Jumpin’ for Joy — Psalm 28

My mind is running in twenty different directions right now. I am trying my best to stay focused – to keep my eyes directed on the LORD, to be aware of his presence and let that living water flow freely. Yet, like pesky little fire-flies in my mind, my worries will blink on and off out of the corner of my eye; Not all the time, just enough to draw my thoughts away, but not enough to make me abandon my task. Maybe I can douse them with another cup of coffee!

*********

The candor of David, or the psalmist, is remarkable. At the same time, his penchant for lamenting may or may not be something identifiable to most of us. Nevertheless, in the midst of his lamentations, he does strike a cord that resonates in the heart of many of us. For example:

“…O LORD…do not refuse to hear me…” (28:1 NRSV) or as the NLT states it “…do not turn a deaf ear to me”.

Who of us has not felt that God was not “hearing” our cry? Whether we would admit it to anyone or not; some how, some way, for some reason God was apparently refusing to hear our petition. Well, here today, I will admit it.

Of course, that is not true. At least I don not believe it is true. God does not turn a deaf ear to our prayers and supplications. To justify that here is not my purpose, I will simply posit that assertion.

What is my purpose is what David discovers in this particular Psalm between verses five and six. Something transpires that completely reverses his perspective. He moves from fearing “the pit” to total trust and exultation!

Not having read the commentaries on this passage let us suppose that one of two things happened. One, gained victory over his enemy and the problem was solved; or two, he received “counsel” in some form or fashion –either in word or worship, or both. I suspect the latter is more likely.

Through God’s word and the counsel of the temple priest or prophet, David is given assurance of God’s might. That Yahweh will be exalted and His name will not be defiled nor His servant left abandoned. Through this temple prophet, he is reminded that “the LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.” (v.8)

The direct result of this re-discovered assurance is exultation! He breaks out in joyous songs of thanksgiving! He comes to understand once again that:

The LORD is my strength…
The LORD is my shield…
The LORD has heard the sound of my voice
“In him my heart trusts.”
“I give thanks to him.”

As I travel on this journey, I continue to re-discover these things. As a result, my heart immediately wants to exalt my LORD – but often times I forget take the time to exult, to jump for joy and break out in song!

Oh, don’t misunderstand me, it is good to exalt but it is also good to exult.

My LORD and my GOD, how majestic is your name. How great thou art! What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart! Blessed assurance Jesus is mine! Amazing Grace, how can it be!!! Thank you Father that you know, you hear, you care more than my heart could understand; You are my shield, you are my saving refuge! May it be.

Belief, Buckets, and Wells —

John 1:29-4:54

Whether intentionally or by accident, I am finding a pattern developing with each of my days. One such pattern is in the afternoons, after I have done my work, I usually read in the New Testament. Right now, I have started the Gospel of John.

I cannot begin to count the number of times I have read this gospel. Nevertheless, like all of scripture, based on where we are in our pilgrimage, we will read it with “different eyes” then we did the last time; see different things; be touched by different words or phrases. That is the wonder of both the living word and the living WORD.

What I am taking away from today’s feeding are two things: Believing is not always believing and I would rather have a well than a bucket!

“Believing is not always Believing”

In the second chapter of John, Jesus executes his first miracle. He changes water into wine. In the scheme of things, not that spectacular, but it’s more than I can do! Anyway, it is a sign that “revealed his glory” and caused his disciples to believe in him. (2:11) Now, it is interesting to note, that neither the servants who carried the jars of water/wine and knew who did what, nor the hosts, apparently “believed”, but it was enough for his new disciples. Anyway…

After this, he later goes to Jerusalem and we have the driving out of the money- changers in the temple. Jesus makes a statement about himself and the temple, a statement that his disciples realize later actually becomes truth. Again, “his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” (2:22)

While in Jerusalem, Jesus apparently had done other “signs” – John does not say what they were – so far, he only mentions the water into wine event. Nevertheless, “many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing.” (2:23) But apparently, Jesus rejected their belief, whether the whole group’s or a few, he decided that he would not “entrust himself to them…for he himself knew what was in everyone.” (2:24-25)

This is not something you see very often, if at all any more. Turning away someone who expresses “belief” is highly unusual. However, it seems to boil down to motive not method. Something that John will flesh out in some stories that follow, such as, Nicodemus, the woman at the well, and others.

As I indicated, I suppose Jesus not willing to believe in the belief others expressed in him, does go to “motives”. So perhaps I should ask myself, what drives me in my “faith”, my “belief”? Did those people have a hidden agenda? Do I? Do you?

“I’d rather have a well than a bucket!”

A couple weeks back the Sunday School class we were attending got into a discussion about being “filled with the Spirit”. Without going into detail, the way I understood it, it centered around being initially filled, then as that is depleted (my word) or leaks out (the concept used in class) we need to be “filled” again. Well, little ol’ me rejected that concept and I still do.

