Living in a Land of Sorrow

"What sorrow for those who say

that evil is good and good is evil,

that dark is light and light is dark, 

that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.

What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes

and think themselves so clever."

Isaiah 5:20-21 NLT

How am I expected to live in a place that has it so wrong?  Where the lost proudly boast of their superior intelligence, attitude and progressive ways, mocking the ways of God?  Clearly the end is near.  But it's not our country we must fight to preserve.  Instead, it's the souls who are doomed to pay for how they offend and oppose God.  People need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ now more than ever!

So how do we engage others?  The answer lies in God's holy Word (2 Timothy 2:23-26).

Kind.  The arguments are so absurd.  The attitudes aggravate and get under my skin.  It's hard to get a word in edgewise and they don't seem to want to listen. It can be hard to engage the lost who are so convinced that their way is the right way.  Still, its not really their fault.  How can I say this?  Doesn't everyone choose which belief they trust in, what lifestyle they live, what philosophy they follow?  Yes, but I must never forget the enemy of the Body of Christ that prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  Many are held captive by his evil and deceptive schemes and are thus blinded from the truth, influenced by his evil.  Therefore, I must have compassion on them, trusting that God will change their hearts so they can escape from Satan's trap (2 Timothy 2:26).

Realizing the plight of the lost, then, I can take on the heart of God who lovingly pursues them, wanting none to perish but generously desiring all to be included in His eternal kingdom by repentance and faith (2 Peter 3:9).  Instead of writing off even the most hard-core of opponents, it is my place to show kindness and concern for their welfare, reaching out in friendship as I share my life with them.  In this way, God can work through me to impact their heart in ways I could never fathom.

The servant of God is called to be kind to everyone, especially those who are cruel and hard -hearted.

Patient.  Its easy to get riled up.  I remember as a young woman being teased by a fellow gym member as I worked out.  He could see how I'd get worked up about certain topics so he made sport of pushing my buttons then sitting back and watching the show.  He once commented that I wouldn't do well in debate because one must keep a cool head in order to rationally argue their point.  I agreed that this would not be a good pursuit for me.

Now that I follow Jesus, however, I am called to engage others, not in order to argue my point, but to help the lost examine their beliefs.  When I stay calm, remembering that it doesn't rely on me but on the Holy Spirit who is equipping and empowering me, I can relax and stay focused on the direction He leads.  As I do, I'll be able to ask questions to lead the lost along a path that exposes their depravity, brokenness and need for a Savior.  Then it will be time to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Until then, I must wait on God to work on their heart.  If I'm gearing up for a fight, though, I'll only succeed in pushing people away.

The servant of God is called to be patient, willing to wait on God to change the heart of the lost.

Gently Instruct.  We live in an age of tolerance, where acceptance of every belief is the unwritten law of the land, and to look the other way is the expected response.  This mindset appeals to my natural self since I don't like to rock the boat or make anyone feel bad about what they believe or the way they live.  But is it God's intention that I simply live side-by-side with those who are traveling down the path that leads to destruction without ever engaging them in conversation about their beliefs?  Not that I can see.

Paul instructs me to "gently instruct those who oppose the truth" in the hope that God will do a mighty work on their hearts, turning them around so they accept His way and reject their own foolish and destructive ways (2 Timothy 2:25).  This means gradually introducing Biblical truths not with apology or shame, but with the confidence that comes from knowing it will shed light into the darkness.  As God works through His own Word, accomplishing what He desires, strongholds of evil will fall and God's gracious gift of salvation will be understood (Isaiah 55:11).  And when this happens, fruit will come forth (Colossians 1:6).

The servant of God is called to gently instruct those who oppose the truth, trusting that God is powerful enough to change their hearts.

It's easy to get caught up in the wrong mindset, worrying more about the state of our country than the welfare of each human soul.  As I see society sinking down into the depths of depravity, I am called to be kind to even the most callous, to patiently pursue those who are lost, and to gently instruct those who oppose the truth either by word or deed.  In these ways, I am proving my faith in a God who is able to soften even the most hardened of hearts, granting repentance to many who seemed beyond hope.  This is how a servant of God is to live in the land of sorrow.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

How am I tempted to bend the truth in order to avoid offending others?

Have I considered how my fear of man offends God and jeopardizes the lost?

Time to Move On

"David noticed that his attendants were whispering

among themselves,

and he realized the child was dead.

'Is the child dead?' he asked.

'Yes,' they replied, 'he is dead.'

Then David got up from the ground.

After he had washed,

put on lotions and changed his clothes,

he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped.

Then he went to his own house,

and at this request they served him food,

and he ate."

2 Samuel 2:19-20 NLT

He couldn't eat, not when his son's life was at stake.  He would do whatever it took to demonstrate his remorse to the God who mercifully spared his own life only to strike his son with illness.  David hoped his gracious God would release this innocent child from the fatal consequence of his own sin.  Why must my boy suffer for how I grieved the Lord?

David hoped beyond all hope that God would spare his son.  He put the precious child in God's hands, acknowledging God's sovereignty over his life.  Once the boy died, however, David moved on, accepting the fate God had delivered.

It can be almost impossible to move forward after such a devastating loss, especially as a result of one's own sin.  Thankfully, all things are possible with God and He has shown me through David's example how to do just that.

Let Go

The sin seemed to hang over her like a heavy layer of fog.  She couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that plagued her, tainting her flesh with a leprosy-like shame.  How could she ever forgive herself for being so stupid?

