My Soul's Delight: Finding Treasure in the Field of Suffering

"Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend.” (Song of Songs 5:16)

Nearly all my life I’ve wanted to be married. Not only that, but I wanted to get married young and have a whole string of little ones to raise. Well, here I am, 31, and not a prospect in sight! This has been an area of suffering for me, and the Lord tested my devotion to Him rather severely in the recent past. But, as extremely difficult as that season was, I have come out with something so valuable, that I really would go through it all again.

I’ve been a Christian since I was 13; I fell in love with Jesus then and never really looked back. But yet there was so much deeper to go, so much more of this Lord and Savior to know and delight in. The Bible talks about God being everything we need, about Christ being more precious than any other thing. We believe this to a degree. Yet coming to the point where we really, truly believe that so that it utterly consumes us, is another matter. To love Jesus to the point where your soul nearly bubbles over with joy; to the point where you just weep with joy; to the point where truly nothing else matters, that sadly is not the experience of many.

However, it is possible. David writes in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This is not theoretical! It’s real! Yes, it’s spiritual and not physical, but that doesn’t make it any less a reality. In His presence (which really is all the time), there IS fullness of joy, there are pleasures beyond anything this world has to offer. It took a severe disappointment, a hard time of suffering for me to learn this. There may indeed be weeping for a night, but joy does come in the morning (Ps. 30:5). There is a joy and delight to be found in Jesus that comes only when everything else has been stripped away. He indeed can fill the soul with a rapture and delight that is other-worldly.

I have been reading through the Gospel of John recently and was stopped short by a passage I have read probably a hundred times. The Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus and basically asked for His judgment. But Jesus responds by saying “let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” At this all the men just walk away. Then the passage says this:

Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one 
condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I 
condemn you; go and sin no more." (John 8:10-11)

To think that Christ, because of His death on the cross, does not condemn me, when He as the Creator of the universe ought to, it beyond amazing! I was nearly overwhelmed by the love of Christ! How glorious to think that He no longer condemns me! Are you amazed by this truth? If you’re not, then you know nothing or very little of God’s love. For how should one respond to such a love as this? How then shall I live? The answer is found in the last part of Jesus response: “go and sin no more”. This is more than going and trying not to sin; it’s much more than legalism. Jesus wants us to delight in Him! He wants us to love Him so freely, so unhindered, because it’s also there that we experience a greater measure if His love for us.

The other night I was in the car and a little song came on that was a love song. At first it only served as a rather painful reminder that I had no man to love me in that way, but then instantly I was reminded that I had a much better Lover. He loves me more than anyone else ever could! He wants my whole life, my whole heart, my whole devotion. This means my thought life, my spare time, my daily life stressors, my relationships with my family and others. All of it, He wants to be the center of every part of my life. Shall I resist Him? This wonderful beautiful Lover of my soul? If you do resist Him (even just in certain areas you are unwilling to fully surrender) what does that say about your response to this love? Can you really look at Christ on the cross and not give up all that you would hold dear?

Friend, Christ is all-sufficient for you! The struggle, the disappointment, the suffering you face is worth it, because on the other side you have the opportunity to know Jesus in a deeper way that you think is possible and let me tell you, it’s worth all the pain. Wait, and He will come to you, He will restore you and give you more joy than you had before. I would do it all again, I would turn away from the dreams I have for my life, and I will be content never getting married, all because He is enough . Unless the Lord so pleases and I meet a man who delights in Jesus as much as I do, there’s no way I’d give up what I’ve gained. I’m not perfect nor have I attained perfection, there will be trials yet ahead I am certain and times I will fail. But I’ve found a treasure hidden in the field of suffering, and He’s worth everything to me.

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

(from the hymn, Be Thou My Vision)

Our Real Happy Ending

I think we all know the one-line ending of every fairy tale… “and they lived happily ever after”. We relish in that, sigh and wish for our “happily ever after”. Why is this? I believe there is something in each of us that rightly longs for a happily ever after, where everything’s as it should be, justice is served, you have the one you were made to be with by your side forever.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there is no “happily ever after” on this earth. This world is cursed because of sin and filled with sorrow, pain and tears. The only ending that you and I get at the end of this life is death, and that’s not very happy. And as if that wasn’t enough Hebrews 9:27 says, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment”.

However, in this dismal view we have before us there is hope, there IS a happily ever after that we can indeed have. But it doesn’t come through anything or anyone here on earth. It’s not a prince charming who will rescue you from your troubles, although ironically enough, the Bible describes Him coming on a white horse! But be warned, this is no ordinary man… He is to be feared as well as loved:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called 

Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. Hiseyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 

(Rev 19:11-16)

This rider on the white horse comes as God’s Messiah, He is faithful and true, the righteous one who brings divine justice. He is awesome, mighty, He is King over all, the judge, the Word of God. This is the One you were made for, for you were created by Him, through Him and for Him. Because of sin we were separated from Him, but He loved us so much that He came and took the punishment our sin deserved in His own body on the cross. He died for us, for His bride. Then He rose again claiming the power to give new life to His people. It is by faith in Him that we are made new, that we are made more and more into His likeness, fit to be His bride. In response to this how can we not praise Him and love Him yet more and more? In Song of Songs we read this of the “Beloved”: “Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Songs 2:3). Further, the bride goes on to say, “Yes, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend” (Song of Songs 5:16). Truly He is my Beloved, the one my soul loves. There is none more lovely, none more worthy of my adoration. For, “My beloved is mine, and I am his.” (Song of Songs 2:16).

I want to leave you with this short film – it walks through Scripture giving characteristics and names of God. Watch, listen, behold your God and all that He is and may your heart be held in awe and worship the One who truly deserves your heart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NscHCa395-M&feature=youtu.be

Grateful for the Thorn

"My God, I have never thanked You for my thorn! I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to You by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow."   - George Matheson

Perhaps you’ve been there. Expectation and hope… then disappointment. Perhaps someone died, perhaps a dream died. Shattered hopes, dashed plans, a broken heart… I could write about mine, but instead I’ll share someone else’s story. I read it and cried because she wrote it for me. But I’m glad that now I too can say that I am grateful for my day of disappointment. More specifically, I’m grateful for a God who doesn’t make mistakes, who doesn’t forget, who has a plan for my life that’s bigger than I can see and who can turn all my mistakes into lessons. Hard lessons yes, but life-changing ones. Man plans, and hopes and has expectations, but only God will never fail. Keep trusting Him, even though it's hard. It's worth it. He's worth it. My feelings may often tell me otherwise, but I know it's true. I hope this encourages you and I pray you will come to be grateful for the thorn in your life. 

I Am Grateful For The Day That Never Was by Brenda Strohbehn

“Any regrets I may have over that which I have lost are swallowed up in relief over that which I have escaped.” ~Unknown

That quotation has been my annual “mantra” on August 9th. However, I take it one step further and use it to realize that it is because of the goodness and wisdom of God that I can view this day in that way.

Some may read what I am about to share and think that I should “be over it by now.” I am.

Some may read what I am about to share and think that I am in some way bitter. I am not.

Some may read what I am about to share and think that I must somehow despise men. I do not. Unh-unh, no way, no how!

I’m going to share it anyhow—but not to prove anything or to defend myself against those whose thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. I share this because somewhere there is a girl, a family member, a coworker, a friend whose life plans just changed, and I want her to know that she’s not the only one, that joy will come again, and that hope will return.

With my wedding plans nearly finalized for my—you guessed it—August 9, 1986 wedding date, I received a call mid-April that changed everything. The wedding was off, and the reality of an uncertain future loomed before me, taunting me with its emptiness and lack of hope. I had cancelled my contract for teaching the following year (and my replacement had already been secured), and there I was, twenty-five years old, with every well-laid-out plan beyond that minute suddenly erased with the giant pink eraser of “there will be no wedding on August 9th.”

Before I continue, I will be transparent and tell you that it hurt deeply, and that for several months, when I looked at what I was “missing out on,” I was bitter, angry, and, quite honestly, a little ticked off. But when I looked at how God used that one single moment in time to change my life—and my heart—I became grateful, encouraged, and comforted. God knew best. The man to whom I was engaged married not long after, and his wife is the perfect match for him. They faithfully serve the Lord together, and the choice to put an abrupt end to our plans—in the long run and in the big picture—was the right one.

