with a rhetorical taunt:

• Why was it sea that you fled? (verse 5)
• Why, Jordan, did you turn back? (verse 5)

The author knew.  “Tremble earth at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob”.  This was a God who could turn “hard rock into springs of water”.

Reflections

God’s power is way beyond incremental – this scripture paints the picture.  He doesn’t just change still water into springs of water.  Or hard rock into soft rock.  No, the author described a much more transformative power.  He changes rock into springs of water.  Immovable and lifeless rock into moving and living water.

This power transforms.

And it is in this power that we have hope.  Hope that a wayward son or daughter with no hint of kingdom interest is transformed.  Hope that a marriage marred by discontent is healed.  Hope that a debilitating addiction is erased.  Hope that an aching pain from abuse is redeemed.  Even hope that a lukewarm nation reverses course and is revived.

Lord, I’m afraid that many times my views have implicitly projected my personal limitations on you.  I forget.  I get caught up in conventional wisdom.  I want to begin living a life daily that projects your power.  That recognizes the power of your presence.  That lives it hour to hour.  Let me not forget.  I love you.  Amen.

What if we built into our spiritual disciplines a daily reminder of God’s power?

What if we became known as people who looked beyond the obvious and conventional…and consistently claimed hope in the unlikely?

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying^.   And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.”

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.  “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”

 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Isaiah 6:1-8

Here am I.  Send me!

Background

Isaiah was caught up in a vision.  A glimmer of heaven.  The Lord was seated on the throne.  There were angels.  Seraphim.  And this scene commanded worship.

The seraphim yelled out “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty.  The whole earth is full of his glory”.  At the singing, the doorposts and thresholds shook.  The temple was filled with smoke.  This worship had so much power.

And caught in that unspeakable glory, Isaiah felt unqualified.  Like he didn’t fit.  He felt unclean.  His sin felt heavy and in such contrast to the holiness around him.  And something interesting happened.  An atonement was made.    A live coal was taken by a seraphim from the altar.  The coal was placed on Isaiah’s lips.  And his guilt was taken away.  His sins were erased.  A bridge was provided so Isaiah could participate in the moment.

And the next scene revealed a picture that likely plays out even now in heaven.  The Lord was asking a question – “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”

And Isaiah said “Here am I.  Send me!”.  Note the exclamation point.  This wasn’t a “if you can’t find anyone, I can do it”.  Isaiah didn’t yet know the assignment.  He didn’t know the risk.  Or the cost.   But his heart was fully revealed in the moment.  He had just witnessed God’s glory.  He was holy.  He was oh so good.  It was crystal clear.  He could be trusted.  And Isaiah was fully in.  Exclamation point.

Reflections

There is this tension that many of us wrestle with deep down.  Which started in the garden.  There is this whisper that God can’t fully 100% be trusted.  Maybe 95%.  But there are some activities or pleasures that should not be passed up.  And so many of us hold back a bit.  Sometimes with the forbidden fruit firmly in our hands.  In many other cases we are simply motivated by fear.  Believing safety and cautiousness is more prudent.

Signing up for an unspecified mission is not in our nature.  For most.  And therefore we often hold back.  Not wanting to go “all in”.

But our lives have been created for a beautiful purpose.  We have been placed and created for an assignment.  A mission that will seal our earthly legacy.  And God is asking “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?”   He knows who He has chosen and created for the mission.  It is you.  It is me.  But we have a choice.

Join me.  Without hesitation.  Without fear.  But trusting in this crazy good Lord.

“Here am I.  Send me!”.  Exclamation point.

Lord, help me to increasingly trust in your nature.  And goodness.  To be willing to give you everything.  To jump all in without hesitation.  Without even fully knowing the requirements.  Help me not to trade earthly pleasures for heavenly assignments.  Or safety and cautiousness for adventure and obedience.  I want to love you blindly.  And with an exclamation point.  Amen.

What if we began living a life marked by “Here am I – send me!”  How would that posture define our legacy?

What if we fully gave God our last 5%…and held nothing back?  What might He do with that piece?

 

 

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.  I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.  Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

           Revelations 3:14-22            

Believers beware.

Background

The new testament is filled with critiques of various church’s spiritual status in the form of letters, many penned by Paul.  A performance review of sorts.  The holy spirit was setting a foundation for thousands of year’s to come.   Strong foundations are a prerequisite for strong structures.

The church communities needed feedback.  What was going right?  What was going wrong?

But this letter to the churches written by John was unusual.  These observations were revealed directly through a heavenly encounter.  With an angel.   For some reason the Lord wanted these messages to be crystal clear.  And the angel offered a promise – “blessed are those that hear it (prophecy) and take to heart what is written”.

