There is a woman in the Bible who knew deep pain and brokenness. Her name is Rizpah.
Rizpah's father was Aiah. He came from a tribal people called Horites who intermarried with the Edomites, the descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:24; 1 Chronicles 1:40). Even though a relative of the Israelites, she was an outsider. A people who were not given the covenants and the Promise Land. Her life as a concubine made her an untouchable and deepened the shame.
She bore two of King Saul's children, Armoni and Mephibosheth. After the death of Saul, Abner, his commander-in-chief, took her as his wife. This resulted in a conflict between him and Saul's son and successor, Ishbosheth. (2 Samuel 3:7-8). She found herself as a pawn in a power struggle. Later King David ordered the death of King Saul's seven sons, including Rizpah's two sons.
In loving devotion it says, "And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night." (2 Samuel 21:10, KJV). For five months she held a vigil for her children and Saul's sons until the rains fell.
How the memories of her children must have flooded her mind and spilled in a torrent of tears and anguished cries. Who was to hear and why should they care? She was a dead king's concubine.
She thought of her son Armoni which means palatial. Palatial is spacious and splendid, resembling a palace. Perhaps she thought her son was secured in Saul's house. A good position, power and privilege. He was after all the king's son. How many of our dreams were birthed out of pain, a deep sadness and shame. We held to a flickering light of hope for a better tomorrow.
Then there was Mephibosheth whose name means dispeller of shame. Perhaps she thought of her life stained by shame. How many of us struggle against regret, fears and a foreboding sense that our lives have been reduced to some fateful mistake we can't undo. We long to dispel the gnawing sense of shame that eats away our peace and clouds our outlook in what might have been a promising future.
And then there is Rizpah's own name which means coal, a glowing stone. After all the loss and pain, her heart might have grown stone cold, blackened by shame and regret. The warmth and light of life reduced to dying coal.
Beloved God has a promise to everyone who is quickly losing warmth and vitality. Revelations 2:17 says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." (KJV).
Christ is our Rock who keeps are heart from being darkened and lifeless like a stone. Instead He gives us grace to overcome and keeps are hearts soft and teachable.
There is a white stone waiting for you with a new name with a new meaning.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Our Desolate Places
Everyone has desolate places in their lives.
Where hope once sprung up with a lively ambition is all but a dry well. Where dreams were once planted in the soil of youthful zeal only brought a harvest of tangled weeds. There are certain things you don't talk about anymore to your spouse, friends or co-workers. It's too painful. You are afraid it might stir some lingering hope that it is still possible even if it seems too late to do anything. Do overs in life are never guaranteed. Poor decisions and sinful choices were set into motion leaving a wake of broken relationships, ill bodies and sadden minds.
So why should any good, any hope and any blessing come out of this life?
But God.
But God says, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27, KJV). The ink may still be fresh on the divorce papers but God says differently. The Dr. says your life hangs in the balance as cancer rages but God says healing is possible.
The difficulty is not with God. Rather it's hard for us to hear those tender whispers of hope from His lips. I know and I'm here to help you. We look around to find every plausible excuse to why God can't do something when we need to simply raise our hands toward heaven in surrender. Say yes to His possibilities though in the natural there seems to be no way out. The marriage may be dead. The body is sick or financial hardships push you out of your home. Whatever impossible or impassable circumstance you find yourself God says watch what I can do!
In the context of this Scripture, Jeremiah looked around his beloved city of Jerusalem and could only foresee the pending destruction that waited as the Chaldean army stood outside the walls. People will be murdered, homes destroyed and the temple wasted. Until God told him to purchase a piece of property as symbol of a coming restoration. God promised to turn the captivity and bring His people home (32:6-15, 41-44).
Beloved, we can settle and even agree to the desolate places but God says there is hope. He must give us new eyes to see something we couldn't see when looking at the ash heap in our lives. Remember God turns our ashes into something beautiful (Isaiah 61:3). When our eyes sting from weeping and we feel the ground give way under our feet and we lose our footing. God says to His people look what I will do to bring about the greatest glory to my Name (Jeremiah 33:8-9).
God never takes pleasure in our pain and destruction. But it brings Him great delight when someone simply brings their broken life to Him. Let's guard against becoming hard and resisting His Spirit to resurrect the dead things, the waste places and the barren wombs of our souls. It is after all about Him - His name, for His glory and the wonders of His grace.
Where hope once sprung up with a lively ambition is all but a dry well. Where dreams were once planted in the soil of youthful zeal only brought a harvest of tangled weeds. There are certain things you don't talk about anymore to your spouse, friends or co-workers. It's too painful. You are afraid it might stir some lingering hope that it is still possible even if it seems too late to do anything. Do overs in life are never guaranteed. Poor decisions and sinful choices were set into motion leaving a wake of broken relationships, ill bodies and sadden minds.
So why should any good, any hope and any blessing come out of this life?
But God.
But God says, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27, KJV). The ink may still be fresh on the divorce papers but God says differently. The Dr. says your life hangs in the balance as cancer rages but God says healing is possible.
