To Cold to Stand

Psalm 147:17-18 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out His word, and melts them; He makes His wind blow and the waters flow. (ESV)

    Top of chair one, it’s the first run of the morning; temp reads zero, 50 mph wind gusts with a chill of -16...now that’s flat out cold! Its on these days I have to remind myself of my passion for snowboarding or I would not be able to stand before that kind of weather. A simple remembrance of my passion and the cold is suddenly overtaken by a nice warming sensation. Believer have you found yourself trapped in the storm? Have conditions become so raw and bone chilling it seems as though no man could endure?

    Fear not, for this cold is but as a crumb to our Creator. As the crumb is easily done away with in one motion so shall the cold melt away in a simple sending forth of His word. It is He that makes the wind blow, so it is He who breathes out His Spirit. The soul shall warm and feel a nice breeze of Holy Ghost unction fall down upon the furtherance of His word. This is He who makes the waters flow; and so it shall be of His word through your soul.

    What you have deemed impossible; the Lord, “abundant in power” can make it possible. Know someone that seems so far from the Lord? Like they are lost and in the cold? Perhaps you feel they have fallen so far to go after them would mean to freeze in their wake. This may be true, and they may very well be in a dark and cold place. It is in these cold places heat flexes most its ability. It is in the windy moments we see a power not to be compared with. It is in the depths of the waters we conclude “immeasurable”. So it is true of the addict set free, the weak made strong, and the finite crying “His understanding is beyond measure”.

    My prayer is you would engage the one who executes and find rest from a battle no man can stand against. “Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5).

A Remedy for the Afflicted Soul

1 Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy (ESV)

    Paul found purpose and meaning in life through the ministry of the gospel. He was constantly in prayer (1:2, 3:10); daily making intercession and supplication on behalf of those he had shared the gospel with. Paul did not view this task as a burdensome duty; rather he would say “we were not only ready to share the gospel of God but also our own selves” (2:8). Paul was so affectionate of those he shared the good news with he did not just stop at the giving of the word but went so far as the giving of his own rights; physical, spiritual and emotional.
    I spent six months in Kenya sharing the gospel with a group of teens I got to know and cherish as my own children. As my time with them went on my affections for them grew deeper, longing as Paul longed that they might be found “standing fast in the Lord” (3:8). At times exhorting, encouraging, and charging them as a Father would his children (2:11-12). Other times I found myself taking on a more gentle approach, “like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (2:7). Even to this day I have found purpose and meaning through the ministry of the gospel to these children. Remembering them in my prayers and eagerly awaiting an encouraging report (3:6). I am a blessed man, and have time and time again received those reports of their longing to see us once again.
    It is upon the receiving of these reports I can share in the quotations of Paul, “for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith” (3:7). My desire is that you would see the purpose and comfort to be found within the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are His ambassadors and have been entrusted with the task of allowing Christ to make his appeal of reconciliation through us. To this day few have known affliction and suffering like Paul has known, and yet it was in the laying down of his rights in these times that he found the most joy. In times of suffering our nature tells us to seek out all the help we can find for ourselves. But Paul would say in these times seek out the needs of others and see how you can help them, for there is found the best remedy, therapy and counseling for the afflicted soul.

Summit Bound

Psalm 119:75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me (ESV)

    Felt stranded and alone lately? Have you lost heart and become cast down? Wonder why the Lord allows affliction to befall upon his beloved? Have you been heading for the summit only to realize none but you have made it? I have spent most of my growing years on the mountain being that I am an avid snowboarder. In those years I have witnessed some of the most epic storms and yet been graced with some of the most beautiful calms. Days when I could not see my own hand in front of me and days when I could see as far as my eye would let me. There are no rules when it comes to predicting mountain weather, anything goes. One minute the sun can be shining and the next minute you can be caught up in a storm closing in.

    The higher up the mountain you go, the more keen your senses become to the reality of your position. Conditions worsen and the weather is often harsher at higher elevations. The summit is the place that takes on the most grueling weather. Some times for days it does not let up, whereas lower down on the mountain you can find calm from the storm. A true minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ is nothing short of summit bound. He has been called to ascend to heights few others will know. The higher he goes the harder it will be to continue on. He can be assured of finding himself lonely as others turn back for calmer conditions. No doubt this same overwhelming sense of loneliness flooded our Savior in the garden of Gethsemane when He came back from prayer to find His most beloved disciples sleeping on the job (Mark 14:32-42). In that moment He realized His comfort came from the Father alone. Like David, He had learned how to “strengthen himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). We should not look to vain things for our strength in the time of need, rather we must learn as Jesus did to cry out “Abba, Father.”