Heavenly feedback was provided to 7 churches, with the Laodicea feedback being provided last.  And this message was not wrapped in diplomacy.

The Laodicea church was rich.  It had acquired material possessions.  And in its pursuit had become satisfied, not believing it needed a thing.  But the Lord saw something else.  He always evaluates the heart.  He saw a church that was wretched.  Pitiful.  Poor.  Blind.  And naked.  Not the types of words you want in a performance review.

But interestingly, the church wasn’t assigned a temperature of “cold”.  It was assigned a temperature of “lukewarm”.  There must have been some degree of heat.  Some attributes that looked Christ-like.  But…“kind of” looking Christ-like isn’t good enough.  In fact, he went so far as to suggest it would be better to turn off the heat altogether to “cold” versus pursuing the status quo.

And this is the haunting critique – “Because you are lukewarm – neither hot or cold – I will spit you out of my mouth.”   Direct. Almost harsh.  Certainly uncomfortable.

Why would the Lord prefer a “cold” temperature to a “lukewarm” temperature?  Perhaps, because one of our biggest responsibilities on this earth, as churches and individuals, is to be conduits to reflect His glory.  His light.  A serious mandate.

A church or individual that self describes themselves as “Christian” but consistently demonstrates attitudes and actions that look no different than the world, do more harm than help.  They invite a perception that there is little upside for Christianity.  Little life change.  Little power.  But rules.  Maybe financial obligations.  Hmmm…who would sign up for that?

Our father chases his prodigals.  Aggressively.  There is hope.  This message would be delivered through an angel.  It would strategically be the last church described.  What do you do if you are lukewarm?  Be earnest.  Repent. And receive an invitation to sit on His throne.

Reflections

For the last 20 months I have been working in Hong Kong, a good part of the time alone…away from my family and friends.  Sherri and I thought His direction was clear.  Go.  It really didn’t make sense from my lens.  I didn’t feel remotely qualified.  But in this case I stepped forward.  My tenure in Asia has been interesting.  Protests in Hong Kong.  Tariffs from tweets that have greatly complicated my sourcing responsibilities.  The time away from family and friends has been hard.  A question I’ve asked many times – Why would He do this?

During this time I’ve had much time for reflection.  A lot of alone time with the Lord.  The Holy Spirit has been casting light on many parts of my life…

A life defined for so many decades simply with one word.  Lukewarm.

Fixated religiously on my special university and sports.  Lukewarm.  Committed for many years to pursue financial security.  Lukewarm.   Pursuit of parenting practices with a strong performance focus.  Lukewarm.   Committed for years chasing children’s athletics aspirations on Sunday over corporate fellowship.  Lukewarm.  Focused on sloppy internet habits.  Lukewarm.  Fixated on my marital needs (much more than Sherri’s).  Lukewarm.  The list goes on and on.

You might say that I’ve become a poster child here.  This so-called “expertise” has allowed me often to spot the same in others.  It comes through in the topics being discussed.  Their priorities.  Their passions…or absence of the same.

The US church is infected with being lukewarm.  Hong Kong might be one of the more affluent places I’ve ever been.  The same applies here.  If a celestial letter or critique was penned for bodies of believers in either region today, I have a strong suspicion that the copy and paste function could be used from the critique provided by John for Laodicea.   The world is desperate to see the church…with the dial on “hot”.  To reflect laser-like light in increasing darkness.

There is hope.  In repentance.

Lord, I’ve been so busy that it has been difficult to hear your voice.  I’m sorry.  There really is no excuse.  It seems that you needed to set me aside by myself so I can hear you and process this message.  A message really rooted in love.  Because you are desperate for me.  Even if it means delivering a strong message.  I want to be with You in heaven some day.  You know too well that repentance isn’t just confession.  It also involves turning away.  Please give me strength.  I’m desperate here to be set on the “hot” dial and to turn away from my past.  Towards you.  Also, please specially touch other friends and family members infected with the same.  Chase them like you’ve chased me.  Open the eyes of their hearts.  You know their names.  I’ve whispered them many times.  I want to love you more.  Amen.

What if the church truly caught a vision for how the pursuit of material things…and security can enable eternal separation…from a Lord desperate to spend eternity with us?

What if the church became revived…and heeded the warning?

What if this revival started with us?

 

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

He said:

         “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
               Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
               Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
               Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
               Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
               Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
               Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
               Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:1-12               

Jesus, this is “blessed”?  Really?  Seriously?

