Don't Be Surprised

SCRIPTURE
"So those who suffer according to God's will should, in doing good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:19)

OBSERVATION
What is it about suffering and hardship that takes us by surprise when we know that this world is messed up and does not run according to God's perfect will? In chapter 4 of 1 Peter, he reminds us of a few things:

• Fiery ordeals are not unusual and we shouldn't be surprised (12).
• They are an opportunity for us to share in the sufferings of Jesus, so we should rejoice (much easier said than done) (13).
• We are blessed if we are ridiculed for the name of Christ (14).
• We are not to be ashamed for suffering as a Christian (16).
  

OK, the easy answer is that suffering is a part of living in this broken world. We're not talking about suffering from our own sinful choices, but the suffering that seems to find us, broadsides us as we are driving through life. But what do we do? We can't run away or hide our head in the sand (our best side is definitely not showing at that point). Even if we moved to a deserted island suffering would follow. Remember the movie Castaway? Suffering provides an opportunity to activate our faith.

APPLICATION
Peter reminds me to face suffering head-on, rejoice and be proud because it more fully identifies me with Christ. God is the faithful Creator (he made the universe so he knows what's going on) so I can entrust myself to him. He will ultimately bring about justice. That is what I really want when I suffer. To have the inequities and unfairness of life accounted for...to know that there is a greater purpose and meaning to it all and that I'm not just a cog in some senseless, mechanical universe. I love how Peter says I can trust a faithful Creator. I'm not here by accident or chance. There is a design and purpose and somehow suffering fits into all of that. I can't always explain it but I shouldn't be surprised.

PRAYER
God, I can trust you, the faithful Creator, even in times of difficulty and stress.

The Lure of Comfort

SCRIPTURE
"And they spoke of the God of Jerusalem as they spoke of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands." (2 Chronicles 32:19)

OBSERVATION
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, threatened to besiege Jerusalem and warned them of what would happen if he did (worse case scenario the inhabitants of Jerusalem would have to eat their own dung and drink their own urine, 2 Kg. 18:27).

In order to entice the people to surrender he sent his servants to taunt the Israelites. Saying things like, "Hezekiah (the king of Judah) is misleading you by relying on the Lord." "Make peace with me and you will have your own grapevine, fig tree, and water cistern." "I will take you and settle you in a land that is better than where you are now." "No go of all the nations I have conquered has been able to deliver them. What makes you think you can rely on your God?"

Sennacherib's tactic was to wear the people down so they would despair of their situation and turn from God to follow him. He was taking advantage of their hardship to get them to abandon their faith and loyalty to the one true God. He was offering them quick relief from their suffering.

APPLICATION
It is tempting when I'm in the midst of stress, difficult situations, etc. to give in and go the easy way. To find quick relief. It is easy in those times to doubt God's deliverance and to look at the proverbial "carrot on a stick", the lure of comfort, the enemy is dangling in front of me. But those times are just opportunities for me to prove my faithfulness to God. Instead of taking the shortcut and trying to find relief, I am to be faithful to the Lord and follow his ways, wherever they may lead. The truth is, even though I may find quick relief through compromise, it is never lasting, and in the end will bring more pain than the original situation ever could. Do I really trust God and what he says or am i going to give in to the enticements of the enemy? In the end he will prevail. "So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all his enemies, and he provided for them on every side." (2 Ch. 32:22) God not only will come through for me but he will provide much more "on every side" than the enemy could ever offer. I just need to stay on the right side.

PRAYER
Father, when times are tough you are still God. Thanks for the reminder that you will provide far more then the enemy ever could. In those times of challenge you are still God and you are still working to deliver your people.

You Are What You Worship

SCRIPTURE
"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but to not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound with their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them." (Psalm 115:4-8)

OBSERVATION
Idols are the work of human hands. Their origin is with man, not God. They are powerless. Even though they may have features (mouths, eyes, ears, etc.), they cannot speak, see, or hear. The psalmist was not so much concerned with the appearance of the idol but the effect it would have on a person's character and on their spirit. The problem is that those who make them become like them, taking on their characteristics. We are what we worship. It's a similar thought to we are what we eat. We don't turn into a Krispy Kreme donut but it is the effect that the donut has on our bodies that is the concern. Similarly, those who worship idols do not physically look like them but it is the effect that the idol has on their heart.

The idols we deal with are more than statues they are philosophies and worldviews. If our idol is money, we tend to become greedy and covetous. If our idol is sensuality, we tend to become licentious. If our idol is self we become very self centered. If our idol is acceptance, we compromise and flatter to get people to like us. The heart is formed by what we worship.

APPLICATION
The answer is found in verse 9, "O, Israel, trust in the Lord!" He is the one I am to model and become like. He is the one who should shape my character. It is much easier in the short run to fashion my own idols but it will not lead to Christ likeness or godliness in my actions. The Lord is holy, or set apart, so I need to make sure he is the entire focus of my worship. It is true, I become what I worship. And becoming like God is a great thing.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to keep you as the only object of my worship.

The Greatness of Jesus

SCRIPTURE
"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son"? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire." But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." And, "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." And to which of the angels has he ever said, "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet"? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:1-14)

OBSERVATION
It's great to be reminded of who Jesus is.

• Heir of all things.
• God created the world through him.
• Radiance of God's glory.
• Exact imprint of God's nature.
• Upholds the universe by his word.
• Sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
• Superior to angels with a more excellent name.
• God's angels worship him.
• His throne is forever and ever.
• Anointed with the oil of gladness beyond his companions.
• Will never change and his years will have no end.

APPLICATION
That is the Jesus I serve and worship. Jesus, as described in the Bible, is awesome. My image of him needs to constantly be refined and reshaped so I worship him for who he truly is and not worship the image of him I've created in my mind...which is idolatry. Since my goal in life is to become more like Jesus, I need to make sure I'm headed toward the right goal.

PRAYER
Lord, smash the idols of my mind and help me to see Jesus for who he really is.

Making a Living or a Life

SCRIPTURE
"Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, 'I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go prophesy to my people Israel.'" (Amos 7:14-15)

OBSERVATION
Amos prophesied that the king of Israel, Jeroboam, would die and Israel would go into exile. Amaziah, Jeroboam's priest, heard this prophesy, told Jeroboam and came back to Amos basically saying that the king didn't want to hear it and he should flee the country. Amos' response indicated that he was just relaying God's message. In fact, he was a shepherd, minding his own business when God took him from his flock and gave him a new career path. He was just obedient to God's call in his life, professing the message in his new profession.

God may take us from where we are, perhaps more so in the midst of where we are, and redirect our lives to serve him. It may not be popular or well received but the important thing is to be obedient to him in the midst of whatever profession we find ourselves. Our careers make us a living but our calling makes a life.

APPLICATION
Whatever profession I find myself in I am to be obedient to God's call on my life. It is more important to serve him by faithfully proclaiming his word than to please people. This is no excuse for harshness, it must be done with gentleness and respect. However, when God calls to go from flocks and figs to be obedient to his direction, like Amos I need to obey.

PRAYER
Lord, give me the boldness of Amos to follow you wherever you lead.