Standing Alone in Faith

That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?” And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” (Nu. 14:1-9)

 Standing in faith is never the stance of the masses. It seems to go against every bit of human logic. Ten out of 12 of the Israelite spies came back with negative reports based on fear, but only Joshua and Caleb reported in faith. Only these two would be allowed to enter the Promised Land, and the rest would perish. After the other 10 died, the people who had been swayed by their report decided they would go into the land after all, even when Moses warned against it. The result was complete failure, and the Amalekites and Canaanites chased them out of the land. The bottom line was that they wanted to be in control of the situation. First they fell into fear because of the negative reports of the ten, and when faced with the consequences of their disobedience they decided to “fix it” in their own strength. What a typical reaction. It’s so much easier to barge ahead than to wait on God in faith. It’s also not easy to face the consequences of our sin, so we usually try to figure out how to avoid them. The problem is that our actions generally make things even worse.

The better place to be is standing in faith, and trusting God, even when it seems foolish by human standards. Sometimes the blessing is not immediate, and even if the Israelites had been able to enter the land at this time, they would have faced many battles (just as they would in 40 years). Standing in faith does not guarantee an easy path. In fact, the easier path here would have been to remain in Egypt, where at least all their physical needs were met, (even though they lived in bondage). Isn’t that interesting? They wanted to go back to bondage, because walking by faith into the Promised Land was too hard. Waiting on God is not easy. Believing in spite of circumstances is not easy, but that is the path to blessing. Only the 2 spies who believed would enter the land, and their blessing would be delayed by the unbelief of the majority. Still, they never wavered, and when the time finally came to enter the last, they were blessed beyond all others. Waiting and standing in faith is not easy, but it’s always worth it, because he is faithful.

Lord, I ask you to keep me from being swayed by what seems most logical, especially when it contradicts your calling on my life. You have called me to walk by faith, and sometimes it seems absurd, but I trust in you. I know you have a good plan, and I know in your timing it will all be clear. Help me never choose bondage over the adventure of living by faith. I love you so much, and choose to stand in faith. Amen

Where is God When I’m Suffering?

No matter what we suffer in this life, God is for us and actively involved. Psalm 56:11 tells us that God collects our tears in his bottle. This always reminds me of the memory books I kept for my children when they were young. I saved a lock of hair from their first haircuts, saved the armbands we wore in the hospital, and even took a picture of one’s first Band-Aid for her baby book. I wasn’t able to shield them from all the insults of life, but I do remember that those bad experiences were often useful in teaching them lessons. If they fell down because they were doing something dangerous, they were more careful the next time. Although God does have the power to shield us from all harm, we live in a fallen world and he does not always do it. I believe that is because there are precious lessons to be learned from suffering. How would we understand or appreciate his goodness if we did not have pain and sorrow? We would take it all for granted. As much as I hate trials and tribulation, I have to say that they have been amazing tutors. I have learned so much about his faithfulness, and so much about my weaknesses. I have learned that no matter what happens, he is with me, just as any loving parent would be. He collects my tears in his bottle, and records my sorrows in his memory book. They are precious to him, as I am. He is for me! Many people see suffering as a sign that God doesn’t care, or that he has abandoned them, but it is quite the opposite. When you seek him, you will find he is closest to the brokenhearted (Ps. 34:18). Trouble is not a sign of an uncaring God, but a chance to prove his love.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. On the very day I call to you for help, my enemies will retreat. This I know: God is on my side. O God, I praise your word. Yes, LORD, I praise your word. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Ps. 56:8-11 NLT

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:32-39

Lord, thank you for caring so deeply for us. Even when things are difficult, you lovingly hold us and save our tears. I remember hearing that in ancient times, tears were used to make perfume. The maker would add fragrance to the tears to make something beautiful. That’s exactly what you do. You take our pains and sorrows and turn them into something beautiful. Thank you Lord that nothing is wasted in your kingdom, and that you have good intentions even when bad things happen. I appreciate that so much. Thank you for your tender loving care. Amen

Camping in the Wilderness

Sometimes it seems as though my whole life has been a wilderness experience. My mother once told me she had never known anyone who had suffered as much as I had. Her statement was made after I had gone through several years of intense tribulation, and I must admit that God certainly gave me some years of respite soon after that. However, the old adage that in this life you’re either in a trial, coming out of one, or going into one seems to be extremely characteristic of my life. No one is exempt. Jesus assured us that in this world we would have trouble, and even came to earth and experienced it firsthand. Thankfully, he does not leave us as orphans to try and muddle through without assistance.