When I was finally able to take the blinders off of my view of things, I saw so clearly that I was in love with love, and he and I both deserved more than that. God’s love runs so much deeper than anything we can “muster up” just because we long for marriage.

Sadly, I primarily received the empty platitude from so many people that I had probably even said more than once myself: “God’s got someone better in store for you.”

First of all, just because he chose not to marry you does not make him a bad person. Though many people use that expression to “console” someone who is sad after a breakup, it’s not a great expression. In fact, it’s kind of tacky and lame to attack “the bad guy” or “the bad girl.”

Secondly, maybe God has singleness, not “someone better,” in store for you. But be careful here. Don’t follow my poor example of saying (as I did more than once at that time) that “I’m never going to get married. No one’s going to ever hurt me like that again.” I feel that I can say this because I’m single, but I can generally recognize the woman who is bitter or desperate because she is so verbal about her singleness—and usually in loud and brash ways, accompanied by sarcasm about the subject. I long to go whisper one simple thing to women like that: “Shh.”

Am I tickled pink about not having an earthly life companion? No, I’m not. Am I thrilled to be exactly where God wants me to be at this moment, in this place? You bet I am! Because His way truly is perfect. God didn’t bop Himself upside the head that April morning of my phone call and say, “Oh stink, I forgot all about Brenda.” He knows what’s best for me. He allowed me to learn things that I would never have known otherwise.

So be careful about the “consolation” you give to others:

“It’s good to be single. Think of all the things you couldn’t do if you were married.” “It’s better to not be married than to be married to the wrong person.”

And on the opposite side, when someone becomes engaged:

“Oh, you’ll love married life. Being married is the best thing ever!” “There are so many more ways you can serve as a married couple.”

Instead, we as the body of Christ need to joyfully serve in whatever way—at whatever time—God has for us. Perhaps what we should simply say (and what we should simply teach our children and those in the church pews) is:

“The best thing you can be is what God wants you to be today, in this moment, in this place. His way is perfect.”

When we view life through that lens, we can, with sincerity and a joyful heart, be thankful for the day that never was because it has been a vital part of making us who were are today.

Source: http://www.petalsfromthebasket.com/i-am-grateful-for-the-day-that-never-was/

P.S. If this post resonated with you you might enjoy this song by Danny Gokey "Tell Your Heart To Beat Again": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwJ4atkFeI8 

Christ: The Cornerstone of Scripture

I have been doing a lot of study recently on the relationship between the Old and New Testament Scriptures. Some say there is continuity between the two (in other words they are closely connected and very unified), others say there is discontinuity (there’s some dis-connection and differences). I won’t go into the differing theological viewpoints in this post¹ but there is one thing at the heart of this discussion that I think is really of most importance.

How do we interpret Scripture?

This is more than just whether or not we interpret Scripture literally or analogically, the question more is, what is our central focus as we seek to interpret Scripture?  Another way of asking this question is what is the central theme of Scripture? I’m sure that most Christians would say that the main theme through Scripture is Christ. While He is never mentioned in the Old Testament it still bears witness of Him. Jesus Himself said to the Jewish leaders, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39). The only Scriptures they had then were the Old Testament Scriptures, so Jesus was saying that the Old Testament was primarily testifying and speaking about Him. Later Jesus also said to his disciples, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” Then Luke says that “He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:44-45). Again, these are the Old Testament Scriptures. The disciples didn’t understand how the Old Testament spoke of Jesus until He revealed it to them. Paul says that he became a minister of “the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.” (Col 1:26) That mystery is, the Gospel in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God’s glorious salvation was shrouded in mystery, types and shadows, but in the New Testament it has been fully revealed.

