Surviving the Wilderness

After Jesus’ baptism where he was affirmed by Father God as His pleasing Son, Jesus then enters the wilderness. From a moment of recognition, power, pouring out of the Holy Spirit comes desolation.  

When you have great times with God, breakthrough, affirmation, joy, when the Holy Spirit is tangibly present and affects you, it can be after such times that a wilderness season comes. From a high moment you can experience a low time. This happened for Jesus, so you should not be surprised when it also happens to you. We read in Matthew that, ‘Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.’ This sounds odd, doesn't it?! That Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted by the devil. Jesus was purposefully led to undergo temptation. From being affirmed by Father God, he then had to go through significant hardship and temptation. Do you ever feel that this happens to you, that something difficult occurs when you have had an encounter with God or taken a step of faith and obedience? Next time, do not be surprised. The enemy wishes to undo the great work and affirmation that God has given, and God allows it. Do not lose your salvation, hope, promises, deliverance, breakthrough, or recognition of the love and grace of God, because the enemy wants to distract you. God allows you to experience such wilderness times to give you opportunity to exercise the faith you have and to grow in it. Satan will also use this time to get you off track by offering you enticing promises that will compromise your faith and disrupt the plan of God in your life, so learn to hold strong as Jesus did. 

Matthew 4:1–11 (ESV): 

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, 

  “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 

  “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ 

and 

  “ ‘On their hands they will bear you up, 

lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ” 

7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ” 8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 

  “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God 

and him only shall you serve.’ ” 

11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. 

This must have been incredibly hard for Jesus. Think of the conflicting emotions, as well as the temptations on a worn out body and mind. When you are tired, hungry and emotionally drained it is harder to resist temptation. Whether it is the temptation to respond in an unholy way, eat what you shouldn’t, pick up bad habits, get angry, lazy or distant. When your body and mind are stressed, it is harder to think clearly and behave well. It is harder, but not impossible as Jesus proves. Jesus saw this for what it was, he was not fooled or deceived. He knew that this was the devil’s work trying to disrupt his sense of identity, and to use his God-given power and authority to fulfill his own selfish desires. Like having some bread because he was ‘hungry’ - i think that is an understatement after 40 days! When you are next tempted to sin, to cut corners, to behave in a way not consistent with the faith you possess, stop. Think about who is really trying to be in control here. Is this the enemy trying to take you out? Can you even imagine if Jesus gave in to even one of those temptations? He would have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God like the rest of us, he would not have proved that he is indeed the Son of God, pure, holy and completely good. So, how does Jesus do it? 

Jesus had the great advantage of knowing God, really knowing Him. Jesus had lived with and loved God in heaven, so he really knows the Father’s character, His power, His expectations, His words. Jesus also knew and accepted who he was in relation to God. Jesus is His Son, and also human. Therefore his life was to be lived in submission to God. Jesus knew that this was the best for him and for the whole of creation. Due to his obedience in his life, death and resurrection, you too can know that closeness with God the Father, and have the same identity as His son or daughter. Invest in your relationship with Him. Spend your life listening, speaking and thinking of God. Consider His words and guidance. Invest in honouring God with your life, then you will know the kind of things that you can and should say yes or no to. 

You can see that Jesus also uses Scripture to combat the devil’s temptations. So, read and understand what is written. Every word in the Bible is true and written by God himself, so use it to help you. Jesus did. he did not feel like saying no to having some bread or power, so he could not rely on his own understanding or emotions. Instead, he trusted in what is always good and true - the Word of God. Although Satan gets wise to this and also tries to use Scripture to persuade Jesus to give into his schemes (v6). So, be warned. The enemy can twist and distort the truth to make sin sound good for Satan knows the Bible too. It is not enough to be able to recite verses, for that is what Satan did, you also need to know what they mean and the God behind the words. When you hear someone quoted and you know the person behind those words, you know if the quote is giving a true reflection of what they are like or is taking things out of context. Jesus could see that this is what Satan was doing. He was taking the words of God and using them to imply something that God did not intend. Jesus knows God better. He knows the content, context and character behind Scripture and stands firm based on his knowledge of God. This is how Jesus overcame temptation, and this is how you can too. Find out about God. Learn what the Bible says and what it means, understand the God behind the words, get to know Him, and hold onto what is true. Then you will be victorious when temptation comes. You can resist temptation, you can overcome sin. It is hard, but you can do it. 

Allow Jesus, The Word of God and the character of God give you strength and show you how. Be prepared and ‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5;8). The devil will wait, he is patient. He will seek to get you in a weak, despondent, distracted moment or when you are having such fun you are off-guard. You need to live as if there is always a hungry lion in wait. If you do, you’ll be watchful, armed and prepared and would create a strategy. The strategy is to learn about God, obey Him, and know His words and promises. Be armed and dangerous with your understanding of Scripture then the devil will leave (v11). 

Do not forget

 Psalm 137:1–9 (ESV): 

By the waters of Babylon, 

there we sat down and wept, 

when we remembered Zion. 

 2  On the willows there 

we hung up our lyres. 

 3  For there our captors 

required of us songs, 

  and our tormentors, mirth, saying, 

“Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” 

 4  How shall we sing the Lord’s song 

in a foreign land? 

 5  If I forget you, O Jerusalem, 

let my right hand forget its skill! 

 6  Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, 

if I do not remember you, 

  if I do not set Jerusalem 

above my highest joy! 

 7  Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites 

the day of Jerusalem, 

  how they said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, 

down to its foundations!” 

 8  O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, 

blessed shall he be who repays you 

with what you have done to us! 

 9  Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones 

and dashes them against the rock! 

The people of God have a sorrow that no-one else understands. The things that are lost when people and nations turn away from the truth of Scripture is heartbreaking. Throwing away teaching the principles and stories of the Bible in favour of 'new' thinking, or because some truths are uncomfortable as society accepts ways that the Bible does not. These things cause the people of God to lament. 

I think of how in my lifetime England has changed. Hymns, prayer and biblical teaching were an everyday part of primary school life. Teaching Biblical stories and principles commonplace in the home and community, like; treating others as you want to be treated, honouring your parents and those in authority. These were unwritten rules that you were expected to abide by, it was the same for everyone, and even unknowingly, communities and families were embedding principles and guidance from Scripture into their children's lives, in the workplace, and wider community. Alongside this culture, the laws of this land once reflected the truths of the Gospel, just like in Israel before this exile. Then men started to be persuaded that God’s way wasn’t as good as other ways. Other nations lived differently and had new ideas and ideals, so the law of the land changed to deviate from the truth of God. Kings desired divorce, men desired men, and women, women. Lying is acceptable if you are a politician or salesperson, sex before marriage no longer outrageous but expected. Children not expected to be in submission to parents or authority, instead expected and supported to rebel. Free speech is no longer free, even people who silently pray can be arrested. What has happened?! As a person of God, does this not cause your heart to grieve? 

