InChristAlone
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Learning to be Content
I read I Samuel 1-2 today. In chapter 1, I read of Hannah's cries and pleas in sorrow and bitterness at not being able to conceive a child. In chapter 2 (months, if not years later) I read her prayer of praise to God. Her outlook changed drastically. Hannah learned to "cast all of her cares"(I Peter 5:7)on the Lord. She learned that despite what she did not understand,despite others emphasizing her misfortune, despite the contradictions of her own thoughts and feelings, God worked "all things together for good according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
Hannah learned to be content. Her soul found happiness in God alone. What I noted by reading this passage was that Hannah had to learn to be happy in the Lord. Her flesh cried against her circumstances. Her mind was probably bombarded with questions and doubts of Who this God was that she served. I wonder if injustice entered her mind. This was a circumstance that did not seem fair.
I also noted that she learned endurance. Hannah was provoked by Peninnah (her husband's other wife) Just a sidenote here, but I as a woman cannot even imagine having to share a husband:)
Peninnah had several sons and daughters. But Hannah had none. Verse 6 of chapter 1 says,
"And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."
Peninnah was Hannah's adversary. She boasted to her of her fruitfulness and Hannah's barrenness. She pointed out nothing but the bad.
So how did Hannah react to this? She wept and would not eat. It tugged at her soul. But, she went to the temple and prayed unto the Lord. It says that "she was in bitterness of soul." Hannah cried and pleaded with the Lord. She was making her petitions known to Him. She poured out her soul before Him. She vowed that if God would give her a child that she would give him back to Him to serve Him all the days of his life.
The Lord heard her cry and granted her request. Hannah bore a son. What did she name him? Samuel. And why? "Because I have asked him of the Lord." (v.20)
Hannah's faith had grown. She made a promise to God and kept it. She knew that nothing was as important as living for the Lord. Hannah learned to be content. God gave her that son and she raised him until he was old enough to go to the temple and serve the Lord. She faithfully took Him back. She had learned of a God Who was worthy of this sacrifice.The separation between mother and son could not even compare to the joy in being obedient to the Lord.
The first ten verses of chapter 2 compose her prayer of praise to God. The lessons she learned were evident. She acknowledged the sovereignty of God in her prayer. She showed her delight in serving such a wise God. Her heart rejoiced in Him!
I can learn a lot by looking at Hannah's life. I have to learn to be content. However, it is a cry against my flesh, especially when circumstances do not seem "fair" or when those around me question my faith or when I compare my life with the life of someone else who seems to be so "happy."
In learning contentment, I must pour out my soul before the Lord. If I do not understand, then I need to take it before a God Who is all-knowing. If I think something seems unfair, I must remember that He is "just to forgive me of my sins." (I John 1:9) I must increase in brokenness in these times and not bitterness. I wonder, do I display a willingness to learn from the experiences that God controls in my life? Have I spent too much time focusing on my "problems" and not enough time pouring out my heart before the Lord in regard to these "problems"? Casting all of my cares on the Lord reveals contentment. It also brings great joy and peace!
My prayer:
"Lord, help me to take note of what I have learned today and apply it to my life. I know You are the only One Who brings contentment. Give me a faith to cast all my cares on You. Take my burdens and my cares so that I may have my complete focus on You.Thank You for hearing my petitions and for making it possible for me to draw near to Your throne. You bring me great joy and peace. Please keep teaching me so that I may grow more and more into Your likeness. You are my joy, You are my love, You are my life! Thank You, Father."
Hannah learned to be content. Her soul found happiness in God alone. What I noted by reading this passage was that Hannah had to learn to be happy in the Lord. Her flesh cried against her circumstances. Her mind was probably bombarded with questions and doubts of Who this God was that she served. I wonder if injustice entered her mind. This was a circumstance that did not seem fair.
I also noted that she learned endurance. Hannah was provoked by Peninnah (her husband's other wife) Just a sidenote here, but I as a woman cannot even imagine having to share a husband:)
Peninnah had several sons and daughters. But Hannah had none. Verse 6 of chapter 1 says,
"And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."
Peninnah was Hannah's adversary. She boasted to her of her fruitfulness and Hannah's barrenness. She pointed out nothing but the bad.
So how did Hannah react to this? She wept and would not eat. It tugged at her soul. But, she went to the temple and prayed unto the Lord. It says that "she was in bitterness of soul." Hannah cried and pleaded with the Lord. She was making her petitions known to Him. She poured out her soul before Him. She vowed that if God would give her a child that she would give him back to Him to serve Him all the days of his life.
