On wings and spiritual things

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 26:52-28:15
Luke 3:1-22
Psalm 61:1-8
Proverbs 11:16-17

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

King David was belittled when he was young. When the prophet Samuel showed up to anoint the next king of Israel, David's own father expressed doubt that his shepherd-boy son could possibly be the next king. When David was sent by his father to check on his brothers in the Israelite army, he was ridiculed by his own brothers when he said someone should go out to defeat Goliath.

But, we know what happened to Goliath. We also know how David courageously expanded the Israelite nation and its influence through military exploits. He proved that his trust in his God enabled him to experience victory after valiant victory.

However, in the recesses of his heart, David struggled just like the rest of us do. He had his moments of doubt. He felt the pangs of injustice. He periodically wondered why God seemed like He was a million miles away. (Just read the Psalms. David poured his heart out often and we get to see that he was much like us.)

That being the case, David needed a place of safety - just like us. He needed place where he could feel secure, a place where he could run when things got out of control - just like us.

Well, he found that place. Listen to what he wrote:

"I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:4 - CSB)

The "tent" was the tabernacle, the place where God met with His people. It was the place of worship. David realized that ultimately this was his place of shelter. He wasn't running to a massive, rock fortress. He was running to a tent because that was the place where His God resided.

But, he didn't just run to the tent. He ran into the tent (metaphorically speaking) and took "refuge under the shelter of (God's) wings." Just like a baby bird finds comfort from the storm under its mother's wings, so David found comfort under the protective care of his God's 'wings.' He realized that nothing could happen to him unless it got past God first. So, in that, he found comfort.

So, friend, when life gets chaotic where do you run? Where is your hiding place? If, to find comfort and make sense of it all, you run to anything but God, then that 'thing' you run to is your 'god.' 

Why not determine to develop your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Spend time listening to Him in His Word and speaking with Him in prayer. Consciously look for Him in the moments of your days. Let that relationship become so real that it becomes a natural reflex to run to Him when life gets tough.

You'll be glad you did.

Singin' in the rain!

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 24:1-25:18

Luke 2:1-35

Psalm 59:1-17

Proverbs 11:14

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 59:16 "But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Is being a Jesus-follower safe?

I don't know where it originated ... but it's wrong. Horribly wrong. You've heard it, too, I suspect. The notion that the safest place you can be is in the center of God's will.


Following Jesus is NOT a safe thing. Not even close.


Over and over in Scripture, we are shown through illustration and principle that following Jesus will enable us to enjoy our God but will also put us in opposition with many of our peers and our culture.


Some followers of Jesus get persecuted and killed. It seems as if we are hearing more about Christian persecution these days. (Yeah, just try to tell THEM that following Jesus is the safest thing they could do.)


We know this from our own experience, too. Just ask any child who attends school and wants to follow Jesus. Sure, they can find Christian friends but there is an invisible line that they had better not cross. If they cross that line and express too much passion in their pursuit of holiness, even their 'Christian' friends will ostracize them.


It's the same way in our workplaces. It's even the same way at church. Satisfy yourself in being a nominal Christian - don't get too excited about it - and everything is ok. But, if you begin making it clear that even the small sins bother you, you'll find the number of peers who associate with you getting smaller and smaller. Try bringing God's Word into ordinary conversations on a regular basis and you'll find the same results. Speak of how many popular movies are offensive to a Holy God, and you'll see what I'm talking about.


If our safety and affirmation by others is our highest priority, we won't be able to truly follow Jesus with our whole heart. However, if our love for our God and His truth and our love for others (the two greatest commands - Matthew 22:34-40) is what primarily drives us, then we may not be safe and our peer group may be small but we'll see God smiling at us.


In my Bible reading this morning, I was reading through Jeremiah 20. In it, Jeremiah was beaten and jailed for sharing God's Word and calling people to repent and live according to God's standard. He talked to God and essentially said, "Wow. Wasn't I the fool! I thought following You would be safe. But, the more I speak Your Word, the deeper my trouble gets!"


Yet, it is in this context that he utters a very, very powerful statement:


Jeremiah 20:9 (New Living Translation)
"But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!"


God's Word is the standard for us. It tells us what to believe and it tells us how we are to act. It tells us what sort of behavior God is free to bless and what God must punish. It also tells us that God's heart is one that longs for people to live in His favor and enjoy Him.


Yet, when we fall into sin, God's Word is not pleasant. It convicts us. It nails us. It shows that we are wrong and need to make adjustments. It uses the word 'repent' over and over and over. And not one likes that!


But, we MUST be people of the Word. We must read it, strive to live by it and share it with others.


So, are you looking for a safe life? Are you paralyzed with the desire to be liked and affirmed by as many people as possible? Well, following Jesus isn't really for you then, my friend.


But, if you are serious about following Jesus, while it isn't safe and while you may find that other 'Christians' will reject you, you'll see that God is smiling at you. But, and this is exciting(!), one day you'll see Jesus look you in the eye, raise His hands to applaud your entrance into Heaven and hear Him say, "Well done! Well done!" (Matthew 25:23)


That's the ultimate illustration of delayed gratification!