I worked in mechanical insulation for over a decade and have experience in commercial, marine, and industrial applications. My career was spread across three San Diego companies, and I enjoyed working with many fine men and women of various backgrounds and skill-sets. As I continued to mature and develop as a skilled tradesman and began running work as a foreman, there were basic qualities I looked for in my crew. It was pretty simple: I wanted people to show up on time ready to work, be teachable, work diligently, and finish each task before moving on to the next one. One of my "pet peeves" was when people started a job - choosing the exposed, easy parts of the task - and leave the difficult or concealed parts unfinished for others to do. It was never fun discovering I was given a job to complete where someone only partially completed the chilled water or steam. The pipes were live and far more difficult (and hot and painful if steam!) than if it had been done completely the first time. Some journeymen relished the job-starting role, and some were the finishers. For whatever reason, I finished way more jobs than I started!
Every job I have done has parts which are harder than others. In my trade, there was a phrase to describe people who jumped on the easiest work first: "gravy grabbers." Thinking about their own comfort and ease, they quickly took for themselves the easiest jobs and left the hot, tricky, or undesirable spots for others. I believe serving God is hard work we must work hard at, and a kind of "gravy grabbing" mentality can exist even within the church. There is certain aspects of ministry or authority which seem to have an appeal - like being a pastor. Many people all over the world aspire to pulpit ministry, not realising there is a huge difference between preaching and pastoring. A preacher preaches, but a pastor preaches and also ministers to people as a shepherd does the flock. A pastor must be hands-on, and much of the role requires dealing with hungry, wayward, sickly, parasite stricken or obstinate sheep - and he has his own faults to reckon with as well!
Being a shepherd is hard work, and to those who are called is a great joy. It is a great shame when a pastor decides to move on to another flock because people do not seem to be flourishing under his care as he hoped. People love to see progress. It makes them feel good about themselves and validates the amount of labour they are doing. Just like an insulator who loves those long, clear runs of pipe-covering from the convenience of a scissor lift, Christian workers love to see more people coming to the church, more people committing their lives to Christ, physical healings, and expansion of ministry. Yet when people don't see much "fruit" from their efforts, they grow discourage, even disillusioned. They decide it's time to "go in a new direction" or "take a new step of faith." Whilst God may direct you to work in a field for a short or long season, sometimes I believe there is another way to put it when you leave for the wrong reasons: you are a quitter. You aren't interested in moving rocks so the ground can be tilled, planted, and harvested years from now. Some people have itching ears, and others have longing eyes. They want to see immediate results. People don't seem to be willing to invest their entire life in working the soil in tough conditions so the next generation will be fruitful. It may take decades to simply lay a foundation. Are there any willing to do this? Or are we a bunch of gravy-grabbers who give up when things are hard? It was a shame in Jesus' day when a man began planting a vineyard and building a wall only to leave it derelict. The same tragedy happens in churches all the time.
This morning I read Psalm 66:8-12: "Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
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Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved.
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For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.
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You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs.
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You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment." Our circumstances are often the crucible God uses both to test and refine us. Look at what God chooses to do to His people: he brings them into the net, lays affliction of their backs, causes them to be trampled, puts them through fire and water. Yet the consolation God brings is greater than any trial or suffering we endure for Christ's sake. Our human tendency is to try to jump out of the crucible when the fire is put to it. We won't even go in water because it is too cold, but God throws us in the deep end.
Think about this: God causes men to ride over our heads! I have never been trampled by a horse, but it is not at all pleasant. It is an experience one could describe as shocking, sudden, painful, and something which leaves lasting scars, memories, and injuries. It is something no sensible person would ever want to happen to them, much less repeat. God causes men to ride over our heads because it provides Him an opportunity to lift us up, restore and heal us, and make us whole - more whole than we were before! Sometimes injury, tragedy, even deformity or mutilation is the strange ingredient God uses to complete a person so they might be usable. We are always looking for an easier test. We don't want to do the concealed work, but it must be done first. Jumping from the crucible when the heat is applied means we have failed the test and failed to be completely refined as God desires.
There is a great blessing to those who endure: Psalm 66:12: "Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place." No matter the difficulty or suffering we face in ministry or in this life, God will ultimately bring us through into a wealthy place and rewards. Those who endure will be richer for it. There is no place more fulfilling than remaining in the place God and role where He has called you. Some people think they will be fulfilled when they have a spouse, more money, or a different career. Some Christians think they will be fulfilled or more satisfied at a different church or to even be the pastor of a church. But true fulfillment and wealth is not found in any of these things: it is found only in Jesus Christ and obedience to Him. Bless our God, you people! He puts us through fire and water - even causes men to ride over our heads - but brings us forth as refined gold. How great is the consolation, joy, and peace found in our God Let's not just start the job, but remain diligent to finish!
