Slaughtered yet Loved

Psalms 44:20‭-‬23

If we had forgotten the name of our God
or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
would not God discover this?
For he knows the secrets of the heart.
Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!

...............

On first glance, this Psalm appears to be a simple cry for help. The psalmist is clearly in the depths of despair, feeling abandoned by God. There is a familiar pattern we see in many of the laments. The structure of the poem breaks down like this:

A recounting of God's past faithfulness (v. 1-8)
An accusation of God's present rejection (v. 9-22)
A plea for God's future deliverance (v. 23-26)

Granted, no painful crisis is simple, and pleading for God's intervention is not all that simple either. We are reminded again of the importance of remembering God's real intervening actions in times past. We are reminded that great men and women of faith had times of real doubting and even voiced honest accusations in prayer to God. God can handle our honesty, and that is often the path of reflection that reconnects us to our merciful Savior in the midst of deep pain. He empathizes with our weakness and temptations because he too bore them in Christ.

But compared to other Psalms, this does not appear to break new ground or reveal anything new about who God is or what he has accomplished. That is, until you recognize how this Psalm is quoted by Paul in Romans 8. Let's focus there for a moment:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35‭-‬39)

This passage in Romans is one of the richest promises in all of Scripture. The assurance and permanence of the love of Christ is described with absolute certainty, no matter the circumstance. And here we find that the more we grasp the depths of Psalm 44, the more rich and relieving this promise becomes.

That must have been Paul's intention. His Jewish audience should have been familiar with this painful Psalm and the emotions it would invoke. And despite the sense of rejection the persecuted Roman Christians felt, God had not fallen asleep or forgotten his precious children. Nothing, absolutely nothing in all creation, could separate them from the love of God now fully revealed in the finished work of Christ.

Lord, help me to bring my crisis to you in honest prayer. I am weak and short-sighted. Help me to see and believe that you remain faithful even in this hard time. And I know this is true because you have offered your Son who has conquered death and now lives in me. All I have and all I will ever need is found in you:

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31‭-‬32)

When Jesus Prays for Us

John 17:1‭-‬5

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,  since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him.  And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

...............

John 17 is called the High Priestly Prayer, and that will only matter to you if you have a deep appreciation for what a priest is meant to be. As the book of Hebrews repeatedly claims, Jesus took the role of priest and did so in a way far superior to the earthly priests of Israel. He not only intercedes for us before a holy God, but does so in a way that is perfect and permanent. He is also unlike the human priests in that he did not offer an imperfect lamb -- he offered the perfect gift of himself to atone for our sins completely.

So, what does this prayer tell us about the priestly role of Jesus? And what does this matter in our own lives?

First, in this prayer, we are given a rare glimpse into the intimacy between Jesus and his Father. The Gospels have so far described Jesus' prayer life from the outside, but here we get an emotional peak behind the curtain. We are given an idea of what else Jesus was thinking and feeling in Gethsemane, just hours before his trial and execution. Jesus twice refers to his relationship with the Father existing before the world began, confirming again his divine nature. So, we are seeing Jesus' divinity, his special relationship with the Father, and all in the context of him facing the ultimate sacrifice. We see a man deeply concerned for his friends who are about to face many fears and threats of there own. We see the heart of Jesus toward his Father and toward us his followers. This is the only kind of priest we can put our hope in.

Second, we are shown some of the specific things which Jesus prays for, which include some incredible life-changing promises for you and I. These include eternal life, which he says consists primarily of knowing the Father and Son personally. He prays for his friends, for their protection in the face of a hateful world. He prays that they would be sanctified in the truth, set apart to know and proclaim the good news. He prays for those who would believe through their preaching, including us reading this today centuries later. He prays for our unity, and the means of that unity -- that we would know the love that is shared between the Father and Son.

This last part of the prayer is worth focusing on, because it is requested as if it were already guaranteed:

Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them." (John 17:24‭-‬26)

What initially sounds like a prayer request ends up sounding like a guarantee. Jesus desires us to be with him, to see his glory that has existed from all eternity. And he promises to continue making this glory known to us. What a promise! And what does it mean to know his glory? It means experiencing the love which the Father has for his precious son. It means having Jesus himself in us, the object of God's eternal affection.

What could possibly matter more to our daily life? What fear, what anxiety, what disappointment could possibly stand up in the face of such a phenomenal promise that is ours today? Christ in us, the hope of glory! Consider the great exchange Jesus has made with us. He is our priest and our sacrifice, and in his place we now stand -- forgiven, accepted into God's family, filled with his power and presence, and promised an inheritance we didn't deserve.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor. 5:21)

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Talk to Yourself

Psalms 42:9‭-‬11

I say to God, my rock:
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?"
As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

............