Background

Over the next few chapters in Matthew, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount.  The beatitudes above were the preamble.  And He laid the foundation early in the discussion for a definition of those “blessed” in kingdom terms.  And it made little sense for many.  The poor in spirit.  Blessed.  Mourners.  Blessed.  The meek.  Blessed.  Those hungering for righteousness.  Blessed.  The merciful.  Blessed.  The pure in heart.  Blessed.  The peacemakers.  Blessed.  Those persecuted because of righteousness.  Blessed.

Jesus’ blessing paradigm was never defined through an earthly lens.  The clue to Jesus perspective is found in the last verse – “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…”

This Christ-following formula for defining those blessed was through a heavenly lens.  An eternal timeline.  A broader timeline and perspective that brought greater sense and justice compared to the very narrower short-term timeline of our life.

Jesus was reminding us to live for heavenly rewards and blessings.  Not earthly ones.

Reflections

Truly going all in for heavenly rewards and blessings.  Not earthly ones.  A mark of maturity.

The cultural gravity pulls us in.  A comfortable house.  Nice car – of course I need reliable transportation…Enjoyable vacations.  Large tv.  Nice clothes.  Secure futures.  Comfortable retirements.  Fill in the blank.

But how many of us spend as much time seeking after the kingdom blessings referenced above?

Many of us want blessings to be sorted out and reconciled and delivered in our lifetime.  Or our timelines.  In our definition.  Life following formulas are easiest to make sense of when connecting actions to results.  Just like diets.  Or workout schedules.  Or marriage counseling.  Put in the effort.  Harvest the “blessing”.

We like to see a kingdom following blessing formula that yields fruit quickly.  We want mourning and persecution and difficulty to be alleviated immediately.  Right the wrong now.  Bring justice immediately.

I do.

Sometimes He delivers on that timeline in our side of eternity.  Sometimes He delivers on another timeline.  A heavenly timeline.  Sometimes the blessing is recognizable by the world.  Sometimes it isn’t.

In either case, He can be trusted to deliver on His promise.  And blessings.  Always.

Lord, this world works so hard to define blessings.  Their defined blessings admittedly often feel good in the moment.  But you want to lift our perspective.  Not with a temporal view.  But a heavenly view.  With a broader perspective.  Please give me the courage to ask for your blessings referenced above.  To be willing to seek “blessings” that could even invite mourning and persecution.  To be patient and recognize that some blessings are identified here.  Sometimes they aren’t.  You are good.  And can be trusted.  I love you.  Amen.

What if more of our thoughts were devoted to seeking heavenly blessings versus temporal ones?

What if we matured to the point where our spirits were even lifted in the midst of persecution?  Because we could see the event through an upside-down kingdom filter?

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

           Proverbs 3:5-6                

Lean not on your own understanding.

Background

Proverbs.  Written by Solomon, the wisest man ever.  If there was ever a man capable of relying on his own understanding it was Solomon.  But, Solomon felt there was another key ingredient for pursuing straight paths.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Submit to him.

Reflections

When I was a teenager, I learned in James 1:5 that “if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”.   I felt deficient.  This verse offered a promise.  And so my personal quest began.  I felt desperate to tap into this promise.  So for years I would pray.  And pray.  With a singular focus.  “Lord, deliver on this promise – I need wisdom”.

And in this process…I became fixated on elevating the pursuit of wisdom as my primary source for problem-solving.   Try to problem solve wisely at work.  Think.  Analyze.  Solve.  Try to problem solve wisely as part of church or nonprofit leadership.  Think.  Analyze.  Solve.  Try to problem solve wisely at home.  Think.  Analyze.  Solve.

Yes, wisdom is a noble pursuit.  God was clearly pleased with Solomon’s request for wisdom…but is there something else?

There is.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart – don’t lean on your understanding.  In all your ways submit to him.  And he will make your paths straight.

Wisdom and our own understanding absent of “trust in the Lord” is hollow.  Over the last few years I yearn for a life that will chase paths that might run counter to conventional wisdom.  Paths that might not make sense from our worldly filters.  Or even Christian filters.  But paths that might total sense from a heavenly filter.  Think.  Pray.  Trust in the Lord.  Submit.  Solve.  And enable more paths that are much straighter…

Lord, you have been working on me for years here.  You know how I think and how I approach challenges.  Hopefully in the last few years there are more instances where I’m seeking you.  Trusting you.  Submitting to you.  Even when it doesn’t make sense.  I long to be part of movements and organizations that feel the same.  But, old habits are difficult to break.  Please, graciously enable me to grow in this area.  And, by the way, if you want me to use wisdom, please continue to increase my capacity here – you’ve promised…:).  I love you. Amen.

