Healing, Part 3
Healing, Part 3
Luke 4
Here’s what’s happening with Jesus while in Capernaum: within an approximate 24-hour period of time:
- He publicly casts out a demon in the synagogue, Luke 4:31-37
- He privately heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever, Luke 4:38,39
- He publicly cast out demons and healed everyone in the village who was sick, Luke 4:40,41
These events must be highly important in the life and ministry of Jesus because Matthew and Mark write about them as well in addition to Luke. Matthew provides the most compelling statement to tell us why these events happened and why we should seek to understand.
Matthew tells us that these events in Capernaum were done to fulfill what Isaiah the prophet wrote about in Isaiah 53.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.’ Matthew 8:17
Let’s go to Isaiah 53:
Surely our griefs He Himself bore, and our sorrows, He carried…But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. Isaiah 53:5,6.
Here it is revealed that the suffering of Jesus was for our well-being and healing. Let’s not gloss over this. Jesus healed and cast out demons and Matthew says it was done to fulfill Isaiah’s writings.
Is healing part of our salvation through Jesus?
The simple answer is YES. Healing is definitely part of our salvation in Christ. Let that soak in: Jesus died for us to cleanse us from our sin and guilt AND to provide us with a new body.
But we must be careful to understand what this means. What does the promise of healing and a new body mean?
We will see that the salvation of our souls is full and complete today in Christ. We also see that the salvation of our physical bodies is still yet to come. It will not be fulfilled entirely until our resurrection.
Jesus made a pledge!
2 Corinthians 5:1-5 teaches us this very important spiritual reality. For now, we groan and long for our new body and to be clothed with our heavenly covering, verse 2. For now, this body feels uncomfortable, like a burden, painful; but soon, this mortal flesh will be swallowed up by a resurrected body, verse 4. How do we know this? Verse 5 says that God has given us His Spirit as a pledge and promise of Him that our new bodies are coming.
When God heals today, it is not a guarantee that He will always heal in this world. When God heals today, He is kindly giving us a sneak preview of our future physical healing and complete transformation that we will receive when He gives us a new body.
The Spirit transforms our spiritual being with a new heart and soul; forgiven and cleansed. Additionally, the Spirit is given as a pledge of the future transformation of our bodies in heaven, I Corinthians 5:5.
Bringing it all together
In summary, here’s what we have learned about healing:
- The work of Christ, death, burial and resurrection, is to provide us complete salvation of spirit, soul and body.
- The transformation of our spirit and soul, with complete forgiveness of sin, happens to us on earth when God saves us, by grace, through faith. Ephesians 2:8,9 and Romans 8:1,2.
- The complete healing and transformation of our body comes at the second coming of Christ. I Corinthians 15:35-50; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.
- Jesus’ ministry of healing was to validate that He was God (John 3:2), and to provide a picture or preview of His work of complete salvation of soul AND body, (Matthew 8:17).
- We should pray for physical healing. We should absolutely pray for healing and call upon everyone we know to pray for healing as well.
- For loved one’s who are not now saved, we pray for their physical healing and that God may use His healing to save them spiritually.
- For loved one’s who are now saved, we pray that God would physically heal them that they might live longer to serve and bless others, 2 Corinthians 5:9.
- The full work of Christ has given us a new heart and new mind spiritually NOW, I Corinthian 2:16; Jeremiah 31:33. For now, we have the Spirit as a pledge of what is to come; full transformation in heaven of a perfect soul AND body, 2 Corinthians 5:1-10.
Father, it is in your nature to heal. In Your perfect time, all things will be made new, spiritually and physically. We long for physical healing and vitality but we know that sometimes you call us to suffer, just as men and women of God in the Bible suffered. Make us aware that our longings for wholeness, physically and spiritually, should remind us that this earth is not our home. We are not long here; heaven is our home. In the meantime, may we surrender ourselves to You, fully and completely, to be used by You for Your glory. Amen
Healing, Part 2
Healing, Part 2
Luke 4:38-41
Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.
