Getting to Sleep

This post is fifth in the Psalm 127 series "Live Like a King."

~ ~ ~

It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.
~ Psalm 127:2 (NKJV)

Getting to sleep used to be a simple matter. Most nighttimes past, my head hit the pillow, sleep embraced me within moments, and my next conscious thought did not seep in until daylight.

During the last few years, sleep has become more of a tease. I'll play that game for up to an hour. Whether sleep eludes me when I go to bed, or a moment of wee-hour wakefulness grows into sixty, I refuse to stay in bed once an hour has elapsed.

Occasionally, I'll get up and attack a pressing task before taking another stab at logging some Z's. But I know in my heart that's not the way to go. So most often, I'll get up and read the Bible for an hour or two, then easily give myself to slumber. Without fail.

For in much wisdom is much grief,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.
~ Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NKJV)

Wisdom and wealth—King Solomon possessed greater stores of them than any mortal before or since, gratuitously indulged in both, yet found no pleasure in his intemperance. As I've said before, Solomon carried Wisdom, but Wisdom did not carry Solomon.

So it is with me. And perhaps you. I forget or otherwise fail to consciously choose wisdom.

I have well learned that if I go to bed thinking about the Lord's goodness, getting to sleep comes as easily as breathing. But if thoughts prevail of those pressing tasks, or of the problems that seem to have me boxed in, my mind remains in this world rather than the world of sleep.

… for so He gives His beloved sleep …

Sure, I need to get the proper nutrition for the right hormones to bring on sleep. Though I'm one of those oddballs who can sleep about anywhere, an environment conducive to sleep is helpful when insomnia is a problem. But ultimately, getting to sleep by night is like getting productive by day.

Or, if you prefer Christian vernacular, getting to sleep is like getting fruitful.

When the focus is on me, when I indulge in cares about this world, when I rely on my own wisdom and knowledge to untangle a problem—all of them as the devil prefers—there is no peace.

When the focus is on my Lord, when I indulge in His Word, when I rely on the wisdom and guidance of the Spirit, there is perfect peace from the Prince of Peace.

You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
~ Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

It's all about You, Lord. It's all through You. Please remind us often. I love You. : )

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Live Like a King

If God ever set up a man to live like a king above all kings, King Solomon is that man. He took the throne as a young man in his prime, stepping into a position of prosperity, power, and peace. To this day, the kingdom of Solomon stands as the apex of wealth and luxurious living. And he possessed the humility before God that gained King Solomon greater wisdom than any other man to live, enabling him to rule his kingdom's supreme court with perfect justice.

The astounding wisdom passed on to us from God through Solomon is flawless, with only a fraction of it recorded in the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Psalm 127.

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
~ Psalm 127, title (NKJV)

Although the praise and prophecy of Psalm 72 also bears Solomon's name, Psalm 127 reads more like the proverbs language which marks Solomon's other writings. Specifically, Psalm 127 provides a thumbnail blueprint for how to live like a king.

The next series of posts plan to examine that blueprint as follows:

Built to Endure
Ultimate Security
Buying Time
Getting to Sleep
Feast Like a King
No Shame

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

What's Unreasonable to Do is Treasure

"You can't take it with you—
but you can send it on ahead."
~ Dean Stewart

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you ..."
~ Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

Who invites a second slap upon the cheek? What defendant offers the plaintiff double? Without the Holy Spirit, our response to such directives is incredulity rather than compliance.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ..."
~ Matthew 6:19-20 (NKJV)

Each time we love and bless and do good is a deposit into our stores of heavenly treasure.

Lord, Your wisdom and love defy human logic. Please increase our faith to trust and obey You.


Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Strange Language

"The cross is 'I' crossed out."
~ Unknown

Strange Language
#powerofwords

When Israel went out of Egypt,
The house of Jacob from a people of strange language ...
~ Psalms 114:1-2 (NKJV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God... Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
~ 1 Corinthians 1:18,20 (NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
~ Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)

The message of the cross looks like more than just a little bit of insanity. What kind of fool is assaulted and actually turns the other cheek as if to say, "Hit me again"?

Jesus Christ did not merely turn the other cheek. Almighty God, Ruler of innumerable angelic warriors, took on the flesh of man and mutely allowed His creation to flog and spit upon Him, crucify and kill Him. Little wonder the "wisdom" of this world sees Jesus as impotent or lunatic, refusing to bow before Him as Lord and God.

We are not to be of the world. The world says "I've got rights" and "look out for number one" and "you need attitude to survive" and "you'll get yours." Such philosophies should be a strange language to the Christian from which we segregate ourselves.

If we accept Jesus as Lord and Master, we will follow in His footsteps. We will be crucified with Him. We will not retaliate when injured or offended.

When I have been crucified with Christ and He lives in me, the world does not do injury to me but to Christ. All offense is owned by my Master, and any judgment lies in His hands.

What is mine in return? He who loves me and gave Himself for me allows me to feel His caress upon my soul and know His peace.

Lord Jesus, Your power lies in the goodness of holiness, humility and love. Enable us to exercise such power, and to honor You in doing so.

Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to

BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from sangam.org

Restrictions

"Seat belts are not as confining as wheelchairs." ~ Bernard Wortreich

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
~ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Many Christians assert that since we have been set free from the law and its requirements—since we are covered by grace, we are covered by the blood—we need no longer be "confined" by the commandments' restrictions.

God's Word says He set up the commandment as a protection, not a penalty.

We are fools if we believe a peaceful life has fewer restrictions if lived as we wish rather than if lived in harmony with God's ways.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Exhibit D: Commandment

Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
~ Romans 7:12 (NKJV)

You are near, O LORD,
And all Your commandments are truth.
~ Psalms 119:151 (NKJV)

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy... For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."
~ Exodus 20:8-11 (NKJV)

Paul continues to build his case for Christ in Romans 7, and brings forth God's commandment as "holy and just and good." C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity also argued that logically, humans could not inherently know good from evil unless a Creator had so defined them first.

Across all cultures, things such as murder, theft, adultery, and lying have long been understood as wrong. In this era of relativism, however, truth is no longer seen as absolute. So permit me to use the commandment as proof of God on something yet considered absolute: numbers.

Solar and lunar cycles define years and months. But how did the day become established on two twelve-hour cycles (as in the Bible)? Why is counting ordered on the number ten (as in the Bible)? I suppose an argument might be made that those numbers easily suited themselves to mathematical equations—but then why aren't both systems the same?

And if mankind evolved, how did cultures which span language and distance and religion all come up with a week measured with the oddball number seven—apart from God and His commandment?

Reason demands that these things could only be defined by God. It also says that if numbers are still rational and real and absolute, so is the immorality of murder, theft, adultery, and lying.

Almighty God, Creator and Redeemer, Your commandment is indeed holy and just and good. It reveals Your Person. It reveals Your promises. It reveals Your plan for our lives if we will but heed You. Please break our resolve wherever we wander from the commandment with which You bless us.

Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Everlasting God

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty ...
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting....
The floods have lifted up their voice ...
The LORD on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.
Your testimonies are very sure.
~ Psalm 93 (NKJV)

All things are full of weariness ...
the eye is not satisfied with seeing,
nor the ear filled with hearing.
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
~ Ecclesiastes 1:8-9 (ESV)

The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations.
~ 2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NIV)

In his book Tribes, marketing guru Seth Godin asserts, "Leadership ... is about creating change.... Life's too short to fight the forces of change.... The marketplace (every marketplace) rewards innovation: things that are fresh, stylish, remarkable, and new."

The sea of people is fickle. They lift up their voice and ever clamor for something new. The noise of many waters, like mighty waves, compels leadership to esteem the inventive above the established. We crave innovation in "every marketplace," and ears itch for new teachings.

We serve the Everlasting God. Unlike enticing fads which come and go, His Word and His way are very sure. Our solid Rock is established from of old. Yet He is never wearisome, continually offering life-giving bread and water.

The LORD need not be new. He makes everything else new.

Everlasting God, You are clothed with majesty. You will not faint. You don't grow weary. Before Your throne alone shall we bow. Please forgive us when we ask You to conform to our new ideas. Your mercies are new every morning, and they are more than sufficient.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Mighty in the Scriptures

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord.
~ Acts 18:24-25 (NKJV)

At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."
~ Luke 10:21 (NIV)

Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies... And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge ... but have not love, I am nothing.
~ 1 Corinthians 8:1; 13:2 (NKJV)

Apollos, thought by many (including this student) to be the unidentified writer of Hebrews, was called "mighty in the Scriptures." Paul was well-educated by the respected rabbi Gamaliel. Yet others who penned Scripture were the fishermen Peter and John, as well as James and Jude, sons of a lowly carpenter.

Knowing and understanding the Bible doesn't require formal education—though education is valuable. The Father Himself, through His Holy Spirit, reveals the hidden things of Scripture to those with the humble heart of a child, whether learned or not.

Being "mighty in the Scriptures" can puff up with pride. The Father does not honor pride. But if one desires to better know and love the Lord, and to better love and edify fellow man, it is the Father's good pleasure to reveal His treasures.

Knowledge is of great value, but love trumps education every day.

Lord of heaven and earth, our beloved Father, thank You for making Yourself known to those who seek You. Thank You for honoring those who honor you with a humble heart. Thank You for permitting us to glimpse Your magnificence, before which all else shall one day fade.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy

Humility and Wisdom

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another . . . Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Romans 12:10,16 NKJV)

At every turn is the humble person who is my neighbor. The slow driver in the fast lane. My three year-old. The other person in the discussion who just doesn’t get it (maybe even my spouse). I’d rather be kind or give preference or not be wise with an exalted person. I’d rather think about high things than about the dishes, about the six year-old’s tenth drawing today, about the ramblings of another. If I aspire to be a great Christian I’ll be like Christ, giving preference to even the humble. If I aspire to wisdom I’ll think on the simple things.

Jesus, please help me be more like You today.

Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy