Proof of His Love

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.

His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:

His love endures forever."

Psalm 136:1-3

I read the words on the page proclaiming of God's amazing, enduring love, but how do I know it is real?  How do I know He loves me?  I mean, really know deep in my heart without a doubt?  How can I take a risk to place my entire life in His loving hands, trusting that He won't hurt me, exploit me or let me down?  It takes faith.  

Here is some evidence of His great love to bolster my faith.

Great Wonders.  Standing under the expanse of sky that crisp, clear night, I am struck by the enormity of the universe and of my own tiny, insignificant life.  In comparison to all the twinkling stars I see sprinkled throughout the dark canvass above me, I realize there is a great Force at work in this world who has created unimaginable wonders, things I can barely comprehend let alone try to mimic: Oceans teaming with wildlife, a plethora of flora and fauna waiting to be discovered, a sun whose rise and fall I can set my watch to, and the moon whose glorious glow, in the words of Clement Clark Moore, gives "the lustre of mid-day to objects below."  (Psalm 136:4-9)

And the conclusion the psalmist draws from recognizing such wonders?  "His love endures forever."  A God who would grant such glorious gifts to His most prized possession, His beautiful image bearers, is the God of a permanent kind of love of which I can never lose.  I am secure in the love from a God such as this.  If He can perform such miraculous, creative wonders, is there anything He will not do out of His great love?  Nope, nothing is off-limits to such a loving God!

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence pointing toward God's enduring love is all of creation of which I am an integral part.

Salvation.  There is a track record of salvation written throughout the pages of scripture.  God is continually at work saving His people (Psalm 136:10-16).  Sometimes its the oppression of sin and fear that holds me down, compelling me to call out to the One whose sword can free me from the guilt and anxiety that often comes with living in a fallen world.  Other times its the so-called impossible situations I often face which send me to my knees where I find delivery from what I once labeled as my lot in life.  Then there are the times when I'm confronted by the ugly monsters of life, the giants that bully me into submission, giving me cause to cry out in desperation to the God who fights these overwhelming battles on my behalf.

And the conclusion the psalmist draws from remembering such salvation?  "His love endures forever."  A God whose heart is inclined toward the suffering of His people produces the kind of love on which I can count.  His love will never let me down, and there is never a time when I cannot cry out to Him and expect Him to ride in on His great white stead and rescue me from my present danger.

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence pointing toward God's enduring love is His willingness to rescue me.

Sovereignty.  Protection.  Provision.  Blessing.  Rescue.  Despite my unfaithfulness to a God who is in complete control, He still chooses to remember me, to see me in my current situation, to comfort me in all my troubles.  His authority over all things is often forgotten as I go about my day, attempting to feebly protect my wounded pride with coldness of heart, guarding against every conceivable disaster with insurance and money in the bank, and struggling to rescue myself from the stresses of life by using my own twisted methods of coping.  I find myself failing miserably, yet He never writes me off as a lost cause, always ready to use His sovereign power for my benefit.

And the conclusion the psalmist draws from realizing such perfect authority over all things?  "His love endures forever."  A God who is completely in control of all things yet yearns for me to willingly submit to His perfect plan for my life is a God whose love can be trusted as safe, faithful, and abundant.  He does not need me, yet He wants me.  And not just parts of me as I so often tend to give, but all of me; every nook and cranny of my heart.  

One of the most compelling pieces of evidence pointing toward God's enduring love is His sovereignty over all things yet willingness to be a personal part of my seemingly insignificant life.

It's sometimes hard to believe anyone, let alone the God of the universe, could love me.  He is all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing; why would He care about me?  The beauty of this God of all gods is that He is made of love.  And the proof of His great love is written throughout His creation, found in the way He chooses to save me, and in His sovereign power that is used for my good.  This is some evidence of His love which can propel me forward into His waiting arms.  Why wait another minute?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can trust my whole life to such a God as this.  

How do I hold out on God, unsure of His love for me?

When do I doubt His love despite the fact that there is evidence everywhere?  

Trouble with a Capital "T"

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous,

but the LORD delivers him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19 ESV

"I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden, along with the sunshine; there's gotta be a little rain sometime!"  I remember singing along to this catchy 1973 hit by Lynn Anderson.  As a child, I didn't really pay attention to the lyrics, but as an adult I think this first line could have been penned by God Himself.  

Committing my life to following Jesus does not mean my life will be trouble-free.  It's quite the contrary, really, as I live in enemy territory in a body that can be my greatest adversary until I'm called home (John 16:33, 1 Peter 2:11-12).  This sounds like a recipe for difficulty, if you ask me!  I'm not promised a life free of hard times but an abundant life in the midst of the mess (John 10:10).