The difficulty is not with God. Rather it's hard for us to hear those tender whispers of hope from His lips. I know and I'm here to help you. We look around to find every plausible excuse to why God can't do something when we need to simply raise our hands toward heaven in surrender. Say yes to His possibilities though in the natural there seems to be no way out. The marriage may be dead. The body is sick or financial hardships push you out of your home. Whatever impossible or impassable circumstance you find yourself God says watch what I can do!
In the context of this Scripture, Jeremiah looked around his beloved city of Jerusalem and could only foresee the pending destruction that waited as the Chaldean army stood outside the walls. People will be murdered, homes destroyed and the temple wasted. Until God told him to purchase a piece of property as symbol of a coming restoration. God promised to turn the captivity and bring His people home (32:6-15, 41-44).
Beloved, we can settle and even agree to the desolate places but God says there is hope. He must give us new eyes to see something we couldn't see when looking at the ash heap in our lives. Remember God turns our ashes into something beautiful (Isaiah 61:3). When our eyes sting from weeping and we feel the ground give way under our feet and we lose our footing. God says to His people look what I will do to bring about the greatest glory to my Name (Jeremiah 33:8-9).
God never takes pleasure in our pain and destruction. But it brings Him great delight when someone simply brings their broken life to Him. Let's guard against becoming hard and resisting His Spirit to resurrect the dead things, the waste places and the barren wombs of our souls. It is after all about Him - His name, for His glory and the wonders of His grace.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Way Of Escape
As a second part to my study of overcoming temptation, I want to look at the way of escape the Lord promises to those who cry out to Him for help. 2 Peter 2:9 says, "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished" (KJV). The context of this verse is speaking of Lot (verses 7-8) whom the Lord delivered from Sodom before destroying it and her neighboring cities.
The question is do we want to be delivered? How many of us push the boundaries of how far we can go without falling headlong into temptation? Many of us don't act out our thoughts but allow our mind to take us to very dark places that God once rescued us? There something in our hearts that refuse to let go of the possibilities that temptation seems to offer while forgetting the sting and shame that follows when we give in to it.
Still there remains a way out of temptation so we have no excuse for letting temptation overtake us. I Corinthians 10:13 says, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (NLT).
As a young man I had to memorize this Scripture as part of my missionary training. Years later the Scripture would surface during times of temptation but found myself arguing with God. Where's my out? Where the exit door? In the heat of the moment, everything seemed blurred and rushed. Instinctively, I knew that if I called out to Him, the Lord would answer. But I remained silent and did not run for my life like Joseph.
Joseph was tempted day after day by Potiphar's wife who urged him to sleep with her. He resisted and ran out the door only to find himself unjustly locked up. The Bible tells us to "flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22, KJV). Fleeing temptation may save us from long lasting consequences but it does not mean all will go well. Your flesh will fight against God. The mind will make up every excuse or reason to yield. Even friends, co-workers or family members may give you reasons why you can't resist temptation. It's your family history. Your genetic make-up or you can't help yourself. You were lonely. Tired or angry. What were you to do with your back up against the wall?
God will open our eyes to the way of escape. It can be as simple as walking away. Or a Scripture that comes to mind that pulls back the present deception. Or it can be severe as an accident or illness that brings us back to our senses.
Stop arguing and take the exit!
Here's a promise for those who say by God's power I refuse a momentary pleasure for life everlasting. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalms 24:3)
When we rush through the exit door we fall in the arms of our God. Then He takes us up to a high place where our vision is restored and there we see how small and narrow temptation really is - a self centered life that feeds and devours itself. But in that holy place with clean hands we embrace a Savior with nailed scarred hands who understood what it is to be tempted in all things but without sin. Beloved, it's worth fleeing temptation. We remember Joseph more than we remember Potiphar's wife who had no name given to her in Scripture. And she represents much of the world's goods and desires - easily forgotten and dismissed. One day we will wonder why did we think the world was so attractive?
The question is do we want to be delivered? How many of us push the boundaries of how far we can go without falling headlong into temptation? Many of us don't act out our thoughts but allow our mind to take us to very dark places that God once rescued us? There something in our hearts that refuse to let go of the possibilities that temptation seems to offer while forgetting the sting and shame that follows when we give in to it.
Still there remains a way out of temptation so we have no excuse for letting temptation overtake us. I Corinthians 10:13 says, The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." (NLT).
As a young man I had to memorize this Scripture as part of my missionary training. Years later the Scripture would surface during times of temptation but found myself arguing with God. Where's my out? Where the exit door? In the heat of the moment, everything seemed blurred and rushed. Instinctively, I knew that if I called out to Him, the Lord would answer. But I remained silent and did not run for my life like Joseph.
Joseph was tempted day after day by Potiphar's wife who urged him to sleep with her. He resisted and ran out the door only to find himself unjustly locked up. The Bible tells us to "flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22, KJV). Fleeing temptation may save us from long lasting consequences but it does not mean all will go well. Your flesh will fight against God. The mind will make up every excuse or reason to yield. Even friends, co-workers or family members may give you reasons why you can't resist temptation. It's your family history. Your genetic make-up or you can't help yourself. You were lonely. Tired or angry. What were you to do with your back up against the wall?