19 October 2014
15 October 2014
Confess Your Faults to One Another
This morning I read a Bleacher Report article about Ken Caminiti, a baseball player I cheered for growing up as a San Diego Padres supporter. The article spoke of how after finishing his career Ken was transparent and confessed steroid use and drug abuse. There is little doubt his candor cost him dearly. Instead of cheers for his honesty, he was ostracised by many both in and outside of baseball circles. Some of his fellow players felt betrayed, and fans were angry their hero had been a cheat. The fallout from his admission freely provided created a fire-storm of controversy. Quoting the article:
One reason why I found this article so compelling is the tendency of people in church to hide their struggles and cover up their sins because they fear what happened to Ken will happen to them. Maybe it has already happened so they have told themselves, "Never again!" Every church where people gather in Christ's name has people who are hurting and struggling. More are mired in sinful habits than you know. Some are afraid they will be punished and pushed away if they admit they had an affair. People are scared to be transparent or vulnerable because they have exposed their issues and others were offended or spread the word behind their backs. There are people in ministry right now - in full-time service to God and the church - who know if they reveal they are not perfect and struggling with sin in some area, they will be rejected, fired, or hated. A culture can exist in a church that a cry for help through confessing sin is cause for hypocritical indignation and punishment. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be!
Should a church deal firmly with fellow Christians who are overtaken by sin? Yes. But a sinner who freely admits their guilt should be loved and shown grace and mercy - not ostracised. Should a sinner walk into church off the street and confess his sins and receive Christ, his admission of sinfulness and repentance would be celebrated. But if a professing Christian or leader should admit struggles with sins, man's judgmental streak flashes brilliantly. We feel we need to "teach them a lesson," thinking that conviction and consequences God allows are not enough! Or we feel compelled to "protect the ministry" by making a statement through harsh discipline that we do not in any way condone such behaviour. How common is our tendency to see the sins of others as personal betrayal! If we are personally offended and angered by the revelation of sins of others beyond the initial shock, and not grieved for the sake of God and the glory He has been robbed of through sin, our hearts are likely not pure before God. In love we are to seek the restoration of such a one who has fallen. Galatians 6:1 says, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." James 5:16 says we ought to confess our faults to one another and pray for each other that we may be healed. When is the last time you obeyed this command to confess your faults to someone at church? I'm talking to you, Christian, ministry leader, fellow servant. Likely it's been quite some time, but hopefully this will change.
In all things, Christians are called to live according to God's Word. If we are in sin, we must confess our sin before God and those we have wronged. When someone confesses sin to us, we are to pray with them, bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to give mercy and grace to sinners, to those downcast souls who have wandered. Let us not forget that the social or church culture we might despise or criticise has been at least partially formed by our own hands. God has given all people the power to be an influence for good or evil. Will you go on the record as someone who will speak the truth, even if it costs you something? In obedience to God, are you willing to confess your sins to a brother or sister so you might pray and be healed? God isn't asking us to air our issues in national publications or on a blog that reaches across the globe: He tells us to confess our faults to one another - personally, discretely, and honestly. Then we can have true accountability and discipleship. Then we will begin to grow in love and grace. Then there will be healing and deliverance. Then we will become a church that promotes health, growth, fitness, and victory - not one that cuts off its own hands, fingers, toes, and feet whilst ignoring the fact we have cancer, heart disease, and we are dying.
Two years later, in 2007, Caminiti appeared on the baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first and only time. A record 545 voters cast ballots. Two people voted for Caminiti. "I took a lot of crap for that vote," says Gwen Knapp, then a sports columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and, of course, one of the two who voted for him. "I think he did a service to the game. I had covered so many doping scandals in the Olympics. Everyone doesn't tell the truth until they get caught. And people who do tell the truth are ostracized, as I believe Ken was. I don't know if he did it for noble reasons. But I'm sure baseball wouldn't have implemented testing that quickly without him. I think that was a big motivating factor. He went on the record, which maybe wasn't the wisest thing for him to do for himself."I wonder: why do people sometimes feel the need to punish others for simply being honest? Some might say Ken was ostracised because of his poor decisions, but then he made another mistake to admit it. You know what? I am more a fan of the late Ken Caminiti for his honesty than the fact he switch-hit homeruns in a single game, or the fact he was the league MVP. When Ken passed away from a drug overdose, I was deeply saddened. As I read the article, I again grieved for him and his family. Like everyone, Ken had his flaws. The fact that he freely admitted them publically should not provide cause for his memory to be tarnished. No one knows how many baseball players are in the Hall of Fame who cheated and said nothing, happy to receive praise, millions of dollars, lifetime status, and job security with a smile. Men hate to see their idols come crashing down.