But.  If the first part of today's scripture passage was the whole message, life would be hopeless indeed!  Thankfully, there is a "but."  The "but" means there is something more; an Overcomer who has vanquished death and has authority over sin and evil!  

Through Jesus, my Champion, I can live without fear of death.  It is no longer the end, but only the beginning of an eternity of bliss in the presence of the One who loves me perfectly!  I can trust Him that the everlasting home that is promised me will be one that fulfills me perfectly, giving me complete contentment as things return to how they were meant to be (John 14:2-3).  

I can also live a life free from the bondage of sin where temptation is not my slave driver but I can choose to take the out He's provided and walk a new way that is contrary to my fleshly desires (1 Corinthians 10:13, Romans 6:6).

Furthermore, Satan has no license to operate freely in my life.  Instead, through Jesus I have authority over him, giving him no leeway except for what I allow.  When I recognize his evil plot, my Warrior has given me armor and weapons with which to fight him off (Ephesians 6:13-18).

Jesus is who I need to withstand the trouble I face in this world.

Deliverance.  It was like nothing anyone had ever seen before.  The men walked in the fiery furnace that was hot enough to melt iron yet emerged unscathed, without even the smell of smoke upon them (Daniel 3:19-30).  How could this be?  God delivered them!

The same is promised for me as His child through faith in Jesus Christ. Even though the waters may rise up until I may fear drowning, He will be with me keeping my head above the waters.  When rapids rush around me, threatening to take me back from where I came, I won't succumb to the current.  While I may not escape the fire, the flames will not destroy me (Isaiah 43:1-3).

In the same way that Jesus was there with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as they walked in Nebuchadnezzar's deadly furnace, He has promised to never leave me nor forsake me (Daniel 3:25, Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5).  With Him at my side, what weapon can prevail, what trouble can overcome me (Romans 8:31, Isaiah 54:17 )?

Jesus is my deliverer who will stand with me through the trial, delivering me through it unscathed.

Complete.  Ever present.  Always ready. Very present.  Well-proved.  God is my refuge and strength.  Always, without fail, never to let me down in my time of need (Psalm 46:1).  With such a God as this at my side, what do I have to fear?

God's help is complete and whole.  He does not do a job half-way, but delivers total healing, full recovery, and thorough transformation.  He does not miss a detail.  Therefore, I can trust Him completely no matter what chaos is going on around me.  

Still, I must keep close to Him and train my attention upon Him to keep the current crisis from sending me into a tailspin of panic.  God is my refuge, but I must stick with Him in order to experience the help He is ready to give.  He will not let me down.

Jesus can be counted on to always provide complete help at just the right time.

Yes, life is full of trouble with a capital "T."  Even though I'm ushered into God's kingdom through faith in Jesus Christ, I'm not promised an easy, comfortable life.  I do have hope, though, in the person of Jesus Christ who will always be with me, faithfully delivering me through whatever trial may come.  Therefore, I can choose faith in Jesus instead of fear of what surrounds me.  I'm not promised a rose garden, but the joy that comes with walking through the fire with Jesus smells sweeter than any flower ever could!

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can keep my eyes on Jesus as I encounter today's trouble with the grace God has promised me.

When do I let the trouble send me into fear and doubt?

In my panic, how do I forget Who is right beside me?           

Because of Who He is

"I love you, LORD;

you are my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies."

Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

God is worthy to be praised.  It is easy to extol His virtues after a successful rescue mission, or when He protects me from harm, or on the occasion of witnessing a work of His mighty hand.  

If I believe He is so great, however, I can choose to always give Him praise, as if I believe I am already saved, guarded, and delivered, even before I am.  Yes, I can praise Him at all times because of who He is.

Rock.  The door to the barn shifted in the bitter cold Northerly.  As big as it was, rising 15 feet up, it's weight was no match for such a strong wind.  I found some large boulders nearby that would do the job of shoring up the door for the next storm.  Heavy as they were, these rocks would not be moved by any force of nature.

Stones have that reputation.  They are used as paperweights to keep light sheets from blowing off the desk, or can be fashioned into a foundation for a house, or can even stand as a landmark for generations to use to find their way.  A rock is going to stay in place even when mighty trees could be uprooted by strong gusts or heavy rains.

God is this rock.  He's unmovable.  He doesn't change (James 1:17).  He isn't susceptible to suggestion (Isaiah 40:13).  God is solid and dependable (Numbers 23:19).  For this reason, I can take refuge in Him.  Despite what is going on around me, I can always find Him right where I left Him.  I can believe He is there even if I don't sense His presence because He is my solid, unwavering rock.

