God Is Working All Things Out

 

My oldest daughter and her family took a recent vacation to the Florida panhandle. They had originally thought about staying a full week, but had decided to cut that timeframe short by a couple of days. It turned out to be a good decision or else they would have been facing the onslaught of hurricane Isaias. Meanwhile my other daughter and her family likewise had a trip planned to that area. They would normally have left on the Saturday when the effects of that storm were being widely felt. However, due to someone else using the condo, they had been forced to wait a few days later to begin their vacation. Again, this resulted in their missing being in the middle of that messy weather event.

Delays, changed plans, or circumstances not working out the way we had hoped can be frustrating. However, sometimes God gives us glimpses into how He may have been protecting us or otherwise working situations out for our good when we didn’t realize it. Maybe, like me, you can think of times when you were unable to get started on a trip at the time you had wanted. It may have irritated you at the time. But when you got down the road, you came upon a bad accident. It made you wonder that if you had left your home when you had planned and desired, might you have ended up in the middle of that accident? Had that frustrating delay actually been a God-directed blessing? Some such scenarios we can only speculate about. We don’t really know. Yet in other cases we can look in hindsight and clearly see how the Lord was watching over us.

Let me make it clear that I am not referring to some vague sense of fatalism or of some unnamed cosmic force at work. It is more than just the often-heard sentiment that “I believe everything happens for a reason.” It is good to be aware that there are powers beyond us that are at work in the world. However, we also need to recognize who that power is and give Him the credit He is due. There is a personal God who is in control. And at times He graciously chooses to act in ways that protect us from harm. He may frustrate our plans or allow obstacles in our path as a means of helping us to avoid some harmful situation.

I wonder if Joseph ever felt frustrated about his circumstances. I imagine that he must have. He didn’t deserve being sold into slavery by his envious brothers. Later, when trying to do the right thing in relation to his master and the inappropriate advances being made to him by his master’s wife, Joseph ends up being thrown into prison. Even there, after helping out one of the king’s officials and asking for assistance in return, Joseph was forgotten by the man and left to continue to suffer in confinement. However, God was working through it all to get Joseph to the place where he would be made a ruler in Egypt and be the means of saving his family. What Joseph later told his brothers could have applied to all of his challenging circumstances he had faced: “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20).

What frustrating challenges or delays are you experiencing? When our plans are changed, when our hopes are delayed, when our situations aren’t going the way we had wanted, let’s keep believing that God has a reason for it all. He is working all things out for the good of those who love Him. We can trust Him.

Be Careful about Attacking Your Attackers

Recently I took a trip out of state to attend the funeral of a longtime ministerial colleague. This region is known for its rice farming and duck hunting. So it was appropriate that one evening I ended up eating at a local restaurant with an obvious outdoorsman theme. The walls were lined with stuffed hunting trophies – not only numerous typical deer heads, but also fowl, squirrel, and practically any other creature you might imagine that is the frequent target of hunters. The name of the establishment was Open Season, referring to the period of time when it is legal to hunt or fish. That term is also sometimes used as a slang expression to refer to a time when someone or something is vulnerable to unrestricted criticism or attack.

At times it can seem like it is open season on followers of Jesus, especially those who are trying to faithfully uphold Christian values and who still view God’s Word as being the uniquely reliable and authoritative revelation of truth. In a day when it seems that culture is open to almost any ideas as being valid, even the most outrageous or unorthodox views and practices, the one worldview that doesn’t seem to be tolerated is that of the Christian who stands for the eternal truths of scripture. Such believers are often targets of hatred, lies, accusations of being extremists, physical attacks, and other various degrees of what could be called persecution.

            This should not surprise us. This is not a phenomenon unique to our day and time. In a sense, it has always been open season on faithful followers of the Lord. Jesus warned His disciples that this would be the case. “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you…If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:18,20). “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service” (John 16:2). And don’t forget that the last of those well-known “Beatitudes” Jesus declared in His Sermon on the Mount dealt with this subject: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10). The Apostle Paul added his own definitive declaration: “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:12). Therefore let’s not think of it as being unusual or strange when we face such opposition or attacks. It comes with the territory of being a follower of Jesus.