When we read the Old Testament is important to understand two things. First, it’s important to read the Old Testament in its historical and canonical context (pre-cross). The original recipients did not have the knowledge we now have. However, since we now stand post-resurrection we have had the veil of mystery lifted and we are able to better understand the Old Testament because of its fulfillment in Christ. It’s important to understand that Christ stands as the cornerstone of Scripture, the lens through which we view and understand what was written. There are some theologians who say that we should not bring the new revelation of the New Testament to bear on the Old. But apart from Christ what does the Old Testament mean? Can we really understand the “mystery hidden” apart from Him? After all, it points towards Him. It testifies of Christ and must be viewed through that lens.

This, apparently, is a big issue of debate, but I think it’s of crucial importance. If you don’t view the Old Testament through the new revelation of the New Testament than either none of it really matters at all (discontinuity) or it all carries over to today (continuity)… that’s why there are the two extreme views. (Both views do this, which is why I disagree with both.) We do not go back to the past and look as through a mirror dimly, we have the full revelation of Scripture! If Jesus Himself helped the Apostles to understand the Old Testament Scriptures in light of His coming, should not we seek to do understand them the same way? And if the Apostles and writers of the New Testament themselves spiritualize the Old Testament should we still try to confine and understand it in its pre-cross context? Is it wrong hermeneutics to read new revelation into the old? Does that really “change” the meaning (as some say it does) or “expound” it? If all of Scripture intersects at the coming of Christ, than He is the cornerstone of truth and the key to unlocking Scripture, Old Testament and New and Scripture (Old or New) cannot be rightly and fully interpreted or understood apart from Him. Let Jesus be the lens by which we read and understand His Word because He changes everything.

¹ There are often given just two major views on this subject: Continuity (Covenant theology) and Discontinuity (Dispensationalism) although there may be some CT people who will agree with this article. As mentioned in this article I do not fall in either category, but rather with a third viewpoint. For an outline of my position see this article: http://www.biblicalstudies.com/bstudy/hermenutics/nct.htm

For more information on this area of study I would recommend this book as a great comparison and contrast of Covenant theology and Dispensationalism: http://www.amazon.com/Abrahams-Four-Seeds-John-Reisinger/dp/0966084543/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1415840517&sr=1-1&keywords=abrahams+four+seeds

The 5 Sola’s of the Reformation: Sola Christus

“Christ alone”. For most reading this, that is rather obvious… of course we’re saved by Christ alone. But the Roman Catholic Church (not to mention EVERY other religion out there) did not (and still does not) really teach that. They believe and teach that Christ died for sin yes, but His sacrifice alone was not sufficient to take away sin. It’s Christ + works. However, the Reformers believed from Scripture that it was Christ’s sacrifice for sin that alone could justify us before God and that our own righteousness and works could have absolutely nothing to do with it.

Christ, His person, His work, His life, death and resurrection are the grounds for our salvation. There is no hope without them. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Why Christ? Because God demands a perfect sacrifice, and no mere man could suffice. Why blood? Because the wages of sin is death (Romans 3:23). It is only through the sacrificial death of a perfect “second Adam” that we could have the hope of forgiveness of sin. In the Old Testament the Israelites offered the blood of lambs and oxen, but they were shadows of the perfect sacrifice that was coming. They were only a temporary covering of sin – they could not take it away. The author of Hebrews argues this throughout his letter as He shows the supremacy of Christ, His person and His work. He wrote,

And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. (Heb 10:11-14)

This is how Jesus just before he died could cry out “It is finished!” (John 19:30) – the work He had come for, to “seek and to save” sinners was completed. And by finished He meant just that – there was no more work to be done.  “Now where there is remission of [sin], there is no longer an offering for sin.” (Heb 10:18). What offering or sacrifice can we offer for our sin? There is none, because first of all, no sacrifice or work could be enough, and secondly, Christ has already offered it!

 

Paul writes, “In Him (Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…” (Eph 1:7)

Also Romans 3:21-25:

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith…”

Does this put you in awe of Christ? In amazement of His life lived and death died on our account? This is indeed a great Savior and although we may be great sinners, we can run to Him and find forgiveness! How does one attain this forgiveness? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Believe; trust; put your faith in Christ as sufficient to take away your sins and make you righteous before God! And what this faith is we shall discover more in my next post.