When everything is swirling around me and I don't know which way is up, I can stand on this firm foundation, gaining my bearings once again.  When I begin to sink down into the pit of despair, feeling hopeless and discouraged, I can step up onto this solid pillar of strength, finding firm footing again.  When I'm confused and unsure, like I'm wandering through a wilderness of uncertainty, I can look for Him as a beacon of guidance, knowing I will find Him in His steadfastness.

I can praise God because He is my solid Rock.

Fortress.  The wind was relentless up on top of the mountain.  While the view was gorgeous, all of Puget Sound laid out before me, the bitter cold was made worse by the gusts blowing right through my clothes.  I made my way to the stone tower, hoping to find some shelter.  As soon as I stepped inside the solid structure, I was surprised how much warmer it felt.  I had found a fortress against the storm.

Life is like a storm, relentlessly pounding against me, wearing me down.  In such an environment, I need shelter.  I need a fortress that will protect me from harm.  I need a refuge where I will be safe.

God is that fortress.  No matter what happens in this world, I can find security in Him.  His solid nature can guard my mind from confusion, providing a refuge from the tantalizing lies I am tempted to adopt as truth.  His protecting Spirit keeps me from bearing too strong a temptation, giving me a way out in His mercy (1 Corinthians 10:13).

I can praise God because He is my Fortress.

Deliverer.  When I went through Lifeguard training, one of the important skills I learned was how to escape from an aggressive victim.  Those who are trying to save themselves, thrashing around in desperation, make for a dangerous rescue because they can take the rescuer down with them.  For this reason, a lifeguard prefers to help someone who knows their need for help and has surrendered to the lifesaver's efforts.   

It's the same with me and Jesus.  I am unable to help myself, but that doesn't always stop me from trying.  Before I can be saved, however, I must realize my need for a Savior.  If I don't think I'm in jeopardy or danger, or believe that I can somehow save myself, I won't see my need to be delivered nor will I make a good candidate for saving.  It is necessary for me to feel the weight of my sin in order to truly appreciate what Jesus did for me on the cross, but it's also important that I fully give into His rescue plan, trusting fully in Him as my Deliverer.

Sometimes I think I'm partially responsible for my own deliverance, like I can play some kind of role in my own rescue.  In reality, God is the only One who is able to deliver me from the punishment of my own sins.  After all, I am unable to meet His perfect standard as is required to enter into His holy presence (Romans 3:23).  I need the blood of Jesus to save me from the wrath of God my sins have brought down upon myself (Romans 6:23).  Trying to take part in my own salvation is even more ridiculous than me thinking I can save myself when I'm drowning.

Other times I feel guilty for letting Him bear such a load so I attempt to take some of the burden back until I cry, "I can't take this anymore!"  I can even get the idea that I can help myself this time, thinking that I'll let God handle the next crisis, until I buckle under the pressure of trying to be my own savior.

I can praise God because He is my Deliverer.

I don't have to wait until God comes through.  Instead, I can praise Him now for what He is always doing on my behalf, honoring Him as my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer.  I can always worship Him for who He is, not just what He's done.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can praise God in the midst of the storm, giving Him accolades for who He is.

When do I withhold praise until things turn out the way I want?

How am I guilty of only worshiping God for what He has done for me instead of admiring His character and attributes?          

The Danger in Standing Silent

"'Don't shed any blood.

Throw him into this cistern here in the wilderness,

but don't lay a hand on him.'

Reuben said this to rescue him from them

and take him back to his father.

So when Joseph came to his brothers,

they stripped him of his robe--

the ornate robe he was wearing--

and they took him and threw him into the cistern.

Genesis 37:22-24a

She noticed something was off but couldn't put her finger on it.  Looking at the clock, she groaned as the time seemed to mock her, "Three o'clock" the timepiece glowed.  Only two hours and she'd have to get up. Better go back to sleep, she thought to herself.  Still, there was something wrong, she could feel it.

Reluctantly, this woman rose up out of bed and peered out the window.  What she saw brought her fully awake: an unfamiliar pick-up truck was backed up to her neighbor's house while men seemed to be helping themselves to the vacationing family's possessions.  Quickly she called 9-1-1 and soon the authorities were on the scene, making an arrest.

The example set by this citizen was used at our community's crime watch meeting to remind residents the importance of keeping an eye out for our neighbors.  One phone call can save a life, help catch a criminal and make a difference.  In the same way, when I sense God's Spirit prodding me to do something to help another, but fail to take action, there will be consequences.  

