Heart’s Desire

Psalm 37:4

Heart’s Desire

I have been thinking lately about this verse that talks about God giving us the desires of our heart. Thinking about what really are the desires of my heart and perhaps what it would like if God “gave” them to me.

The actual verse goes, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).” Overall, Psalm 37 speaks to several issues – God in control, providing and rescuing, the need for us to trust in him and how enemies will be crushed.

So, there is the delight in the Lord part. The word “delight” in Hebrew means, “take joy and merriment in.” Just adoring and appreciating the Lord. No rituals, no rules and regulations – just adoration.

According to this verse, when we do this, he will do something. A friend recently pointed out – is it that he will grant (deliver) us the desires of our heart or will he shape the desires of our heart? It’s interesting to reflect on this. It could be both – if we are delighting in God, our heart desires will be shaped to be more like what He desires. But I want to share about the first one today.

Think about it – “and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Now you know this does not mean winning the lottery, a trip to Hawaii and a whole bunch of other stuff that don’t have much to do with God’s glory and kingdom. If the delighting in the Lord is fueling our heart desires then they are going to be things that, yes, would be meaningful to us, but still attached to God rather than this world.

That is why thinking about what these desires are and look like involves some exciting imagination. Now, of course there is a part of me that would love to just sit around and watch movies and read books all day (and maybe eat some junk food too LOL). But, these heart desires are different. For example, some of my heart desires that I pray the Lord gives me because I delight in Him are: Salvation, healing and wholeness for loved ones; to grow, mature and be more like Christ; to be an “ambassador of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20)” between God and people; to be a voice of hope, justice, restoration and peace in the world; to be a faithful and meaningful husband, father, brother, son and friend. These are the things that I long for and that I truly desire that God will “give” me. And I am praying that they are shaped by Him and that they are the fruit of delighting in the Lord.

The timing, the patience needed, and what form these will take (if granted) is all up to Him. I know that in my mind, but the human part of me wants to say, “Why shouldn’t he grant me these desires of my heart? They are all good, right?” Maybe you have asked this too? Well, it’s still God’s plan, God’s world and God’s to give.

And I need to be clear, this is not to make God seem like He is a “genie” that grants wishes. You and I both know it’s not like that – for good reason. Think about all the desires that if God granted, would be disastrous for us and the world!

But Jesus said, “If you then, who are sinful, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him (Matthew 6:11).”

God-shaped desires from the heart emerging into prayers, which transform thinking and living, and in turn begin to shape our churches, communities and world that consequently start to appear more like the Kingdom.

How about that?

Amen.

Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time you simply “delighted” in the Lord?
2. What are the desires of your heart? Where do they come from? What has shaped them?
3. How Kingdom-oriented are your heart desires? What may need to change?
4. Do you believe that God wants to give you the desires of your heart because of delighting in Him? Why or why not?

Read Full Post »

The Heart of a Pastor, Part I

In the last couple of months, I have been vividly reminded of why I do what I do. Pure ministry – loving, leading, and encouraging others in Christ’s name by Christ’s power. To be the presence of Christ, an ambassador, in the best and worst times of His people’s lives. To offer prayers when words seem to fail. To love and believe when it doesn’t make sense. To see things that don’t yet exist and try to point others in their direction. To boldly speak about life in the face of death. To offer hope in the midst of despair. To honestly face my own sins, weaknesses and failures in front of a lot of people. To follow God’s lead even when I don’t want to. To try and make God’s grace visible. To tell the truth when it doesn’t want to be heard. To try and make God’s grace visible. To forgive and forgive again. To try to live in such a way that my faith and passion for Jesus Christ and the Gospel are obvious – in person or even via the phone and internet. And to sacrificially love and care for many, many other people and share in their lives.

 

I don’t always get it right. I am a human being and I make mistakes. I am a sinner saved by grace too. I have my own battles to fight. And I take myself and my work way too seriously at times. But, I am called to be a pastor to God’s people. And while this calling is challenging, draining, confusing and many other hard things – it is also the most fulfilling and meaningful vocation that exists. O, how I have been blessed and transformed by sharing in the lives of people as a friend, brother, and pastor!

