Author: Seth Durham

Fear, Failure, and Faith.

Mathew, chapter 14, records the well-known story of Jesus walking on water. Jesus had instructed His disciples to get in their boat and cross the Sea of Galilee. He then dismissed the large crowd He had been preaching to, and went up on a mountainside to pray.

The disciples were half-way across sea when the weather turned nasty. They found themselves at the mercy of a storm, unable to progress toward the shore.

Then, in Mathew 14: 25 – 32:

Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to [His disciples], walking on the lake.

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

“Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

The storm.

How different might this story have played out without the storm? Imagine that the sky is clear, the sun is shining, and the disciples are chatting about the great miracles they have witnessed Jesus perform. Then they see Jesus walking across the calm surface of the lake. They smile at yet another demonstration of His power. Imagine all of the disciples asking Jesus if they could join Him out there on the water. Imagine them walking the rest of the way across the lake together, effortlessly pulling the boat behind them.

But that’s not how it happens. The disciples are in the midst of a storm, and, no doubt, they are feeling frustrated, tense, and fearful as the wind and waves assault their boat. Their focus is on their dire situation, not on Jesus. So, when they see Jesus out there on the water, their rattled minds jump immediately to, “ghost!” and they become even more terrified.

The storms of life certainly have a way of taking our focus off of Jesus, do they not? When that happens, we find ourselves anxious and afraid.

Fear.

The first thing Jesus does is reassure His disciples, and He tells them not to be afraid. Fear is debilitating. It is self-focused. It is not of God. Here’s a small sample of what the Bible says about fear:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

II Timothy 1:7

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.

Proverbs 3: 25-26

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear is powerful, but God is greater than our fear. He wants us to trust Him, even in the midst of the storm.

Failure.

I have to give Peter credit for stepping out of the boat. None of the other disciples did, and I doubt very much that I would have been bold enough to attempt such a thing.

While Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus, he was able to do the impossible. But as soon as he turned his attention to the wind and waves, he began to sink. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” and Jesus, without hesitation, reached out and saved him. The words Jesus said next explain what went wrong:

“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

I can relate. Sometimes, life begins to overwhelm me, and my faith begins to waver. I start to sink, and cry out, “Lord, save me!” God reaches down and pulls me up, the storm clears, and I hear the words: You of little faith, why did you doubt?

Thankfully, God doesn’t give up on us, even when we give up on Him. He knows that we are flawed creatures and he loves us anyway. It’s comforting to know that even the greatest men and women in the Bible had moments when their fear was greater than their faith.

Faith.

Faith is the antidote to fear, and faith is a choice. We have no control over the storms of life, but we always get to decide whether or not we will trust the Lord in the midst of them. What will you do when the next storm hits?

Does Your Life Have Meaning?

King Solomon was a man who had everything. Money, fame, women, power… you name it, he had it. All the comforts and pleasures of the world were at his fingertips. I Kings 11:3 tells us he had 700 wives and 300 concubines. I Kings 4:34 says that every king on earth knew of Solomon’s great wisdom. His wealth (in today’s dollars) is estimated to have been around 2.2 trillion (yes trillion, with a “t“).

Like all human beings, Solomon wanted to know, “What’s life all about? What am I doing here? What should I be doing during my time on Earth?” The book of Ecclesiastes documents Solomon’s search for meaning in his life.

…I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.

Ecclesiastes 2:3

Solomon had the resources to live the kind of life we can only dream about. Yet, towards the end of his life, Solomon describes all that he owned and all that he accomplished with these words:

Meaningless! Meaningless! … Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 1:2

Keeping it real.

Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Solomon smashes the rose-colored glasses, and describes life as it really is. Read Ecclesiastes when you have time. It’s short, and well worth your time. In the meantime, here’s a summary of what Solomon had to say:

  • Life is monotonous (Ecc. 1:5-11)
  • Life is a burden (Ecc. 1:13 / Ecc. 3:10)
  • Life is unjust (Ecc. 3:16 / Ecc. 4:1-3)
  • Life is unfair (Ecc. 2:21 / Ecc. 8:14 / Ecc. 9:11 / Ecc. 10:6-7)
  • Life is unpredictable (Ecc. 9:12 / Ecc. 8:7-8 / Ecc. 10:8-9)
  • Pleasure does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:1)
  • Success does not satisfy (Ecc. 2:4-11)
  • Wealth does not satisfy (Ecc. 5:10)
  • Knowledge/wisdom do not satisfy (Ecc. 1:18 / Ecc. 2:12-16)
  • Youth and vigor are fleeting (Ecc. 11:10)
  • Death gets us all in the end (Ecc. 9:3 / Ecc. 3:19 / Ecc. 2:14 / Ecc. 12: 6-7)

The hard truth is, nothing in this world can truly satisfy you. How many people have you known (or known of) that seem to “have it all” but are miserable and unfulfilled? What percentage of the rich and famous spend their days trying to numb their pain with sex, drugs, alcohol, or other vices?

If all this harsh reality bums you out, hang in there! The good news is coming.

Where is meaning to be found?

Solomon went down every road this world has to offer, and each was a dead end. However, sprinkled throughout Ecclesiastes are markers that show the path that leads to meaning and fulfillment. Here are two examples:

This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:18

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

There are several verses that have this theme of “it is good to eat, drink, and toil.” (For more examples, see: Ecc. 9:7-9 / Ecc. 2:24-25 / Ecc. 3:22 / Ecc. 5:12) The idea is this: The people who find meaning and satisfaction in life are those who whole-heartedly do what God put them on the Earth to do.

To the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness…

Ecclesiastes 2:26a

 They [those who do God’s will] seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

God has a specific plan and purpose for your life, and the closer you follow His plan, the more satisfied you will be. To know his specific plan for you life, you must seek Him in prayer and study His Word, but if you’re looking for a place to start, Solomon offers that in his conclusion:

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

Ecclesiastes 12:13

So, if you’re feeling unfulfilled; if everything seems “meaningless, meaningless, meaningless!” then seek out God’s plan for your life and follow it with all your might! Fear Him. Keep His commandments. This is how you will find purpose and meaning in your life.

Why Do People Believe In God?

I’ve always found the question, “why do you believe in God?” difficult to answer. When asked, my instinct is to provide intellectual reasons for my belief. For example:

I believe because…

  • …I find the philosophical arguments for God’s existence compelling (e.g. the cosmological, ontological, teleological, and moral arguments).
  • …the writings of men like Blaise Pascal, Gottfried Leibniz, René Descartes, and Sir Isaac Newton ring true to me.
  • …evidence put forth by scientists like Stephen Meyer, Michael Behe, and James Tour, points to a Creator.
  • …Christian apologists like Frank Turek and William Lane Craig present logically sound reasons for belief in God.

However, I read something recently that made me rethink my answer to the question. It was on the last page of a book called Symbolism and Belief by Edwyn Bevan.

The actual reason people believe.

To paraphrase Mr. Bevan, people don’t come to a belief in God because they are convinced by rational arguments, rather, belief in God comes first, and the arguments provide a justification for their belief. The final sentence of Symbolism and Belief reads as follows: “What actually causes anyone to believe in God is direct perception of the Divine.”(emphasis mine)

I’ve been pondering this statement for the last few weeks. Is it true? And if it is, what are the ramifications? I’ve been reflecting on my own belief, and thinking about the testimonies of other believers, and I think Mr. Bevan is correct.

What does it mean to perceive?

Merriam-Webster defines the word perceive as follows: to attain awareness or understanding of.

Awareness of something automatically creates a belief in that thing’s existence. For example, when I see the coffee mug sitting on the desk in front of me, based on that perception, I believe the mug exists. It would be difficult (not to mention irrational) for me to believe the mug does not exist. I can see it. I can touch it. My direct perception of the mug is strong evidence for its existence.

But how does one perceive the Divine? Does it require a supernatural experience? I personally have never witnessed a miracle, or received a visit from an angel. I’ve not seen God with my eyeballs. I’ve not heard Him with my ears. What then constitutes my direct perception of the Divine? Why do I believe?

