Sovereign Sorrow

Sovereign Sorrow

Genesis 6: ⁵ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

 

============

 

With GOD, there are no mistakes, yet GOD seems to have expressed a problem that HE had to deal with. HE created a perfect world. HE created man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Plants would grow themselves. Animals would come up to the man and woman to be named and cared for. There was harmony. But the Devil, who wanted to be GOD, caused humans to sin.

 

Every human was born with a sin nature. Only a few walked with the LORD and spoke with HIM. The rest ignored HIM. The descendants of Cain multiplied and so did evil. After a while, humans got tired of seeing the Garden of Eden that they could not get in. They too wanted to be GOD.

 

My Observations

• Because of our sin nature, humans have a difficult time relating to GOD’s timing and ways.
• Human thoughts and intentions can go wildly away from GOD if left unchecked.
• Insecurities about GOD causes humans to think of evil thoughts that seem innocent.

 

Justified thinking made people rationalize their evil behavior. Giants introduced the thought of “Only the strong will survive.” Humans fought over land that would produce food. Selfishness grew stronger within each human to the point of no return. They would someday storm the Garden of Eden and take it over! Or at least they may have thought. BUT GOD saw their heart and was sorry HE had to destroy them. All but one found grace.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the conversation HE held with HIMSELF?
• Are your thoughts on you or GOD?
• Will you get a hold of your thoughts and focus them on what GOD will have you do today?

Cannot Be Stolen

Cannot Be Stolen

John 16: ¹⁹ Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? ²⁰ Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. ²¹ A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. ²² Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

============

Seeing the broken glass made my heart race. I looked into my car and to my dismay, all of my music had been stolen. All of that hard work, meticulously collecting the right songs that pleased my moods, was gone. I was not very happy.

• I have been robbed.
• I have had thieves threaten to shoot me.
• I have lost several items to burglars, liars and people who I was supposed to trust, stealing ideas, to claim it as their own.

JESUS explains the temporary nature of sorrow. It will only be here for a little while. BUT GOD has a remedy for sorrow that surpasses all understanding.

• GOD wants me to focus on joy rather than happiness.
• GOD wants me to be filled with joy rather than fleeting pleasure.
• GOD wants me to take joy into difficult days with difficult people.

Happiness, I find, is fleeting. I mean when things are new and shiny, I may be “happy”, but when the thing gets old, rusty or torn, I may not be as pleased with it. BUT GOD wants me to have something that lasts forever, namely joy.

When I am filled with joy, pain becomes temporary. I mean, when that stuff is stolen, or that person is causing strife, joy kicks in and enables me to calm down from being riled up. Joy doesn’t always stop me from getting angry, hurt or upset, but it is there to soothe me back to a place where I can see and hear GOD. No one can steal my joy because it comes from GOD.

• Are you hurting and trying to be happy by the world’s standards?
• Do you think happiness is the goal?
• Will you ask GOD for joy that is overflowing and can cover all of your situations you may ever face?

Sorrow Gate

Matthew 26: ³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

============

Deeply troubled about many things, I could not rest. I woke up in the middle of the night with my mind racing over all the things that were going on. Maybe if I work, then I can get my mind off of stuff. I could not work because of all the thoughts.

• Sometimes I get worried.
• Sometimes I get troubled.
• Sometimes I am so full of sorrow, I cannot even think.

As JESUS approached HIS death HE was sorrowful and troubled. Only HE and the FATHER knew what it meant to be blamed for every sin of mankind and JESUS was going to do just that. HE faced deep sorrow but did something amazing.

• JESUS showed me how to pray in the middle of my sorrow.
• JESUS showed me how to ask for the FATHER’s will and not mine.
• JESUS showed me how to bring friends along to watch over me in my sorrow so I won’t stay there.

Deity wrapped in humanity was JESUS’s makeup. HE knew HIS plight and HIS humanity felt sorrow. It’s alright to feel this way but not stay that way. GOD wants me to open a gate to HIM and pray. HE wants to take my sorrow, guilt and shame. All I have to do is pray.