While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
Here’s what’s happening with Jesus while in Capernaum: within an approximate 24-hour period of time,
- He publicly casts out a demon in the synagogue, Luke 4:31-37
- He privately heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a high fever, Luke 4:38,39
- He publicly cast out demons and healed everyone in the village who was sick, Luke 4:40,41
The public casting out of a demon and the private healing of Peter’s mother-in-law (which probably went public through word-of-mouth), set the stage for a good ol’ fashion healing service. That afternoon, all the people of the village gathered outside of Peter’s home after the word spread about the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. They brought any and all of their loved ones who were sick or oppressed to Jesus.
And laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Luke 4:40b
Lessons vs. Absolutes
Let me give you a hint about understanding the narratives of the gospels: the stories of the gospels teach lessons; they don’t teach absolutes (Doctrine).
As an example, here’s a mistake some make when they view narratives as absolutes. In this story, Jesus healed everyone from the village of all diseases and affirmatives. Therefore, Jesus will heal everyone who asks.
Some people prefer to embrace these stories and claim absolutes. TV preachers will proclaim that Jesus wants to heal everyone and then as ‘proof’ they read these verses of Jesus healing everyone. That is a mis-use of the Bible and of the principles of sound interpretation of the God’s Word.
The Spiritual and the Physical
To understand the Bible correctly, we should realize that certain parts give lessons and others give absolutes.
- The 10 Commandments are absolutes. The narrative account of the Exodus provides lessons.
- When Jesus teaches, He provides absolutes. The narratives of Jesus provide lessons.
- Proverbs contain absolutes. The stories of Solomon’s life in 2 Samuel contain lessons.
- The epistles of the apostles contain absolutes. The stories of the apostles of Acts contain lessons.
Additionally, there are absolutes that are true of us ‘spiritually’ but are not yet fully true ‘physically’. For example, Paul teaches an absolute truth by saying that spiritually, we are holy and blameless before Him, Ephesians 1:4. He also teaches that as long as we have a fleshly body, we are going to sin, Romans 7:14-17. Spiritually we are holy and blameless. Practically, as long as we are on this earth, we will still sin.
A strange story of healing (not).
I recently heard a pastor tell of a strange experience he encountered regarding the false view of healing that some Christians have. He was visiting some family in a town where he didn’t live. Some friends of his family, knowing he was a pastor, asked him to go to the hospital and visit with an elderly man who was close to death. He agreed.
When he entered the hospital room, he found an elderly man in the hospital bed, wheezing and fighting for every breath. His family was surrounding his bed but the oddest thing was happening. They were all joking and laughing. The pastor described the scene as awkward, strange and very uncomfortable.
As the pastor began to interact with the family, he discovered that they all believed that their father would be miraculously healed. Their view of Jesus was that He always heals when we pray. They felt they needed to laugh and enjoy this time because it would reveal to God how strong their faith was.
Yes, when someone is sick, we should pray for healing. Yes, absolutely. Call the elders and call everyone to pray. But pray with Jesus as your example. He said, not my will but thine be done. Spiritually, when we are in Christ, we will not die. But physically, we will die and therefore, sickness, illness and suffering are a part of our earthly existence.
Finally, the pastor took the older son out in the hallway and reasoned with him. ‘Your father is about to die and you as a family need to say goodbye. If you don’t, he could die while you guys are telling jokes.’ The son took it to heart and led the family to grieve and say goodbye before their father passed.
I believe
Note: I believe that God heals today, as well as in the past and certainly in the future. We all know of miraculous healings and/or have heard stories from reliable sources of God healing. But that doesn’t mean that we can boldly claim, as application of these stories in the gospels, that Jesus will heal everyone.
Next time, we’ll dig deeper into the fulfillment of prophetic healing found in Isaiah 53.
Father, as Paul said, while in this body we groan because we long to be clothed with the body that is guaranteed to us in heaven, (I Corinthians 5,4). We long for or physical bodies to be fully redeemed the way You have already redeemed our souls. This longing reminds us that our true home is in heaven. However, while we are here on earth, may we be useful to You, ready to do Your will and share our faith with others. Amen!