    The view from the summit is also the best. Although many days the visibility is next to none, when the storm does let up there’s no better place to see more clearly then at the summit. This is also true of the Minister. He will encounter storms unknown to most. It is in these storms his senses will also grow stronger then the average man. He will have to stand on the rock even when he has lost all sight of it. If he is going to make it, he must learn to navigate upon the rock by faith and not by the sight of it.

    Now if you have ever spent a season on the mountain you also know there are times of inversion. This means at some point you ascend above the cloud level and gain back all visibility. When lower down the mountain the people are stranded in a white out you can see for miles at the summit. Now the Shepherd can lead his blinded sheep for he has survived the most grueling of whiteouts known to the mountain. When the people have become cast down and have lost all hope of making it out alive; the Minister has vision to get them through. All the while sympathizing and having compassion on their condition.

    I also grew up on a river and have spent many years observing the flow of the water. When summer comes and the snow begins to melt the rivers are rushing with water. Although the water is much to cold to get in, there is an abundance of it. This season is quick to shift; as the snow begins to melt away the water calms down and warms up a little bit. It is now suitable for swimming and freely flowing for the people to enjoy. As a minister it is easy to start off strong and seem untouchable. But the ones who stop half way up the mountain will soon melt off and be no more. This man is not fit for the ministry. You cant sow in preservation and expect to reap in the benefits of sacrifice. To the sorrow of his people his journey will be short-lived.

    The people need a well seasoned Minister, one who has spent time on the summit of the mountain. Who in the late of summer still has enough snow to supply the riverbeds with fresh water. It is these Ministers, who have endured the storm that buried them, and now their storehouses are overflowing for business. They are not stingy in there dividing of the word, but with great diligence they pour out their souls on behalf of the needy. Rather then preserving their flesh they offer themselves as a living sacrifice for their people. It is their duty and privilege to exhaust their lives for Jesus. It is the man who can say with confidence,"I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me," that is fit for the building up of the saints.

Man Up

    I was reading Psalm 119 this morning and came across verse 18, my prayer then became; “Lord, open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” Little did I know what I was asking for, but sure enough He was faithful to quickly answer that prayer. I then continued my morning reading in the book of Habakkuk and what I began to read was nothing short of wondrous. Its important to remember that the Prophets of old were not popular by any means. Often they were threatened, mocked and persecuted for the message they delivered. It was a message contrary to culture and generally did not go over well with the people. Now I say this because when you ask the Lord to see as He sees, your going to receive a similar message.

    What I saw this morning in Habakkuk was a conversation between a genuine man and the Lord that quickly resulted in change. I love any type of progression in the Scriptures, but today I couldn’t resist writing this one down. The first four verses of Habakkuk look a lot like most face book posts I see today. “So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth.” Word it how you will, but the complaint remains the same, “why isn’t God doing something?” The Lord answers Habakkuk and gives him a glimpse of what is to come, the raising up of a “bitter and hasty nation.” 

    I love Habakkuk for many reasons, but the most pertinent reason is that he is honest and real with God about where he stands. For that I have to give him credit, but what he says next is almost hard to read (I think what’s hard about this next text is it reminded me so much of myself). Habakkuk responds by giving an analysis of Gods answer. He starts off by challenging the Lord, asking if He has forgotten of His own character? And then proceeds to tell the Lord (as if it had slipped His mind) His created and intended purpose for the Chaldeans and the injustice of their present actions. In other words he is saying, Lord what you have just told me about the Chaldeans is not what you meant to say, I think this is what you meant to say.

    Now as if that wasn’t enough, we get a glimpse at how spiritually prideful Habakkuk was. Being that he just gave a logical response to the Lord, one that in his eyes was more accurate and just, he prepares for the next “battle-round.” “I will take my stand at my watch post and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.” I cant help but laugh at the fallen nature of mankind in this verse. Go ahead throw the first stone, but at the end of the day you and I are no better then Habakkuk. I am actually willing to go to bat for Habakkuk because I can respect his genuine character, at least he is real with the Lord. His gaze was fixed upon himself. As we often find ourselves doing, he was already contemplating his next response before he received a reply. Not only that, but he talked of exalting himself to higher ground, as if by doing so he possessed the ability in his own strength to level himself with the Lord and see as He see’s. He placed himself on the same ball field as the Lord and that will never be true of mankind, even though the world screams equality.