Peace is Not A Feeling

I’m not saying we don’t feel peace. We often do. However, peace is not limited to how we feel. When making a decision (or delaying making one) people will sometimes say, “I just don’t have a peace about it”. What they usually mean is that they don’t feel peace. While there may be a bit of truth in this the problem is that most people are waiting for a feeling to confirm their decision. But peace and joy are not emotions, rather they are gifts. Really, they are a Person and His name is Jesus. Paul Tripp writes. “Our peace always rests on the presence, power, and character of the Lord”.¹ He is the incarnation of peace, the “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6) Feelings or emotions are things like happiness, anger, anxiety and they are subject to our temperament and circumstances. But peace is not like that. It is not dependant upon our circumstances, rather we can have peace, and even joy in the midst of turmoil.

How do you find peace? Isn’t that what everyone is searching for? It’s pretty easy to give some pat answers…you’ve probably heard them: Just do what you think is right. Just follow your feelings. Just listen to wise counsel. Don’t worry. Just trust God. Just…

Easier said than done right?

Paul writes in Philippians 4, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:6-7) 

If you read it closely, it’s not just “don’t be anxious,” there’s more to it than that. We are active, we are doing something instead of being anxious. Paul says, “let your requests be made known to God”. This is speaking of prayer; this is talking to God and asking for His help. In response to this God promises peace, but I think the point Paul is teaching here is that peace comes as you submit to God. There have been times when I’ve had decisions to make. Hard ones. I longed for peace, but didn’t have any. But a decision has to be made. I looked at Scripture, I sought godly counsel, then I did what I believed was the right thing to do. Once a decision is made, if it’s the right one the peace will come; He’s promised it to us if we are in His will! I can remember one specific time I was convicted after I made a decision that I’d made the wrong choice and I needed to go back and correct things (after which peace did come). Other times once I made the decision, the peace and assurance came.  In both cases though, the peace/conviction came after I had completely made the decision, not before or even during. When I sought to submit to the will of God and began walking in obedience He gave the conviction and assurance I needed. But if you are doubting God’s faithfulness or wisdom and wanting your own way how can you expect to have peace? If you have made up your mind but it’s not what God’s plan is do you think you’ll have peace? Any “peace” you think you feel cannot be His.²

In the following verse in Philippians Paul gives us more help in gaining this peace: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” (Phil 4:8) Set your mind on things above and on what pleases Him. Trust Him to work out all the details and He will give His peace, even in the midst of turmoil.

Peace is so much deeper than just a feeling. It’s a knowing, it’s being convinced that God is with you, it’s having faith that no matter what everything is under His control. Paul says, don’t let the emotion of anxiety control you – give it to God. And our faith rests not on some theory, but a Person. Will you feel peace? Possibly, but maybe not – remember peace is not a feeling, it’s a conviction. God promises His peace, but the thing is it’s usually not something we experience right away. I heard David Powlison say once that this composure of peace is learned, and it is learned in relationship. As we grow in our trust and submission to Christ His peace will increase in our lives. Will we feel more peace? I think yes. But don’t focus on the peace, look to the source… look to Christ.  I’m not waiting on peace, I’m waiting on Jesus.

¹ Tripp, Paul David. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands (Philipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2002), p. 30

² How do you know if it’s God peace and not a false peace?

Sometimes we can be so afraid that what we are feeling is just a false peace and not God’s peace. After all, there are people who have gone and done things because they “had peace about it,” but it was sinful or ended badly. Assuming you already seeking to trust in and submit to God here’s some more advice for you: First, pray. This is crucial. It’s amazing how often want God to guide us, but then all we do is offer a quick prayer and move on to something more “practical”. You need the Lord to lead and guide you and sometimes the Lord will not make things clear to you until you have learned to wait on Him. Take time to fast and pray, really seeking Him above your own desires. Second, go to the Word of God and see what it has to say about the matter. It very well may not have anything to say directly to your situation (such as which school you should attend) but there are timeless principles in there than can be helpful. If what you’re doing or want to do is something the Bible says is wrong or it even advises against it, than whatever you’re feeling… it’s not God! The Holy Spirit will NEVER lead you to do something that is contrary to Scripture – it alone is our final authority. Next, got counsel from those older, wiser and more godly that you. These also should be men or woman who know you fairly well. Keep in mind that you need to be open and willing to accept to their counsel when they do give it, regardless of what you want. Finally, do what you are convinced is right based on the Scriptures and counsel you’ve received. Realize that conviction is also more than a feeling; it’s knowing what the right thing to do is regardless of how you feel! If you’re a Christian the Lord will guide you – whether it’s by His Word, counsel or by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If you are not convinced that the Lord is leading in a particular direction, stop, wait and pray. But in that remember that it’s not about doing what you want, but what the Lord wants you to do.

