Author: Christine Wyrtzen

She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold – which they used for Baal. Hosea 2:8

Once upon a time, a man became a father. He held his newborn daughter close and breathed in the wonder of her. When she turned two, he threw her into the air and exclaimed in delight. Was any child more perfect? At night, while his child of promise slept, he dreamed of the all the things he could give her that would make her happy. His list was long.

For many years, their love flourished. As she grew older and opened each gift he gave, she hugged him tightly in gratitude. Her heart was stirred that she could be fortunate enough to have such a father when so many lived like orphans.

At some point in time, things blurred. The girl was now a woman.  Receiving gifts was commonplace. She grew bored with her father though his passion for her had not changed. She grew indifferent toward him though every beat of his heart continued to whisper her name. She was not moved in the least that, even now, he stayed awake at night, watching her as she slept, dreaming of yet more gifts to give her.

·    The father built his daughter a beautiful castle. She walked in the front door and was immediately dazzled by its glitter. She dreamed of all the ways she could decorate it, sell it, and buy a bigger one.

·    One day when she awoke, sparkling jewels glistened on her fingers. She was enamored with the size of them, the value of them, and went out straightway to get them appraised. She kissed the rings; a symbol of wealth, not affection.

·    He filled her life with friends who loved her. When she discovered that they also desired to give her gifts, she was intoxicated with the possibilities. She invited them to live with her in her castle. They indulged her in return. What a perfect arrangement.

It was a sad day when the woman asked her father to move out. She had everything she wanted. She no longer needed him. The father lived nearby and watched her from a distance. He would wait for her. He would never give up hope that her heart would want him again.

*****

When men have gone so far as to talk as though their idols have come to life, it is time that someone broke them.   William Shakespeare

I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.  As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied their heart became proud; therefore, they forgot Me.  Hosea 13:5-6

The quality of our relationship with God can be determined by how much we think we need Him.  If we perceive the need to be great, we draw close.  If things are going well, it’s easy to retreat into a default stance of emotional distance.  Our response to green pastures numb us out to the One who saved us.

Why is this?

1. We don’t like being in need.  Neediness put us out of our comfort zone but when things are tough, we don’t have a choice.  We bite the bullet and run home, believing subconsciously that our need is only temporary.  As soon as things turn around, we can go back to a form of self-sufficiency that feels far more dignified.

2. Intimacy scares us and admitting our need strips us of all pretense.  We know God is seeing each of us as we really are.

3. I don’t like powerlessness.  The wilderness is unforgiving and reminds us that we do not have control over any of its elements.  We are forced into a position of acknowledging that we need someone more powerful to survive.

None of us like to feel used; people only come to us when they need something.  Their flattery is a means to an end.  Could God feel like this when His children only warm up when the fires are hot?  At that point, I may as well say that God is utilitarian – the ‘fixer’ when I’m in a tough spot.  Getting older begins to teach a lot valuable lessons.  One that has surprised me is this ~ My best times with God are when I set out to enjoy him on a good day.

I used to run to You as a beggar child.  You invite me in all kinds of weather.  I celebrate our union.  Amen

So that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.  Romans 15:32

The word ‘refresh’ is found 17 times in scripture.  In most of them, the spirit of one person is being refreshed in the company of another.  This got me thinking.  What really happens when I am refreshed?  Who is it that refreshes me? And most importantly, am I a person who refreshes others?  Do I leave them feeling stronger or weaker?

I jotted down names of people who refresh me when I’m in desperate need of it.  What is it about each one?  Each is:

• Someone who is deeply at rest in the Lord.
• Someone who is permanently unshaken by life.
• Someone who has had their needs met in Christ and can listen well without self-distraction.
• Someone whose heart is full of the scriptures and it comes out of their mouth at just the right time.
• Someone who inspires faith, not blind optimism.
• Someone who whispers courage based on God’s presence and promises.
• Someone who prays for me, by name, with intuition and discernment.

I know it’s possible to be refreshed by someone who is kind and positive.  Perhaps they’re not even a believer but their personality and attitude toward life are contagious.  But, when I need more than a pep-talk and someone to speak God’s words into my life for perspective and strength, I won’t get it from them.  Without Christ, there is no foundation to their strength.  Their encouragement has no substance even though their personal fortitude is admirable.

Paul knew that if He went to Rome to be with the Roman believers, he would be refreshed.  Weariness and discouragement would be replaced by hope and renewal.  If I don’t have others in my life who refresh me, I need to ask God why and possibly make changes about those with whom I fellowship.  Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs ~ so important was the spiritual refreshment that happens between two people who love Jesus.

Make me more like the ones on my list, Jesus.   Amen

Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.  Make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and out with pitch.  Genesis 6:114

God’s children are not destined for wrath but eternal life.  God’s wrath was about to destroy the earth with a flood but God proclaimed a different outcome for Noah. When the world would groan under the weight of God’s judgment, His child would safely nestle in God’s care.

This is not the last time an ark is mentioned.  When the male children of the Hebrews were being slain by Egyptians, God had one mother make a nesting place for her baby amidst the bulrushes of the Nile.  The same words for ‘an ark made with pitch’ are used again as she made a ‘floating box made with pitch’ to save her baby, Moses.