The Lord heard her cry and granted her request. Hannah bore a son. What did she name him? Samuel. And why? "Because I have asked him of the Lord." (v.20)
Hannah's faith had grown. She made a promise to God and kept it. She knew that nothing was as important as living for the Lord. Hannah learned to be content. God gave her that son and she raised him until he was old enough to go to the temple and serve the Lord. She faithfully took Him back. She had learned of a God Who was worthy of this sacrifice.The separation between mother and son could not even compare to the joy in being obedient to the Lord.
The first ten verses of chapter 2 compose her prayer of praise to God. The lessons she learned were evident. She acknowledged the sovereignty of God in her prayer. She showed her delight in serving such a wise God. Her heart rejoiced in Him!
I can learn a lot by looking at Hannah's life. I have to learn to be content. However, it is a cry against my flesh, especially when circumstances do not seem "fair" or when those around me question my faith or when I compare my life with the life of someone else who seems to be so "happy."
In learning contentment, I must pour out my soul before the Lord. If I do not understand, then I need to take it before a God Who is all-knowing. If I think something seems unfair, I must remember that He is "just to forgive me of my sins." (I John 1:9) I must increase in brokenness in these times and not bitterness. I wonder, do I display a willingness to learn from the experiences that God controls in my life? Have I spent too much time focusing on my "problems" and not enough time pouring out my heart before the Lord in regard to these "problems"? Casting all of my cares on the Lord reveals contentment. It also brings great joy and peace!
My prayer:
"Lord, help me to take note of what I have learned today and apply it to my life. I know You are the only One Who brings contentment. Give me a faith to cast all my cares on You. Take my burdens and my cares so that I may have my complete focus on You.Thank You for hearing my petitions and for making it possible for me to draw near to Your throne. You bring me great joy and peace. Please keep teaching me so that I may grow more and more into Your likeness. You are my joy, You are my love, You are my life! Thank You, Father."
Monday, November 28, 2005
Deferred Hope?
Revelation 5:1-5
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?"
"And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon."
"And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon."
"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
Hope:"to look for something with eager expectation; to rely on something reliable; trust"
The message of the book of Revelation is permeated with the reality of hope.
After reading this passage, I thought about the hope of a life that is hidden with Christ. What would I be living for if I disregarded the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Paul says in I Corinthians 15:19,
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Life is miserable and hopeless if I am not eagerly expecting the return of the Light of the World. There is nothing to live for without Him.
In this particular passage, we find John weeping at the inability of anyone to open the book of Life. In discussion with a group of friends recently, the question came up, "Why do you think that John wept?"
Here is the conclusion I came to:
I believe that John was weeping at a hope deferred. Everything he had ever believed to be true about "the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world", he thought was in vain. Every earnest expectation John had of God's promises being fulfilled seemed to be a hopeless expectation now. What hope was there if this Lamb of God was not all that He said He was?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ constituted John's ministry.
John 1:1-5
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
"The same was in the beginning with God."
"All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
"In him was life"--Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John probably wondered at his existence at this point. All truth seemed to be at stake.
Proverbs 13:12 says,
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."
John seemed to experience a hope deferred. However, the desire did come. All human wisdom or power could not attempt to open the book. No one possessed the worth.
But, "Weep not", the angel told him. There is One Who by His incarnation, passion, and death is worthy to open it. The Perfect Lamb of God is worthy to loose the seven seals (seven being a number of perfection). He has not forsaken the word of His testimony. He is true and right and just and pure. He will display His power and His truth will endure forever.
Romans 14:15
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
The Scriptures point to our hope. The Word is a written testimony of God's promises fulfilled.
I Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
How common is it for us, even as Christians, to live like we have a deferred hope? Why isn't our ultimate pursuit always Jesus Christ and His kingdom? Why do we make ourselves so comfortable down here on this earth when we are but strangers? Is it because we have lost our hope?
Without the hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord, what is there to live for? The world's definition of hope involves "a feeling that what is wanted will happen." That is only a hope contained within this life. What happens after the fulfillment of all these earthly desires?
We need genuine hope. A hope that is founded on something which affords great confidence in fulfillment. Jesus Christ is that only hope! I pray that He would be as real to us as He was to John. Where is my confidence? It must lie in Christ alone. He is All in All!