Such recollections must have caused the grief that penned this psalm. For Israel, their nation had not only deviated from Scripture, but as a result they had been kicked out! Their nation was defeated and the people captured by the Babylonian empire. Yet even through the taunts of their enemy, Israel remembered the joy of Jerusalem, and the privilege of singing praise and making music to their God. They could no longer do this as grief had replaced joy because they were away from the centre of God’s presence (Jerusalem), so their hearts were heavy. They could not even pick up their instruments. As they were dragged into exile ‘we hung up our lyres’ and ‘sat down and wept’ demonstrating the level of grief they experienced. Is your heart aggrieved for the condition of your nation? 

Although the Israelites grieved what was lost, and lamented it, they did not conform, but they continued as best as they could to live as Israelites in this foreign land. Their God was still their God, they remembered the storied of deliverance, the commands, followed the laws, and taught each generation about The God of Israel. They made an effort to remember, to recall the songs, the teachings, the joy of Jerusalem, and they prayed for deliverance. Are you doing the same? 

When Christianity was the main religion of England, schools and hospitals were created, and charities founded. It is because of christians putting their faith into action through caring for others that these institutions exist. How much have those sectors deviated from their roots and the truth! How sad that their history is hidden, and the truth of God removed from those settings. It is like being in a foreign land where God is not known. How can the beautiful truth be forgotten? (v5-6). As people of God, let us not forget. Let us not forget the foundations of faith, the importance of the values of the Kingdom of God. For even if it feels that we are in a foreign land like the Israelites were, we can still live by and apply the truths and laws of the Kingdom of God. For though the Israelites were taken into exile, it did not stop them being Israelites! They knew they were still the people of God, no matter where they were. They still carried songs of praise in their hearts and poured out their hearts in grief to Him. They still remembered the goodness of God and the greatness of worship, and so can you. The Israelites said, ‘Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if i do not remember you’. Therefore recall the goodness of God. Remember the times when God was made known and extolled where you live, and teach the younger generation. Show them what God has done and teach them to hold onto the truth even in a foreign land and era. Do not forget ‘my highest joy’!

Even though times, culture, and laws have changed, and expectations, behaviours and language may seem foreign to you, do not forget. God is still God, even if you feel like a stranger or an exile as the Israelites did. They felt downhearted and distraught, but they could not forget the truth of God. They did not forget the songs of joy, hymns of faith, or the praise and worship of the temple. They would remind each other and encourage one another to remember and pray. They knew that one day, the situation would change, so they had to remember and teach their young ones what to look forward to. One day, like Babylon, this godless age is ‘doomed to be destroyed’. God’s people and His kingdom will once again ‘sing the Lord’s song’ in joy and unity! So remember, wait, and seek the return of God’s reign wherever you are right now. God will repay evil, and He will also repay righteousness. So are you remembering who He is and what life with God is like for yourself, your community and nation? Are you teaching the generation to come about God and how to worship Him? For they will need to know, and they need to be prepared. Even in a dark and disparate nation, people need to be told and encouraged that better times are coming, that there is joy beyond a nation, a situation and beyond this life! The highest joy is that there is a God that loves and cares, who is powerful and kind, who is King and who deserves to be remembered and honoured. Are you remembering Him, and sharing that joy with those around you? 

Fighting for truth

 Psalm 120:1–7 (ESV):  

1  In my distress I called to the Lord, 

and he answered me. 

 2  Deliver me, O Lord, 

from lying lips, 

from a deceitful tongue. 

 3  What shall be given to you, 

and what more shall be done to you, 

you deceitful tongue? 

 4  A warrior’s sharp arrows, 

with glowing coals of the broom tree! 

 5  Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, 

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! 

 6  Too long have I had my dwelling 

among those who hate peace. 

 7  I am for peace, 

but when I speak, they are for war! 

When you encounter times of distress it is easy to become overwhelmed and think that the whole world is against you. It can seem that everywhere you turn there are enemies and deceit. When you’re in such a time of hardship, everything can seem difficult, and it can feel like you are on your own. It is easy to focus on the pain, discomfort and difficulty and not see anything else. You feel as if you are surrounded by; ‘lying lips’, ‘sharp arrows’, ‘glowing coals’, and ‘those who hate peace’, they are everywhere you look! When your attention is captured by negativity and hardship that can be all you see. Then it is easy to be overwhelmed, anxious and angry. When these emotions swamp you, the fight can seem futile. This is especially so when it feels like you are the only one standing up for what is right. A bearer of truth and peace encircled by lies, chaos and violence. It is exhausting continuing to attempt to bring peace and restoration when, ‘i speak, they are for war’. Every time you open your mouth to bring some kind of resolution, you are shot down by sharp arrows and glowing coals, a battle erupts and you can wonder; is it worth the fight? What is the point, i am not making a difference? 

When you feel like that, go back to the start of the psalm, ‘in my distress i called to the Lord, and he answered me’. Think about that. You are not fighting alone, no matter how it feels. When you stand up for righteousness, for the things God cares about, when you stand on truth and desire peace, you have God on your side! So the best thing to consider is not the difficulty, but what does God want you to do in this situation? Whatever He tells you, do it. You are one of His children, living amongst a people who do not acknowledge Him, so it will be tough at times. You will have to stand up and stand out from the crowd by displaying God's kingdom values, like not lying, or trying to enforce your views through terror. You belong to a different kingdom, so ask for God's strength to help you show it, and remind yourself that God sees, cares for, and is with you (v1). What greater power and influence can you have than knowing God is present and answering you?

Take time to think about previous battles, whether they are yours, someone else's, or biblical accounts - what happened then?! I am sure that you will see that the people of God were oppressed, battling, finding life difficult, until God answered in a tangible way. He stepped in, rescued, and sorted it out. Therefore, keep living life obedient to God. Don’t be swayed or misdirected by others, keep being the truth teller and the peace bringer, keep standing for what you know is right, and keep asking God to intervene. The Lord Your God will prevail in the battles you face. For what are lying lips, glowing coals, sharp arrows, deceitful tongues or war bringers in front of Almighty God?! 

Lies or Truth?

 Psalm 119:161–168 (ESV): 

Sin and Shin

 161  Princes persecute me without cause, 

but my heart stands in awe of your words. 

 162  I rejoice at your word 

like one who finds great spoil. 

 163  I hate and abhor falsehood, 

but I love your law. 

 164  Seven times a day I praise you 

for your righteous rules. 

 165  Great peace have those who love your law; 

nothing can make them stumble. 

 166  I hope for your salvation, O Lord, 

and I do your commandments. 

 167  My soul keeps your testimonies; 

I love them exceedingly. 

 168  I keep your precepts and testimonies, 

for all my ways are before you. 

Do you ‘hate and abhor falsehood’? Or do you tell lies, big ones, small ones, ones to keep secrets or those that you think benefit others? 

All lying should be hated - no matter the purpose or the context, and God does mind if you lie.

