Tuesday, August 16, 2016

AUGUST 16, 2016


“God's definition of what matters is pretty straightforward. He measures our lives by how we love.” 
― Francis ChanCrazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

PSALM 105-106

The Psalms record the plight of Israel and God's faithfulness


1Praise the Lord.a
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?
3Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right. (106:1-3)

ROMANS 15

Paul reminds the church that their duty is to God, not themselves...
1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”a 4For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jewsb on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

JOURNAL 

I am hit this morning with so many troubling thoughts. The news this past weekend was full of disturbing images. The flooding in Louisiana...the plane crash leaving 11 children orphaned...political rants...etc. Then there was the good...taking Graham to school and seeing him light up like a christmas tree to greet his "brothas"...talks with friends and family and the goodness of all that I am blessed. 

It is so tempting to take the ostrich pose plunging my head in the sand and believing that somehow I am in ultimate control of my fate and the fate of those I love...believing that if I just live my life the way God asks then I will be protected from heartache. 

The reality is that this just isn't true. While I know that there are things that have happened in my life that demand divine intervention as their explanation. I still look around and look back at my own life and realize that there are also times when divine intervention seems glaringly absent. Why? What is the formula? What do I need to do to ensure safe delivery of all those I love to a blessed tranquil life and an eternity of peace and joy? 

The answer is that I can only live the life I'm given. I can only embrace the moments I am blessed to receive. That's it! Nothing more! I fear turning that over, I fear letting go and trusting. My mind ventures to an almost panic to protect and control. Maybe there was something those experiencing heartache missed...there is a temptation to go down that path of blame and judgement. Even though I know the reality is that I don't have ultimate control. 

So why hope? Why trust? Why put my hope in a God that cannot be depended on to fulfill our earthly hopes and dreams? I can only look at scripture and realize that there is something greater...It is the hope that drove Paul and the disciples forward despite the warnings. It is the voice that comforted Elijah. It is the courage that moved Moses to stand up to Pharaoh.  It is the peace that filled Stephen before he was stoned. It is the dream that guided Joseph through prison. Ultimately it is love that guided Christ to the looming Cross and it is this love that wraps it all in the goodness of God...regardless of the earthly outcome...there truly is something greater.  

Oh wow...I am a mess...I am delusional and fearful...yet God you are still there. It is the only thing that can pry my hands off the illusion of control. You give me hope despite my fear, you give me joy in the midst of my panic, you even forgive me after callous, careless sin. Why? The answer is right here in the pages of this ancient book...because you love me.



16So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who relies on it
will never be stricken with panic.
ISAIAH 28:16


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