Formidable Faith

"Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed…”
2 Kings 19:14-15a

There is no doubt that God’s people will face challenges in this life. But what is of critical importance is how we respond to such challenges. Do we attempt to run away from difficult matters? Do we place our trust in human plans and man-made institutions? Do we turn to ourselves and focus solely on our own internal plans and desires? Or do we, like King Hezekiah, submit complete allegiance to God and choose stillness in the Lord over the sanctuary of anything, or anyone, else?

The account in 2 Kings 19, which is also relayed in Isaiah 36-37 and 2 Chronicles 32, is one of my favorite passages to read. Although there are many fascinating aspects to this story let me narrow down the focus to one cogent theme: faith. Throughout this ordeal, Hezekiah exhibited a tremendous amount of faith in God. His faith was a formidable faith. And every time I spiritually take in this section of Scripture I am reminded of how much room I have to grow in terms of exercising a faith like the spiritual valor Hezekiah displayed in 2 Kings 19.

I remember well how hollow my faith was towards the end of 1998, the year I was called to serve in ministry (albeit to a small degree as a bi-vocational music minister). Even though I had this innate stirring from God that I should surrender to serving Him through leading a small congregation in worship I fought it emotionally all the way. Granted, I still went through the standard administrative procedural steps (i.e. meeting with the pastor, meeting with the search committee, going to the church and directing the music in a few services, etc.). But inside I tried to hold onto an exit strategy. And it came down to the wire. I recall how I stood in the church library as the congregation discussed whether or not to extend the position to me. I drafted a mental list of reasons why I could, or should, not accept this role if it was offered to me. I held firm to these petty excuses when I went into the church's sanctuary. 

The pastor informed me that the church had unanimously voted in favor of me becoming their church's next music minister. And then the moment of truth came. Standing before the congregation I was intent on declining the position. But as I started to speak God took over. My mind said "no," but my mouth proclaimed "yes". And then I started to verbally stumble and cry before the church because I was literally being broken by God for His greater purpose. It became one of the most memorable experiences of my life because it was one of the most powerful movements of the Lord I had ever encountered. But the reason I express this personal story is to highlight how weak my faith was in the matter. I should have trusted in God more. I should have sought His will, rather than relying on my predetermined set of expectations, or outcomes. I should have acknowledged that though I am deficient in so many areas God is not. He is perfect, holy, and mighty. And He is able to do what appears to be impossible for man. 

Returning to 2 Kings 19, God did what was impossible for Judah: He single-handedly defeated the Assyrian army. But let’s set the stage here a little. In Hezekiah’s lifetime, Assyria became the largest kingdom in the world. And as many power-hungry empires have behaved throughout history, Assyria determined to expand its dominion across the globe. Assyria had already conquered Israel (or the 10 northern tribes), with its capital in Samaria (see 2 Kings 17), but eventually Assyria marched towards Judah. And so it came about that Assyria invaded Judah in the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign (2 Kings 18:13). The king of Assyria laid siege to and captured the fortified cities of Judah, hoping to decimate the resistance of God’s chosen people quickly. Initially, Hezekiah attempted to appease Assyria’s appetite for wealth and fame by paying a tribute to the pagan empire, going so far as to remove silver from the temple and strip the worship building’s gold-laced doorposts just to gather up a sizable sum of treasure (2 Kings 18:14-16). But this tactic did not cause the king of Assyria to turn back his war machine. In fact, Assyria sent dignitaries to Jerusalem with the intention of acquiring Judah’s complete surrender.

And this is where the narrative gets interesting. Two different communication dispatches were sent to Hezekiah, both of which belittled God’s ability to give Judah victory. Imagine the fleshly impulses that coursed through Hezekiah’s mind after receiving these terrifying reports. His army was outnumbered and cornered, and according to 2 Chronicles 32:5 Judah had to make weapons for their military, indicating that Judah’s military arsenal was not on par with the artillery Assyria possessed. But instead of seeking a deal with Assyria, which had already once failed miserably, or attempting to go it alone, so-to-speak, Hezekiah wholly leaned on the Lord, even though a seemingly superior enemy was camped near his capital’s outer wall. 

