You know what the worst part of growing up is? Facing the demolishing of your expectations. When you're in your twenties, the world seems pretty much all for the taking. Young love feels like it will last forever. Opportunities look like they will always come your way. The future is a bright place waiting for you to make your mark. I well remember that time.
But then the years pass and suddenly dark things start to happen. Friends you didn't expect to die so soon, do. Young love transforms, now commonplace and banal. Perfect children don't materialize (or if you face infertility, don't exist at all). The career so open for the taking becomes drudgery. A disease drains energy and finances. Oh, there are good days, days you smile and enjoy life, but there is dark and it is so very dark. The life you expected has disappeared. And perhaps you resent those whose lives seem to have turned out exactly as they wanted.
The truth is, for some of your fellow humans, life threw curve balls (maybe even for you personally). And as much as we Christians like to tell each other we trust God and his will for our lives, we don't like that he let the curve balls get to us. As much as we say we don't believe in legalistic tit for tat, we do. We've unconsciously determined we deserve smooth sailing: a perfect marriage, maybe a little arguing here and there, but an inexhaustible supply of forgiveness and thus abolished hurt. Children who are easily obedient, sweet cherubs, because we'd parent the right way. Careers that fulfill us, our contributions valued and lauded. And faith? Well, God makes that easy, after all, he's a perfect being so I can't help but love Him.
I recently read an article about a couple thrown a curve ball: their oldest daughter died of a sudden asthma attack. It was gut wrenching for them. The author noted that everyone at some point faces the confrontation of fears or the abandoning of destinies. That part gave me pause. Abandoning destiny? Then it hit me. He and his wife can't go back. They can't get their daughter back. They never wanted to face life without her. They never wanted to confront her death. They never wanted this. This was not the expectation of what life held.
Christians laud heroes of the faith and pretty much all those heroes stand up under suffering. Joseph sold into slavery. David hounded by Saul. Esther married off to spend her life in a harem. Jeremiah preaching and enduring hate to speak God's truth. Saul thrown in prison for releasing a woman from Satan. These heroes inspire us. "Yes, yes! They are faithful. Yes!" We love to see Job declare, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord." "Yes, Job! Don't listen to your wife who wants you to curse God and die." But then our own dark hits and we find we admire Job, but we don't want to be him.
We don't want to be Hosea, faithful to a faithless spouse. We don't want to be Hagar, mistreated and sent away with our child. We don't want to be Elijah, standing up for faith and taking a hit for doing so. We don't want to be David, facing the disasters of a rebellious child. We don't want to be Job, our home destroyed, our wealth gone, our children dead. Not only do we not want it, we never thought God would make us go through it in the first place.
When expectations are dashed, when this smooth life turns out not to be so smooth, it can kill spirit and soul. The worst is when things happen that you cannot fix. When the miscarriage happens, when the child dies, when the child strays, when the spouse changes, when you stop being loved. Where is our faith in the midst of the deepest dark, the abandoning of our destinies?
The author of the article I read faced his pain head on. As much as it hurt, he didn't shove it away; he lived in it. It hurt, it stabbed, it crushed, but in he went. My life verse is Hebrews 11:13: "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not
receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a
distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." Most of the heroes of faith didn't see what God promised. Abraham didn't see his descendants as numerous as the stars. Moses didn't see the Hebrews take the Promised Land. Jeremiah didn't see Israel return after 70 years of exile. Isaiah didn't see Jesus born and die and save. And yet, these and more were living by faith when they died.
This is what gives me the courage to face the pain head on, to live in the death of expectations. I look to those I admire, who faced the dark and kept on trusting. I take comfort that I do not walk alone. I journey with a cloud of witnesses "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). I choose to see the joy on the other side of the dark.
Does this mean the dark is easy? No. The dark is dark, but there is a glimmer in a faithful heart. I hold to that glimmer. Some days the tears drench, the knees bruise as we fall, and our breath is taken from us, no words for the pain we endure. Sometimes all we can do is fix our eyes on Jesus ahead of us and Job, Hosea, Hagar, Jeremiah beside us. We cling to the promise that our victor will be victorious and some day the dark swallowed up in the city that has no need of the sun for the glory of God is its light and the Lamb is its lamp.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Friday, June 17, 2016
God Didn't Abandon Jesus and He Doesn't Abandon You
I posted the following as a comment on an article about how God "forsook" Jesus on the cross:
Not one of the gospels says God "turned his back" on Jesus. Not one. This is an idea that got passed around and most Christians just accept. In fact, there is no commentary of the gospel writers on what exactly Jesus meant when he spoke the question, a quote from Psalm 22. The only context that can even inform us here comes from this Psalm. David expresses a feeling of God forsaking him. But has he been forsaken? NO! That is the point. David reaffirms God is faithful and does not forsake him in verse 24: "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." If we hold this a Messianic Psalm then is all of it applicable? If so, then it matters that it states "he has not hidden his face from him."