            However, as we experience these things, let’s be careful that we don’t turn around and declare open season on others. As we are being attacked, let’s not lower ourselves to the same level as those who are lashing out at us. It can be tempting to “return fire” and treat others in a similar fashion as to how we have been treated. We can consider it open season on liberal politicians, biased media, hostile social activists, ungodly social media trollers, and others who misrepresent us or attack us. Don’t get me wrong, we need to stand up for truth, point out error, and expose those with faulty views and antagonistic motives. Nevertheless, we need to avoid taking on the role of an avenger. “Repay no one evil for evil” (Romans 8:17). “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:44-45).

            Just because others may consider it to be open season on Christians, it doesn’t mean we should consider it to be open season on them. Fire back, but with love, truth, and goodness.

Temptations Can Be Resisted

     

I knew better. I was aware that there was a risk involved. I thought I could be careful and avoid any negative consequences. I was wrong.

No, I am not confessing to some great moral failure. However, I did use poor judgment and had to deal with the result when it came to a recent situation I faced. It involved a temporary crown that the dentist had placed on one of my teeth while I waited to receive the more permanent version of that device. Meanwhile I knew I needed to be careful about what I ate. There were certain hard or sticky foods that were to be avoided. However, when someone gave me a jar of mixed chocolate, peanut butter candies, and cashews for my birthday, I found it hard to resist. I reasoned that I wouldn’t eat much – just a bite or two. Additionally, I could chew the cashews on the opposite side of my mouth from where the crown was located and be all right. I wasn’t. The crown became dislodged, and I ended up spending part of my birthday back at the dentist’s office.

We tend to act similarly when it comes to the more serious temptations we face in life – the ones that don’t just inconvenience us, but those that carry spiritual implications and that can affect our relationship with the Lord. In many cases, we recognize the temptation for what it is. We know better than to go that direction. We are aware that it could put us at risk of falling out of God’s favor. However, we don’t run from it as scripture encourages us to do. Paul told Timothy to “flee youthful lusts” (II Timothy 2:22). He encouraged other believers to “flee sexual immorality” (I Corinthians 6:18) and to “flee from idolatry” (I Corinthians 10:14). No matter what the temptation may be, we are opening a door to let it in when we don’t immediately turn away from it and run the other way.

Rather than flee, we sometimes try to reason with ourselves about why it might be acceptable to do this under our circumstances. Or we might deceive ourselves with the idea that we will just take a taste and not indulge any further in that activity. Or we might tell ourselves that we will be careful so as not to cross the line into anything that would be wrong or immoral. Or we sometimes assure ourselves that we are smart enough or strong enough to avoid any of the possible repercussions of participating in that behavior. Granted, sometimes we might be able to walk along that edge without falling off into something sinful or immoral. God might show us mercy and protect us from the actions resulting from our poor decisions. However, it is best not to even put ourselves in that position. It is better to resist the temptation, to go the other direction, and not even put ourselves at risk of taking a spiritual tumble.

Let’s not forget that temptations can be resisted – not in our own strength but with God’s help. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). Let’s not look for a way to indulge in that activity, rather let’s look for the way to escape. Run away from temptation, and instead run toward the God who can give you the guidance and strength you need to do what is right.

 

Don’t Shy Away from a Fighting Spirit 

One day recently I attended “Grandparents Day” at the Christian school where a couple of my grandsons are students. At one point during this gathering, the school used the occasion to premier its new fight song. Many educational institutions have such songs that are played to inspire loyalty to the school and to spur their sports teams to strive for victory. This particular song not only was appropriate for those purposes, but its words also pointed to the spiritual battles we face as followers of Jesus, encouraging us to strive against the enemies of our souls.

There is a place for a fighting spirit among believers. The church has recognized that over the years with its various fight songs. I won’t take the time to quote them all here, but you may be familiar with many of them. They are the songs with upbeat tunes whose lyrics speak in terms of battles, conquests, marching to war, and following our eternal King as He leads us to victory. While some people have contended that such songs are inappropriate and incompatible with the true spirit of Christianity, the Bible itself suggests otherwise. Many of those songs are making use of scriptural language and principles. God’s Word reminds us that we are fighting spiritual foes. Within its pages are found admonitions to “fight the good fight”, “wage the good warfare”, and “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.

