I Wish You Could Sit Here

Psalm 6

No, Lord! Don’t condemn me. Don’t punish me in your fiery anger.
Please deal gently with me, Yahweh; show me mercy, for I’m sick and frail.
I’m fading away with weakness. Heal me, for I’m falling apart.
How long until you take away this pain in my body and in my soul?
Lord, I’m trembling in fear!
Yahweh, return to me and deliver my life because I know your faithful love is toward me.
How can I be any good to you dead?
For graveyards sing no songs.
In the darkness of death who remembers you?
How could I bring you praise if I’m buried in a tomb?
I’m exhausted and worn out with my weeping.
I endure weary, sleepless nights filled with moaning, soaking my pillow with my tears.
My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart.
There are so many enemies who come against me!
Go away! Leave me, all you troublemakers!
For the Lord has turned to listen to my thunderous cry.
Yes! Yahweh my healer has heard all my pleading and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all.
Now it’s my enemies who have been shamed.
Terror-stricken, they will turn back again, knowing the bitterness of sudden disgrace!

This past week was quite difficult in a lot of ways. I don’t want to dwell on the details, but issues with my health and the side effects are reaching an overwhelming height. And this past Saturday was the height of it. All I could think about was that I want to go home, but there was a darkness about it as if the enemy was smiling. I was to run sound at church, so I was out the door early Sunday and on my way to the church. Ah.. A new day. Then these feelings of failure, frustration, anger were coming back, and I just wanted to give up. But I pushed on to get to church. I could just picture the enemy saying, “No. No. No. Don’t go there.”

While driving, I was praying and said to Jesus, “I wish you could sit here and talk to me.” As I pulled up to the church, it was early. Pastor George was in the driveway looking at something before everyone was showing up. He drove over to where I was parked, and he could tell by something I did that something wasn’t right. He jumped out of his vehicle and came over to me. We talked for a minute or so and he prayed with me. I told him what I said to Jesus just minutes before that, and George asked God to reveal Himself to me in the best way that He knows that I need to hear from Him.

I went inside and after a few minutes Pastor Greg was asking me how I was doing. I guess he sensed I had been teared up from the parking lot with Pastor George. Greg told me he would be praying for me. After the band practiced, we assembled at the front of the church. We always read a Psalm and have prayer time before the first service. We read a chapter a few times, pray it over the church, pray for the church. We started to read Psalm 6 around the group, and my verses were 6 and 7. “I’m exhausted and worn out with my weeping. I endure weary, sleepless nights filled with moaning, soaking my pillow with my tears. My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart. There are so many enemies who come against me!” This was me. Exactly me. I was choking up in tears. The writer was right where I was. God was talking to me. The Psalmist goes on “Go away! Leave me, all you troublemakers! For the Lord has turned to listen to my thunderous cry.  Yes! Yahweh my healer has heard all my pleading and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all.”

Pastor Greg prayed for the people of the church who are feeling the effects of what Brian read. No one but God Almighty could have orchestrated the meeting between me and Pastor George in the parking lot and then to read the two verses out loud that I could relate to so well. As the service went on, I could see in the message if I was to give in to the disappointment that I thought would happen and the frustration of having to deal with my issues while doing my responsibility at the church, then that day I would have missed out on God revealing Himself to me, His answer to my prayer. I’m sure He won’t show Himself to me, because of Faith and Hope. As we see Jesus face to face, our Faith and Hope will disappear. He knows in this life we need both Faith and Hope, and until that day, I’ll have to be ok with that.

Yes, it was another day, a day where God showed Himself right with me. Through perfect timing, people, prayer, scripture, and a message. Through the church where I’m sure the enemy wants us to run from.

Lord, thank you for the blessings through Your power, Your word, Your people, Your church.

—Brian Rainey

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.

A Grateful Reed

This little devotional by Max Lucado was for me this week. Maybe the ugliness bombarding us at every turn has you feeling pretty beaten up and black and blue these days too. Please read on.

Is there anything more frail than a bruised reed? Look at the bruised reed at the water’s edge. A once slender and tall stalk of sturdy river grass, it is now bowed and bent.

Are you a bruised reed? Was it so long ago that you stood so tall, so proud?

Then something happened. You were bruised…

By harsh words

By a friend’s anger

By a spouse’s betrayal…

The bruised reed. Society knows what to do with you. The world will break you off; the world will snuff you out.

But the artists of Scripture proclaim that God won’t. Painted on canvas after canvas is the tender touch of a Creator who has a special place for the bruised and weary of the world. A God who is the friend of the wounded heart.

An excerpt from a Desiring God article, A Bruised Reed He Will Not Break by Sam Allberry, continues this theme so well.

Only Jesus can demonstrate ultimate strength and then apply that same unique strength in the most tender ways. The same Jesus who has the power not only to throw down tables in the temple courtyard, or to expel demons from the possessed, or even to call a dead man out of a grave — this Jesus also has the capacity to show tenderness to those who are most delicate and fragile. We’re told in Matthew’s Gospel:

“He will not quarrel or cry aloud,
     nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
a bruised reed he will not break,
     and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory;
     and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” (Matthew 12:19–21)

There was none stronger than Jesus. He was fearless before those who opposed him. He never once hesitated to say what needed to be said, even when he knew it would provoke violent opposition. He confronted those who needed to be called out. And he claimed victory over sin and death. This was no weak man.