One reason why I found this article so compelling is the tendency of people in church to hide their struggles and cover up their sins because they fear what happened to Ken will happen to them. Maybe it has already happened so they have told themselves, "Never again!" Every church where people gather in Christ's name has people who are hurting and struggling. More are mired in sinful habits than you know. Some are afraid they will be punished and pushed away if they admit they had an affair. People are scared to be transparent or vulnerable because they have exposed their issues and others were offended or spread the word behind their backs. There are people in ministry right now - in full-time service to God and the church - who know if they reveal they are not perfect and struggling with sin in some area, they will be rejected, fired, or hated. A culture can exist in a church that a cry for help through confessing sin is cause for hypocritical indignation and punishment. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be!
Should a church deal firmly with fellow Christians who are overtaken by sin? Yes. But a sinner who freely admits their guilt should be loved and shown grace and mercy - not ostracised. Should a sinner walk into church off the street and confess his sins and receive Christ, his admission of sinfulness and repentance would be celebrated. But if a professing Christian or leader should admit struggles with sins, man's judgmental streak flashes brilliantly. We feel we need to "teach them a lesson," thinking that conviction and consequences God allows are not enough! Or we feel compelled to "protect the ministry" by making a statement through harsh discipline that we do not in any way condone such behaviour. How common is our tendency to see the sins of others as personal betrayal! If we are personally offended and angered by the revelation of sins of others beyond the initial shock, and not grieved for the sake of God and the glory He has been robbed of through sin, our hearts are likely not pure before God. In love we are to seek the restoration of such a one who has fallen. Galatians 6:1 says, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." James 5:16 says we ought to confess our faults to one another and pray for each other that we may be healed. When is the last time you obeyed this command to confess your faults to someone at church? I'm talking to you, Christian, ministry leader, fellow servant. Likely it's been quite some time, but hopefully this will change.
In all things, Christians are called to live according to God's Word. If we are in sin, we must confess our sin before God and those we have wronged. When someone confesses sin to us, we are to pray with them, bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We are called to give mercy and grace to sinners, to those downcast souls who have wandered. Let us not forget that the social or church culture we might despise or criticise has been at least partially formed by our own hands. God has given all people the power to be an influence for good or evil. Will you go on the record as someone who will speak the truth, even if it costs you something? In obedience to God, are you willing to confess your sins to a brother or sister so you might pray and be healed? God isn't asking us to air our issues in national publications or on a blog that reaches across the globe: He tells us to confess our faults to one another - personally, discretely, and honestly. Then we can have true accountability and discipleship. Then we will begin to grow in love and grace. Then there will be healing and deliverance. Then we will become a church that promotes health, growth, fitness, and victory - not one that cuts off its own hands, fingers, toes, and feet whilst ignoring the fact we have cancer, heart disease, and we are dying.
14 October 2014
The Peril of Misrepresentation
Sometimes the biblical knowledge of a Christian can inhibit growth. This may seem strange, but it is a common malady. Our familiarity with a passage may lead us to gloss over key details which could greatly broaden our understanding. For instance, I have heard people describe God's love with the word "unconditional." Whilst it is true God's love is freely given according to His grace - no one deserves or could earn such love extended to all - I believe people can love unconditionally without God. I suggest there are people in the world who are die-hard, loyal until death supporters of sports teams which have never won! If our understanding of God's love is merely as "unconditional", we miss the richness of the depths of the knowledge of how deep God's love goes. I remember well my attempts to find the word "unconditional" in the Bible and was surprised I could not. I discovered God's "agapao" and "agape" love is unconditional, but that is an incomplete definition. Agapao is "the
active love of God for His Son and His people, and the active love His
people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies" (Strong's Concordance). 1 Corininthians 13 contains a great passage which describes God's love in detail. It is unconditional, but much more still!
Last night I read the passage where Moses struck the rock in Meribah. I thought about times I heard people limit their interpretation and application to how Moses "misrepresented" God. Because that is what some have taught, perhaps this is also what you think too. Did Moses "misrepresent" God? Frankly, I don't know that Moses ever intended to be a "representation" of God to the people. He was God's representative, but there is a difference. Anyways, I have always scratched my head over that interpretation of his actions because God lists several faults of Moses as reasons for him and Aaron being denied entrance to the Promised Land - and "misrepresentation" is not one of them. Moses was not denied the Promised Land because of losing his temper. As convenient as this application may be, the scriptures do not support it. I assure you my aim is not to take shots at anyone who has taught this (for no doubt I did at one time too) but to encourage all to be good students of scripture. We should not bring our oversimplifications, generalisations, or neatly bundled theology to the Bible and miss what the Bible says! If the Bible only exists to confirm our prior beliefs, we will not learn anything. Generalisations can be comfortable or convenient, but they are not always accurate.
Numbers 20 tells of how the people complained and murmured against God for their lack of water. They claimed they had been misled, expressed their distrust, and questioned God's wisdom. Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle, fell on their faces, and God spoke with them. Numbers 20:7-12 reads, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8 "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." 9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock as he had once before (Exodus 17:6). His disobedience was a product of unbelief, as God said in verse 12. In addition to unbelief, God rebuked Moses and Aaron because they did not "hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel." If we look Exodus 17:6-7 passage at Massah, water from the rock was undeniable evidence God was among the people. In the Numbers 20 passage, Moses did not hallow God. He did not even mention God directly. One might think the power was within him: "Must we (Moses and Aaron) bring water for you out of this rock?" It would be preposterous to suggest Moses included God in "we."
If you were to read in other portions of scripture, more light is shed on the specific reasons God refused to allow Moses and Aaron to enter the Promised Land. Numbers 20:23-24 says, "And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying: 24 "Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah." This is the third reason given for Moses and Aaron being denied entrance: rebellion and disobedience. God repeated this to Moses when he was told of his death by God in Numbers 27:12-14: "Now the LORD said to Moses: "Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. 14 For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes." (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)" Again, the rebellion of Moses was the issue God cited - not misrepresentation. The Bible never says God punished Moses because he messed up His typology. Moses affirmed in Deuteronomy 1:37 and 4:21 that God was angry with him for the sake of the people and he would die and not cross over the Jordan. God deserves glory, and Moses did not sanctify Him in the eyes of the people.
Moses was a faithful servant of God, but to whom much is given much is required. In Hebrews 11, Moses was not remembered by his faults but according to his faith in God. In Acts 7, Stephen compared Moses with Christ in his statement before the Jewish rulers and high priest. The grave of Moses has never been found, but God spelled out his offense clearly for us: unbelief, he did not sanctify God in the eyes of the people, and rebellion. God made Moses great and used him mightily, despite his flaws. In this I find great comfort. Should we relegate the sins of Moses to misrepresentation, we generalise something God clearly spelled out again and again. Let us be cautious to ensure we open the scriptures with minds ready to be changed, hearts willing to be confronted, and theology longing to grow. Instead of the sweet candy of catchphrases or oversimplification, let us feed on the milk and meat of the word. The Bible ought to be our authority, not a means of bias confirmation!
Last night I read the passage where Moses struck the rock in Meribah. I thought about times I heard people limit their interpretation and application to how Moses "misrepresented" God. Because that is what some have taught, perhaps this is also what you think too. Did Moses "misrepresent" God? Frankly, I don't know that Moses ever intended to be a "representation" of God to the people. He was God's representative, but there is a difference. Anyways, I have always scratched my head over that interpretation of his actions because God lists several faults of Moses as reasons for him and Aaron being denied entrance to the Promised Land - and "misrepresentation" is not one of them. Moses was not denied the Promised Land because of losing his temper. As convenient as this application may be, the scriptures do not support it. I assure you my aim is not to take shots at anyone who has taught this (for no doubt I did at one time too) but to encourage all to be good students of scripture. We should not bring our oversimplifications, generalisations, or neatly bundled theology to the Bible and miss what the Bible says! If the Bible only exists to confirm our prior beliefs, we will not learn anything. Generalisations can be comfortable or convenient, but they are not always accurate.
Numbers 20 tells of how the people complained and murmured against God for their lack of water. They claimed they had been misled, expressed their distrust, and questioned God's wisdom. Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle, fell on their faces, and God spoke with them. Numbers 20:7-12 reads, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 8 "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." 9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. 10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" 11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Moses disobeyed God by striking the rock as he had once before (Exodus 17:6). His disobedience was a product of unbelief, as God said in verse 12. In addition to unbelief, God rebuked Moses and Aaron because they did not "hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel." If we look Exodus 17:6-7 passage at Massah, water from the rock was undeniable evidence God was among the people. In the Numbers 20 passage, Moses did not hallow God. He did not even mention God directly. One might think the power was within him: "Must we (Moses and Aaron) bring water for you out of this rock?" It would be preposterous to suggest Moses included God in "we."
