God Uses Pain for Good

Isn't it amazing how God uses pain and hurt for good in the sanctification process?  He is like a master surgeon, willing to cut through skin, flesh, and bone to expose the cancer of selfish wickedness we were unaware of which grew within us.  Unlike a surgeon, however, He allows us to remain conscious during the procedure.  As we lie flat on our backs He takes a mirror, shows us the cancer, and asks us if we will admit that such filthiness exists.  He has the power and expertise to easily remove the sin which remains, but He will not remove the hindrance to spiritual health, power, and communion unless we ask and submit to His loving hands.  Sometimes God uses pain to show us how feeble our faith can be.

I have been reading with interest a most useful book called, They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman.  The pages contain numerous testimonies of God's faithfulness to love, call, and pursue men and women He worked greatly through.  On the subject of pain, Frances Ridley Havergal understood well the role God intends when people experience physical suffering.  She says on page 66, "...pain is not mystery when looked at in the light of God's holiness, and in the light of Calvary...Pain, as to God's own children, is, truly and really, only blessing in disguise.  It is but His chiseling, one of His graving tools, producing the likeness to Jesus for which we long.  I never yet came across a suffering (real) Christian who could not thank Him for pain."

In another passage, Edman quotes concerning the life of Andrew Murray.  "Then something painful happened to Mr. Murray.  Miss Carmichael records that this is how he met it.  He was quite for a while with his Lord, then he wrote these words for himself:  'First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place:  in that fact I will rest.  Next He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.  Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.  Last, in His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows.  Let me say I am here, (1) By God's appointment, (2) In His keeping, (3) Under His training, (4) For His time.'" (pg. 89)

Over Christmas this past year I was stricken with a fever.  Although a minor affliction compared to many, for days I was experienced pain and discomfort.  I was surprised how much of my time on the sickbed I spent praying.  I did not pray only from deliverance from the sickness, but I found myself praying about different people and situations God brought to mind.  I smiled to myself as I thought, "I see now why you allow me to be sick, LORD.  It is a way you arrest me to pray."  I praised God for my condition (though I rejoiced in the eventual healing too, I assure you!) because it was as if God pulled back the veil slightly to see His hand at work - despite my suffering.  Even in those seasons when God's plans are completely obscured from our vision, we can know with all certainty that God is at work in us through trials and pain.  Romans 8:28 teaches us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The chapter titled "Fraces Ridley Havergal:  The Overflowing Life" closes with her poem, "Like a River Glorious:"

"Like a river, glorious in God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or tial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love.

We may trust Him fully all for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true."

(They Found the Secret, pg. 68)

Strength and Power to His People

"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!" 

Psalm 68:35

The irony of this verse struck me afresh this week.  It is unthinkable for a king to freely give of his wealth to his people.  In the days when kings ruled over the kingdoms of the earth, they possessed resources that eclipsed the resources of their subjects.  They had the power to demand taxes of goods and gold, gathered military might, and dwelt in safe strongholds.  Kings had the ability to write laws and enforce justice.  But all kings of the earth have one thing in common despite their differences:  their reign had a beginning and an end.  There were limits to their wealth, power, and glory.  A king only had so much food in his storehouses or gold in his treasury.  He could not give away his wealth or power freely because he only had so much.  If he weakened himself greatly, someone else with eyes on the crown could easily displace him.

God is the Creator and King of all that has been made.  All His resources, power, and strength are limitless.  He gives strength and power to His people from infinite stores.  Instead of being weakened by His gracious, generous giving, God increases His glory, influence, and power upon the world through weak human vessels.  God does not withhold goodness from His people because of fear His crown or kingdom is in jeopardy:  in giving strength and power to His people He further establishes His rule among the nations.  In His generosity and grace we see the awesomeness of God revealed.  The more God's people receive, the more God is glorified.

The example of the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS teaches us to love, extend grace, and give liberally to others as Jesus Christ has given unto us.  God faithfully supplies the needs of His people not so they can become rich and live as kings on earth, but so we might glorify our king through loving others as He has loved us.  We need not fear because He has promised to supply all our needs.  Philippians 4:19 reads, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Instead of worrying about what we don't have, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us by God's grace.

