When You Are Down, Look Up 3/26/2013

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning." Psa 30:5

David was a man of vast experience with God.  He is well known as one who was "after God's own heart."  Also well known are both his triumphs and his utter failures, yet he maintained his vast love for the Father and never ceased trying to please Him and live according to His will.

There were times that David endured the depths of despair.  There were times when he was literally punished by God, but the love between them never ceased.  David realized that among the most temporary things in life were God's anger with him and the commensurate suffering he endured.  Vastly more prevalent was the grace and mercy given and the resultant joy experienced.

Beloved, we all have times in life when we are down.  Sometimes it is because we have brought it upon ourselves.  Other times it is due to happenstance.  Regardless of the causality, we must remember that we are God's own and that He will never leave us or forsake us.  If we be chastised know this: "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" Heb 12:11.  If it be happenstance or even persecution know this: "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Each life is filled with things that are good and things that are not so good.  It is part of the human existence.  The Christian, however, has hope in the One who made all.  When you are down, look up.

Committed,

Lee

The Benefit of Guilt-DD 2/10/11

"I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything" 2 Cor 7:9

One might never think so, but a guilty conscience can be a wonderful thing. It certainly is uncomfortable at the time but it is an excellent indicator of when we are off the path. One seldom feels bad about doing something good, but for those of good conscience, there is never a good feeling for doing something bad.

Paul would seem to imply that this is a gift from God. If we feel bad enough to never want to feel that way again, it leads to us resolving to never again do what caused the bad feelings in the first place. This is the essence of the relationship between sorrow and repentance.

Beloved, just as pain is placed in our body to indicate a clear and present problem, guilt and sorrow are placed in our minds concerning those things which can destroy the body and soul. Let us pursue righteousness at all times by avoiding wrong at all cost. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee