While considering the recent loss of a family member, I have been pondering the nearly antithetical relationship between pain and hope. These words don't seem to fit together and yet we so often find them side by side:
Pain and suffering hangs like a dense fog in the atmosphere of our lives. Sorrow is ever present. For our obituary pages are always full, as are our hospitals and jail cells.
The sustaining power of hope holds us fast like an anchor holds a storm tossed ship. We are granted hope that is deep enough and strong enough to get us through what must be endured here.
There is no shortage of hope-filled passages in the Scriptures, but this one is probably my favorite:
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment."
- Revelation 21:3-6
Though this world is indeed filled with sorrow and heart-ache, there is a life sustaining hope in Christ.
“When we shall come home and enter to the possession of our Brother's fair kingdom, and when our heads shall find the weight of the eternal crown of glory, and when we shall look back to pains and sufferings; then shall we see life and sorrow to be less than one step or stride from prison to glory; and that our little inch of time - suffering is not worthy of our first night's welcome home to heaven.”
- Samuel Rutherford, The Loveliness of Christ
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hope. Show all posts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
Though He Slay Me...
Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him
- Job 13:15
Who says things like that? Who hopes in one who is killing him? Job does. Only when one hopes in another greater than he hopes in himself can one say such a thing. In Job's case his hope in God sustained him, despite the bitter cup he had been given.
Though the category 5 hurricane was still in the midst of demolishing his life, Job had a death grip upon the ledge of the grace of his God. His life wass utterly devastated and laid in shambles around him like the scattered remains of a trailer park after a tornado has just passed through. Job's children were snatched away from him, his wife wagged her tongue at him and bid him to give up and to curse the God in whom he hoped, his friends too were fashioned into weapons to be wielded viciously against him, and as if all of that were not enough he was granted a cup overflowing with physical suffering as his entire body was covered with intensely painful sores. Yet Job's fingers refused to let go, "Yet I will hope in Him."
Job clearly saw where his storm originated; "Though He slay me." His point of view stands in sharp contrast to that so often heralded to those enduring various storms in our day. I remember clearly during a funeral service years ago hearing a clergy member declare to the mother of her deceased son, an officer killed in the line of duty, "Don't let anyone tell you that God did this." I bit my tongue as I sat in the room with hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of this heroic public servant. My blood was near to be boiling as this man in priestly garb spoke as if he were delivering the words of God. As if the medicine he had to offer would assuage any discomfort. He may as well have given her a sugar pill and said that should help. How can it be that those who would endeavor to speak on God's behalf would neglect that which He has already so effusively spoken.
The Scriptures which teach contrary to the fancily dressed man upon a stage are too numerous to list in their entirety yet I will highlight a few which quickly come to mind:
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39
Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has done it?
Amos 3:6
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Matthew 10:29
You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah. You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
Psalm 88:6-8
Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.
Psalm 88:16-18
With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his. He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools. He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty. He deprives of speech those who are trusted and takes away the discernment of the elders. He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong. He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light. He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
Job 12:13-25
I'm thinking Job may have said something like this if he could have been in attendance at that funeral service.
Not only was Job clearly able see from whom the storm originates, but he was also able to see through the pounding rain and fierce wind. He could see beyond the massive storm surrounding him and into the goodness of his God. This is faith. Faith is seeing beyond the storm, it is seeing beyond all that the eyes of flesh can see in order to behold that which only the eyes of faith can see.
Job's faith caused him to be able to see through the blinding storm like radar enables a pilot see in order to safely land a plane in the midst of a dense fog. His radar-like faith saw clearly through to the goodness of his God. This is why Job could honestly say, "Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him."
- Job 13:15
Who says things like that? Who hopes in one who is killing him? Job does. Only when one hopes in another greater than he hopes in himself can one say such a thing. In Job's case his hope in God sustained him, despite the bitter cup he had been given.
Though the category 5 hurricane was still in the midst of demolishing his life, Job had a death grip upon the ledge of the grace of his God. His life wass utterly devastated and laid in shambles around him like the scattered remains of a trailer park after a tornado has just passed through. Job's children were snatched away from him, his wife wagged her tongue at him and bid him to give up and to curse the God in whom he hoped, his friends too were fashioned into weapons to be wielded viciously against him, and as if all of that were not enough he was granted a cup overflowing with physical suffering as his entire body was covered with intensely painful sores. Yet Job's fingers refused to let go, "Yet I will hope in Him."