Like this woman, I often hold onto my sin like some kind of shameful trophy, letting it define me.  When I only think of myself as a sinner, I miss out on half of the gospel!  Yes, I am definitely a sinner who can never reach God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23), but I am also forgiven by a gracious God through the blood of Jesus. (Ephesians 3:7) Failing to accept this forgiveness as my own leaves me as a crippled child, unable to live my life the way God intended. (John 10:10)

David understood the gracious and merciful nature of God.  When the Lord said David was forgiven and his sin were removed from him (2 Samuel 12:13), this man after God's own heart believed it to be true.  He accepted the pardon that was so mercifully offered.

This same absolution from the death sentence my sin has earned me has also been offered to me through faith in Christ.  Due to His selfless sacrifice on the cross, my sin has been removed from me as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12)  Though my sins are like scarlet, I have been bleached white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) All that remains is the righteousness of Christ. (Romans 3:22)

With such a gift tucked firmly in my heart, how can I go on living in shame?  It's as if I were spitting in the face of Jesus!  He went through Hell to deliver the gift of salvation, yet I fail to accept it when I hang onto my sin.  I fail to let the blood of Jesus cover my sin when I don't fully embrace the forgiveness God offers, letting it taint me as if Jesus never died.  I live cowering in disgrace as if the death of my precious Savior accomplished nothing.  I don't want His death to be in vain!

In order to move on from the shame my sin leaves behind, it is time I fully embrace the forgiveness found in Christ, letting His blood cover my sin so it no longer taunts me.

Worship God

I just didn't feel like giving God any accolades.  My heart felt cold as a stone and I couldn't bring myself to offer even a tiny bit of praise.  So many trials had struck my life at one time; what good can I offer to God?  For what is there to thank Him?

I often think worship is based on my feelings.  If life is good and I'm feeling fine, I can sing His praises.  When everything starts falling apart, however, and I'm overwhelmed with pain and suffering, it can be hard to turn my heart toward the God who is waiting to love and comfort me.

In reality, God deserves my praise no matter what is going on in my life.  Job, possibly the most afflicted man in all of human history, was able to give honor to God for his very life in the midst of great anguish.  Even though he had lost all his children and wealth, he was able to say, "Blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:20-21)

My present circumstances don't diminish God's glory in the least bit.  He is still God, sitting high upon His throne.  It is by His hand that I take each breathe and only due to His mercy that I wake each morning.  I often find it significant that no matter what hurt or difficulty is plaguing my life or what tragedy has struck the world at large, the birds continue to sing praises to their Creator.  Nothing stops them from paying tribute to His glory!

Similarly, I can wake up with a song on my heart because I am redeemed by a God who didn't have to pluck me from the grave but out of love, chose to do so. (Romans 5:8) I can focus on the good that flourishes all around me, giving thanks to my Father for providing such bounty. (James 1:17, Isaiah 6:3) I can turn my attention away from the darkness of evil that threatens to overtake me, and instead home in on the Light of the world that delivers hope to my heart. (John 1:4-5, John 8:12)

In order to move on from the heartache found in the midst of a dark world I can choose to worship God no matter my circumstances.

Get on With Living

I stood at the edge of the conveyor belt watching for my luggage to appear.  It seemed all the other travelers from my flight were plucking their suitcases off the moving delivery system except for me.  Where was my stuff?

I can often feel like I'm standing on the outskirts of life, watching it pass on by like that luggage that didn't belong to me.  The hurt in my heart, or the pain in my body, or the bitterness of my soul can paralyze me, preventing me from joining in with life.  

When Jesus died on the cross, He became a conduit that delivered new life to me.  Along with this new life came a purpose; a grand design.  Every experience, each event, all the circumstances, whether good or bad, weave together to form a beautiful tapestry that is called my life.  Some threads seem ugly, hurtful and useless at the time, but in the hands of the Master Weaver, they work together to become breathtakingly gorgeous. (Romans 8:28)

Such a masterpiece is not meant to be admired like a painting in a museum.  No!  I am a piece of art that is intended to be used.  There is a great plan for my life that was put in place from the beginning of time; good things for me to do, kingdom missions for me to accomplish and acts of kindness for me to perform. (Ephesians 2:10) No one else can do what I've been called to do.

Therefore, when hard times come my way I can remember that I do not suffer in vain.  Instead, it will all work together to help conform me into the image of Christ, building character traits that will last forever and providing raw materials needed to build the masterpiece of my life.  

This amazing creation that is my life, then, will be used to bring glory to God as I follow the path He has set before me.  If I stay rooted in place, however, refusing to set foot on the course marked out for me because of the hurt I feel, or the pain I'm experiencing, or the injustice I've suffered, I'll never truly find my purpose.  I will not be living, then, but merely surviving.

In order to embrace the life God has created for me to live, I can decide to get on with it, refusing to let sin and suffering keep me from the plan God uniquely designed for me to fulfill.

David could have moped around, wallowing in the grief of losing his son and the shame of falling so far.  Instead, he accepted the forgiveness offered to him, took the time to worship God in the midst of his suffering, and got on with the business of living.  In so doing, he demonstrated for me how to move on when sin and suffering taints my life.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust God enough to accept the forgiveness He offers through faith in Christ.

When do I beat myself up for past or present sins, essentially refusing the forgiveness that came from Jesus' sacrifice?

How am I rooted to the spot in misery when I could move forward on the path God designed for me to walk?