"And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals."
"And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?"
"And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon."
"And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon."
"And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."
Hope:"to look for something with eager expectation; to rely on something reliable; trust"
The message of the book of Revelation is permeated with the reality of hope.
After reading this passage, I thought about the hope of a life that is hidden with Christ. What would I be living for if I disregarded the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Paul says in I Corinthians 15:19,
"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."
Life is miserable and hopeless if I am not eagerly expecting the return of the Light of the World. There is nothing to live for without Him.
In this particular passage, we find John weeping at the inability of anyone to open the book of Life. In discussion with a group of friends recently, the question came up, "Why do you think that John wept?"
Here is the conclusion I came to:
I believe that John was weeping at a hope deferred. Everything he had ever believed to be true about "the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world", he thought was in vain. Every earnest expectation John had of God's promises being fulfilled seemed to be a hopeless expectation now. What hope was there if this Lamb of God was not all that He said He was?
The Gospel of Jesus Christ constituted John's ministry.
John 1:1-5
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
"The same was in the beginning with God."
"All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made."
"In him was life; and the life was the light of men."
"In him was life"--Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John probably wondered at his existence at this point. All truth seemed to be at stake.
Proverbs 13:12 says,
"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life."
John seemed to experience a hope deferred. However, the desire did come. All human wisdom or power could not attempt to open the book. No one possessed the worth.
But, "Weep not", the angel told him. There is One Who by His incarnation, passion, and death is worthy to open it. The Perfect Lamb of God is worthy to loose the seven seals (seven being a number of perfection). He has not forsaken the word of His testimony. He is true and right and just and pure. He will display His power and His truth will endure forever.
Romans 14:15
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
The Scriptures point to our hope. The Word is a written testimony of God's promises fulfilled.
I Peter 1:3
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,"
How common is it for us, even as Christians, to live like we have a deferred hope? Why isn't our ultimate pursuit always Jesus Christ and His kingdom? Why do we make ourselves so comfortable down here on this earth when we are but strangers? Is it because we have lost our hope?
Without the hope of eternal life with Jesus Christ our Lord, what is there to live for? The world's definition of hope involves "a feeling that what is wanted will happen." That is only a hope contained within this life. What happens after the fulfillment of all these earthly desires?
We need genuine hope. A hope that is founded on something which affords great confidence in fulfillment. Jesus Christ is that only hope! I pray that He would be as real to us as He was to John. Where is my confidence? It must lie in Christ alone. He is All in All!
Friday, November 18, 2005
My First Love
Revelation 2:3-5
"And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
My thoughts:
These verses are the revelation of Jesus Christ to John about the church at Ephesus. Jesus makes mention of their labor and patience and the way that they have done it in His name. Notice He says "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee". Why? Because these people had left their first love--Jesus Christ Himself! The foundation of this church and its laboring were no longer resting upon Jesus Christ. They were not motivated by their love for Him anymore. But Jesus knew that. He knew that their motivation was wrong.
Am I promoting the cause of Christ out of the right motivation--a love for Christ? What is the basis of my work? Why do I labor? Do I do it for my "first love"--Jesus Christ?
If I am ministering, if I am serving in any way, if I am in any way promoting the cause of Christ here on this earth, is it because I love to see Him glorified? Do I witness because I desire to see men, women, and children experience and express the glory of their "first love"?
If my motivation lies elsewhere I must determine where I have placed my love. What happened to the One Who first captured my love? I must remember Who changed me, Who drew me to Himself, and Who set His love upon me. This should cause me to repent for my work that has been done "in vain." That may sound harsh, but if my labor for the kingdom of God is not out of a heart of love than how could it be anything but "in vain"?
I pray that my work would not be "in vain" because I have forgotten my "first love." I don't want to be guilty of living the dutiful Christian life. Every ounce of our labor should be done out of a love for our "first love." And what a "first love" we have!
Is He still the Lover of our Souls?
Maybe we need to stop what we are doing right now and evaluate our labor. Maybe we need to just come back to the "heart of worship" because ultimately it is "all about You, Jesus."
"And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted."
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love."
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
My thoughts:
These verses are the revelation of Jesus Christ to John about the church at Ephesus. Jesus makes mention of their labor and patience and the way that they have done it in His name. Notice He says "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee". Why? Because these people had left their first love--Jesus Christ Himself! The foundation of this church and its laboring were no longer resting upon Jesus Christ. They were not motivated by their love for Him anymore. But Jesus knew that. He knew that their motivation was wrong.