The straightforward answer is we can't be certain exactly what Jesus meant when he used this phrase. The Bible never tells us anymore than that he said it. Did God "turn his back"? I hesitate to put an action on God that is NEVER stated in Scripture. The more complex answer is we can look to Psalm 22 for context. And in that context we can see that David felt abandoned. And we can also see that he was not abandoned. He asks the question, but the answer is not affirmative. We can say that Jesus felt abandoned. Was he abandoned? The Psalm reaffirms God's faithfulness and not hiding his face. Only Jesus can tell us exactly what he meant someday when we see him face to face.
There is nothing in the Bible to support that God abandoned Jesus on the cross. No author ever makes that assumption or says that. In our desire to figure out what Jesus meant we have made up this idea about God turning his back on Jesus. This is only speculation, and I would assert unsupportable speculation. Even worse, it hints at the fact that God abandons you, too.
The reason people usually give for God "turning his back" is he can't look on sin. This idea is also false. It gets pulled from one verse in Scripture from a book most Christians hardly ever read and probably haven't a clue what it's about: Habakkuk. Habakkuk 1:13a says, "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong". Seems straightforward. Or is it? If God can't see evil or wrong, he's doing a pretty terrible job of being himself. God looked at sinful earth before the flood (Gen. 6:11-12). God looked at the sin when the tower of Babel was built (Gen. 11:5). He looked on David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:9). And on and on and on. God looks at sin all over the Bible.
Just as we have to look at the context of Psalm 22 to understand the point of the Psalm, we have to look at the context of the verse in Habakkuk to understand it. It can't mean God never looks on evil/sin because he does. Some people then say, "Well, of course, God doesn't really have eyes, so he can't look at sin. What this verse really means is he can't be in the presence of sin." But is this supported by Scripture? God was in the presence of sinful Adam and Eve (Gen. 3). Adam and Eve hid from God's presence, but God called out to them. In Job, Satan comes into God's presence (Job 1). Jesus was fully God and he came into contact with sin constantly. This idea doesn't hold weight either.
So what does Habakkuk mean when he says God's pure eyes can't see evil or look at wrong? In Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk is questioning why God is putting up with all the sin and evil he sees around him. The nation of Israel had become full of violence and strife and injustice (1:1-4). So God answers he is going to send the Chaldeans to punish Israel (1:5-11). Habakkuk takes issue with this. The Chaldeans are horribly violent people. How can God punish Israel with those who are so evil? This is the context of Habakkuk 1:13a.
Not one of the gospels says God "turned his back" on Jesus. Not one. This is an idea that got passed around and most Christians just accept. In fact, there is no commentary of the gospel writers on what exactly Jesus meant when he spoke the question, a quote from Psalm 22. The only context that can even inform us here comes from this Psalm. David expresses a feeling of God forsaking him. But has he been forsaken? NO! That is the point. David reaffirms God is faithful and does not forsake him in verse 24: "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." If we hold this a Messianic Psalm then is all of it applicable? If so, then it matters that it states "he has not hidden his face from him."
The straightforward answer is we can't be certain exactly what Jesus meant when he used this phrase. The Bible never tells us anymore than that he said it. Did God "turn his back"? I hesitate to put an action on God that is NEVER stated in Scripture. The more complex answer is we can look to Psalm 22 for context. And in that context we can see that David felt abandoned. And we can also see that he was not abandoned. He asks the question, but the answer is not affirmative. We can say that Jesus felt abandoned. Was he abandoned? The Psalm reaffirms God's faithfulness and not hiding his face. Only Jesus can tell us exactly what he meant someday when we see him face to face.
There is nothing in the Bible to support that God abandoned Jesus on the cross. No author ever makes that assumption or says that. In our desire to figure out what Jesus meant we have made up this idea about God turning his back on Jesus. This is only speculation, and I would assert unsupportable speculation. Even worse, it hints at the fact that God abandons you, too.