Psalms 42 and 43 together form one song with a repeating refrain. This is one of the few Hebrew poems with a chorus, making it suddenly familiar and similar to our modern pop songs and worship ballads. What makes it a little different than most Christian worship songs is that the psalmist is talking to himself. Rather than addressing God directly or even addressing fellow believers, he is talking to himself. And since he repeats it three times, it's worth focusing on this verse as the key phrase in the passage:

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.

Notice there is a question and an answer. This reflects the turmoil the psalmist is experiencing within himself. The surrounding verses include reference to feeling desperate for God's help, thirsty for God, aching for relief. Verse 8 describes a man so oppressed by enemies that he goes around mourning, wondering why God has abandoned him. But the chorus turns the question from God to himself. It is a turning point, a step away from despair and toward resolution. And the resolution is an effort of faith:

Hope in God for I shall again praise him.

I call this an effort of faith because believing in the midst of trials can be a real effort. Some circumstances can be so loud that they drown out other voices. His enemies are asking "where is your God?" And he is tempted to ask himself that as well. But, notice that the psalmist instead chooses to remember times past when he felt closer to God and enjoyed his blessing (verse 4). This is part of the effort to fight despair and believe in God's goodness. When we recall better days, we can hope for future blessings with more confidence.

For another example of this practice of talking to yourself, consider Lamentations, where Jeremiah was facing terrible trials of his own:

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lam. 3:21‭-‬23)

So, talk to yourself. Instead of just listening to your surroundings or your own doubts, fire back with the objective truth of the gospel. Once you've voiced your fears to God, go a step further and choose to remember the truth of God's goodness and preach it to yourself. This is more than the power of positive thinking. This is exercising real choice in what you think about and applying the truth to your own heart when you need it most. Call him your Rock, your salvation, your God. Sing along with the saints the words that your heart desperately needs to hear.

Here's another example from the hymnal to keep you talking to yourself:

Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears:
the bleeding Sacrifice
in my behalf appears:
before the throne my Surety stands,
before the throne my Surety stands,
my name is written on his hands.

My God is reconciled;
his pard'ning voice I hear;
he owns me for his child,
I can no longer fear;
with confidence I now draw nigh,
with confidence I now draw nigh,
and "Father, Abba, Father!" cry.

(Charles Wesley 1742)

Praise & Lament

Psalm 40:10-11

I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!

...............

As many lament psalms do, Psalm 40 follows a basic structure. Cries for help are interwoven with declarations of God's character and promises. It is not simply a lament followed by an affirmation of faith, nor the reverse, an affirmation followed by a plea for deliverance. These two realities go back and forth in the life of the believer. Sometimes in the same breath. We make bold professions of faith in the real power and goodness of our Savior. And at the same time, we wrestle with very real circumstances that shake this faith and make us desperate.

On the one hand, the psalmist is confident in the mercy and kindness of God. More than once he points to the thoughts of God toward us and the deeds of God toward us. It is astounding that God thinks of us! He cares for our daily needs. He has shown himself kind in a multitude of ways, if we would but slow down and count them.

Food on the table
Money in the bank account
Clothes on our backs
A job to work each day
Friends to share laughter with
Family to share burdens and joys
Breath in our lungs

Each day becomes a precious gift as we remember that life is so fragile and yet filled with incredible potential.

You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
yet they are more than can be told.(40:5)

And we are called upon to proclaim the many blessings and signs of God's kindness so that others will know. This psalm is calling us to sing loud and sing proud! And it is an example for us to follow as we encourage others in our lives to do the same. May we count our blessings and call others to do the same. It may be the very thing they need to remember that day.

On the other hand, the psalmist is clearly walking through hard circumstances. The call to boldness co-mingles with cries for help! In fact, it is the very goodness and promise of God that grounds our request for help. The reminder of his character bolsters and amplifies our prayers for assistance because this sharpens our focus on the One to whom we pray.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!(40:13)

Let us be deeply encouraged that our prayers do not rise into the air in vain. There is a mighty and gracious God listening, giving thought to our situation and working it out for good. As we cry those tears, he is catching them one by one. And the pathway to our deliverance is to integrate praise into our prayers for help. As we proclaim his past deliverance, his present character, and his future promised care, we find new faith swelling in our hearts.

One last thought: as you read the Psalms, notice the punctuation marks. The pauses. The question marks. And in this case, the exclamation marks! Even in times of trial, may our faith shine and our words exclaim something clear and true. God has not changed and his promised salvation is but moments away.

Private Sins, Public Grace

Psalm 36:1-12

Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God before his eyes.  
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil. 