King Hezekiah did not flee Jerusalem. He did not mount a counteroffensive. He waited and prayed. One wonders if Judah’s military advisers were a bit concerned that their commander would offer no direction until he heard back from God. After all, the longer Judah waited to act the more likely they would be overrun by Assyria. But Hezekiah did not flinch. Instead of receiving the Assyrian taunts and panicking, Hezekiah petitioned God. Judah’s king took the second Assyrian letter into the temple and laid it out before the Lord. This action is so revealing. In this Hezekiah showed a spirit of praise (by going into the temple), a spirit of persistence (by not relinquishing his hope in God), and a spirit of prayer (by calling out to God for strength and help). Hezekiah believed that the presence of the Lord was superior to the power of man. Despite the overwhelming odds, the king of Judah was steadfast. And notice the eventual outcome: an angel of God fought on behalf of Judah and decimated 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in one night (2 Kings 19:35). Assyria’s army was never able to step foot inside Jerusalem, as God foretold. 

Hezekiah’s resolve and character through this ordeal should be found in all believers. Our faith should be formidable. We should maintain a disposition and posture of faith and prayer, not fear and panic. Clearly, the challenges of life are great, but God is infinitely greater. We must wait on Him. Wait on His Word. And wait for His will to be made known.

The Weight and Wonder of God's Word

"I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches."
Psalm 119:14

In God's Word there is a treasure trove of spiritual instruction and inspiration. And yet so often its divine teachings daily fail to reach, or remain, in the hearts of God's people. The explanation as to why this is the case is a rather lengthy discussion, and one I will defer for now. Therefore, let me just say that many believers have continual opportunities to allow their lives to be enriched, and enhanced, by Scripture, but for whatever reason willfully choose to let biblical tenets bypass them altogether. I wholeheartedly acknowledge that the early half of my faith-filled years was epitomized by a less-than-stellar spiritual fervor. In fact, for a while my desire for deep, God-centric knowledge was downright lackadaisical. And sadly it was not until I found myself immersed in a crisis that I developed a real desire to search the Word of God for insight and encouragement. Afterwards, I sensed the weight and wonder of God's Word, and I relinquished all willingness to exhibit a shallow, superficial approach to the reading of Scripture ever again.

The recognition of my need for a daily infusion of God's truth occurred when I was let go from a part-time ministry position. I had been the music minister at a modest-sized church for a little over two years when I became caught up in a contentious relationship with the pastor. Without warning, the pastor became indifferent towards me. In a private session he accused me of being unwilling to commit fully to my ministry opportunities. And he accused me of being a troublemaker, asserting I did not support his leadership. None of the claims were true so he twisted the context of some recent circumstances to fit his narrative. He was inpatient and unforgiving in the situation. After two meetings he concluded that I should not be on the staff anymore. Even though I had prayed about the matter and truly believed reconciliation could take place the pastor was already notifying key lay leaders of my termination, indicating it was a forgone conclusion. I desperately tried to restore the broken relationship with the pastor, but he shut me out and showed me the door.

I endured several levels of grief in the aftermath. I wallowed. I cried. I expressed frustration. I emitted bitterness. Several weeks went by and virtually no one from the church reached out to me, or my family. Considering no one took the time to check up on us, it was as if nothing we did made any substantial difference in the lives of my former church members. And then a decisive moment came. I woke up early one morning, and was moved by the Holy Spirit. I could not escape a thought. I could either choose to rely on God for healing in this matter, or I could try to find solace somewhere else, which I knew would surely result in disappointment. In other words, I could either draw closer to the Lord, or find myself trying to find some sense of satisfaction in areas outside God. I realized that the latter option is what I had effectively done for so long. And as a result, my daily quiet time was practically non-existent. And my prayer life was weak. But I became compelled to turn to God, and His Word, like never before. 

Long story short, the reassurance the Lord and Scripture offered me set me on a road that resulted in a state of personal peace. I don't pretend to understand why I had to face that ordeal (as most of it still remains a mystery), but I know that I would not trade the nearness I discovered in God's Word for anything. And in the four plus years since that incident took place I have only missed my daily quiet time a handful of times. But more importantly, I have learned that the Bible contains essential guidance that my life requires and so I strive to commit to immersing myself in it each and every day. 