The reason people usually give for God "turning his back" is he can't look on sin. This idea is also false. It gets pulled from one verse in Scripture from a book most Christians hardly ever read and probably haven't a clue what it's about: Habakkuk. Habakkuk 1:13a says, "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong". Seems straightforward. Or is it? If God can't see evil or wrong, he's doing a pretty terrible job of being himself. God looked at sinful earth before the flood (Gen. 6:11-12). God looked at the sin when the tower of Babel was built (Gen. 11:5). He looked on David's sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 12:9). And on and on and on. God looks at sin all over the Bible.
Just as we have to look at the context of Psalm 22 to understand the point of the Psalm, we have to look at the context of the verse in Habakkuk to understand it. It can't mean God never looks on evil/sin because he does. Some people then say, "Well, of course, God doesn't really have eyes, so he can't look at sin. What this verse really means is he can't be in the presence of sin." But is this supported by Scripture? God was in the presence of sinful Adam and Eve (Gen. 3). Adam and Eve hid from God's presence, but God called out to them. In Job, Satan comes into God's presence (Job 1). Jesus was fully God and he came into contact with sin constantly. This idea doesn't hold weight either.
So what does Habakkuk mean when he says God's pure eyes can't see evil or look at wrong? In Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk is questioning why God is putting up with all the sin and evil he sees around him. The nation of Israel had become full of violence and strife and injustice (1:1-4). So God answers he is going to send the Chaldeans to punish Israel (1:5-11). Habakkuk takes issue with this. The Chaldeans are horribly violent people. How can God punish Israel with those who are so evil? This is the context of Habakkuk 1:13a.
"A"? You see, there is a whole second part of this verse that doesn't get quoted often in this discussion. As always, it provides our answer. Here is the whole verse: "You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?" Here is Habakkuk's question of how God can use the sinful Chaldeans to punish sinful Israel. The second part of the verse adds clarity to the first part. How does Habakkuk claim God is looking on sin/evil/wrong? Idly. He remains silent. In other words, Habakkuk is asking how God can look at this sin and be okay with it. Habakkuk knows God cannot look at sin in a positive light, so how can he be okay with the Chaldeans' sin? Habakkuk acknowledges in the second part that God is looking at sin!
The NASB translates this verse in a way that provides wonderful clarity: "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You can not look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor on those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?" God cannot approve evil and he cannot look at wickedness with favor. God looks on sin and evil. He sees it. He punishes it. God doesn't hide himself from sin because it's just so awful it might stain him. He looks it full in the face and confronts it with his judgment.
Jesus took all the punishment of sin for us. He took the anger and wrath. Did he feel abandoned by God? Did he feel forsaken? Yes. Was he forsaken? Psalm 22 says no. Psalm 22 says God hears the afflicted, that God listens to his cry.
My friend, there will be days you feel abandoned and forsaken. In the midst of your pain, know that Jesus understands. Jesus knows what it is like to feel abandoned and forsaken. You have your savior's understanding. But will God turn his back on you? No! God did not abandon Jesus and he will not abandon you.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Answers to the Christmas Story Trivia Challenge
If you haven't had a chance to try the trivia questions, see the previous post here.
Answers:
1. What is the English translation of Jesus' Hebrew name?
Jesus' Hebrew name is Yeshua, a common alternative form of Yehoshuah which means "Yahweh is Salvation." English translates this name as Joshua. Jesus comes from the Greek translation. Since the New Testament was written in Greek and was translated into English, we use the Greek as the basis for Jesus' name.
2. When does Joseph first speak in the narrative of Jesus' birth?
He never speaks.
3. What animal did Mary ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem?
The Bible does not tell us how Mary got to Bethlehem.
4. What did the angels sing to the Shepherds about Jesus?
They didn't sing. The Bible says they spoke.
5. What did the Shepherds do after they had seen Jesus?
Spread the word concerning him or praised God.
6. Which angel was there when Jesus was born?
None is mentioned.
7. How many wise men came to see Jesus?
Also, check out this fun video that points out the myths surrounding the story of Jesus' birth as well as the true meaning of his birth.
Answers:
1. What is the English translation of Jesus' Hebrew name?
Jesus' Hebrew name is Yeshua, a common alternative form of Yehoshuah which means "Yahweh is Salvation." English translates this name as Joshua. Jesus comes from the Greek translation. Since the New Testament was written in Greek and was translated into English, we use the Greek as the basis for Jesus' name.