The Word of God is truth, so lies are the opposite of God’s Word. If you are person of faith and profess that you love God, you need to be mindful of what you are saying and promising. Are you truly living in The Truth, or have you made up your own rules about acceptable lying? Some people lie with good intention; not to offend others, to protect, maybe to keep something a surprise. Yet lying is still lying and it is the opposite of truth. So, you need to consider whose side are you on; God’s or Satan’s? For Satan is the Prince of lies and when you enter into not telling the truth, you are entering into his domain - is that where you want to be?

Don’t let Satan have any power over you or in your life. Learn instead to abhor falsehood and love God’s Law (v163). It is not easy, and it can be painful to be honest at times. It certainly takes consideration to be loving and truthful at the same time, and sometimes it is best to say nothing. Honesty is beautiful, but needs to be used in humility to God and be wrapped in love. The promise for those who live a life honouring God and His Word is, ‘Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble’. Is this your story? When you live a life of honesty, loving God's Word and abhorring falsehood, you can enjoy peace. If you want to live a peaceful life, ensure that honesty is an important attribute in your life, and stand continually on The Word of God. 

Psalm 119:169–176 (ESV): 

Taw

 169  Let my cry come before you, O Lord; 

give me understanding according to your word! 

 170  Let my plea come before you; 

deliver me according to your word. 

 171  My lips will pour forth praise, 

for you teach me your statutes. 

 172  My tongue will sing of your word, 

for all your commandments are right. 

 173  Let your hand be ready to help me, 

for I have chosen your precepts. 

 174  I long for your salvation, O Lord, 

and your law is my delight. 

 175  Let my soul live and praise you, 

and let your rules help me. 

 176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, 

for I do not forget your commandments. 

Do not try to understand the concepts of society, or the way of the world - don’t waste your time on that. They are fickle and change, lying abounds and different views and perspectives exist. You will never get a clear understanding as they are complex. Instead, ask God, 'give me understanding according to your word!'. This will help you live life.If you want some understanding, go to God. Read Scripture, ask Him and allow your understanding of life be formed by the author of life. 

Whatever you are concerned about, whether it is that your circumstances are confusing or painful, the society you are in blind, the changing of laws nonsensical or concerning, the lives of others lost or gone astray, go to God’s Word. It is only through seeking and listening to God's voice of truth that anything makes sense. Do not concern yourself with understanding the World - the world doesn't make sense, it is lost and confused in it's denial of good and of God, so why seek to understand that anyway? Instead make God's Law your delight, allow His rules to help you and remember that all of God's commandments are right (v172 - 175).

God’s words bring salvation, they can bring joy, hope, truth and help. Therefore take delight in them and do not allow the confusion of life overtake your mind. Hold onto Bible verses, remember truth, and the cares of this world will find their rightful position in subjection to Him. 

What do you do when you're worried?

 Psalm 119:145–152 (ESV): 

Qoph

 145  With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! 

I will keep your statutes. 

 146  I call to you; save me, 

that I may observe your testimonies. 

 147  I rise before dawn and cry for help; 

I hope in your words. 

 148  My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, 

that I may meditate on your promise. 

 149  Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; 

O Lord, according to your justice give me life. 

 150  They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; 

they are far from your law. 

 151  But you are near, O Lord, 

and all your commandments are true. 

 152  Long have I known from your testimonies 

that you have founded them forever.

When you have sleepless nights because you are enduring a time of distress, what do you do? Do you spend the time as this psalmist does and meditate on God’s Word?! Or do you allow the worries and stress to overcome your mind, filling it with more stress and worry? 

The inclination to worry has not changed throughout the World’s history, from ancient times to current days people get sick due to stress and worry. Therefore you need to know how to handle it. This author had figured out a God-honouring way to deal with it, and in the New Testament, Paul gives us a practical way to handle any concerns. For he instructs us to ‘take every thought captive to obey Christ’! (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is how you effectively handle distress and concerns. 

When you are experiencing stress, what do you focus on? Is it worse case scenario, with fears deepening, or are your thoughts obedient to Jesus? Both the writer of this psalm and Paul show that thinking about God and reading His Word are solutions to times of concern. Reading Scripture, and pondering on the nature of God and all that Jesus has done whilst ensuring that you remain obedient will help you. Meditate on God’s promises (v148), keep reminding yourself of the truth so that whenever the worries and fears attempt to sneak back in you can fight back. Retrain your brain to think of God first not fear first - take every thought captive. Taking something captive is forceful and intentional. It does not happen by chance, and you need to keep working at it. 

In the book of Corinthians, Paul goes onto say that by taking your thoughts captive, ‘we destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God’. Do you want to destroy what the enemy is trying to build? You have the power to do that by adjusting your mindset. Take charge of what you think about, you can help what your mind focuses on. You can take your thoughts captive to obey Christ. Instead of spending time pacing around or allowing your mind to whirl during sleepless hours, read God’s Word, listen to Scripture, recall His promises, meditate on His promises, and consider Christ. Do the hard work of retraining your brain, to transform your thoughts from those of worry to those of God-honouring confidence and peace. 

Psalm 119:153–160 (ESV): 

Resh

 153  Look on my affliction and deliver me, 

for I do not forget your law. 

 154  Plead my cause and redeem me; 

give me life according to your promise! 

 155  Salvation is far from the wicked, 

for they do not seek your statutes. 

 156  Great is your mercy, O Lord; 

give me life according to your rules. 

 157  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, 

but I do not swerve from your testimonies. 

 158  I look at the faithless with disgust, 

because they do not keep your commands. 

 159  Consider how I love your precepts! 

Give me life according to your steadfast love. 

 160  The sum of your word is truth, 

and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. 

Do you know that you have one who pleads your cause and redeems you? The same One also gives you life! in 1 John 2:1, John confirms this, ‘My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.’ So, no matter what the situation, whether it is a matter of oppression, persecution, the wrongdoing of others, or even your own sinful behaviour, you have every right to plead your cause for redemption! 

Jesus is your advocate, and he will always advocate for you no matter if the situation or pain you are in is your own fault or not. You have the right and permission to ask for forgiveness and freedom. For Jesus Christ the righteous died for every sin, so that he could show you how great the mercy of God is! Therefore never be afraid to approach your Father in heaven to plead your cause and redeem you (v154).

Your persecutors and adversaries may be many, but think about how big God is, how many are His heavenly hosts and how He has delivered and redeemed His people before. Find out the stories in the Bible that can strengthen you, and trust that God is the same now as He was then. God can turn your life around - are you trusting that He will? Approach God today and plead your cause, even if you feel like you are the one who has messed up, or even if you have asked hundreds of times before. God is listening, God is forgiving, and God is redeeming. 

You don’t need to be afraid, you don’t need to live disgusted or disappointed with yourself for Jesus, your advocate, has stepped in for you. He has put to death all that separates you from God. Therefore you can ask God to, ‘Give me life according to your steadfast love’. You can know forgiveness and appreciate a relationship with God, for great is His mercy (v156). This is only possible because you have an advocate through Jesus Christ the righteous - don’t forget it!