A GOD Worth Waiting For

“You may never know that Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.”

– Corrie Ten Boom

There came a point in my life when I ripped up and threw away all the letters and notes I’d written to my future husband.

I also stopped praying for him.

I’m sure you’re wondering why I would do all this!

There have been over the years (and there are still today) many well-meaning people and books that suggested to young people that they pray for and write letters to their future spouse. Sweet yes, and sure, a great idea, but looking back, I realize it wasn’t the best thing for me at times. First of all, I realized that most of those letters were rather immature and sometimes downright silly (and really, as I looked back at most of them I realized I didn’t actually want my future husband reading them!). They were really more an emotional outlet for me than writing a more serious letter to my future husband! In addition, instead of this pointing me to Christ it was fueling my own dreams for a husband and family (good things though they were) and leading ultimately to what the Bible calls idolatry.

Now I am not writing all this to convince anyone to stop praying for or writing to their future spouse. Actually, I think it’s wonderful if you can do that, and at some point I will probably resume that. But the point I’m making is that even good things with the wrong focus can become sinful. So my question for you, like the one God asked me, is simply where is your focus?

I realized, at least at present for me, that writing letters to my future husband took my focus off of where it should have been – squarely on Jesus Christ. While I had intended to keep my focus on God, I found this letter-writing actually distracting me from Him and focusing my emotions on another person. More than that, I realized I had been writing to the wrong person. It was God that wanted my heart and I was giving it to someone else… unknown and imaginary though he was.

There’s more to it, I’ll be honest with you…. praying for or writing to my future husband often hurts too much. I’m sure I’m not the only one whose long desire has been to be married and it hasn’t happened; nor am I the only one who’s had their hopes raised only to have them dashed to a thousand pieces (maybe more than once?). I heard a pastor speak once about how singleness can be a gift of suffering and I know from experience that is all too true. Many times it’s a trial, a thorn in my flesh. I’ve struggled with being angry, at people, circumstances, even at God; and bitterness has tried hard to gain a foothold. But as I look back I can see that God has graciously allowed me to suffer and withheld a good thing from me because this is what I needed to become more like Christ. I need to learn (again and again) to be satisfied in Him alone. Now I want to clarify that I do NOT think that you’ll stay single until you’ve reached some point of “full surrender” (good news, because we’ll never completely get there!); God uses different means for different people. There are some who will get married young, only to discover that is God’s means to teach them dependence and satisfaction on Him; for others it may be physical sufferings, financial hardship or some other disappointment or trial. Trials (in whatever form they take) are intended to lead us to a deeper dependence on Christ, and thus they are still a gift. Elisabeth Elliot wrote,

“Having now spent more than forty-one years single, I have learned that it is indeed a gift. Not one I would choose. Not one many women would choose. But we do not choose gifts, remember? We are given them by a divine Giver who knows the end from the beginning, and wants above all else to give us the gift of Himself. It is in the sphere  of His circumstances – that we receive Him. It is there and nowhere else that He makes Himself known to us.” ¹  

God gives good gifts to His children, but often He will strip us of some good gifts to give us something better. And again, the greatest gift that God could give us is the gift of Himself. He is the greatest treasure, the pearl of great price that we are compelled to sell all we have in order to obtain.