Lord, you see and know the atrocities of evil men. You see them plotting in the night, and daydreaming of what they secretly desire. You see their hypocrisy as they justify themselves. You know every secret deep in our hearts.

Your steadfast love, O Lord,
extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.  
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord. 

 

Father, you contrast the dark hearts of men with a love that stretches from eternity to eternity. You offer your kindness publicly and without shame.

How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge
in the shadow of your wings. 
They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink
from the river of your delights. 
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light. 

God, your vast heart of love overflows in blessings poured out on the heads of all men. Even those who despise you are daily drinking of your gifts and enjoying your patience. If only they would see the fountain from whom all these delights arise - then they would truly have life.

Oh, continue your steadfast love
to those who know you,
and your righteousness
to the upright of heart! 
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 
There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.

Not one day of life is promised to us, so those who know You ask for a continuing of your kindness and protection. Let the bodies of evil men lie motionless so that injustice and sorrow may finally cease. Bring your judgment and spare those who trust you, by your grace alone!

The Well That Satisfies

John 4:13-15

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

...............

Time for some honesty.

There are many times and many days when I do not see Jesus as very satisfying. I may hear someone talking about the Bible or Christian life and it sounds like religious jargon. All talk. All abstract concepts and theological acrobatics. On these days I am tempted to find my comfort and satisfaction in whatever my eyes and ears crave. I know that the source of all pleasure is God, but I prefer his creation over the creator. I scan the internet for whatever is new and shiny. I get lost in a new song or film or game or tech gadget. These things appear more tangible, more immediate, and more fulfilling than going to God via prayer or scripture reading. Seeking him seems less like a priceless privilege and more like a tedious effort.

In John 4, a Samaritan woman just wants some water. A simple basic human need.

Jesus sees more.

He sees before him a human being made in His image. He sees her birth, childhood, adulthood. He sees her broken past and hopeless present. He sees that she has been thirsting for more than water.

That woman was not unlike myself. She had 5 husbands, probably in a tireless effort to quench that deep deep longing for companionship that cannot be met by anything in this life. She thought the "next thing" would finally meet that need. The grass was always greener on the other side, and she did not hesitate to jump the fence and put her hopes in the next best thing. But, what she really needed, more than anything else she was thirsting for, more than another husband or another drink from the well, was to be fully known, fully understood, and to connect with the One who knows her true self.

You see that as the chapter progresses. When Jesus tells her about the adultery he sees in her life, that is the point where she is taken aback. She may have been surprised by his willingness to talk with her, but his prophetic omniscience was unbelievable. That was the thing that she went on to tell the whole neighborhood about, and it's what convinced the whole town that Jesus was the Savior of the world:

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him....Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” (John 4:28-30, 39-42)

Being fully known and understood is what we really thirst for, even if that reveals our deepest fears and sins. That is what can satisfy and cause us to believe. And that is what Jesus offers. Not only that, but he approaches us and initiates that relationship, seeking us out even while we cling to earthly wells. He knows all about that and still wants to claim us as his own.

And we must respond to his initiation with worship. As Jesus answered this poor woman's questions, he called her to worship God in spirit and in truth. This transcends the trivialities of which temple site (or music style) is right or wrong. Jesus was calling her to connect with him personally, not just religiously. He was the omnicient God almighty right there in the flesh. He knew the real truth about her. And that's how we need to see him and approach him. As real people, with real struggles and temptations, seeking a real savior who really wants to know us and welcome us into his family.

That is a deep well that truly satisfies.

Faith in His Mercy

Luke 18:6-8

And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" 

...............

This chapter revolves around examples of true faith, and each example defines faith as utter dependence upon the mercy of almighty God.

1. The widow. The first example of the persistent widow connects faith and mercy explicitly. Jesus teaches that our God will surely hear the cries of his people for justice. But then he questions whether such cries are even happening - "will he find faith on earth?" We are called to be like the persistent widow, who proved her faith in God's mercy by the unrelenting nature of her prayers. She persevered to the end and saw the merciful character of God proved true.

The rub: Is my lack of prayer because I don't believe He is merciful? And does this weak faith result from ignoring his word and not dwelling on his kind heart, displayed at the cross?

2. The tax collector. Along with persistence, our faith in God's mercy must be accompanied by undeserving humility. The Pharisee made a list of his successes. But God was more impressed with the taxman who knew he deserved nothing before a holy God.

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:13, 14)

The rub: Do I hope God will accept me for my list of good deeds, or because I simply have faith in his kindness toward the humble?