Kings have built enormous castles at great cost to proclaim and protect their great wealth.  Elaborate and exquisite places of worship have been constructed for the worship of God.  But God is more awesome than any work of man's hands; He is more awesome than the temple built by King Solomon where God placed His name.  God is more awesome than the Christians He indwells who are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He is the one who gives strength and power to His people.  Our response?  Praise and bless the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ!  Glorify His name throughout the earth!  Give love, grace, and mercy to all as He gives, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Blood of the Covenant

In Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom and Huck Finn witnessed Injun Joe kill Dr. Robinson.  They decided they would keep the matter secret and made a pact, each signing his name with his own blood.  Though the book was written in the late 19th century, the practice of sealing an agreement with your own blood is not a new concept.  Last night during family Bible reading, we read of circumcision - not your typical after dinner discussion!  The biblical history and significance of circumcision is an interesting study because it points to the new covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ.

God appeared to Abram and told him to leave his father's house and land, and go to a land God would show him.  So Abram took all his belongings and embarked on an amazing journey of faith.  God made many promises to Abram.  He told Abram that he would be the father of many nations and give to his descendants the land of Canaan.  Genesis 17:1-11 reads, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. ² And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." ³ Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: ⁴ "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. ⁵ No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. ⁶ I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. ⁷ And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. ⁸ Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." ⁹ And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. ¹⁰ This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male child among you shall be circumcised; ¹¹ and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you."

In establishing a covenant or agreement with Abram, God required Abram's obedience in the matter of circumcision:  the covenant would be sealed with Abram's own blood.  God changed Abram's name to Abraham and told him that circumcision would be the sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham.  It is one thing to believe the promises of God:  it is a greater thing indeed to have the faith to walk in obedience!  God told Abraham to remove skin from a sensitive part of the body and from every male in his household.  This could not be done without cutting, bleeding, and lingering soreness.  Instead of saying, "You want me to do WHAT?" Abraham believed God, trusted Him, and was circumcised that day.

Now fast-forward to eight days after the birth of Jesus.  Luke 2:21 says, "And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb."  According to the covenant of the Mosaic Law, Jesus was circumcised.  But this was not the last time that Christ's blood would be shed.  Consider when Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover in the upper room and when He instituted the Lord's Supper.  He spoke in Luke 22:19-20 says, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." ²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."  This was spoken on the night Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, wrongfully condemned, and later crucified.  Jesus was not only circumcised, but all His blood was poured out on the cross to usher in the new covenant in His blood.  It is by grace we are saved through faith, a gift of God.

Romans 4:8-13 states, "Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." ⁹ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, ¹² and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. ¹³ For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith."  Paul explains that Abraham received promises and favour from God while uncircumcised.  In that day many Jews who trusted in Christ said that one must be circumcised to obtain salvation and forgiveness of sins.  Abraham did not earn God's favour through the circumcision of his flesh, but through the faith which enabled him to obey God and be circumcised.  The Law cannot save, only condemn.  The Law is a schoolmaster which leads us by the hand to Christ so we might repent and trust Him for salvation.

I am convinced that the greatest display of faith is revealed in Jesus Christ as He willingly laid down His life on Calvary.  It is one thing to submit to circumcision:  it is a greater thing to submit to crucifixion!  Jesus said in Gethsemane to the Father, "Not my will, but your will be done."  Many men have stared death in the face.  But only Jesus believed He would overcome death and predicted He would rise from the dead in three days.  People make wild predictions all the time, but not Jesus.  He always spoke the truth and not one word has failed from all His promises.  After Jesus Christ ascended into heaven John wrote this of Christ in Revelation 1:12-18:  "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

What an awesome God!  He is worthy of all glory, honour, and praise.  He is the only one worth following for eternity.  Jesus has said in Luke 9:23-24, "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."  I trust Jesus and desire to follow Him until the end.  He is the one who has willingly given all His life's blood so I could be redeemed and saved from my sins.  He offers you salvation through faith.  You do not have to write your name in blood, be circumcised to be saved, nor must you be nailed to a cross.  He has already shed blood so your sins can be forgiven and His righteousness imputed to you through faith.  But if you trust Him you will joyfully endure anything for His sake, whether He tells you to leave your homeland or go to the land which He will show you.  There is nothing better than losing your life for Christ sake, for in doing so you find true everlasting life.

