Is it well with your soul?

 Psalm 63:1–11 (ESV):  

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 

1  O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; 

my soul thirsts for you; 

my flesh faints for you, 

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

2  So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, 

beholding your power and glory. 

3  Because your steadfast love is better than life, 

my lips will praise you. 

4  So I will bless you as long as I live; 

in your name I will lift up my hands. 

5  My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, 

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 

6  when I remember you upon my bed, 

and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 

7  for you have been my help, 

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 

8  My soul clings to you; 

your right hand upholds me. 

9  But those who seek to destroy my life 

shall go down into the depths of the earth; 

10  they shall be given over to the power of the sword; 

they shall be a portion for jackals. 

11  But the king shall rejoice in God; 

all who swear by him shall exult, 

for the mouths of liars will be stopped. 

In the wilderness, physical or spiritual, you can take God with you. He doesn’t disappear when life gets dull or difficult, dry or barren, but do you include Him in your life when it does? 

David was in an actual wilderness, but was also feeling empty and fruitless in himself. This psalm shows how his internal state is reflected by his natural surroundings. He was feeling thirsty and faint, tired, bored, fed up, living in lack and unrefreshed. Ever felt like that? David could see the similarities between where he was physically to how he was doing mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There was a wilderness around him and also insider him. So, not content to continue living like that, David decided to do something about it. 

For David realised that just because he was in a physical wilderness, it doesn’t mean he needed to live feeling; dull, dried up and barren in himself. So he recalled happier, more fulfilling times. He remembered the joy of praising God in the sanctuary, he recalled the help God has been to him, and that even when he feels like he is just clinging on, God has firm hold of him (v8)! Even now. Even when there are jackals prowling about, scorching heat, little to nourish the body, David takes comfort and refreshment from God as the nourishment for his soul. David knows God is the same now in this fruitless, dry season as He is in the times of partying and plenty, therefore he set his mind to live in the joy of the former times. He intentionally set his heart and mind on his previous experiences that showed God’s presence. He allowed himself to be happy with the memories of what he had been through to encourage and inspire him to keep going in this wilderness. For David knew, that just as at those great times, his soul, his internal state could still be peaceful, content and experience joy, even in the wilderness. Times like this will come to us all, David demonstrates that we can not just survive those times but we can also thrive in them, for he says, 'My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips'. Do you set your heart and mind to be content when the going gets tough?

This attitude reminds me of a hymn called, ‘it is well with my soul’. The lyrics are inspiring and behind them is the story of tragedy. The writer of the hymn, Horatio Spafford, within a few short years lost his money and all his children (see this link to read more (story behind 'it is well with my soul'). Yet in the midst of this tragedy, God comforted and spoke to him so that his response was to write the hymn, ‘it is well with my soul’. What an inspiration and a great example of faith! This man was walking through misery, a fruitless wilderness, but he clung onto the fact that he was not walking alone. He did not abandon God, but remembered and valued Him during the life altering pain. Just like David. 

Both men, Horatio and David, knew and experienced the reality that it could be well with their soul in the most terrifying and terrible times of life. The same can be true of you too if you decide that, no matter the circumstances, your ‘soul clings to’ God. These men did not allow life’s tragedies, confusions, dullness or difficulties define their faith, but their faith defined their troubles. These men of God held firm to Him, and He shaped and informed their lives even in the wilderness. They set their minds to remember God and recall His; faithfulness, kindness, power and love even in the darkest times because His, ‘steadfast love is better than life’. Therefore their souls were, ‘satisfied as with fat and rich food’. They were content, although grieving, firm in purpose although confused, and faith-filled although surrounded by trouble and tragedy. They lived all of life with God; the good, bad, and everything in-between. Is this how you live your life?

The lives of Horatio and David give us powerful testimonies of how a believer can live not just in behaviour, but also in mindset. They both understood that no matter the situation, ’it is well with my soul’. Is it well with yours? 

When life brings trouble and tragedy, do you accept and cling to the truth that God is with you, He loves you and is good? His right hand can uphold you if you let Him. Your life could become a great testimony of hope and faith, like these men, if you learn to remember and celebrate God throughout your life no matter the circumstances. You have the great privilege of living life remembering that it is well with your soul because of Jesus, do you? Are you living a life of contentment even when life is unpleasant or even tragic? You too could inspire others, even future generations if you live your life knowing the wellness of your soul in all situations.

it is well with my soul

'Count it all joy'

 2*Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, *3*for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. *4*And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 

James 1:2–4.