3. The children. The kids rushed to him, eager to see, hear, and touch this man who seemed to relate and sympathize with them in some unique way. The kids were often looked down upon in this culture, but Jesus saw them. He noticed them and paid attention to them. And Jesus defined true faith using the kids as his model and example: because they so unashamedly trusted him.

The rub: Do I come to him like a child, trusting he will accept me as I am?

4. The blind beggar. What if you had no possessions, no friends, no purpose, and no real hope that life will get any better? And no eyesight. You are blind. Then, you hear rumors of a healer who is both willing and able to make cripples well. And, he is walking toward you right now. How you respond in his presence will directly reflect what you believe about him. And this beggar responds in a way that perfectly fits his need and Jesus' ability to meet that need: "Son of David, have mercy on me!" His faith was dependent upon the reality of God's mercy.

The rub: Do I cry out persistently, humbly, like a child, like a beggar? Or am I the opposite? Occasional in prayer, self-reliant, presumed mature, secure in my comfortable lifestyle. Can this be faith? Can this be trust in the merciful character of God? Do I dwell on his mercies? Do I even believe in them?

Lord, remind me of your kindness. Let me never give up seeking You, learning about your mighty deeds and promises, and crying out for mercy on a daily basis. I am your child, you are my Father. I rely completely on you and stake all of my hope in your merciful love. Amen.

(re)Learning Who God Is

Luke 11:11-13

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;  or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

...............

This chapter begins and ends with passages that challenge us to relearn the nature of God.

The first passage, on the surface, is just about prayer. But it is also about the nature of the One to whom we pray. And that nature is summed up in the word "father."

We are so removed from this first century Jewish context, but this characterization of God is just as radical today as it was then. Why else would Jesus have to appeal to these contrasting examples of bad friends and bad fathers who know how to give good earthly gifts? He is having to help us unlearn and then relearn who God is - really learning for the very first time that God is an abundantly generous and attentive father who listens and cares for his children. The contrast is both quantitative ("how much more") and qualitative (fish/egg vs. Holy Spirit). God is not just a father, but the preeminent father par excellence.

The chapters closes with another passage that challenges prevailing notions of who God is:

While Jesus was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him, so he went in and reclined at table. The Pharisee was astonished to see that he did not first wash before dinner. (Luke 11:37-38)

At this dinner table, we are confronted with a vision of God that threatens our religious habits and preconceived notions of what is right and proper in the eyes of God. Ceremonial hand washing appears to have been so basic to Jewish decorum that neglecting to do so was astonishing. Again, what is really going on here is a revelation of God's character in contrast to the notions of the time, even among the religious leaders, who should have known better.

Why does this misconception of God really matter? It seems like a small matter to mistake some aspect of God's character, like his fatherhood or his distaste for extra-biblical rituals. But, in fact, these blind spots in our vision of God are paramount and have severe repercussions, which is why Jesus reacts so strongly to the Pharisees. In their case, he uses the hand washing topic as a springboard to describe how their false metaphysical position has resulted in a litany of injustices and sins, often committed in the name of the God they had so grossly misunderstood.

We must strive to see God for who He really is, and thus avoid the woes of the Pharisees ourselves. Do I really grasp the Fatherhood of God, his generosity and grace, or his version of justice? Have I searched and submitted to God's Word in order to have a more balanced and accurate view of God's character? Because of the fall and the lingering affects of our sinful nature, this will not come naturally. In fact, it takes an act of God's Spirit to open our blind eyes to the truth of God's love and justice displayed in Christ.

I pray for the humility and faith I need to unlearn and relearn who He truly is. Fortunately, if we ask, seek, and knock on this door, we have assurance that this request will be met by a gracious Father who wants us to know Him and receive the good gift of Himself.

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  (Luke 11:9-10)

Is God Good?

Psalm 27:5

For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

...............

Will God protect us when we pray for shelter?

Will God heal my child if she becomes threatened by some terminal illness?

If I'm not guaranteed protection in this life, then why pray for it in the first place?

These questions have been on my mind recently. Lately I've seen several people I care about deeply going through painful trials. Dear friends have lost loved ones. In one case there is the added grief and questions associated with losing someone who was most likely not a believer. I have also been a shoulder to another friend who is suffering great physical pain and whose wife was just diagnosed with cancer. In tears, he asked me point-blank, "Why is God letting this happen?"

Why? For what good purpose do we endure such unbearable pain in this life? How can God be called "good" in any real sense when he stands by and let's us suffer?

These questions are often heartfelt and genuine expressions of our real human experience. But they also reveal certain assumptions about how we view the world. When I ask "why?" am I motivated by a desire to know God more deeply? Or, am I looking for a reason to doubt his goodness? Am I perhaps revealing an assumption that I know better than God in regards to what is good for me? Am I revealing a basic assumption about what I think I deserve in this life? Am I forgetting my place in this cosmos?