In John chapter 4, Jesus said “…those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring (well) of water gushing up to eternal life”. (v.14)

That is what I want! I want the well! I do not want the bucket! I may be a conduit, but I am a conduit for the spring of water “gushing up” not a bucket that needs to be lowered down and filled.

Now I will grant you that I can “cap” that well, or “dam” that spring because of my own stupidity, sin, or rebellion. However, once I release it – once it is free to flow again, it gushes forth with life abundant! Flooding my being, cleansing my heart, refreshing my mind, and FILLING ME WITH HIS SPIRIT!!!!

Oh Glory!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Father Spirit, let your living water flood my soul and fill me to overflowing! Let me live abundantly because I can drink freely from the water you give! Amen

Last one on Holiness (Maybe) — Psalm 27

Tozer’s, The Pursuit of God, “The Gaze of The Soul”

This idea of holiness continues to rattle around in my head. It will not let me go. So I will continue to pursue it until I can come to some sort of conclusion or at least get my arms around it. That is, how do I know what holiness looks like in my life or that it is something that is being “achieved”? After all, if it is to be a “goal” – in a manner of speaking – it should be something that can be “measured” – in a manner of speaking.

It appears that there are two critical elements regarding holiness:

1) Faith – “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Heb. 11:6); “…looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…” (Heb. 12:2)

Faith is the cornerstone on which we build our life of holiness. It is, as Tozer puts it, “the gaze of the soul” on Christ that keeps us outwardly focused on Him and thus inwardly successful in developing Christ-likeness. As he describes it in his book:
“While we are looking at God we do not see ourselves – blessed riddance. The man who has struggled to purify himself and has had nothing but repeated failures will experience real relief when he stops tinkering with this soul and looks away to the perfect One. While he looks at Christ, the very things he has so long been trying to do will be getting done within him. It will be God working in him to will and to do”. (p.91)

The Psalmist talks about it in these terms, something that we have looked at before:
“Come,” my heart says, “seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, do I seek. (Ps. 27:8)

It is in seeking God that we find the life that pleases God. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” is our objective and the benefits of that are what God desires for us! Most of us zero in on “…and all these things will be given to you…” However, it is the “AS WELL” that is critical to the passage (Matt. 6:33). The “things” are a bonus. They are not the focus. It is the kingdom and the character of God that is our goal. That is what we are striving for.

How do we get there? That is point number two.

2) Learning and Leading (Psalm 27:11)
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path…”

Some way or another, it always comes back to the Bible. If I want to know what “holiness” is, keep my eyes on Jesus and feed on God’s word. [“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17)] Then I should be able to walk on a level path, “the street called Straight”. I should be able to do, think, and most of all be what is pleasing to God. That may not always coincide with what others think, but that is not the issue. I do not have to answer to them.

I do not have to be told that adultery is wrong. I know that. I do not have to be told that lying is wrong, that stealing is wrong, that killing is wrong. I know those things – men everywhere know those things. They may justify doing them, but that does not change that fact that they know they are wrong.

What I struggle with is the finer things of life. Getting my priorities in order; honoring my wife; doing my best at my job whether it makes me “happy” or not; living at peace with my extended family; balancing “needs” with “wants”; etc.. Things like keeping my ego in check and my tongue under control. Those are what nag at me and keep me from approaching God with confidence. These are the things that are the elements of holiness.

Therefore, let the character I desire dictate to my conduct. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” (2Cor. 5:17)

Let me provide an illustration. I have been known to dip a bit of snuff from time to time over the years. When I started racing bicycles and became serious about that sport, I worked out regularly and rode about 200 miles a week. One day, while I was starting my daily ride, I reached in my jersey pocket for “a little pinch of snuff”. Then it hit me, I am out here almost every day, working like crazy on this bike to get in shape and be competitive, all the while, I am sabotaging my body with this stupid snuff! So I stopped immediately.

In other words, what I wanted to achieve was in direct conflict with what I was doing. My conduct was in direct conflict with my character. Now, I could still race my bike and dip snuff. Just like, I saw men on the circuit that smoked cigarettes and raced. However, I could never be at my highest level of performance and dip snuff. Just as I could not drink a six-pack of beer before a race and expect to win; or eat cheeseburgers and fries everyday; or never work out.

Holiness, godliness, Christ-likeness, is not attained by accident. It requires commitment on my part and a willingness to “do” what I have been taught and “go” where I have been lead. If I desire that “character” then I must conduct myself in a way that reinforces that character. Ouch….now that makes the heart cringe!

Oh my, Father Spirit, I act sometimes as though what I do does not really matter because no one sees. However, if you are present at all times you see. I see. In addition, what I do conflicts with what I desire to be-come. Help me to redirect my eyes on your Son. Amen.