 

The below thoughts are attached to numerous faces and stories and are some of what goes through my heart and mind on a regular basis in trying to be a faithful pastor. These are some pieces from…

 

The Heart of a Pastor, Part I

Matthew 25:35-36

 

“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36

 

When you are hungry, I will cook a feast.

When you are sick, I will pray and stay with you.

When you cry, I will wipe away the tears.

When you need prayer, my lips will already be moving.

 

When you need a hug, my arms will be open.

When you need wisdom, I will find it for you in the Word.

When you are lost, I will not stop until I find you.

When you are trapped, I will lead the rescue effort.

 

When you are lonely, I will sit with you.

When you are sad, I will dance (which will make you laugh!)

When you can’t say it, I will still know.

When you are hopeless, I will show you how.

 

When you need to see the Lord, I will bring Him to you.

When you are silent, I will still hear you.

When you can’t go on, I will carry you.

When you can’t let go, I will be patient.

 

When you can’t stop, I will pray and wait.

When you are scared, I will take your hand and whisper comfort to you.

When you are seeking, I will walk alongside you.

When you push me away, I will understand and come back again another time.

 

When you keep me at a distance, I will wave and wait.

When you want to remember, I will show you.

When you are drowning, I will dive in.

When you feel worthless, I will show you how treasured you are.

 

When you are hiding, I will keep trying to find you.

When your precious heart is broken into pieces, I will pick them up and start putting it back together.

When you are facing terrible enemies, I will be right next to you.

When you are dying, I will sit with you until the end, and after.

 

When you lose faith, I will try to give you a reason to believe.

 

And, if you don’t know Jesus I will tell you about Him and try to show you who He is through me.

 

Amen.

Read Full Post »

Into the Heart

“For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

 

Remember the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast, and how the prince became a beast? An old woman comes to his castle asking for shelter and he is so repulsed by her appearance, he turns her away. She cautions him not look upon “outward appearances” but he ignores her and tries to send her away. She then reveals that she is a witch of some kind and casts this spell on him that turns him into an ugly, repulsive beast.

 

Or how about the toys on stuck on the Island of Misfit Toys in Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer?

 

There is some important truth in these stories about judging by appearance.

 

And we are doing this all the time. We look at people’s clothes, cars, personal hygiene, wealth, good looks (or not) – all superficial things to make decisions and judgments about people. Sometimes if you listen carefully on the news, when bad things happen to people, it is often commented on how they were so “beautiful” or “attractive.” Does it mean that it isn’t so sad when “ugly” people have bad things happen to them?

 

Billions of dollars are spent each year on surgeries, cosmetics, clothes and other things all for the purpose of “looking good.” Consider our main cultural influences such as movies, television and other media – all based on appearance.

 

This above verse is from when Samuel is asked to seek out the new king of God’s people and thinks that Jesse’s oldest, most handsome son is the “one.” And God says to Samuel, “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

 

It is still true today. We look on the outward appearance in relationships, at work, at church, in school, in neighborhoods and communities. How one appears is the first and often the last factor in how consider and look at others.

 

How many times have we written off or avoided people who weren’t dressed “appropriately?” How many times have we come to conclusions about others before even getting to know them, based on things to do with their appearance?

 

God’s point to Samuel is very true today. Samuel was basing his decision on who “looked” like a king. The current king at the time, Saul, looked strong and handsome, but did not have a heart for God. And this is the heart of the matter.

 

First, we should imitate God when we “look upon others.” We need to have the ability to look through appearance to see and know someone’s heart before we come to any conclusions about them. I know, I know, it takes patience, it takes effort, it takes understanding – it takes the Holy Spirit’s help. But when you can look upon someone’s heart, it is always a blessing. Sometimes it is hidden deep beneath surface because of pain or hurt or the past. It is always worth the journey.