Each person must answer these questions for themselves. But there are some themes in Scripture that help us see the bigger picture and how God's definition of "good" may be slightly different than our own.

1. There are levels or degrees of "good."

If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. (Philippians 1:22-26)

In this passage, Paul strangely welcomes death, which we normally (and rightly) think of as something sad and unfortunate. Even here, Paul accepts that it is good and vital that he remain and minister longer in this life. But for the Christian, in another sense, it is also "good" to die and be finally and perfectly reunited with our Maker-Redeemer. There are levels of good, and at times they may compete or contradict each other. The implication for us: God may have a "good" purpose in our suffering that is yet unknown, and may in fact remain unknown until we see his face in Heaven.

2. An event may be both "good" and "evil."

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will... (Ephesians 1:11)

If all things work according God's purpose, then it is tempting to blame God for evil and suffering. However, the Bible clearly does not allow us to blame him for evil (Deut. 32:4, Hab. 1:13, James 1:13). So, in order to understand how God's sovereignty and goodness co-exist, theologians speak of "compatibilism," which means that God can be sovereign over events that are both good and evil, often at the same time, but in different ways - i.e. Joseph's suffering which ultimately resulted in the good deliverance of Egypt and Israel from a horrible famine; and of course, Jesus' heinous execution which resulted in eternal salvation for those who trust in him (Gen. 50:20, Acts 2:23). This topic could be drawn out to fill many books, but for our purpose here, I mention it as a biblical position that allows many apparently evil events the possibility of some corresponding "good" value, even if that goodness is mysterious and hidden in the providence of almighty God.

3. "Good" is defined as what makes us more like Jesus.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28, 29)

Verse 28 is an amazing promise that has undergirded many believers in the midst of painful trials. But if we miss verse 29, then we may find ourselves disappointed by the type of "good" that God works into our lives through pain and suffering. Verse 29 clarifies that this "good" is really defined as becoming more like Jesus - being conformed to the image of Christ. If we lose sight of the blessedness of this conforming purpose, our disappointment in God will lead us to doubt his goodness, which is a tragic misunderstanding indeed.

4. "Good" may ultimately be delayed.

Hebrews 11 tells us about scores of God's people who lived by faith and are honored for their trust in God's promises. However, verse 39 plainly tells us that these men did not see the promises fulfilled in their own lifetimes. This is the reality of delayed "good:"

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39, 40)

So why pray for help if God is mainly after our conformity to Christ and may delay our deliverance until the next life? As I've thought through this, I come back again and again to the refrains of the Psalms, which so often lament life's trials and cry out for God's intervention and deliverance. Psalm 27 is no exception. But if "good" is defined by conformity to Christ, and is often delayed, how can we pray and expect the protection and healing we so desperately crave? My answer is to keep on praying desperately, knowing that God is truly good, and that he does in fact promise ultimate protection for his beloved children, even if that protection is finally delayed all the way to the next life in Heaven. Even if my only hope in this fallen world is of a very distant glimpse of eternal life, I will keep my eyes fixed on that glimpse and endure to the end, knowing that his goodness will be proved in time and will be sweeter than any version of "good" I could have ever imagined. If that means a life filled with crosses, at least I know that at the end of this life there will also be an empty tomb and an eternal resurrection. So, this will be my prayer, my meditation, and my hope:

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:13, 14 ESV)

Forsaken by God

Psalm 22:1, 2, 22

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest...

...I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.

...............

My God, my God...why have you forsaken me?

Alone.
Abandoned.
Unheard.
Unremembered.
Forsaken.

Today we resort to curse words as a cheap substitute for honest reflection. When I feel abandoned by God due to some horrible circumstance, do I really dig deep and share my darkest fears and complaints with God or anyone?

Am I willing to be this brutally honest?
Like David?
Like Jesus?

And they crucified him and divided his garments among them, casting lots for them, to decide what each should take. And it was the third hour when they crucified him....And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Mark 15:24, 25, 34)

Have I ever felt this separation from my Father and wept from the crushing weight of it? Or can this only be felt by one who has treasured God in a profoundly intimate way, like this second person of the Trinity, who had enjoyed perfect fellowship with his Father stretching back through all eternity past?

He bore this sorrow so that I would not have to.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"— so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:13, 14)

He was not only cursed for us, he traded our sin for his righteousness.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV)

He not only took our curse and our sin, but he bore our sorrows and gave us peace with God by being crushed on our behalf.

Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4, 5 ESV)

Words fail.