I find these verses some of the most challenging in Scripture. Whenever I read v2 I wonder how am I ever meant to achieve that - how do you consider trials a joy? I recall what the early christians went through and how they were praising in prison, flogged, beaten, stoned and crucified and I wonder how did they encounter these things with such calm and joy? 

Even in the days we are living in now christians are horrendously persecuted. Some people are tortured and tormented, yet their trust and understanding of God remains, and even strengthens. They go through the pain and discomfort because they know the truth and they, ‘count it all joy’ to be persecuted for Christ. I have not experienced anything like the terrible and terrifying ordeals that some suffer, yet even in my sufferings and trials I struggle to count it a joy. As I write this, I acknowledge that I am currently experiencing, 'trials of various kinds'. I have felt; heartbroken, confused, defeated, loss and numb. I have not been joyful about these things at all and I do not think that James is saying that we need to be full of joy in the trials, but learn to, ‘count’ them a joy. It would be inhuman really to rejoice when pain and suffering come, but that does not mean that we cannot consider that these hardships are actually doing us good in the long-term. I think that this is what James was getting at. When you encounter trials, it is tough and they stretch and challenge us in ways we never expected or wanted. Yet when you and I endure these things continuing to trust in God, although you know that your faith is being tested and that is difficult, you also can know that this is an opportunity to grow steadfast, perfect and content. Who doesn't want that? - this is good news!

There is bad news however, and that is that trials will involve pain, suffering and waiting! In order to achieve these attributes it means that you will have to endure. You have to persevere and be determined to  keep hold of your faith in God and doing what you know is right even if no-one else is. It is hard, and none of us like it, but growing up to become steadfast and complete is the goal. It takes patience, endurance, mistakes and hardship to get there. I think we struggle with this so much today as it is so easy to see that society has grown away from patience and endurance. These are not attributes that many of us have or seek, i mean, who likes waiting for things? The world promotes instant gratification and quick fixes rather than permanent solutions built over time. We have seen an increase of self-serve checkouts, pre-orders, 24hour delivery, all because we want things done and we want it now! We have become a throw away culture; if it doesn’t work, throw it out, get a new one. If it hurts, get some pain relief, if it’s hard, don’t do it. If you have to wait, order it online. If this is our standard - How are you to grow in patience and understanding? 

Nowhere does the Bible teach that instant gratification or relief is a good thing. We actually see the complete opposite. Scripture, teaches instead that; hardship, endurance, suffering, pain and trials are a good thing! Probably not if you look at the here and now whilst in the midst of a trial, but if you take time to consider what it is doing in you long-term, you can see that these tough times do you good. They cause you to evaluate life and yourself in a new way, they can help you grow in empathy, understanding, appreciation and can bring about faith and steadfastness, completeness and contentment. This is what these verses show us as well as the rest of the Bible. James also writes in verse 12, ‘ Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.’ 

What a great promise! 

Yes, trials are tough and they last. The effects of the trials on our emotions, mental and physical health can take its toll, but what do they do for your spiritual health? Even if you are suffering, are you continuing to learn about God, still talking to Him and depending on Him? If so, then you will grow in faith and steadfastness, but it takes time. Faith is only realised when it’s tested. Steadfastness can only grow if you’ve endured through some trials. So, to achieve these things you have to accept the sufferings. You have to allow yourself to patiently go through it knowing that you can grow in character and faith eventually gaining the crown of life as your reward!

The king, the chief guard and the exile

 

Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him: “I have found among the exiles from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation.” *26*The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” *27*Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, *28*but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these: *29*To you, O king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be. *30*But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. 

Daniel 2:25–30.

In the book of Daniel, we have already met these three characters, but not all in the same place at the same time. It is interesting to see how they interact, as it reveals the content of their characters when we see them together. So, today we are going to see what we notice about each of them;

First up we have the Captain of the king’s guard, Arioch. He is mentioned a few verses previously as he rushes to carry out the kings command to kill all the wise men, and now he is rushing to bring in Daniel. It seems this man knows the importance of his position, and he is anxious to fulfil it. The role Arioch has, has become who he is rather than just a job. He rushes around in self-importance as if it all depends on him, the kings problems are his problems, and he feels responsible for sorting it all out. Probably for good reason, as he recognises the reality that if he doesn’t do what the king wants, he will join the fate of the ‘wise men’ he’s had to do away with already. 