 

In high school and into college I had bad acne. I didn’t want to look in the mirror most of the time. And even though it was just my face, it affected my life. I think there were many times where I made it hard to look upon my heart. I was more concerned about appearance than heart. But there were some brave and patient people who hung in there and found it and I remain forever grateful. I like to think I am doing the same thing today when I reach out to those whose hearts are hidden or don’t fit in.

 

Second, we need to see others’ hearts because when we look at the outward appearance we can be easily fooled. While we are all spending so much time and money on our appearances, it is often designed to distract or hide our inside – which we fear might not be attractive or might be rejected. How many times have we thought we knew people based on what we saw and then realized that we were wrong? Too many times. 

 

How easy was it Jesus’ time to have looked at him and said, “This is God’s Son?” He’s the carpenter’s son from Nazareth, they said. They missed the most beautiful heart the world has ever known.  

 

Finally, when we focus on our outward appearance and not our inside or character, it is vain. God isn’t concerned with what we are wearing or how attractive we are. He is concerned about how our hearts are growing in faith and obedience to Him. It’s that ultimate judgment that counts – not today’s.

 

Maybe you feel like or know a “misfit.” Maybe you feel like or know “beasts.” Have hope, there are some Rudolphs and Belles out there who look beyond the surface to find the hearts of others.

 

Maybe you could be one who begins to “look upon the hearts” of others and find blessings and treasures you never imagined.

 

Amen.

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. How much do you focus on appearance for yourself? For others? Is it working?
2. Why do we look on the outward appearance?
3. What does it take to see someone’s heart?
4. What would be different if we were more purposeful about seeing others’ hearts?

 

 

Rev. Christopher B. Wolf

Isaiah 42:7

cbrianwolf@sbcglobal.net

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-B-Wolf/17378287393

https://christopherbwolf.wordpress.com

Read Full Post »

Treasured

2 Corinthians 4:6-7

Treasured

 

“The Scriptures say, “God commanded light to shine in the dark.” Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ. We are like clay jars in which this treasure is stored. The real power comes from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (CEV)

 

 

What do we usually do with something we treasure?

 

Hide it. Protect it. Keep it in a safe place.

 

Makes sense, right?

 

Take jewelry for example. Not only is it precious to us, but then we often have a special jewelry box for it. Some are simple, and some are treasures in their own right. So you have something that is precious, enclosed and protected in something that is also precious itself.  

 

We protect documents, photos and other digital things with passwords and other security features. We buy home security systems to keep all that we treasure in our homes safe.

 

The people we love in our life, treasures, we are very protective of them too. We go to great lengths to keep them safe as we should.

 

It’s just interesting how our approach to this differs from God’s approach…

 

Because it is basically the opposite.

 

Think about it. Let’s start with Jesus, who took on flesh, a clay jar with God most precious treasure and the old hymn reminds us, “And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin (How Great Thou Art).”

 

Okay. So instead of hiding, protecting and keeping Jesus in a safe place, He put Him in an ordinary clay jar (flesh) and then sends Him to die on the cross for us and be raised. Jesus didn’t look different than other human beings. He didn’t have a special “clay jar” made just for Him.

 

Pardon me, but is that a way to treat something one treasures??? 😉

 

Then there’s us. With Jesus in our hearts, by the power of the Holy Spirit, this light that the passage talks about, some of God’s treasure poured out into us, clay jars. This light, this treasure of God’s within us, it’s real, it is precious to God and it is inside us.

 

And in this life, as you know, the jar, well, it gets a little banged up. It’s flawed from the beginning. It’s weak. It gets old. It cracks. It’s completely not worthy of the treasure inside. It chips. It often just starts falling apart after awhile. But the treasure always manages to stay inside.  

 

Excuse me, but would you or I choose to put something that is precious in a vessel that is easily broken, not very stable or secure, and will ultimately fail? 😉

 

We wouldn’t invest like this. We wouldn’t leave people we love as vulnerable as this. This is crazy, right?

