Always the Promise

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (KJV) 12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

(Proverbs 28 also read)

This passage is buried in the heart of Jeremiah preaching a message of condemnation.  It is sent to the portion of Israel from the southern kingdom who ended up in captivity.  Exactly how it applies to us is debated in some theological traditions but I think the principle applies today.

God does not turn His back on His people.  For that matter, He is always willing to listen to the cry of repentance, even from the pagan.  The sad reality is that He does not hear it often enough.  The promise is that when we genuinely seek Him we will find Him.

So?  That can be either a simple reminder that encourages us or a breathtaking new idea that has the potential to transform our lives.  Apply as needed.  

The Dichotomy of David

Psalm 51:10 (KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

At the beginning of the Psalm we are told that this was written after Nathan had confronted David with his sin regarding Bathsheba.  In the context of that blatant disobedience and failure on David’s part, we have a long confession of guilt and throwing himself on the mercy of God.  Why was Saul rejected and David continually restored?  Why was David called a man after God’s own heart?  Read this chapter and find out.

I think David knew he had sinned, but it took Nathan to force the issue.  Would David have eventually come to this position without Nathan?  I guess it’s possible but this is the way it happened and here he is calling out in repentance.  I like that idea of renewal that is presented here.  That is a constant hope that we have.

So?  David was a failure in so many ways.  He was a success in the way that counts.  He lived in constant repentance and awareness of his failure.  That’s a good example for us.  

Incongruence

Psalm 99:8 (KJV) Thou answeredst them, O LORD our God: thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.

(Proverbs 24 also read)

We see two sides of God in this verse.  On one side, we see forgiveness.  On the other, we see vengeance.  God is the same in both cases.  Israel also seems to be the same.  Are both necessary?  How serious is the vengeance in the company of forgiveness?

One of the clues I see for this is in how many of the Psalms I have read where the writer is calling upon God for His mercy, but is not expressing confession or repentance.  I think that’s really key.  God wants to forgive.  He does forgive.  The problem is if we don’t repent sincerely then what is in store for us is the vengeance God.

I would guess if the vengeance comes on different levels the first level of God’s wrath would be designed to bring us to repentance.  God’s patience is very real and He continues to try and turn us.  When we refuse repeatedly, it’s time for vengeance.

So?  Walk and live in repentance.  Be willing to listen to what God has to say.  He really wants to forgive.  Take advantage of that.  

The Key

(1Sa 7:6 KJV)  And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

I have made a number of observations while reading through Psalms.  The writers are repeatedly pointing out how God has judged them and times are hard.  They are continually pleading for God to restore them and punish there enemies.  What is missing so often in Psalms is present in this verse:  Repentance.

Notice that they are confessing their sin.  They are pleading for God to have mercy on them.  Because they confess, God answers.  If you keep reading you will see that happening.

So?  Don’t fall into the trap of asking for blessing if you are not willing to confess and repent.  

Still Missing the Point

Psalms 80:3 (KJV) Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

This is a wonderful prayer.  On the surface, it reflects an awareness that salvation only comes from God.  If all you read was this, you might wonder why God is not responding.  If you have your Bible, try reading the entire Psalm and asking yourself, “What is missing?”  Again, or is it still?

What’s missing, as I pointed out before, is an admission of their own sin and rebellion.  At this point in time, Israel has centuries of spitting in God‘s face, ignoring His law and following other gods.  Now, for some reason, they are finally running out of other avenues to follow and they are calling on God again.

How did we get here?  I don’t know.  I don’t know exactly where this fits in and I don’t know what God did after this.  I do know that God honors the faithful remnant so even at this point there are probably some who have been faithful.  They would have the right to pray this prayer.

So?  Are you one of those who thinks you’re going to wait until you’re on your deathbed and then pray the sinner’s prayer?  My analysis is that it probably won’t work at that point because God knows your heart and He knows your sincerity.  We both hope I’m wrong.  

Were They Answered?

Psalms 79:1 (KJV) [[A Psalm of Asaph.]] O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

(Proverbs 5 also read)

When was this Psalm written?  Notice that it has the temple being defiled and Jerusalem being destroyed.  The only time that I can think of before this Psalm has to be written would be when the Babylonians deported the southern Kingdom.  Whoever is writing seems to looking back instead of forward.  I guess it’s possible this could be a prophecy, but I don’t see it.

Did God answer this prayer?  We would automatically want to say yes, but that’s if we don’t stop to think about the historical context.  For a brief time the exiles were allowed to return and rebuild the temple, but the nation of Israel was not really reestablished until 1948.  We still have no temple.

As I have noted before the piece that is missing in this Psalm is confession and repentance.  They’re willing to admit that their ancestors were not obedient, but I don’t see them confessing their own sins.