While we need to sing those wonderful songs about grace, love, the goodness of God, peace, and joy, we also need to be motivated by these other songs to stand up and march forward as we do battle against evil. We aren’t just to roll over and let evil win the day. We are to resist the devil. We are to fight against sin, injustice, corruption, immorality, and other evils, both in our own lives and in the society in which we live. We need to stir up and maintain a fighting mentality.  

At the same time, we need to guard against letting such a spirit so overtake us that we lose the spirit of love that Jesus declared to be the main quality found in His followers. We need to keep the true enemy in mind, the unseen spiritual forces at work. The people who are being directed by those forces are often victims themselves, deceived and blinded to the truth. They are lost souls for whom Jesus died. We may need to stand against them too at times, but always with the hope of their coming to see the truth and with their potential salvation in mind. We can stand against our enemies and still fulfill Jesus’ command to love our enemies. Let’s not get so set on fighting that we forsake opportunities to pursue peace, love, mercy, and reconciliation.

I read a story about a little boy who was attacked by one of the family’s roosters. Afterwards, his father took the frightened child back out in the yard to confront his attacker. He told the boy to kick the rooster. The boy did what he was told. And because the father was standing there, the rooster ran off and never attacked the boy again. I am not advocating animal cruelty. However, there are times when we need to kick back. With our heavenly Father standing with us and empowering us, we need to strike back at the enemy. We need to kick back at the fear, the worry, the pride, the lust, or whatever the sin or temptation might be. We need to kick back at the immorality and injustices in our world.

Maybe some of us need to revisit some of those old Christian fight songs and get inspired to do battle with the unseen enemy attacking us and our world today.    

 

The Mighty God Can Give You Strength 

I received another vivid reminder of the power of nature recently. I arrived at our church building one morning after a storm to find what I originally thought was the usual debris of twigs and small limbs in the yard. However, I quickly realized this was different. It was actually splinters of wood scattered across the area. As I investigated further, I discovered that lightning had struck a large tree on our property, peeling a strip of bark from top to bottom on its trunk. Additionally, it had blown some of its large roots out of the ground. Our security camera revealed quite a powerful explosion. The great force of that event was manifested in other ways as the bolt had entered the ground and shot toward our building, leaving a couple of small trenches in its wake. As it reached the church, it knocked out a box of wiring on the outside wall, cracked a metal frame on a door, and did significant damage on the inside where those wires entered the building. We are grateful to God that there was no fire and that our building is still intact.

Nature is powerful. We see it in lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. If God’s creation carries such a mighty force, what does that say about the One who created it? He must be even more powerful. In our heads we acknowledge that fact. When we list the attributes of God, we affirm that He is omnipotent. However, we tend to lose sight of that truth as we face the trials of everyday life, including dealing with the evil that is in the world we live in. Sometimes we overrate the power of Satan, sin, and wickedness while not giving enough credit to the all-powerful God whom we serve.

In that familiar portion of scripture in the book of Ephesians where we are warned that we are wrestling against evil spiritual forces in the world, it begins by telling us to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). It goes on to instruct us to “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). I am afraid that too often we just hear the words “be strong” and “put on the armor”. We try to stand up to the evil around us in our own strength. As attacks come our way, we simply encourage ourselves to “be strong” and to “hang in there”. And there can be a place for that.

However, we need to remember that we can only keep standing as we depend on the Lord. We are to be strong in Him and “in the power of His might”. And the armor we are given is not ours – it is the armor of God. He has provided it and He empowers it. When you think about how great His power is, that is a tremendous resource for us to draw from. The One who can deliver more force than a bolt of lightning is the One who is giving us strength. Satan, sin, and evil may be manifesting their strength and influence in the world these days, and even in the circumstances of our own lives, but we know that “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4).

What challenges are you facing? How is your spiritual enemy attacking you? What evil are you dealing with? Remember that the all-powerful God is with you to help you and give you strength. If lightning can do what it does, think what the Creator of lightning can do for you today.

 

What Are We Leaning on for Support? 

We found out that my elderly dad had been using a towel rack in the bathroom to hold onto and to steady himself as he recovers from a fracture in one of his legs. We recognized that this was not a good thing. Towel racks were not made to hold the full weight of a person. They were meant to support the weight of towels, even heavier wet towels, but not the burden of a human being pulling on it or leaning on it. Such pressure on that wooden bar might cause it to snap or might result in the brackets pulling loose from the wall. Therefore we made arrangements to replace that rack with a grab bar – a device that could still be used to hang a towel over if desired, but was also strong enough to support someone’s weight.