 

Good News! God does!

 

With Jesus and with us, God keeps pouring out His treasure into this world and into us. As ugly, and old, and unworthy as we may feel – or as our clay jar may show, we have God’s treasure within us. We may not look like pearls or diamonds, but when the treasure is on the inside, it means it can’t be taken away or fade away – it’s eternal.

 

But why? Why does God do this?

 

This passage answers it in part. “The real power comes from God and not from us.” It was and is about God revealing His power, grace, glory and love through us. It’s just the way He does it.  

 

And I can’t help but think of Jesus’ words, “Your heart will always be where your treasure is… (Matthew 6:21).”

 

True for us. But true for God too. Where His treasure is, even in clay jars like us, there His heart is also.

 

Amen.

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. Do you ever think about yourself as one of God’s treasures? Why or why not? How about now?
2. Which is more important – the treasure or the vessel? How do we live – with more emphasis on the treasure or the jar?
3. What does this idea reveal about God’s character? What do think about that?
4. Is there anything for us to learn from God’s way of treating treasure, about how we treat our treasures?

Read Full Post »

By Heart

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24

 

 

Whenever I read or think about this verse, I imagine it being whispered. The best prayers are whispered. I know I say at least the first part of it quite often. For me, it is part invitation, part confession, part hope for God to be deeper in my life.  

 

It also reminds me of how a child might pray. It is a very good thing to listen to children praying. You learn what is at the heart of praying – honest, heartfelt, faithful talking to God. Madelyn is still young enough that her prayers are so pure. I could imagine her saying something like this verse. Asking God to know her heart and her thoughts.

 

It is a very brave thing to invite God, or anyone else for that matter, to “search us and know our hearts, test us and know our thoughts.” Like country singer Gary Allan sings in his song, Learning How to Bend, “I’m still learning how to pray/Trying hard not to stray/Try to see things your way/I’m still learning how to pray/I’m still learning how to trust/It’s so hard to open up…”

 

Why do you think that is? Why is it so hard for us to open up to God? To invite the one who creates, saves and sustains us, to the depths of our hearts and lives?

 

Are we afraid that if we were to invite God to search us and know hearts and thoughts he might find wickedness – or even worse…emptiness? I think this is part of it.

 

It makes me sad that for so many, faith is mostly surface. For many, a relationship with God may go no further than an hour on Sunday and some “talking the talk.” “Sunday school answers” as our young people say. Many have a faith that never approaches the heart because that might be too scary or too close.

 

But this faith is so much more than surface. It is a faith of depth, of intimacy, of the heart. According to the Revell Bible Dictionary, “In Hebrew thought (The Psalms), the heart was the center of each person’s being and intellect. It is with the heart that a person feels, perceives, and makes moral choices. It is also with the heart that one seeks and responds to God.”

 

If our faith is not of the heart, how can we seek and respond to Him? With all this fear and staying on the surface with the Lord, we are losing out. If we keep our hearts hidden from God how can we be really in relationship with him. I want God to know my heart. I want this faith to be real – the joy and the pain. I want God to know my heart because it’s the only way it will obey, grow, heal, strengthen and become new. It’s one of the ways I will know Him more fully. Even if He has to break my heart to get in there more, I still want that.  

 

I know it’s so hard to open up. I know it is so hard to trust. I know that many times when you have trusted others, it has ended up in hurt. But I want you to know that trusting in Him, you can never lose. It’s not like trusting in others. I really hope you hear these words today, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”  

 

I hope it is your prayer tonight that you whisper as you go to sleep. It’s a pure prayer, one that will most assuredly be answered by the one who loves us unconditionally and will lovingly enter any inviting and welcoming heart – filling up emptiness, chasing away wickedness, lighting darkness, and awakening the flame of the Holy Spirit. And once you’ve let Him in, really in, He never leaves.

 

Amen.     

 

Discussion Questions

1. When you read this verse, what is your immediate reaction? Why?
2. Are you just “talking the talk”? How can you go deeper?
3. What will God find if He searches you and knows your heart? Do you know that it’s okay, no matter what he finds there?
4. What is one way you can let God in your life more?

