What do you do when you have questions?

 Psalm 77:1–20 (ESV):  

1  I cry aloud to God, 

aloud to God, and he will hear me. 

2  In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; 

in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; 

my soul refuses to be comforted. 

3  When I remember God, I moan; 

when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah 

4  You hold my eyelids open; 

I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 

5  I consider the days of old, 

the years long ago. 

6  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; 

let me meditate in my heart.” 

Then my spirit made a diligent search: 

7  “Will the Lord spurn forever, 

and never again be favourable? 

8  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? 

Are his promises at an end for all time? 

9  Has God forgotten to be gracious? 

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah 

10  Then I said, “I will appeal to this, 

to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” 

11  I will remember the deeds of the Lord; 

yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 

12  I will ponder all your work, 

and meditate on your mighty deeds. 

13  Your way, O God, is holy. 

What god is great like our God? 

14  You are the God who works wonders; 

you have made known your might among the peoples. 

15  You with your arm redeemed your people, 

the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah 

16  When the waters saw you, O God, 

when the waters saw you, they were afraid; 

indeed, the deep trembled. 

17  The clouds poured out water; 

the skies gave forth thunder; 

your arrows flashed on every side. 

18  The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind; 

your lightnings lighted up the world; 

the earth trembled and shook. 

19  Your way was through the sea, 

your path through the great waters; 

yet your footprints were unseen. 

20  You led your people like a flock 

by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

Ever felt so distressed that you have lost sleep (v4)? Or had questions like Asaph does in V7–9?:  

7  “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favourable? 

8  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? 

Are his promises at an end for all time? 

9  Has God forgotten to be gracious? 

Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”’ 

It is ok to ask such things, to seek understanding and to even question God. Asaph was clearly in a troubled state and so he asked himself what did he really know about the character of God. He made an effort to search his own understanding, he looked at the past and considered what he knew. When you are in distress, you can do the same. Plus you also have the privilege of being able to access the Bible in your search, you do not need to rely purely on recent testimonies, but can also depend upon historical accounts of God and His people. What a comfort and strength that is for when you have such questions!

When you do wonder about what God is up to, don’t allow; culture, current news stories, other people or your own ideas frame the responses. Go to where you will get solid, unchanging answers and diligently search as Asaph did. He searched his memory for the stories of God’s people, he tried to discover the nature of God through accounts and he remembered how God has allowed suffering but always come through for those faithful to His name. Asaph, although in despair, chose not to just sit and mope but became active in seeking answers. He was curious and intent on finding a solution in the weary distress he was experiencing (v1-4). He was determined to figure out where God was, and so he set his mind saying, 'I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. 12  I will ponder'. Asaph was determined to not allow this present trouble shake his faith, instead he ensured that he looked for God in it and made a thorough search of his memory and history to see God's overarching powerful presence. 

Asaph had questions, which can be unsettling, but quite natural, when you go through unforeseen and undesired events. Questions can also be a helpful way to process if you are asking the right ones. Asking why is rarely ever helpful or easy to find an answer to, but questions like the ones Asaph asked can be answered; will God leave forever? Has He forgotten His promises? Is He going to be angry all the time and not be gracious or compassionate? In order to resolve these fears and answer such queries Asaph set his mind to, ‘remember the deeds of the Lord’. He did some research, setting his mind to recall previous events in order to determine whether God’s love and anger are steadfast, and is He really going to fulfil His promises. Asaph needed to know these answers so he put in the time, effort and energy to diligently search out the solutions. He did not sit back and wait for God to prove himself, Asaph knew God has already done that, so Asaph went in search for what he needed to know, and he was satisfied. 

When you also take time to read the Bible, look at previous experiences and ponder on God’s work you too will discover the answers to the questions you need. You will find out if God is favourable, steadfast, loving, keeps His word and is compassionate. Life and His word will teach you these things. Even if you feel ‘so troubled I cannot speak’, you can still ‘consider the days of old’ and recall the times of God’s favour and bounty, then through these things learn about the nature of God. In order to endure difficult times well allow your spirit to make ‘a diligent search’. Put in the effort to discover and remember the great character of the Lord God, His mighty deeds and working of wonders. Then consider; is He loving, steadfast, compassionate, favourable and reliable?

Asaph recounts what He knows of God and some of the Israelite experiences and he sees God’s faithful love, miraculous power, compassion, kindness, fearsome might, and ability to do the impossible. Therefore, no matter what trouble occurs, cannot God display the same characteristics again?! God has rescued His people before and He will do so again (v19). You can be assured that God takes care of the righteous ones; the ones who love, follow and rely on Him. They will be rescued, redeemed and rewarded. Yet it is not always easy to see what He is doing. You have to to look deeply and diligently. Asaph notes that even though God led the Israelites through the Red Sea, His ‘footprints were unseen’. Unless you ensure that you are searching thoroughly for God in life, you may well miss what He is doing, you could miss seeing His footprints. It is easy to miss or overlook God’s influence, power and leading for His work can be ‘unseen’. 

Do you look for God’s unseen works in your life? You might miss them if you don’t, so why not ask Him to reveal His presence in the times of old and see what you discover about His character.

Becoming the bride of Christ

 Psalm 45:1–17 (ESV):  

1  My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; 

I address my verses to the king; 

my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. 

2  You are the most handsome of the sons of men; 

grace is poured upon your lips; 

therefore God has blessed you forever. 

3  Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, 

in your splendour and majesty! 

4  In your majesty ride out victoriously 

for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; 

let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! 

5  Your arrows are sharp 

in the heart of the king’s enemies; 

the peoples fall under you. 

6  Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. 

The sceptre of your kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness; 

7  you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. 

Therefore God, your God, has anointed you 

with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; 

8  your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. 

From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad; 

9  daughters of kings are among your ladies of honour; 

at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 

10  Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: 

forget your people and your father’s house, 

11  and the king will desire your beauty. 

Since he is your lord, bow to him. 

12  The people of Tyre will seek your favour with gifts, 

the richest of the people. 

13  All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. 

14  In many-coloured robes she is led to the king, 

with her virgin companions following behind her. 

15  With joy and gladness they are led along 

as they enter the palace of the king. 

16  In place of your fathers shall be your sons; 

you will make them princes in all the earth. 

17  I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations; 

therefore nations will praise you forever and ever. 

Written about Solomon, the wisest and richest king that ever lived, we can see the honour and love which the nation had for him. They see the favour of God upon him, possibly more so than his father, David, as Solomon lived in the goodness of the victories that his father had won. Although this psalm has been written to honour and commend king Solomon to his new bride, it can also clearly be applied to Jesus and his bride, the church. For a man other than Jesus cannot display these qualities as magnificently as the Son of God. So, as we read and consider this piece of writing, take into account the fact that this writer not only commends marriage between man and woman, but also commends the greater calling of us being united in love to God.

The psalmist recognises the splendour of the groom - not just in appearance, majesty or riches but in character and worth. These attributes are far more attractive than any physical beauty or financial benefit. This psalm recommends the groom to his bride by showing how he is; kind, courageous, meek, gracious, capable and honest. On this basis the writer encourages the bride to be all in on this marriage. The groom seeks her beauty and she in return will benefit from his loving, generous and kind nature. If she gives herself fully into the arms of her husband and embraces his kingdom then she will prosper as a wife. The psalmist is encouraging this marriage and shows concern and desire for this marriage to be successful as they can see the future benefit of such a union. This is true for the marriage of Solomon and his Egyptian wife as well as for Jesus and His bride, the church. 

The reality of marriage is that although it is a joyous time that people gather to celebrate, it also contains a terrifying reality for the bride. She has to leave all she has known, her family, her nation, culture, associated faiths and beliefs in order to become a wife. She has to give up what she has known in order to become a bride and then a wife. Yet as the psalmist assures, ' In place of your fathers shall be your sons'. Although the requirement for marriage is a giving up and forgetting of the previous way of life, the promise is for fruitfulness and prosperity. Is not the same true if you desire to become a follower of God and part of the bride of Christ?!

If you follow God and are ‘all in’, then you too will prosper in His kingdom. Your life will be fruitful and splendid if you live to serve and honour Jesus. Yet you too have to turn away from the things that have previously been important in your life. Things need to change and your reliance given over to the groom if you are to be a successful wife. God desires you to be part of His kingdom, but are you prepared to make the sacrifices that are required? It is tough, so you should, ‘consider, and incline your ear’. The requirement is that you 'forget your people and your father’s house’. Those that you once depended upon for love, guidance, fun and fulfilment cannot have the same level of influence any more if you are living as a follower of God. If you have decided to become the bride of Christ then your focus and your priority is your groom, Jesus. Everything else needs to be in light of that. If there are relationships that do not honour your union with God then you need to ‘forget’ them. This is painful. The psalmist recognises this, and this is why they call the bride to ‘consider’ the reality of becoming a bride. However the benefits of becoming a bride far outweigh the sacrifices that you’ll need to make, but it is still a life change and one you should be realistic about.

When you see your groom, what do you see? 

His; beauty, majesty, splendour, grace, meekness, righteousness, power, honesty, courage, victory and riches? If you decide to live your life with Jesus, you are partnering with one who has all of these attributes. Would you like to be meaningfully partnered with someone like that? If so, consider the things that you need to exchange in your life in order to become a faithful bride of Christ, and then enter into a relationship with God in, ‘joy and gladness’. A wedding is a celebration, a joyful and happy occasion. Yes it signifies difference and an ending of a previous life, but the promise is that you will leave a legacy that can impact the generations to come when you invest in your relationship with the King of heaven.

