Forgiven – Deeply Blessed

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1

The things that make us happy are personal to the individual aspects of who we are and what we like. Generally, however, we all enjoy having a greater sense of well-being, both in body and mind. Certainly, we wouldn’t object to a nice inheritance from a relative. And who would turn down the praise and applause of our employers, peers and fellow-workers?

Yet, somehow, the word “blessed” seems to go deeper than health, wealth and esteem.

Embracing a prodigal-son-like humility, a repentant man cannot help but feel an intangible and almost otherworldly depth of blessing when he knows with confidence that his sins have been forgiven and covered over once and for all. His sins have become invisible to God. He gets a clean slate, a do over. He is treated as if he has never sinned.

Is there anything more desirous, more lovely or more profound than God’s grace?

If I gain wealth, the burden of sin (for sin, indeed is a burden) would still feel heavy to me. If people loved and treated me well, unconfessed transgression would still knock at the door of my heart, waiting to be pardoned.

Forgiveness, mercy and grace are the most beautiful words heard around the globe.

King David (the author of today’s psalm) sinned greatly, sin upon sin and even kept silent about it (as is mentioned later in chapter 32). We too, at times, miss the better ways of God, taking our own ‘unfettered,’ wild, wayward and crooked paths, sometimes even foolishly rebelling or sometimes simply taking God’s glory onto ourselves. We suffer the consequences both from the sin itself and from keeping quiet about it. Yet, in forgiveness there is a deep freedom and is ours for the asking. No matter our past sins, we can enjoy sweet fellowship with the Father of lights.

I was 10 years old on the day I was baptized. When I came up out of the waters, I felt so clean and new. There was no doubt in my mind that I would EVER sin again. My childlike mind had eyes only for my Savior, Jesus. Of course, sin came back in to entangle me many times since then. I have given into its rule and have felt the weight of darkness in my soul. But instead of letting it take me down, I rise once again like that little child, inside the kind grace of the Lord, and turn back in mind and spirit to His pleading call for my life.

Staying in the word, in prayer and in fellowship with a community of believers has helped me to recognize the sins of my heart. The solution to sin is confession and pure repentance: a changed life!

Lord, I gladly partake of your blessed forgiveness and my heart is at rest. I come into the light, unlike Adam and Eve who hid themselves from you. The work ahead is great and I am ready to follow you anywhere with all my heart. Instruct me in the way I should go. Help me to never leave your side. In Jesus name, Amen.

Faithful Patience

A faithful person will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Prov. 28:20

How does one become a faithful person? A few comparable adjectives or phrases may help us better understand and then broaden the significance of today’s verse.

Here is a list I compiled of the word faithful:

devoted
resolute
sincere
reliable
dependable
honorable
steadfast
trustworthy
upright
constant
enduring
honest
holy
unchanging
unwavering
overflowing with good deeds
full of integrity
patient!

Faithfulness is the true way to joy and blessings. For example, a faithful friend, one who is devoted and constant, will typically himself be blessed in times of need.

Of course, the blessings of faithfulness include receiving the compassion one has compassionately offered others, but they also include a good name that comes from an upright heart, peace instead of anxiety about worldly matters and inner feelings of usefulness, not only toward God, but toward one’s fellowman.

A faithful person has hardships and sensitivities just like the rest of us. However, when he is lonely, he looks for other lonely people to whom he can give his companionship. When he feels neglected, he gives attention to those in need. When life gives him hurtful experiences, he can give compassion to others who are hurting. When anger takes him over, he seeks out those who need his peace.

Overtime, patience is developed in him as each trial reveals the choice to move forward in faith or revert back to immobilizing habits of self-pity, pride and instant gratification.

One who impatiently and eagerly hastens to get rich fills his life with pleasures, seeks his own way and has his mind resolute and devoted on wrong things. His focus in life is different than the steadfast Christian. His lustful desire for the quick accumulation of wealth may tempt him to commit fraud or deceit. His ways are contrary to those who are reliable and true.

Certainly, the possession of wealth is not the problem. Man is overjoyed when he is blessed with good fortune. His faithfulness brings about the patience needed for God’s daily provisions. He is happy in the waiting just as much as he is in the overflow of food, shelter and clothing. But if he loses faith and turns an unscrupulous amount of attention to amass more money, no matter the consequences to others, this can be his downfall. Money, then, becomes an idol that controls his life. God is forgotten. His pursuit of wealth is all-encompassing, overshadowing his desire to please his Maker. He runs after riches with all his energy and might. Of what use is his life to God?

Father, make my heart faithful towards the things of the Lord. Narrow my focus to be about your kingdom and your heart. Show me how to increase my faith. Teach me the treasures of patient waiting for your answers in my trials and needs. Help me to see your blessings as they come and not miss them. In Jesus name, Amen.

Humble Wisdom

The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are. Prov. 28:11

As seen before, the label of rich and poor don’t always have the exact meanings assigned to them in Proverbs. Not all the rich are arrogant, and not all the poor are wise (some wealthy men are dried up in their poor souls and some are sitting daily at the throne of God, handling their wealth in godly, humble, generous ways. Some poor men are in a terrible cycle of poor choices. They wouldn’t recognize wisdom if they saw it. While others in poverty have found the profound treasures of life no matter their circumstances).

How does one decide if he is being self-serving (or not) as he imparts the lessons learned in life? Perhaps the key words of today’s verse are rich and discerning.

The word rich implies more than just a state of finances. Rich may suggest independence, self-rule, freedom to do and act as one pleases. Any wise words from this group would undoubtedly be seen as ‘deluded’ by those whose dependence is on Christ (and are discerning). Any wise comments from the discerning group would be seen as appropriate and applicable.