Healing, Part 1
Healing, Part 1
Luke 4:38-39
Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon’s home. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her. And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.
This is a strange way for me to begin a devotional writing but here it goes…
I literally don’t have any insight or discovery to share with you from this passage. I don’t know why this story is in the Bible three times. It is here in Luke and also in Matthew and Mark as well. There were hundreds of thousands of other moments in Jesus’ life that could’ve been included in the Bible, but God chose this one, the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. Why?
Welcome to my journey to discover the wonder of God’s Word.
Come with me as a struggle through this one to gain God’s purpose for this story and the richness of its meaning for us. I don’t know what it is now but I know it’s there.
How Do I Approach Narratives?
As we approach the narrative, we should begin with the understanding that there are always primary truths and secondary truths. Part of the fun is trying to discover God’s main purpose for including each story in Scripture and for mentioning each detail contained within the narrative. In order to gain the optimal blessings of God’s Word in our lives, we should be committed to and diligent about handling God’s Word accurately with a heart of discovery.
Back to Peter’s Mother-in-Law
This story has to be important because, in addition to Luke’s account, both Matthew and Mark included the story in their gospel. Here are their accounts:
When Jesus came into Peter’s home, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick in bed with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and waited on Him. Matthew 8:4-17
And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever, and immediately they spoke to Jesus about her. And He came to her and raised her up, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them. Mark 1:29-31
As far as having any profound insights, I got nothing. Okay, I’m at a point where I feel like giving up and just moving on to the next section of Luke. Maybe I’m over-analyzing. Maybe Jesus was just being nice and felt sorry for her. Maybe that’s all there is to it. Maybe I should move on.
On the other hand, I could keep pressing on to discover what the big deal is about Peter’s Mother-in-Law. Since the narrative is in three of the four gospel accounts, I just can’t let it go. I guess I’m feeling a little stubborn and I’m just not willing to let it go.
What I usually do when I encounter ‘Insight Block’ is press on with writing out simple observations. Here it goes…
Observations
- The sequence of this event comes right after Jesus leaves the synagogue in Capernaum where he cast out a demon.
- After the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, that evening, all the people in the village bring their sick to Jesus to be healed.
- Luke said he rebuked the fever and Matthew and Mark say that He took her hand. Both can certainly be true.
- Luke, perhaps because he was a physician, called it a ‘high’ fever.
- When the fever left, she didn’t need time to recover. She immediately had enough energy to wait and serve.
- This event occurred as talk of Jesus among the people was reaching a ‘fevered pitch’. This time in Peter’s home was a brief break from the needs of the people pressing upon Him.
Still nothing significant from these observations. They are good and interesting observations but they don’t get me to the main point of the passage. So, let’s re-read the same story again in
Matthew and Mark
- After the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, all three gospel accounts tell of the entire village coming to Peter’s house that evening.
- They bring their sick and oppressed and Jesus heals them all and casts out demons.
Maybe this is it!
I read more of the context in the Matthew account and I found something I missed before. The Matthew account states that these healings took place to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet; HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASE, Matthew 8:17.
Now we’re getting somewhere
These events of healing and casting out demons were to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah. Next time we’ll go to Isaiah and see what we can discover as the missing key to the story. We’ll dig in further next time.
Father, Your Word is a treasure to us. It is simple and clear and sometimes we make it too complicated. Regarding this passage in Luke, give us clarity and insight as we diligently seek to discover the important truths You are teaching us. You are our teacher; You are our guide; Your Word is the lamp and light that You use to open our minds to Your ways. What a joy to search and discover the wonders of who You are through Your most holy Word. We praise You and thank You for being our teacher. Amen!
Be Still and Know, Part 2
Be Still and Know, Part 2
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.”
In my writings, you see attention given to the purpose and background of the Bible book holistically (the larger context) and the surrounding verses of a particular passage being studied (the immediate context). Once we understand what the passage says in context and what it means, we can be sure of how we should respond, apply and live accordingly.
