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He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. Psalm 62:6 (GNT)
When something fantastic happens we say God was in it. When prayers are answered we say God is a great God who answers prayer. When healings happen we marvel at his power. When things seem to be going our way we thank him for his love and watch care over us.
But what about the other times? What do we say when the prayers seem unanswered, the bills aren’t miraculously paid, the doctors report isn’t good, the judge goes against us? What do we say when the house is foreclosed on or the boss gives us a pink slip?
It’s a natural human tendency to measure the greatness of God by our own personal comfort level. When things are going our way, we say we are blessed. But it’s hard to stare bankruptcy or foreclosure or terminal illness in the face and say we are blessed. It’s hard when a judge makes a decision that will negatively affect the lives of our children and say ‘God is good’ and really mean it.
Society has an answer to our dilemma. It tells us we are on our own. We need to band together, support each other, and pour money into this program or that program to make sure everyone is educated, research is done and protection is granted. Problem is money hasn’t solved any issues lately. We’ve made great strides in the medical community to cure a variety of illnesses, but people still get sick and die. We have more and more government intervention to make life ‘safer’ and it’s still a dangerous world we live in.
Religion tells us that when things are going good, God is pleased and full of love for us. Religion also tells us that when things are going bad it is because God is angry. When God is angry he sends illness and natural disasters and evil dictatorships. Religion says that if we follow more rules and have more faith and speak louder against evil God will change his ways and make our lives comfortable again.
So what is the right answer? How do we respond when things seem against us? Part of the problem is that we often mistake consequences for God’s lack of protection. Grace teaches us that the penalty of our sinful lifestyle was paid for on the cross. In God’s eyes we are made righteous (perfect) from a spiritual perspective. He promises us that he will be with us in everything we go through.
What we aren’t promised is that the consequences of our own mistakes won’t have to be served out on earth. Sometimes God allows us to suffer the earthly consequences of our actions in order to help us grow stronger. He promises to protect us but consequences of our refusal to listen will remain.
For example, let’s say a young man and woman (both Christ followers) make a mistake and she ends up getting pregnant. Will God forgive them of their mistake (sin)? The answer is yes, of course. Will they have a baby? Yep, probably. We don’t like to think of that beautiful young life as a consequence of course, but it is, and both of them will have that reminder to carry with them.
Here is a nugget of truth to carry with you as you endure the consequences of your actions. The same God who is with you to bless you is the same God who will walk with you through the consequences of your bad choices. He still forgives. He still walks with you hand in hand. He still reaches out his arms and says, ‘I love you more than anything.’
Even in the consequences we endure God tells us “I am your protection. I will defend you. I will walk with you along the way and together we will NEVER be defeated.
PRAYER: Father God, I find myself in a situation I can’t get out of. I confess to you that the consequences I face are of my own doing. I have no one to blame but myself. Forgive me for the decisions I made to get me in this situation. If by your mercy you choose to remove the consequences I thank you for your deliverance. If, by your grace you choose to have me go through this, I praise you for your presence. In Jesus name, Amen.
And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. Romans 5:4-5 (NCV)
Disappointment comes into our lives in a variety of ways. Our disappointments can be minor and only affect our lives for a few moments, or major disappointment can change the course of our lives forever.
How we handle disappointment depends on many factors such as our emotional well-being, the size of the disappointment and any physical or financial impact it can have on our lives.
The size of our disappointment and how we handle it is largely dependent on hope. Hope is based on expectations and desire. The more we cherish something the more we ‘hope’ to have it come true, last longer, or be a part of us. The size and effect of our disappointment is dependent on what we have our hope based on.
We can put our hope on a relationship, but relationships are made of people and people are human and humans fail.
We can place our hope on special interests or politics, but politics are as fickle as the people who make them up.
We can place our hope on money, but as many have found out lately, you can work your whole life to amass a nice retirement account and see it flitter away in the winds of health, economic disaster or divorce.
Some place their hope in religion, but religion is nothing more than a set of rules based on false hopes and expectations. Some have even placed their hope on God and been disappointed because he didn’t deliver as they ‘hoped’ he would.
Disappointment is a fact of life and no matter how you live you will encounter disappointment. How disappointment affects you isn’t dependent on what happened to cause the disappointment but on what you have your hopes based on. Base your hopes on anything other than the promises of God given through his son Jesus Christ and disappointment will be harsh and perhaps even fatal. Hope placed on God is hope based on someone who has never ever failed and knows what is best for us.
I don’t always understand why God does what he does. I’ve been disappointed countless times. Disappointed in myself, in others and in life’s circumstances. But when measured up against God’s promises those disappointments are easier to bear.
One other thing that makes disappointment easier to bear is patience. The Apostle Paul writes, “Patience produces character which produces in us a hope that will never leave us disappointed.” I am learning that if I patiently wait for God to do his work my hopes will be realized and my disappointments will be less severe. I can be patient when I hope in God because the outcome is no longer in my hands or the hands of others, but in a God of mercy, grace and power who is passionately in love with me.
