Dr H Reflections

The suburbs of heaven ∙

The suburbs of heaven ∙

You will show me the path of life, grant me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. – Psalms 16:11

Ephesians 3:19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

The Scottish Puritan Samuel Rutherford once declared, “Live in Christ, and you are in the suburbs of heaven.” This profound statement addresses one of the greatest struggles for every child of the King: experiencing joy amid life’s circumstances.

In Rutherford’s seventeenth-century context, the “suburbs of heaven” referred to a “land of praises” and “the fairest of created paradises.” It is the place where there is “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

Rutherford speaks of proximity. Those who dwell in the suburbs live as close to the city as possible without actually being in it. This is Rutherford’s point. When you and I “live in Christ,” there is but a thin wall between us and the land of praises.

When children of the King “live in Christ,” they position themselves just outside heaven’s gates. They are as near to heaven as they can be without actually entering. In this spiritual suburbia, they catch glimpses of the “fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore” that Psalm 16:11 describes. Often, these are fleeting flashes or tiny glimpses, for the complete experience is reserved exclusively for when they actually arrive at heaven itself. Nevertheless, we can come close and know genuine joy and lasting pleasure in this life. When we do, we find ourselves in the “suburbs of heaven” (Guy M. Richard).

The splendor, grandeur, pulchritude, magnificence, and sheer delightfulness of heaven are beyond anything we can imagine or predict. Many children of the King once lived in utter darkness, far from the light. They existed in squalor and ugliness, within a world lying in the arms of the evil one, under his dominion (1 John 5:19). They were doomed, far off, strangers, and aliens (Ephesians 2:17,19). Far worse, they were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1).

But then, at the moment each of us accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, everything changed. Those who were far off were brought near.

Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once, you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Many of us are missing something in life because we are after the second best” (Eric Liddell).

Father, I thank You that I am in Christ forever and will dwell in Your presence forevermore. I pray that with each passing day, I may draw nearer to You for the rest of my life on earth.

INSIGHT

Geographically speaking, imagine we once lived in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Juneau, Alaska, or the Florida Keys. When we became children of the King, we moved to the state of Iowa. Previously, we resided in the Kingdom of darkness; now, we are in the Kingdom of light.

We are currently within the state, but the King Himself resides in the capital, Des Moines. How can we approach our King and get closer? How do we reach the suburbs of Des Moines?

To live in the suburbs of heaven, Samuel Rutherford encouraged us to “Live in Christ.”

What does it mean to live in Christ?

Living in Christ encompasses three key elements: knowing, recalling, and living.

To begin with, it is essential to fully grasp that every child of the King is in Christ. This understanding forms the foundation of our faith and shapes our perspective on life. It is crucial to constantly remind ourselves of this truth and to believe in it firmly. Finally, we are called to actively live out this reality each day, allowing it to guide and shape our thoughts, actions, and interactions with others.

When we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, we had an encounter with Him. Some of us had dramatic experiences, while others had more subtle ones. Regardless of our individual experiences, each of us has been inwardly transformed. We were placed into Christ when this encounter happened (1 Corinthians 12:13), and Christ came to live within each of us (1 John 3:24).

1 John 4:13 God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

We must continually bring this truth to mind. Our fallen nature often causes us, even though we are the children of the King, to momentarily forget that we are in Christ and that Christ is in us. We must regularly look back and remember our first encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.

“The Christian life continues as it commenced: just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him” (BKC). God saved you by His grace when you believed, and you cannot take credit for this; it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

The apostle Paul had insights that few other children of the King ever considered. He fully understood what it means to be in Christ and to live in Christ. Consequently, Paul completely redefined life as we know it. It is a profound paradigm shift. For Paul, to live is Christ! He regarded his life as inseparable from Christ.

Galatians 2:19 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

There is a significant difference between merely knowing the truth and experiencing the power of the truth (John Owen). When we focus on applying the realities of our new position in Christ and His presence within us, we move closer to genuinely experiencing this truth. This is what Owen, along with many other Puritans, emphasized. We need to diligently meditate on these truths and contemplate how they apply to our lives (Guy M. Richard).

To live in Christ is to strive to keep our hearts and affections focused on Him and allow His life force to flow through us. As we do, we begin to experience what Paul experienced.

Galatians 2:19 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Psalms 16:11 You will show me the path of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 16:11 is unsurpassed for the beauty of the prospect it opens up, in words of the utmost simplicity. The path of life is so-called, not only because of its goal but because walking that way means living, in the true sense of the word, already (Kidner). The path of life leads into the Father’s eternal presence.

The joys and pleasures are totally and eternally satisfying and endlessly varied, for they are found in both what He is and what He gives (Kidner).