This is the true joy of systematic, devotional Bible Study.
What is the context of this familiar verse in Psalms 46:10?
Be still and know that I am God.
Last time, we considered the horror of natural disasters and the havoc they wreak on the lives of people. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. Be still and know that I am God. Click here to read Part 1.
The Uncertainties of Nations
The next section of Psalms 46 describes further uncertainties we live in. The instability of nations, governments and world leaders.
The nations made an uproar and the kingdoms tottered” verse 6.
We feel and sometimes fear the vulnerability of world events around us. 24-hour news channels remind us continually of the explosive powder kegs of political and economic instability of nations led by evil leaders around the world. We often hear the phrase, “these are uncertain times.”
Nevertheless, nations are subject to God’s power and His will. The Psalmist in chapter 46 uses the following phrases to remind us who is in control;
Come, Behold the works of the Lord…He raised His voice, the earth melted…He makes wars to cease…He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two…He burns the chariots with fire, verses 8, 9.
It is in this context of the uncertainties of physical disasters and the instability of nations that the Psalmists writes, Be still and know that I am God, verse 10
Then he writes the following about God; I will be exalted above the nations, I will be exalted among the earth, verse 10b.
Did you catch that???
Exalted over the nations, (political instabilities) and the earth, (natural disasters). Be still (in the midst of the chaos) and know that I am God (your refuge and strength).
What happens to me today is uncertain. However, His presence and attention toward me is guaranteed and sure.
Psalms 46:1 says, God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble… cease striving and know that I am God. Twice in Psalms 46 is the following reminder: The Lord of hosts is with us.
Now, take 2 minutes to read Psalms 46 with the full awareness of its context. You will have a whole new appreciation of the value of understanding familiar verses within their full context. Your understanding of God’s Word will soar.
Psalm 46 was the inspiration for Martin Luther when he wrote the hymn “A mighty fortress is our God.” Prayerfully reflect upon these words:
That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
Amen!
Be Still and Know, Part 1
Be Still and Know, Part 1
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God.”
This verse is straightforward, which is good. But is there more that we can discover from considering the verses that surround it? What is the context of this familiar verse in Psalm 46:10?
Be still and know that I am God.
The context always helps us reflect on the meaning of the verse in alignment with God’s original intent.
As we consider this question, let’s focus on the presence of Jesus. He is near, and He uses His word to teach us, guide us, whisper to us. Be in the moment with Him and know that He is God and He is YOUR God; near and present.
The Bookends
Psalm 46 has bookends that begin and end with foundational statements about God and what God means to us. In other words, this Psalm teaches us about God and then ends by answering this question; how then should we live? What a beautiful devotional Psalm it is.
So, as context to this familiar verse, Be still and know that I am God, the Psalm begins with this clear declaration of our God;
God is our refuge and strength; A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, verse 1.
Climate Change
What do storms and climate change have to do with knowing God? The opening verse kicks off a small section on the uncertainties of nature;
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change.
The Psalmists describes the horror of natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. He uses such descriptive phrases as; mountains slip into the heart of the sea…waters roar and foam…mountains quake…
This is the world we live in. Like many of you, I have personally walked through neighborhoods and homes that have been utterly destroyed by natural disasters. Some of you have even had your own homes destroyed by natural disasters. In the context of natural disasters, The Psalmist says, Be still and know that I am God. (Yes, easier said than done.)
He Will Rebuild
The Psalmist reminds us that such disasters are only temporary. I have walked through a destroyed house and despite the horrible scene, I witnessed the peace of God in the owner’s face. These were Christians who said to me, “our stuff is destroyed but nevertheless, all is in God’s hands. He will rebuild according to His will.”
As a contrast to our uncertainty of this earthly home, the Psalmist describes God’s permanent residence that will ultimately be our home. Our ultimate residence will be stable and sure. It is the city of God that will not be moved.
Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change. Be still and know that I am God.