Truth and Trust

 Psalm 119:113–120 (ESV): 

Samekh

 113  I hate the double-minded, 

but I love your law. 

 114  You are my hiding place and my shield; 

I hope in your word. 

 115  Depart from me, you evildoers, 

that I may keep the commandments of my God. 

 116  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, 

and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 

 117  Hold me up, that I may be safe 

and have regard for your statutes continually! 

 118  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, 

for their cunning is in vain. 

 119  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, 

therefore I love your testimonies. 

 120  My flesh trembles for fear of you, 

and I am afraid of your judgments. 

'I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.' People can twist the truth, manipulate words, seem to say one thing but mean something else. God doesn't. God doesn’t lie, He is not ambiguous, manipulative or deceptive. God and His every word are true and genuine. Therefore when you rely on Him and His Word, you are basing your decisions on truth, and so you get protection, hope and clear direction. Not so when you rely on the words of others. Whose words do you trust in most? Do you completely trust in what God has spoken? 

You can have confidence that as you believe in and abide by Scripture, God will protect, comfort, save, and refresh you. When tough times come, i find strength and hope when i pray God’s words back at Him. For His promises are true and steadfast. God doesn’t change his mind or go back on what He has said like people do. Praying God’s words can help remind you of what God has said, and help you hold onto the personal and scriptural promises over your life. This has certainly refreshed my faith and provided comfort when i have been struggling and petitioning God for breakthrough.

Think of Jesus and his time in the wilderness when the devil challenged him (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus overcame temptation through using Scripture. He recalled it and stood firm on what he knew God has said, and in the end the enemy fled! It was hard for Jesus to resist those temptations, and he didn’t have to recall and stand on The Truth just once for the enemy came several times. Jesus had to repeatedly recall Scripture and fight with God’s promises before he saw the breakthrough. You too will need to continue to fight with The Truth. Don’t let the devil wear you out or convince you, he never tells the full truth, only God does. Therefore it is only God’s Word that can be your hope in hopeless situations, your peace in times of chaos, and your protection in times of conflict. It is an effective weapon, are you using it? 

Psalm 119:120–128 (ESV): 

Ayin

 121  I have done what is just and right; 

do not leave me to my oppressors. 

 122  Give your servant a pledge of good; 

let not the insolent oppress me. 

 123  My eyes long for your salvation 

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. 

 124  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, 

and teach me your statutes. 

 125  I am your servant; give me understanding, 

that I may know your testimonies! 

 126  It is time for the Lord to act, 

for your law has been broken. 

 127  Therefore I love your commandments 

above gold, above fine gold. 

 128  Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; 

I hate every false way. 

In this section the writer seems to plead for salvation. He seems worn out yet has hope, and is holding on, even though he sees evil seeming to win. This person is experiencing a time when they have faith and trust in God, but are afraid of being in the hands of ‘my oppressors’. It appears that this situation has been going on for a while as they say they ‘my eyes long for your salvation’, so the implication is that they have been looking out for God to act for some time, and they are still wearily waiting and watching for the circumstances to change. Yet, although they seem despondent, they are not hopeless. 

This writer also recognises their rightful position as one who is NOT in charge. They do not tell God what He should do, but ask, ‘i am your servant, give me understanding’. I think that is a powerful mindset! Although this person is being oppressed and is patiently waiting, they are ontinuing to live life in a godly manner. They are not yet seeing breakthrough but are suffering, and they know God can change things, yet they humbly accept that He has not done that so far. The writer realises that they have no right, as a servant, to boss God around, although they probably wish they could! 

Instead of this psalmist responding in anger or frustration to this continued plight, they continue to pray and live faithfully following God. They are not giving up. For they know and trust that God is good, just and righteous. They are not seeing the change they are hoping for, so they continue to trust that God will do something as His ‘law has been broken’. This person knows they need the strength to wait, and to keep watching out for their salvation. Is that not a powerful witness of genuine faith? To humbly accept the oppression, and to humbly hope and trust The Lord for salvation?! The author does not try to rush the solution and find other ways to get free, but waits, prays and continues to follow God’s instructions. 

How do you respond to God in times of pressure, or when God does not do things the way you think He should, or in your timing? 

What do you do when your soul is full of troubles?

 Psalm 88:1–18 (ESV): 

1  O Lord, God of my salvation, 

I cry out day and night before you. 

 2  Let my prayer come before you; 

incline your ear to my cry! 

 3  For my soul is full of troubles, 

and my life draws near to Sheol. 

 4  I am counted among those who go down to the pit; 

I am a man who has no strength, 

 5  like one set loose among the dead, 

like the slain that lie in the grave, 

  like those whom you remember no more, 

for they are cut off from your hand. 

 6  You have put me in the depths of the pit, 

in the regions dark and deep. 

 7  Your wrath lies heavy upon me, 

and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah 

 8  You have caused my companions to shun me; 

you have made me a horror to them. 

  I am shut in so that I cannot escape; 

 9  my eye grows dim through sorrow. 

  Every day I call upon you, O Lord; 

I spread out my hands to you. 

 10  Do you work wonders for the dead? 

Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah 

 11  Is your steadfast love declared in the grave, 

or your faithfulness in Abaddon? 

 12  Are your wonders known in the darkness, 

or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 

 13  But I, O Lord, cry to you; 

in the morning my prayer comes before you. 

 14  O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? 

Why do you hide your face from me? 

 15  Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, 

I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. 

 16  Your wrath has swept over me; 

your dreadful assaults destroy me. 

 17  They surround me like a flood all day long; 

they close in on me together. 

 18  You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; 

my companions have become darkness. 

Life is hard! 

Sometimes, when you think about all you have been through you can rack up the negative situations, experiences, health issues and relationship breakdowns and feel like this psalmist did - on the edge of death and despair. You can end up seeing that there is suffering from the start to the finish of life, and end up feeling empty, alone and as if life is vanishing from your body. Yet, what great advantage as believers in God do we have in these times! 

For you have someone to turn to, someone to moan at, and an eternal future to behold! Although life can feel cruel and miserable, in desperation you can cry out, ‘O Lord, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?’ You have the great privilege of knowing who to go to when life seems insignificant, wearing and disappointing. For, where else can you go when your inner self is consumed with turmoil and misery - who else can know or understand your innermost thoughts when ‘they surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together’? Even if you have no person left who cares or you can trust, you have Jesus! 

Do not let the negative thoughts take over. Be real about how you feel, but seek the truth and trust and believe in that rather than get bogged down with emotion and circumstance. Look to the Word of God, talk with faithful, God-believing companions and keep praying. Seek the truth. For emotions, circumstances, memories, and even friends change, but the truth of God never fails! 

