David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and he said: Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.

Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name.

I Chronicles 29:10-13

None of us like to be exposed.   It’s our natural tendency to hold a little back, to not let anyone see all of the “real” us, to manipulate what we reveal to others in order to show our best side. 

We may be able to get away with that in our everyday lives.  But not with God.

“To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul”.  Psalm 25:1

That’s the first verse of a Psalm I’ve come back to again and again when I need God’s guidance and direction.  But somehow, I’ve never stopped to really think about what it means.  It sounds all lofty and nice and “Here I am, Lord”.  I know I’ve said it and sung it, but today I realized something.

 It means I’m exposed. 

“Soul is not life in the abstract.  Soul is personal existence.  It is the life or self of an individual as marked by vital drives and desires.  It is the seat of emotion and will.  It is emphasized by that unique, personal and individual self. It means life as it is uniquely experienced by personal beings.”

(Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

In other words, when I lift my soul, I lift…..me.  All of me.  My thoughts, my desires, my will.  I expose myself.

And I need to do that before I come to God with my questions and my requests, and even my praise.  God wants to see that I’m not trying to hold anything back.

It’s the first verse of Psalm 25.  But I need to make it the first verse of my life.

Does He not see all my ways, and count all my steps?  Job 31:4

Let us lift our hearts and hands To God in heaven.  Lamentations 3:41

Search me, O God, and see if there is any wicked way in me.  Psalm 139:24

Examine me, O Lord and prove me.  Try my mind and my heart.  Psalm 26:2

I’ve never had a guest blogger before!  I thought you’d enjoy hearing something from my Dad – his perspective on the last 5 weeks following his stroke.  He wrote this for his ministry* newsletter, but I thought I’d borrow it for this blog.  Lessons learned in the waiting…

On Tuesday, the early afternoon sun streamed into Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, NJ where I was concluding three weeks of intensive therapy to recover from the stroke. I wheeled myself toward what I thought was the sun-drenched courtyard only to find the November sun had just left my intended spot.

In its place, the most beautiful music was coming from a piano strategically placed in a pleasant eating area. A fellow patient was playing old secular tunes, and I parked my wheelchair nearby to listen. Some mystical connection was made as I moved my hand in a gesture of approval. A subtle bond was established, and the man, who I later learned was a believer also named David, modulated into a hymn. “Amazing Grace” drifted through the rotunda.

It had been 32 days since I left our home in Towaco for a simple overnight at my son and daughter-in-law’s in Reading, PA and nearly that long without a mouthful of food or a sip of water. I had spent lonely nights listening to the moans of distressed and troubled roommates. I’d had feeding tubes in my nose and one inserted into my stomach. I had suffered complications in surgery and received blood transfusions. I’d had atrial fibrillation in the middle of the night and been saved by heroic medical efforts. A test showed that there would be a future hospital stay for bypass surgery.

But for those few magical moments, most all of the stress was eclipsed by “Amazing Grace.” As David moved into a second verse, I began quietly mouthing my praise. “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Thanks, friend. I needed that!

David then swung into “The Old Rugged Cross” and rounded out the hymn trilogy with “It Is Well.” The last chasm between human troubles and divine grace had been bridged. The old hymns had spoken the message of the blood, God’s grace and perpetual comfort. Thanks, Lord. I needed that!

And don’t we all, whether we are in sunlight or shadows.

Praise God for putting in hearts a new song that is really the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
Yours, still serving,

Dave Virkler

*my Dad is the Founder and Director of Dedication Evangelism, Inc. and hosts a weekly radio program called “The Word and The World”.  They are celebrating 50 years of ministry this year!  So proud of him – and so grateful that God’s plan for him here is not finished yet!   http://wordandtheworld.homestead.com/

So we gained an “extra” hour sometime Sunday morning.  I’ve always thought it was the strangest thing that in most parts of the USA we feel we have the right to manipulate the clock twice a year.  I find it annoying.  And my brother once said he was going to start a movement called “P.A.C.T” – People Against Changing Time.

But my personal feelings aside, this change in November is my favorite of the two.  We turn the clock back an hour.  I love the extra hour of sleep.  I love that it’s lighter earlier.  And strange as it sounds, I like that it gets darker earlier in the evening.  It makes me feel cozy.