Certainly, things that I have seen, heard, and felt have contributed to my awareness and understanding of God. In my mind’s-eye, I see countless experiences and memories, small slices of my life, as if they were photographs. Some of these “photos” are dark, while others have a powerful glow that hints at something beyond the material world. When all the pieces are viewed together, they form a mosaic. They create an unmistakable “image” of God.

That is the best way I can describe my personal perception of the Divine, and it’s as compelling a reason for me to believe in the existence of God, as seeing my coffee mug is reason to believe in the existence of the mug.

Lights in the darkness.

If belief in God comes from direct perception of the Divine, what then is our role in helping others come to belief? I believe Jesus spelled it out for us in the sermon on the mount.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Mathew 5: 14 -16

When Christ is at the center of our lives, we become like beacons that nonbelievers can see. When they see Christ in us, they perceive the Divine, and that is what leads them to believe.

The bottom line is, we’re not likely to change anyone’s mind about God by telling them the intellectual reasons for our belief. No doubt, they have already heard and rejected such arguments. As such, our focus ought to be on living out our faith so that others can perceive the Divine in us.

God’s Way, Not Mine.

If you had the power to alter reality, what would you change? You might have a long list. The problem is, even the tiniest adjustments would have countless, unforeseen consequences.

This idea was explored in the comedy, Bruce Almighty. In that movie, God grants Bruce the power to change whatever he wants. Bruce uses his new power to do things his way, and ends up making a huge mess. It’s funny because deep down we’re all a little like Bruce. We sometimes look around and think we could do better than God.

Now consider this quote for a moment:

“The displacement of a single electron by a billionth of a centimeter at one moment might make the difference between a man being killed by an avalanche a year later, or escaping.”

Alan Turing

Suppose Turing is right. Imagine that such an infinitesimally small change actually did make the difference between a man dying and living. How many more things would then change as a consequence of that man continuing to act in the world!?

Life: A mixed bag.

Why do we want to change things? Because sometimes, life sucks. We see pain, suffering, and death all around us. We experience loss, regret, and sorrow, and with tear-filled eyes we cry out, “why, God!?”

Often we don’t get an answer to “why”, but occasionally we are able to look back and see how our adversity strengthened us; made us better. Sometimes the purpose of our trials is to mold us into who we are supposed to be.

And through it all, a proper perspective is important. Yes, pain and sorrow are real. But beauty, joy, faith, hope, and love are real too. As difficult as life can be, it is a marvelous thing, is it not? We can choose to be grateful for the good in our lives, even as we experience the bad.

Faith.

If you believe that God is good, then believe that He has good reasons for the pain and suffering He allows. Accept that His reasons may be beyond your understanding. And when you don’t understand… trust.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9

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

To trust when you don’t understand: this is the essence of faith. It’s easy to trust God when times are good. Can you do it when your life is falling apart? That’s when it really counts.

Joseph: A great example for us to follow.

Reading Scripture can encourage you to look beyond your current trials, and give you the strength to trust God even in the worst circumstances. The Bible contains many examples of men and women who faced dark times. They did not know what God had in store for them, but trusted that He would see them through.

One of my favorite examples is the story of Joseph (Genesis, chapters 37-50). Imagine being betrayed by your family, sold into slavery, taken to a foreign country, and thrown into prison for a crime you didn’t commit. Can you imagine suffering as he did, day after day, for years, not knowing how things were going to turn out?

Somehow Joseph remained faithful through it all. Despite his terrible circumstances, he trusted God. In the end, we see why these things happened. God maneuvered Joseph through a sea of troubles to put him in a position where he was able to save his family, his people, and countless others from starvation.

God also knew exactly how the pain and suffering of Joseph would fit into the grand narrative of History. Think about the millions upon millions of people who have been positively impacted (including you and me, thousands of years later) because of the hardships Joseph went through! We could never have foreseen the full impact of Joseph’s trials, but God did. God manages all things to achieve the greatest good, even when it doesn’t seem that way from our perspective. In short: God’s way is better than ours.

Who Cares?

Last week I was feeling particularly down about this blog. Thoughts like, “no one cares what I have to say” and “I don’t know enough to write anything worthwhile” played on repeat for a couple of days. I felt discouraged, as you can probably imagine.