“The pleasures of heaven will be far beyond any pleasures we have known here on earth, and as we enjoy the Lord and serve Him, we will not be restricted or encumbered by time, physical weakness, or the consequences of sin. So magnificent are the glories of heaven that the apostle John had to ransack human language to find words to describe it (Revelation 21-22)” (Wiersbe).

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A thief in the night ∙

A thief in the night ∙∙

But be sure of this: that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. – Matthew 24:43

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

In a shocking turn of events in the spring of 2017, administrators at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh initiated an audit and were left stunned. They discovered that a significant portion of the Oliver Room’s holdings was missing. Nearly every valuable item in this rare books collection had been pilfered, with the estimated value of the stolen objects amounting to a staggering $8 million. This marked the most extensive theft from an American library in at least a century.

Similar to the stringent security measures employed at nuclear power plants and sensitive computer networks, the Oliver Room was safeguarded through a strategy known as “defense in depth.” This comprehensive technique involves a series of layered, overlapping measures designed to deter any thief capable of overcoming a single deterrent. Greg Priore, the room’s manager since 1992, was responsible for implementing this robust security system.

The Oliver Room was under constant camera surveillance, with a single entry point accessible only to a select few who possessed keys. The room operated limited daytime hours, and all visitors were required to sign in and leave personal belongings, such as jackets and bags, in an outside locker. Priore’s desk was strategically positioned to oversee the room and the table where patrons worked. Whenever a book was returned, he meticulously checked its condition. Priore was always aware of whether an employee or a guest entered the collection.

Given such stringent security protocols, how could such an extensive theft occur? Almost every conceivable threat to the rare books collection had been considered, leaving just one weak point: an inside job. Shockingly, Greg Priore himself was the thief. For nearly 25 years, he systematically stole almost everything he could get his hands on without arousing suspicion. As noted by Smithsonian Magazine in September 2020, the only thing that can prevent an insider from stealing is their conscience.

Satan was the archetypal insider. As the most excellent of all the Father’s created beings, he had complete access to the holiest realms of heaven and the very presence of the Father. No one would think he could be corrupted when he had such vast privileges and access. Yet, he fell from perfection to imperfection, from righteousness to evil, becoming thoroughly heinous and reprobate.

Lucifer, once the bearer of light, transformed into the prince of darkness, the slanderer, and the accuser.

Why, oh why?

REFLECT & PRAY

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. – Proverbs 18:12

Father, I am reminded of the night of the Last Supper when the Lord Jesus Christ declared, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” Deeply troubled, each disciple asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?” (Matthew 26:21-22).

Dear Father, I pray that I will not be the one.

INSIGHT

The Scriptures lay bare the events and motivations with striking clarity. There came a pivotal moment in the life of the devil when being who and what he was ceased to satisfy him. It just wasn’t enough. His ambitions swelled uncontrollably – he wanted it all! He snapped under the weight of his own desires, yearning to usurp the very throne of the Father Himself. His pride grew immense, fueled by his extraordinary beauty, magnificence, power, and esteemed position. This insatiable arrogance led to his ultimate downfall.

Ezekiel 28:12-17

12 You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone – red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald – all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.

14 I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.

15 You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.

17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor.

Isaiah 14:12-14

12 How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.

13 For you said to yourself, “I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.”

14 “I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.”

The enemy of our souls does not deserve our pity but only our disdain.

The proverbial saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” is attributed to the 19th-century British politician Lord Acton. The idea was nothing new and had been expressed previously by others in different words.

What exactly does this mean? As a person’s power increases, their moral sense diminishes. The more power a person has, the more corrupted they will become. “It morally destroys their nature and fills them with destructive pride. However, if the person saves himself from this abuse of power, he or she is a humble person” (https://literarydevices.net).

Satan’s temptations and fall are similar to the temptations we face. The world is in conflict with the Father; the flesh fights against the Holy Spirit, and the devil opposes the Son of God. Pride is Satan’s great sin, and it is one of his chief weapons in his warfare against the saint and the Saviour.

God wants us to be humble; Satan wants us to be proud. God wants us to depend on His grace, while the devil wants us to rely on ourselves. Satan is the author of all “do-it-yourself” spiritual enterprises. He enjoys inflating the ego and encouraging the believer to do it his own way (Wiersbe).

Three enemies want to turn us away from God: the world, the flesh, and the devil. These enemies are left over from our old life of sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Christ has delivered us from them, but they still attack us.

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.

16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world.

17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

What is the Father’s answer?

James 4:6-8

6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.”

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

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Who created God? ∙∙

Who created God? ∙∙

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Mark 10:13-16

13 One day, some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.

15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

16 Then he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on their heads, and blessed them.

Who created God? This is a question that many of us remember asking when we were small children. Do you? Perhaps it went something like this:

We were walking and talking with one of our parents. We asked something like, “Where did the sun, the moon, and all the animals come from?”