Remember, He is near, and He uses His Word to teach us, guide us, whisper to us. Be in the moment with Him and know that He is God and He is YOUR God, near and present. More on Psalm 46 next time!
Father, when difficulties strike, we readily admit that it’s easy to turn to fear and doubt. It is our natural response. We need Your grace. We need Your grace always but we need an extra measure in difficult times of need. Be close to us at these times and grant us grace to see through the fog and know You are present. May we know that YOU ARE GOD and may we be reminded of all of Your wonderful attributes. Attributes of both love and power; righteousness and peace; kindness and truth. Amen!
Hannah: Oppressed in Spirit, Part 3
The Beauty of a Godly Woman
Today’s devotional is an excerpt from What I’ve Learned From Amazing Women of the Bible. Click here to buy the book.
1 Samuel 2:1-3
Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.
There is no one holy like the Lord,
Indeed, there is no one besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God….
For the Lord is a God of knowledge,
And with Him actions are weighed.”
Don’t miss the opening three words of our passage today: Then Hannah prayed—and what a prayer it is!
Hannah doesn’t just wake up one morning and have within her soul the capacity to pray such a prayer. No doubt she has been seeking God and pouring her heart out to Him for many years.
The depth of her prayers is one of the many reasons I believe she is an amazing woman from whom I can learn much. She is a woman of spiritual substance, and such substance doesn’t come easily or quickly. Her heart for God has developed over many years of both adversity and joy; and in all circumstances, Hannah prays.
Samuel is born as a result of Hannah praying through one of those times of adversity. Because she is barren, she pleads from the bottom of her heart for God to give her a son. And she commits her son to lifetime ministry should God answer her prayers.
God does answer her prayers, and Hannah celebrates Samuel’s birth by praising God with the amazing song of thanksgiving found in 1 Samuel 2:1-11. Once Samuel is weaned, Hannah and Elkanah take him to the temple and leave him with Eli, the priest, to be trained in ministry and leadership.
Samuel stays with Eli in what we would describe as a boarding school, this one specifically for future priests, and his parents visit him periodically throughout the year. So, when Hannah asked God to give her a son and promised to dedicate that son to Him, she knew that keeping her promise would mean physical separation from her young son.
Hannah’s commitment is costly, but God has used trials to prepare her and strengthen her. God also has a plan for Samuel. We see, for instance, the sovereignty of God in the formation of Samuel’s character, and he in turn becomes an agent of the formation of God’s chosen people, Israel.
Hannah’s Prophecy
Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving, as she surrenders Samuel to the Lord in the temple, is exultant praise. At the same time it is an amazing song of deep theological truth that includes prophetic words about what God is going to do in Israel during Samuel’s time of leadership and beyond.
Learning Alert
Hannah may not be a prophet like Isaiah or Ezekiel, but God uses her to articulate profound truth. Her prayer is so profound, God chose to include it in the Bible. These 11 verses are well worth reading.
You don’t have to be powerful, charismatic, or have an elevated position to be used by God.
God uses the humble servants, male and female, who devote their hearts to prayer with praise and thanksgiving.
Hannah Is My Hero!
The theme of Hannah’s prayer is that God blesses the humble and weak and exalts them while crushing those who spurn Him and trust in their own power and wealth. Hannah is prophesying what will be the state of the small nation of Israel throughout history among the powerful and fierce nations that surround them. Even today, powerful nations and religions vow to destroy Israel, just like Goliath vowed to destroy the shepherd boy, David. But they are destined to fail.
The Prayer of a Godly Woman
Here are a few lines from Hannah’s prayer. She may be a simple, Hebrew woman, but when she prays, she becomes a prophetic powerhouse. She prays:
- That the bows of the mighty are shattered, but the feeble gird on strength (1 Samuel 2:4)
- That God keeps the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked ones are silenced in darkness; for not by might shall a man prevail (verse 9)
- That “those who contend with the Lord will be shattered…and He will give strength to His king [David]… and will exalt the horn of His anointed “(verse 10)
- That the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s and He set the world on them “(verse 8)
How, Then, Should We Live?