You may feel like you have no strength, death is close, that your ‘soul is full of troubles’, that your sin is too big, and that you have been rejected by all. Yet remember God. These psalmists do. They recall  that life isn’t over yet and that God is the ‘God of my salvation’ plus He cannot show wonders and love to those that are no longer on Earth, but He can to you who are alive. Therefore allow your mind to rest secure in the knowledge that He is your salvation. His faithfulness, love and power are certain. So call upon God everyday like the sons of Korah; keep praying, keep believing, keep waiting and see what God can do!

Is your love steadfast?

Psalm 57:1–11 (ESV):  

1  Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, 

for in you my soul takes refuge; 

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, 

till the storms of destruction pass by. 

2  I cry out to God Most High, 

to God who fulfils his purpose for me. 

3  He will send from heaven and save me; 

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah 

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! 

4  My soul is in the midst of lions; 

I lie down amid fiery beasts— 

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, 

whose tongues are sharp swords. 

5  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth! 

6  They set a net for my steps; 

my soul was bowed down. 

They dug a pit in my way, 

but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah 

7  My heart is steadfast, O God, 

my heart is steadfast! 

I will sing and make melody! 

8  Awake, my glory! 

Awake, O harp and lyre! 

I will awake the dawn! 

9  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; 

I will sing praises to you among the nations. 

10  For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, 

your faithfulness to the clouds. 

11  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! 

Let your glory be over all the earth! 

This passionate psalm overflows with worship and appreciation of who God is even though David is pursued and in hiding. David focuses on how great God is, ‘above the heavens’ and ‘over all the earth’ as he realises that the present situation is no reflection of the character, power or kindness of God. God remains glorious, worthy and steadfast so David chooses to dwell on these facts rather than the fear and pain that he feels. David sets his mind to consider God because He is greater than the heavens and the Earth, and so is definitely greater and more trustworthy than the dangerous position he is in and his own emotions. 

Even when you feel like you’re ‘in the midst of lions’, you can praise God. Even in darkness and despair, God is there and is still a merciful refuge. David knew this - he chose to see beyond the cave and trouble that he was in to the refuge and glory of God. He set his mind to focus on the One who was keeping him safe and whose, ‘steadfast love is great to the heavens….faithfulness to the clouds’. 

David never dwells on the negativity. He has some awful experiences, as well as some great ones and his writings display the emotions he feels. He doesn’t deny that he feels; pain, fear, disappointment, joy, love, hurt or grief yet David does not let these emotions direct him or influence him other than by being felt. David accepts and acknowledges his reactions to whatever is happening and brings them to God. Then he considers God. You see, the situation and your emotions should not be the overriding factors in your life. God should be. Therefore David expresses how he feels and then moves onto what is more reliable and true - He reminds himself of God’s steadfast love and that He is; good, loving, powerful, steadfast, strong, purposeful, caring and full of mercy. 

The truth of God never changes. David is certain that he can trust in Him even in the terrible trials of life. In this psalm, David is enduring a life-threatening situation, but you wouldn’t guess it from the way it is written would you? David is full of praise for the ‘God most High’ saying, ‘I will give thanks to you’, ‘For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds’. David has put both the trial and God in their rightful places - God being far higher and more important than the problems he is facing. The focus for David is to continue to honour and worship God. He does not deny the pain and suffering that he is going through, but he does submit it to his knowledge of who God is.

So, how do you respond when you're in trouble, afraid or persecuted?

What do you focus on when life is difficult? 

What do you think about God when you are in pain and suffering? 

Do you allow the truth of God to inspire you and overwhelm you rather than your own fears and emotions?

Do you remember to extol and worship God? 

Even when life gets tough David does not stop worshipping or praying. In fact he makes sure that he is still doing these things. David does not turn his back on God or walk away, he goes towards God, talks to Him and honours Him even in the difficult times. David knows that God’s power, influence, greatness and love are worth being grateful for no matter what else is going on. God is worthy of praise whether today and tomorrow are good days or not. God is still steadfast in His love for you whether you experience it or not. God is still majestic, powerful and in control even when you are not. God never changes even when situations do. Therefore you can depend upon Him and praise Him in the cave as well as at the party. God is always above all things and He will always have His way, and His love will always be steadfast. Is yours?

What was Jesus experience at the cross?

Psalm 22 is a prophetic picture of who the Messiah was going to be and what he would experience and even think as he surrendered his life. It so clearly describes Jesus’ experience as he endured crucifixion, and explores his emotions and thoughts displaying his humanity and deity beautifully. The torn body and mind that still extols and honours God, yet is in considerable anguish, despair and pain. How did any writer know in such clarity the details of The Saviours death? How could anyone hundreds of years previously have been able to tell of the Messiah’s fate? No person of the time this was written had an experience that could even mildly equate to that expressed in this piece of writing. It can only be a God-inspired prophetic insight of Our Saviour. How incredible that God speaks in such detail to us about events, people and places not yet seen. When God speaks, it may seem strange or impossible, but it will come to pass, just as this psalm was fulfilled when Jesus died, read it and see for yourself;

Psalm 22:1–31 (ESV):  

1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? 

2  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, 

and by night, but I find no rest. 

3  Yet you are holy, 

enthroned on the praises of Israel. 

4  In you our fathers trusted; 

they trusted, and you delivered them. 

5  To you they cried and were rescued; 

in you they trusted and were not put to shame. 

6  But I am a worm and not a man, 

scorned by mankind and despised by the people. 

7  All who see me mock me; 

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads; 

8  “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him; 

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” 

9  Yet you are he who took me from the womb; 

you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. 

10  On you was I cast from my birth, 

and from my mother’s womb you have been my God. 

11  Be not far from me, 

for trouble is near, 

and there is none to help. 

12  Many bulls encompass me; 

strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 

13  they open wide their mouths at me, 

like a ravening and roaring lion. 

14  I am poured out like water, 

and all my bones are out of joint; 

my heart is like wax; 

it is melted within my breast; 

15  my strength is dried up like a potsherd, 

and my tongue sticks to my jaws; 

you lay me in the dust of death. 

16  For dogs encompass me; 

a company of evildoers encircles me; 

they have pierced my hands and feet— 

17  I can count all my bones— 

they stare and gloat over me; 

18  they divide my garments among them, 

and for my clothing they cast lots. 

19  But you, O Lord, do not be far off! 

O you my help, come quickly to my aid! 

20  Deliver my soul from the sword, 

my precious life from the power of the dog! 

21  Save me from the mouth of the lion! 

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen! 

22  I will tell of your name to my brothers; 

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you: 

23  You who fear the Lord, praise him! 

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him, 

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel! 

24  For he has not despised or abhorred 

the affliction of the afflicted, 

and he has not hidden his face from him, 

but has heard, when he cried to him. 

25  From you comes my praise in the great congregation; 

my vows I will perform before those who fear him. 

26  The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; 

those who seek him shall praise the Lord! 

May your hearts live forever! 

27  All the ends of the earth shall remember 

and turn to the Lord, 

and all the families of the nations 

shall worship before you. 

