The Great Paradox

Matthew 5:6 (KJV) Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

      Paul wrote to Timothy “ I know whom I have believed.” Okay that sounds right. I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good. I have found the pearl of great price. Like the song says, “I know, I know there is no doubt about. He’s real in my heart and I’m gonna shout it.” Those who have found (or been found) by Jesus have come into a wonderful place. The eyes of their understanding have been opened and they can say, “I know the maker of the Heavens and the Earth.” I am filled.
     
     Then we read in Philippians where Paul writes, “to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” In another place He tells the Philippians, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended in Christ Jesus.” This is the heart of a seeker. Paul sounds hungry and thirsty. There is a stirring in his soul that can only be filled by knowing Jesus.
     
     Here we see the great paradox of the fourth beatitude as Jesus talks of great hunger and great filling. To be filled with the knowledge and presence of God is a never ending blessing. The joy and peace, the light and glory, the wisdom and knowledge, the love and grace are never ending. There is no searching the height or depth of God. He is unknowable and yet all knowing. Just writing these words stir my soul to great joy in knowing that He loves me and gave Himself for me. And in the peace that flows through my spirit there rises a great hunger, a discontentment. I long for more of His Spirit. I need more of His life flowing through me. Filled yet hungry! Satisfied but thirsty! The more I know Him, the more I love Him, the more I love Him, the more I need Him.
    
     If you have come to the table of God and eaten of His bounty, you are blessed beyond measure and apprehended by a desire that will never cease. Those that say they have been there but never desire to feast on His presence, never seek Him, but live their lives as if He was just a small part will never know the joy of this great paradox. Being filled and oh so hungry.

Spiritual Workouts

Psalm 27:1 (KJV)  - The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

In these times of economic hardship many are losing their jobs, their pensions, even their homes but I heard a report that gyms are booming.  It seems that even when times are hard this generation doesn’t want to give up their workout.  On the same note, have you ever noticed that in January, right after we have eaten our way through the holidays and made those New Year’s resolutions, the stores feature all of the exercise equipment for sale?  There is something within us that desires strength and stamina.  Deep inside our psyche we know that this will somehow make our lives better.  But how do we view our spiritual health?
    The verse for this week is thought to have been written by David when he was exiled and running for his life.  He had lost the throne, his family had turned against him, the people had rejected him and his future was not very sure.  Still David looked toward Jerusalem and poured out his soul unto the Lord.  “The Lord is my light, my salvation, my strength…of whom shall I be afraid?”  In the light of all that David had lost his desire was to seek the Lord.  The “one thing” that he desired was not his throne, his family, or his power, it was to dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 27:4 (KJV)  “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”  This fallen king knew that his strength came from spending time beholding the beauty of God and seeking the Lord. 
     There is not one thing on this earth that will not fail you.  The government, your family, your health, your wealth, your best laid plans will let you down but there is one place that you can invest everything and your time and energy will be held on rock solid ground.  Doesn’t it make sense to invest in the sure thing?  When the Lord is the strength of your life there is nothing to fear.  What is your one thing?  What are you seeking, desiring, and longing for with all of your heart?  Can you say with David, "The Lord is the strength of my Life?"

A Face for the Name

2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

One of the four conditions given to the people called by God’s name is to seek His face. Too often, in the midst of our trials, God’s people look for his hand. Our prayers are full of requests and our faith is exercised to “move the hand of God”. Imagine a bride that loves the money and gifts her husband brings to her and keeps asking for more but avoids spending time with him. She doesn’t take time to talk to him, won’t read his letters to her except to find out ways to get more stuff from him, and never spends any time thinking about him. Once a week she spends an hour in the same room as him listening to others talk about him. This bride tells the world that she loves him but she really doesn’t behave like a woman in love. To this people God cries out “If you will humble yourself and pray, and seek my face, and turn from your wicked ways; then I will hear, forgive, and heal your land.”

Imagine the sorrow of the Bridegroom. He loves His wife so much that He gave up everything to redeem her, even laying down His life for her. He is powerful, rich and lacks for nothing but His desire is for her to desire Him. It is His great pleasure to give her the kingdom. Why won’t she love Him? Not in words but in deeds! God cries out “Seek my face! Spend time with me! Get to know me!” What will our answer be? Words and intentions can never be of value unless they are carried by the heart to a place of fulfillment. Remember faith without works is dead and so is love without sacrifice.