Have you ever read anything in the Bible and thought, “I wish He would do that for me”? I have.
Look at Psalm 103:3 – 5 (here at Bible Gateway), He:
- Pardons all my iniquities,
- Heals all my diseases;
- Redeems my life from the pit,
- Crowns me with lovingkindness and compassion;
- Satisfies my years with good things, So that my youth is renewed like the eagle.
Last time I read that, I was recovering from Covid, was facing the last two maintenance rounds of chemo. One of my pastors said you have four things that have a side effect of fatigue, cancer, chemo, covid, and Cunningham… He thought that was really funny…
When I read this, my response is, “Lord can you do this for me? Will you?” It is without question that He can.
However, I have reacted to the way “healers” demand healing that has made me think or has given me a mindset that makes me hesitant to ask Him or believe that He would heal me.
The cancer I have is incurable, but He can cure it. Will He? He can cure all of the ailments I have. He can cure all of the ailments that my love ones have either faced or are dealing with now. He can, but, will He?
The pull is to look for the right words or behavior that will get His attention. But that overlooks Psalm 139 (here at Bible Gateway) and Ephesians 2:10 (here at Bible Gateway), does it not?
So, how does one approach this? Is it not to trust Him with whatever He choses to do? Knowing and trusting that what He chooses is best. Isn’t that what Paul does in 2 Corinthians 12:9 – 10 (here at Bible Gateway)?
At great risk of seeming callow and presumptuous, I am going to post a series of meditations from Job that I think start to address this issue.
ReplyDeleteVENDING MACHINE THEOLOGY
ReplyDelete"Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent is at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. You shall know also that your offspring shall be many, and your descendants as the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
Job 5:17-26 ESV
¶I love this story! Eliphaz sets up the conflict by elaborating all the reasons Job should not be in this situation. Yet if that were all there was to it, we wouldn't have the story of one man's walk of faith through the worst of times, so James is able write of him "consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful". If Job was able, despite all the conventional wisdom to the contrary, to persevere through his trials to this, he won.
I like that you are processing the Word this way. Writing out what you have seen is an exceptionally good way to sharpen your thinking.
DeleteRUNNING ON EMPTY
ReplyDeleteWhat is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient? Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?
Job 6:11-13 ESV
¶We are told of the patience of Job. James even cites him as an example of patience in the face of suffering. But at the time, for Job, this is what it was like: "Where is the strength to wait? How can I be patient? What am I waiting for? I am not made of stone, I cannot just sit here and take it. I know, I'm supposed to wait, be patient, but I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE! I'm on empty." God did not make us robots, or with hearts of stone. He made us vulnerable, capable of not only of suffering, but of despairing about our suffering. But suffering is the raw material out of which human connection is formed. It's the thing we all share, the thing God condescended to share with us. That is why we cannot casuistically reason someone else out of their suffering: "If you would only, then..." We have to feel their pain.
This is a good thought. Especially in the last half of the paragraph.
DeleteGOD IS A PERSON
ReplyDeleteIf you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.
Job 11:13-15 ESV
¶Zophar begins to describe a vending-machine view of God that veers dangerously close to legalism. Our relationship with Him is personal, not transactional. Fairness and justice belong to Him. We may worship Him for that, but it is not for us to use it as leverage over Him. Fairness does not exist as something over and above God. If it did, then that would be God.
I was going to copy the part that I really liked to show you what it waa, but, fact is I liked it all. Especially the comment about our relationship not being transactional. Kent, your writing seems to be helping you focus your thinking.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteRather than being a general "get out of trouble free card", Psalm 103 is a prophecy about those who overcome, whose names are written in the Book of Life, who shelter in prayer beneath the altar of the Lamb of God. It looks back to Exodus's deliverance, and forward to Revelation's apocalypse. Our task in applying this Psalm, especially in the age of pandemic, is to remember, and to import into our present experience the hope of this end-time reality, and fulfill our destiny as faithful, prayerful, overcoming servants of the coming King.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in how you validate the declarations in the second sentence. Look.forward to hearing that from you.
DeleteThe Lord works righteousness
ReplyDeleteand justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children's children,
18 to those who keep his covenant
and remember to do his commandments.
19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all.
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ReplyDeleteTHE THIRD OPTION
ReplyDeleteAnd you have shriveled me up, It has become a witness; And my infirmity rises up against me, It testifies to my face. Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And my advocate is on high.
Job 16:8, 19
¶A world that believes "you only get what you pay for" believes Job must have gotten what he deserved. Job finds himself indicted, not because of his wickedness, but because of his weakness. He's stuck. His dilemma is that he is unable to identify the wrongdoing that put him in this situation, but he is also unable to prove he's free from all guilt. All he can do is call upon heaven as his witness. In appealing to God, he will be surprised to find solid ground: God does not deal with us as we deserve. (Psalm 103: 10) Job is gradually becoming aware of a third option, rooted in the deep purposes of God: "God has saved us, ... not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:9)