Do your enemies know God?

 Psalm 4:1–7 (ESV): 

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! 

You have given me relief when I was in distress. 

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! 

2  O men, how long shall my honour be turned into shame? 

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 

3  But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 

4  Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 

5  Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. 

6  There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? 

Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” 

7  You have put more joy in my heart 

than they have when their grain and wine abound. 

8  In peace I will both lie down and sleep; 

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. 

Clearly this is another Psalm written at a time of distress and pain for David. He implores God to listen (v1), and knows that God does hear him (v3), reminding himself that God cares, is present, available and interested in his life. Once he has considered God first David then he goes onto speak to his enemies (v2-5);

2  O men, how long shall my honour be turned into shame? 

How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah 

3  But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 

4  Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 

5  Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. 

David has spoken to God about his frustrations and difficulties and recognises that the hands of men are to blame. In particular their incessant need to shame him resorting to lies and exaggeration. So, he ‘speaks’ to these enemies through this psalm, maybe he even spoke to them via letter or in person to exhort them to a different path in life. Even though David was hurt and persecuted by these vain, angry liars, he wants to show them a better way. He confidently informs them that they are not going to succeed because they are railing not just against him but against God. David wants his foes to know that God has selected himself as king of Israel, and that fighting against God is not going to end well for them. He attempts to show these men that even if they club together, they are no match for God. So he attempts to motivate them to a different course of action. 

David calls out to his enemies to try to persuade them to consider their purpose and actions, to really think about their motivating factors when making decisions. He knows they are angry and have set their anger towards himself (v4), but he invites them to soberly consider what they are doing. He knows they too have a conscience and a soul, and that they, even as kings, have a responsibility for their own personal actions and decisions as well as those for the nation. That is why he invites them to, 'ponder in your own hearts on your beds', sometimes the only alone time, the time away from the busy-ness of life is the time when they lie down. So David asks them to take time, when things are running around their heads after another busy day, to really think about what they are doing and why. The time of quiet and rest is a good time to reflect if they are doing the right things by God. 

At the end of the day, are you confident that your behaviour, words and actions have honoured God and His people? Or have you been busy working against them as these kings were? God cares about your soul and your eternal future, just like David cared for these men. Are you taking time out of the busy-ness of life to ponder what it is all about and whether you're going in the right direction? Are you taking time to think about your life and the impact it has on others? If you do take time to think soberly about your life, what different decisions would you be making? How would your relationships pan out and what would you do with what God says in the silence? 

The last command in this section is, 'offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord'. After reflecting on the purposes of your actions, it is probable that you may need to give some things up. Maybe things you are passionate about, things that it hurts to put to one side, but David's encouragement is that rather than trusting these things, 'trust in the Lord'. If God is asking you to live a different life, it may well feel like a huge sacrifice, but if, like David's enemies, you know that your life is against God rather than for Him, where do you think it is going to end up? Even if you enjoy what you are doing, and you feel confident that your life is going in the same direction as many others, do you really think that fighting against God is a smart and successful idea?

David was a strong, kind, powerful king, a man after God's heart, and he cared about his life and the life of those around him whether or not they were nice to him. He knew that anyone leading a life without considering God was in trouble. He saw that even those who were fighting against him needed to know God. Do you think the same about those who are against you? Do you pray for them to know who God is, do you even attempt to speak to them about God like David did? Are you concerned about those who are against you because they do not know God? David challenges us to reconsider our own perspective on those who do not like us and even those who seek our downfall. Are you upset/annoyed with them because they are hurting you, or are you more concerned for their soul and the result of them living a life without God?

Have you carefully considered the existence of God?

After the wise men of the kingdom had failed to read the mysterious writing and interpret it, Daniel is remembered. Therefore he is called upon for assistance, as a last resort just as in Nebuchadnezzar’s time. Both times the kings prefer to seek ‘wise’ worldly counsel than seek the truth of God. In this case, Belshazzar doesn’t even seem to know who Daniel is. When Daniel enters, the king tells him what he has heard of him, and again makes the promise of gifts and authority, this is Daniel’s response:

17*Then Daniel answered and said before the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king and make known to him the interpretation. *18*O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. *19*And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whom he would, he killed, and whom he would, he kept alive; whom he would, he raised up, and whom he would, he humbled. *20*But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. *21*He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, until he knew that the Most High God rules the kingdom of mankind and sets over it whom he will. *22*And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, *23*but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honoured. 

Daniel 5:17–23.

