tablets of human hearts

Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God at all.
(Psalm 36:1, NLT)

Why is it when I read the Psalms and the Psalmist talks about the “wicked,” I automatically think about the “other,” rather than myself.

You know what I’m talking about.  Those sinners.  Those wicked.  Those God haters.  Those others.  The ones who don’t look like us, think like us, believe like us.  Those who cause the problems in the world.

But.

Before I judge, I need to pause and turn the light of God’s word onto my own heart.  Let it be a mirror for me to look into and see what it reflects.

When does sin whisper deep within my heart?  What words do I hear?

That someone wronged me and I am right to be angry?
That I deserve something and I am right to demand it?
That what I’m doing is really okay and I am right to do it?
That what I’ve said is how I feel and I am right to say it?

Just to name a few whispers.

When I begin to listen to the whispers of sin, when I stand on my rights, suddenly, I find I have no fear of God at all.

I am no longer concerned about Him and His commands to forgive, to love others, to put others first, to be a servant.  To love as He first loved me.

Nope, no fear.  Because I’m only focused on me. Only thoughts of self.

I am so thankful the Lord doesn’t leave me to my own demise.
He knows what goes on in my heart:

“But I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives.” (Jeremiah 17:10a, NLT)

And knowing I cannot, He has provided a way to shut down those whispers.

1.  A new heart:

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” (Ezekiel 36:26, NLT)

2. Confession:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (James 5:16, ESV)

When sin whispers, I can’t just try to stop up my ears. I can’t just try my hardest not to listen.  But I can turn to the One who created my heart, gives me a new heart, and cleanses my heart.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for shedding the light of Your Truth on my heart. May I always be quick to confess and may I desire to keep my heart free from the whispers of sin, with all vigilance, for from it, I know, flows the springs of life.

Grace & Peace

O Lord, oppose those who oppose me.
Fight those who fight against me.
(Psalm 35:1, NLT)

So let’s get real.

I started this Psalm months ago.
And here I am, still, with the blog not finished and two weeks overdue.
It definitely seems like there has been some opposition to writing it.

First, I had the idea of addressing the Old Testament and how it’s filled with stories about Israel’s physical enemies and the New Testament with its shift in focus from physical enemies to fighting against spiritual enemies.

But as I struggled with it, I realized the blog was turning out dry, dusty and quite dull.

So then I spent some time digging around in scripture, found some great points, and thought I knew where I wanted to take it. However, it still wasn’t gelling.

Finally, demands and circumstances in life kept interfering with my writing time.

Opposition. It might not look like the opposition the Psalmist is talking about.
But it’s still very real.

The Lord has planned good works for us to do (Ephesians 2:10), small things, big things and everywhere in between. And as we seek to accomplish them, we are probably encountering road blocks, interruptions, and intrusions. He has also called us to love one another (John 13:34-35). And as we seek to accomplish this, we are probably encountering challenges, frustrations and disappointments.

For me, my work has been a dream of writing a book. Of writing books. Of books published with my name on them. Of others being impacted by the stories I have written.
I have spent the last three years reading, studying, and practicing the writing craft. The Lord has placed numerous story ideas in me and I long to tell them, pointing to His grace and His love. They rattle about my head, clamoring to be given life.

I immerse myself in my writing, planning my days around time to write, but I also try to find balance between my writing and the people the Lord has placed in my life. Yet, something comes and steals both the time and the effort. Something comes between me and my work and something threatens the relationships I have with others.

But what if?

What if, the real enemy is not a problem or person?  What if there is another enemy at work?  What if the New Testament is right and there is a battle going on we cannot see?

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

When we cry out for the Lord to fight those who fight against us, it’s important to remember where the real battle lies.

We have an enemy, Satan, the accuser, the ancient serpent, the devil, who is active in our world today (the evening news easily convinces me of this fact).  When we experience conflict with our work and with others, we would do well to remember to:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

So then, what is our best weapon?

Prayer, of course.
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

The Psalmist cries out for the Lord to oppose those who oppose us.
As we engage in the battle, we are called to be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). We are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). We are to be aware of the enemies schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11).

And of course, as warriors, we need the right armor.

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:10-11 (NLT)

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:14-17 (NLT)

Prayer
Father, You know the road blocks, interruptions, and intrusions, as well as the challenges, frustrations and disappointments I experience. Help me to remember who the real enemy is. Help me to be prepared for the battle and to be fighting the right battle.  Lord, oppose him who opposes me and fight against him who fights against me.

Grace & Peace

I will praise the lord at all times.  I will constantly speak his praises.
(Psalm 34:1, NLT)

It has been two and a half months since we rolled the calendar to 2015.
We are now seventy six days into the new year.

I find it interesting that we mark an arbitrary point on the earth’s trajectory around the sun, celebrate it, and use it to make and renew all kinds of plans, goals, resolutions and expectations.

Did you set any goals for this year?
If so, how are they coming along?
Did you make any resolutions?
Or do you resolve not to make resolutions?

We are also in the middle of the Lenten Season when believers prepare for Resurrection Sunday (Easter) through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial. The season is often marked with introspection and personal evaluation.
Have you given anything up?
Have you spent time in quiet reflection and meditation?

We often need moments in our lives, set times, and reminders when we can pause, assess where we’re at and look ahead. These are good things. But we do not need to be tied to them.

As new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) every day is a new beginning for us, a fresh day to rejoice, a day to start with praises to our Lord. We can proclaim every day to be the day that the Lord has made, we can choose to rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Today, take a moment and ask yourself:
Do I praise the Lord at all times?
What are some times I have difficulty praising Him?
How might I praise Him in the midst of the difficult times?

Do I constantly speak His praises?
When do I not speak His praises?
What are some ways I may be taking credit for something He has done?
How might I be careful to give Him the honor and not myself?

Whatever our goals for the year, whatever our sacrifices during Lent, if we resolve, let us resolve to praise Him every morning and every evening and all the moments in between.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to always sing your praises, to continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to You, to unceasingly acknowledge You in all things.

Grace & Peace

Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him.
(Psalm 33:1, NLT)

Music has a way of stirring emotions within us.  Joy, excitement, passion, sorrow, expectation.   Music can lift us up, sooth us, put us in a party mood, and even speak to our pain and suffering.

It seems fitting, therefore, for the Psalmist to call us to sing to and praise our Lord.
Whether we set the Psalms to music or compose our own, sing contemporary songs or love the old hymns, use a few instruments, a band, an entire orchestra, or none at all, we can be drawn into a time of praise and worship of our God through music.

Every once in a while, our church revisits some of the old hymns.  They are such beautiful reminders of who God is and touch on the deeper truths of Scripture.

The truth of God eternal and His perfection:
Holy Holy Holy
“Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be…
…Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.”

The truth of Christ, eternal, suffering, victorious, glorified:
Crown Him with many Crowns
“Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.
Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save….
…Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.”

He is our Wisdom, True Word, Shield, Sword, Dignity, Delight, Shelter, and our Inheritance:
Be Thou My Vision
“Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art…
…Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.”

A call for all of creation, sun, moon, wind, waters, earth and men, to worship Him:
All Creatures of our God and King
“Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!”

To consider the stars, thunder, woods, birds, mountains, breezes, and yes, to consider Christ who died for us and is coming again.
How Great Thou Art
“Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!”

Are you singing for joy to the Lord? Are you praising Him today?
Put on some music, warm up those vocal cords, lift up those hands, and even dance with abandon as you sing.
“Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia!”

Prayer
Father, thank you for vibrations that travel through the air and for ears to perceive those vibrations as sound.  Thank you for sounds that can be combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony and melody.  Thank you for the gift of words and the ability to praise You.

Grace & Peace

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!
(Psalm 32:1, NLT)

The dry sand blasts my face again as another icy gust of wind whips around me in a frenzy.  I clamp my eyes shut, trying to keep them from filling up with grit.  Despite my feeble attempts to cover them with a cloth, sand works its way into both my mouth and nose.