    The Lord answered Habakkuk and gave him a little behind the scenes look at what was really going on. What I love about progression in the scriptures is that the change we see is nothing short of wondrous. Habakkuk’s response this time is what brought me to the point of this writing in the first place. If you want to see the justice of the Lord in the midst of this twisted generation, man up like Habakkuk and ask Him to show you. For he is both Righteous and Just. “God will not be mocked.” When He shows you, He will also instill in you a reverential fear of Him, that you might also say, “in wrath remember mercy.” Don’t forget the might of the Lord, how in a moment, in the blink of an eye, He can do as He wills; “The sun and the moon stood still in their place at the light of your arrows as they sped, at the flash of your glittering spear.”

    If you are bold enough as Habakkuk, to take your complaints of the lack of justice before the Lord, be prepared to be shaken. “I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters into my bones; my legs tremble beneath me.” Habakkuk was anything short of shaken up by this interaction with the Lord, but he also came out seeing as the Lord sees. He knew where his strength came from. He now knew the only one who could take him to the high places. He now knew that “the righteous shall live by his faith.” Fruit or no fruit, his trust was in the Lord, who knows all and sees all and is in control of all. One thing he knew, he was saved from eternal damnation and in that would he rejoice.

    The name Habakkuk means “embrace”; to seize eagerly; to lay hold on; to receive or take that which is offered. This book is a beautiful illustration of what it looks like to embrace a relationship with the Living God. Habakkuk knew he had a right to relationship with the Lord and he fully embraced that right. The Spirit and the Bride say come to all who thirst and receive the water of life without price (Revelation 22:17). Come freely! Habakkuk came freely, his only requirement was to come and of that command he fulfilled. Not only did he come, he embraced this invitation with passion and affection. When is the last time you got intimate with the Lord. Go and embrace him, for their he will answer you.

In Too Deep

    Found yourself at the Red Sea? To far in to turn back? Is the world pressing in behind you and yet what’s in front is no route for escape? Fear not, for our brother Moses found himself in this same place. Not to mention the million plus he was leading during this epic moment in history. Moses had lead the people to the point of no return, behind them was desert and in front of them was the Red Sea. They had no boats to cross and yet they could not turn back because the Egyptian army was closing in on them. They had one choice, press on.

    Don’t think this was an easy decision for Moses. He faced great opposition from the Israelites and had to act fast or soon they would all be dead. What allowed Moses to stay so calm in this time, wasn’t he filled with thoughts of doubt and fear? Wouldn’t he be lacking self-confidence? How did he keep the people calm? Why didn’t he snap under the pressure? When the Israelites were looking back at the Egyptians, Moses’ gaze was fixed upon his Savior. When our gaze is fixed on the distractions of this world we will be overcome with fear and doubt and see no way out. But when our gaze is fixed on the Lord, our souls will say; “fear not, stand firm” and behold “the salvation of the Lord” (Exodus 14:13).

     Are you at a place in your walk, where you know there is no turning back, yet you see no way of continuing on? “Lift up your staff,” for it was then the sea parted and they found dry ground to travel upon. Christian, your staff is the Word of God. Now Moses was not lifting something he was unfamiliar with. This staff had not left his side in forty years and the Lord had already made known to him the power it possessed. When Moses held his staff it meshed perfectly with his hand. He knew what he was holding and it brought him great comfort, holding him up through times of weariness.

    The physical relationship between Moses and his staff is a direct correlation to our spiritual relationship with the Word of God. Does your bible fit your hand like a glove, or has it been a while since you have opened it up. Or maybe your like Moses, who in time of trouble already had his staff with him so he didn’t need go looking for it, he just lifted it up. Is the Word of God dwelling richly within your soul, or are you lost searching for your weapon in the time of battle. Oh that the scriptures would be bound “on your heart always” and tied “around your neck”, so that “when you walk, they will lead you” (Proverbs 6:21-22).

    Been overcome by the world lately? Take heart, for Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). When faced with the impossible, lift up your staff. Know the power the scriptures hold and stand firm on those promises before the fullness of the promise can ever be seen. Often times the Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent (Exodus 14:14). Don’t run back to Egypt before the battle is won, rather see as “Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians.” Christian join in song with the Israelites (Exodus 15), for the battle is won.