28  For kingship belongs to the Lord, 

and he rules over the nations. 

29  All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; 

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, 

even the one who could not keep himself alive. 

30  Posterity shall serve him; 

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation; 

31  they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, 

that he has done it. 

Wow! I don’t know about you, but as I have read and re-read this psalm, I am astounded. Firstly because of the detail of Jesus internal narrative written by someone who was never to meet him or see crucifixion. The preciseness of the revelation of Jesus’ experience in death and how people responded is so accurate, as well as the insight into Jesus’ humanity. What an incredible revelation this psalm was. I wonder how it was received at the time it was written. It probably seemed odd but inspired. It is only now, thousands of years later that we can appreciate that this was written by the Spirit through the hand of David. 

It is easy to imagine that these were the thoughts and prayers of Jesus as he encountered death. It is real and raw, a very human response. It relates to the manner of his death as well as Jesus internal thoughts as he hangs there. 

‘I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.’ Have you ever felt like that? Insignificant, overlooked, unappreciated, dismissed and derided? Jesus did. How can the Saviour of the World have felt so worthless and in such despair? It demonstrates clearly Jesus’ humanity. He really did suffer. Not just physically but emotionally and mentally too. He was abandoned and ridiculed by those he loved, he even felt the separation and distance of God. Jesus truly experienced humanity in its entirity including its pain and despair. As you read the psalm I am sure you can relate to some of these thoughts and prayers of our Saviour. If so, know you're not alone. When you; Question God, wonder why He doesn’t answer, cry, are ill at ease, struggle to sleep because of concerns/fears, know how God has been trustworthy in the past but struggle to see it right now, feel worthless, feel like everyone is against you, are mocked, feel distant from God, feel helpless, alone and abandoned, are intimidated and scared, have lost strength, are in pain, stripped of worth, desperate, understand that even though this is agony there is purpose in it you can know God Himself has been through the exact same thing. Did you realise that? I didn’t until I read and reflected on this. What great comfort and relief we can know because Jesus really has experienced our pain and sufferings! No-one need feel alone in their internal conflicts or concerns because Jesus has also known all of this and although he died, he still lives. 

You can be a good follower of God and still have these troubled thoughts and concerns as God’s very own son did! He can appreciate how you are feeling and so help you through it. Jesus acknowledged his emotions, thoughts and fears yet he still extolled God. He admitted the truth about how he felt and at the same time reminded himself the truth of His God. The emotions and thoughts of the mind, no matter how big, significant or encompassing they may be should not overshadow the enormity and prevalence of God in your life. After all - which is bigger; your thoughts and emotions, or God? Jesus, who experienced a death and punishment like no-one would ever want to go through, who suffered greatly even with the foreknowledge that he had to go through terrible torment, Jesus still did not dwell on the internal narrative, his emotions or physical pain. Instead, as we see from this psalm his thoughts and prayers transfer from considering his pain and plight to focussing on what God has previously done and who He is. Jesus speaks of God being; worthy of praise and of testifying about, supporter of the afflicted, one who hears, ruler of all, righteous, rescuer and king. When you have it tough, do not be afraid to admit it - even Jesus did. Then, once you have done that, remember who God is. It will begin to change the turmoil you feel, it will give you another focus and give you something greater to be living for. Consider Jesus - consider the reality of his humanity and deity and discover how you can get through those times by being given the new life he offers. 

The truth

6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6.

Here Jesus is telling us a few things about who he is, last week we looked at him being the way, this week we are going to ponder the fact that Jesus claims to be 'the truth' as well. 

If we consider this statement that Jesus is 'the truth', then this means that truth has existed before the world began as Jesus also existed. Before creation, truth existed. Truth is also found in a person, not as a concept or quality. In the first chapter of this book of John, Jesus is also described as being ‘the word’ that created and spoke into being all things, therefore truth was evident and in existence then, right from the very start of all we know. Truth was present in Jesus, and through his words.Truth has existed for longer than the world that we are dependent on, In fact, Jesus and truth have actually been the foundation of all of these things. Truth is found in Jesus and through his words.  

Jesus came to Earth as a human and so became the embodiment of truth, revealing who God is. When he came to Earth as a human, Jesus revealed the truth about who he is and who his Father is. Whatever traits we see in Jesus, we can know that Father God has the same. 

Therefore, if we want to live honest, truth-filled lives, and as Jesus is the truth, surely we need to learn to understand the world around us through him. Otherwise we are not living in truth, are we? If Jesus is the truth and the creator of all that is around us, then it makes sense to try to appreciate all that life entails through the one who made it. When we do we are able to put things into the right context. If we remove Jesus from our thinking, then how are we approaching the situations, people and the world each and every day? If Jesus is truth and we decline to live with him, then what are we living with? How are we assessing the things and people we encounter?

There are many things in this world that vie for our attention and that claim to be true, just and right, but do you take time to test these things and see if they aline with who Jesus is, what he taught and represents? Others’ arguments, values and experiences may be strong and persuasive but does what they are bringing agrees with scripture which is true? Do you stop to reflect and ask yourself if Jesus would have had those theories, acted in that way or taught these things? If you know he wouldn’t then you know that these things are not based in the ultimate truth. 

It may be that the words spoken by Jesus are hard to understand, or difficult to take onboard, but it doesn’t mean that they are wrong. Just because things may be hard to accept and live, doesn’t mean that they are irrelevant, should be ignored or are simply untrue. It just means that we don't like it. 

Jesus, and truth have existed before this planet and before time. Surely that is something dependable, reliable and certain that you can build your life upon. After all, the theories and ideas of man last a season, change frequently and eventually are often discarded and mocked. Yet, Jesus the Son of God, has outlasted them all. The truth has lived, has created this Earth and walked this Earth, and is still alive, living with His Father in heaven. Do you live with that truth in your life? 

Prepare to speak and hear the truth

  After Daniel clearly spoke about who God is, and showed that the Most High is the one who gives knowledge and insight, he then reveals what the king wants to know, he reads and then explains the writing on the wall;

‘the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honoured.

*24*“Then from his presence the hand was sent, and this writing was inscribed. *25*And this is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Mene, Tekel, and Parsin. *26*This is the interpretation of the matter: Mene, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; *27*Tekel, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; *28*Peres, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 

*29*Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed with purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made about him, that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. 

*30*That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was killed. *31* And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.’

Daniel 5:23–31.

Daniel, having preceded the revelation with a revelation of God's presence in his life and that of the king's family, tells Belshazzar that he has limited time left, that God has found him lacking, and that the kingdom he should have been caring for is going to be torn apart. Do you think that this is really what the king wanted to know?! These things are probably the worst news a king could get; He is going to die soon, his kingdom too is going to suffer and God is not pleased with him. However, Belshazzar does not get into a rage, he does not order for Daniel to be punished and killed, instead he gives Daniel the honours that he promised! Even though he has just been told that everything he has worked for is going to be ripped apart, and cease to be. So Belshazzar must have seen the validity in what Daniel shared, otherwise why would he have treated him so kindly? Maybe even the horrendous truth is better than the terrible unknown. 