Should I be concerned about what my future spouse thinks about all this? Should I be worried he might be hurt if for awhile I didn’t pray for him or write letters to him? No… because quite honestly, I want to marry a man who is more concerned about my heart being God’s than being his. Instead of focusing primarily on being a good spouse, we should be focusing on growing in our relationship with Christ. A dear friend of mine once wrote, “Dare I say it, I am now so completely captivated by the love of this Heavenly Man, that I want no earthly man until it will only serve to bring my First Love greater glory on this earth!” ²  It is Christ who must have all our heart, our love must be for Him first and foremost. All our desires must be entrusted to Him and we must lay them down continually at His feet. Will it be worth it? Yes, we will have Jesus, and He IS worth it. He is worth every sacrifice, every trial, every tear; and He will bring greater joy, satisfaction and fulfillment than we ever could think possible. May we just keep believing and trusting.

"The enjoyment of [God] is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams. But God is the ocean."   - Jonathan Edwards

¹ Let Me Be A Woman p. 34

² Annie Wesche, My Soul’s Husband, Set Apart Girl magazine, Sept/Oct 2011. http://www.setapartgirl.com/magazine/archives

Themes & Key Verses of the BIBLE

Last month, I read through the whole Bible in a 31-day period. As I read, I tried to figure out the theme of each book, the character/attribute of God that was being portrayed and what the key passages/verses were (and no I didn't look at a commentary). This is what I found (books approximately in chronological order)…

Genesis – God as Creator and Sovereign Covenant Maker:

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

- Gen 17:5-7

Job – God as the Infinite Almighty, Sovereign over suffering

"I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

 - Job 42:2-3

Exodus – God the Deliverer

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.     - Ex 20:2

Leviticus – the God who is Holy

And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.           - Lev 20:26

Numbers – God as Merciful Provider (21:8-9)

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.      - Num 21:8-9

Deuteronomy – the God who Loves

The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.    - Deut 7:7-8

Joshua – the God who is Faithful

Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.     - Josh 21:45

Judges – the God who is Judge (but merciful too!)

They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless, the Lord raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.  

- Judges 2:13-16

Ruth – God as Redeemer

And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative."       - Ruth 3:9

1 Samuel – God as rightful King

And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day--with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods--so they are doing to you also."    - 1 Sam 8:7-8

2 Samuel – God the Kingdom Builder (beginning with David’s reign over Israel)

“And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."         - 2 Sam 7:16

1 Chronicles – the God who keeps His promises (David’s reign over Israel)

Then all Israel came together to David at Hebron, saying, "Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord your God said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.' "    - 1 Chron 11:1-2

Psalms – the God who is our Refuge

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear…           - Psalms 46:1-2

Proverbs – God as the Source of Wisdom

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…

- Prov 2:6

Ecclesiastes – God as the Source of Life’s Meaning

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all.              - Eccl 12:13

Song of Solomon – God as our Beloved

I am my Beloved's, and His desire is toward me.      

- Song 7:10

1 Kings – God’s Faithfulness to His Covenant

And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. Nevertheless for David's sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, by setting up his son after him and by establishing Jerusalem; because David did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…            - 1 Kings 15:3-5

2 Chronicles – the God who hears prayer

"When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to a land far or near; yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent… then hear from heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive Your people who have sinned against You.”           - 2 Chron 6:36-39

And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon.  Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.          - 2 Chron 33:10-13

2 Kings – God’s Longsuffering & Judgment

And this occurred because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods and walked in the customs of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel…             - 2 Kings 17:7-8 (ESV)

Obadiah – God as Avenger of His people (against Edom)

 "For the day of the Lord upon all the nations is near; as you have done, it shall be done to you; your reprisal shall return upon your own head.”

- Ob 1:15

Joel – the God who Restores

He will cause the rain to come down for you - the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.  “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten…”         - Joel 2:23-25

Hosea – God as Faithful, Forgiving Husband

Then the Lord said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by a lover and is committing adultery, just like the love of the Lord for the children of Israel, who look to other gods and love the raisin cakes of the pagans."    - Hosea 3:1

Jonah – God the Compassionate One

“Ah, Lord, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm…”

- Jonah 4:2

Amos – the God who Judges Sin

"You only have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities."     - Amos 3:2

Micah – the God who Punishes and then Restores

I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness.        - Micah 7:9

Isaiah – The God who brings Righteousness

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…

- Isaiah 61:10

Nahum – God as the enemy of Nineveh

The burden against Nineveh… God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; the Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, and He reserves wrath for His enemies…            - Nahum 1:1-2

Habakkuk – The God who has the last word

But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him."