Job clearly saw where his storm originated; "Though He slay me." His point of view stands in sharp contrast to that so often heralded to those enduring various storms in our day. I remember clearly during a funeral service years ago hearing a clergy member declare to the mother of her deceased son, an officer killed in the line of duty, "Don't let anyone tell you that God did this." I bit my tongue as I sat in the room with hundreds gathered to mourn the loss of this heroic public servant. My blood was near to be boiling as this man in priestly garb spoke as if he were delivering the words of God. As if the medicine he had to offer would assuage any discomfort. He may as well have given her a sugar pill and said that should help. How can it be that those who would endeavor to speak on God's behalf would neglect that which He has already so effusively spoken.
The Scriptures which teach contrary to the fancily dressed man upon a stage are too numerous to list in their entirety yet I will highlight a few which quickly come to mind:
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39
Does disaster come to a city unless the Lord has done it?
Amos 3:6
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Matthew 10:29
You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah. You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
Psalm 88:6-8
Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness.
Psalm 88:16-18
With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his. He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools. He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips. He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty. He deprives of speech those who are trusted and takes away the discernment of the elders. He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong. He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light. He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
Job 12:13-25
I'm thinking Job may have said something like this if he could have been in attendance at that funeral service.
Not only was Job clearly able see from whom the storm originates, but he was also able to see through the pounding rain and fierce wind. He could see beyond the massive storm surrounding him and into the goodness of his God. This is faith. Faith is seeing beyond the storm, it is seeing beyond all that the eyes of flesh can see in order to behold that which only the eyes of faith can see.
Job's faith caused him to be able to see through the blinding storm like radar enables a pilot see in order to safely land a plane in the midst of a dense fog. His radar-like faith saw clearly through to the goodness of his God. This is why Job could honestly say, "Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him."
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Momentary vs. Eternal
2 Cor. 4:16-18
So we DO NOT lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
FOR this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an ETERNAL WEIGHT of GLORY beyond all comparison,
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
FOR the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
.
So we DO NOT lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
FOR this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an ETERNAL WEIGHT of GLORY beyond all comparison,
as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.
FOR the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Poisonous Pleasures and the Astounding Antidote
A countless multitude are listening intently to the chorus of society as it sings to them of an illusive satisfaction. The siren songs of the world are as varied as there are stars in the heavens. There are the not so subtle songs that lure many into the dangers that have been well marked out by society. And then there are the extremely subtle songs that entice multitudes into making the good pleasures in life into ultimate pleasures. These good pleasures turned upside down into ultimate pleasures are every bit as poisonous as the notoriously dangerous pleasures.
The evidence in our world of humanity poisoned by wrong pursuits is overwhelming. It is seen in the broken families, the overcrowded orphanages and prisons, the full parking lots at the bar on Saturday night, as well as in the full parking lots of many lifeless churches on Sunday mornings. As we walk through this life we are sick, wounded, confused, and so inundated by the poison that we often don't even realize it's there.
With my heart broken at the pain and destruction in the world around me, I am grateful for hope. For there is a hope that is a great medicine for this poisoned world. The antidote for those overcome by the poisonous pleasures of this world is to be awakened unto the Ultimate Pleasure - God Himself.
The Psalmists often wrote of this majestic delight in the God of the Universe. They wrote things like:
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but you and on earth there is nothing that I desire besides you.
Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
The greatest weapon against the poisonous pleasures of this world is the Ultimate Pleasure - the Living God.
Isaiah 55:2-3b
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.
The evidence in our world of humanity poisoned by wrong pursuits is overwhelming. It is seen in the broken families, the overcrowded orphanages and prisons, the full parking lots at the bar on Saturday night, as well as in the full parking lots of many lifeless churches on Sunday mornings. As we walk through this life we are sick, wounded, confused, and so inundated by the poison that we often don't even realize it's there.
With my heart broken at the pain and destruction in the world around me, I am grateful for hope. For there is a hope that is a great medicine for this poisoned world. The antidote for those overcome by the poisonous pleasures of this world is to be awakened unto the Ultimate Pleasure - God Himself.
The Psalmists often wrote of this majestic delight in the God of the Universe. They wrote things like:
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but you and on earth there is nothing that I desire besides you.
Psalm 19:7-11
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
The greatest weapon against the poisonous pleasures of this world is the Ultimate Pleasure - the Living God.
Isaiah 55:2-3b
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Something Strange Happening?
1 Peter 4:12
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Do not be surprised. This is to say that we are to expect what we are not to be surprised by. It is interesting that we who live in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death would consider trials and tribulations to be strange. It is quite strange that we who breathe the very atmosphere of struggle and suffering would think it strange when we taste of it's bitterness. It would not be unlike a fish who finds it strange that it is surrounded by water.
Heavy hearts and brokenness are constant companions for we who dwell in the land of sin, live with the people of sin, and indeed even battle with the sin in our own hearts. Thanks be to God that we are not left with only this dark canvass to behold. For even in the next few verses of 1st Peter a glorious hope is unleashed:
1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
1 Peter 5:10-11
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Here again I find the blessed tension between sorrow and rejoicing. Although we experience sorrow in many ways we are overwhelmingly blessed with the gaze-shifting magnitude of hope. This medicine called hope is found all over the Scriptures. Hope focuses upon God and His magnificent promises and refuses to consider only that which may be seen with physical eyes in the here and now.
Jesus plainly advises that we will indeed encounter tribulation, but He does not leave us there. Highlighting His purchase of this unspeakable hope, Jesus encourages us by reminding us what it was that He accomplished:
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
We have been graced with this sustaining hope because He has overcome the world. Were it not for His overcoming act we would all be left only ever to behold the dark canvass that presently surrounds us.
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
Do not be surprised. This is to say that we are to expect what we are not to be surprised by. It is interesting that we who live in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death would consider trials and tribulations to be strange. It is quite strange that we who breathe the very atmosphere of struggle and suffering would think it strange when we taste of it's bitterness. It would not be unlike a fish who finds it strange that it is surrounded by water.
Heavy hearts and brokenness are constant companions for we who dwell in the land of sin, live with the people of sin, and indeed even battle with the sin in our own hearts. Thanks be to God that we are not left with only this dark canvass to behold. For even in the next few verses of 1st Peter a glorious hope is unleashed:
1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
1 Peter 5:10-11
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Here again I find the blessed tension between sorrow and rejoicing. Although we experience sorrow in many ways we are overwhelmingly blessed with the gaze-shifting magnitude of hope. This medicine called hope is found all over the Scriptures. Hope focuses upon God and His magnificent promises and refuses to consider only that which may be seen with physical eyes in the here and now.
Jesus plainly advises that we will indeed encounter tribulation, but He does not leave us there. Highlighting His purchase of this unspeakable hope, Jesus encourages us by reminding us what it was that He accomplished:
John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
We have been graced with this sustaining hope because He has overcome the world. Were it not for His overcoming act we would all be left only ever to behold the dark canvass that presently surrounds us.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Sufferings & Glory
Romans 8:18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
In November of 2008 I had an opportunity to share a message on the magnificent text of Romans 8:18 at FPBC.
When Paul speaks of suffering, he doesn't speak as one who has merely studied this theologically in some books. He speaks as an expert who experienced significant suffering. He speaks as an authority on the topic as he has endured suffering more intense than anybody I know.
His glory then will be unfaded, unveiled, unhindered, unsheathed, unleashed, before His people for all eternity. This will be heaven! This will be heaven: God's people glorifying God by enjoying His revelation of His magnificent and infinite glory for eternity. John Piper's great saying is true, "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him." God is most glorified in His people when His people are most satisfied in Him, and this will be the case for all eternity. God will be glorified as His people will be marvelously satisfied to delight in His magnificence for eternity without end.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
In November of 2008 I had an opportunity to share a message on the magnificent text of Romans 8:18 at FPBC.
When Paul speaks of suffering, he doesn't speak as one who has merely studied this theologically in some books. He speaks as an expert who experienced significant suffering. He speaks as an authority on the topic as he has endured suffering more intense than anybody I know.