So?  God listens.  God responds.  But keep in mind He has His standards also and one of them is that we must bend our knee before Him and not just pass the buck for failure to other people.  

Overlooked Patience

Jeremiah 26:3 (KJV) If so be they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil, which I purpose to do unto them because of the evil of their doings.

(Proverbs 9 also read)

I am currently reading in Jeremiah and just worked through chapter 26.  One of the things that strikes me as I read Jeremiah is not that Jeremiah is the weeping prophet or that God is threatening to destroy Israel.  What impresses me is the constant effort of forgiveness and restoration that God offers.

God has made it clear what the consequences are of their rebellion and refusal to follow along.  He is condemning them.  Keep in mind that when it talks about refusing to obey the law, it’s not talking about plowing with an ox and a donkey it’s talking about worshiping other gods.  They were sacrificing their children in the fire to Molock.  This is serious stuff and they are incredibly guilty.

In spite of that God offers to set aside that disobedience, to forgive and restore them.

So?  We need to bask in the love of God.  We can’t presume.  We can’t assume.  But we can be honest with Him and repent.  He waits to forgive.  He longs to forgive.  The ball is in our court.  

A Case for Both/And

Proverbs 15:10 (KJV) Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.

At first, I compared this in the KJV to the NKJV.  I saw a clear difference in how it was translated.  As I compare different translations, I saw two ways in which this was viewed.  The first was that for the person who forsakes the way of God correction will be hard to take and severe.  The other is that the person who forsakes of God will not respond well to discipline.

I am guessing that the different translations are more in the attitude of the translator them in the clarity of the text.  After a brief moment of trying to figure out which might be better I realize that this is a case where the Holy Spirit has caused the Bible to be translated in different ways, not showing that we would say either/or, but that we would say both/and.

Notice this is not just condemning the person who makes a mistake or gets a little casual.  This is the person who turns his back and walks away from God.  God is not amused.  Even more than that God realizes this person needs to be smacked hard if they’re going to be brought to the awareness of their need for repentance.

So?  Obviously, the first and most important thing is to be obedient and to serve God with all your heart mind, soul and strength.  I think it would be that if you ever do get smacked down to examine your life and find out if there is a growing belligerence or insensitivity, and you are directing your feet outside of his direction.  Grow in grace.  

Blame Game

Psalms 80:6 (KJV) Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.

(Proverbs 25 also read)

The statement by the Psalmist is a good example of why Israel had so much trouble in it’s history.  The context of the Psalm is that they are being laughed at by all the surrounding countries because they’re going through such hard times.  I assume that there are invasions and chaos in the culture.  It could be harvest failures.  It really doesn’t matter.  What matters is whom is to blame.

Notice that the Psalmist blames God for things.  His statement that God made the strife implies that God is the cause of the problem.  In reality, God is simply responding to Israel‘s rebellion and lack of obedience.  Who is the actual cause of the problem?

So?  We all have problems.  Some of those problems are caused by other people, by the weather, by government, or just by chance.  Many of those problems are caused by us.  We make decisions.  We have priorities.  We respond irrationally.  We need to be open and honest with that and instead of just asking God to bail us out, we ask Him to make us different, to change us.  That is part of the plan of salvation. 

Loving Fish Eyes

Proverbs 21:15 (KJV) It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Have you ever noticed how some people rejoice in certain situations, specific foods, different types of company?  Have you ever talked to someone who has a negative reaction to a common, over-the-counter, medication?  Have you ever met someone who likes fire and brimstone preaching?  We all tend to be very different.

I was talking with a lady whom I believe was born in China and is now an American citizen.  I asked her about the kind of Chinese food we have here in America and how it compared to the real thing.  In the course of the discussion, she commented on how when she was a child, they would fight over who got to eat the fish eyes.  Needless to say, I was not real enthused about the prospect.  The eyes of a fish are not exactly something that I would consider a delicacy, but for her, it was the best part of the whole feast.

Sadly, doing the right thing is the same.  There are some people who just rejoice in a being able to do that which is right.  Others can’t wait until they can get away with something.  We see this in young children.  It’s not just a matter of being compliant or easy to get along with, it’s a matter of where the heart is directed.

As children both the compliant and the difficult are lost in sin.  Both need the grace of God.  Both need to learn repentance and faith in Jesus.  I’m not sure which one has it easier.  The compliant child probably feels like they’re OK already.  The difficult child is hard to convince.

So?  Either way each of us has to come to that position of standing before the justice seat of God and repenting of our sins. 

Angle on Repentance

Proverbs 9:6 (KJV) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

One of the trails my thinking is running down deals with salvation and what’s involved in it.  I’m thinking of words like justification, regeneration, faith, grace, and a word that I never thought was controversial, but evidently is, repentance.