We can learn much from Hannah, from both her example and her prophetic song. She is well-grounded in her understanding of God, His attributes, and how He deals with people. As we see in Hannah’s life, God blesses the humble and stands against the proud. This firm foundational truth helps Hannah rise above her rival’s criticism and mocking.
I challenge you to follow Hannah’s example and consider often the awesome attributes of God. A strong view of God will enhance how you live….and how you pray!
Lord, may we reject the ways of this world and its invitation to glory in a position of power and wealth. May we forsake the pursuit of earthly gain, the praise of others, and the desire to be someone special in the world’s eyes. Instead, may we humble ourselves before You and surrender all to You. Amen!
Hannah: Oppressed in Spirit, Part 2
She’s the Real Deal
Today’s devotional is an excerpt from What I’ve Learned From Amazing Women of the Bible. Click here to buy the book.
1 Samuel 1:24-28
Now when [Hannah] had weaned [Samuel], she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour, and a jug of wine and brought him to the house of the Lord in Shiloh, although the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull and brought the boy to Eli. She said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. For this boy, I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition, which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.
At the end of chapter 1, after Samuel has been weaned, Hannah takes Samuel back to the priest, Eli, and dedicates him to the Lord for a lifetime of service.
Second Thoughts
As she walks toward the temple, I wonder if Hannah is tempted to pull back on her previous commitment. Does she have second thoughts about completely dedicating Samuel to the Lord’s service as a priest? Maybe he could serve God closer to home. And, to keep her promise, does Hannah really have to give Samuel over for full-time service for his entire life? Sometimes when we make promises out of desperation, we later regret it and sometimes look for ways to compromise or justify a change of plans. Not so with Hannah. Hannah is absolutely faithful to her word.
This visit to the temple is quite different from Hannah’s previous trip. Consider the contrasts in Hannah’s prayers. In 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah made a desperate plea to God:
She, greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly.
Contrast this prayer with Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1:
Then Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
My horn is exalted in the Lord,
My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.”
We can learn a lot regarding prayer from this amazing woman. Hannah’s situation changed, and her prayers changed accordingly. But she was authentic in both.
There’s much talk in Christian circles today about being authentic.
There’s value to authenticity, but I sense it gets twisted at times. Sometimes Christians use their stance on authenticity as a license or justification for their sin, their weaknesses, their fleshly propensities. They might say, “I’m just being myself.” Let’s be careful with that attitude.
Learning Alert
I don’t want this false view of authenticity to alter what I see in Hannah as authenticity before God in prayer. When I sink low with feelings of fear and pain, I try to take them before God. In our weakness, let’s do our best to be authentic before God. That’s what Hannah did when she was both sad and happy.
Over my many years on this earth, I have found that authenticity seems to come more easily to women than to men. Do you find that to be true? This might be an interesting discussion to have with a few trusted confidants.
Since I’ve long been a corporate executive, my wife and I have attended many social functions over the years. Sometimes in these settings, we split up and have separate conversations with various small groups. After the party, when my wife and I are talking, she will say, for instance, “Why didn’t you tell me that Joe and Kim are having a baby?”
Why? Because Joe, one of my coworkers, never told me his wife was pregnant. So I tell my wife, “I didn’t know.”
The look on her face is priceless. “You work with Joe every day, and you didn’t know? What kind of friend are you?”
I smile, and she smiles and shakes her head.
My wife can find out more about my work associates in one hour at a social function than I will find out in six months at the office. She has a way of caring and asking questions that, with the demands of work, I just don’t get around to every day. She has a way of making a person feel it’s safe to be authentic. I don’t always have that gift.
Am I Authentic Before God?
So, yes, I may make excuses about focusing on work and not being transparent and authentic in my corporate life. But when it comes to God, I need to be authentic! I shouldn’t treat God like one of the guys. I should and I must bear my heart and soul before Him. I don’t need to hang my dirty laundry out so everyone else sees it, but I should before God. He knows it all anyway. Being authentic draws us toward Him!
We can learn much from Hannah.
