Reward

Now without faith it is impossible to please him,

for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Heb 11:6 (NET)

In previous posts this month of February we have learned something about the loving qualities of our Father; how his unlimited resources are available to meet all of our needs, how he satisfies us, gives us comfort, rest and instruction with deep love and compassion. 

Yet we ask, "Where are these things in my life? They seem so far from my personal experience now."   The ways of God are simple.  He is looking for child like faith.  He says” believe”.  We try to complicate things by thinking there is something we need to do, some penance we need to make, some work we need to accomplish before we can have the reward.  But, God says he is a rewarder of those who believe and sincerely seek him.

Where does this faith come from? It is a gift that is ignited in our hearts as we listen to the truth about God. It has been declared to us that God loves and cares for us.  As we declare with our mouths this truth, our faith is built up. This word of faith may be contradicted by our feelings and circumstances but affirms the truth of God's love and becomes the evidence of what we don’t yet see. 

 Yes, Lord you are my helper, my rewarder.  Even though now I may have dark feelings, I don't depend on them.  I depend on and declare my faith in your goodness. 

 So faith comes from listening,

and listening comes through the word of Christ.

"The word is near you;

it is in your mouth and in your heart,"

that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming.

Romans 10:8,17 (NIV)

Look, your Savior is coming.

See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.

Isaiah 62:11 (NLT)

Satisfaction

Remember the old Rolling Stones song "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction." That seems to express the condition of the human heart.  Satisfaction and contentment seem hard to come by. What we have is never quite enough. We're always looking for just a little bit more. Could it be we are seeking satisfaction in the wrong places? 

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.”*

There is a truth expressed here.  There is a place in us that will never be satisfied by anything but God.  If it is not filled with God, then like a vacuum, it will suck in whatever is available to fill the void - material things, activities, relationships, etc. (All good in their proper place.)

Our Father is the only one who understands our needs and what will truly bring us satisfaction.  For your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matt 6:8 (NLT).  A true sense of fullness and satisfaction comes from our relationship with God.  As we open ourselves to him and come to rest in simple trust in our Father, he satisfies our longings and fills our lives with good things. 

Why spend money on what is not bread,

 and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

 and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

Isaiah 55:2 (NIV)

You satisfy me more than the richest feast.

Psalms 63:5 (NLT)

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus,
I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed!

(From Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting - Jean Sophia Pigott 1845-1882)

*This quote is often attributed to mathematician Blaise Pascal.  It seems that it is not an exact quote but is derived from his writings in Pensees #425

Rest

It seems contradictory, but we actually make progress by resting.  A lot more can be accomplished from a place of rest than from a place of nervous activity.  Tension inhibits action.  I am learning that this is especially true in golf.  When my body and muscles are tense my shot goes astray, but when I relax and swing rhythmically and smoothly I have a chance of hitting a decent shot.

All of our labors, our strivings and struggles, analyzing and judging, all of the drudgery of daily repetitious work can be turned to peace and joy as we rest in him.  When we cease trying to accomplish things in our own strength we gain a new strength.  The Father says "Rest." 

For the one who enters God's rest
has himself rested from his own works.

Heb 4:10 (ISV))

Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.

In quietness and confidence is your strength.

Isaiah 30:15 (NLT)

Then Jesus said,

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Listen to: Jesus, I Am Resting

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3MU8hDu0co

 

Unlimited Resources

We have limited resources.  We run out of gas at the end of the day.  We need sleep to refuel.  But God never grows tired. He doesn’t need sleep.  He is a constant source of vitality & energy.  He never tires of watching over and caring for us.  Our resources will always run low and be depleted.   Instead of decrying our lack, putting ourselves down because of our shortfalls, let us look to the one with boundless supply.  Instead of trying to dig deeper into ourselves to find the resources we need, let us look to him who supplies all our need from the riches of his glory. 

 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources

he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.

Eph 3:16 (NLT)

 

There are so many old hymns that I love. This one, written by Annie Johnson Flint (1866-1932), speaks so beautifully of Gods unlimited resources.   Annie was orphaned as a child and crippled as an adult and yet writes so confidently about the provision of God.  

                                He Giveth More Grace

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Listen to the song at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOhFfSFK7TQ

Lavish Love

The Father’s love is so lavish and extravagant toward us that he was willing to give everything to make us his children. The story of the father of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is a wonderful reminder of how deep that love is.  The son in the story left the care of the father and followed his own ways, thinking his ways were better. Finally, he came to his senses, realized what he was missing and returned to his father asking only to be treated as a servant. The father overcome with love ran to his son, welcomed him and wouldn’t even let him finish his repentant speech.  He restored him to a place of honor in the family by putting the finest robe on him, giving him the family signet ring and sandals for his feet distinguishing him from the servants who wore no shoes. Then the father said “Let’s have a party!” He called for the fattened calf and gathered all the household to welcome home the son with joy. 