• Are you full of sorrow?
• Are you troubled?
• Will you pray to the FATHER about your troubles so HE can give you peace?  

In loving memory of cousin Curtis.

Today Not Tomorrow

Psalm 134: ¹ Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
    who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
    and praise the Lord.

³ May the Lord bless you from Zion,
    he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.

============

Dinner was all I could think about. I ran inside and there it was, on the table as usual. I watched TV and went to bed. When I got up the next day I went outside to ride my bike. I remembered leaving it by the back porch right next to the door. I mean we had a fence; my bike should not have just walked away! As reality sank in I realized my bike was gone forever. I moped and fretted the remainder of that summer. “Everyone” went bike riding and I was left at home.

• There are times when I do not feel like praising.
• There are times when I do not feel like singing.
• There are times when I do not feel like smiling.

I was down in the dumps but realized that I could not stay there forever. I mean it was a bike. I went in and grabbed some toy trucks that I had abandoned and rekindled my excitement. I invited a few bike riders into the “secure” fenced area and we built the most marvelous, um whatever we were building, thing in the world!

• Sorrow happens, but GOD doesn’t want me to stay in sorrow.
• Pain happens, but GOD doesn’t want me to stay in pain.
• Misery happens but GOD doesn’t want me to remain miserable.

GOD wants me to learn how to praise HIM in the middle of my pain. HE does not want me to remain as a child, moping and pouting over loss. HE wants me to grow up, stand up and praise HIM! HE doesn’t want me to wait until everything has been cleared up and put away with a nice bow. GOD wants me to recognize HIM and HIS marvelous power even before one step is made to fix the situation.

GOD’s plan is awesome and HE understands my pain. HE isn’t heartless, cruel or sadistic. GOD loves me dearly and is in more pain than I am during the problem. The least I can do is praise HIM!

• Are you waiting to praise GOD?
• Do you feel you have to wait on HIM to fix your situation to your specifications in order to praise HIM?
• Can you praise GOD today instead of waiting for tomorrow?

Be carried on HIS wings

Deuteronomy 32: ¹⁰ In a desert land he found him,

    in a barren and howling waste.
He shielded him and cared for him;
    he guarded him as the apple of his eye,
¹¹ like an eagle that stirs up its nest
    and hovers over its young,
that spreads its wings to catch them
    and carries them aloft.
¹² The Lord alone led him;
    no foreign god was with him.

============

Sitting on the edge of my couch I wondered how I was going to succeed. I mean the letter from the university said I was no longer in the university and I had no backup plan. I went in and plead my case. Years later I graduated.

Sitting on another couch I wondered if I would ever leave the small town I worked in. I didn’t even know how to search for a job. Years later I moved to a large city with a wonderful job.

Sitting on yet another couch… (Apparently I do a lot of thinking on the couch) I pondered my future as I was out of work for the first time since I was 15. My entire identity was wrapped up in the corporate culture. Years later GOD directs my steps!

• Being in the desert doesn’t feel comfortable to me.
• Being in the desert doesn’t feel enjoyable to me.
• Being in the desert doesn’t feel wonderful to me.

Each time I have been in the “desert” I couldn’t see what GOD was doing. I felt abandoned and alone. BUT GOD always had something different in mind.

• GOD shields me from dangers I don’t even know about.
• GOD watches out for me in the middle of the desert as the apple of HIS eye.
• GOD catches me when I stumble and fall and carries me to new heights I would have never dreamt of.

GOD provides amazing rides. What seems like a desert is merely a training ground for bigger and better responsibility. My response to HIS training can grow me if I accept it.

• Are you in the middle of the desert?
• Do you feel a bit lost?
• Can you recognize that GOD is protecting you?
• Won’t you get rid of any anger and bitterness toward GOD and recognize HE is with you?

