But this gift often comes in the form of pain and suffering. At that point, it feels more like a terrible nightmare – except you don’t wake up to a normal day afterwards. The pain and agony seems to continue with no end in sight. 

Then God shows up. Oh, you’d expect him to clean up all the mess and wipe out all the pain. But he doesn’t. In the midst of the pain, he shows up and walks with you. 

Jesus told Peter that he would face severe trials aimed at him by Satan, he was to strengthen the brothers after he had turned again (Luke 22:31). The trials were to be a turning point for him. He would use his experiences to strengthen others. 

Paul passes on this concept to the Corinthian church when he said: Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

While we are experiencing the difficulty, it may not seem like a time of “mercy.” Rather, it’s full of pain, agony, affliction and a host of other struggles. But God gives us strength. His mercies are new every morning like the dew.

That mercy is what we get to pass onto others. When we see people in pain, show mercy and pray for their healing. When we see people struggling with addictions, show mercy by being patient with them. When we see people in sin, show mercy by being forgiving, and invite them into the kingdom of our Lord.  

God gave you the gift of mercy so you can share it with others. 

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At least on the surface it will seem baseless. When everything around you crumbles, when opposition is more severe than you’ve ever imagined, when death is at your door…what confidence?

“Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident” (Psalm 27:3).

This entire Psalm is structured with this conflict and confidence theme. Each instance of conflict is pivoted with confidence in the Lord. The severity of the conflict is not minimized, nor is the power of the Lord limited to bring you through that conflict. 

As in any battle situation, there will be losses and certainly some injury. Acknowledge it as a part of the battle. But keep your focus on our victorious Lord who brings us through each battle. The war has already been won. You’re fighting the small battles to clear off some of the residue. Continue to push through every battle and difficulty with the strength of the Lord.

That’s confidence, knowing that the war has already been won.

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I’ve had sincere, well meaning people tell me: “Pastor, we need to respond and discipline people when they fall out of line. Jesus did. He used a whip. We should not be too relaxed.”

Well of course! We should do as Jesus did. But Jesus used a literal whip and a proverbial whip for the self-righteous and for those who used the temple as a means to make money. He was quite forceful with them. 

But with sinners and those who were needy, he was merciful and kind. He never condemned sinners but was quick to forgive, love, and accept. 

Yet at the same time, he was quite focused on who can be his disciples. He said that if they wanted to be his disciples, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. His “call” was also inclusive of proclaiming the kingdom. He said to one man as he called him to follow: “Leave the dead to buy their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 

Now about us using the whip. I’m not so sure if we are qualified to do so. You see, our interpretation of who is self-righteous and who is using the temple to make money can be skewed. Our own self interests and misconceptions coupled with our lack of understanding can get in the way of seeing others clearly. I think it’s best to leave the whip to God and continue to show mercy wherever we can. 

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It’s so true that you become like those you spend the most time with. Imagine spending an increasing amount of time with the Lord! Consider what that will do for you in every aspect of your life. 

But I’ve heard it said that some people are so heavenly minded that they become useless here on earth. Whatever that means, I want to be more and more like our Lord. That’s what he wants of us too. 

“O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory wells (Psalm 26:8).

When we spend more time in God’s presence, he transforms our hearts and minds. We get his vision for the world and for ourselves. First we see ourselves as we truly are. We’re made aware of our sin and  our brokenness. As we’re truly open with God and confess our sins, he takes us to the next phase. Second, we see the world as God sees it. Along with seeing the sinfulness and brokenness, we will see the world with his eyes of mercy, not judgement. 

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Sounds to me like a rash insensitive statement. “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49) These words were spoken in response to Mary’s words of frustration. “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress” (Luke 2:48). Yet we know that he went back with them to Nazareth and was submissive to them. 

But it was clear that his heavenly Father must have priority. Not that his parents here on earth didn’t count. But there was this one thing that drove him on further than anything else in life. That One Thing meant everything to him and that one thing drove him on. 

What’s your One Thing? What will you prioritize above everything else? That one thing needs to be your driving force. For Jesus it was the will of his Father. Now, you have an important choice to make. 

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But isn’t integrity something deep within that can’t be compromised in the first place? Yet if the circumstances are right (or wrong), we make excuses for compromising our integrity. Some see it as a “payback” for what others have done to them.

When dealing with an organization, we are anonymous and it becomes a bit easier to compromise our integrity. We somehow find it safe behind that anonymity. There may be a host of other reasons we have for compromising integrity.

The psalmist David said: “My integrity and uprightness preserves me, for I wait for you” (Psalm 25:21).

David found his answer in waiting. He waited for God. He waited for God’s response. Although he did not know what the future held, he knew that God could be trusted. He waited for God’s deliverance.

And time and time again, God proved himself faithful. David could stay uncompromised with his integrity. He knew that God would come through.
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What will it take to give up food? What will cause you to give up your home? Your family? Even your life? It would have to be something really significant.

Jesus considered the kingdom of God as most significant for our lives. And we’re not required to give up food or proper clothing. All those things are part of our lives. 

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

I think the bigger question is, ‘What will it take to stay focused on the one thing that’s most important?” We can easily get distracted with the common things of life like food and clothing. Jesus promises that since our Father knows what we need, we can stay focused on that one thing that’s most important to us. 

Don’t get distracted by anything at all. Stay focused on the one thing that’s most significant. Jesus defines that one thing as the Kingdom of God. 

What’s your one thing?

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“What’s the big deal? I have the freedom to do what I want. The words I speak and the things I do are of my own choice. As long as I don’t do any serious damage or crimes, I’m safe. I have nothing to worry about.”

There is no doubt that it is your choice to do what you do and to speak what you speak But the problem is that your soul is involved in every action and thought. 

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear decietfully” (Psalm 24:3-4).

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for “soul” indicated a person’s entire being. So what you do in your body or mind affects your entire being, your soul. Whatever good you do, or sins you commit affects your soul, your entire being.  

Of course you have the freedom to do whatever you wish (sort of). But now your freedom implies a choice. It is not just a choice between good or bad. Rather, it is a choice of what you will allow to impact your soul, your entire being. Like David, the question is, What do you want to “lift up your soul” to?

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…you go and proclaim the kingdom. What? The man wanted to go bury his father and this was Jesus’ statement. Quite difficult to grasp – like several other statements that Jesus made. 

But the words of Jesus was simply a hyperbole. He wanted the man to look beyond the numerous important things in life to that One Thing that’s a priority. Jesus’ words did not restrict the man from burying his father. But such thoughts as these limited his ability to do what is most important. 

Keep the regular, mundane things of our day in its perspective. Give the greater value to what’s most important. See everything in the perspective of the One Thing that is most important. 

The problem wasn’t that the man wanted to bury his father. That was certainly an important duty in life. Rather the problem was that he saw things from the perspective of the natural, regular mundane things of life. 

What’s your One Thing?

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So what’s new? It may be difficult to think of a time where you had all your needs met. Often, there is financial, health, emotional, or social needs. You may not be needy in one area, but in another area, you’ll have needs. But the psalmist David said, “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

Maybe the idea is: “WHEN” the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want. Then HE leads me beside still waters. HE restores your soul. HE leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Try reading the entire Psalm 23 by putting emphasis on the pronouns for God. 

These days I’m asking myself this question: “is HE” leading me? Or am I moving along using the best, greatest, and latest ideas and asking for God’s blessings? Then when I am in “want,” I complain. I get frustrated with the incongruency of my life and the promises of God. 

Maybe it’s time to follow the leading of our Shepherd. Allow Him to take you through paths He wants for us. Maybe then we can say: “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.”

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