When things go south, how much latitude does God get before the human heart forgets to sing, "Lord, You are good and Your favor / mercy / love endures forever"?
So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they struck Him with their hands.
~ John 19:1-3 (NKJV)
If we attach God's goodness to human ease and comfort, then this world gives satan—"accuser"—ample opportunity to cast doubt upon either God's love and wisdom, or His ability to work good from all things.
And He, bearing His cross, went out to ... where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.
~ John 19:17-18 (NKJV)
Jesus, the perfect God-Man, was further perfected by His suffering. By cooperating with His Father's faultless plan, Jesus could only increase in favor as "Beloved Son." Yet the devil would have God's adopted sons and daughters believe that difficulty and suffering testify to loss of favor with the Father.
The primary spiritual weapon used against us is lies. The ability to whole-heartedly engage in spiritual warfare is contingent upon faith that one battles in cooperation with the God who achieves victories exceeding their cost.
"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings to greet the dawn while it is still dark."
~ James S. Hewett
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Thanks for everything you share sis.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Denise, for being a faithful friend. Your prayers are powerful. They are being answered.
DeleteWonderful series, Anne. It's incredible how subtle these lies can be. They linger for years sometimes undetected by us, but thankfully He exposes and brings us into truth by His Holy Spirit. We do indeed have to have His goodness and faithfulness settled in our hearts if we want to continue on in faith. Thanks Anne.
ReplyDeleteJason, the enemy is a master deceiver. I firmly believe that our hope against him is our continual, close, committed fellowship with the Spirit of Truth. Without that settled faith in our hearts of which you speak, we are ripe for the picking. In the Spirit, and with the support of friends like you, we can take our stand and remain faithful. : )
DeleteHow refreshing it is to hear someone speak truth in boldness, or write in boldness. Either way the message is loud and clear and true. Jesus Christ himself said, "In this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE, but take heart for I have overcome the world."
ReplyDeleteI grow weary of people quoting the last part of that verse without giving a thought to the words of God before it!
David didn't get to walk around the Valley of the Shadow Of Death, God sent him right smack through the middle - surrounded by his enemies! And His name is praised for the deliverance.
Thanks for the heads up Jason.
Great post. Happy Easter, God bless.
Thank you for the affirmation, Floyd. I agree that we are inclined to use the portions of verses that we like, or use them out of context. May God always bring my words balance—even if balance requires boldness, and the associated cost.
DeleteMay God bless you with a deeper appreciation and more abundant joy as we remember our Lord's suffering, death, and resurrection.