How should I act when I am wrong?

Genesis 32: ⁴ He instructed them: “This is what you are to say to my lord Esau: ‘Your servant Jacob says, I have been staying with Laban and have remained there till now. ⁵ I have cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’”

============

With the aroma of a freshly cooked meal I returned to work. Thinking my plot had worked I went home for the day.  The next day my supervisor popped in for a surprise visit. He said hello and left.  He then popped in again about 30 minutes later. He said these words that are etched in my mind, “I am very disappointed in you. I thought you were different and I find you sneaking off work.” To this day I wish I could apologize to him.

• When I mess up, it eats at me.
• When I mess up, I feel like I’m on the outside.
• When I mess up, I really want to fix what I broke.

I guess I’m wired to be a fixer. When it seems like something is broken I try to fix it, especially broken relationships. But what happen if I really messed up? How should I act?

• GOD wants me to humble myself when I mess up.
• GOD wants me to lower my expectations of thinking “I” can fix the situation.
• GOD wants me to depend on HIM to work on everyone’s heart including mine to mend the relationship.

Jacob had stolen his brothers’ inheritance and their father’s heart. He was deceitful and crafty and when GOD told him to return to his brother he was full of fear. His expectations were very low about the relationship so he sent a bribe ahead of his meeting. GOD made him humble and HE wants me to be the same.

• Are you struggling to find a situation where you were wrong?
• Do you even realize when you are wrong?
• Are you going to hold on to your wrong and try to justify it?
• Won’t you humble yourself and apologize, maybe even send a gift?

Why am I surprised?

1 Peter 4: ¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

============

Ever had one of those mornings? I mean this day was important because it would determine my future.  I had overslept because my alarm clock took a day off and buzzed softly that day, but I could still make it. I jumped in the car and it wouldn’t start. There was no way I was going to make it to the interview because it was clear across campus. “Why is this happening to me” I thought to myself!

• When difficult situations arise I throw a pity party and ask why me.
• When I feel a slightly discomforted I look around to change the environment and when I can’t I ask why me.
• When I am not getting my way and it seems like things are breaking I throw up my hands and ask why me.

“Why me” is my question to GOD when I don’t like what’s going on.  I mean “Aren’t I serving YOU well” is my question to HIM.  Then my bargaining comparisons appear by saying “Look at those other people who don’t serve you…they seem to be getting away with everything” as if to say “GOD YOU don’t know what YOU are doing.”

• GOD’s plan for me includes the difficulty that I go through.
• GOD’s plan for me includes a season of pain that I must endure.
• GOD’s plan for me includes some turbulent times that I have to persevere.

I don’t like tough circumstances, but every time I have gone through them I actually feel stronger and a bit wiser. I really shouldn’t be surprised when a situation arises. I actually should know by now that what I’m facing will grow me in ways I never would have grown had I now gone through the situation. GOD’s plan is a great one for me and I should always know that.

• Are you going through some difficult situation?
• Are you facing tough circumstances?
• Can you face your situation as a growth opportunity?
• Will you seek GOD in the middle of this storm and feel HIS comfort?

What kind of “sorry” should I use?

2 Corinthians 7: ¹⁰ Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. ¹¹ See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

============

Let’s not dwell on how fast I was going when the policeman pulled me over. Let’s focus on my “usual” practice. I had my speech all ready and prepared in my mind in hopes I would not get a ticket. “I’m sorry officer” were the first words out of my mouth but his response surprised me and sticks with me to this day.

“Are you sorry you did this or sorry you got caught?” Wow, I never thought of it that way. I wonder what kind of sorry I was.

• Sometimes I say I’m sorry because I feel that’s what the other person wants to hear.
• Sometimes I say I’m sorry just to end the conflict.
• Sometimes I say I’m sorry to get out of trouble and hopefully get away with what I’m doing.

GOD sees the depths of my heart. HE knows if I am truly “sorry” or not. HE can see when I am trying to get my way versus truly being accepting of whatever punishment I deserve. HE knows how I would act if I were truly “sorry.”

