Disorientation with God?

Read Psalm 73

Life situations take us through varied experiences - moderate to extreme. They even influence our beliefs, values, judgments and outlook on life. In our spiritual walk with Jesus, when it comes to trying times in life, a realtime crisis, there's no telling how that situation is going to influence our decisions and mold our future. The devil is always trying to create a gap, a disorientation between us and our Savior Jesus Christ. Psalm 73 beautifully illustrates how can we overcome such disorientation and keep our walk as close as ever with God.

In Psalm 73, Asaph expresses his 'state of mind' and how to one such phase of crisis in his life, which mirrors the very mental process we go through when we go through testing times.

Verse 1-2: The Psalmist fully aware, acknowledges the Kingship and sovereignty of Lord God. He also recounts the miracles God has performed for the deliverance of Israel and to him personally. But, he mentions a personal crisis, where he has slipped / backslided in his walk of faith.

Verse 3-12: Just like we turn around and get disheartened looking at how the godless people prosper / or not facing any crisis inspite of all their blasphemies and arrogance; here, Asaph goes on to compare his crisis situation against the others who do not hearken unto God's word.

Verse 13-14: Asaph is pronouncing conclusions from what he's observed around him. This is a perfect example of how we allow our circumstances to squeeze us into its mold, and starts to influence our attitudes, behavior and decisions eventually. Such situations even make us question God's faithfulness to us.

Verse 14-22: A lovely example is set here about what we need to do when faced with time of crisis. When the circumstances and people around us try to victimize us, we need to turn to our Lord, enter His sanctuary, count our blessings, take our decisions in the light of His word. When we compare our disappointment and the questioning 'state of mind' in the light of God's word and counsel, Asaph says, we are like 'brute beast'.

Verse 23-27: A song of praise gushes forth from all the bitter experiences. Perhaps, as Asaph sings out, his circumstances haven't improved. What exactly has brought the change was the reorientation with God, through His word, and by entering His sanctuary.

Verse 28: The final word - "it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds"

There's not a better antidote to any trying time for a believer. Though we slip time and again from our faith by comparing our situation with that of others and get disoriented from God, it's only through His word, that we can ever stay close to our God. There's no better refuge that we can turn to.

By Manohar Lazarus

Rend Your Heart

“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Joel 2:13

Rending garments was an outward expression of distress, of uncontrollable emotion, of grief, of sorrow, of terror, or of horror either in private or public. Gen. 37:34; Lev. 13:45; Job.1:20; Acts 14:14. In the Bible it was not mentioned as a part of ordinary mourning.

The holy garments of the priests were on no occasion to be rent Lev.10:6; Ex. 28:32. But in Jesus Christ's case the High Priest Caiaphas tore his garments which was the act of greater hypocrisy Matt 26:65; Mk.14:63. It might be done hypocritically. Where there is no true repentance.

Prophet Joel plainly didn’t forbid the use of such outward expression, by which person’s repentance might be expressed, but only requires that it be done not in outward expression only, but accompanied with the inward affections “rend or pierce your hearts rather than your garments, and turn to God with true repentance.” Conversion of heart is important than religious conversion.

It is God’s will that everyone must turn to Him with true repentance and not just outwardly. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite, O God, you will not despise.” Ps.51:17

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 Jn 1:9

He says to all us “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezek 36:26

He forgives him/her sins and changes person into new creation. Anyone can approach Him with repented heart for the forgiveness of sins.

God says “Return, ye backsliding children, I will heal your backsliding.” Jer.3:22

He is slow to anger and kind God. He is gracious and merciful to forgive our sins. He delights not in the death of sinners, but desires that they may turn and have everlasting life. That is why Lord Jesus Christ offered His Life for the sins of whole world. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Lk. 19:10.

A few examples are given below:

1. Ninevites repented and reformed and saved. Jonah 3:9; Lk.10: 9-10
2. Zacchaeus repentance and received the gift of the salvation; Lk. 15: 17-19
3. Prodigal’s repentance. But Judas and one thief didn’t repent and they perished. Mtt.27:5; Lk.23:36.

Rev. Varinder Kumar

God is with you..

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous: Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Josh 1:9

This was a scene where people standing at the bank of the over flowing River Jordan with hope and trust that they are going to be enter into Promised Land and there they are going to be settled. There will be no more slavery and no more wandering.

They were only waiting for a signal to enter into the Promised Land. This Promised Land was unknown and new for them. They didn’t know the way and anything about Promised Land and also they had new leadership of Joshua.

But unchanging and Almighty God was with them, His promise of Promised Land was with them. So as they take every step towards Promised Land God was moving ahead of them.

We must learn from their experience before Joshua could lead his people, he, too, had to put his faith into action. He had to be strong and not be afraid. God had to work by him, not just for him. He could not do anything and watch God do it all.

God has given to us all the good things that we need (Ephesians 1:3). We must take every step with faith towards Promises and claim these promises & blessings. The Israelites could not receive the blessings of God until they moved forward. We will not enjoy the blessings of God if we are lazy. We cannot simply do anything. We need to take step towards His Promises.

It does not matter how often we have failed or tried. Only believe that God is with you. God cannot fail, and will not forsake; be strong, and go forward!

The one thing that God asks of all of us is that we should obey Him. We must meditate upon the Scripture day and night; it must not depart from our heart or mouth.

We must be strong in our faith and take every step towards His Promises.

We, too, can know that the same God is with us (Matthew 28:20).

Rev. Varinder Kumar