And yet, in Jesus, enormous strength does not lead to insensitivity. The capacity to challenge and confront doesn’t lead to unnecessary conflict. He doesn’t stomp over people. He can crush a serpent, but he can also hold the most delicate in his care. We are reminded of what Isaiah said about the God who would be coming for his people:

Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
     and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
     and his recompense before him.
He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
     he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
     and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:10–11)

The arm with which this God effects his mighty rule is the same arm which gathers up the lambs. The God who can level mountain ranges and topple superpowers is the same God who carries the weakest and most tender close to his heart.

Isaiah’s prophecy looks forward to one who will not break a bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3). That is not because Jesus is a pushover. He is not soft. He knows how to apply strength to vulnerability. Think of all the things he could break and you begin to see the wonder of what he won’t break.

Part of the wonder is that Jesus is able to combine what we so easily separate. In our experience those who are gentlest tend to lack strength and force when it is called for, while those who are strongest tend to lack the capacity for gentleness and restraint. But Jesus exemplifies perfect gentleness and awesome strength. No one is crushed by mistake. There is never any friendly fire or collateral damage.

This combination is why he is such a good Savior to turn to. He is strong and mighty to save: he can take on the strongest of our foes and always be certain to prevail. No spiritual force arrayed against us stands a chance of surviving. And yet he is unspeakably delicate and careful with us. There is no wound or vulnerability he doesn’t understand or handle with the utmost care. He is someone we can trust with our most tender bruises and fragility. He will not be clumsy with us. He won’t steamroll us. He can apply his unimaginable strength to us with affection and sensitivity.

In a fallen world like this, all of us are people who have both sinned and been sinned against. Some of this will have left us with deep wounds that seem unfathomable even to us, let alone others. But Jesus knows us fully and understands us entirely. He loves us more than we love ourselves. He is even more committed to our ultimate joy than we are.

In our pain and confusion, in our weakness and mess, we come to him assured that he alone is trustworthy. He has the power and capacity to help us, and the tenderness and care to want to. We can trust him with our deepest pains and bruises. There is none more fearsome, but none gentler.

Our God is a friend of the wounded heart.

Doesn’t that give you incredible hope?

Doesn’t that compel you to cry out with humble gratitude to our compassionate and caring Father?

Isn’t this posture a fitting way to begin to this Thanksgiving season?

It is for me…

—Eileen Hill

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.

Election Results We Can Count On

According to the mainstream media, the election is over and we have a new president-elect. Others would say we’re still in a grey zone, where some electoral intrigue might still occur. In this timeframe, during the month of December, deadlines have to be met:

·  The 8th: Resolve all election disputes at the state level.

·  The 14th: Electors (of the electoral college) vote by paper ballot in each state and the District of Columbia; the votes are certified.

·  The 23rd: Certificates are delivered.

As of this writing—Tuesday, the Tenth of November—the legal team representing one of the candidates will be disputing the election results. They will use this time, possibly through that second deadline (December 14th), to challenge the vote tallies in a number of states, hoping to find the electoral votes that would send their candidate across the finish line, much as Al Gore had attempted to do, twenty years ago.

So, from a certain viewpoint, the election of one week ago is not exactly settled.

* * *

What is exactly, definitively, and forever settled are the elections result of the Kingdom of God. There, our heavenly Father has chosen who would be His. He has chosen who would fulfill His messianic purposes for all time and who would fulfill His Kingdom purposes in specific times and places.

When the Bible speaks of election, it does so in a sense very similar to what we the people had done on election day: it describes the free choice made by one person to appoint another to operate in a position not before held, or to enter something not before seen.

When we read of “the elect,” we’re reading of those chosen by God. When we read of “election,” we’re reading of the choice that God has made in those He wants, or has wanted, to become great people and to do great things for Him and His Kingdom.

God’s word mentions the elect (or election) twenty-seven times, four of which are in the Old Testament (all in Isaiah). The forerunner is, of course, Jesus, our Savior. The prophet says of Him:

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (42:1, KJV)

It says further on in Isaiah that Jesus would bring justice to the nations—not by shouting or crying out, or raising His voice in the streets. He would do so through faithfulness; He would be called in righteousness and be made a covenant and a light for the gentiles, opening blind eyes and setting captives free.

All of this would occur because Jesus was elected by God to hold messianic office for all time.

 Every remaining instance of the word elect—or a form of the word, in Hebrew (בָּחִיר / bâchîyr) or Greek (ἐκλεκτός / eklektos)—refers to the church. It refers to you and me as the chosen ones, the elect of God.

Also in Isaiah (45:4), we’re told that we, as Israel, are God’s elect (as Paul tells the Galatians, it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham, what he calls “the Israel of God.” See 3:7 and 6:16). The prophet says that we shall inherit God’s mountains (65:9) and shall, as His elect, enjoy the work of our hands (65:22) in that place.