Read Full Post »

Beyond Imagination

Also, please visit this website to see pictures from my trip to Africa, http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=510771&id=543293163&l=85ec1

1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Beyond Imagination (Classic)

 

 “But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him” – these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

 

Too often we want to take the mystery out of faith. Mystery can be uncomfortable. For example, what if you came into church and there was no bulletin (don’t worry, not this Sunday)? We like to have things about faith, church, and life to be predictable.

 

And then we remember this verse, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him… (9)” Scholars say that it appears that Paul is paraphrasing Isaiah 64:4, which reads, “From ages past no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.”

 

It reminds us that God is beyond our senses and imaginations. There are beautiful things to see, wonderful words and music to hear and dreams and prayers from our hearts to feel that are all waiting for us.

 

And what does that do for our daily walk with Christ if we know these amazing things are waiting for us? Because scholars point out that verse 9 is not limited to the idea of heaven, one can interpret this verse, and I would agree, that these amazing things are being prepared for us while here on earth as well. And isn’t it true? I know we often dwell on the negative, but how many other things would qualify as things we have seen and heard and dreamed that have been realized? Seeing things like rainbows, breathtaking views of mountains and lakes. Hearing tender words of love and encouragement that you never expected or thought possible. Hearing the voices of children as they are praying. And dreams that we couldn’t have even conceived of, happening in front of us. All of us have these and many more coming. So again, doesn’t it change our living and walk with Christ if we come to expect them without being able to fully perceive them?!?! What can it do for our attitudes when facing trials and difficult circumstances when we face them?

 

It also tells us about God’s character. It says that this is a God who is always at work preparing amazing things for His children. He’s the father who bursts through the door with unbelievable surprises for his kids.

 

As much as we can try to imagine these things God is preparing, as wonderful as we can picture things, they are still all beyond our imagination…

 

Amen.

 

Discussion Questions

1. How does it feel to think of God’s love being present in our lives but also being beyond comprehension?
2. What is one way our walk with Christ can change when we expect the unimaginable blessings God has prepared for us?
3. How does affect your perception of who God is and what he is doing in your life?
4. Are you up for a little more mystery after reading this? Why or why not?

Read Full Post »

A Prayer For A Beloved

A Prayer For A Beloved

Dear Lord,  

I come to you today with someone in particular on my heart.In fact, my heart floods and overflows with love and care and compassion for him/her. 

When I think of all that he/she have been through already; and all that he/she is going through right now – Oh Lord! I want to take it all away and make it stop!

I plead with you, in Jesus’ name and power, to lead he/she safely out of this valley today.  I ask you, as only you can, make the storms and the waves and winds cease and be still.  

Should that not be your will at this time, Lord, I ask for your hand, your very presence to surround him/her, so that:

When her eyes flow with tears, wipe them away,

When he is afraid, calm his fears,

When she trembles, hold her hand

When he stumbles, catch him before he falls,

When she can’t see, shine a light on your path,

When his wounds won’t heal, touch him and make him whole

When she feels far away from you, let her know you are right there,

When he feels under attack, shelter him under your mighty wing,

When she has lost heart, let her heart beat again, flowing with your love,

When he feels useless, remind him of your purpose for him,

When she feels like she can’t take another step, swoop her up and carry her,

You see God, this person means so much to me. I treasure him/her. They have loved me and cared for me. I have seen reflections of you in them. There have been times where they lifted me. And so now I come to you, with this plea, with this prayer, that you move in their lives, at this very moment.  

It grieves me to think of them suffering or struggling – so that I cry out to you on their behalf. I am hurting because they hurt; I am wounded because of their wounds; I am with them in their suffering. I will not be still, until they are still. I ache and yearn for them to have peace – your precious peace.  

I thank you because I know you always listen to, and respond to, our prayers. You are a God of promises and faithfulness and I rejoice in that confidence and hope! 