When we turn our hearts toward our Father he fully accepts us into his family and rejoices over us lavishing us with his love.

 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called children of God!
And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1 (NIV)

Compassion

We can be harsh critics at times.  When we are offended by the behavior of others we may tend to judge or label them or want to withdraw ourselves from them.  Our Father, on the other hand, is a person of understanding and compassion (com=with, passion=suffering).  He moves toward us in our weakness.  Why is that?  Because he remembers how we were made. 

We are described as being made of dust.  When you add water to dust you get clay.  Clay is a moldable substance.  When we were young we were shaped by our experiences some positive, some negative.  God remembers how we were formed.  He knows where we came from.  He remembers every moment of our lives.  He sees the imperfections of our parents as they raised us.  He sees the hurts and disappointments we faced.  He sees the frailness and weakness of our body type that predisposes us to sickness or weakness.  He understands how we were formed and so he has great compassion on us. He doesn’t condemn us but with deep sympathy, as a good Father, moves towards us and provides all that we need.

 As a father has compassion on his children, 

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;  

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust. 

Psalms 103:13-14 (NIV)

Comfort

As I write about all the joy and blessing in knowing our Father I am faced with some serious news.  Two wonderful people that I know have been given the serious diagnosis of cancer.  Both now face difficult treatments and an uncertain future.  

This world is obviously not all sweetness and light. It is filled at times with pain, sorrow and uncertainty.  Some may wonder why I write so much about Joy.  Joy has become my watchword after suffering so many years with depression and anxiety.  Finally being able to settle into the joy and peace of God’s realm is so wonderful for me.  I, of course, still have down times, but realize that they are nothing compared to what those facing serious illness must deal with. 

The joy, light and peace of God’s presence are all very real, but are ever stronger at times of sorrow, pain, depression and despair.  He identifies with our suffering.  His name is the God of all comfort.  

I pray for Marianne and Mitchell that they may experience the compassion and comfort of our Father as they face the days ahead.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

 who comforts us in all our troubles

2 Cor 1:3-4 (NIV)

Delight

Yesterday, I saw a father on the golf course with his young son.  Dad was the “caddy” tending the kid size golf bag with the kid size golf clubs.  The father was there patiently watching and encouraging, delighting in his son as the boy tried out his budding golf skills. 

God, as our Father delights in us. He enjoys watching us play, have fun and learn new skills.  He is not an austere, strained and strict father, but an extravagant one who gives us so much to enjoy.  As we take time to gratefully enjoy his gifts, God is pleased.  Our Dad joins with us and delights in us as we play, learn and grow.   

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

Zeph 3:17 (NIV)

Ask

God, as a good Father, delights to meet the needs of his children.  He knows exactly what we need even before we ask him (Matt 6:8).  He loves to hear us ask because our asking is an expression of our trust in him. He tells us to ask and not give up asking even when it might seem the answer is slow in coming (Matthew 7:7).Sometimes, we don't recognize his answer because it doesn't come in the package that we expected or, sometimes, we may be asking with wrong motives.  God, as a good Father won't answer those requests.As we grow in our understanding of the generosity of God, we will be more inclined to ask and trustingly wait rather than strive and worry.  We can rest in trust, knowing he knows every need we will have today and tomorrow and has the resource ready for us from his rich supply exactly when it is needed.  God, grant us the disposition of a trusting child who is confident in the Father's ability to provide and then waits patiently for it .                If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matt 7:11 (NIV)

Every good and perfect gift is from above,

 coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.

 James 1:17 (NIV)

Training

God is a wise Father.  We, as children, need the patient and wise instruction and discipline of our wise God.  I often bristle at the word discipline.  I am afraid that things will happen that will be too difficult for me to bear.  But the discipline of our Father is the greatest expression of his love. He instructs and nurtures us for our good.  He knows what is best for us. 

May we with childlike, receptive and submissive hearts gratefully accept the work of our Father who so patiently and carefully trains us in the way we should go.  It may be hard and unpleasant at the time but understanding it as from his loving hand will give us the strength to endure. 

Thank you, Father, for your training. Give us listening ears and submissive hearts so that we might learn the lessons you are teaching us.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, 

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” 

 As you endure this divine discipline,

remember that God is treating you as his own children.

  God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!

But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living 

for those who are trained in this way.

Heb 12:5-7,10-11 (NLT)

February's Theme

As I have been writing this last month, the theme of our loving Father continues to crop up.  So, for the month of February, I have decided to focus on that theme.  The more we investigate and think about and understand our Father and our status as his beloved children, the fuller and more secure our lives will be.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you,

the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

John 17:3 (NIV)