We are very earthbound. We come from the dust and will return to the dust. We live based upon what we see. We were made from the earth because we were made for the earth. It is our nature. But because of the fall of Adam and Eve we have lost the ability (or desire) to “walk with God in the cool of the day.”
“They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:8-13
The implications of this are sweeping. Our connection with our Creator has been ruined and left us in darkness, separated from the light. There is only one solution. We must choose to return to honor. Adam and Eve dishonored God. Jesus honored Him fully. Jesus makes the path clear for us:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:12-14
Friendship IS honor. We reverse the curse when we choose to be a friend of God. Make sense? So what does this look like? We turn to Psalm 3 for one of the God Story’s many snapshots of this. Here David is being betrayed by his son who is very dear to him – so this Psalm comes out of a very real life challenge.
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
THE CHALLENGE
“O Lord, how my adversaries have increased! Many are rising up against me and many are saying of my soul, “There is no deliverance for him in God.” Selah (I lift this up).
DAVID’S RESPONSE
But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head. I was crying to the Lord with my voice, and He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah (I lift this up). I lay down and slept and then I awoke, for the Lord sustains me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me – even gathered all around me.
DAVID’S REQUEST
Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek and You have shattered the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be upon Your people! Selah.” (I lift this up)
David is a “type” of Christ. His triumphs reflect Jesus’ victories. His sufferings pre-reflect Jesus’ sufferings. His reliance upon God for justice illuminates so many of Jesus’ choices. Remember what He said:
“And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then will the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?” At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would against a robber? Every day I used to sit in the temple teaching and you did not seize Me. But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets.” Then all the disciples left Him and fled.” Matthew 26:51-56
This thread from the God Story reveals how we are to respond to the challenges in our own lives. Will we rely on ourselves, or upon the God Who sees?
√ What are your past and current challenges?
√ What are your man responses? Your God responses?
√ What are your requests of God?
√ What were the things Jesus asked in the face of His undeserved suffering?
Who lifts your head? Worth considering, right?
Dave and Burnadette
God of all that exists, thank You for choosing us before You made the world. We renounce the claim the father of lies has upon us, and fully embrace our identity as Your returned lost son and daughter. Just as the Lord Jesus Christ is one with You Father, we are hidden in Christ in You. Thank You for including us in Him, for forgiving my sins, for clothing us in His righteousness, and for making us complete in Him. Thank You for making us alive together in Christ, raising us with Him, and seating us at Your right hand with Him. Thank you for establishing us under the wings of Your authority, anointing us with Your love, Your Spirit, and Your Kingdom. We bring the life and work and words of the Lord Jesus Christ over our home, our family, our household – throughout all our kingdom and domain under our authority – we place everything under Your righteous and powerful hand.