Holiness Cont’d —- Psalm 26

Yesterday, Sunday, I made an entry on this blog regarding “holiness”. A thought that I want to continue here.

It is one thing to think about holiness as an “objective” that we are striving for in our Christian life. It is quite another to determine how we flesh that out in our day to day walk. After all, isn’t that where it really matters?

Now I suppose the first thing that I struggle with is that word “holy”. It is something I am very comfortable ascribing to God. It is not something I am at all comfortable ascribing to me or any other human being. I think primarily because of the way we’ve denigrated that term over time to mean either “holier than thou” or “holy cow”. I’m not sure which! Plus, you do not have to dig very deep to find the non-holy in any of us, past or present, so it somehow deflates the fullness of the term.

Psalm 26 and the NLT translation of verse 2 is a good example of what I am attempting to explain. Here is how the NLT puts it:

Put me on trial, Lord, and cross- examine me.
Test my motives and my heart.

If we bounce that idea up against the concept of “holiness”, who can stand? Any good prosecutor could peal away our claims in a heartbeat. My gosh, even David would find it hard not to squirm on the “witness stand” under cross-examination when questioned about his affair and how that squared with walking “in faithfulness to (God)”. (v3b) The truth is, none of us, no not one, could stand up under the scrutiny where it to come to that. We are sinners. We were before we came to Christ and we are until the day we die.

Our only defense would be that very thing the psalmist claims, God’s steadfast love and of course what we have come to know as the cleansing blood of Christ for sins past, present and those that will surely come.

So what’s a man to do? How can I live a life that will stand up to scrutiny given my nature and what surrounds me. Verses three and twelve give me the components I need:

* Keep God’s steadfast love ever before me
* Walk– step by step, day by day — with integrity and faithfulness to God
* When necessary, seek out God’s redemption and gracious love
* Plant my feet on level ground (scripture, fellowship, prayer, mentor)

Father God, I can not do this without your love and grace. Redeem me and be gracious to me. May I have the strength and courage to walk in faithfulness to you – today, and let all the tomorrows wait their turn. May it be.

Now how does that life look?

Is it a life of isolation, insulated from everything around me that might corrupt or tarnish this “holiness”? Is it expressed in my dress, my speech, my actions, my social circles? The way I cut my hair, whether or not I have tattoos; display a rebel flag; ride a motorcycle; drink a beer; eat oysters; or read People magazine?

Am I less “holy” if I wear jeans and boots to church, buy stock in P & G, or support the war in Iraq?

Whose standard are we going to use yours or mine? God’s! – Which ones, the Old Testament or New Testament or both? The “rules” that are non-culturally specific or all of them? If we manage to center everything on the greatest commandment, could we call it a done deal? Or should we just settle on the “fruit of the Spirit” and call it good? Or do we need more?

It’s pretty obvious, I don’t have any answers. Well actually I do, maybe. Paul says to “abstain from every form of evil” (1TH 5:22). That could be a good start. I think most of us know evil when we see it. If not, maybe we should go back to verse twenty one where Paul says to “test everything”. If in doubt test it, if still in doubt, walk away!

Oh my…this could get rather involved. So I’ll let it rest for now. I’m going back to THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT; I think I might see things more clearly there.

Self Discovery – Again….

The Book of Ephesians

I’m not sure how it happened today. Maybe it was the fact that I haven’t been sleeping well and was late getting up and we were a bit rushed. I’m not certain. But my experience at church this morning was really revealing for me. It was fortunate that I didn’t let the preaching interrupt my worship because it was poor, but it did spur my thinking. Thinking about “holiness”.

There’s little doubt that my life has been a lot of things but classifying it as “holy” would not be a word a would use. But then, I don’t need some one telling me that. Nor does any one else I suspect. What I do need to know is what do I need to do about it. Specifically.

Paul says that we were chosen “in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love”. (Eph 1:4); “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life” (2:10); “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”. (4:22-24)

In other words, new relationship – new life – new life expressed in new character. Not easy, but doable. Who is responsible? I am. Can I do it by myself, of course not and Paul makes that clear. But there is THE STREET CALLED STRAIGHT that God has called all of us to walk down. “We must no longer be children tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way unto him who is the head, into Christ…” (4:14-15)

Can I live a holy life? Certainly. I have that obligation because of whose I am. How can I live a holy life? Understanding that I am His by grace through faith; the life I now live I live by faith through the power of the Holy Spirit; my strength comes from feeding on God’s word which serves, at the same time, as my ‘road map’; the gifts I have our to be expressed through the body of Christ which in turn has an “obligation” to sustain me through their individual gifts.

It is not going to be easy. That is why I have asked friends, family members, and others to pray for me. As I must for them. We can not do this alone. And we are NOT alone.

Will you join me on The Street Called Straight?