03/10/2019
Is your life smooth right now, and everything easy and comfortable? If it is, how long has it been that way, and if so, is it because you are simply avoiding the challenges in life? Practice makes us better, exercise makes us stronger, discipline gives us determination, and in everyone’s life... tribulation toughens us.
“As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved."”
Psalms 30:6 ESV
David is telling us that when things are good for him he doesn’t want to move forward. He is claiming that when his place in life is one of prosperity, and everything is moving along smoothly, he desires to stay there forever, but earlier in this Psalm it doesn’t sound like it has been very easy; David faced hardship and yet we hear him sing these words...
“O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”
Psalms 30:2-3 ESV
When our latest troubles are behind us it is easy to think that the smooth sailing will last forever. Sometimes we attempt to remain trouble free by stopping and pitching our tents where we are, by camping out in this place of milk and honey we think we have arrived where God would have us be, yet when we do this we have actually given up, and have stopped growing. In time our shepherd will use His rod and staff... not to comfort us, but to prod us on... He will make it uncomfortable for us to remain on this one pasture where we will eventually graze all of the grass to the ground, and face starvation. He will take us through the next hard passage into a greener pasture in the next valley.
I have a desire to hike the Camino de Santiago in Spain, and it is a long hike that tests your physical body. I read everything I can get my hands on, and watch every video or movie I come across regarding it. In all of this I have discovered that there is one constant... everyone has trouble with their feet, especially in the early days and weeks of the pilgrimage. They get blisters, have pains in their joints, and often wonder if they will be able to complete the journey at all. As a rule, they all cry, some because of the pain, but most because they believe that they are failing.... failing Jesus in this monumental effort of faith. Then as the trip continues, they learn how to better care for themselves, others begin to help them, their prayers are answered, and calluses build up where the blisters had once been. The hardship educates and toughens the pilgrim so that what was once very hard eventually seems much easier. This is our walk through life, and faith... when we face challenges God is there to strengthen us... not by making the walk easier, but in building up our calluses, and increasing our endurance of the hard places... He does this on the steep inclines and exhaustingly rocky stretches of road. Then, when we suddenly realize we have overcome our obstacles, and our faith has grown, we begin to praise Him as David did!
“Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!" You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
Psalms 30:10-12 ESV
David isn’t the only one who thought that he would never move; Peter also felt this way. It is Lent, and as Easter approaches it is appropriate that we consider the words of faithful loyalty that Peter spoke to Jesus... do you remember them?
“Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."”
Matthew 26:33 ESV
Then Jesus responded with a revelation that most certainly shocked him. Let’s read these words, Peter’s response, and the response of all the disciples...
“Jesus said to him, "Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!" And all the disciples said the same.”
Matthew 26:34-35 ESV
Was it just Peter that denied Jesus, or did each of the disciples find himself in denial? I believe that each one of them denied Him in their own way. Ask yourself these two questions... why was there only one other disciple with Peter when he began denying Jesus, and how many disciples were at Calvary beneath the cross of Christ as He died? You see, we all face our moments of hardship and denial (some of us by our absence), but once we realize the truth of the lesson we grow... just as Peter did.
“And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.”
Matthew 26:75 ESV
What is your hardship and challenge today?Are you boldly saying that you will not be moved? Are you telling Jesus that there is no way you will deny Him? We are all meant to face the trials and tribulations on our way to increased faith... what are yours at this moment? Are you blaming God for your troubles, are you weeping in resignation as Peter did, or are you thanking Him in that instant of realization when the lesson has been learned?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the travail in my life, and the increase, and endurance, of faith I learn while in the throes of it. Thank you Holy Father for men like David and Peter who you used to teach us the hard lessons of lives filled with challenge and trouble. I praise you Father not for my suffering, but in the midst of it. Strengthen me Gracious Father; teach me discipline and determination as you toughen me for the long journey ahead. Help me to see you clearly in my darkest moments, because it is in the darkness of night that I see your light shining brightest. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who turns night into day, and my greatest suffering into praise. Wonderful is your name, and good and loving your character. Lead me on Gracious Lord, and increase my faith all the while. In this way, all Glory is your forevermore, and I will sing your praises always.
Rich Forbes