"Thus says the LORD, 'What injustice did your fathers find in Me, that they want far from Me and walked after emptiness and became empty?'"
Jeremiah 2:5
God is the source of all goodness. "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." (James 1:17) There is no goodness to be found outside of Him. Outside of the Lord, there is no happiness, no peace, no joy, nothing. Sure non-believers possess these things, but they receive them from the very God they spurn. "... He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5:45)
But the believer has so much more. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ..." (Ephesians 1:3) We have Christ Himself. We have eternal life. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God.
In light of that, how absurd is apostasy? That was the question the Lord raised through the prophet Jeremiah. It was not as if Judah was leaving God for something better. God said that they walked after emptiness and became empty. They left "the fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 2:13) and chased after nothing. The call of the gospel is never to forsake wonderful things in order to slave under a stingy and harsh master. Read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The son knew what he was doing. He forsook starvation and a pig's sty for the fattened calf and his father's love.
So often the temptation comes upon us to forsake Christ and to join the world. I have to admit that it is a powerful temptation. But I have noted that the temptation is at its strongest when I fail to keep the glories of Christ in the forefront of my mind. When I am satisfied with all that God has given to me and done in me and promised to me and how wonderful He is, in those times the temptation is pathetically weak. Always keep this in mind.
For Christ,
Daniel
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Lessons from the Psalms
Well, because of my lack of discipline to do my devotions every day, it took me just under a year to go through the Psalms. However, I'm really glad I went through them because I've learned a lot about the Christian walk.
One of the main themes I saw being repeated is the proper attitude towards worship. The praise of our God must not be a cold religious duty. Instead, "Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth." (Psalm 149:5-6a) Worship must always be joyful. It must be something we want to do. What should we do if we find in ourselves a lack of zeal for worship? Pray through Psalm 136. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136:1)
An important lesson I've started to learn from the Psalms is the right way to complain to God. Several times through my depression I was told something along the lines of "It's okay to scream at God and tell Him you don't think He's doing a good job. He can take it." That is not okay. That is sin. "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker - an earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?" (Isaiah 45:9)
So, what is the right way to complain to God? Or is it even okay to complain to God at all? Yes, it is. "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest." (Psalm 22:1-2) David poured out the contents of his heart under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible commands us to be honest with God, no matter what it is we're feeling. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) But this must always be done reverently. Never accuse God. You can scream. You can ask why. But never, ever, call into question the character of God. "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3) "Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:4-5)
On a side note, if we ever do get bitter, God will not abandon us. Do not be bitter, but take heart if you are. "When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalm 73:21-24)
Finally, trust in the Lord. He is faithful. He is good. If you are in Christ, He loves you dearly. "O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear..." (Psalm 10:17) "But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation." (Psalm 13:5) "The LORD is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd also, and carry them forever." (Psalm 28:8-9) I could keep going, but I'd be here all day.
I'll send out a post soon on the first couple chapters of Jeremiah.
For Christ,
Daniel
One of the main themes I saw being repeated is the proper attitude towards worship. The praise of our God must not be a cold religious duty. Instead, "Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth." (Psalm 149:5-6a) Worship must always be joyful. It must be something we want to do. What should we do if we find in ourselves a lack of zeal for worship? Pray through Psalm 136. "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting." (Psalm 136:1)
An important lesson I've started to learn from the Psalms is the right way to complain to God. Several times through my depression I was told something along the lines of "It's okay to scream at God and tell Him you don't think He's doing a good job. He can take it." That is not okay. That is sin. "Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker - an earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?' Or the thing you are making say, 'He has no hands'?" (Isaiah 45:9)
So, what is the right way to complain to God? Or is it even okay to complain to God at all? Yes, it is. "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning. O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; and by night, but I have no rest." (Psalm 22:1-2) David poured out the contents of his heart under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Bible commands us to be honest with God, no matter what it is we're feeling. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6) But this must always be done reverently. Never accuse God. You can scream. You can ask why. But never, ever, call into question the character of God. "Yet You are holy, O You who are enthroned upon the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3) "Tremble, and do not sin; meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:4-5)
On a side note, if we ever do get bitter, God will not abandon us. Do not be bitter, but take heart if you are. "When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory." (Psalm 73:21-24)
Finally, trust in the Lord. He is faithful. He is good. If you are in Christ, He loves you dearly. "O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear..." (Psalm 10:17) "But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation." (Psalm 13:5) "The LORD is their strength, and He is a saving defense to His anointed. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be their shepherd also, and carry them forever." (Psalm 28:8-9) I could keep going, but I'd be here all day.
I'll send out a post soon on the first couple chapters of Jeremiah.
For Christ,
Daniel
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