God will open our eyes to the way of escape. It can be as simple as walking away. Or a Scripture that comes to mind that pulls back the present deception. Or it can be severe as an accident or illness that brings us back to our senses.
Stop arguing and take the exit!
Here's a promise for those who say by God's power I refuse a momentary pleasure for life everlasting. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalms 24:3)
When we rush through the exit door we fall in the arms of our God. Then He takes us up to a high place where our vision is restored and there we see how small and narrow temptation really is - a self centered life that feeds and devours itself. But in that holy place with clean hands we embrace a Savior with nailed scarred hands who understood what it is to be tempted in all things but without sin. Beloved, it's worth fleeing temptation. We remember Joseph more than we remember Potiphar's wife who had no name given to her in Scripture. And she represents much of the world's goods and desires - easily forgotten and dismissed. One day we will wonder why did we think the world was so attractive?
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Overcoming Temptation
What has been called the Lord's prayer is really a prayer for the disciples. They asked the Lord how to converse with the Father just as they observed Him praying. In Matthew 6:13 the Lord says, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (KJV). Another word for lead means to carry inward (Strong's Concordance).
Remember James 1:13 that God can not be tempted with evil nor does he tempts us. So what did Jesus mean lead us not or be carried inward by temptation? Clearly God is not leading us so then who is drawing us into temptation? We read in the next verse of James that it is our lust that entices and drags us away.
During their travels through the wilderness, Israel needed water, food and shelter. These are basic necessities to sustain life especially in a hot, parched land where little flourished or cool water flowed. However, when they asked the Lord they tempted or provoked Him by asking from the intent of satisfying their lust. Psalms 78:18 says, "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust." (KJV). They were being carried away by an inward lust rather than simply ask Him in faith to provide. How many of us take matters in our hands giving the Lord no time or room to respond to our heart's desire?
Beloved, we aware of our lustful desires for certain things, places or people that could lead us to sin. But we fail to recognize the temptation when asking the Lord for the things that are needful, lawful or permissible. It's okay to pray for healthy relationships, basic needs, financial blessings or any number of things. But how we ask and why we ask matters to God. He goes to the intent of our prayers.
What comes out of our mouths in prayer may beguile what really is going on in the heart. God answered Israel's cry for bread, water and meat. Why? We read in Deuteronomy 8:16 God answered their prayers to humble and test them. Often I found myself praying, "God do not answer my prayer but answered as You so determine."
Here is how we overcome temptation by learning to be content with Lord's present provision. I Timothy 6:8 says, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (KJV). Israel became ungrateful when forgetting many of God's supernatural acts and provision. Their cry was much like our greedy and lust driven culture: "We want more, better and now!"
Beloved, we over come temptation by a simple thank you that reflects on what God has provided trusting He will do it again as He so desires. Are you lonely and tempted to connect with a relationship that God has said no? Thank Him for calling you His friend and for His faithfulness to comfort you. Do you find yourself tempted to drink? Thank God for His living water that never runs dry and for His joy unspeakable.
Let us not tempt the Lord to respond to our pressing inward needs or wants or we could find ourselves being led into a place of testing where He will humble us for our own good.
Remember James 1:13 that God can not be tempted with evil nor does he tempts us. So what did Jesus mean lead us not or be carried inward by temptation? Clearly God is not leading us so then who is drawing us into temptation? We read in the next verse of James that it is our lust that entices and drags us away.
During their travels through the wilderness, Israel needed water, food and shelter. These are basic necessities to sustain life especially in a hot, parched land where little flourished or cool water flowed. However, when they asked the Lord they tempted or provoked Him by asking from the intent of satisfying their lust. Psalms 78:18 says, "And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust." (KJV). They were being carried away by an inward lust rather than simply ask Him in faith to provide. How many of us take matters in our hands giving the Lord no time or room to respond to our heart's desire?
Beloved, we aware of our lustful desires for certain things, places or people that could lead us to sin. But we fail to recognize the temptation when asking the Lord for the things that are needful, lawful or permissible. It's okay to pray for healthy relationships, basic needs, financial blessings or any number of things. But how we ask and why we ask matters to God. He goes to the intent of our prayers.
What comes out of our mouths in prayer may beguile what really is going on in the heart. God answered Israel's cry for bread, water and meat. Why? We read in Deuteronomy 8:16 God answered their prayers to humble and test them. Often I found myself praying, "God do not answer my prayer but answered as You so determine."
Here is how we overcome temptation by learning to be content with Lord's present provision. I Timothy 6:8 says, "And having food and raiment let us be therewith content." (KJV). Israel became ungrateful when forgetting many of God's supernatural acts and provision. Their cry was much like our greedy and lust driven culture: "We want more, better and now!"
Beloved, we over come temptation by a simple thank you that reflects on what God has provided trusting He will do it again as He so desires. Are you lonely and tempted to connect with a relationship that God has said no? Thank Him for calling you His friend and for His faithfulness to comfort you. Do you find yourself tempted to drink? Thank God for His living water that never runs dry and for His joy unspeakable.
Let us not tempt the Lord to respond to our pressing inward needs or wants or we could find ourselves being led into a place of testing where He will humble us for our own good.