If you were to read in other portions of scripture, more light is shed on the specific reasons God refused to allow Moses and Aaron to enter the Promised Land. Numbers 20:23-24 says, "And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying: 24 "Aaron shall be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah." This is the third reason given for Moses and Aaron being denied entrance: rebellion and disobedience. God repeated this to Moses when he was told of his death by God in Numbers 27:12-14: "Now the LORD said to Moses: "Go up into this Mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered. 14 For in the Wilderness of Zin, during the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against My command to hallow Me at the waters before their eyes." (These are the waters of Meribah, at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.)" Again, the rebellion of Moses was the issue God cited - not misrepresentation. The Bible never says God punished Moses because he messed up His typology. Moses affirmed in Deuteronomy 1:37 and 4:21 that God was angry with him for the sake of the people and he would die and not cross over the Jordan. God deserves glory, and Moses did not sanctify Him in the eyes of the people.
Moses was a faithful servant of God, but to whom much is given much is required. In Hebrews 11, Moses was not remembered by his faults but according to his faith in God. In Acts 7, Stephen compared Moses with Christ in his statement before the Jewish rulers and high priest. The grave of Moses has never been found, but God spelled out his offense clearly for us: unbelief, he did not sanctify God in the eyes of the people, and rebellion. God made Moses great and used him mightily, despite his flaws. In this I find great comfort. Should we relegate the sins of Moses to misrepresentation, we generalise something God clearly spelled out again and again. Let us be cautious to ensure we open the scriptures with minds ready to be changed, hearts willing to be confronted, and theology longing to grow. Instead of the sweet candy of catchphrases or oversimplification, let us feed on the milk and meat of the word. The Bible ought to be our authority, not a means of bias confirmation!
13 October 2014
Help for Cast Souls
"Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God."
Psalm 43:5
Have you ever wondered why a good shepherd will leave 99 sheep in the wilderness to seek one sheep that is lost? In Philip Keller's classic, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, this is explained in detail. A sheep missing from the flock could be lost, injured, trapped, or cast. A cast sheep is one that has fallen over and is unable to stand back up. All sheep are susceptible to being cast, and factors such as heavy wool, uneven terrain, and pregnancy can play a role. What looks funny or pathetic to us is a dire condition for a sheep! When a sheep is cast and wildly struggles to regain its footing, gasses quickly build in the stomach which cuts off the blood supply to the limbs. A cast sheep can die in a matter of hours.
A good shepherd, seeing a sheep he loves is missing from the flock, will set out on an urgent search to find the wayward sheep. Should he discover the sheep is cast, he will roll the sheep to its stomach and gently lift from the ground. Because the blood supply is cut off to the legs and rendered them useless, he is patient to massage the legs, support the sheep, and wait until the sheep can stand on its own. Before too long the sheep will be feeling good and grazing, likely not even realising minutes before it was perilously close to death. Jesus spoke of how a shepherd would gather his friends and urge them to rejoice, for he had found the sheep that was lost.
The Bible compares people to sheep. All we like sheep have gone astray, and the LORD has laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all (Is. 53:6). Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and rejoiced to redeem our lost souls from hell. Jesus has promised us fullness of joy and peace that passes understanding, but like sheep there are many factors which can easily lay us low. We can be depressed and down, physically drained and without the spiritual ability to lift ourselves up. Sickness, circumstances, trials, persecution, sin, and our fleshly nature can throw us off our feet. A sheep needs a shepherd to keep watch over him to be healthy and strong, and Christians are those who have answered the call for Jesus Christ to be their good shepherd. David was a man who experienced perilous trouble and severe tests of faith, but God was with him. There were many days where David resembled a cast sheep in spirit, flailing around and becoming increasingly numb. Always the Good Shepherd found Him, put him on his feet again, and saved him from his enemies - even when that enemy was himself.
After David fled from Absalom his usurping son, he penned Psalm 3:1-8: "LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. 2 Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah 3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. 4 I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah 5 I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. 7 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah." God is the lifter of our heads when we cry out to Him. When our souls are cast He will support us and lead us into good pasture. Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil, for He will remain with us. Surely goodness and mercy will follow God's people all the days of their lives, and they will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!
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