There are men who are rich, yet poor in the area of wisdom. Maybe they worship their own social standing, loving the praise of those who typically use them, or they feel superior to those less fortunate and consider their views to be absolute (who would dare oppose them)? Their monetary cleverness feeds an assumption that wisdom in all areas of life is theirs as well. However, such ‘insight’ is earthbound and does not have the heavenly power to provide what is true and righteous.

On the other hand, poverty (bad circumstances or lacking financial skills) can fine tune a poor man’s ability to discern things that the self-sufficient man may never understand. His discoveries about true life run deeper than the rich man’s overall advice on success. He can see through the emptiness of riches, and can gain wisdom far above that of wealth.

Money sometimes muddles the mind of its pursuer, making him foolishly think he has amassed his accomplishments on his own. In reality his life is superficial. He is truly poor.

However, the simple lack of money can strengthen the beggar towards a wise, full and happy dependence on God, which is far greater than riches.

Wisdom is a good thing, no matter one’s station in life, but being wise in one’s own eyes can be a little tricky. Sometimes a man speaks words that are so stunningly fresh and clear, it changes the listener’s life forever. We hope and long to hear such observations. We don’t want this man to withhold his wisdom from fear of seeming wise in his own eyes.

On a different level, some may speak forth wisdom, yet feel a need to know if they’ve hit the mark or seek applause. I see nothing wrong with a person who is relieved to know their words made a difference. Such feedback helps them gain insight into that same audience the next time he speaks. Yet, reigning in any addiction to pats on the back is always good.

The habit of neediness or even arrogance can happen to all of us (rich or poor). It is a worshiping of self and not of God. How might the wise man purify his ways and also refrain from being wise in his own eyes?

I see humility as being supreme. The wise man is firm (standing on a solid ground of truth), but he is also willing to listen to the wisdom of others. He never tries to talk himself or others into a flesh decision, but lives by the Spirit. He knows that life is not about a man’s wants. It is about God’s will.

The wise man lays his own wisdom on the altar, speaks when God wants him to speak, follows the narrow road of Christ and leaves pride behind.

When he is pinned to the wall in his trials or stripped of all he has, what will arise from this wise man? Who will come forth? What, of the spirit, will come forth in righteousness, meaning, will he go the second mile, will he show love, will he follow God’s ways or will he stumble and fall?

The wise man ascertains the value of relationships in his life, that they are fragile. As much as he loves to be treated with love, kindness and respect (and likewise give of himself), when he receives such blessings, he realizes that they are not enough to fill him (just as gaining riches and possessions are not enough). There will always be something more to intensely want. No person or thing can supply for him what only God was meant to provide in the deepest places of his heart.

He also recognizes, despite the good moments of answered prayers (kindness and love), that inside the fragile winds, he will daily face people who are irritable, disappointing, mistaken, misunderstanding or incapable. During the most precious moments of bonding with his fellowman, God often takes care of the residual pride within a wise man by allowing small setbacks to occur between these parties. The gift the man gives falls flat, the truest words he offers isn’t heeded and though his intentions are good, sometimes there is simply awkward silence. In an instant, things don’t feel as in sync. This happens with all of mankind in every relationship.

The purified man thanks God because these experiences help him to lean on His Father more and not on a person or thing.

The man of wisdom seeks always to continue learning the wisdom of God.

Lord, continue to open my eyes to the times I put more into a relationship than I do with you. Your gifts come to me in abundance from your hands, and I’m so thankful. Yet, my heart is set on you alone. You are my greatest gift. Make me wise. Put words in my mouth to speak that will change lives. Yet, keep me thriving in humble and pure thoughts and motives. Forgive me when I have pride. Help me to depend on you for everything in my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Real Thanksgiving

Do not be afraid Abram for I am your shield and great reward. Gen 15:1

Before God spoke these words, Abram had gathered his men to retrieve Lot, his family and friends who had been taken from their homes. When Abram returned them and gave to the king the customary tenth of the spoils of war, the king offered for Abram to keep all the spoils. Abram turned down these riches, for he had settled within himself not to give opportunity for this king to say that “he had made Abram rich.”

“After this” God said to Abram, “I am your shield and great reward.”

I was impressed with Abram when he turned down the wealth, so I asked myself a question: What on this earth attempts (but fails) to make me rich in Christ, except Christ alone?

My list grew long as I thought about it. I realized that I am not any more rich or blessed when something good happens to me and I am not any less rich when bad happens.

I am always the same: massively wealthy and blessed in Christ.

It’s why Paul could say in Phil. 4:11-13, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

It is why I can have a feast for Thanksgiving every day regardless of the physical food in front of me.

Why did God start His comforting statement with “don’t be afraid?“
What might Abram have been afraid of?
Retaliation from a group of Kings from whom he had just taken back their victims and delivered them back home?
The fear that he would never have a son, an heir, like God had promised?

What might you and I be afraid of that keeps us awake at night or stirs our thoughts to the negative?

How was God going to be Abram’s shield? How might He be my shield today?
What we do know is that after Abram turned down physical rewards, God offered him Himself.

God offers Himself to all of us when we turn down what the world recommends. And HE is worth so much more than anything of this earth.

I may not have kings to battle or a king who offers me the spoils of war, but I do battle every day and deal with temptations.

Lord, help me to turn my eyes to the majesty of your greatness. I lay down all that I think would make me spiritually rich at your feet. Even the very prayers I pray daily, I leave with you and purpose not to cling to my own opinion of the outcome. I trust you, for I am well-provided-for by your bountiful hand. YOU are my great reward, my most prized possession, my greatest Thanksgiving ‘feast,’ even in times when all seems lost and when what I want feels impossible and hopeless. I choose YOU when I must be patient and when I must have faith while I wait on your answers. Thank you, Father for your provision at all times in my life. I pray these things in Jesus Holy name, Amen.