All of us have struggles. Each of us have battles to fight. Sometimes the war rages against our circumstances, or the people around us; other times the battle is within. Either way, trials are where our faith gets tested. It's where the rubber meets the road. When you are up against something bigger than yourself, you have to ask where is your confidence going to come from to get through it. For many Christians there is a big gap between their theology and their reality. They leave their faith on the pew each week and expect to make through the next six days on their own strength wondering why at the end of the week they feel defeated, disconnected, and end up achieving anything but peace. God's word is supposed to be practical; institute it into your daily living and the automatic result is less drama and more peace regardless of your circumstances.
"The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever." Isaiah 32:7
Believing God is what closes the gap.
It doesn't matter what you are battling....for respect, for love, for self-worth, for purpose...the answer is the same and the true battle rages within. Will you believe what God says about your circumstances or will you take the matter into your own hands in attempts to achieve your desired end? The bible tells us "The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." Exod 14:14. In fact, scripture specifically tells us that when we are being attacked the Lord will fight for us SEVEN times. Usually anything God repeats in scripture he is making a point to emphasize; I think he wants us to know this one.
Why so important? Because the fact of the matter is, when we refuse to allow God to be God in our circumstance, then we are elevating the 'thing' we desire above God. That automatically defines it as an idol and something happens in our hearts when we worship something other than God. Our hearts become hardened. I've recently witnessed this in some folks that are pretty close to me. It's hard to watch people struggle to achieve their hearts' desire in their own strength getting further away from God. They become less able to hear his voice on other matters. The harder one's heart is, the harder it is for God to squeeze out things like un-forgiveness, jealousy, pride, or greed. This is the ultimate reason why God wants us to let him fight our battles for us...he ultimately cares about matters of our heart more than anything else.
The bible is full of examples of people who took matters into their own hands when they didn't think God was going to come through for them or he wasn't doing it fast enough. Usually they don't end well, fail to satisfy, and wreak unintended consequences. The whole point is to learn from them; there are some things we can learn in the classroom and therefore don't need to take the field trip! Amen to that. I'm choosing to learn from these stories and by watching some examples that are up close in and person.
One of the best biblical examples for illustrating what happens to the heart when we don't rely on God to fight for us occurs between Leah and Rachel. If you don't know the story, Jacob fell in love with Rachel and wanted to marry her; he agreed to work for her father for 7 years if he agreed to give her in marriage. She was the younger more beautiful sister of Leah. On their wedding night, Laban their father deceived Jacob and brought Leah to him instead. Jacob was very upset because he really loved Rachel. So Laban agreed to give him Rachel for another 7 years of work. Leah knew that Jacob loved Rachel, but she hoped that by giving him children she would capture his heart. Leah did not look to God for her desperate desire to be loved or chosen. Look what happens to her heart. As she continues to give him sons, she attaches a name to them that shows what is happening in her heart.
1. First she had Reuben, "surely my husband will love me."
2. Later she had Levi ,"my husband will become attached to me."
3. Then she had Zebulun, "my husband will treat me with honor."
4. When she couldn't conceive anymore, she gave him her maidservant, Zilpah.
5. Rachel asks Leah for some mandrakes and in exchange allows Leah to sleep with Jacob; she doesn't even wait for him to come home but runs out to meet him. She knew she wasn't loved. She knew Rachel would always be chosen, but she runs to meet him for just one night of something that might feel just a little like love.
Her heart has become so jaded, and hardened by not trusting God and feeling defeated that she is willing to give herself to someone for merely crumbs in return. She sacrificed God's best for her because she didn't trust he could fix her situation.
By contrast, there are two good examples in scripture we can use to pattern our own behavior.
1. Cry out to God in prayer. When you feel like your situation if hopeless and a battle bigger than you can fight alone, tell God about it. God loves to rescue his people! 2nd Chronicles 32 tells the story of Sennacherib the King of Assyria attacking Jerusalem. The Jewish king at the time was a faithful man named Hezekiah, which means 'God is my Strength'. He told the people, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him."
"But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." 1st John 4:4
Immediately the enemy attacked this notion. Sennacherib asked, "On what are you basing your confidence...?" For Hezekiah it was God and despite how terrifying or dismal the situation looked, "he cried out in prayer to heaven. And the Lord sent any angel who annihilated all the fighting men and leaders of the Assyrian king." In our own strength, things are dismal and impossible to fix. But "for man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matt 19:26 Do you believe it or is it something you just sing about on Sunday?
2. Always rely on God to fight the battle for you, even when you have the upper hand.
King David was described in the bible as a "man after God's own heart." 1st Sam 13:14 This does not mean that he was sinless, but he was quick to align his behavior with the heart of God. Twice David had the opportunity to kill King Saul who was chasing him and trying to kill him. Both times he did not do it. Later when presented the opportunity to take revenge on a mean spirited man named Nabal, he did not after Abigail persuaded him not to. He responded this way, " May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from...avenging myself with my own hands"....later Nabal's "heart failed him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
This one is harder. It's easier I think to turn it over to God when you have no choices. But when one of those choices is exerting power in your own abilities rather than trusting God, the battles heats up. Let me tell you from experience, there will be a myriad of voices telling you to just "Do it." Just like in the Nike commercial and in the ears of David. You will be very tempted and can easily justify it. But the result to your own heart is the same...it hardens and becomes less able to hear the still quiet voice of God.
I've figured out that this is one of the big lessons that I am supposed to learn during this season of life. God will fight for me. All I have to do is stay calm. I also need to resist the urge to take it into my own hands, especially when presented with the upper hand to do so. I'm not saying this is easy. There are days when I feel like I am "spiritually bi-polar." Not to make light of this mental illness at all, but I do vacillate at times between a vibrant faith and then feeling like my world is about to end. The key is staying very close to God.Pressed in...especially during battle. Allowing God to fight for me keeps my heart tender and pliable to his hand. This is what it is all about. God wants me to know he is for me. God wants me to know he is God. A song that speaks so loudly to me and this notion is Kari Jobe's "I know that you are for me". The lyrics echo the intended sentiment of this blog post.
I know that you are for me
I know that you are for me
I know that you will never forsake me in my weakness
I know that you have come now
Even if to write upon my heart
To remind me of who you are.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Jen's Job; Part II The "Friends" Comment on his Status
I wonder if they had Facebook back in Job's time how his status would have read. Let me remind you what happens to Job all in chapter one of the tale. First, God directs Satan's attention to his blameless servant, Job. Next God removes a "hedge" of protection that allows Satan to attack him and his family. As a result, in the course of just a few paragraphs, Job loses all his worldly belongings and all his children are killed.
Job's first status post is this: " The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
The scripture goes on to say, " In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:22) This tells us that Job knew God's nature was good, and simply because something bad happens in the natural does not mean that God's supernatural nature has changed; he is same...the Alpha and Omega. Human love may fail, but God's does not. Therefore, when things don't go our way, don't respond by attacking God's character. I know that despite my current circumstances, my God is good and will work this out to my good as well. (Rom 8:28)
"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." James 1:13-14
When Job refused to falter in his faith, Satan again enters God's presence. God points out to Satan, " Have you considered my servant Job?...And he still maintains his integrity, though you have incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Satan responds by telling God that if he is allowed to attack Job's body, striking his flesh and bones, he will surely curse God. Therefore, God allows Satan to afflict him with painful sores from soles of his feet to the top of his head.
His FB status probably would have read something like this: My enemy now is attacking the strength of my flesh, knowing that the "spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41).
If it wasn't enough to have lost all that he valued and be emotionally grieving the deaths of all his children, now he has physical problems to boot. I can relate. Last week my enemy started attacking me physically and now on top of everything emotional and financial I am having to deal with at work, I am facing some health issues that are demanding my faith in God to persevere through. What next, one might say?
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body." 2nd Corinth 4:8-11
Job's wife is the first to comment on his status; she chastises him by saying, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job replies, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Job 2:10
The remaining chapters of Job are a discussion between Job and his "friends" and then finally with God himself. It is interesting when you are going through something tough the comments that people will make. Some people say nothing because they don't know what to say or they really aren't interested in getting too close. I've found this to be true in my case as well; there are a lot of people I work with who know full well what it being done to me and have said nothing. We learn from scripture that Job was a very prominent man, yet only three people come to see him. When they arrive, they can see he is in such a state that initially they sit with him for seven days and nights saying nothing, "because they saw how great his suffering was. " Job2:13
When they finally do speak, three of Job's friends work hard to convince him that he must have done something wrong or committed some sin to deserve what God has allowed to happen. One tells him, "Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin." Ouch. Nothing like a friend to remind you of all your shortcomings. All the while, Job clings to his righteousness as a defense. Interestingly enough, I've had the same thing happen to me in the last few weeks. It has been suggested that I brought this all upon myself. Surely, I know exactly what it is that I did that caused the attack. I've been taught this occurs because our enemy wants us to take the attack personally when the reality is that it is not us who is being attacked, but the Christ in us. Therefore, the battle is not ours, it is the Lord's to fight. Job understood that because this is true, Christ intercedes in Heaven on our behalf.
"Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a (wo)man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." Job 16:20-21
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4:15-16
Finally, a man named Elihu speaks to Job. He basically tells him that neither our sins nor our righteousness really affect God's ultimate plans; he will accomplish them with or without us. The fact is, the attack comes because God is getting ready to do something big and the enemy doesn't want it to happen. Elihu tells him,
"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer instead of affliction." I think he is telling Job, when we suffer we are very close to God and therefore are able to hear things from him we would otherwise not be able to. So, why do we try so hard to get out of these situations? Why are we always looking for a shortcut out?
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Psalm 23:4-6
The last to speak is the Lord himself. God tells Job, "Everything under heaven belongs to me." Job 41:11 He asks Job this question: "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?" God basically tells Job that man is not capable of understanding all the mysteries and wonders available to God and that his plans never fail. It is in this that we should have faith, not in our own righteousness. Job's status after encountering God is this: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13
At this realization, Job repents. "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." The fact is, its not my goodness or badness that got me into this particular situation. It's God's will. He is using this entire situation to prepare me for something; I've had many godly friends tell me exactly that. I think learning that our righteousness as Christians is not something to take pride in is a very important lesson for any type of ministry, especially as it relates to our relationships....or "friends."
I was told at the beginning of the year that this was "A Year of Favor" from the Lord; at first glance you might question that. In the natural, things are pretty dismal. But don't put down the book before reading the last chapter. Isaiah 61 tells that the year of Lord's favor ends like this...
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice at their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs...and all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed." May it be to me (and my 'Job' situation) Lord as your word has spoken.
Job's first status post is this: " The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
The scripture goes on to say, " In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:22) This tells us that Job knew God's nature was good, and simply because something bad happens in the natural does not mean that God's supernatural nature has changed; he is same...the Alpha and Omega. Human love may fail, but God's does not. Therefore, when things don't go our way, don't respond by attacking God's character. I know that despite my current circumstances, my God is good and will work this out to my good as well. (Rom 8:28)
"When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed." James 1:13-14
When Job refused to falter in his faith, Satan again enters God's presence. God points out to Satan, " Have you considered my servant Job?...And he still maintains his integrity, though you have incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." Satan responds by telling God that if he is allowed to attack Job's body, striking his flesh and bones, he will surely curse God. Therefore, God allows Satan to afflict him with painful sores from soles of his feet to the top of his head.
His FB status probably would have read something like this: My enemy now is attacking the strength of my flesh, knowing that the "spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41).
If it wasn't enough to have lost all that he valued and be emotionally grieving the deaths of all his children, now he has physical problems to boot. I can relate. Last week my enemy started attacking me physically and now on top of everything emotional and financial I am having to deal with at work, I am facing some health issues that are demanding my faith in God to persevere through. What next, one might say?
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body." 2nd Corinth 4:8-11
Job's wife is the first to comment on his status; she chastises him by saying, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job replies, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble? In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." Job 2:10
The remaining chapters of Job are a discussion between Job and his "friends" and then finally with God himself. It is interesting when you are going through something tough the comments that people will make. Some people say nothing because they don't know what to say or they really aren't interested in getting too close. I've found this to be true in my case as well; there are a lot of people I work with who know full well what it being done to me and have said nothing. We learn from scripture that Job was a very prominent man, yet only three people come to see him. When they arrive, they can see he is in such a state that initially they sit with him for seven days and nights saying nothing, "because they saw how great his suffering was. " Job2:13
When they finally do speak, three of Job's friends work hard to convince him that he must have done something wrong or committed some sin to deserve what God has allowed to happen. One tells him, "Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin." Ouch. Nothing like a friend to remind you of all your shortcomings. All the while, Job clings to his righteousness as a defense. Interestingly enough, I've had the same thing happen to me in the last few weeks. It has been suggested that I brought this all upon myself. Surely, I know exactly what it is that I did that caused the attack. I've been taught this occurs because our enemy wants us to take the attack personally when the reality is that it is not us who is being attacked, but the Christ in us. Therefore, the battle is not ours, it is the Lord's to fight. Job understood that because this is true, Christ intercedes in Heaven on our behalf.
"Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a (wo)man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." Job 16:20-21
"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Heb 4:15-16
Finally, a man named Elihu speaks to Job. He basically tells him that neither our sins nor our righteousness really affect God's ultimate plans; he will accomplish them with or without us. The fact is, the attack comes because God is getting ready to do something big and the enemy doesn't want it to happen. Elihu tells him,
"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction. He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food. But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you. Be careful that no one entices you by riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. Beware of turning to evil, which you seem to prefer instead of affliction." I think he is telling Job, when we suffer we are very close to God and therefore are able to hear things from him we would otherwise not be able to. So, why do we try so hard to get out of these situations? Why are we always looking for a shortcut out?
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies." Psalm 23:4-6
The last to speak is the Lord himself. God tells Job, "Everything under heaven belongs to me." Job 41:11 He asks Job this question: "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?" God basically tells Job that man is not capable of understanding all the mysteries and wonders available to God and that his plans never fail. It is in this that we should have faith, not in our own righteousness. Job's status after encountering God is this: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil. 4:13
At this realization, Job repents. "After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before." The fact is, its not my goodness or badness that got me into this particular situation. It's God's will. He is using this entire situation to prepare me for something; I've had many godly friends tell me exactly that. I think learning that our righteousness as Christians is not something to take pride in is a very important lesson for any type of ministry, especially as it relates to our relationships....or "friends."
I was told at the beginning of the year that this was "A Year of Favor" from the Lord; at first glance you might question that. In the natural, things are pretty dismal. But don't put down the book before reading the last chapter. Isaiah 61 tells that the year of Lord's favor ends like this...
"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice at their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs...and all who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed." May it be to me (and my 'Job' situation) Lord as your word has spoken.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
