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Thursday, March 5, 2009

A Highly Recommended Reading (Buckle Your Seat Belt!)

"Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?  Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?"
 
There are very few people alive, in reality, probably none who have never experienced this.  It appears as though the psalmist was experiencing what I have described before as "The Dark Night of the Soul."  This phrase is the title of a work I have decided to read, written by St. John of the Cross, a Carmelite priest of the 16th century.  Yes, I do recognize many deep theological issues in Catholicism, but as with many Catholic writers over the centuries, it contains some powerful truth.  The basic premise is that a person experiences "the dark night of the soul" when he is passing from a state of spiritual infancy to that of spiritual maturity, and the "loneliness and desolation" he experiences, not as a result of God's abandonment, but the shocking reality that he is nowhere near the "place" Jesus has for him.  
 
This work is so powerful that I am sending it to our devotional Blog site.  I highly recommend it.  Of course, read it with discernment.  Also, there are definite theological phrases which are unfamiliar to Protestants.  If you have any questions about it, please contact me.  I have not read it all yet, but what I have reveals a most insightful revelation of a Believer's spiritual journey.  This may be premature, but so far, I would place it in the category of My Utmost For His Highest.  It is that powerful.   
 
So, be not discouraged today, dear saint.  Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning....When I awake, I am still with You!"  There are times when Father may seem "afar off," but He never is.  He is here.  He is there.  He is the Eternal Self-Existent One.  He has come to us in Jesus, and has promised, "I will never, no never leave you nor forsake you."  And wonder of wonders, the Holy Spirit, Breath of God, is "with you and in you."
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for what I have read of this 16th century man.  I feel so far from the objective----------- but I press on.  Amen.
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For the article mentioned above, go to: http://apfdevotionals.blogspot.com
News, Commentary:    www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com
 
 
 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Dark Night of the Soul | Christian Classics Ethereal Library

 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

"A Refuge in Times of Trouble."

"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." (Psalm 9:9)
 
The Hebrew word translated, "refuge," in our text, means,  "a cliff, or other lofty or inaccessible place."  If you are in Jesus Christ today, you are inaccessible to the Enemy of mankind!  Notice that David used the future tense, "The LORD also will be."  Perhaps David put our text in the future tense because he knew that the need for refuge will never cease in this present age.  He was saying, in affect, that no matter how bad things may be, they don't preclude them getting worse.  Do you think David could have conceived a Germany, 1933-1945?!?
 
These are difficult and trying times, not just for Americans, but citizens of the world, people loosing their jobs, retirement accounts dwindling, huge corporations, even nations, facing bankruptcy.  The American Government is arrogantly claiming that by throwing trillions of dollars at the problem, they can make it go away.  The God-Breathing Word, however, has warned humanity through the ages of the futility of seeking "refuge" in silver and gold.  Zephaniah warned the people of his day, "Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath."  Ezekiel prophesied, "....Their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the Lord; they shall not satisfy their animal cravings nor fill their stomachs with them, for [wealth] has been the stumbling block of their iniquity." (Amplified)
 
While the current "crisis" is not the worst humanity has ever faced, a crisis always seems to be the worst when you are in the middle of it.  David's life was full of crises and tragedy, yet he always found refuge in his Shepherd, Jesus.  While our text was composed by David 3000 years ago, it has carried the People of the Blessed Trinity through the storms and crises of the ages.  People in every generation whose Refuge is Jesus Christ--- Our Lofty Place Who is "inaccessible" to Satan and his schemes--- have found the Word of God Himself is True.  He told John, "....Write, for these words are true and faithful."  Pray that I may continue to do the same.    
 
Father, in Jesus' Name, You are not only "a refuge in the time of storm." You are my Eternal Refuge.  Amen.
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For Prophetic News and Commentary go to: www.antipasprayerforce.blogspot.com 
 
 
"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

"Always- Perpetually, Incessantly, At Any And Every Time"

"....I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  (Matthew 28:20b--NIV)

Most of what we read of the global news is not good.  It can test a person's faith and courage.  Sure, there are little "feel good" stories every day, but the trend of the human race is downward. I have referred to Winston Churchill's statement before, "Man has improved himself every way except morally."  The worst atrocities in man's short history did not occur in the so-called "Dark Ages."  They have occurred in my life time, and, if you believe the last Book of the Bible, because man rejects "The Way" for his way, the worst is yet to come for a humanity without Jesus Christ. 

But for those whose faith is Jesus Christ, faith and courage and great hope can be found today in our text.  "I am with you always."  The word translated in our English text, "always," actually comes from three words in the Greek text. Here is some of the idea of the word--- "perpetually, incessantly, invariably, at any and every time, something to be repeated, all the days, in all days."  If that is not enough assurance, Jesus then adds, literally, "to the consummation of the age," which most believe to mean, "until I return." 

I am not negative.  I am a realist.  You and I can be realists because of Jesus Christ.  He states the reality of the human heart and condition, then offers a way "out," His Way, His Very Person.  I cannot say it enough--- Cling to Jesus, trust in Jesus; "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus."  Of course we do not see Jesus with our physical eyes, but keep your thoughts on Jesus, in His Word, in worship, in service; "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  This will keep you from the fear and discouragement of the world, and impart great faith and courage------------------- until He returns to take you to Himself.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I rejoice in Your, "Always."  Amen.
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"Looking Unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2



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