Character of the Worshiper

The character of the worshiper will always be molded by the character of what he worships. 

Worship the past or life's challenges and our character will reflect anger, depression, loneliness, regret, hopelessness, etc.  We can't function today by living in the past or by life dictated by challenges or consequences.

As with emotions our circumstances are not the foundation upon which to base our lives or opinion of who God is.  

Peace has been stripped away, and I have forgotten what prosperity is. I cry out, "My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the Lord is lost!” The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!  The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:17-26NLT)

Here are some lessons we can learn from Jeremiah:

1. In the midst of difficulties Jeremiah drew from truth he learned and experienced about God.  Reliance on truth rather than emotions as a result of circumstance will help see us through the difficult times.  Emotions are fickle and will always disappoint us.

2.  God knows our limits...He will never allow more than we can handle but will always be our help if we allow him to be. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

3.  No matter what happens today, there will always be a tomorrow...a fresh start.  I am so very thankful God does not give us 'left-overs' but new mercies, new grace and new hope every morning. 

4.  The best way to handle emotions that would seem to overwhelm us is to hope on him; seek him; and wait quietly for his deliverance. The attitude we take during waiting is just as important as the waiting. Waiting is a discipline that yields great rewards and a promise:  "Those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31)

Don't hide or run from difficult circumstances, that only prolongs the outcome.  Work through them, don't use them as an excuse to stay where you are.  Sometimes seeking Gods help will come through wise Godly counsel from someone you can trust who will care and walk with you through the difficult times in your life. That person should always direct you to God not away from him nor to themselves for your help. 

Today may we be a worshiper of the God of truth not what others say or what our emotions may try to convince us is truth.  Through our worship may we be molded by his hope, strength, and wisdom.

O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!  

In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the Lord will be your treasure. (Isaiah 33:6 NLT)

Where was God?

We will not soon forget the horrific events of December 14, 2012.  What started out as a typical day ended anything but typical for the residents of Newton, CT and the world.   I have no personal connection to any of the families who have been ripped apart nor can I even begin to imagine the depth of their grief.  I only know my heart and throat felt like someone was strangling me as I went to bed that night.  My grief became my enemy when trying to breathe and my mind raced trying to make sense of how anyone could do this horrible act against innocent children and those who tried to protect them.

Earlier that evening this question was posed, “Where was God?”  Even Jesus voiced this question of his father, God.   I’ve thought a lot about that question today.  I didn’t know what to say.  How would you have answered?  If you were one of those parents, would you have wanted a pat cliché answer?   Is there an answer?

Theological reasoning’s to this question have been explored and debated for centuries.  This debate does not however mean God was absent. 

I do know this; God was in the same place when his son was murdered.  He knows what it is to grieve over a loved one.  To give and love and be denied those in return.  He finds no pleasure in witnessing the indescribable acts his creation does to one another.  Nor does he find pleasure in letting go of someone who chooses to reject him.[i]  He has long been denied a place in our lives except when it is beneficial to us.  Nor, as has been suggested, did the gate for these indescribable acts swing open the day prayer was taken out of school.  The groundwork was laid long before then and has been built upon as our tolerance to truth and violence weakens. 

It strikes me no one is questioning the ‘where and why’ of evil (aka Satan) that day?  Satan is not a harmless once-a-year-Halloween-appearance person wearing a red suit with horns and a pitchfork.  He is a force who knows his time is limited and will steal, kill, and destroy anything or anyone who stands in his way including innocent children. [ii]  

Everything in life is not a clear black and white issue nor are the answers to life’s difficult questions.  Gun control is not be the solution in preventing these types of horrendous acts because morality and values cannot be legislated.  Those bent on destruction will find a avenue to accomplish it.

Being a child of God does not relieve us of pain.  We live in a world in which our actions affect others, good and bad.  But these are truths we can hold onto when everything else, including God, doesn’t make sense:

·         God is still God and there is no other equal to him or above him.  We can trust him even though we don’t understand.  Isaiah 40; 2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 55:8-9

·         He hasn’t abandoned you or me:  “No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”  John 14:18; 2 Chronicles 16:9

·         We can have His peace in the midst of pain:  “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid…I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 14:27; John 16:33)

Where was God that day?  Grieving alongside those whose hearts were ripped out.  Holding and giving them his strength to continue until he takes us to a home where there will be no more sorry, pain or hurt…ever again.

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[i] Ezekiel 33:11

[ii] 2 Corinthians 11:14-15; John 10:10