PRAYER: Father God. Life seems to be on disappointment after another. Unanswered prayer, relational disaster, financial calamity, political and natural disasters seem rampant. Empower me with your Spirit to put my hope in you and patiently wait for you to do what needs to be done. Help me to trust you as my only hope and salvation. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5
Have you ever noticed the groom as the bride walks down the aisle? Most people don’t. They all look at the bride. Her walk down the aisle is all about her. She’s the princess. She is the one we all look at in admiration, happiness and maybe even a little jealousy.
But the eyes of the congregation aren’t the only ones fixed on the bride. Someone else has his eyes on her. As she walks down the white path he is mesmerized by her beauty. The crowd seems to disappear. The nervousness of remembering the vows vanishes…for the time being. His full and complete attention is riveted on the beauty of this goddess as she moves towards him.
I wonder if that was on the mind of the song writer as he wrote the words:
My love must be a kind of blind love; I can’t see anyone but you.
Are the stars out tonight? I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright, I Only Have Eyes For You, Dear.
The moon maybe high but I can’t see a thing in the sky, ‘Cause I Only Have Eyes For You.
I don’t know if we’re in a garden, or on a crowded avenue.
You are here, So am I, Maybe millions of people go by, but they all disappear from view.
And I Only Have Eyes For You.
But let me let you in on a little secret. Few even think about it at the time of the ceremony, but here goes. Are you ready for a shocking revelation? Here it is. The bride isn’t perfect. Yep, that’s right. She’s flawed. Defective. She has moments of anger. She can be downright stubborn and rude at times. She can be demanding and selfish and downright cranky. But few think about that. At least today. Today is the wedding day.
What a wonderful picture of the love our Heavenly Father has for us. Imagine him as the groom. You are the bride. As you walk towards Him, Jesus’ eyes are glued on your beauty, not on your flaws. Do you see the pride in his face? The smile on his lips? The reflection of yourself in his eyes? You should you know. As the Bride of Christ you are loved beyond measure.
Oh, sure, like any bride you have your flaws. Like the tirade your co-workers endured last week and the over-reaction to the dent in the car? Oh, and lets not forget the thoughts that ran through your mind when that cute young thing down the street walked by this morning. Flawed? Yep, you are. Defective? From day one. Loved beyond measure by Jesus? Exactly.
He’ll work on the flaws with you. But for today, He only has eyes for you.
PRAYER: Father, when I contemplate the great love you have for me I’m speechless. You look on me with such pride when I’m so undeserving of your grace and mercy. You see me as a beautiful bride even when I don’t feel very pretty. Thank you for your love that is higher than the mountains and deeper than the sea. I’m blessed and honored to be your bride. In your name, Amen.
Don’t rip your clothes to show your sorrow. Instead, turn back to me with broken hearts. I am merciful, kind, and caring. I don’t easily lose my temper, and I don’t like to punish. Joel 2:13 (CEV)
When I was in about sixth grade a couple of friends of mine decided to have an overnight campout in one of the guys backyard. The tent was only big enough for two guys but they said I could hang out with them if I wanted to sleep under the stars. I went home and asked permission from my mom. Problem was, she said no. I could go back to play, but had to be home by dark.
I never went home that night. I lied to my friends about the pseudo permission I received and had an absolutely miserable time. They didn’t know it of course. I kept it well hidden as we played cards, sat around the campfire and told stories.
I slept under the stars that night with nothing but my light jacket. I assured my friends it was by my choice to sleep that way. I was cold. I was scared. Every little sound awakened me from a fitful slumber.
The odd part was, I was within eyesight of home. Just a short walk to a warm bed. In spite of that I was determined to do things my way. Even when I saw my dad drive by at about dusk I ignored the guilt and pain associated with knowing I was wrong! I took the long way home late the next morning. I was hungry, cold, tired and guilty. When I got home the next morning I was grounded for my actions. Both of my parents reminded me of the rules and assured me of their love, but that didn’t change the consequences.
You may be living the same way today. You are determined to live life your way. You know what God requires. You know the path you should take. You know that what you are doing is displeasing to God. You may even do as I did that night and try to convince yourself that everything is fine and life is good.
When you do things your way and leave God out there is an emptiness that nothing can fill. Relationships won’t fill it. Religion won’t fill it. Money, toys and social status won’t fill it. The only thing that will fill that emptiness is living for Jesus.
The prophet Joel wrote to a stubborn, rebellious people. People who’d seen God work many times but refused to follow him. Through the prophet God sends the people ofIsraelthe same lesson he sends us. ‘Come home. Get serious about life and living. I don’t want your rituals. I want your heart. I don’t want words. I want a passionate relationship with you. I’m patient. I understand your plight. I won’t lose my temper with you.’
PRAYER: Father God I have tried so many things to fill this void in my life. I confess that I am afraid to come home to you. I’m so used to people responding to my failures with anger and hostility I expect the same from you. Thank you for your patience, love, mercy and grace. Forgive me for being stubborn. Empower me to live for you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 