July 10, 2010 A Little Lower Than God

A big difference, you'll notice, between godly people and the ungodly, is the people of God honor people; the ungodly do not.  Although people who don't fear God will idolize others, they'll just as soon tear them down with ridicule.  God's people will honor others, whether they deserve it or not, even after they're dead.  A key reason for this is that people were made by God in His image, and are His property.  If we dishonor others, we dishonor God.

Psalm 8 is one of the most "incredibly" edifying Scripture passages I know.  It really does seem incredible to us to think that God would think of us at all, much less visit us, speak to us, and crown us with honor and glory.  It is so difficult for fallen humans to accept that He made us "a little lower than God," that the word elohim is often translated here as "angels," even though it's the same Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1-- God created the heavens and the earth.  Yes, we had fallen below the angels, but Jesus Christ has been raised up above all, and we are part of His body, even if we are only His feet.

God has always given honor to even the lowliest of positions in service to Him.  I hadn't really taken notice of this verse before:  "Mattithiah of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, had the trusted office over the things that were baked in the pans." 1 Chronicles 9:31 NKJV  Whatever we do, God sees and rewards faithfulness when we're doing it as unto the Lord.  Giving others appreciation and affirmation is a way of thanking and praising the Lord.  When we consider that each of His children are part of His body, it is easier to honor and affirm them. 

Even the ungodly carry the image of God in them, no matter how sullied and twisted, and they might still become part of God's kingdom.  It is extremely unbecoming of God's people to put others down in a disgusted fashion, but I see this happening so much in the name of "righteousness."  How are we ever to win the lost to Christ if we do not treat people with respect, even if they are sinners?  Hating sin is not the same as despising people.  God so loved the world. . .

The Apostle Paul was a faithful watcher, even on a tempest-tossed ship.  He apparently interceded for everyone, not only to save his own skin.  He was visited by an angel to bring the answer to his request-- everyone's life would be spared.  There were sailors, soldiers, prisoners, a Roman centurion-- 276 people in all.  Many of these must have given their lives to the Lord after that. To me, now, this number will always signify that God values life, even the life of unbelievers. 

It is up to us, His people, to watch and pray.  The world system is a sinking ship: but God already has a plan in place to save as many souls as will cling to His saving grace. 

July 9, 2010 Trusting God In Someone Else's Ship

Have you ever felt frustrated when you feel the person in charge is making a serious mistake?  I have.  I've been a "voyager in someone else's ship" most of my life-- as a child dependent on parents in a troubled marriage, as a teenager in a ultra-restrictive boarding school, as a college student on scholarships trying to please a demanding professor, as a young new-Christian wife struggling to submit to her less-than-wise husband, as an employee attempting to do good work under a corrupt boss, and even as a church member trying her best to follow a confused pastor.  I'm sure there are as many tales like this as there are people.  The challenge is to stay true to our faith and keep our trust in the Lord.

Once we come of age, we often have choices about what we will do about a "captain" who is sailing off into a seemingly life-threatening storm.  I've had to make some difficult decisions, but the Lord was always with me through it all.  The Apostle Paul had a word from God to keep him staying on with a ship that was sure to sink. That takes some strong faith!  Sometimes marriage feels like a sinking ship, and if you're a wife, you may feel like jumping!  (Fortunately, we're not prisoners as Paul was, although it may feel like it sometimes.  Reminding ourselves of our desire to make the commitment can help us weather the storm.) Guys have a different problem: they are the ones who have to decide where to take that ship.  I'm glad I don't have to take the helm!  However, sometimes we have to say what we see, whether it's believed or not.  Paul did.  Then he just had to hold on to his vision and trust in God for the outcome.  I have to wonder what was going on in Dr. Luke's mind during all this, since he was on the ship too!

Prayer is always the first action we should take-- it should be automatic.  That's when we get our directions, and peace.  So often, things just seem to straighten themselves out when we pray.  Staying in the Word, too, keeps our eyes focused on the Lord:  isn't He really the Captain of our life anyway?  He knows exactly what's going on, and He's committed to our well-being.  He is the manager of our trials.  Even though being under the leadership of, or even being dependent on, another human being is probably one of the most difficult trials we undergo, we can be assured that the Lord is still watching over us for our benefit-- and for the other person's as well.

There are times we feel we must confront.  Emotional pleas just do not work!  I've tried it many times, and I simply give up.  My overwrought emotional state doesn't convince anyone of my ability to think clearly!  I will not be listened to, no matter how right I am.  Getting my focus on the Lord and seeking Him for peace is top priority.  Then, I may be heard by the "captain" if I present the information I have with calm and clarity.  It's up to him, then, to decide what to do with my intelligence (it's called intelligence for a reason-- you'd better know what you're talking about if you want to be listened to).  I must maintain in faith.

Even if you end up having to go through a shipwreck, know this: God is able to preserve you.  His ways are always redemptive, never forget.  He may be working with the "captain" of the ship you're in, to bring some level of change or repentance or growth; but even if it's mostly about them, guess what?  God's going to bring you to another level of faith, trust, backbone, maturity-- whatever it is you need to grow in.  He uses all things for our good, even shipwrecks.