Monday, August 26, 2013

DOES YOUR LIFE POINT PEOPLE TO CHRIST?


Psalm 40:13-15
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”

David has reminded us in this psalm about the importance of trusting God. He has taken the time to remember the character of God and how He has given him a sure place to stand on. God has transformed his life and given him a new song of praise. His deliverance has been timely, and David’s praise has been clear. David has not forgotten his own sinfulness, nor the mercy and forgiveness he has found in the Lord.

David’s problems and difficulties have not disappeared; they have not become easier to deal with. His enemies are always ready to find pleasure in his demise. But his past experiences and what he has learned about his God continue to guide him in his path of trust.

Those who know God have learned the same things that David did, and should never be moved by difficulties and circumstances to take matters in their own hands. They should continue to trust the meticulous sovereignty of God.

I find that all too often, my own thoughts and efforts are spent in thinking about the ways I want circumstances and people to change, instead of asking myself how God wants me to change.

When we find ourselves dealing with difficult situations or people, we become distracted by the external, instead of thinking about what God is purposing in our lives. We concentrate on the actions of people we cannot change, instead of asking God to work in us His perfect will.

David is asking God to intervene; he is not being fatalistic: he is plainly trusting God to do His work. He trusts the hand of God. He has learned to trust His character, His wisdom, His power, and His love.

And he knows that the outcome is really in the hands of the God who has proved Himself faithful, over and over. As we read this psalm, David has walked us through the wonderful truths about God, the reality of his sinfulness, the assurance of God’s mercy and his dependence on God.

I know that if I took the time to remember these aspects of my life, my impatience and disappointment would fade, giving room to contentment and trust.

I am sure that we all can think of some things that we would love to see happen in our lives. Life can be hard; people are ungodly, and at times those who disappoint us the most are even the believers from whom we would expect better behavior. We are constantly driven to choices: trust God, take things into our own hands, or become bitter and unhappy.

Romans 8:28-29
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

We cherish these verses, but too often we stop at the word “good”, filling in our own definition of what we feel is good for us. When we have decided in our heart what is “good”, we then become disappointed when the circumstances do not match our definition of “good”.

We forget that the One who decides is the One who has a perfect purpose. The circumstances and people surrounding us are not obstacles to our good, but God’s careful choice of instruments for His perfect purpose. We were not chosen by God to be comfortable in this world, but to be conformed to the image of His beloved Son.

As we pray to God for His help to navigate circumstances and the behavior of people around us, we should always be asking ourselves how God is using them to mold us into the image of Christ. We should ask ourselves if we are resisting His work, or joyfully submitting to His shaping of us. Our reactions will expose what our ultimate goals are - our own comfort, or our desire to be more like Christ.

The funeral for my mother and our time in Italy has shown us a clear of reflection of the work of God. To be reminded of what a life looks like, when it’s dedicated to the service of God, has been an immense privilege for all those present. As we live our lives, we leave behind our legacy.

David, although we don’t forget his sins and mistakes, has left us a great example of God’s mercy and work in the life of one of His children. Our past sins should remind us of God’s mercy, and our present difficulties should drive us to desire God’s transforming work in our lives.

May our lives bring attention to God and not to ourselves!



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