But Psalm 22 gives us an example of how prayer can lead us out of this pit of despair and toward faith in the God who can redeem us out of every hopeless situation.

Honesty.

It starts with honest reflection on where we are and how it feels (22:1-2, 6-8, 12-18). God can handle our honesty, and the model of many of the lament psalms urges us to be real with Him.
Recollection. Then we must recall - call to mind - what we know is true about God and how he has proven trustworthy in the past (22:3-5, 9-11).

Notice how honesty and recollection were interwoven in this psalm, swinging back and forth, showing how this recollection is really a vicious battle of the mind. Choosing the truth may take time and effort, but it will be worth it for what it produces - faith.

Faith.

To finally emerge from the battle of the mind with a simple cry for help is itself an act of faith (22:19-21). And once there is a wedge of faith, the door to seeing God at work opens wide and leads to praise.

Praise.

The cry for help will eventually be met with an answer from God, who is utterly faithful to his children, though not always in the ways or times that we expect (22:22-31).

Notice that this praise is cooperate and invitational. David, and ultimately Jesus, emerged from their darkest hour filled with contagious praise for the faithful God who restored them. They cannot help but call others to join in celebrating.

I will close by quoting the other New Testament passage that refers to this Psalm. Hebrews tells us that Jesus went to the cross and emerged from the empty tomb in order to be our worship leader - he alone can lead us to the throne room of our Father and represent us in song and adoration. Let us call to mind the eternal chorus that awaits us in heaven, especially when we feel utterly forsaken and alone:

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,

"I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:10-12, 14-18 ESV)

Authority and Agnosticism

Mark 11:28-30, 33

And they said to him, "By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?" Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me...."

...So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

...............

The opposite of authority may be agnosticism. In this chapter, we see the authority of Jesus displayed in at least four ways:

1. Authority in Action. The triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple are perhaps the most authoritative moments in Jesus' earthly ministry. To demand a young colt and ride him into the big city to the resounding cheers of an adoring crowd was a clear statement of kingship in the Jewish culture. This was a coronation of the highest order - the enthronement of the long awaited messianic king, the son of David. Following this, Jesus walks into the center of Jewish religious life and drives out the merchants, essentially claiming authority over his Father's house and anyone in it.

2. Authority in Word. Not only did Jesus act like God and King, he spoke in like manner:

And he said to [the fig tree], "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard it...

...And he was teaching them and saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations'? But you have made it a den of robbers."

...As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.
(Mark 11:2, 3, 14, 17, 20 ESV)

No plant or person is immune to the powerful words of Christ. We find elsewhere in Scripture that Christ in fact spoke the universe into existence and holds it all together simply with his word (Heb. 1:3). His verbal authority is unmatched and should give us pause when we disregard his words of warning or fail to fully believe his wonderful promises (Heb. 2:1).

3. Authority in Prayer. I think Jesus may want us to be less impressed with showy displays of authority, and more impressed with the kind of faith that asks God to move mountains and expects it to happen. The strength of our faith in prayer correlates directly with the genuineness of our belief in the power and goodness of God. Let us not fail to convey to the world how strong and real God is by mouthing weak and uncertain words in our prayers. In this way Jesus is calling us to reflect his authority by calling on it with confidence (Heb. 4:16).

4. Authority in Question. Finally, after these several public expressions of his authority, those who have thought of themselves as the highest authorities begin to question Jesus openly. In his own unique way, Jesus pushes the burden of proof back on them, questioning their knowledge and authority, and forces them to admit defeat in four simple words: "we do not know." Here is where I see signs that our modern world's embrace of agnosticism runs completely counter to the good authority displayed in Jesus. We have romanticized uncertainty to the extent that we have become powerless, and this has sadly affected the church, myself included. In truth, by questioning our faith ad nauseam we reflect to the world an uncertain god with an uncertain promise.

Lord God Almighty, I confess my weakness and uncertainty and today I claim your power and confidence, not because of anything I have to offer, but entirely because of your sure and certain promise of salvation. I stand on you, my solid rock. Thank you for demonstrating your love for me while I was still dead and blind in my sin. Now I am alive in You, and I walk in confident faith, and in the authority that is mine through Christ my Savior. Amen.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
All other ground is sinking sand

What is Revealed and What is Not

Psalm 19:12-14

Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

...............

I once had a roommate who noticed something about me and told me about it (sounds like a roommate, right?).  He told me that I seemed to struggle with guilt over sins that I hadn't even committed.  I was always questioning myself, hoping that my introspection would reveal some hidden corner of my life that contained some sinful thought or deed.  Further, I would sometimes just assume that I was sinning in some way, without even having a specific insistence I could put my finger on.