The truth may be hard to hear and to tell, but it will do us good if we take it onboard. 

When someone comes to you for advice, or when you need it - do you seek the truth or placation and comfort from wherever you can get it? Or do you pray and ask God for revelation, for truth? 

If you really want solutions to the difficulties you are facing, if you really want to help your friends in times of trouble - then surely you owe ourselves and them the truth. No matter how painful and hard it is. Jesus tells us in the New Testament, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free'(John 8:31-31). What a marvellous promise! The truth does not bind or terrify, but it sets us all free - no matter how hard it may be to hear or tell, it is necessary for freedom. Maybe that is why Daniel was able to be honoured - because he was a man of God and a man of truth, telling a desperate king the honest truth, and Belshazzar could rest from his worry, because now he knew. I know that i prefer to know rather than be surrounded by unanswered questions and confusion, there's something about truth that puts us at ease. It gives us freedom.

When sharing the truth though, it is not acceptable to be harsh - either with ourselves or others. Daniel is great at framing the truth he needs to reveal. He prepares the king by explaining God’s interest, forbearance and existence before he interprets what the king says he wants to know. It is like he prepares a prologue for what he is about to reveal. This ensures his hearers that Daniel is relying on God for insight, and gives some background to God's previous work that may yet remain unseen. He gives an intro to the truth. 

Like Daniel, when we have a message from God to share with someone we should be clear to the person where our information is coming from. Prepare them to hear the truth that it is from God, tell them that you have prayed and that you believe God has spoken. Demonstrate the history of your understanding, and their experience of God (even if they do not see it, like Belshazzar), show that God has always cared about them and wants to speak into their lives now to help them. I think that most of us should probably spend more time considering how we reveal God's truth to people, rather than just going straight into it. Give consideration to your words, prepare a prologue through prayer. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear and share. Daniel understood that and prepared his audience to hear the cold, hard truth by displaying who has given the message, and how God has been active already, so that the hearers have time to contemplate the God whom this message is coming from before they receive the message. If you think about it, it is how medical practitioners deal with patients - they remind them of the tests, results and then the diagnosis and implications. It is not always the best news to hear, but there's a relief in the truth because it sets us free.

It doesn’t matter if you have something from God that will be encouraging, or an admonition like Daniel, but making it clear where your insight is coming from is key - otherwise however will they know that there is a God who cares for them? The truth can set people free, are you ready to share it with others? Next time God reveals something to you for someone, take time to construct your thoughts and frame the truth so that people can see the God of love, hope and freedom behind the truth.

how shall we escape?

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,  lest we drift away from it. *2*For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 *how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?* * It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, *4*while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 

Hebrews 2:1–4

Bearing in mind all we have read before, all we have discovered about Jesus, all we have be shown by angels and God, all that is written in the Old Testament and all that prophets have muttered, bearing all that in mind, surely we should, ‘pay much closer attention’ To what? You may ask -
Based on the evidence, we should focus our attention and not neglect the great salvation given to us.
That is what this author is showing us. If God has put so much effort into making Jesus known, since the beginning of time, then surely he is someone worth knowing about and the key message that he brings is the revelation of salvation.

Since the beginning of time it has been made clear -  considering the angels proclamations, prophets messages, disciples experiences, sacred writings, and God’s owns declarations  - who Jesus is.
Each individual source is reliable and trustworthy in it’s own right, so how about all of these accounts put together?! It is an undeniable truth that Jesus lived, that He is God and that he died then three days later rose again. There are documented accounts, witness reports - These things are established truths. Real experiences reported and evidenced by signs and wonders, testimonies as well as the fulfilment of prophecy and the occasional angelic visitation.
How then can we not believe?!
Sources that collaborate over centuries have all led to the same conclusion, different people, different eras - one message - Jesus is the son of God who brings salvation.

You have no excuse to not recognise the truth of who Jesus is. So, what are you doing about it?

We can be in danger, as the writer points out, of neglecting such a great salvation. We become accustomed with the privilege of salvation, take it for granted, so much so that it doesn’t really have an impact on our everyday lives. This great and marvellous privilege that has taken centuries to fulfil has lost the gravity of importance in our lives.

Are you complacent about the reality of your salvation?
Do you need reminding again of the significance of all Jesus is and all he did in order for the life you have?
Are you living aware of your salvation or do you keep it tucked away from others so much so that even you are not even sure about it’s influence?

This great salvation was bought at a hefty price. One that none of us would be able or willing to pay, but Jesus did.  This great salvation means that we no longer have to be enslaved to sin or fear, this salvation means that we can know an eternal relationship, discover our true identity and have security for our future was well as help and comfort in our present. It means we can walk tall, knowing we are loved and forgiven, wanted and never alone. This great salvation has even greater purpose than his temporal Earth can offer - but are you neglecting it?

We can get blinded and distracted but all the Earth offers - the people in it, the weather, the work that is required, and the problems we see in it. Life can and does get in the way of our faith, but shouldn’t it be the other way around?!

We will have no excuses available on that great and powerful day when we meet Jesus face to face - what will you or I be able to say then?

 ‘how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

Jesus is more

Just in case we need further proof that Jesus is higher than even the heavenly beings, we come across these verses at the beginning of Hebrews;

When he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 
“Let all God’s angels worship him.” 
*7*Of the angels he says, 
“He makes his angels winds, 
and his ministers a flame of fire.” 
*8*But of the Son he says, 
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever”
Hebrews 1:6–8.

Here we have a comparison of Jesus, God’s son (the ‘exact imprint’ of God) and the angels. This passage clearly shows us that angels, like us, are created beings. They were made by the God the Father and Jesus the son.

It can seem strange to consider angels, they seem like far-away beings, maybe more fitted for a fairy tale rather than the book of truth. Yet we do hear stories about them, either from the Bible or people’s experiences. We often end up in awe as we comprehend the encounters people have meeting these holy, heavenly messengers of God. When we hear of such meetings, they fill us with wonder.

Can you imagine meeting an angel? It would be incredible!
Gideon met one, Daniel knew they were fighting for him, Elishah saw an army of them, Mary spoke with one and Joseph saw one in his dreams. These accounts have lasted thousands of years. These stories amaze us, as they retell supernatural experiences that influenced everyday human lives. These accounts have inspired and amazed countless generations. However, angelic encounters are not just historical events. People today also have the privilege of meeting them. We can read stories or watch videos of people retelling their experiences and when they do, we end up in awe. These stories build our faith and help to open our eyes to the supernatural dimension.

How amazing it must be to encounter an angel - a heavenly being from the presence of God stepping down into our world - can you imagine?!