• When I show “GODLY sorrow” I want to change my ways.
• When I show “GODLY sorrow” I desire for everyone to know what I’ve done instead of hiding it.
• When I show “GODLY sorrow” I seek to find what GOD wants me to do rather than trying to look good in front of everyone.

It’s not easy to admit when I have wronged someone or when I have blatantly disregarded GOD but when I use “GODLY sorrow” my mindset changes and HE delivers me out of the circumstance with a little punishment. Yes I said a little punishment and well deserved, but afterwards HIS mercy leads me to salvation and “no regret.”

• Have you been committing blatant sins and have no intention of changing your ways?
• Are you busy looking at what other people are doing and not looking at yourself?
• Can you admit things to GOD and accept HIS actions?
• Will you seek “GODLY sorrow” today?

A much brighter future!

Luke 6: ²¹ Blessed are you who hunger now,
   for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
   for you will laugh.
²² Blessed are you when people hate you,
   when they exclude you and insult you
   and reject your name as evil,
      because of the Son of Man.

============

Movies with a good ending are always exciting to me especially when there is a major dilemma or crisis. I pull for the hero or heroine as if I’m in the struggle. When the movie is over I walk out the theater knowing that life’s struggles are very real and still exist.

• One day my physical, mental and emotional hunger will be satisfied by GOD.
• One day my tears will be turned into laughter because GOD will be there with me.
• One day me enemies will face GOD’s wrath but until then I’m supposed to pray for the best for them.

It is a hard concept to swallow that the earth and the atmosphere above is cursed and I should not try to permanently set up camp. Each breath that I breathe takes me closer to seeing my LORD in person.

GOD understands life is difficult and HE provides these words of comfort to enable me to withstand trials. Of course I will be hungry and broke, of course I will have pain and sorrow, of course I will have people who hate me. Why, because I love JESUS.

• Are you going through something?
• Is life tough right now?
• Will you take a moment to praise GOD for planning your future?

Even my sadness has purpose.

2 Corinthians 7: 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

=======================

Cornfields laced both sides of the road as far as the eye could see. The sun stood high in the air and there was absolutely no one on the boring road, I thought. As I edged my speed up I noticed blue and red flashing lights in my rear view mirror.

“I’m sorry” was the first thing out of my mouth and the police officer said something very memorable. “You are sorry you got caught, not sorry you did it.” Wow was he right!

• GOD wants true change in my life when HE puts obstacles in my way.
• My heart would never follow GOD without something going wrong in my life.
• When I am in a trial, I beg GOD to remove the trial.
• The longer GOD leaves me in the trial, the more eager I serve HIM.

GOD isn’t holding me hostage by saying “love me or else” rather HE knows certain worldly situations can tempt me away from following HIM. When HE removes or changes the situation then my sadness makes me “seek” comfort.

•  There is no comfort better than GOD’s comfort.
• When I repent of the sins in my life, my conscience is clear.
• When my conscience is clear, I can actually see GOD the way HE wants me to see HIM.
• When I see GOD as my savior, I become eager to serve.

True change means I am “sorry that I’m sinning” rather than being “sorry that I got caught.” GOD can tell the difference between my arrogant rants of “being right” versus when I am truly sorry I am not serving HIM the way HE wants me to serve HIM.

HE can easily see through my attempts to “get my sinful life back” by manipulating HIM with my tainted goodness. HE can tell my goodness is temporary and when things are back to the way I want them, all of my lusts and sin will return. GOD prolongs my circumstances even longer until I “truly” give my life and the situation over to HIM.

• Are you truly sorry about your sin or are you sorry you got caught?
• Are you trying to be good to impress people or GOD so you can get your way?
• Are you trying to manipulate someone or GOD by being good?
• Is your conscience clear?
• Can you seek GOD today to cleanse your broken spirit?