The yearning to find counsel in God's Word that I encountered after the aforementioned crisis is powerfully conveyed throughout Psalm 119. The unnamed author went into great detail regarding his affection for the Lord's doctrinal illumination. I realize that sometimes we as modern-day believers get so consumed with the width of Psalm that 119 that we inadvertently overlook its depth. But the text of Psalm 119 is incredibly rich, and beautifully portrays a spiritual hunger that satisfied the psalmist through God's Word. The songwriter longed for the Lord to such a degree that he exhibited an unrelenting passion for truth. This highlights the necessity of God's canons and commandments. They are relevant and transformative for every generation of believer.

There is so much to hone in on in Psalm 119, but let me reduce this discussion to one central point. If one core theme, or takeaway, could be extracted from Psalm 119 it is this: cherish and follow the Word of God. And Psalm 119:14 illustrates this motivation by stating that obeying the doctrine of the Lord is better than having riches. To place the teaching of God above the wealth of this world is to declare that God's teachings supply something earthly treasure cannot. Gold and silver cannot give us eternal salvation. They cannot give us redemption. They cannot give us real peace, or joy. The human soul was designed to be moved by a greater purpose, a greater calling. So let us not be fooled into thinking that riches are a vital part of that greater purpose or calling. To desire God's Word is to desire God. So let us rejoice in Him. Let us rejoice in His doctrine. Let us rejoice in His divinity. Let us rejoice in His deliverance. 

Psalm 119, in effect, hastens us to make the ongoing reading and application of Scripture a priority. The heeding of God's Word yields hope. It yields knowledge. It yields wisdom. It yields discernment. It yields strength. Granted, the ultimate value of the Bible is not received overnight. After all, it takes time to study, meditate, and absorb the totality of Scripture into one's life. But to hear God's life-fulfilling words, and abide by them, is to recognize that a relationship with God is more valuable than anything this world has to offer. Does the adherence to Scripture guarantee that we can circumvent pain, suffering, or despair? No. But it does promise to render us comfort, no matter the hardship. And abiding by God's will yields a far better return, morally and spiritually, than any earthly treasure.   

  


  

Praising Through the Pain

"But You, O Lord, sit enthroned forever; Your renown endures through all generations."
Psalm 102:12

Pain is a fearsome foe. It tends to zap all of humanity's strength, and rob us of numerous joys. I, like many, have had my share of bouts with physical distress. But perhaps the most excruciating pain-filled battle I ever encountered occurred when I was in college. Just a week prior to the start of my sophomore year I began to feel a twinge of pain in my right ear. It was not a constant ache, at least at first. Rather, it was an intermittent wave of intense discomfort that shot across my ear canal, resulting in a steady onslaught of momentary headaches. Up until this point in my life I had endured several ear infections, and assumed I was just fighting through another minor one. A day later, a doctor's visit confirmed my suspicion. I did indeed have an ear infection. 

I was prescribed an antibiotic and hoped my ear infection would be swiftly overcome. But for some reason the pain did not regress; it progressed. Before long, the soreness was so severe that I was unable to sleep, eat, or do anything functional. In fact, after a while I was reduced to sitting in a chair, covering my eyes, and rotating the usage of a heating pad and an ice pack, hoping to somehow mute the pain raging in my head. Soon after, I found blood droplets in my right ear. And then noises became so muddled I could not distinctly discern the words family members were saying to me. It sounded as though human speech was just a cluttered block of sound. All indications were pointing to the harsh reality that my ear infection was worsening. For a time, I began to wonder if this incident would do permanent damage to my hearing. Thankfully, my family was able to secure an immediate visit with an ear, nose, and throat specialist. He affirmed that the ear infection had indeed expanded and instilled temporary tubes in my ears to help the inner canals drain out. Furthermore, the doctor prescribed a stronger dose of medication. It took a few days but eventually the pain subsided, and the ear infection was eradicated. 