Stomp out Sin!

Last week I had a strange dream.  In the dream I found myself in a house that was infested with mice and rats.  Traps littered the ground, all of which had caught multiple rodents in a single snap.  It was a bizarre sight, rats lined up side by side in formation.  I had been called in to deal with the problem and end the infestation.  With determination fueled by disgust of the horrible condition of the home, I set to my task immediately.  In fact, the rats had become so bold and numerous that the people who lived in the house were starving:  the rodents were eating all the food!

As I emptied the traps, I began to set them out again.  The most disturbing moment was when an occupant of the home came and asked me not to set out the traps, at least not right away.  Perhaps feeling a bit sorry for the rats and mice the woman said, "I didn't think you would put out the traps again so soon.  Shouldn't we give them a week or two?"  Perhaps she hoped that the rats wouldn't need to be killed, but they would just leave on their own.  I was incredulous:  here these poor people are struggling to survive, being eaten out of house and home.  We can't afford to wait, I told her.  Why should we allow rampant breeding and stealing of food without a fight?  Should we allow the rat population to recover?  The people in the house were conflicted:  they hated the rats, but they didn't want to kill them.  They knew drastic action needed to be taken, but didn't want to do anything to change the situation.

I had a shocking surprise when I entered a large room.  While I had been trapping rats and mice on one side of the house, the rats had been feasting on pizza!  Hundreds of pizza boxes had been placed on a table in a grid pattern, and I looked in horror as the rats gorged themselves until they became literally sick.  By the time the inhabitants of the house came into the room, the food was gone.  All that was remained was the waste and filth left by the rats.  I don't often experience emotions in dreams, but I was very angry.  I was more angry with the people than with the rats for allowing the condition to degrade to such a state.  The rats had a comfortable living arrangement.  They were simply following their animal instincts.  But he people had means at their disposal for a long time to change the environment and chose to do nothing.  They wailed pitifully when they saw their food was gone.  They dried their tears, shrugged their shoulders, and hoped to eat tomorrow.

I can't help but think this is an illustration of a spiritual sort.  God has offered people forgiveness and deliverance from sin, freedom from the tyranny of the flesh, and the power to live holy, righteous, God-fearing lives.  God has granted Christians the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help, empower, and guide us through this life.  But because of our flesh, the cares of this world, and the raging enemy of our souls, we can allow things into our hearts, minds, and homes that will damage our relationship with God.  We stop following Jesus closely.  We slowly give into temptations and coddle addictions.  We neglect the reading and studying of God's Word, becoming spiritually anemic, weak, and sickly.  We allow the flesh to dictate the conditions of our lives rather than submitting to God and standing strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.

If there is a rat or two in your house, odds are you would immediately act:  place poison, bait and set traps, close any holes or gaps where the rats are getting in, or call an exterminator.  We must be just as vigilant with spiritual disciplines!  When we have a single sinful thought or attitude, we must immediately confess it as sin and take it captive.  When we fall into temptation we must confess it before God and other brothers and sisters in Christ so they might hold us accountable.  This is nothing new for any Christian who seeks to follow Jesus Christ faithfully.  The trick is to stay focused and strong in Christ day after day, week after week, year after year - without giving an inch in our lives to sin.  Sin is like a roach or rat infestation.  It does not start with 1,000 roaches:  it does not start as an infestation at all.  It starts with one roach and one little egg.  Unchecked over time, with ample resources and minimal resistance, a few roaches will grow in numbers until the professionals must be called if anything is to be done.

Jesus is a Saviour, Deliverer, and Redeemer.  He is able to drive out demons with a word:  is stomping out any sin too hard for Him?  He has paid the price on Calvary for our sins and sicknesses with His own blood.  Our part is to confess our need, receive the cleansing of His blood by grace through faith, and walk uprightly, remaining sober and vigilant.  We have an enemy named Satan, but Christians have a Saviour named Jesus the Christ!  We never need be hungry again, for He will satisfy our souls.  If there are rats in your home or heart, declare war and follow Christ's lead.  If there is anything in your life which is sapping your spiritual vitality, be rid of that thing:  end the conflict once and for all.  Psalm 60:12 reads, "Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies."  Willpower doesn't do anything against sin:  God is the one who stomps our enemies and enables us to be valiant!