In the name of Jesus, I place this loved one in your care and hands today.

Amen!

Read Full Post »

Feeling Loved

Jeremiah 31:3

Feeling Loved  

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 

We have so many questions. Of all of our “big” questions, I find in my life and as a pastor there are some questions that seem to cut across all categories. And if I had to break them down into just a few, they would probably be: 

Does God really love me?

Does God still love me even though I feel unworthy of that love?

Am I worthy of God’s and others’ love no matter what – is unconditional love real?

Would others love me if they knew everything about me?   

I have found that people of faith and people who don’t believe wrestle with these; men and women; young and old. We want to know that God’s love is real. We want to believe that there are some people out there who try to approach loving like God does. But so often our experience shows us otherwise. Still, we are asking the questions, as we should be.  

As God would have it, I spend a lot of time thinking about and praying for people (in general as well as individuals) who have felt or still feel unloved by God and others. I also spend a lot of time thinking about how to communicate what I have learned about God’s love to others.  

Below, you will find the lyrics to a song that I think is a very effective articulation of the above questions…but also some answers. And I have thrown some verses and thoughts in the mix too.  

I Need You To Love Me

By Barlowgirl 

“Why, why are You still here with me
Didn’t You see what I’ve done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it’s here I see the truth
I don’t deserve You”

(I think there is a part of us that can’t believe that the love of God and others is unconditional and faithful. The voice of this song is asking why would God want to still be around us sinners?) 

“But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

”But I need You to love me, and I
I won’t keep my heart from You this time
And I’ll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me”

(We do need God to love us. We have tried to find love in others and in other things – and nothing compares. And we wrestle with needing God’s love and then giving ourselves, our love to Him. And then the voice of the song adds that this love is so amazing that we can only pretend to deserve it – and yet still have it.) 

The Lord says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 

“I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
‘Cause You’re a God who has all things
And still You want me”  

(We have wasted so much time pushing God and others away – maybe because of feeling unworthy or scared or many other things. And here is the kicker – this God who has all things – doesn’t need anything – calls to us by name, wants and loves each of us uniquely. That is the definition of cherishing. And likewise, in our relationships we can, by God’s power, cherish and be cherished.)  

“What are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Psalm 8:4 “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 ”

Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been” 

(God’s unconditional love for us through Jesus Christ can transform hearts, minds and lives. The moment we can stop running away from or avoiding this love and truly receive, is the same moment that we can forget what we have been and see who we really are (in Christ).) 

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

“But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20 

My prayer for you today is that this is the day that for the first time or for more than ever before, you feel this unconditional love of God in your life. 

Amen.   

Discussion Questions

1. Do you need God to love you? Why or why not?
2. Is it hard to believe that God loves like this? Why?
3. Can you think of some people over your lifetime that have demonstrated this kind of love? How did that feel?
4. How can you move toward loving people more unconditionally?
5. If you are cherished and treasured by God (which you are), what does that mean for how others treat you?
6. Is today the day that you stop keeping your heart from God? If it is, email me and let me know.   

Read Full Post »

Refuge

Psalm 62:5-8

Refuge

5 “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for our God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5-8 

What do you depend on everyday?  

Really. 

Let me try it another way.

What CAN you depend on? A little different. Okay. A lot different.  

What do we depend on – well, a whole bunch of things – people, money, stuff, substances, thinking, tradition, routines… Does any of this stuff work? Does depending on these kinds of things do what we need them to do?  

Maybe in the short-term.  

But I have to tell you that I have reached times in my life where all of those things listed above, became rather un-dependable. Some might call it the “end of the rope” – call it whatever you want, but it is interesting that things like people, money, stuff, substances, thinking, tradition, routines all seem so dependable until this point…this point where it seems like all is lost.  

And just when we have thought or are thinking that all is lost is when, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him… (5)” writes the Psalmist. “He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken (6).”  