What if we truly trusted and sought out the Lord to guide each of our decisions?  And submitted?…would our paths become much straighter?

 

Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness.  They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear.  Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.  Ezer was their chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, Attai the sixth, Eliel the seventh, Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth, Jeremiah the tenth and Makbannai the eleventh.  These Gadites were army commanders; the least was a match for a hundred, and the greatest for a thousand.

                                                         1 Chronicles 12:8-14           

11 men.  Trained.  Battle tested.  The least was a match for a hundred.  The greatest for a thousand.  Prepared to defect.  A gift.

Background

Two chapters before (1 Chronicles 10), Saul had died.   It was now time.

David had spent years waiting.  He had been chosen.  Samuel had made that crystal clear in front his father.  And his more “qualified” brothers.  But the Lord’s selection process was different.  God looked at the heart.  Not the earthly qualifications where his brother’s dominated.

These weren’t easy years.  No, David was often on the run.  Fighting.  Engaging giants.  Running.  Tired.  Thirsty.  Hiding in caves. And prayerfully waiting.  Being patient for God’s time.

It must have been so difficult.  He had many chances to accelerate the timeline.  It was taking so long.  Saul was an easy target in the cave.  Probably an easier target when his men had broken into Saul’s camp at night.  Most would have understood if David had capitalized.  Pushing it.  Being aggressive.  That was a cultural value.

But a man after God’s own heart doesn’t force it.  He is patient.

And God honor’s patience.  Often with a gift.  In this case with 11 Gadites.

Reflections

Few bible characters have intrigued me more than David.  David was given a label unlike any.  A man after God’s own heart.  What are some of the qualities of such a man?  Fearless.  Worshiper.  Bias towards action.  Bias towards patience?  Yup.

We live in a culture that values movement.  Creating opportunities.  Pushing through challenges.  Running over obstacles.  Making it happen.  I listen to many Christian podcasts.  The secular bias has vaccinated the church.  Few contemporary church leaders advocate for patience.  Certainly not as a church growth plan.  Nope.

My brother and sister in law have been involved in a Ugandan adoption process for 4 years.  They have traveled to Uganda 6 or 7 times.  And they continue to wait.  And pray.  And fight to be patient.

God is often in the waiting.  Prayerful patience yields a harvest.

Lord, you know that I struggle here.  It is so much easier for me to subscribe to a theology that forces the action.  Has an exclusive bias towards action.  But ignores the importance of patience.  I’m afraid that my western consumer-focused appetites enable the same.  Help me to prayerfully find the balance.  Push when I need to push.  Wait when I need to wait.  Help me to steadfastly seek your counsel for timing.  Not my own.  And to recognize that waiting can afford great rewards.  Just like action.  Finally, reward Tim and Hillary for their prayerful patience in waiting for Jenny and Francis.  You are more than able.  Amen.

What if we prayerfully followed David’s example and added patience as an important value?  What incremental gifts might be in store for that deep yearning?  Might it be something on the level of 11 Gadites?

 

Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Psalm 42:5 & 42:11 & 43:5

Background

Many scholars believe that Psalm 42 and 43 are connected.  Some believe that David was the writer.  Some appoint authorship to others.

What we do know is that the psalmist over 11 verses repeated the same verse 3 times.  Repetition implies the writer has an important message.  The psalmist feels like they are  almost trying to convince himself of this truth –  even in difficult times it is important to put our hope in God.  And to praise Him.

Much easier to write.  Much more difficult to practice.

Reflections

Recently I saw Brian Johnson, worship leader of Bethel, deliver an insightful word to his worship team in advance of a worship performance.  His message was that some day we will be in heaven on the other side of this world of pain and disappointment and hurt.  And our praise at that time would be delivered from a position of joy and fullness.

And yet, on this earth we have an opportunity to present a gift to God of worship unlike that in eternity when all has been made whole.  We can offer praise when all is not going well.  And there must be a real sweetness in heaven about receiving a worship offering from a posture of faith; and belief in His goodness…when it is delivered at points in our lives where disappointment or pain are our most frequent companions.

Amen.

Lord, it is so easy for me to bring my most passionate praise to you when my emotions are positive.  And all is going and feeling well.  But when the pressures or pain of this world is pressing in, I frequently find my mind wandering.  And worship becomes so much more difficult.  I’m self absorbed.  Please forgive me.  I want to begin offering up sweet worship to you even when life is painful or uncertain or seems like it is crumbling.  To give you something here in this life that even in heaven I won’t be able to offer.  I love you.  Amen.

What if we fixated on delivering our most heartfelt worship at times of disappointment and pain?  What would it do to our faith?  What would it do to our current attitudes and focus?