Arioch clearly finds his value in how well he completes his job. It has become who he is rather than a part of his identity. Now, don’t get me wrong, being in charge of the kings bodyguard is an important role, but have you ever met someone who seems to take their job a bit too seriously? As in their job becomes their life, rather than just a part of it? Someone who defines themselves by their success or failure? This is how Arioch is portrayed. He is dedicated to his role and to the king, and he rushes about trying to do his best for his boss, without really thinking through if it is the best idea or if the decisions are morally right.

It takes someone like Daniel to slow him down and consider what is actually in the best interests of those involved, including the king.

We also see the self-importance and pride that Arioch has, for in the introduction he gives he says, “I have found from among the exiles  from Judah a man who will make known to the king the interpretation”. I don’t remember reading that Arioch was on the look out to solve the mystery of the kings dream, do you? The last I recall was that Arioch was following the murderous plan to slaughter all the wise men who may have been able to help! It was only when Daniel challenged Arioch in the urgency that Arioch slowed down a bit. In fact, Daniel approached him, and asked for time., offering a solution.  Arioch didn’t go out searching for an answer to the king’s problem, instead he went out searching for those to kill. However, now, he is quite happy to take the credit for ‘finding’ Daniel and being a part of the solution! In order to look good in the kings eyes he’s quite happy to take the credit. I am sure we can all probably think of those who take credit where it is not due. Maybe that’s you, and you need a Daniel to pick you up on it.

The next person who speaks is the King, Nebuchadnezzar. Before this interaction we have already deducted how he is feeling; the king is sleep-deprived, angry, feels distrust towards the other ‘wise men’ and is concerned about being deceived. I doubt his condition has improved since he spoke with the enchanters, astrologers and astronomers. Yet, he gives Daniel a chance. Eventhough he has ordered the murder of all the people society considers wise (and Daniel is among them), he still allows Daniel to have a go. Perhaps because he is so desperate for a solution that he has just the smallest amount of hope that this troublesome dream can be solved. So he asks, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?”. 

I would like to know the tone in which this is asked, wouldn’t you?  Is the king asking if Daniel can do this thing because he is astonished that this young man before him claims to have more understanding than the well seasoned ‘wise men’ he has already called upon? Is he asking through disappointment and annoyance? Or even in an exhausted, exasperated manner? We do not know how Nebuchadnezzar asked this question, and we are not meant to know, because actually it does not matter. Daniel does not rise to the manner in which the question is posed, but simply answers it. 

Next, we shall consider the final character in this scene, the young man, the ‘exile’, Daniel (Belteshazzar) . He comes into the king’s presence, without any ceremony. In fact, he comes in great humility. He is the only one out of the three that demonstrates humility - and he’s the one with the answers!

From the start of this interaction, Daniel acknowledges, that he is, like the others the king has called upon, merely human and that no human being can help with the king’s ‘mystery’.  (I am sure that didn’t improve the kings mood!) However he also acknowledges that there is a God in heaven capable of revealing mysteries, and Daniel has accepted his part in being a messenger from God to the king in order for Nebuchadnezzar to better understand himself. 

Daniel is aware and unashamed of his usefulness as a messenger and is content to be the go-between. He makes it clear that he is merely a messenger from God to the king, that he has no understanding of these things themselves, but that God has used him so that the king can have better understanding. He takes no credit. He gives all responsibility and honour to God - How different to how Arioch enters the room! 

Really, after Daniel’s admission, it is kind of surprising that the king carries on listening! Yet, Daniel continues, in confidence, and assures the king that God has imparted to him, ‘the thoughts of your mind’. Daniel recognises that this has been revealed to himself and his friends, not because they are more intelligent or respected or powerful than anyone else, but because the have sought God for the solution. They asked for the impossible, and got it, and it was not for them to keep to themselves, but the revelation that was received was to hep soothe a troubled mind and reveal something of what was to come.  

So, what can we learn from these three people? Has anything stood out to you in the way they bear themselves? Have you been inspired by how Daniel responds under pressure, amongst those deemed ‘greater’ than himself?

Can you detect any of the characteristics of these three men in your own life? If so, pray. Whether it is in gratitude or repentance. 

For me - I see that God needs those who are willing to step up and step out. No matter who they, or anyone else, considers them to be. We all have a purpose and we are all created with a piece of God inside of us, so we should not be ashamed of that. We also should not be ashamed of admitting that this is how God has made us - of giving the glory and credit to God like Daniel does. I shall endeavour to be more intentional in that.