Scripture has much to say about suffering and God. He is our “very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1), he uses trials to mold our character (Rom. 5:3-4), he comforts us in the midst of tribulation (2 Co. 1:4), and he promises to deliver us from all trouble (Ps. 34:19, 50:15). The good news is that no trial on this earth will last forever. Paul calls the troubles of this life “light and momentary” when viewed in the light of eternity, and claims that they have the ability to work “an eternal weight of glory” in us (2 Co. 4:17). While there are many who espouse a gospel that guarantees a trouble-free life of health and wealth, I cannot find biblical grounds for such doctrine. When I read scripture, I see trouble as inevitable and even useful in God’s agenda for our lives. None of us enjoy it, but when I look back on my life I realize that, undeniably, suffering has been a highly effective tutor in my life.

This past year has been yet another wilderness experience for me. I have to say that after all these years, I’ve grown accustomed to it and have learned to look for the lessons in each trial. Still, nobody enjoys the heat of the wilderness, and I have found myself feeling weary beyond words. I stand before God with a willing spirit, but I am a tired and have told him that many times. This morning as I was reading through Numbers, the above passages stood out.

On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire… Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp… Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out.   (Nu. 9:15, 17-18, 22)

Apparently, the Spirit led the children of Israel to camp out in the wilderness for long periods of time. Last year, I went to Israel, and was able to visit the wilderness where the children of Israel camped. I visited Timna Valley and the replica of the wilderness tabernacle there. As we stood outside the tabernacle, I found myself feeling very uncomfortable in the desert heat, but as soon as we entered the tent there was immediate relief from the unpleasant temperature. For the Israelites, the presence of God hovered over the tabernacle in the form of a cloud by day that provided even more relief from the hot sun. Nighttime temperatures in the desert are usually pretty chilly, because of the lack of humidity, so the Spirit of God hovered over the tent in a cloud of fire at night. Living in the wilderness had to be uncomfortable for many reasons. Yet, God provided relief in the midst of it, especially for the priests who ministered in the temple.

Those of us who have been grafted into God’s family through Messiah (Rom. 11:17) have also been given the privilege of being part of God’s royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9). We can come boldly into God’s presence (Heb. 4:16), and that is where we can find relief from the extremes of wilderness life. In his presence there is fullness of joy (Ps. 16:11)—even in the midst of trouble. Just imagine what would happen to those who decided to wander away from the tabernacle. It would be very difficult to survive at all. As far as I could see in Timna, there were very few food and water sources for miles on end. Even so, those of us who try to force our way out of the wilderness before God leads, usually find ourselves much worse off than if we had waited patiently. The answer to victorious life, even in the midst of the wilderness, is to wait and to worship. We cannot force circumstances to change, but we can find joy and rest for our weary souls (Mt. 11:29) when we run to him. Eventually, he will lead us out of the wilderness, and the day is coming when we will be free of all earthly pain and sorrow. Until that day, he alone is enough.

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:4-5)

Lord, thank you that I am your child! Thank you that I can live victoriously even in the midst of hardship. You are my provider, my peace, and my shelter. I do not have to look frantically about for a way of escape, but I can wait on you and stand under the cloud of your presence. Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere (Ps. 84:10). Forgive me for becoming so impatient about life in the wilderness. I know you are good, and that you have a good plan for my life. Help me to remember that truth always. You are good, and it is so good to be able to come into your presence. I choose to worship you now. Amen