As I reflect back on that event I realize that for the better part of the ordeal I was unable to think of anything but the pain. It consumed me. I desperately wanted it to go away, and yet all I could do was dwell on the knowledge that an ear infection was tormenting me. And pain, both physical and emotional, has a knack of diverting our attention from what really matters: our relationship with God. The point being, even in discomfort we can find reason to rejoice if we choose to, which is exactly what we find in Psalm 102.

The ascription given to the author of Psalm 102 reveals much about the writer, as well as the conditions surrounding this song's writing. The New International Version (NIV) states that this Hebrew anthem is the supplication of an afflicted man. This forthright opening proclamation sets the stage for the impending content. The bulk of Psalm 102 is heavy in its depth of feelings, and the writer pulls no punches regarding the gravity of his situation. This passage is a candid confession of a man who was crying for divine help. He was upset, but not unstable. He was concerned, but not cynical. He was discouraged, but not defeated. And the pressure the author endured was so oppressive that he could not even take the time to replenish his stomach with food (Psalm 102:4). Seemingly everything about him, including his body and mind, was in upheaval, and on the brink of a total breakdown.

The text of Psalm 102 continues in a gut-wrenching fashion until verse 12. And this transitional statement completely changes the overall tenor of the psalm. The writer declared that despite all of his personal calamities and travails he still recognized that God is, and always will be, seated upon His heavenly throne, thus recognizing that the will of God always prevails, and rises above the fray of earthly troubles. Just when we, as readers and students of the Bible, expect to take in a boisterous complaint from the author of Psalm 102 we are handed an utterance of praise. And the utterance clearly derived from a spirit of unbreakable adoration. It was so strong, so prevalent, that it was able to persevere through pain.  

Think about it for a second....after the psalmist inhaled frustration, misery, strife, and despair he exhaled a message of glory to God. How remarkable is that? The writer of this song was so confident in the Lord's sovereignty and supremacy that he was able to worship God despite the dark and gloomy environment that had enveloped him. He dispensed words of hope and trust even though he was mired in pain. 

The great challenge before mankind is to hold onto our faith in the valley of life for in the valley of life there is anguish. There is agony. There is affliction. There is mud. There is rain. And there is coldness. But what also exists in the valley of life is God's unfailing lovingkindness. And to focus only on the pain of the moment is to overlook the holiness and greatness of God Himself. After all, His goodness is immeasurable. So let us absorb the underlying truth in Psalm 102. May it inspire God's people to steadily exercise a faith in the everlasting Lord. A faith that praises through the pain because it knows the perfect, powerful God will always reign.       

       

Open Ears; Obedient Hearts

"I will listen to what God the Lord will say; He promises peace to His people, His saints - but let them not return to folly."
Psalm 84:8

It is remarkable how God-initiated lessons can find believers when they least expect it. Sometimes divine instruction can come through Scripture. Sometimes divine instruction can come through song. Sometimes divine instruction can come through the service, or solace, of a friend. Clearly , there are many mechanisms God chooses to employ His holy-inspired tutelage. But in order for it to be properly received it requires a willingness on the part of recipients to exhibit open ears and obedient hearts. The Lord's great dispensing of wisdom yields no benefit to lives that refuse to be sensitive to God's movement. Therefore, God's followers must ensure that they are surrendering to a moldable spirit, driven by a total yearning to be led by the Lord.

I remember well when I collided with a God-initated lesson in July 2009. The date is so prominent in my mind because it occurred a little after our family had passed the one year mark of living in a home we purchased in the summer of 2008. As it turns out, the instrument of God's communication was funneled through my son, Jayden, who was just three years old at the time. On a non-descript day in July 2009, my wife and I noticed that our house was getting unusually hot. We checked the thermostat and attempted to bring the interior temperature down. But after an hour we realized that the air conditioning unit was not functioning properly. The house was quickly starting to warm up, and soon felt like one elongated steam room. Given that Oklahoma summers can present some intense heat for the better part of July and August my wife and I knew we had to get this problem fixed as soon as possible.