I stumble along, shoulders hunched against the onslaught.  Eventually the gust will die down, I just have to press through it.  I clench my teeth and keep moving.  I peek an eye open to a slit, shielding it from the wind and sand with one hand.  Still no signs of any shelter.  Such a miserable place.  Empty.  Forsaken.   I squeeze my eye shut again and carefully shuffle my feet as I go.  Small stones jostle and tumble around them.  My right foot catches a bigger rock.  I stop, move around it and shuffle forward again.

The winds die down as quickly as they rose.  As soon as the sand settles, I remove the cloth and take a deep breath.  I shake it to knock out the dust and sand and shove it in my pocket.  I look around.  I am not on any road.   I am not anywhere.  Desolation spreads out all around me.  Brown.  Dry.  Cold.  I could go in any direction.  Or I could just not go anywhere.  Does it matter?  But I can’t stand still.  I start walking.  I have to press on to somewhere.  But where?  When will it end?

When you choose to turn back.

I stop.  What?  I spin around.  I don’t see anyone.  I listen.  But I hear nothing else.

I decide I am hearing things and start walking again.  How long have I been walking?  Time seems to make no sense.  Nothing to mark it.  Nothing to change it.  Again I ask, when will it end?

When you choose to confess.

I stop again.  Confess?  My heart clenches. But no. I cannot.  It’s too big.  Too hard.  Too impossible.

Nothing is impossible with me.

I tilt my head for a moment and consider the notion.  I shake my head.  No, it is impossible.  Not this thing.  Not this time.

I look around.  Maybe I’m going in the wrong direction.  I angle my steps to the right and pick up my pace.  I can move quickly until the next blast…

The wind whipped up quicker than before, blasting sand everywhere.  I yank the cloth out of my pocket and slap it over my nose and mouth.  I clamp my eyes shut again, hunch my shoulders and press forward.  Definitely stronger than the ones before.  I barely make any progress, not that I could tell anyway.  When the wind dies down, everything still looks the same.  Nothingness stretches out forever in all directions.

Turn to me now, while there is time.

Turn?  Turn where?  I turn in a slow circle.  Nothing changes.

Turn your heart.

I clench my eyes shut, as if they are being pummeled by sand again.  Could I really?  Could I turn my heart back?  But I know better.  Surely this time it’s different.  He had to be furious.  Fed up.  Tired of dealing with me.  I look around at my bleak and dismal surroundings.  I deserve to be here.  I start walking again, slowly, knowing another blast will come again, whatever my pace.

I love you.

My heart skips a beat.  Really?  I want desperately to believe it.  But how could He?  Surely love must have its limits.  I keep walking.

I love you.

It can’t really be that simple.  Can it?

Yes.

But my heart is…

I can give you a new heart.

And I made such a mess of things.  I’ve lost so…

I can restore what has been lost

I have more arguments.  But they seem empty.  Still, I can’t bring myself to accept the possibility.  I shake my head again and quicken my pace.

A terrible roar fills the cold air.  It sounds… hungry.  I frantically look about.  Where did it come from?  I must be crazy to think I can stay here.  I pause.

I expect a another reply to my thoughts.  But receive only silence.

Can I really turn back?  Confess?  Can I turn my heart?

Silence.

I sigh.  Ok.  Yes.  I can’t stay here.  I want to come back.  I close my eyes and whisper the thing.  I tell it all.  I claim it and release it.  I don’t want it anymore.  Tears stream down my face, carrying away the dirt covering my cheeks.

A warm breeze, like a caress, touches my skin.

I open my eyes.  Joy hits me like a cleansing wave.  The desert is gone.  In its place…

I am merciful and compassionate.  I love you with an unfailing love.

I look around.  Words cannot describe.  I smile.

Prayer
Father, You are merciful and compassionate.  What joy there is for me because my disobedience is forgiven, and my sin has been removed. As far as the east is from the west so far do You remove my sins from me.  Thank You for Your great love.

Grace & Peace