My roommate told me that such an attitude was actually not portraying much confidence in God's ability to convict me of sin.  In other words: "Don't you trust God enough to let him do His job - to convict you of hidden sin? If you know you have committed a sin, just repent and pray and turn to Christ; If not, then stop worrying about it."  Boy, did I need that kick in the pants.  And, Psalm 19 gives us a wonderful example of David's trust in the God who faithfully guides and convicts his children.

Verses 1-11 describe how God has revealed himself and his expectations - first through the natural world, then also through his written word.  The natural world "pours" forth speech concerning the majesty and holiness and creativity of God.  The written word reveals the specific nature of God and guides his children in everything pertaining to life and godliness (cf. 1 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:3-4).  In other words, it's God's job to reveal himself and his character.  He is more trustworthy than anyone to let us know what He expects of us.

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deut. 29:29).

This is challenging and encouraging.  It is challenging because we naturally cringe at many of God's clear expectations and commands in Scripture.  Carrying our cross, imitating God incarnate, laying down our lives, praying without ceasing, preaching the word, loving our enemies - these are not always so convenient in a fallen world that considers the cross of Christ to be foolishness.

But, Psalm 19 is also encouraging, especially for those prone to unhealthy introspection.  David considers first the clarity of God's self-revelation in nature and in Scripture, then what does he do?  He prays to God to convict him of hidden sin and save him from presumptuous thinking.  He also is concerned about the thoughts and meditations of his heart, which are potentially sinful and corrupt.  But, I believe David's prayer reflects a heart that trusts God to do his work of penetration and conviction (cf. Heb. 4:12).  Therefore, if God is silent and does not bring any of our hidden sins to light, then guess what?  There's nothing there to worry about.

At least, not for right now.

(I have a feeling that there may always be more hidden sin in us while we live this fallen life, but God, in his mercy, only reveals it to us in manageable portions, so that we do not despair, but continue to trust in the transforming Spirit of Christ, who will not rest until he has conformed us to his image.  See Romans 8:28-29)

The LORD Lives

Psalm 18:26

The LORD lives...

...............

These three words may seem obvious, or so simple as to not need elaboration, but in fact these words are a helpful summary of the entirety of Psalm 18.  The LORD lives.

When we begin the Psalm, we meet David in the midst of some overwhelming circumstances.  He is surrounded by his enemy ("the cords of death encompassed me"), but he quickly turns from his distress to the only true source of deliverance, Yahweh.  Verses 7-19 describe in vivid detail the awe-inspiring power and intervention of the Creator God, breaking through the heavens to reach down his mighty hand and lift his servant David out of the enemy's hands.  When God exhales, the foundations of the earth are laid bare (v. 19).  This description of God's intervention leaves me trembling.

Verses 20-30 should remind us of Psalm 17, as David claims that God has honored his own blamelessness and shown favor because of his own righteousness.  While we discussed that conundrum in detail already, it is helpful to note how verse 27 sheds even more light on the matter: "For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down."  David's claim of righteousness, far from being a haughty boast, was in fact a claim of desperate humility.  Only the humble man who admits his own weakness and regularly calls out for God's assistance and grace can truly be considered "righteous."

But, in spite of this humility in weakness, the man of God must not assume that God will do His work independent of our actions.  Verses 31-45 make it clear that David was actively involved in overcoming his enemies, even though he attributes his success entirely to the intervention of Yahweh.  "For you equipped me with strength for the battle; you made those who rise against me sink under me."  If Psalm 18 is a model for the kinds of prayers that God will answer, then we must be ready to be actively involved in "answering" the prayer ourselves, so to speak - getting our hands dirty in the fight against sin and the fight against the Enemy as we seek to love and share truth in a dying world.

So, how is this all summarized in those three simple words - the LORD lives?  This weekend, our pastor preached a sermon on prayer from Daniel 9.  The example of Daniel served to drive home the message that God is truly alive in the life of the believer!  He lives!  He is at work through our prayers of faith.  Our prayers are not a futile exercise, but rather, when we pray confidently in light of what God has promised in his Word, the very earth will tremble and hosts of angels will be moved to accomplish the work He has set out to do.  He is sovereign, but he has ordained the means of OUR prayers to accomplish His miraculous work in the world.  We MUST pray expecting the God who truly lives to truly intervene and act in the world.

Here's how it sounds from Daniel's mouth (Daniel 9:18-19):

O my God, incline your ear and hear.  Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name.  For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.  O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, pay attention and act.  Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

Whose Prayers Does God Hear?

Psalm 17:1-2

Hear a just cause, O LORD; attend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
From your presence let my vindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!

...............

