"There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."
Good. How do we define good? How do we define success, happiness, joy, fulfillment, etc? In God's terms, or in man's terms? There are many who tell us that we will be happy if we just get that job or that possession. They tell us that we deserve this "good" and that in it we will find ourselves truly complete. Unfortunately, there are many in the Church who peddle the Gospel in the same manner, telling us that the joy and prosperity found in God are primarily defined by our checkbook and stress-free lives. "If the Lord lifts the light of His face upon you," they say, "you'll never have another worry. All your bills will pay themselves. Your family won't disappoint you. You'll have your best life now and forever."
I'm afraid the Bible paints a different picture. For starters, not every circumstance will be pleasant. We are called to bear our crosses and to press through adversity. What makes us different, however, is the presence of the Lord. His presence doesn't always change our circumstances, but it does change how we deal with them. He gives us joy that transcends circumstances. He gives us rest that allows us to lie down and sleep despite the troubles around us. It's not that we are blind to our problems, but with the knowledge of the Lord's sovereignty and the assurance that the things of this life are vanities we can find peace and safety. This is what the grace of God produces in the life of a believer! This is true joy! This is what happens when the Lord lifts the light of His face upon His people!
Good. How do we define good? How do we define success, happiness, joy, fulfillment, etc? In God's terms, or in man's terms? There are many who tell us that we will be happy if we just get that job or that possession. They tell us that we deserve this "good" and that in it we will find ourselves truly complete. Unfortunately, there are many in the Church who peddle the Gospel in the same manner, telling us that the joy and prosperity found in God are primarily defined by our checkbook and stress-free lives. "If the Lord lifts the light of His face upon you," they say, "you'll never have another worry. All your bills will pay themselves. Your family won't disappoint you. You'll have your best life now and forever."
I'm afraid the Bible paints a different picture. For starters, not every circumstance will be pleasant. We are called to bear our crosses and to press through adversity. What makes us different, however, is the presence of the Lord. His presence doesn't always change our circumstances, but it does change how we deal with them. He gives us joy that transcends circumstances. He gives us rest that allows us to lie down and sleep despite the troubles around us. It's not that we are blind to our problems, but with the knowledge of the Lord's sovereignty and the assurance that the things of this life are vanities we can find peace and safety. This is what the grace of God produces in the life of a believer! This is true joy! This is what happens when the Lord lifts the light of His face upon His people!
Comments
Post a Comment