His glory will be revealed to us:
His glory then will be unfaded, unveiled, unhindered, unsheathed, unleashed, before His people for all eternity. This will be heaven! This will be heaven: God's people glorifying God by enjoying His revelation of His magnificent and infinite glory for eternity. John Piper's great saying is true, "God is most glorified in you when you are most satisfied in Him." God is most glorified in His people when His people are most satisfied in Him, and this will be the case for all eternity. God will be glorified as His people will be marvelously satisfied to delight in His magnificence for eternity without end.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
A Storm's Hope
Oh Lord I trust in You
You are my hope and my delight
Because of You I will rest peacefully in the midst of the storm
Though rivers may overflow
And hurricane force winds scream
I will take refuge in You my fortress
Though the treasures of the peoples lose their value
And the hearts of the peoples sink for lack of hope
I will not be shaken for You are my greatest treasure
Though the earth may tremble
And shake at it's fault lines
You are my Rock and my Foundation
Though society may rage
And though the peoples despair
I will not fear for You are my God
You have delivered You're people from the flames
You have saved in the heat of battle
Arrows cannot be let loose without Your permission
You have shut the mouths of lions
You have made a path through the midst of the sea
You have quenched the fury of the flames
You have said all things work out for the good of those who love You
And if You are for us who could be against us
And You have promised to never leave us
- A. B. Seal
You are my hope and my delight
Because of You I will rest peacefully in the midst of the storm
Though rivers may overflow
And hurricane force winds scream
I will take refuge in You my fortress
Though the treasures of the peoples lose their value
And the hearts of the peoples sink for lack of hope
I will not be shaken for You are my greatest treasure
Though the earth may tremble
And shake at it's fault lines
You are my Rock and my Foundation
Though society may rage
And though the peoples despair
I will not fear for You are my God
You have delivered You're people from the flames
You have saved in the heat of battle
Arrows cannot be let loose without Your permission
You have shut the mouths of lions
You have made a path through the midst of the sea
You have quenched the fury of the flames
You have said all things work out for the good of those who love You
And if You are for us who could be against us
And You have promised to never leave us
- A. B. Seal
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Hope in the Midst of Storms
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation,
or distress,
or persecution,
or famine,
or nakedness,
or danger,
or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death
nor life,
nor angels
nor rulers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor powers,
39 nor height
nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall tribulation,
or distress,
or persecution,
or famine,
or nakedness,
or danger,
or sword?
36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us.
38 For I am sure that neither death
nor life,
nor angels
nor rulers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor powers,
39 nor height
nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation,
will be able to separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday, August 18, 2008
12 Year Old Addicts?
During a traffic stop this last week I had an unusual encounter as I came across a 16 year old driver with a 15 year old passenger. A search of their vehicle resulted in locating 2 substantial baggies of crack cocaine.
What is unusual about this traffic stop is not finding the crack, as the area in which it was found is a high drug traffic area. Rather it is the age of the subjects who were found to be in possession of the narcotics. During a subsequent interview of the driver it was discovered that the 16 year old has been using crack since the age of 12.
This is devastating.
12 year olds are supposed to play with G.I. Joes and video games and enjoy playing various sports with their friends, not get addicted to crack. The grave concern in this incident is not that this is a rare thing, but that it is likely less rare than we know. Statistically speaking, if as a police officer I encounter two youngsters with such issues there are likely many more involved in such things.
As I write this I am reminded of another shockingly depraved incident in which two very young teenagers ran away from home and threw themselves into prostitution as well as other horrors of "street life."
Both of these incidents occurred in the inner city, which is not at all to say that these types of incidents are restricted to the inner city. Yet there is an inner city sub-culture in which such terrible things are not remotely uncommon.
The depravity of man is not limited to adults. It is clear that when children are exposed to greater levels of depravity in society they are greatly impacted and also often succumb to the levels of depravity with which they are surrounded. One only needs an occasional glimpse at national headlines to have an idea of the devastation that is involved when children are drafted into this street life, which includes but is not limited to narcotics use and distribution, prostitution and other illicit sex, violence, theft, and various other criminal activity.