- Hab 2:20

Zephaniah – the God who lives among His people

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save…

- Zeph 3:17

Jeremiah – the God of Vengeance

Shall I not punish them for these things?" says the Lord. "And shall I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?              - Jer 5:9

Lamentations – the God who Weeps over Jerusalem

"For these things I weep; my eye, my eye overflows with water; Because the comforter, who should restore my life, Is far from me. My children are desolate because the enemy prevailed."           - Lam 1:16 (NKJV)

Ezekiel – the God who Warns His People

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me…”     - Ezek 3:17

Daniel – the God of Everlasting Rule

I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end.

- Dan 6:26

Haggai – the God who has Zeal for His House

Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?"

- Hag 1:3-4

Zechariah – the God who Returns to His House (Jerusalem)

Thus says the Lord: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.'   

            - Zech 8:3

Ezra – the God who Stirs Men’s Hearts

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom…

- Ezra 1:1

Esther – the God who Raises up Deliverance

“For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

- Esth 4:14

Nehemiah – the God who Rebuilds

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. And it happened, when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was done by our God.

- Neh 6:15-16

Malachi – the God who is Worthy of Honor

For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations," says the Lord of hosts.

- Mal 1:11

NEW TESTAMENT:

Note: The first 3 Gospel’s were harder as they are very similar.

Matthew – Christ the foretold King

All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, Lowly, and sitting on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.' "     - Matt 21:4-5

Mark – Christ, the suffering servant

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”     - Mark 10:45

Luke – Christ the promised Messiah

And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

- Luke 4:17-21

John – Jesus as God in the Flesh

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…        - John 1:1 &14

“I and My Father are one.”   - John 10:30

Acts – The God who Builds His Church

Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.                - Acts 9:31

James – True Faith and the Christian Life

Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?     - James 2:22

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.     - James 3:13

Galatians – Salvation is through Faith alone (not by keeping the law)

…knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

- Gal 2:16

1 Thessalonians – Encouragement to keep on living as to please the Lord

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God…

- 1 Thess 4:1

2 Thessalonians – Further encouragement to endure and walk worthy of the Christ

Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.       

- 2 Thess 1:11-12

1 Corinthians – The CHURCH: God’s Temple & Body

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?   - 1 Cor 3:16

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.       - 1 Cor 12:12

2 Corinthians – Our boast and hope is in Christ alone

But "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord."  - 2 Cor 10:17

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech…    - 2 Cor 3:12

Romans – The way from Death to the fullness of Life

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.               - Romans 6:4

Colossians – Christ, the fullness of God in us

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.           - Col 2:9-10

Philemon – Paul’s appeal on behalf of Onesiums (personal letter to Philemon)

I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains… I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart…   - Philemon 1:12

Ephesians – Believers are united with Christ by grace

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…           - Eph 2:4-6

Philippians – No matter what your circumstances, rejoice in the Lord

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!             - Phil 4:4

1 Timothy – Stay true, and encourage others keep the faith

If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.        - 1 Tim 4:6

Titus – Trust in God, and do what’s right

This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.       - Titus 3:8

1 Peter – Our unity in Christ through Suffering

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.      

        - 1 Peter 4:12-13

Jude – Defend the Faith!

…I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.  - Jude 1:3

Hebrews – Jesus is Better!

But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.      -Heb 8:6

2 Timothy – Paul’s last words to Timothy: Be strong, keep the faith to the end

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.     - 2 Tim 2:1-3

2 Peter – Warning to guard against false teaching

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.       - 2 Peter 3:17-18

1 John – The evidence of true salvation

These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.          - 1 John 5:13

2 John – Watch that you don’t wander from the truth

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

- 2 John 1:7-8

3 John – Don’t follow bad examples (a personal letter to Gaius)

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.            - 3 John 1:11

Revelation – The fulfillment of God’s Mysterious Plan

…there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.      - Rev 10:6-7