God’s purposes, written before time, will always prevail.  Even though it may appear that evil has snuffed out God’s promises, His covenant is unshakeable. The end of the story has already been written and God does not have to labor to make it all work out in the end.

What floodwaters are threatening to undo you today?  When trouble rushes in like a flood, I can feel that my life is at stake emotionally, even physically.  Noah heard the roar of the storm, felt the fury of the wind on his ark, but rode out the storm with confidence.  Today, Jesus is my ark, my hiding place .

David said, “The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”  When in danger for my life, I run to Him.  Like a child who flees to a parent’s room to hide in their embrace during a storm, I run to Christ.  Under His wing, I hear His assurances.  “Shh, don’t be afraid.  I’m here.”  Under His wing, He even serves me a banquet in the presence of my enemies.   Each morsel holds the most poignant revelation.

I must not listen to voice of my enemy today.  He would assure me that I’ve failed, tempt me with many ways to self-preserve, suggest that I defend myself against accusers, goad me to self-comfort in ways that are not good for me, and encourage me to force circumstances to work in my favor.  All the time, God’s arms are open, He’s stooped down to beckon to the scared small child.  “Come!”

Jesus, my ark of safety.  Sealed by Your Spirit.  I run to You at the sign of the first threat on my life.  Amen

For thus saith the Lord, “Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.” Jeremiah 31:12

Are you languishing under the condemnation of someone else’s words?  The only cure is to allow God to speak the truth.  I must be willing to disown the hurtful words and no longer have them define me in any way.  The injurious words should be dealt with severely at the cross, in prayer.

Damage is done in two ways.  1.) by the words themselves but also, 2.) by the spirit that came with them.  What do I do with the animosity of the one who spoke them?  I forgive them as Christ forgave me.  I remember my own sin.  How many times have I injured the heart of God with my words, my accusations?  How many times, in my spiritual immaturity, did I whine like an entitled child when hard times came?  How many times did I insinuate, even say outloud, that He was a difficult Father to trust?  Yet, despite everything I hurled in His direction, He forgave me.  To understand the love of God, I look at Jesus.  I remember His response to taunting, even while suffering.

“While they hurled their insults at him, He did not retaliate ; when He suffered, He made no threats.  Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”  I Peter 2:23

When words are spoken against me, I follow Jesus.  1.) I do not retaliate.  2.) I make no threats.  3.) I forgive them and pray for them.  I remember disciples like Stephen who, when he was being stoned to death for his faith, cried out with words that were reminiscent of Jesus on the cross.  Falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.  Acts 7:60

Jesus will deal with my spiritual accusers. I lay down my sword and defer to the King who holds the scepter of authority.  The spirit that came with the words, He will rebuke.  When I forgive them and put them in His hands, the one who judges righteously, I am cleansed from all the word’s effects.

PRAYER: “Lord, I forgive the person who spoke to me so treacherously and I give up my right to take revenge.  Nullify the effects of their comments under the power of Your shed blood.  Take these words from my mind and my heart.  Remove the arrows that wounded my soul so deeply.   Make it as though the words had never been spoken.   I put this person in Your hands for You to rule righteously. 

Now, for my own healing, I will eat the scroll of Your Word.  I will allow Your Spirit to speak truth to me, to lighten my path, and to define me.  I look to Your face for all the love and approval I need to stand today with no trace of shame.  “The Sun of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings.” Malachi 4:2  Amen

For Christ’s love compels us.  2 Corinthians 5:14

The Old Testament heroes of the faith had so little to fuel their journey.  All they had were the words God spoke to them.  They had no church to fan the flame of faith.  No bible.  No bible studies.  No fellow believers.  They were virtually alone and the only ones in their world to hear God’s voice.  They clung to His words in a vacuum.

Sometimes, we feel alone.  We’re so outnumbered humanly speaking.  God calls us to Himself and calls us to live against the grain of our culture.  Because the world hated Jesus, we were warned that they will hate us as well.  We must go against the tide of society.  The cost is steep but the rewards more than compensate.

Today, perhaps we stand in faithfulness in the vacuum of the workplace.  We’re the only ones who won’t manipulate, won’t engage in dishonesty, won’t use others for advancement.  What should cause others to respect us can quickly turn to scorn.  Consider the county clerk in Kentucky!

We stand in faithfulness in the vacuum of our families.  We are aware that Jesus could come at any moment.  We are focused and live ready to meet Him.  This hope has divided families as unbelievers question the sanity of those who share their last name.  We are labeled ‘brainwashed’ and ‘gullible’ as we speak of end times.

The love of God, expressed in Christ, constrains us to live out our faith despite the prospect of great suffering.   What gives me the courage today to stay the course is only one thing ~ my love for Jesus.  No feelings of guilt or obligation can motivate me to spend my life.  And, I can’t live off of someone else’s faith either.  There isn’t enough inspirational rhetoric in the Christian community to impart courage in the face of discrimination, even martyrdom.  Only a love affair with Jesus makes it worth it.

You gave Your life for me when I hated You.  I give my life for You when all You’ve ever done is love me.  In Jesus name, Amen