Evidently there are some people that think that repentance is a work of the law and is not necessary.  I find that rather novel and naïve.  Why that comes to mind is that in looking at this verse I see an insight offered about what repentance involves.  Noticed that first word “Forsake”.  I always think of repentance as being a change in direction.  I believe that’s at part of the root of the word, turning.  This gives another view of it.  When you turn. when you change direction. you are forsaking things which have been important to you before.  You are forsaking your goals and possibly your dreams.

So?  Forsake in a sense means to let go.  I understand “let it go” as not just to release your hold upon the rope and sink into the sea but to transfer your grasp to something that will actually save you.  You’re letting go of your own ambitions, strength and wisdom, and instead trusting in God, and in the blood of Jesus.  Just another view of repentance. 

What Is Missing?

Psalms 74:7 (KJV) They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.

(Proverbs 8 also read)

This is a Psalm written by Asaph.  It is not David speaking.  It’s not Solomon.  As I read over this verse, it almost seems like this is written after the southern kingdom is hauled off into exile.  Noticed that the sanctuary, the temple, has been destroyed.  That’s just my observation.  I don’t know what the scholars say.

Israel is in dire straits.  The whole Psalm reads as a desperate people crying out to their God for refuge.  We know that God offers refuge.  We know that God has promised a willingness to redeem his people.  We know all of that.  So do they.  What is missing in this Psalm?

Repentance.  Confession.

There are plenty of attempts to manipulate God, and a desire to appeal to His ego.  It didn’t work for them.  And my point today is, it won’t work for us.

So?  Seek the Lord with a heart willing to confess and willing to repent.  God will meet us, but He doesn’t meet us when our arrogance colors the meeting. 

Tone Deaf God

Psalms 66:18 (KJV) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

(Proverbs 25 also read)

I know you don’t want to hear this.  I know you don’t wanna admit it exists.  In spite of that, it still says what it says.  There are certain conditions in which God will not listen.

This is a scary thought so let’s try and break it down a little bit.  I looked at the different words using my software and the word “regard” is most often translated “see”.  So it has the idea of if I see iniquity, God will not hear.  “Iniquity” is a word which is different from the basic word “sin” but I don’t see anything significant to break it down for me.

On the one side because we know that we have a tendency towards sin it can’t mean that.  If it did, God would never listen.  So it must mean that if we take the time to examine ourselves and see that we are living in a condition of rebellion against God and we still try to pray without repentance, God will not listen.

So?  Since I believe that God is always wanting to hear us and always wanting us to come into His presence, I have to conclude that this is an admonition to us to take the time to consider our hearts, and to think about my love for God.  He will listen if we are sincere, which involves repentance and honesty with ourselves. 

Basic Requirements

Psalms 79:6 (KJV) Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.

(Proverbs 19 also read)

If you look at the first couple verses of this Psalm, you realize that it could not have been written before the exile of the southern kingdom.  There was no temple until Solomon, and to my knowledge, it was not destroyed until the Babylonians came.  So we are talking late in Israel’s history.

The call of Asaph is for God to pull their chestnuts out of the fire and restore them to whatever he thinks they had before.  I guess that’s a natural desire.  But you notice there are two things here that he is leaning on.  First is a knowledge of God.  Second is calling upon His name.  There is no indication in this Psalm that either one of these are enough.

I continue to see a lack of repentance and personal confession.  He admits that his ancestors were disobedient rebels but there’s nothing about him.  There’s nothing about his contemporaries.

So?  When calling upon God and calling upon His name make sure that your call is based upon the right requirements.  God doesn’t want to just hear empty words.  He wants to hear the cry of a contrite heart.  He doesn’t play games.  He waits to respond to the right call. 

Early Morning Ears

Proverbs 3:12 (KJV) For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

As I read this, my thoughts turn to how correction and guidance do not have to be overwhelming or a matter of stern discipline.  I think about how God dealt with Israel with constant reminders and constant calls to repentance.  Israel’s response?  Business as usual.  We often focus on the tremendous threats offered by the prophets, and the tragedy of those threats being carried out.  We think of the deportation of the northern kingdom, and the ten tribes, and how they are never heard from again.  We think of the eventual exile of the southern tribes, and all of the death and destruction that went along with it.

It didn’t have to be . If Israel, as a nation had simply listened to the gentle voice of God, then they would’ve never had to face the storm.

So?  Is God speaking to you?  Are you listening?  There’s a reason why we refer to the influence of the Holy Spirit as “a still small voice.”  You can listen now or you can be punished later.  You can respond to the general nudging or wait for whack-a-mole. 

Break the Eggs

Psalms 88:14 (KJV) LORD, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?

(Proverbs 19 also read)

This might qualify as the most depressing passage of scripture in the entire Bible. The author is going through great difficulty.  He is suffering.  He feels totally abandoned.  He calls upon God again and again.