Talk about getting bold in the face of God! David had a pattern of boldness in prayer that is hard to find today. And, it's not just his tone that is bold, but also what motivates his prayer and his expectation for being heard - namely, his own righteousness!

Isn't this the same David who just described the universal depravity of mankind in Psalms 5 & 15, not to mention many other verses? Isn't this the same David who committed adultery and then murdered an innocent man to cover it up? How can he approach a holy God with this kind of boldness and apparent pride? He may have once been called "a man after God's own heart," but surely there is something amiss in the way he is praying in this passage, right?

Well, as you might have guessed, I'm going to argue that David is completely justified in praying this way. Why? Because he understood that his righteousness did not ultimately come from himself, but was a gift of God through faith. I can say this confidently because of how the New Testament describes David's faith. Romans 4 quotes David's words in Psalm 32 as part of Paul's explanation of the "righteousness that comes by faith." And, David is listed in Hebrews 11:32 as one of the many Old Testament saints who lived by faith in God, looking to Him for the promised Savior who would make them right with Him. While not explicit, this kind of dependent faith really is fleshed out in the words of Psalm 17. David is crying out for salvation to the only hope he has: the strong and loving God whom he calls "Savior" (verse 7).

Now, I have admitted that this psalm does not make that point very explicitly on its own; it really does sound at times like David is claiming to supply his own righteousness. But, the reason David seems to claim this righteousness as his own is that, in one sense, it really is! When we look to God and completely bank on the work of Christ to make us right with him, then he really makes us right, both in our position and in our practice. He sees us as righteous through the blood of Christ; and he sees us as righteous because our actual thoughts, desires, and behavior are becoming more and more righteous, albeit by the power and grace of His Spirit.

All of this assumes that you understand one simple fact: God only hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. You then have to ask yourself: Am I righteous? Am I right with God? On what basis can I claim such holiness? Well, you can try to manage perfection on your own. Or, you can bank on the sacrificial death of the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus.

For further reflection on what the Bible says about prayer, consider linking here: The Locks and Keys of Effective Prayer. While I would urge you not to think about your conversation with the personal God as the same thing as locking or unlocking an impersonal padlock, I can vouch for the Scripture references used and think they are a good summary of how to think about our communication with God. You can start here, but there's much more to discover about the blessings and benefits of prayer.

Paradox in the Garden

Matthew 26:56

"But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples left him and fled.

................

Jesus is described as the most valuable, the most worthy being in the universe. In Him, writes Paul, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2). In Jesus is all the hope of humanity to escape condemnation and be completely justified before a holy God (Rom. 8). Even in this very chapter, Jesus accepts the costly worship of a humble woman, allowing her to pour expensive ointment on his head as a sign of adoration.

And yet, he was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver.

Jesus is described as the most powerful being in the world as well. He upholds the entire universe merely by the word of his power (Heb. 1). He had the power to command demons and control the weather. In this very chapter, we get a glimpse of his power when he publicly claims to have legions of angels at his disposal (26:53).

And yet, he agonized in prayer, submitting himself to the will of his Father.

Jesus was undoubtedly the most faithful and compassionate friend ever known on the face of earth. He sought out and called the most humble, the most unwanted people in society and made them his personal companions. He taught them all the most profound and important truths ever expressed by a human teacher. To Peter especially, he gave the most precious opportunities of friendship and love.

And yet, Jesus watched his closest friends fall asleep in his time of greatest need. He watched them all flee, just when he needed them most. He felt the sting of betrayal from his best friend on earth.

This chapter is filled with paradox: How could the One who was most worthy, most powerful, and most loving be utterly human at the same time, experiencing the humility, the weakness, and the betrayal that we often feel ourselves, but to a degree we could never understand?

Poetry in Emotion

Psalm 13:1-2

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I take counsel in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

...............

When we are under incredible burdens or in the depths of despair concerning some overwhelming challenge, the reasonable thing to ask God is Why? For what, O LORD? For what purpose is all of this happening to me? But, the psalmist doesn't ask why, precisely because the person who is in despair has little reasoning faculties left to call upon in conversation with God. The pain and oppression have worn away at reason and left nothing but a raw core of emotion. How long? When will this end? How long will you hide your face?!

Consider the sliver of hope that comes at the end of Psalm 13, train your mind to never let go of that hope, even in the midst of the most overwhelming trial, and then try to put into words the prayer of your heart, perhaps in words of desperation.

Try being honest with God; he can handle it.

Rather than defeat my own interpretation by offering a "reasonable" summary of this psalm, I'd rather quote a hymn and encourage you to make it your own prayer. May we continue to fight to remember how faithful He is, even when it appears that He has vanished.

Image by SPH via Flickr

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.