Help us, Lord, to be authentic before You. Not as justification for our weaknesses and sin but as surrender to You with honest pleadings for Your help. Lord, hear us, revive us, restore us, and answer us according to Your perfect will. And in times of joy may we—like Hannah— loudly and boldly exalt You! May we praise You always. Amen!
Hannah: Oppressed in Spirit, Part 1
Pain and Triumph
Today’s devotional is an excerpt from What I’ve Learned From Amazing Women of the Bible. Click here to buy the book.
1 Samuel 1: 1-15
Now there was a certain man … and his name was Elkanah … He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children….
When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah, his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters; but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb….
Greatly distressed, [Hannah] prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. She made a vow and said, “O Lord of Hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life”…
Now it came about, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli [the priest] was watching her mouth. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving… Then Eli said to her, “How long will you make yourself drunk? Put away your wine from you.” But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 4-5, 10-15
A Monumental Story of Promise and Fulfillment
Before God’s Word takes us through the lives of Saul and David, the opening chapter of 1 Samuel introduces us to a most amazing woman. Her name is Hannah, and she is a faithful servant of God who keeps her promises.
I really love the story of Hannah. When it comes to character, integrity, grit, and passion, Hannah blows away the other important people we meet in 1 Samuel. She is simply awesome!
The key characters involved in the story of Hannah are:
- Hannah, the mother of Samuel
- Elkanah, Hannah’s beloved husband and father of Samuel
- Peninnah, Elkanah’s second wife
- Eli, the priest
- Samuel, the son of Hannah and future priest
Chapter 1 provides the backstory of Samuel’s birth. His mother, Hannah, is greatly loved by her husband Elkanah. You would love her too. She is a treasure. But God closes her womb, so Elkanah marries a woman named Peninnah. Seems like a boneheaded decision to me, yet in an agrarian society, men need children if the family is to thrive and sometimes just survive. Nevertheless, taking a second wife is a faithless and stupid decision.
The second wife is not nice, and she becomes bitter, insecure, and jealous of Hannah whom Elkanah so clearly loves. The fact that Elkanah has only married Peninnah for her body—to bear children—doesn’t endear him to Peninnah. She has many children, pleasing her husband but not increasing his love for her. Peninnah sees that Elkanah is utterly head over heels for Hannah. He loves Hannah greatly.
So Wife #2 ridicules Hannah for being barren. Not exactly the Cleaver household. (That’s a reference to the TV series Leave It to Beaver. Check it out on Netflix if you’re too young to know this show!) Her inability to have children is terribly painful to Hannah, but the text states that the Lord had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5). Clearly, God had a plan.
Learning Alert
As is often the case today, God’s plan for His children includes certain pain and distress that He uses to teach and grow us. The intended outcome is a stronger yet humbler followers of God.
Some say that God only brings about good things, and Satan and/or natural circumstances cause pain and distress. This study of Amazing Women clearly shows, however, that God as the Architect of all that happens, and He uses both pain and joy to accomplish His purposes and develop His servants’ character.
Some people don’t like that last sentence, and they’ve told me so. However, there is a purpose in pain. Physical pain, mental anguish, and broken hearts are difficult trials to endure. They sometimes tempt us toward bitterness. But God promises to carry us through such trials, and He emboldens our faith to trust rather than faint. He is able! If you’re hurting, I hope you believe that.
Hannah Is a Shining Star
Hannah is hurting, and we can learn from how she handles it. Specifically, Hannah turns to God in prayer and petition. She goes into the temple, weeping, and pours her heart out before the Lord as she asks Him for a son. In her prayers, she commits to dedicating her son to the Lord. The priest, Eli—seeing only her lips…moving, but her voice was not heard (verse 13)— thinks Hannah is drunk. Assuring Eli she isn’t drunk, she tells him of her plight and her petition to God. Eli blesses her and prays for her.
Shortly thereafter, Hannah becomes pregnant with Samuel, whose name means “heard by God.” Samuel was born according to God’s sovereign plan, and He strengthened Hannah’s faith through her pain.
