Like the Great Mountains

"Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast."

Psalm 36:6

It is insightful to meditate upon and consider similes in the Bible.  In this instance, the righteousness of God is compared to the "great mountains."  Mountains in the physical realm can open our understanding of the spiritual nature of God's righteousness.  Though righteousness and mountains are not the same thing, this verse teaches us there are similarities between them.  To better grasp the reality of God's righteousness, how could we describe great mountains?

• Mountains are immovable and endure.  Mountains are established, solid, and trying to shift them is out of the question.  While the earth is subject to erosion over time, the mountain remains.  Tunnels have been cut through them, roads have been carved into them and even diverted around them.  God's righteousness is established like a mountain and is not subject to erosion or change.  The winds of time and the erosion of morality cannot affect God's righteousness.
• Mountains are massive and lofty.  Mountains viewed at a distance do not look imposing, but the closer one approaches the higher they appear.  The summits of the earth's tallest mountains cannot be fully seen from their base.  In a similar way the righteousness of God is past finding out.  It is greater beyond estimation and infinitely exceeds our own (so-called) righteousness.  Try to build a mountain if you like, but whatever man builds nature in time wears and breaks down.  God's righteousness is great and beyond compare.
• Mountains can be inaccessible and impassable.  Whilst great mountains can be climbed at the risk of avalanches, falling rocks, altitude sickness, whiteouts, or falls, no man can begin to scale the heights of God's righteousness.  There is no way an ordinary man can rightly claim he has attained even a fraction of righteousness by his own efforts.  No one climbs a great mountain and says "That was easy!" but attaining the glorious heights of God's righteousness is absolutely impossible for us.  One might as well try to fly to the moon by flapping his wings and having arrived survive wearing only shorts and a t-shirt.
• Mountains are picturesque and recognisable.  Notable mountains are named and their images are found in puzzles, postcards, and movies.  God's righteousness is distinct from what passes as righteousness in men, being totally perfect without a single flaw.  The righteousness of God has been revealed in His law and by the life of Jesus Christ.  The goodness and righteousness of Jesus is beyond compare in this world.  Next to Jesus the best efforts of men to live righteously resemble a hollow pit.

What else can mountains teach us about the righteousness of God?  I am glad God's righteousness endures and is granted to all sinners who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  We can lay no claim to righteousness by our efforts, but by grace God's righteousness is imputed to all who believe - apart from the law.  Without righteousness no man can see the kingdom of God.  How great is our God and His righteousness!

Being Changed

There are times when we recognise a personal need to change, but this knowledge does not provide the ability to change.  On the strength of our resolve anyone can adapt their behaviour to various degrees, yet on the inside we remain the same people we always were.  This is one thing God can and will do in the lives of Christians:  He changes us from the inside.

Because we have been painting the bathroom, bottles of shampoo are not in their usual place.  The other day when I picked on up a bottle, I rapped my head on the fixed soap holder in the shower.  I instinctively said, "Ouch!" but I instantly discerned something was different inside me.  Years ago when I would hit my head or injured myself there would often be a flash of temper, an inner rage that surged energy into my limbs and widened my eyes.  During my life I have typically been able to "control" my temper, but it was a conscious act of the will.  When I hit my head and did not feel the familiar stirring of the flesh, and despite the discomfort of my head I rejoiced.  God opened my eyes to recognise this clear evidence He is indeed changing me.

These inner changes are a marvellous way God works in those who are born again through faith in Jesus.  The One who provides the awareness of our sinful flesh and the power of self-control also can change the way we think and feel.  He is able to transform us so we can rejoice despite pain because He has continued to shape the way we respond to problems.  He puts a love in our hearts for people years ago we would have avoided.  He opens our eyes to see our need for Him in more areas of our lives still, keeping us from pride and arrogance.  Our tendencies become more aligned with His righteous character.  Instead of reacting the way we always have or fighting to subdue the flesh, the power of the Spirit shines through with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

Religion is something many people work at, but a relationship with the Almighty God through faith in Jesus means He begins to work inside us to make us new.  Jesus is able to heal, deliver, restore, save, strengthen, and help us because He is the living God.  There is no heart too hard or mind too stubborn He cannot change.  The God who brings all sin to light is able to overcome and stamp out the most habitual sins and transform us into His image.  God used a little thing like bumping my head to provide insight into the miraculous work He is doing in my life, and He also wants to work in your life in ways you cannot imagine for good.  Seeing this has caused me to pray for more changes, and I know in His time these prayers will be answered according to His Word because He is trustworthy.