All that to say this:
These incidents are powerful evidences that the need for intervention is enormous. There is an incredible need in our society to reach into the lives and culture of the inner city with the powerful and life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I am convinced that there is no other hope.
I came away from the interview with the 16 year old and his mother overwhelmed with the fact that the need in our society is so great.
What is unusual about this traffic stop is not finding the crack, as the area in which it was found is a high drug traffic area. Rather it is the age of the subjects who were found to be in possession of the narcotics. During a subsequent interview of the driver it was discovered that the 16 year old has been using crack since the age of 12.
This is devastating.
12 year olds are supposed to play with G.I. Joes and video games and enjoy playing various sports with their friends, not get addicted to crack. The grave concern in this incident is not that this is a rare thing, but that it is likely less rare than we know. Statistically speaking, if as a police officer I encounter two youngsters with such issues there are likely many more involved in such things.
As I write this I am reminded of another shockingly depraved incident in which two very young teenagers ran away from home and threw themselves into prostitution as well as other horrors of "street life."
Both of these incidents occurred in the inner city, which is not at all to say that these types of incidents are restricted to the inner city. Yet there is an inner city sub-culture in which such terrible things are not remotely uncommon.
The depravity of man is not limited to adults. It is clear that when children are exposed to greater levels of depravity in society they are greatly impacted and also often succumb to the levels of depravity with which they are surrounded. One only needs an occasional glimpse at national headlines to have an idea of the devastation that is involved when children are drafted into this street life, which includes but is not limited to narcotics use and distribution, prostitution and other illicit sex, violence, theft, and various other criminal activity.
All that to say this:
These incidents are powerful evidences that the need for intervention is enormous. There is an incredible need in our society to reach into the lives and culture of the inner city with the powerful and life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ. I am convinced that there is no other hope.
I came away from the interview with the 16 year old and his mother overwhelmed with the fact that the need in our society is so great.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
A Powerful Promise
Deuteronomy 31:8
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
1Samuel 12:22
For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.
Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage;
"He will not leave you or forsake you." Few if any are the promises in Scripture which surpass this one in sustaining and maintaining hope. This is one of the memory verses (or portions of a verse) of my 5 year old daughter. This verse has been such a rock of hope for me throughout many trials and difficulties. I wanted to pass down to my little girl this solid foundation for hope in the God who will never leave us.
What else in your life can promise you this? Absolutely nothing!
Your health can leave you, your spouse can leave you, your wealth can be taken from you, your home, your car, your friends, and your family too. There is only one being in the universe that can truly promise you this. Only our God can truly promise He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?)
What a treasure this promise is. What a rock solid hope. What tremendous grace this is that our God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.
It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."
Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
1Samuel 12:22
For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for Himself.
Psalm 94:14
For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will not abandon His heritage;
"He will not leave you or forsake you." Few if any are the promises in Scripture which surpass this one in sustaining and maintaining hope. This is one of the memory verses (or portions of a verse) of my 5 year old daughter. This verse has been such a rock of hope for me throughout many trials and difficulties. I wanted to pass down to my little girl this solid foundation for hope in the God who will never leave us.
What else in your life can promise you this? Absolutely nothing!
Your health can leave you, your spouse can leave you, your wealth can be taken from you, your home, your car, your friends, and your family too. There is only one being in the universe that can truly promise you this. Only our God can truly promise He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Numbers 23:19 God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?)
What a treasure this promise is. What a rock solid hope. What tremendous grace this is that our God will NEVER leave us nor forsake us.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Thoughts after a night shift
Tired... home at 6:30 a.m.
Naiveté often flees as age comes. Years ago, as a teenager, I remember thinking the world certainly has a long way to go in order to reach the awful state of the days of Noah again.
Luke 17:26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
I don't think that anymore. It was only shortly after beginning this job that my naivety began to encounter more reality. The state of decline in our society and world is to me astounding. On this night shift, 8p-6a, my partner and I investigated an incident where an irritated man shot his neighbor's dog, the family beagle whom the victim got for his son's birthday 2 years ago.