Verse 14 of Hebrews 1 tells us that angels are, ‘all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation’. Don’t you think that, too, is amazing? All angels are tasked with supporting those who are on the path to salvation. That’s right, angels are around to support, encourage and minister to us! Angels exist because we do.

Sometimes, rarely, a mere human being has the opportunity to see one of these heavenly messengers. These stories inspire us and instil hope, joy and faith into hearts. I have heard different stories, read different accounts, as I am sure you have, and I am grateful, inspired and maybe a little jealous — how cool would it be to meet an angel?! I mean, a powerful, heavenly being being sent to Earth with a message for you, or a job to protect you, warn you, help you, fight for you - how awesome would that be?! How incredible to meet a creature from heaven!

Do you realise we live, each one of us, with the reality that we can encounter a heavenly being? Not as a once in a lifetime opportunity, but we have the opportunity to  connect with heaven each moment of our lives.
Angels do inspire much awe, wonder, hope, joy and faith - how much more should the one who created them?

We have the opportunity each and every day, each and every hour, even each minute to connect with someone even greater than the angels. One whom even the angels worship (v6)! Should we not be over-awed by that? By the fact that, we may not be able to connect with an angel today, but we can connect with Jesus!

I think we have become accustomed to the fact that Jesus was a man and walked around like you and I. He lived on this Earth like us, was born like us. We have lost something of the awe and wonder of who Jesus is. We take for granted that he is approachable and relatable. We have lost something in overemphasising his humanity above his divinity.
Jesus is not just fully human, but fully God. As much as we admire and are in awe of angels, shouldn’t that instil in us a greater wonder and awe of the one who invented them?! An inventor is always greater than his invention. Let alone the fact that Jesus is the one whom angels worship!

As inspiring and hope-building angels are, and stories about them can be - Jesus is more.
As powerful and holy angels are - Jesus is more.
As mighty and awesome angels are - Jesus is more.

Today, remember who Jesus is. He is more than all you see and experience. He is greater than the greatest man. He is greater than the most powerful angel. He is God!

Do not take to heart....

*21*Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. *22*Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7:21–22.

How do you do this? How do you stop taking things to heart? How do you ignore the curses?
If anyone has any answers I’d love to know!

I get the truth of what these verses are saying - that we all, at times, have negative thoughts about others, even those we love most, it doesn’t mean we hate them or wish them harm, it usually means that we are aggravated by something. Therefore we should not have an overwhelmingly negative emotional response when others speak badly about us because they probably have some hidden hurt expressed by what they are communicating, just like we do. So we should, ‘not take to heart all the things that people say’.
I understand that, but it is very difficult to do isn’t it?!

Only this week something happened where I was accused of something, something completely untrue, and although I knew my own innocence, it rocked me. I spent a whole day feeling distressed, worried and concerned. A lot of scenarios snowballing through my head if this accusation was believed. I took to heart the words of someone else, the ‘curse’ of someone who wasn’t telling the truth, I took on an emotional response that was unwarranted and unnecessary as I knew the facts of the situation.
So, why did I take it to heart? I overanalysed, I wondered; why would someone want to falsely accuse me? Why would someone wish to hurt me? damage my reputation?
I forgot to ask - what is going on in their life that has less to this response. I forgot not to take it to heart. Instead I had a tearful, distressed response to this situation. This was probably understandable, but it was unnecessary. I failed to put this verse into action. Even though I probably even read it on that very morning! How easily we can forget the truth!
what I have been reading this week disappeared from my mind, it’s like I understand with my head that I shouldn’t be upset, but my heart is slower to catch on. It seems easy to acknowledge, but harder to put into practice. Maybe that’s why reading the Bible is always relevant no matter how many times we read it - it takes a while for the truth to sink in and be evident in our lives. We need reminding of the truth. Constantly. I need this verse to be replayed in my mind over and again as I do take offence, I do feel scared, worried and annoyed by others’ words, but Solomon in his great wisdom invites us not to, ’take to heart all the things that people say’. Imagine a life free of that concern - wouldn’t that be amazing?! To not be overcome by hurt, offence or resentment by others words, to not be stuck under the power of negativity that can be spoken over us.

Let us keep remembering the truth - The wisdom expressed by these verses. Let us begin the path to freedom from this anxiety, freedom from the desire to please everyone or be beholden to the words spoken over us. Let us guard our minds with the truth of the Word.

‘Do not take to heart all the things that people say’

Is Jesus really real? Is it all a myth?

*16*For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 Peter 1:16.

This verse can sometimes reflect how I feel when people question christianity. I sometimes feel like saying, a bit like Peter did, ‘Hey, I’m not making this stuff up! It’s not a fairytale!’. Do you?
It’s similar to what Peter is saying in this verse, he’s confronting those with closed ears to his message, to the doubters and questioners. To those who don’t believe, and actually think what you believe is make believe. This is who Peter seems to be directing this thought to. I am not sure why, but it seems easy for non-christians to think that christians are; uneducated, unintelligent, deceived or a bit crazy. This is far from the truth. There are many educated, intelligent, enlightened and perfectly sane people who know who Jesus is. How do we know? Well for one thing, because christianity is not some made up fairytale with a happily-ever-after ending, it’s not a myth or a legend told and adapted through the generations. There is, in fact, historical evidence of many of the events in the Bible. In particular, historical documents detailing the life of Jesus, documents not in the Bible, but  recorded,  trusted and confirmed accounts from other credible sources.

One such source is a person named Josephus who was employed by several emperors of Jesus’ time to record key events and key people of the era. He records events that involve Jesus. His account tells how Jesus was a good and wise man who performed ‘surprising deeds’, was crucified by Pilate and that the disciples claimed to have seen him alive days later. Josephus had no agenda, other than to record the significant events happening around him. He was employed to do so, he must of been pretty good at it, trusted and valued as several rulers paid him to do it.  He was employed by those not of Christian or Jewish faith and he faithfully recorded relevant events and key people of the time. He also made an account of the significance of a holy man called Jesus. A man who performed unusual wonders, a man who had disciples, who people believed in him as God, and who was reported to of risen from the dead. This event Josephus even records, so there must of been significant evidence at the time otherwise why would he of written it down?

So, even without the Bible there is evidence that Jesus lived and was an incredible man. Josephus, a non-christian, but a Jew, recognised the significance of the life of Jesus to the extent that he recorded it as a matter of historical importance. If Jesus was just an ordinary person, then Josephus would unlikely of mentioned him. He recorded key events and people of significance. For example, he also records the lives of Herod, Pilate and the high priest Caiaphas. These were also key people that existed at the time of Jesus (we can also read about  them in the Bible). Strangely, though, people do not seem to question if these people existed, just Jesus.

The Bible is not merely a collection of stories, those who follow the Bible’s teaching are not just moralists, good people or uneducated fools following a bunch of myths, they have based their faith on historical events - the reality of the life and death of Jesus, the man who is God.
The life and death of Jesus are documented facts in the history of the world. What you think about it and how it effects your life are up to you.