Tag: psalms 107

Sun setting over calm ocean with dark storm clouds, rain, and lightning
30daysofpraise, Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, Christian women, Faith, god, Jesus, Jesus Follower, politics, religion, scripture, Uncategorized

Before the Omnipotent God

krisshetter

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”  Psalms 107:29

“He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.”  Matthew 8:26

I read there are 365 instances of the phrase “fear not” in the Bible.  I would venture to say they all come from the mouth of either angels, Jesus or God the Father.  The visitations of heavenly beings were not cherub-like, Hallmark babies with wings.  No, their awe-inspiring sight led prophets such as Isaiah to proclaim: 

“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”  Isaiah 6:5

In other words, he was scared witless.  So frightened by the sight of El Shaddai, the LORD Almighty, our omnipotent God, that it brought Isaiah to deep conviction of his sin and unworthiness before Him.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone holding a Precious Moments angel and be brought to that state of mind.

He Rules and Reigns

“He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”  Daniel 2:21

God’s omnipotence is not limited to personal encounters— He governs all of history.  In the book of Daniel we see the almighty God at work throughout the visions and events.  We are reminded that kings, rulers, presidents, etc, are only in their positions because God alone allows it.  He uses all of them for His plan and purposes.  So much so that Isaiah also gave us these words from God: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

It’s not just governments that are under El Shaddai’s rule.  As we read in the opening verses, all nature is under His command.  We are to “fear not” when faced with disasters.  That seems like a difficult task, doesn’t it?  We have the benefit of looking back over the “men in the boat” scriptures from Matthew and Mark.  But the disciples did not.  They were in the boat, in the moment, in the storm.  And they were terrified, especially thinking Jesus couldn’t care any less. They discovered He was fully in control of nature at all times.

He Can and He Will

When disaster strikes, fear whispers the same lie: either God cannot help, or He will not. This is why remembering God’s character matters. He is Creator and Deliverer. He loves us. He sees our needs—even when His ways are beyond our understanding. He is all‑powerful.

“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” – Revelation 5:11-12

Friends, if we could honor God’s omnipotence with fear and trembling like the angels and so many of the saints in the Bible we would be strengthened daily.  From Mary Magdalene to Abraham and Philip to Elijah they dropped to their knees in amazement, wonder and a bit of fear.  Our God is not the god of the Wizard of Oz – an old man hiding behind a curtain using man-made efforts to control the world.  The God we trust and believe need only speak or just breathe and the world obeys.

While we may not all have the benefit of a visitation like Cornelius or Joseph, we can see His power and might daily in His Creation.  We can read and believe of the work He has done, is doing and will bring to completion in the final times when He comes in all His glory.

“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” Revelation 19:6

We’re about halfway through our 30 days of Reverence! If you missed a post, click here! Be sure to follow the blog to receive your post in your email.

Bible, bible study, Christian, Christian Church, christian encouragement, christian men, christian parenting, christian podcast, Christian women, Faith, Jesus, Jesus Follower, prayer, religion, Uncategorized

Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

krisshetter

I knew I would be asked to take the position.  I was naturally the next in line of succession.  They knew I had the leadership skills and an investment in the organization.  When the call came, I said, “Yes” without much thought.  Partially out of pride and partially out of what felt like the inevitable, I accepted the two-year commitment.  It wasn’t until after my answer did I ask God to bless my decision.  A bit late.  His gift, you might say, to me was two years of lessons I would not have learned otherwise.  Lessons, if offered prior, to which I would have said “No thank you.”

My lack of patience in making important decisions brought me head on to one definition of the word “makrothymia.”  That’s the original Greek for the word we call patience in the list of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).  Other meanings include forbearance, endurance, and longsuffering.  Those two years had long lasting effects as I endured character assassinations, hatred slung at me, friends deserting me, and more.  You see, with my simple, impatient answer of “yes” I had committed to being the PTA* president of a large elementary school.  A volunteer job that made me the lightning rod for all complaints, anger and frustrations from the parents of more than 1,000 school children.

Looking back, I realized even with waiting patiently for God to give me an answer I probably would have been led to the same decision.  My skills were needed to help shepherd the school through large-scale changes.  However, had I waited for His go ahead I would have had a completely different outlook on the result.  I saw what was happening to me as almost a punishment for not seeking His counsel first.  I have since understood that God forgives us for our sins but He doesn’t always save us from the consequences.  During that two year journey I learned that He did, in fact, know better than me.  And it was time to start leaning into that truth.

Some of the antonyms to patience include defiance, resistance and disobedience.  Well-worn words throughout the Old Testament.  Oh, those impatient Israelites!  It’s a good thing we are nothing like them!

Some became fools through their rebellious ways
    and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. Psalms 107:17 

That one line in Psalm 107 could be the end of the story.  However, as Christians we must remember this essential truth: He loves us.  He loves us so immensely, desires glorious joy in our lives, and peace in our souls that He doesn’t leave us to suffer.  We need only ask for help.  Psalm 107 goes on:

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
He sent out his word and healed them;
    he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Psalms 107:19-21

I cried a lot those two years.  I cried in pity for myself.  I cried from hurt feelings.  I cried out of helplessness.  And then I cried out to God.  He told me to endure.  To keep doing the job I promised to do, but do it in His name.

It slowly dawned on me I had the entire process of faith down wrong.  It seems too simple: Ask God first.  Wait patiently for His answer.  Act on His answer.  It doesn’t mean the seas won’t churn.  It doesn’t mean there won’t be a few weeds in the garden.  It does mean we are acting in His will and trusting that He has good plans for us.

Believing the providence of God, embracing the providence of God, enables us to be patient and faithful in the long, dragged-out, often unexpected trials of life, amidst the most inexplicable circumstances, detours, and delays that, from our limited viewpoint, make no sense. 

John Piper

So, my friends, this week as we look at “makrothymia,” let’s first remember before we can even hope to bloom in patience or endurance, we must trust the love of God.

* For those of you not in the United States PTA is the organization at many schools that supports parents and teachers through volunteering and fundraising.

Coming up: Waiting impatiently