A Hunting He Will Go 2016.11.21
We're not like little children... We know that the world we live in, isn't the pretty place when we saw it through younger eyes. Some of us have even developed an attitude where we live by the timing of when one challenge ends, and when the next one will begin. Fortunate enough, we know that no matter what we're facing, God is always able to rescue us. But in all cases, it's not only helpful to be aware of the traps, tests & temptations, but also how to handle them.
Traps
David was familiar struggle.
1Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.
5My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
9All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. 11My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. 12Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. | ||
Psalm 38:1-12 |
In v2, he he was experiencing ill health, and in v2-5, he knew what it was like to fail God. But on top of all of this, he had to deal with opposition. v12 speaks of how he was surrounded by people who wanted to see him fail. And yet through all of this, David cries out to God. And we must follow the same path - We know that God is able to forgive us, rescue us, and heal us. And like David, whatever our failings, we can bring them to God in prayer.
TESTS
Each person & situation that you confront is, in a sense, a test. How do you respond to the needs of the people around you during those times? (read Luke 7:11-35)
At the funeral of the widow's only son, Jesus' heart went out to her [v13]. And even though He had the power & authority to raise him from the dead, He had to have the courage to step out in faith to do it. Now, we do not have the same power or authority, we can't just go around, "willing" things to happen when it's all up to God. I believe that this verse teaches us to respond with compassion to those in need.
Even though Jesus was doing so many extraordinary, life-changing & wonderful things, he was not universally accepted. In v30, the religious leaders rejected Him, even to the point of falsely accusing him (and John the Baptist). HOW we respond to tests is another test.
In v33-34, Jesus is saying that it's impossible to avoid criticism (He was the Son of God and people criticized Him!!) Aristotle said, "To Avoid Criticism, Say Nothing, Do Nothing, Be Nothing." No matter what you do, people will find a fault. But Jesus was not put off by it. Wisdom & our actions may be proved by the results [v35].
TEMPTATIONS
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. | ||
Matthew 5:4-7 |
Temptation is a common test or trial. And as long as we're in the world, we will be at war with temptation. The first thing that we need to remember is that being tempted to do evil is not evil in itself. Temptation will come but it must be defeated by "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" [Ephesians 6:17] This is how Jesus was able to fight off the devil's offers.