2. When does Joseph first speak in the narrative of Jesus' birth?
He never speaks.
3. What animal did Mary ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem?
The Bible does not tell us how Mary got to Bethlehem.
4. What did the angels sing to the Shepherds about Jesus?
They didn't sing. The Bible says they spoke.
5. What did the Shepherds do after they had seen Jesus?
Spread the word concerning him or praised God.
6. Which angel was there when Jesus was born?
None is mentioned.
7. How many wise men came to see Jesus?
No number is ever
given. Three gifts are mentioned, but not the number of wise men.
There could have been more than three or less than three.
8. What animals did the wise men ride?
No animals are mentioned.
9. Where did the star the wise men had been following stop?
Over the house or place where Jesus was. At this point, we assume that Mary and Joseph had taken up residence in Bethlehem, probably because they had a new baby and family in Bethlehem and elected not to make the trip back to Nazareth. Thus it makes sense why Herod wanted to kill all babies 2 years and younger as he had inquired when the wise men first saw the star.
10. How did the wise men know not to go back to Herod?
They were warned
in a dream. The Bible does not say who warned them, whether God
directly, an angel or just a simple dream.
Bonus Question: Where did the innkeeper say Mary and Joseph could stay?
Very tricky question. First, the Bible never mentions an innkeeper. Second, the term "inn" is most likely mistranslated in English. Mary and Joseph were probably traveling with other family members and stayed with family in Bethlehem. The term "inn" does not need to refer to a hotel like we think of. Luke used the term for a guest room. The image of Mary and Joseph alone as Mary gives birth is highly unlikely. Family and/or midwives were most certainly present. Why Jesus in a manger then? Check out this link for far more detail.
How did you do? Comment below!
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Christmas Story Trivia Challenge
How well do you know the story of Christ's birth? Test yourself with these questions! Answers revealed tomorrow.
Rules:
1. You cannot look in a Bible
2. You cannot look on the internet.
3. You cannot look anywhere else. All answers must come from your brain only.
4. Be honest. If you look anywhere but in your brain, you can't count that as getting the answer correct.
5. You can pray :-)
Trivia Questions (All questions concern the Biblical account of Jesus' birth.)
1. What is the English translation of Jesus' Hebrew name?
2. When does Joseph first speak in the narrative of Jesus' birth?
3. What animal did Mary ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem?
4. What did the angels sing to the Shepherds about Jesus?
5. What did the Shepherds do after they had seen Jesus?
6. Which angel was there when Jesus was born?
7. How many wise men came to see Jesus?
8. What animals did the wise men ride?
9. Where did the star the wise men had been following stop?
10. How did the wise men know not to go back to Herod?
Bonus: Where did the innkeeper say Mary and Joseph could stay?
Rules:
1. You cannot look in a Bible
2. You cannot look on the internet.
3. You cannot look anywhere else. All answers must come from your brain only.
4. Be honest. If you look anywhere but in your brain, you can't count that as getting the answer correct.
5. You can pray :-)
Trivia Questions (All questions concern the Biblical account of Jesus' birth.)
1. What is the English translation of Jesus' Hebrew name?
2. When does Joseph first speak in the narrative of Jesus' birth?
3. What animal did Mary ride from Nazareth to Bethlehem?
4. What did the angels sing to the Shepherds about Jesus?
5. What did the Shepherds do after they had seen Jesus?
6. Which angel was there when Jesus was born?
7. How many wise men came to see Jesus?
8. What animals did the wise men ride?
9. Where did the star the wise men had been following stop?
10. How did the wise men know not to go back to Herod?
Bonus: Where did the innkeeper say Mary and Joseph could stay?
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Love: Here With Us
"It's still a mystery to me
That the hands of God could be so small.
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky."
How tiny fingers reaching in the night
Were the very hands that measured the sky."
The story of Jesus sounds so impossible to uninitiated ears. God in a man? God as a baby? Impossible! But if an all powerful God exists, could he not accomplish such a feat? Once you accept the possibility of God, the possibility of a babe in a manger is a small step.
"It's still a mystery to me
How His infant eyes have seen the dawn of time.
How His ears have heard an angel's symphony,
But still Mary had to rock her Savior to sleep."
Man longs for rescue. Literature, media, our hearts testify to such a longing, the good defeating evil, the hero saving the world. Could it be this desire is created within us from the time we are born? What greater rescue could there be than God, creator of time, commander of angels. Peer at the sleeping baby--he is the answer to our longing for salvation.
"Hallelujah, hallelujah
Heaven's love reaching down to save the world.
Hallelujah, hallelujah, son of God, servant King
Here with us, You're here with us."
Praise the Lord! The world is not lost. Evil does not have to win. A real hero steps into the scene. God is more than powerful--he is love. He reaches down to man, gifting his son, a king and a servant, to walk with us and draw us up from the dust and mire of the world.
"Jesus, the Christ, born in Bethlehem.
A baby born to save, to save the souls of man."
Story heroes snatch us from the jaws of physical death; Jesus snatches us from ourselves. From the sin that entangles, the self suffering of our natures, a sick soul in need of release. In so doing, physical death is also defeated, its sting obliterated. Eternal life, yes, with an eternally perfectly restful soul. What better news can there be than this Christmas truth?
(Quotes come from the song "Here With Us" by Joy Williams. You can listen to it here.)
Monday, December 14, 2015
American Christians and Habakkuk
God's plan moving throughout time is the foundation of the Biblical worldview of history. This does not negate man's choices, but means that God will work sometimes with and sometimes in spite of man's actions: "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps" (Proverbs 16:9). Recently, I have been confronted by this truth once again and its impact on the Christianity of my nation.
Violence, aggression and crime seem to be the circumstances of the day. But then, when have they not? Not an age in human history has passed where they were not active in some fashion. Yet now we seem to face a different time, a time where a certain group of people wish the end of America and Christians. How are we to respond to this?
To answer that question, I have been drawn back to one of my favorite minor prophets: Habakkuk. His book is written as a question and answer session with God. He wrote at a time when the Babylonians were the rising foreign power. The good king of his own nation, Josiah, had died and a sinful, wicked king had taken his place. The nation was beset by greed, fighting, injustice and moral decline. The citizens of Judah spent their time on themselves and their pleasures and mocked the God who supposedly had the power to judge them.
I cannot help but see a comparison between Habakkuk's time and my own. We live in a time of many rising powers that are as powerful or more than America. We face the corruption of our government system so tied to lobbyists and powerful donors. Our nation is focused on hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure regardless of moral implications. And like Habakkuk, I hear many American Christians warning, "God will judge this."
Will he? He, indeed, may. I hear some long for such. "When will you take care of this God?" Habakkuk asks the same: "How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, 'Violence!' yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness?" (Habakkuk 3:1-3). Fed up with watching the injustice of his nation, Habakkuk longs for God's intervention. But God does not answer in a way that Habakkuk likes. God basically says, "I am going to take care of it. Babylon is going to rise up against Judah and invade." "Wait a second!" Habakkuk responds, "How can you use those horrible, immoral Babylonians against us?" What Habakkuk longed for suddenly doesn't seem so great.
American Christians are praying for revival, but we want it without suffering or trial or discomfort. We picture some spontaneous Holy Spirit descent that forces people to revive whether they like it or not. Our term revival comes from a time in history where this seemed to be the case. But we neglect the fact that revival, the awakening of the desire for the divine, often comes when people face pain, and I would suggest, even more so this way.
So what if God plans for America to face suffering and pain? Will you, American Christian, be okay with that? In her book, Smoke on the Mountain, Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis, speaks to this: "What, then, must we pray for? Nothing that we have not been told over and over again; nothing but 'Thy will be done,' even if his will is that we lose all that the last two hundred years have given us."
I find American Christians often act like God is obligated to keep them safe, to preserve their cushy way of life, their privileges, their benefits. When someone is elected they do not like, they do not understand how God would let this person reign. And even when wanting God's justice and praying for God's bringing down of evil, they want to be spared. "Discipline my country, God, but leave me intact."
Habakkuk knew he wouldn't be left intact. Yet even so, he trusted God in his plan. His trust resolved his fear:
"I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places." (3:16-19).
Could God use foreign nations and those of different religions to judge America and bring it back to him? Yes. And if he does, what, American Christian, will be your response? Will you trust God's plan or wring your hands in fear? Are you willing to accept that which you have prayed for even if it comes in a different package than you desired? If you are, then be at peace. Let your trust in God no matter what banish the fear. Be a light on a hill to those who fear in uncertain times and in so doing, draw others to him.
Violence, aggression and crime seem to be the circumstances of the day. But then, when have they not? Not an age in human history has passed where they were not active in some fashion. Yet now we seem to face a different time, a time where a certain group of people wish the end of America and Christians. How are we to respond to this?
To answer that question, I have been drawn back to one of my favorite minor prophets: Habakkuk. His book is written as a question and answer session with God. He wrote at a time when the Babylonians were the rising foreign power. The good king of his own nation, Josiah, had died and a sinful, wicked king had taken his place. The nation was beset by greed, fighting, injustice and moral decline. The citizens of Judah spent their time on themselves and their pleasures and mocked the God who supposedly had the power to judge them.
I cannot help but see a comparison between Habakkuk's time and my own. We live in a time of many rising powers that are as powerful or more than America. We face the corruption of our government system so tied to lobbyists and powerful donors. Our nation is focused on hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure regardless of moral implications. And like Habakkuk, I hear many American Christians warning, "God will judge this."
Will he? He, indeed, may. I hear some long for such. "When will you take care of this God?" Habakkuk asks the same: "How long, O Lord, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, 'Violence!' yet You do not save. Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness?" (Habakkuk 3:1-3). Fed up with watching the injustice of his nation, Habakkuk longs for God's intervention. But God does not answer in a way that Habakkuk likes. God basically says, "I am going to take care of it. Babylon is going to rise up against Judah and invade." "Wait a second!" Habakkuk responds, "How can you use those horrible, immoral Babylonians against us?" What Habakkuk longed for suddenly doesn't seem so great.
American Christians are praying for revival, but we want it without suffering or trial or discomfort. We picture some spontaneous Holy Spirit descent that forces people to revive whether they like it or not. Our term revival comes from a time in history where this seemed to be the case. But we neglect the fact that revival, the awakening of the desire for the divine, often comes when people face pain, and I would suggest, even more so this way.
So what if God plans for America to face suffering and pain? Will you, American Christian, be okay with that? In her book, Smoke on the Mountain, Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis, speaks to this: "What, then, must we pray for? Nothing that we have not been told over and over again; nothing but 'Thy will be done,' even if his will is that we lose all that the last two hundred years have given us."
I find American Christians often act like God is obligated to keep them safe, to preserve their cushy way of life, their privileges, their benefits. When someone is elected they do not like, they do not understand how God would let this person reign. And even when wanting God's justice and praying for God's bringing down of evil, they want to be spared. "Discipline my country, God, but leave me intact."
Habakkuk knew he wouldn't be left intact. Yet even so, he trusted God in his plan. His trust resolved his fear:
"I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places." (3:16-19).
Could God use foreign nations and those of different religions to judge America and bring it back to him? Yes. And if he does, what, American Christian, will be your response? Will you trust God's plan or wring your hands in fear? Are you willing to accept that which you have prayed for even if it comes in a different package than you desired? If you are, then be at peace. Let your trust in God no matter what banish the fear. Be a light on a hill to those who fear in uncertain times and in so doing, draw others to him.
Joy: Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus
"Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee."
Oh, the joy! Beset by sin, entrapped by fear, what release is there for us? A baby, a boy-child, unassuming in a manger, he is the source of freedom. Fear and sin find their defeat in this little one who offers a hand prepared for a nail. Will you take his hand and find rest for your weary soul?
"Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart."
Israel has led the way, its relationship with the mighty God a lesson for all: sin is impossible to defeat, a constant torture to failed humanity. Year after year, blood after blood, what release from such a system, from such a need? The hope of earth in the babe of the manger, sent for Israel, and more, for all nations. This is the source of joy, this the desire, this what we have longed for.
"Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring."
He delivers us from sin and our own fear, this child, this king. He enters in when invited to reign eternally on the throne of our hearts. A kingdom he has brought in my soul, a physical kingdom he has foretold to come. Take joy, O wounded heart! Take joy, of soul of trial! This king brings victory, now and forevermore.
"By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne."
Jesus rules. His righteousness conquers a heart dead in sin and brings life once more. I was once condemned, now I am lifted up to my God, before his throne, free, loved, holy. How can we not but take joy in such a truth? We praise the baby at Christmas because his advent is the declaration of sin's downfall. Take joy this day! Your Savior reigns!
(Quotes from the song "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus" by Charles Wesley. You can listen to it here.)
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