Praise the LORD who changes us for good!

Restricted by Affections

"O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. ¹² You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."

2 Corinthians 6:11-12

The apostle Paul had been instrumental in preaching the Gospel and instructing the church in Corinth.  He chose to support his own pastoral ministry by making tents so no one could accuse him of using the Gospel to enrich himself financially.  At times the choice to support himself backfired in one sense, for some viewed this tradesman as being without proper credentials to teach.  But Paul had authority from God and spoke the truth in love, even when it stung.  There were some in the Corinthian church who aligned themselves with other teachers to oppose Paul and claimed his attempts to deal with sin and promote unity was an overreach.  Like a teenage son or daughter eager to throw off the authority of parents they feel are too controlling, they resented Paul's involvement.

Paul responded to these murmurings and false accusations wisely.  He held forth a principle which is widely applicable to people in the church today.  He said, "You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections."  It is very easy to find fault with others, to blame others for our lack of satisfaction or status.  There are many people who desire to have a particular role in ministry - to be a pastor, worship, or study leader - and when this opportunity is not given they believe they are being held back from something they are called to and capable of.  Paul's leadership was solid and biblical, but some saw his involvement as meddlesome and controlling.  Paul asserted he was not restricting anyone, but the people were restricted by their own affections.

It is likely far easier to give Paul the benefit of the doubt than people we know personally.  It is possible to sin by scheming to manipulate or control others, but Paul's statement is instructive for all who feel they are being unfairly "restricted" by others:  to a degree we are being restricted by our own affections.  Consider this example:  a boy feels unfairly treated because his parents will not allow him to go to a party where there will be underage drinking.  He wants to be with his friends; he desires acceptance and seeks fun.  His parents have his good in mind, but he cannot see it because he is being kept from what he craves.  If he loved his parents and trusted them, he would be thankful they were looking out for his well-being instead of being resentful.  "You never let me have any fun!" he shouts.  His affections blind him to his parent's love and therefore remains restricted to his narrow, short-sighted view.  He is locked in a cage of bitterness for his trouble, and even when he physically leaves home he cannot escape it.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, and this is something as followers of Jesus we all must practically learn.  The purpose of this post is not to cast judgment on your feelings or situation, but to hold forth the everlasting truth of God's Word:  do you believe verse 12 has been or can be relevant to your life personally?  Is it possible you have not been restricted by God or others but instead have been restricted by your own affections?  No one likes to feel cramped and hemmed in, and it is natural for us to want to throw off restrictions and do as we like.  Yet at the same time the Bible is clear in whatever state we are to be content - whether married, unmarried, as a member of a "dysfunctional" family or church, regardless if the government is democratic or communistic, or if you have the role in church you desire.  Those Jesus has made free are free indeed, for where the Spirit of the LORD is there is freedom.  When we invite God to govern our affections and humble ourselves under His rule we discover true liberty.

God Will

At the dawn of a new year, many people seize the opportunity to make resolutions.  Whether or not they tend to stick is beside the point!  It is not just a new year which can motivate a person to promise or pledge to do things differently.  For some it may be ill-fitting pants which lead to more regular exercise.  It could be a close call behind the wheel which prompts someone to stop drink-driving.  A decision to change doesn't always end with the desired change, but few positive changes in life occur without acknowledging we need to change.  The human will is incredibly strong, but it doesn't mean we always do what we say we will.

A couple things I love about God is He is good and He does not change.  When He says He will do something, He will.  It may not look like anything is happening, and it may seem like an eternity before progress is made.  God will always be true to His Word, and when we meet His conditions we can place our complete confidence in Him.  This morning I read a wonderful thing for us to say we will do (and actually follow through) in Psalm 91:2:  "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."  Upon legal tender used in the United States it is written, "In God We Trust."  Have you discovered trusting God is not something to say but to do?  The amazing thing is when we place our faith in God He will follow through without fail to render to us specific blessings out of His grace.

Later in Psalm 91 the voice of the passage changes.  Instead of speaking about God from the third person, it shifts to the first person voice.  God has resolved in Psalm 91:14-16, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."  See all the things God has promised to do for all who trust in Him?  I will deliver him; I will set him on high; I will answer his prayers; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver and honour him; I will satisfy him with long life; I will show him My salvation.  Will you speak of the LORD and trust in Him?  Blessings beyond count and compare are given by God to all who do so!  Let us be ever resolute in faith as we depend upon God's strength, and praise God all He says He will do.