We tried the normal troubleshooting steps, but nothing made the air conditioning unit malfunction reverse itself. We then called a few different AC repair companies and found one that could make it out that afternoon. We set-up an appointment and eagerly waited the repairman's arrival. When the repairman inspected our unit he determined that there was a faulty part that needed immediate replacement. Unfortunately, the part was not covered by the air conditioning unit's warranty, and, to make matters worse, the residential warranty on our house had just expired.  We were responsible for the entire AC repair bill, which ended up being several hundred dollars. I remember frustration welled up inside of me, mainly because I kept thinking that if the AC unit's momentary breakdown would have transpired one week earlier we would have paid little-to-nothing as it would have been covered by the residential warranty's policy. The timing just seemed so lousy, and the consideration of that fact tormented me as it circulated in my head.

Later that night, I spent some moments with Jayden before he went to sleep. As is our custom, we prayed together. Normally I lead in the bedtime supplication to God, but that night I asked Jayden to do it. Honestly, I was so upset about the money we had just expended I could not find any suitable words to say to God. I lost all sense of maturity and spirituality and transferred that evening's prayer responsibility to my toddler son. And then God did something spectacular, even in my hour of pettiness and juvenile behavior. Jayden and I closed our eyes and in his simple, straightforward way Jayden uttered an opening line something to the effect of, "God, thank you for sending someone to fix the air." That was all it took. My soul was suddenly gripped with a sense of God's stirring. I almost burst into tears because I was made aware of my callousness. 

It was obvious that the Lord was using the tender, precious heart of my son to impart a vital lesson to me. Through Jayden's short, soft-spoken prayer a spirit of thankfulness was powerfully conveyed. I was embarrassed, and humbled, by the fact that I had failed to render a grateful demeanor the entire day. Instead, I had been consumed with the inconvenience of having the air conditioner worked on. Miffed that my preconceived plans were interrupted. Perturbed about having to exhaust some of our family's financial savings. And yet my three year old son had a greater grasp on the proper response than I did. 

Nowhere in my "woe is me" pity party did I appreciate God for His blessings. Our family had the privilege of having an air conditioner, which many people around the world do not enjoy. Our family was able to get the unit repaired the very day it went down, which is pretty remarkable. And our family had the funds in place to pay for the mini-emergency. But somehow all of those considerations had escaped me. But my infant child held a polar opposite viewpoint. He understood that the air conditioner was once broken but was now fixed. And he thanked God for it.

This personal account, as well as the overarching message in Psalm 84, highlight a marvelous truth: God speaks to those who listen to Him. Granted, the messages believers receive will most likely not be audible messages that reign down from heaven to earth. But for the heart that seeks the Lord it can surely find Him. Somehow. Some way. And this is the framework that supports Psalm 84. The Hebrew songwriter was so joyful about worshipping God that he could barely contain his enthusiasm. The opening verse to this anthem proclaims, "How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty. My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." This passage articulates a fervent passion in the life of the psalmist. He was so enamored and enraptured with God that his energy to privately, and publicly, praise God was evident in his thoughts and actions. 

Psalm 84 underscores that for a believer there is no more satisfying longing than being in God's company. His holiness astounds. His love captivates. His breaking of our selfishness leads us to righteousness. Furthermore, the author of this psalm astutely pointed out that a moment in God's presence is superior to a lifetime with the wicked (Psalm 84:10). Why? Because God is the light unto darkness and the Protector of the weak (Psalm 84:11). And God is the immortal Rock and the everlasting Ruler (Psalm 84:12).  

To those who have open ears and obedient hearts God is a Supreme being indeed. And the confirmation of His greatness is apparent and authentic. The supernatural blessings He proffers to His followers are not materialistic in nature; they are spiritual. When you know God, and serve Him wholeheartedly, you discover purpose and direction. You have assurance that the Lord is in control of this life, and the life to come. You are freed from the burdens of life's mistakes and trappings. You find the soul and voice to rejoice because you are in a right standing with God. In other words, you learn that the real treasure in the world is God. And you can brave each day knowing that God will bring to pass what He deems appropriate and best. So may we be actively exercising open ears and obedient hearts for God eagerly awaits opportunities to impart knowledge to us.