But here’s the thing: even as those thoughts ran through my mind, I knew they were lies. God has a plan and a purpose for this blog. I don’t know what it is. I don’t know who needs to read what I’m putting down, but God has made it clear that he wants me to write. And so I shall.

Perhaps you’re feeling discouraged at this very moment and this post is for you. If so, hang in there! Keep faithfully seeking the kingdom of God, and He will see you through this difficult time.

Spiritual Warfare.

The forces of evil don’t want you doing God’s will. As a Christian, you are at war, and your enemy is no fool. He attacks when/where you are weakest. His tactics are many and varied. With lies, temptations, distractions, or pain, he seeks to turn your attention away from God and towards something else. Scripture makes it clear what you are up against:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I Peter 5:8-9

You’re not alone.

These spiritual battles can be exhausting and leave you weary, but the good news is, you have an ally that is more powerful than your foe. Here are a few scriptures to remind you that God fights with you:

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [the evil spirits], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

I John 4:4

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

God cares.

God has promised to never leave you, nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). So when spiritual attacks come, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18) and remember that you do not fight alone!

Lastly, whatever your current battles, don’t forget to cast your cares upon God, because He cares for you (I Peter 5:7).

On Truth And Trust.

I recently watched a documentary about Bernie Madoff, the man who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in history, and swindled people out of billions of dollars.

Bernie Madoff was a giant on Wall Street with impeccable credentials. He owned a large, successful business and held prestigious titles in the world of finance. People believed he was a man of integrity, and so they gladly handed over their hard-earned money for him to invest.

Bernie’s clients regularly received statements showing how great their investments were doing. It seemed Bernie could read the market like a clairvoyant. He always bought and sold at the perfect time. His clients always made money, no matter what shape the stock market was in, and this of course made his clients very happy.

The problem was, Bernie never actually invested any of the money. The reports he sent to his clients were complete fabrications. So, while his clients believed they were making great returns on their investments, the truth was Bernie was stealing every dollar they gave him and using it for his own purposes.

It’s a tragic story that had a devastating impact on thousands of people. It made me reflect on the nature of both truth and trust.

Truth.

Let’s talk about truth for a minute. Truth is not subjective. It is a mountain, fixed and unmoving. It is not altered by your perceptions or beliefs. There is no “your truth” or “my truth” there is only “the truth.” You may not always know what the truth is, but your lack of knowledge doesn’t change the truth either.

I say this because today there is an assault on the concept of objective truth. There’s this notion that truth is whatever you want it to be, or believe it to be; this idea that reality bends to your will. This is a terrible lie with real consequences.

Going back to the Madoff story: the truth, the inescapable reality, was this: Bernie was stealing his client’s money. What his clients believed was irrelevant. They believed a lie, and that belief cost them dearly.

You cannot alter the truth with what you believe. You can only alter your beliefs to align with the truth.

Lies.

Bernie and his team crafted elaborate lies to hide the truth, and Madoff’s scam remained hidden for decades. Very few people knew about the fraud while it was happening, and those who did had a vested interest in keeping it going.

Why did the investors believe the lies? Because they trusted in Bernie’s reputation, they trusted in the SEC (the government agency that was overseeing him), and they trusted in the financial statements they got in the mail. Sadly, their trust was misplaced, and they didn’t find out until it was too late.

What Jesus said about lies and truth.

Satan is the father of lies…

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44

The truth will set you free…

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31

You must be born again…

Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.”

John 3:3

Jesus is the truth…

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“

John 14:6

Do your beliefs align with the truth?

The truth is, one day you are going to die. What then? Maybe you don’t believe in God, and you think that when you die, you will just cease to exist. Or maybe you believe in reincarnation. Maybe you believe you can get to Heaven by being a good person. Friend, if you believe any of these things, then, like Madoff’s investors, you have been deceived by clever lies. You’ve placed your trust in something that will prove to be false, and it will cost you everything.

The truth is, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). On that day, if you have not already accepted the gift of salvation, it will be too late. Repent of your sins and trust in Jesus before that day comes. Because He is the way, the truth, and the life.