Am I promoting the cause of Christ out of the right motivation--a love for Christ? What is the basis of my work? Why do I labor? Do I do it for my "first love"--Jesus Christ?
If I am ministering, if I am serving in any way, if I am in any way promoting the cause of Christ here on this earth, is it because I love to see Him glorified? Do I witness because I desire to see men, women, and children experience and express the glory of their "first love"?
If my motivation lies elsewhere I must determine where I have placed my love. What happened to the One Who first captured my love? I must remember Who changed me, Who drew me to Himself, and Who set His love upon me. This should cause me to repent for my work that has been done "in vain." That may sound harsh, but if my labor for the kingdom of God is not out of a heart of love than how could it be anything but "in vain"?
I pray that my work would not be "in vain" because I have forgotten my "first love." I don't want to be guilty of living the dutiful Christian life. Every ounce of our labor should be done out of a love for our "first love." And what a "first love" we have!
Is He still the Lover of our Souls?
Maybe we need to stop what we are doing right now and evaluate our labor. Maybe we need to just come back to the "heart of worship" because ultimately it is "all about You, Jesus."
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Power From On High
Isaiah 40:28-31
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:"
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
My thoughts:
Why is it that I so easily underestimate the power of my God? He Who made all things, is LORD over all, and Who reigns from everlasting to everlasting--He it is Who never grows weary, never faints under any pressure of any kind.
Who am I to understand His ways? He is a glorious mystery and His ways are beyond my feeble grasp. But what I do know of Him and His ways I find in His Word. What must I do then? Read it and believe it! I must hold to its truth.
If I am trusting His Word to be true, then I know that He gives power to the faint--enduring power to bear those heavy loads. I also know that He increases the strength of those who have no might. When I feel as if I can't go on, He strengthens me and renews my spirit.
Once again if I believe His Word to be true, then I realize that all will faint and be weary and that all will stumble and fall on this journey.
But listen to this-- Patient waiting on the Lord brings renewed strength, a lifted spirit (soaring as an eagle), the ability to run (to me this emphasizes great motivation and a stronger passion to pursue God),endurance (will not be weary), and continual walking (in the Spirit). If I am patiently waiting on and trusting in Him, I can keep on walking and keep on being strengthened and renewed!
That such a powerful God would grant me the power to live for Him against the cry for my flesh is amazing to me! He never grows weary. He holds the same amount of power as He always has. My Almighty God is willing to strengthen my weak heart, mind, and body as I wait patiently on Him and trust that He is all He says He is.
He enables me to soar high above the cares of the world. What a powerful, yet loving and merciful God we have. Oh, that we would exercise more faith and trust in our sovereign God! To be called by His name is so great a privilege!
"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding."
"He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength."
"Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:"
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
My thoughts:
Why is it that I so easily underestimate the power of my God? He Who made all things, is LORD over all, and Who reigns from everlasting to everlasting--He it is Who never grows weary, never faints under any pressure of any kind.
Who am I to understand His ways? He is a glorious mystery and His ways are beyond my feeble grasp. But what I do know of Him and His ways I find in His Word. What must I do then? Read it and believe it! I must hold to its truth.
If I am trusting His Word to be true, then I know that He gives power to the faint--enduring power to bear those heavy loads. I also know that He increases the strength of those who have no might. When I feel as if I can't go on, He strengthens me and renews my spirit.
Once again if I believe His Word to be true, then I realize that all will faint and be weary and that all will stumble and fall on this journey.
But listen to this-- Patient waiting on the Lord brings renewed strength, a lifted spirit (soaring as an eagle), the ability to run (to me this emphasizes great motivation and a stronger passion to pursue God),endurance (will not be weary), and continual walking (in the Spirit). If I am patiently waiting on and trusting in Him, I can keep on walking and keep on being strengthened and renewed!
That such a powerful God would grant me the power to live for Him against the cry for my flesh is amazing to me! He never grows weary. He holds the same amount of power as He always has. My Almighty God is willing to strengthen my weak heart, mind, and body as I wait patiently on Him and trust that He is all He says He is.
He enables me to soar high above the cares of the world. What a powerful, yet loving and merciful God we have. Oh, that we would exercise more faith and trust in our sovereign God! To be called by His name is so great a privilege!