When we get to the New Testament, staring with the gospels, Matthew and Mark tell us that His chosen, His elect, should expect rough days ahead. He says that “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved” and “but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24: 22).

Mark quotes our Lord, saying that God’s chosen should be careful whom they follow, for “false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect” (13:22).

Paul mentions election five times in his letter to the Romans, alone. Since God is He who justifies, he says, “who can lay a charge against God’s elect?” (8:33). He says that God’s purposes stand—according to His choice, His election—not because of our works, but because of God’s calling (9:11).

Paul reminds us that, even as a remnant of Israel had remained faithful, we are among the remnant who stand, today, because of what he calls the election of grace—that is, God’s grace working in us so that we comprehend His election (His choice) to give up his Son as an intercessor, on our behalf (11:5).

Two verses later, he says that this election, this choice that God made, opens up avenues for us not open to Israel. And in chapter eleven, he says that we are beloved—as a result of God’s election to pursue us through the Son.

God leads by example. He demonstrates the nature of love, showing us that, above all else, it is a choice. This is the meaning of God’s election.

Paul also considers election when writing to the Colossian church, to the Thessalonian church, to Timothy and Titus, reminding them the elect are responsible to “put on holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering” (Col 3:12) and that he endures “all things for the sake of the elect” (2 Tim 2:10).

The Apostle Peter is just as sure to remind his readers of the election of God, the choice our Father made to pursue those who had been wayward and who are now His. He confirms Paul’s word to them, saying they were elect “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Pet 1:2), that they were, as Jesus, “elect and precious” (1 Pet 2:6).

* * *

Much more could be said on the subject of election, to include such esoteric terms as the Calvinist Reformation’s view of Conditional Election, vis-à-vis Unconditional Election. This is a debate that has been raging since the death of John Calvin in 1564, one that I’ll leave for the theologians to discuss.

To me, the important point to remember is that God chose us to be a part of His Kingdom. God elected you, He elected me, to join him. And, according to John 3:16, we have a choice in the matter: whosoever would believe in Him can accept that offer of grace to join Him in His Kingdom.

For my part, I’d like to not only join Him, but to play as active a part as possible. Would anyone like to join me?

Who would like to be elected to this office of active citizenship in the Kingdom of God? The offer has already been made; it’s now up to you to either become a citizen or to decide you’ll focus all of your internal energy to the Kingdom’s purposes.

* * *

If you’re downcast, as a result of last week’s election results, take heart. God cast His ballot in your favor from before the foundation of the world, and His vote counts much more than that of any American voter.  

His election needs to be, and to always remain, the focus of our attention. His vote counts more than any earthly voter’s.

He chose you to receive grace upon grace, so that you would know that you are among the elect of God. Rejoice in this day, knowing that you are His.

Grow, as He gives you the opportunity, in the knowledge of His grace and the assurance of His having chosen you to be among His very own—for He has a very specific Kingdom purpose for you in this very place and in this time. No one else can accomplish that purpose but you!

You are chosen by God to hold this office. Specifically, you have been elected by God to hold the office of ambassador, or representative, of the Kingdom of God; you are called to be a minister of reconciliation, “as though God were making his appeal through [you]” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

You are uniquely qualified. If you make your party platform that of the Kingdom of God, you will never be disappointed. You will succeed.

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).

 —Kevin Hutchins

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational

Serve, Celebrate and Kiss!

This blog may not be what you are thinking of. I could not resist to pick three verbs that as humans we are all well familiar with—serve, celebrate, and kiss. And can you believe these are three verbs one king used in the past to advise other kings?

Psalm 2 is a perfect passage to read and meditate on when it comes to election time and after leaders have been elected. 

Even though the author of Psalm 2 is not identified, the Psalm is attributed to King David in Acts 4:24-26. This is the advice King David has to offer other Kings (verses 10-12):

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

    be warned, you rulers of the earth. 

Serve the Lord with fear

    and celebrate his rule with trembling.

Kiss his son, or he will be angry

    and your way will lead to your destruction,

for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

King David exhorts other kings to serve the Lord with fear, celebrate the fact that God is sovereign, and to kiss the Son of God because He, the Son, has the power to execute judgements. King David wraps up his exhortation with the affirmation that anyone who takes refuge in the Lord is a blessed person.

What is the alternative highlighted here for a king—leader—of any nation? Very simply: any king who does not serve in this way will be left to his own “ways” which will lead him to destruction.

So in our day, our president, congress, senate, supreme court, governors, mayors, freeholders, and any other leader in between, would be exhorted by King David to do their work with this perspective in mind. Whatever you do, serve the Lord with fear (this will keep you from relying on your understanding). Whatever you do, celebrate the fact that God rules (this will keep you humble as you regard the authority God has over everything). Whatever you do, kiss the Son of God (this will position you to receive every blessing Jesus secured at the Cross on your behalf). This too will attest to the fact that your affections and honor are directed toward the Son of God.

We can pray before, during and after the election for our leaders. That they will be given grace to serve the Lord with fear, celebrate God’s sovereignty, and kiss the Son of God!

May God help them. May God help us to pray for them.

—Diego Cuartas

*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational affiliation.