Others suffer when I fail to speak up on behalf of the weak, take steps to protect a victim, or put my faith into action by sticking my neck out to help one who is at the end of her rope. There is a danger to standing silent.

Backfire

Abram was a man who trusted God enough to pack up all his belongings and move away from his extended family in order to obey the call of the Lord.  He did more than just give lip service to his faith; he put it into action.  When it came to his wife, however, his faith wavered.  What if a man of influence is taken by her beauty and kills me in order to have her as his own? he worried.  So, instead of trusting God to protect them, Abram came up with his own plan.  He called his own beloved his sister in order to spare his own life.  (Genesis 12:10-13)

While this may have made sense to him at the time, the scheme ended up backfiring.  The Egyptians were indeed overwhelmed with the beauty of Sarai, but the Pharaoh himself claimed her as his own.  While she lived in his palace, though, the entire household suffered as God brought down terrible plagues upon their heads. As a result, Abram brought out the anger of the leader of the most powerful nation in the region:  Not exactly a great plan! (Genesis 12:17-20)

While things turned out alright in the end for Abram and Sarai, there must have been some sleepless nights while his soul-mate slept under the roof of another man and he wondered if he'd ever see his wife again.  Instead of trying to take the easy way out, then, I can learn from Abram's life that God's way is always best.  Only He can see the outcome and knows what is truly needed.

Therefore, I can follow His lead, taking a stand when He convicts me to do so.  Instead of waiting to take action when I know in my heart of hearts that a neighbor is abusing his child, I can make the call that could save her young life.  While I may tell myself it's none of my business, the wife who confides in me about her husband's cruel and heavy-handed ways is making it my affair.  It may be easy to look the other way when a gang of thugs descends upon a homeless man, but the God whose Spirit fills my being will not let me rest until I take a stand.

If I fail to act in each of these instances, I am sowing seeds of indifference.  And I should never be fooled into thinking that I will reap abundance when I've been so stingy. (Galatians 6:7-9)

When I know something is wrong yet don't speak up, my own lack of action will come back around to haunt me.

Tragedy

It seemed he had not followed through on a command to circumcise his sons.  Instead, he went forward in obedience to God's call to travel to Egypt and confront the Pharaoh, but he failed to do as he was told in the area of circumcision.  As a result, Moses nearly lost his life at the hand of God before he even started his mission. (Exodus 4:24-26)

While it is easy to ignore the commands I don't understand or am reluctant to carry out, my inaction or procrastination could have costly consequences.  Failing to dispose of a violent video game, for example, may result in the corruption of a child's heart that could taint the whole course of his life.  

As difficult as it is to take a stand as a leader against foul language and harassment in the workplace, my inaction could precipitate an employee taking matters into her own hands in a fit of frustration.  

Similarly, there are times when I don't want to rock the boat, but speaking up in defense of the defenseless could end up saving a precious life.

When I know something is wrong yet don't speak up, my own lack of action could end in tragedy.

Spread Wide

He stood by, wringing his hands and pleading with his sons to do the right thing.  "Stop stealing form the Lord's sacrifices!  I have heard how you take the best for yourselves.  I also demand that you cease your shameful seduction of the young women of God who come here to serve Him.  Stop, for your own sake if not for mine!" (Paraphrased from 1 Samuel 2)  Instead of heeding the warnings from their father, however, the wayward sons kept at their corrupt activities.

While Eli did warn his boys, he did not take any action to make sure they didn't defile the Lord's temple in such appalling ways.  In this way, he was holding his own relationship with his offspring as more important than his connection to the Lord, making his children more valuable than God himself.  Therefore, not only did God remove Eli's family from the priestly line, but He also promised that every member of his family would live a short life of great suffering.  Even more, each one would watch in envy as all of Israel prospered without them.  (1 Samuel 2:30-34)

Eli's inaction had widespread consequences.  In the same way, I must be careful to think that I'll only hurt myself if I stand by in silence.  Failing to act when I know there is a right thing to do always affects more than just me.  Instead, I would be wise to do what needs to be done for the sake of those around me.

When I know something is wrong yet I don't speak up, my own lack of action could have widespread consequences.

There is no doubt that standing up and doing the right thing takes conviction and courage.  Standing by silently, while seemingly easier, carries with it a great cost.  Sometimes my own plan backfires, tragedy occurs, or the affect of my inaction is widespread.  Whatever the cost, however, of one thing I can be sure:  there is danger in doing nothing.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can draw courage from a God who is willing to give me all the power I need to protect those who can't protect themselves.

When do I fail to act because I think it won't matter?

Are there times in my life when I've caused suffering because of my inaction?