The Long Awaited Return

    Believer? Has your child walked away from the Lord? Discouraged and left without hope? Take heart, for God is faithful, even when we are faithless. Don’t miss the beauty of this truth and the personal application within. It was Hosea who so sacrificially set the example. For he was to marry a whore, who would be unfaithful in their marriage. And all the while in this whoredom, Hosea’s love would grow deeper for his wife. Yet their would be no reciprocity to his love for her, even to the point that she would become the wife of another man. But still Hosea sold his possessions to buy back the mother of own his children. He remained faithful, though she was unfaithful. Sounds awfully familiar doesn’t it? In the context of our relationship with the Lord, we are the whore (so says the text). All we bring to the table is whoredom, yet God remains faithful. Isn’t the revelation of this truth what brings us back to the Lord every time. We constantly fail and chose other gods and still He is always faithfully awaiting our return. It is this truth that brings us back in a state of rejoicing. It is at this truth we find our hands raised high in humble adoration of our faithful savior.
   
    Lets take this now one step further. Wasn’t it the faithfulness of the prodigals sons father that brought him back. For he remembered of his father, how even his servants were taken care of (Luke 15:17). Although he walked away, the fathers faithfulness left an everlasting impression on the heart of this prodigal son. In his worldly pursuits he was left empty handed and hungry, never finding the comfort he had seen demonstrated in his fathers house.
  
    Christian, this is my exhortation to you. Stay faithful and hold fast to the truth. When your children have wandered away from the faith, do not wander with them. Do not make exceptions and change your beliefs to comfort them in their affliction. Rather remain faithful and obedient to the Lord, that you might comfort them in the day of their return. For surely one day, your child will look upon your faithfulness to the Lord, and return home in all humility.
   
    The biggest witness of a believing parent to a non believing child is an unwavering faith. It was the faith of my own mother, who never compromised her relationship with the Lord in the time of my wandering that brought me back. For this world left me empty and searching, but the warming memory of my fathers house brought me back to a right standing relationship with the Lord.

    Now I never said this would be easy. Just as Hosea who loved and saw no reciprocity, you might find yourself loving your child even in the times they show no love back to you. This might require for you to sell off some of your possessions. Giving up your own freedom and time to make intercession on behalf of your child’s soul. For in every season there is a time to sow and a time to reap. For even in the story of the prodigal son, their would have been no fattened calf to celebrate with had their not been countless days of watching after it. Fatten your calf, be persistent in prayer, that you might share in the testimony of the prodigal son, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24).

How Deep the Fathers Love for Us

    Believer, have you found yourself on the run? Have you ventured back to the land of Egypt, have you returned to play in your own vomit? Fear not for it was on the run the Lord meet with Jonah. It was there the Lord appointed a hindrance; not to pay him back, but to bring him back. What a beautiful illustration of new covenant truth, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish. The most wicked of them all, and still you will not find a man or woman that Christ did not come to die for. Salvation is for all, Christ’s steadfast love is just a call away.

    Let us not take lightly the context of Jonah. He was on the run, trying to flee from the presence of the Lord. It was there he found himself in the deepest darkest place known to mankind. The mysterious unknown depths of the ocean, a place still undiscovered to this day even by the brightest of scientists coupled by their most cunning technology. Not to mention Jonah was in the belly of a fish, a place no man has ever found himself before and lived to tell of it. Do not let these profound truths hinder you from believing this day, rather let your souls marinate in them. Could it be you have found yourself in a dark place? Christian, have you backslidden? Non-believer has your folly got you into a heap of trouble? Do you feel as though you have landed yourself in the belly of the fish? Fear not, only fear the one that can save you, and turn to him. For the Lord says, “If you turn at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” (Proverbs 1:23). Don’t be numbered among the ones who would not listen, as for them they have already received their reward.

    It was in Jonah’s distress he cried out. Has distress taken over your soul? What a simple call to Jesus will do. Feel as though you have gone to deep, like the waves have taken over. Feel not, for He has redeemed Jonah’s life from the pit. It is in this state the Lord saves, it is here the Lord hears, it is now He speaks. Vomit him out on dry land he said to the fish, and so will it be with your soul. From the miry clay will He place your feet upon the rock, on His Son Jesus Christ. Is your life fainting? For it is their Jonah remembered the Lord, it was there his prayer made it to the holy temple. Faint no more, call upon the Lord your God and be saved!