Daniel has certainly not become a frail old frightened man has he?! Even though he is in his 80s, living in this besieged city and has just been dragged in front of the king and his partying audience, Daniel still tells it like it is! He still tells the truth as uncomfortable and unwelcome as it may be - he stands with integrity and faith. He makes it clear from his introductory speech where his knowledge and understanding come from, and does not hold back his disappointment in Belshazzar’s lack of faith. In fact he holds Belshazzar to account for what he has and hasn’t done both in the present and the past. He reminds Belshazzar of the  well-documented story of his ancestor, Nebuchadnezzar, and points out that Belshazzar has not considered the reality of the Most High God even when, in his very own family, he knows how it is told that God has shown himself, yet Belshazzar has remained purposefully ignorant and disrespectful. 

Daniel points this out before he gets into why he has been brought there - not what Belshazzar was expecting - he just wanted to understand the writing, not be told off! Yet Daniel gives this background to demonstrate that God has been working all the way through, and Belshazzar has missed it. 

Before Daniel makes any attempt to relieve the terror the king is under, he shows why this has happened - because God has seen Belshazzar's wilful ignorance and disobedience, and wants his attention. Belshazzar is challenged for not seeing the truth, for not remembering or exploring the events that occurred with Nebuchadnezzar. He has had opportunity to see who God is through his family, through the stories Nebuchadnezzar has told, even through the very items that he defiled at the celebration - all these things point to who God is, but he chose to ignore and disregard them. Now is the time he is being called to account for it.

It is clear from this account that God expects us not to only learn from our own mistakes, but also the experiences, mistakes and successes of others. God has shown you things in others lives, maybe even in your own family history, so that you can learn from them and avoid the pain and disruption that disobedience and ignorance offers. Belshazzar didn’t, and that is brought against him, he and his kingdom suffer for it. 

It is God’s expectation that we learn from others; that we listen to their God stories and that we make an effort to discover whether God is real. Have you done that? Do you take people's faith stories and carefully consider them? do you allow them to build faith or even build curiosity? or do you just disregard them as Belshazzar did? 

One day you too will be called to account for your own life; for whether you have accepted, rejected or disregarded the existence of God, I wonder how you will fare...

Sin entangles. Jesus releases

 Leading on from the chapter of faith in Hebrews 11, we then have these verses;

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, *2*looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. *3*Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Hebrews 12:1-3

What does the start of this chapter convey? To sum up, I think it says; As we can learn, read and hear about such amazing tales of faith from the Bible, and even from everyday, current people, since we have such a rich heritage of faith to draw from, and considering the sacrifice Jesus made, then do not sin. 

Do you ever consider sin in that light? When you’re about to do something you know you shouldn’t, or not do something you know you should, do you ever consider the rich heritage of faithful people that you are a part of? Do you pause to remember the sacrifice of Jesus before you act? 

I think if I really had those thoughts in my mind throughout the day, then I would be more aware of my wrongs and more aware of the responsibility I have, wouldn’t you? 

There are many people who have lived a life of faith before us, they have failed and they have triumphed. They didn’t allow their mistakes to define them, they kept trying their best, and that is what they are commended for, for being faith-filled people. Is that what you want to be remembered for? Are you intentionally putting aside sinful attitudes and focussing on faith? Are you encouraged by the ‘cloud of witnesses’ that surround you? And do you acknowledge that Jesus, the Son of God, ‘endured the cross, despising the shame’ so that you could live free from sin? 

Jesus did not deserve it, and he didn’t like it. He hated taking the punishment for you, but he still did it. So no matter how hard the battle is to escape the, ‘sin which clings so closely’, it’s nothing compared with what Jesus went through. 

So, do, ‘not grow weary or fainthearted.’ Look at the people of good repute, look at the everyday people whose stories have been told for thousands of years, and look at Jesus. He did not walk away from the most difficult, demoralising and deadly task he had to face. He walked to it, just so you could break free. So that you could escape the entangling sin. 

‘Consider him’ then; Don’t give up. Don’t turn away. Don’t sin. 

consider Jesus

‘Consider Jesus’….

This is what Hebrews 3:1 says we should do, so, do you?

Do you consider Jesus?
This means to direct your mind towards him. Ponder  him. Think and evaluate the person of Jesus.

What comes into your mind when you do consider him?

Take a few moments today to think about him.

Now, consider Jesus in terms of your life.
What decisions or actions would he be making if he had your life today?

Considering Jesus isn’t just about thinking about the incredible God-man that he is, but about the influence and impact that should have on us daily.

At the moment the world is a pretty scary and uncertain place. But Jesus isn’t. Jesus brings life and hope, he is not scary or uncertain. Are you living with that assurance? Are you demonstrating that hope to those around you? Are you showing through your life that you consider Jesus?

I encourage you today, to consider who Jesus is. Then consider how would he be working out your life? Are there some changes that need to be made? Is there some way you can reach out and be Jesus to someone today?