What if we were more sensitive about ensuring that our current emotions do not inhibit our worship focus?

 

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him”.

Psalm 91:14-15

Background

There are privileges in putting our trust in God. He is faithful.  And when we call on Him, He answers us – He is a deliverer.

And this God’s power and nature has not changed.

He is good. He is the essence of the best father we can possibly imagine.  Only way better.  And He listens very closely for the cries of His children.  Us.  Because good fathers like to protect and provide…and rescue their children.

Reflections

Well, Lord, we need you to act.  And You are more than able.

Over the last few years my brother, Tim, and sister-in-law, Hillary, have felt called to pursue the adoption of two children in Uganda – Jenny and Francis. They have pursued a lengthy adoption process with faithful abandon.  They have made many trips to Uganda to be with the children.  They have written letters.  Made phone calls.  Provided gifts.  And prayed daily for the closure of a long adoption process.  Simply, they have given their full hearts pursuing these children.

A month ago I was back in town. I slept in Jenny’s future room.  A special room prepared for her arrival.   Special pictures.  Inspiring quotes.  Stuffed animals.  Beautiful pillows and comforters.  A room prepared and bathed in hope and love.

This past week Tim and Hillary were given an update. The Ugandan judge that was making the final adoption decision had a surprise.   She verbally rejected the adoption.  The final written legal opinion would be coming later.

The agency and Ugandan legal team are making a final plea in the next few days.

But…You are more than able.

This God we follow isn’t distant. Powerless.  Or uninterested.  Inclusion in His family has privileges.  And in times where we are at the end of our rope and our hold is weakening…we can cry out for His help.

Our family would covet your prayers from our faithful father.

Lord, you have seen Tim and Hillary give away their hearts to two children desperate for love and attention. You have seen how much the kids love them.  This process has not been easy.  But Tim and Hillary have been faithful and patient. Time is running out.  Shift the judge’s heart and mind.  Redeem what is broken.  You are good.  You are loving.  You are faithful.  And you are more than able.  Demonstrate your power and glory. Please intervene.   Amen.

What if satan knows that Jenny and Francis have been called to large kingdom-focused assignments in the future and intends to thwart, slow down and sabotage at every turn?

What if God intends to redeem this situation by uniting many in prayer and fasting?

 

Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”

But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.

(Psalms 3:1-4)

Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?

 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.  Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness
that would not otherwise be found out.

(Psalm 10:12-15)

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and body with grief.
My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction.
and my bones grow weak  Because of all my enemies,
I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
 I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.  For I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!”
They conspire against me
and plot to take my life.

But I trust in you, Lord;
I say, “You are my God.”

(Psalm 31:9-14)

But…

Background

The book of Psalm is real and raw. And reflects emotions that shift back and forth between euphoria to despair.  David was so good at naming his emotions.  Unlike me.  He experienced tree top experiences.  He experienced crazy lows.  Just like us.

And yet so many times in this book there is a connector from the despair and lows in life to a belief that extended beyond the emotion of the moment. There is a reminder and a “but”.

This “but” reminds both the reader…and the author. That God’s authority and goodness remains real. When all is going good.  And when all is falling apart.  His goodness is constant.

…even if the current circumstances look hopeless.

Reflections

Let’s face it. Life can become very difficult.  Very quickly.

Have you ever received a call from the doctor describing a tough test report? Maybe one with the “c” word?  Sherri and I have. Despair.  Have you received a call or had the knock on the door that revealed that a loved one was unexpectedly gone?  Despair.  Or maybe you have been on the receiving end of relationship betrayal?  Despair.  Or a difficult boss.  Or a wayward child.  Tough.

When life seems to be crumbling and the floor seems to be giving way, it is important that our faith includes a connector beyond the moment. A “but”.  A recognition that our God is good.  And a redeemer.  And can be trusted.  That our God is bigger than our circumstance.  That He “has this”.

A theology without a “but” enables a weak foundation of faith. A theology that includes a “but” provides hope.  A faith foundation of granite.  That gets us to the other side.

Lord, you are so good. It is so easy to place faith in You only when all is going well.  But to teeter when circumstances look bleak.  Of course there are no guarantees in the horizontal life we live here.  The only guarantee is “You can be trusted”.  When all is good.  And all crumbling.  Let our faith be mixed with ingredients that include the “but”.  Help me to have a rock solid faith in both the good.  And the hopeless.  I love you.  Amen.

What if the church demonstrated to the world a faith and trust in Him that was just as consistent in the difficult as it was with euphoric?  Would this faith better reflect His glory?