Is God listening?  I think he asked that question earlier.  Is God going to answer?  To be honest, I don’t think so.  I see in this entire Psalm there is one thing that is missing.  There is one ingredient that does not show up.  He mentions God’s love and kindness.  He mentions great things about God, but he leaves out the key ingredient.

Have you heard the proverb that you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.  I think we could apply that here and say that you can’t expect answers to prayer without repentance.  Maybe I’m being too harsh.  I see this in the number of the Psalms.  The writers cry out to God, as if it’s a problem with God.  At the same time, they never admit sin in their own lives.

So?  There are several places where the Bible points out God does not answer the prayer of sinners, the unrepentant.  We’re not saying that you have to get all your act gather.  I’m not claiming that you have to be perfect.  What I am saying is that God is expecting you with confession of sin, and an attitude of repentance.

Backwards

Psalms 80:18 (KJV) So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.

(Proverbs 15 also read)

Asaph has a definite view of God and Israel.  I would say that his perspective is at the heart of why God allowed Israel to be deported and debased.  If my memory serves me correctly, you never have Asaph speaking of repentance.  He seems totally unaware of why God was allowing His people to suffer.  It’s very clear to the prophets.  It’s clear in the history’s.  It makes me wonder why he couldn’t see, but he misses it.

Even here we see a reversal of the order of how things should be.  He reminds me of Wimpy saying that he would be glad to pay you on Tuesday if you would buy him a hamburger today.  Here we see a typical way to try and get around repentance.  Asaph says if you revive us, if you touch us, if you pull us out of our difficult situation, then we will call upon Your name.

So?  It doesn’t work that way when we call upon God.  We approach Him with repentance.  We confess our sin.  We believe in Jesus.  In a word, we call upon His name.  And then He will “quicken us”.

Back on Track

(Psa 51:12 KJV)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

I find this verse encouraging.  There may be times when we feel like we have walked away from God.  You can call it backsliding or being out of fellowship depending on your theology, but the point is you are not where you should be.  David here is asking what we can also ask.  He wants God to “restore” (7725) the “joy” (8342) that he once knew.

Again, you can take this to be applied wherever you are.  God has a way of meeting us and except for a few hard hearted game players is always willing to bring us back to where we should be.

So?  What an opportunity for some.  For others it is just an awareness of an emergency kit they may never need. 

A Surprising Context

(2Ch 7:14 KJV)  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

(Proverbs 31 also read)

As I was contemplating this verse this morning I spent a bit more time on the context that usual.  To be honest, I was surprised.  I have always heard this referred to as a verse for the hard times, when things are going south.  I pretty much accepted that because it fits and it works for that but imagine my shock that this was a promise given to Israel in one of their most exciting moments of spiritual triumph.  You can look it up or take my word for it.  

Solomon has just finished the temple and gone through the glory of its dedication.  At the beginning of this chapter God appears to Him and accepts the gift of a house of worship for Him.  Then suddenly He shifts gears and says that if He is ever forced to send bad times on them then....  This verse was given in good times to be tucked away for bad times.

So?  Compared to the rest of the world and the sweep of history we are still in good times.  Compared to the times I was raised in we are at a new low.  Take your pick but tuck away the promise of God and remember that the promise is based on repentance and prayer. 

Is It a Hammer Falling?

(Psa 60:1 KJV)  O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

(Proverbs 20 also read)

We have a clear statement by David that he feels “rejected” (2186a) by God.  The “us” is more than the Royal We.  Things are not going well.  I understand that during times of celebration, like Christmas, many people experience feelings like this more than they would normally.  Any time we come across a discussion of depression there is the danger of taking our experience as being the norm and thus criticizing harshly.  When it comes to depression I would fall into that trap.  So I will just reflect on my experience without casting dispersion on anyone else.

I went through a long period struggling with depression.  I could sit and stare at the wall for the entire day.  In spite of that crippling mental condition I managed to get done the things that absolutely had to be done.  Because of that I don’t know that I would fit into the category of “clinical depression”, but for me it was very real.  Eventually the Lord helped me to see that I was just sunk into pity parties and needed to “walk it off”, as they say.

There are other times when we feel things are going terribly and we feel we have done something to cause it.  That is where David is.  Israel went through a regular cycle of rejecting God.  God would put up with it for a time, maybe send a prophet, but eventually He would realize that it was time to bring the hammer down.  For David that was Edom and Moab.  For you it might be the IRS or a lightening strike.  The answer was repentance and forgiveness.

So?  If the season is getting to you it may just be a pity party.  It may also be God trying to get your attention.  I can’t decide which it is for you.  I have a hard enough time with my own situation.  Be open to the things God may be trying to communicate.  It might help to talk to someone you trust to get a different perspective.  Find a way to enjoy the season.