Shortly after that incident, during a traffic stop for a simple traffic violation in Benton Harbor we arrested the driver for CCW (carrying a concealed weapon - handgun). The 22 year old South Bend resident was headed to a party and said he was only carrying it "just in case." During my contact with South Bend PD to obtain further information on this suspect and the gun, I was informed that South Bend PD was investigating 3 shootings that occurred this night. I wonder how many of those shootings involved people who also were carrying "just in case." My thoughts quickly turned to my long time friend, who was working for SBPD tonight, and who only 8 months ago was involved in a shooting himself in which his partner and the suspect were killed.
I've stopped watching the news because of it's severely depressing content. I still catch headlines in the internet news sites which abound with sad and horrific events. Discussions have occurred with my wife regarding the wisdom (if any) in keeping the tv and allowing our family to be exposed to it's increasingly depraved content.
Noah's days were undoubtedly rough. Ours are very rough as well and are no doubt heading ever more rapidly in that direction.
Total Depravity...
The recent lessons from my journaling through the book of Job are helpful to me today; God has purposes in allowing such evil. He knows what He is doing, He is never out of control, the vision of Him seen more clearly through this darkness that He allows will be well worth the suffering that we experience on this journey called life.
I am very thankful for hope. Thankful for hope to one day see the glory of Jesus' face. Thankful for hope to one day to be separated from the pain and joined to the eternal satisfaction of God. I am thankful that though I am a sinner, Christ is a great Savior. I am full of hope in the midst of this dark world because God became Man and lived in the midst of this very same darkness and then died to bear the punishment for His people, in order that they might enjoy Him for eternity. Thank God for hope...
My heart has been saddened to be exposed to this darkness, but my heart is full of joy in knowing that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life. There is a lifeboat in this down pouring rain which will no doubt result in a flood to cover the earth in filth and wretchedness. That lifeboat is Jesus and my hope is in Him.
2nd Corinthians 6:10
"Sorrowful yet always rejoicing"
Naiveté often flees as age comes. Years ago, as a teenager, I remember thinking the world certainly has a long way to go in order to reach the awful state of the days of Noah again.
Luke 17:26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man.
Mat 24:37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
I don't think that anymore. It was only shortly after beginning this job that my naivety began to encounter more reality. The state of decline in our society and world is to me astounding. On this night shift, 8p-6a, my partner and I investigated an incident where an irritated man shot his neighbor's dog, the family beagle whom the victim got for his son's birthday 2 years ago.
Shortly after that incident, during a traffic stop for a simple traffic violation in Benton Harbor we arrested the driver for CCW (carrying a concealed weapon - handgun). The 22 year old South Bend resident was headed to a party and said he was only carrying it "just in case." During my contact with South Bend PD to obtain further information on this suspect and the gun, I was informed that South Bend PD was investigating 3 shootings that occurred this night. I wonder how many of those shootings involved people who also were carrying "just in case." My thoughts quickly turned to my long time friend, who was working for SBPD tonight, and who only 8 months ago was involved in a shooting himself in which his partner and the suspect were killed.
I've stopped watching the news because of it's severely depressing content. I still catch headlines in the internet news sites which abound with sad and horrific events. Discussions have occurred with my wife regarding the wisdom (if any) in keeping the tv and allowing our family to be exposed to it's increasingly depraved content.
Noah's days were undoubtedly rough. Ours are very rough as well and are no doubt heading ever more rapidly in that direction.
Total Depravity...
The recent lessons from my journaling through the book of Job are helpful to me today; God has purposes in allowing such evil. He knows what He is doing, He is never out of control, the vision of Him seen more clearly through this darkness that He allows will be well worth the suffering that we experience on this journey called life.
I am very thankful for hope. Thankful for hope to one day see the glory of Jesus' face. Thankful for hope to one day to be separated from the pain and joined to the eternal satisfaction of God. I am thankful that though I am a sinner, Christ is a great Savior. I am full of hope in the midst of this dark world because God became Man and lived in the midst of this very same darkness and then died to bear the punishment for His people, in order that they might enjoy Him for eternity. Thank God for hope...
My heart has been saddened to be exposed to this darkness, but my heart is full of joy in knowing that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him might not perish but have everlasting life. There is a lifeboat in this down pouring rain which will no doubt result in a flood to cover the earth in filth and wretchedness. That lifeboat is Jesus and my hope is in Him.
2nd Corinthians 6:10
"Sorrowful yet always rejoicing"
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