We make a big deal about the “extra hour”.  But in reality, every hour we have is an “extra hour”.  Every hour is a gift, because God gives it to us.  He controls our every breath and our every heartbeat.   And in His sovereignty, He could decide at any time that our hours here on earth are done.

I need to make the most of every hour I’m given, not just the “extra” one we get in November.  There are things God wants me to do with the hours He gives me, and I don’t want to get to the end of my hours and look back in regret, seeing how many I let slip by without doing what I was supposed to do.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”.          Psalm 90:12

We need to number our hours, too.  Especially the extra ones.

 

LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Psalm 39:4

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes. 9:10

…redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

 

 

“Consider it all joy when you fall into many-sided, changeable and variable trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”.        James 1:2-4

Most Bible versions use the word “various” to describe the trials, but I decided to dig a little deeper into the definition to see what that really means. This verse is talking about trials that are all over the map.  Trials that don’t follow a pattern.  Trials that keep changing.

It’s difficult enough to face one big trial.  But when every time you turn around there’s a new one, or the one you’re in keeps changing, it’s even more of a challenge.  And yet, we’re told to be joyful.

Really?

My Dad’s recent stroke is a big trial.  But then there was the surgery complication, the previously unknown heart condition, and now just to add to the drama, a 5 day power outage at the family home in New Jersey due to a freak October snowstorm.

Many-sided, changeable and variable trials tempt us to sigh and whine and say, “What now?”.   But I think James is telling us instead to smile, look up and confidently say “What now, Lord?  What do you want to show us now?”   

We’re learning  as a family that joy isn’t dependant on an easy road.  Joy comes from knowing that the difficult road of “various” trials leads to steadfastness and endurance and a place where we lack nothing.

We’re far from perfect.  But I know we’re on a road that will get us there.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven.          Luke 6:23

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  Romans 8:18

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.            Matthew 5:48

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord–that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.  James 5:11

My family has been living in tents the past few weeks.

There were tents pitched in operating rooms and procedure rooms.  There were tents pitched in hospital waiting rooms and cars and medical transport vehicles.

My Dad had a stroke on October 8.  He’s in an excellent rehabilitation hospital now and improving every day.  We’re looking back at how God was in all of the details and how He protected and provided.  On Sunday, our whole family was together with my Dad in the rotunda of the rehab facility, and he opened his Bible and read this verse:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The Greek word for “rest upon” literally means “to pitch a tent over”. 

We had the power of God pitched over us in all of the uncertainties, in all of the worry, in all of the desperate situations.  In our weaknesses, He covered us with His strength.

I remember lying in a small tent we had when I was a child, looking up to see the sunlight coming through the tan canvas.  And today I can sense  the same sunlight of hope and strength and God’s presence coming through the tent He has pitched over us.

We didn’t expect to need these tents, but I sure am glad they are there.

And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat,  for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain.  Isaiah 4:6

 …for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  1 Peter 4:14

He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge… Psalm 91:4

He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

 

It’s been a tough week.  And we’re only few days into it.

My father is in a hospital in Philadelphia, and I’m 1200 miles away in West Palm Beach.  And it’s hard.  And I feel helpless and a little scared.  He’s showing signs of improvement, and I’ll be there in 2 days, but it’s still…hard.

Life is hard.  It always will be.  So I take a deep breath, and look for the promises I know are true.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my strength, in Whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”            (Psalm 18:2)

Rock

Fortress

Deliverer

Strength

Shield

Horn

Stronghold

Those are powerful words. Words that remind me where to turn when I don’t feel so powerful, when I’m feeling helpless, when things start to feel a little shaky.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress.  What better place is there to be?

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.  Psalm 62:2

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him will I trust”.  Psalm 91:2

The name of the Lord is a strong tower.  The righteous run into it and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10

Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for the war and my fingers for the battle – my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge.  Psalm 144:1-2

 

“Indeed let no one who waits on You be embarrassed that they have done so”.  (Psalm 25:3, Virkler translation)

The more common (and scholarly) versions of that verse say, “Indeed let no one who waits on You be ashamed”.  I figured if I titled this post “Ashamed”, you’d think I was about to confess some awful transgression. Although “Embarrassed” probably got you interested, too.

But I didn’t just make up my translation.  That’s what “ashamed” means in the original Hebrew. It’s used to express that sense of confusion, embarrassment and dismay when matters turn out contrary to one’s expectations or defeat at the hands of an enemy.  (Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament)

Honestly now, have you ever felt embarrassed or confused when you trusted God for something and it didn’t happen?  Have you felt defeated at the hands of the enemy who is always ready to taunt us about what appear to be prayer and trust failures?

I wonder what David was thinking.  Was he challenging God, saying “OK, I’ll trust You.  You better come through and not leave me hanging out there on this limb of faith”.  Or was he saying, “I am trusting You to work this out and I’m not going to give in to defeat.  Let me see You at work in the results, whether they are what I planned or not”.

I’ve been there.  I know what it’s like to trust God for something and then wait.  And wait.  And wait.  And sometimes I really do sense the enemy sneering at me from the shadows, whispering his lies about God’s failure to “come through”. 

And that’s when I have to remember that waiting God’s way comes with promises.  There’s no place for embarrassment, confusion or dismay.  God has a reason for our wait.  When Satan is laughing at my faith and my trust, all I need to do is turn to him and say, “You thought I’d falter, but I know my God has a plan and it’s good and nothing you can say will change that”. 

Now let’s see who is going to be embarrassed, Satan.

Wait on the LORD, and keep His way, and He shall exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it. Psalm 37:34

And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9

The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. Lamentations 3:25

I waited patiently for the LORD and He inclined to me, and heard my cry.          Psalm 40:1

I’ve been hanging out in Psalm 25 this week. 

It all started with the fact that this past Sunday was September 25^th, and when I wrote the date, I remembered that for years I’ve been reading Psalm 25 on that day. 

Long story.  Let’s just say that on a September 25^th many moons ago, God used that Psalm in my life to get me on the road He wanted me on.  It’s a prayer for God’s guidance and leading and protection.

So I decided to stay with it this week, instead of just reading it on the 25^th.  And this morning, I stopped in verse 14. 

“The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him…”.

When I think of a secret, I think of someone whispering something in my ear. “Psssst…..let me tell you something!”  It makes you feel kind of special when someone shares a secret with you.  Same thing in scripture.  The Biblical definition of “secret” suggests intimacy.  It’s more than just general advice.  It’s personal.  It’s confidential.

God wants to share His secrets with me.  With me?

I’ve known the Lord a long time, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded just how much He cares about me.  It’s good to be reminded that He longs to whisper things in my ear.  He longs to share with me His counsel and His ways and His path for my life.

And I need to be quiet enough to hear Him. Secrets aren’t usually shouted from the rooftops.  Secrets are whispered.  Secrets are shared when I’m not the one doing all the talking.

Ok, Lord, I’ll be quiet now.

 

His secret counsel is with the upright. Proverbs 3:32

No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15

Having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself… Ephesians 1:9

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… Ephesians 1:18

 

  

I admit it.  Sometimes I don’t think the verses that talk about “suffering” apply to me. 

“But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.”       1 Peter 5:10

I love that verse.  It’s powerful and reassuring about God’s purposes in trials.  But as I studied it the other morning, the “after you have suffered a while” left me feeling detached. I’ve known people who have suffered.  Suffered with illness.  Suffered with overwhelming grief.  Suffered with losses I can’t even begin to imagine.   

My insignificant trials and testings and disappointments certainly don’t fit in the category of “suffering”.

Or do they?

Suffer:  “To be affected or have been affected, to feel, to have a sensible experience, to undergo.” (from The Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament)

Of course it can mean to be affected with an awful illness, to experience the loss of a loved one, to be tortured for your faith.  But it also means that 1 Peter 5:10 could say, “after you have been affected by ___________, after you have experienced ___________, may God perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.”

I’ll leave you to fill in the blanks.

I still think I’ll cringe just a little when reading verses about suffering, because I know that suffering is very real in many people’s lives and I have so much to be thankful for.  But I think I’ll look at those verses a little differently, and allow them to remind me that God cares about the things that affect me.

And He’s promised to use them to change me.  For the better.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  2 Corinthians 4:17

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.       2 Thessalonians 3:3

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

…if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard.  Colossians 1:23

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.                        1 Peter 1:6-7