In God alone. In Christ alone. This is where we can find someone to depend on. Like I said, I have reached times in my life, where all I had was God. When everything else I had depended on or valued or counted on, including me had been stripped away. It was just God and me, and not much of me. It was simultaneously the worst time and the best time of my life. Never have I felt so defeated; but I also have never felt so held and loved by God.  

“My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my might rock, my refuge (7).” He is a refuge; not just as a metaphor, but a real refuge – a place of safety and comfort in a storm.  “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for our God is our refuge (8).” It is also in these times when we pour out our hearts to him.  

Have you ever just poured out your heart to God? Silently, out loud or written on paper? It is that safe place, refuge, when you can pour it all out. The questions, the cries, the confusion, the wonder, the heartbreak, the hope and the call for help. All of it, just pouring out to him, spilling out everywhere, yet gathered and collected and heard by Him. 

My prayer for you today is that more and more you come to see God in Jesus Christ as your refuge, as your rock for your salvation – and your refuge in all times – the person to whom you can pour out your heart and completely trust in and depend on. 

Amen. 

Discussion Questions

1.      At this moment, what are you depending on to get through the day? Is it working for you?

2.      Have you ever been at the end of your rope? Are you there now? What did you depend on?

3.      What does refuge mean to you? Have you ever thought of God like this? Do you have some people in your life that serve as refuges?

4.       When was the last time you poured your heart out to God or anyone else? Is it time?

Read Full Post »

Nearness and Hope

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

This seems like a world of heartbreak. You can look in the newspaper or watch the news for heartbreak. But we know it is much closer than that.  

There is the heartbreak of today. Sometimes it is the struggles in our families that are in our faces all the time. The job loss or impending job loss that seems to negate or ignore decades of hard work. There is the heartbreak of today that cuts each time we look at a spouse that we don’t even know anymore. When we failed the test or exam. There is the heartbreak of today that hurts each time we think of the family member or friend we can’t reach in faith and love.     

What does “brokenhearted” mean? According to the dictionary, “Overcome by grief or despair.” But in real life it is this awful, beyond words feeling. It feels like there is no hope – that it can’t be fixed or can’t get better. It feels like your eyes cannot possibly produce the amount of tears that are welled up inside. It is hard to breathe, hard to move, hard to live.  

Then there is the heartbreak of yesterday. Our hearts and our memories have their share of heartbreak – this cumulative heartbreak of life. Standing at the end of the bed in ICU as your loved one’s pulse slowly, gradually descends to zero. The family, friends and people we didn’t allow to reach us. All the failures, all the attempts, all the dead ends. The quiet but permanent changes in cherished relationships. When we didn’t make the team. These are shattered pieces of yesterday’s heartbreak.     

Which leads to “crushed in spirit.” When we are “crushed in spirit” it is the feeling of absolute defeat. It is like the life has been drained or ripped out of us.  Both of these, heartbroken and “crushed in spirit” seem to have at least one thing in common – they both leave us feeling like there is nothing we can do about them when they are visited upon us… 

This verse offers a revelation. Nearness and Hope. Can’t these two make the difference? Nearness in the heartbreak of life; Hope for when all seems lost. When Jesus came into this world, God was nearer than ever before; and with the Holy Spirit’s continuing presence – God remains near. And God saves the “crushed in spirit” – it may not look like the rescue we dream of, but it is God’s character. Sometimes it is through the power of the Word, the presence of the Holy Spirit and even through other humans.   

Listen to the lyrics of the song “Broken Things” by Julie Miller, “Then you walked into my darkness/And you speak words so sweet/And you hold me like a child/Till my frozen tears fall at your feet.” This is what Jesus does; this is what we can do for each other in His name.  

Today, as you read this, as you are heartbroken, as you are crushed in spirit, please know God is near and offering you hope. 

Discussion Questions

1. Please reflect on some times of heartbreak and how it feels.
2. How can we sense that God is near?
3. Why does God allow us to become heartbroken and crushed in spirit?
4. What can you do for someone else who is heartbroken and crushed in spirit?

Read Full Post »