It reminds me of how people lean on various things for support when they are going through life’s journey, especially when they are facing overwhelming challenges and obstacles, or in a time of weakness. We often tend to grab hold of things that can easily break or let us down. They might hold us up at times, but at any moment they could crumble or simply disappear and not be there anymore. It could be a person, even a family member or friend on whom we have depended in the past. It might be an institution or a government agency. It might be a savings account or a job or some other entity we hope will provide the support we need. While some of those may be helpful at times, we often discover how unreliable they can be.

The Bible tells us about a time when the Assyrian army was besieging the city of Jerusalem. The Assyrian leader accused Hezekiah, the king of Judah, of relying on the ruler of Egypt to come to their rescue. He said, “You are trusting in the staff of this broken reed of Egypt, on which if a man leans, it will go into his hand and pierce it.” In other words, Pharoah was like a towel rack that will break and not hold him up. This official continued on to point out how other nations who had depended on their various gods had succumbed to the Assyrian army. None of those so-called gods were able to save their worshipers who relied on them for help.

However, in his distress and time of need Hezekiah didn’t try to lean on another king or some other god. He reached out to take hold of the one true God. He earnestly prayed to the Lord for help. And in this case, God responded by miraculously defending His people. We are told that He sent an angel into the camp of the Assyrians, killing 185,000 of their soldiers, and resulting in the withdrawal of their army.

We can depend on God to hold us up too. He may not do something as dramatic or spectacular as He did in Hezekiah’s situation, but He will not let us down. He may choose to miraculously deliver us or change our circumstances. Or He might simply give us the strength to endure whatever hardships come our way. If we put our trust in Him, He will be with us, support us, and keep us from falling.

May we have the same spirit as the psalmist who declared: “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help…Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help” (Psalm 146:3-5).

“Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7).

 

Do You Have a Before-and-After? 

Our youngest grandson recently received his first haircut. Such an event is often viewed as a milestone as it can seemingly transform the appearance of a youngster from that of an infant to boyhood. It tends to make the child look older, which can be an occasion for both a little nostalgic sadness and a measure of joy. So my daughter made sure to get some before-and-after photos of the event. Beforehand you could see his rather shaggy, long curls flowing on the back of his head. Afterwards it was replaced with a neatly-groomed shorter hairstyle. He looked great, especially as he posed for the picture with one of his cute facial expressions.

Hopefully we all have experienced a before-and-after transformation, not just in having some kind of physical makeover, but in our hearts and lives. I am referring to the change that Jesus makes in us when we come to put our trust in Him as our Savior. It constitutes a much greater milestone than a first haircut. It goes much deeper, affecting not only how we look outwardly but the kind of person we are inwardly.

The Apostle Paul makes reference to this significant change in our lives. “For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another, But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3-7).

Notice that Paul didn’t just point to the “before” picture of others but of himself too. This description fits all of us to some degree before we came to know the Lord. Maybe some of us were more foolish than others. Some may have sunk into deeper disobedience and immorality than others did. Some may have given in more to the lusts and the hatred. However we all were guilty of sin and needed to be delivered from its bondage. And it was something we could not remedy through our attempts to be good or, as Paul describes it, by our “works of righteousness.”

I am thankful that the word “but” is in that passage. It signifies a change. God showed His love and mercy toward us in sending Jesus into this world to be our Savior. Through Him, we can be saved. It isn’t a haircut or makeover. It is a cleansing that takes place in our souls. And it is accomplished by the work of the Holy Spirit. It is referred to in this scripture in terms of being a regeneration and renewal. Jesus called it a new birth. It is a significant change in our relationship with God, being forgiven of our sins, received into His family, and having the assurance of eternal life.

Can you point to such a before-and-after experience in your life? It will be more dramatic for some people than for others. However, for all of us there should be some recognition of a time when we experienced a transformation in our hearts and in our relationship with the Lord. It was more than simply joining the church, getting baptized, or going through a confirmation class. It involved an actual change in our inner being that affected the kind of person we were and how we would live our lives. Let’s make sure we have been saved and cleansed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.