Unmoved by disobedience
“Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.” (Psalm 119.136)
As I reflected on this Psalm a few days ago, it struck me. I’ve grown callous to sin in me and around me. I am unmoved regarding disobedience. This is in spite of the reality that each Sunday, I urge others to simply obey. It’s way too easy in this flash flood carnality that we live in to become immune to the rampant disregard of truth.
While political parties debate about the rights of health care, and others bemoan the evaporation of civility, the psalmist weeps because God is ignored. As in his day, it is in ours – it’s repugnantly easy to disregard God.
In the depths of my soul and the extent of my experience, I’ve never found obedience to God to be ultimately harmful to me. Rather, submission to His Word revealed in the Bible is a relief. It removes me from the driver’s seat on a trip that has stretched far too long and exceeded every energy drink I have in stock. Submission to God’s Word and will at that point is a lifesaver. For I simply cannot go the distance. The desire to stay in control is there, but my heart and soul have been designed to lovingly ruled by their Creator.
It is when we obey that blessing blooms.
Wonder with me today. What is it that you will not obey?
What odious word, what hateful directive
Do you refuse to to be your life objective?
Is God so wrong and you so right
That you resist Him day and night
Is He intent on your destruction
So much so that you’re bent on construction
Of a life deluded in your independence
Of one denuded of your obedience?
Your lids are heavy and the road’s great length
Exceeds your energy, your drive, your strength.
Best pull over; let Another drive.
He will not forever with you strive.
“Your statutes are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” (Psalm 119.112)
Let yourself be moved today.
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Review: Crazy Love
My short synopsis is: “One of those simple but powerful books that challenges comfortable “Christianity.†Can being a Christian really be “comfortable?†Peaceful perhaps. But anything but comfortable.â€
This is one of those generational message books. It seems that often the Lord seems to raise up a message and a book for a particular time in the life of His church. Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God was/is one of those books that surfaced in 1990. John Piper’s book, Desiring God (1986) is another, in my opinion.
Francis Chan is the pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in California, and as a dynamic and uncomfortably authentic communicator, he is able to couch a stinging rebuke of western Christianity into a gracious and loving message. It is biblical exhortation in 21st century style.
I love a book that asks great questions. This is one of those. Some of the questions are hidden in the middle of chapters, but a few that I caught and pondered were:
• Isn’t it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?
• Could it be your arrogance that makes you think God owes you an explanation?
• So why does God still love us, despite us?
• Do you love this God who is everything, or do you just love everything He gives you?
• Are you satisfied being “godly enough†to get yourself to heaven, or to look good in comparison to others?
• Is the idea of the non-fruit bearing Christian something that we have concocted in order to make Christianity “easier?â€
• Was your decision to follow Christ flippant, based solely on feelings and emotion, made without counting the cost?
• Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made?
• Why do so few people genuinely find joy and pleasure in their relationship with God?
These are just a sampling. Any one of them is enough to ponder seriously and lead to life-altering change.
If you haven’t read the book, imagine what he says rather than just what he asks.
It’s interesting to note that Jesus Christ taught similarly. In Luke 9.25, He asks, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?â€
It’s all about a love relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It’s been my life theme, and Chan’s Crazy Love challenges you to make it real.
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Notes from the Trail
The Personal Blog of Jeff Noble
Info: From the misty hills of Virginia, "Notes from the Trail" seeks to encourage you on your journey. Written by a graphic designer-pastor, this blog is a blend of humor, insight, and faith discovery.
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