Lost And Found.

In Luke, chapter 15, Jesus is speaking to a group of tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees and religious teachers are watching, and they mutter to themselves, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” These self-righteous blowhards wouldn’t dream of soiling their reputation by associating with such riffraff, and they mock Jesus for doing so. In response, Jesus tells them three parables: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

All three parables teach the same truth: God loves us, sinners that we are, and desires to redeem us. But I want to look at the differences between the three parables. Each highlights different aspects of God, the sinner, and the relationship between the two.

The wayward sheep.

In the first parable, the sinner is a lost sheep, God is the shepherd. This sheep didn’t leave its shepherd out of spite. It wasn’t a rebel out to prove it could take care of itself. The sheep simply got distracted and wandered off.

[So it is with many people. They are preoccupied with this world, and just don’t give much thought to God, or perhaps know nothing of Him. Like the sheep, they are lost, in great danger, and probably not even aware of it.]

The shepherd has great concern for this lost sheep. So much so that he leaves his other ninety-nine sheep to save the one. When he finds the lost sheep, he joyfully places it on his shoulders and carries it home.

[God actively seeks out individuals who are lost, and wants to rescue them from sin and damnation. How awesome to know that God cares about each of us that much!]

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

The silver coin.

In the second parable, a woman has lost one of her ten silver coins.

[The coin is an interesting representation of the sinner. First, a coin is something that only has value because we assign value to it. In and of itself, it’s just a piece of metal. Likewise, we are nothing in and of ourselves, but we have value because God deems us valuable. Second, the coin is lifeless, unable to do anything on its own. So too the sinner is lifeless. He is dead in his sin, and cannot save himself.]

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9

The woman in the parable doesn’t throw up her hands and say, “Oh well, I’ve got nine other silver coins.” Instead, she lights a lamp and carefully sweeps the house in search of the lost coin.

[This reinforces the idea that God loves each of as individuals, and it’s a reminder that there is no corner too dark, no pit of sin too deep where God cannot find us.]

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

The prodigal son.

The third parable is about a son who rebels against his father so he can chase after his own desires. The son wants his inheritance now, and he wants out from under his father’s rules.

[This is quite a different scenario than what we see with the sheep and the coin. Here the son (the sinner) knowingly and deliberately separates himself from the father (God). This is a sinner who knows God, but has consciously turned his back on Him. Such sinners are described in detail in Romans 1:18-32.]

The father gives the son his portion of the inheritance, and the son leaves thinking that he is finally free. He’s ready to go out and live his best life now!

[The father’s response is interesting. First, he could have denied the son’s request and forced him to stay. He didn’t. In like manner, God does not force anyone to love and obey Him. Second, notice that the father doesn’t go after the son. God will not rescue those that don’t want to be rescued.]

So, the son goes out to party it up. Life is good. It’s all wine, women, and song! But it doesn’t last. A famine hits; party’s over. The son ends up penniless, friendless, and desperate.

[What a perfect picture of the effects of sin. Sin is always fun at first, providing pleasure and instant gratification. But in the end, it leads to pain, suffering, and death.]

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23

From bad to worse.

The son hires himself out as a servant, and his new master gives him a job that would have been utterly detestable to any Jew: feeding pigs. He’s so hungry that he considers eating the slop he’s serving to the swine. The son finally realizes just how bad he messed up. He knows he doesn’t deserve his father’s forgiveness, but he decides to go home and beg his father to let him be a servant in his household.

[Humility is the first step towards salvation. A person will not seek forgiveness while their pride tells them they’ve done nothing wrong. There is no repentance without humility, and there is no salvation without repentance.]

Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Luke 5:31-32

As the son gets close to home, his father sees him from a long ways off and comes running to him. The father throws his arms around the son and rejoices at his return. The father not only forgives his son, he restores his position, and throws a great celebration.

[That the father saw his son returning from a long ways off indicates that he was watching, waiting, and hoping that his son would return. God, our Heavenly Father, also watches for His rebellious children to return, and no matter how much of a mess they have made of themselves, he is ready to forgive and restore.]

These three parables are a great reminder of God’s boundless love for us. They teach us that we are all lost and unable to save ourselves, but that God is willing and able to save us if we turn from our sin and make Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Tear Down Your Idols.

Throughout much of the Old Testament, the Israelites are trapped in a tragic cycle that looks like this:

  • They follow God’s commands.
  • God blesses them.
  • They start to worship idols.
  • God warns them.
  • They ignore the warnings.
  • God punishes them.
  • They cry out to God for help.
  • God delivers them.
  • Back to step 1.

This cycle starts almost as soon as God rescues them from Egypt, and it repeats time and time again until they finally lose the promised land to the Babylonians. We’re talking eight hundred years, generation after generation, where the Israelites just can’t break free of this pattern.

So, what the heck was wrong with these people? Why didn’t they learn from their past? Why did they keep making the same mistakes? Were they insane? Because it sure looks like they kept doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.

Don’t be too quick to judge. We’re not so different.

From good times to bad.

When times were at their best, the Israelites were often at their worst. When food was plentiful, and there was peace and safety, they would take their situation for granted. They would forget that God was providing these things.

Soon they would start to question their need for God. They didn’t need deliverance anymore. There was peace and prosperity throughout the land. Maybe they didn’t need God at all!

The Israelites would then turn away from God and fixate on idols. They would worship pagan gods like Baal and Asherah, seeking after power and pleasure. Yahweh, God of their ancestors, the one true God, was all but forgotten.

Then God would send a judge or a prophet to try to turn them from their wicked ways, but they wouldn’t listen. Finally, God would say, “Enough!” and they would get a taste of divine judgement. It seems only pain and suffering could get their attention and turn them back to God.

How about you?

Are you any different? Don’t you naturally start to back-burner God when times are good? Don’t you tend to forget where your blessings come from? I know I do. It’s part of our sinful, human nature.

Maybe you’re at a time in your life when everything is going great. The family is happy and healthy. The kids are doing well in school. You just got promoted at work. Your 401k is looking good. Life just couldn’t be better. If so, take heed!

When you are most secure in yourself, you are least dependent on God. When you’re riding high, you’re most at risk of a fall. It’s a good time to check for idols.

Modern idols.

I probably don’t need to warn you against worshiping golden calves or Asherah poles. Those kinds of idols are uncommon today. But, keep in mind that almost anything can become an idol, and often times that thing, in and of itself, isn’t bad. For example, money isn’t bad, but if it becomes more important to you than God, it becomes an idol.

Even good things can become idols when not in their proper place. Family, work, sports, entertainment. These are wonderful things, but they become idols when they take priority over God. Anything that ranks higher on your list than God is an idol.

Don’t ignore the warning.

Perhaps God is trying to get your attention right now. Maybe this post is meant to draw your attention to something in your life that has become an idol to you. If so, now is the time to repent! Tear down that idol, and turn back to God.

God is not sadistic, but He does inflict pain when it’s for our own good. As a good father disciplines his children when they do wrong, so God disciplines us.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:11-12

It’s not too late.

Maybe you’ve pushed God aside for a long time, ignored His warnings, and now you’re suffering. You have two options. One: stubbornly double down and keep worshiping your idols. Two: humble yourself, confess your sin, and turn back to God. One option leads to further suffering, the other to salvation.

Like the ancient Israelites, we are prone to lose sight of what is most important, especially when times are good. So if things are going well for you, be vigilant! Be on the lookout for idols, and make sure that God has His proper place in your life. Don’t ignore God’s warnings when they come. In my experience, He will draw you back gently if He can, but will punish harshly when He must. Finally, if judgement falls on you, repent without delay. God is just, but He is also merciful and quick to forgive.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I John 1:9

What’s The Value Of Wisdom?

Over the years, I developed a habit of starting most of my prayers in a similar fashion. Almost without thinking, I would pray, “Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please give me the wisdom and strength I need to do whatever it is you have for me to do.”

This isn’t a bad way to start a prayer, but something I recently read in scripture caused me to stop and think about it more deeply. Specifically, it caused me to reflect on the part where I ask God for wisdom.

An unexpected find.

I was reading through Job. The book tells of the awful tragedies Job endured, and a large part of the book is dialogue: first between Job and his friends, and finally between Job and God.

But chapter 28 takes a surprising break from the story. In my Bible (NIV), at the head of chapter 28, it says: Interlude: Where Wisdom Is Found. I thought this was strange, and it really made me sit up and pay attention. I encourage you to take a couple of minutes right now and read Job 28.

Beyond compare.

Job 28 reminds us that men will go to great lengths to acquire precious things. They will dig and drill and mine deep into the earth to acquire rare gems. They will sweat and bleed for silver and gold. Wisdom is said to be more valuable than these things, but do we prize it as such? Do we pursue it with the same fervor? “Not I,” I thought.

It dawned on me as I read these verses that I did not fully appreciate the value of wisdom! I had been casually, almost flippantly asking God for wisdom. I wondered, “why would God give me something of such great worth if I don’t truly understand or appreciate its value?”

Imagine a king with his very young child. The toddler asks their father for a giant ruby or diamond. Is the king going to hand it over? Of course not! Not because he doesn’t love the child, but because the child doesn’t comprehend the value of what they are asking for. The child can’t make proper use of it. They’re not ready.

A new approach.

I still ask God for wisdom, and it’s important to do so. The Bible says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5

But now that I have a better grasp of what I’m asking for, I ask in a different way. I ask God to help me grow and mature so that I can make use of the wisdom He gives me. I don’t want to be like a child that admires a ruby because of its sparkle and then carelessly sets it aside. Instead, I want to be a responsible prince that accepts the King’s ruby and then uses it for His glory.

How about you? What value do you ascribe to wisdom? Are you ready to make use of the wisdom God gives you?

Against All Odds.

Do you ever feel like you’re facing an impossible battle? Perhaps even now trouble presses in on you from all sides, and your situation seems dire. If you’re going through something like that, I’m sorry. I’d like to share a story I read this morning that I hope encourages you as it did me.

Trouble approaches.

In II Chronicles, chapter 20, messengers come before King Jehoshaphat of Judah with some really bad news. A vast army, made up of Moabites and Ammonites, is fast approaching, and the king’s forces are no match for them.

Jehoshaphat immediately orders all of Judah to begin fasting, and then gathers the people together at the temple in Jerusalem. The distressed king stands in the temple courtyard and cries out to God. His prayer is recorded in II Chronicles 20:6 -12, and you can feel the desperation in his words.

Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.

II Chronicles 20:12

God answers.

As the men, women, and children of Judah huddle together around the temple, no doubt trembling with fear, God answers Jehoshaphat’s prayer. The spirit of the Lord comes upon a Levite named Jahaziel, and he says this:

This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’

II Chronicles 20:15-17

King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah immediately fall to the ground and worship God. The next morning the king sends his army out as instructed, trusting that God will make good on His promise. At the head of this army, instead of elite soldiers, the king assigns a choir to sing praises to God as they march.

God delivers.

As Jehoshaphat and his men follow God’s instructions and march out to meet their foes, God miraculously causes their enemies to turn on each other! They fight a bloody battle amongst themselves until every last one of them is dead. Not one escapes. The unbeatable, invading army demolishes itself before Jehoshaphat even arrives.

When Jehoshaphat and his men reach the desert, their jaws drop as they behold the carnage. The place is littered with the corpses of their enemies. All around they see valuables just waiting to be scooped up. In fact, “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it” (II Chronicles 20:25 b).

Jehoshaphat and his people return to Jerusalem victorious. They go to the temple to praise and worship God. The fear of God falls over the surrounding kingdoms, “And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side” (II Chronicles 20:30).

Be like Jehoshaphat.

What an awesome story! As Christians, when we face what seems like an impossible challenge, we have the opportunity to do what Jehoshaphat did. We can call out to that same God and say, “I have no power to face this situation. I don’t know what to do, but my eyes are on you.” Remember: the battle belongs to God. Nothing is too difficult for Him. God delights in working wonders for those who love Him.

Verified by MonsterInsights