Keeping Promises
Hannah now prepares to give her son fully back to God. She made that promise, and Hannah keeps her promise.
Would Hannah’s devotion to the Lord and faithfulness to her promise have happened if she had easily conceived early in her marriage? Maybe, but maybe not. When she was barren, God seemed far from her, but the opposite was actually true. God was near, and He was working out His plan. He was forging Hannah’s character and preparing her for a blessing of great magnitude.
There is purpose in pain.
Learning Alert
If only we would believe that God is at work in our lives when it seems He has abandoned us….
The truth is, Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 ESV). Hannah can teach us about trust and faith in a sovereign God who is wise, loving, all-powerful, and close to us even when He seems far away.
We can also learn much from Hannah and her passionate prayers. Yes, God may allow us to go through pain, but that doesn’t mean we take it lying down. Hannah goes to God and prays for His physical blessings upon her—and she doesn’t let go. God cares about our spiritual state, yes, but He cares about every other aspect of our lives as well. Let’s learn from Hannah’s passionate and unrelenting prayers to God asking Him to make things good and right in her life.
Using Hannah as an example, Lord, teach us about faith and trust in You! Help us see that You aren’t far away even when it feels like it. Grow our faith to go beyond our feelings and help us rest in the promises of Your Word. Remind us of the mighty deeds You have performed in the past. Remind us that our current difficulties are not difficult to You. You are able, and You will bring Your perfect plan to pass! All praise be to You, our mighty God and King! Amen!
Does Always Mean Always?
Does Always Mean Always?
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks;
For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
There is a simple theme that runs through this brief section of Paul’s writings. These five words explain it all: always; without ceasing; in everything.
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18
The theme is amplified with the phrase at all times.
No one can do something always
These verses have overwhelmed at times. Maybe you too. For one to go from being a typical American Christian; overwhelmed with busyness, anxious over the responsibilities of life and riddled with various stresses and doubts — to one who communicates always in joy and gratitude; abiding at all times in the presence of God???
Well, come on! That is just overwhelming to consider.
Small, incremental progress
For me, the only way to process this principle of always is to allow my spirit the grace to progress ever so slightly, one day at a time. Brother Lawrence addresses this simple concept of small, incremental progress in his fourth letter contained in the book, Practicing the Presence of God. Following are simple encouragements from the book.
Keep it simple
He encourages his readers that if they want to overthrow the power that presently governs [their] life and replace it with a better Power, then take steps toward the following —
He does not require a great deal of us; all He asks is a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little worship. Sometimes we should ask for His grace, and sometime we should offer Him our sufferings. At other times we ought to thank Him for the grace He has given us and which He is working in us.
In the midst of your work console yourself with Him as often as you can. During your meals and your conversations, lift your heart towards Him from time to time; the slightest little remembrance will always be very pleasant to Him. To do this you do not need to shout out loud. He is closer to us than we think.
We can make our heart a prayer room into which we can retire from time to time to converse with Him gently, humbly, and lovingly. Everyone is capable of these familiar conversations with God — some more, some less. He knows what our capabilities are. Let us begin, for perhaps He is only awaiting a generous resolve on our part.
So make it a habit little by little to worship Him in this way. Ask Him for His grace and offer Him your heart from time to time during the day in the midst of your work. Do not constrain yourself by rules or private devotions. Offer Him your heart in faith, with love and humility.
Closing
Friends, these words of encouragement were refreshing to my soul this morning as I considered the [sometimes] overwhelming phrases from God’s Word that call us to live in the Spirit — always; without ceasing; in everything; at all times.
Father, we know that You are always with us. Encourage us to pause and whisper to you throughout the day; I love You; I need You; I thank You. We are grateful that you are so patient with us, in all things. We may be weak and needy but deep down in our hearts, we love You. You have been kind to pour Your love into our hearts so that we can love you back, in simplicity and earnestness. You are a great and loving Father and a loving and kind Savior of our souls. We are always thankful and grateful, even when we forget to say so. Amen.