The answer was often, “A long time ago, God made the earth and all the stars, the sun, and the moon. He made all life on earth.” The answer was simple, understandable, and acceptable. Then you pondered for a moment and asked, “Who made God?”

Again, the answer was simple and straightforward, “Nobody made God; He always existed.” This answer was satisfactory for a time. But as you grew older, this question kept coming back again and again, and more questions were added: Is there really a God? How can I get to know about God? What is God really like? How can I know for sure?

Why is that so? These questions are natural and come from observing all that is. The Father designed and made us so that we would hunger for Him. We have a natural curiosity and a desire to understand life and all that exists. Yet, we have severe limitations regarding our ability to do so.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.

Solomon recognizes that each individual has an inner emptiness, a sense of longing in their innermost being. It is an innate desire for something greater or transcendent. Philosophers have likened it to a void, hole, or vacuum. Only the uncreated Creator can fill it.

Isaiah 40:28 Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.

Psalms 90:1-2

1 Lord, through all the generations, you have been our home!

2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

The Scriptures never attempt to prove God’s existence. They assume that God does exist and take it as a given. The Bible is not a book of proofs but a book of faith. God is portrayed as the uncreated Creator of all things.

Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

Was there ever a time when nothing existed? We can assume that nothing produces nothing. Therefore, which scenario makes more sense?

Nothing + No one = Everything

Nothing + God = Everything

God is fundamentally different from all that He created. Everything He brought into existence had a beginning, but He has always existed. God is independent of His creation, self-sufficient, and self-existent.

Philosophers like Aristotle spoke of the first cause, the prime mover, or the unmoved move – something that initiates movement without being moved by anything else. This concept aligns with how the Scriptures describe God. Consider Genesis 1:1.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

REFLECT & PRAY

God is the uncreated Creator of all things. He existed before all things, even time itself.

Father, thank you for being indeed God, self-sufficient and self-existent.

INSIGHT

But there is more.

John 1:1-3

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.

The Greek word translated as “in the beginning” in John 1:1 is “arche.” Arche conveys the idea of the very beginning of all things or even before time began, reminiscent of Genesis 1:1. Imagine projecting your mind back as far as possible, before the world was created (John 17:5). Focus and lock your mind on that point. That is the moment the Apostle John is referring to. At that precise moment, the Greek literally states, “was the Word.”

The Greek verb translated as “was” is “en,” which is in the imperfect tense. In Greek grammar, the imperfect tense is a past tense that denotes continuous, ongoing action in the past. It is similar to the Greek present tense, which signifies continuous action in the present.

Thus, it indicates that as far back as you can possibly imagine in the distant past, the Logos (the Word), the Lord Jesus Christ, continually existed even before that. As William Barclay puts it, “The Word was already there at the very beginning of things.”

Furthermore, the Lord Jesus Christ was responsible for the creation of all things.

John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him, nothing came into being that has come into being.

Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him.

Who created God?

No one!

He has always existed, is self-sufficient, and is the Creator of all things.

He’s Everything to Me (Ralph Carmichael)

In the stars, His handiwork I see, on the wind, He speaks with majesty,

‘Though He ruleth over land and sea, what is that to me?

I will celebrate Nativity, for it has a place in history,

Sure, He came to set His people free, what is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face, and I felt the wonder of His grace,

Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn’t care,

That lived a way out there.

Now He walks beside me day by day, and watching o’er me lest I stray,

Helping me to find that narrow way, He’s Everything to me.

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Fools and the apple of His eye ∙∙

Fools and the apple of His eye ∙∙

For thus says the LORD of hosts, He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. – Zechariah 2:8

Jeremiah 31:35-37

35 It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what he says:

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

37 This is what the LORD says: “Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Over the years, presidential administrations in the United States, regardless of political affiliation, have embraced the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. IHRA stands for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Kara C. McDonald, a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, announced on February 1, 2021, that the current administration would do likewise. McDonald said, “We must educate ourselves and our communities to recognize anti-Semitism in its many forms so that we can call hate by its proper name and take effective action. That is why the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism, with its real-world examples, is such an invaluable tool.”

The IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism serves as a guideline to help the public and government identify both traditional and modern forms of anti-Semitism.

Current examples of criticism of Israel include comparing Israel to the Nazis, labeling Israel as racist, and holding Israel to standards not applied to other countries. Unfortunately, such anti-Israel sentiment often morphs into anti-Semitism.

The ability to recognize subtle forms of anti-Semitism in today’s world is essential for effectively addressing them. However, others strongly disagree. They argue that this approach brands all criticism of Israeli policy as anti-Semitic. Americans for Peace Now, which frequently criticizes Israeli policy, claims that the definition is “already being abused to quash legitimate criticism and activism directed at Israeli government policies.” They assert that criticism of Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic.

The IHRA definition clarifies that it should not be used to restrict legitimate speech. “However, what it does is clearly state the truth, which is that oftentimes criticism of Israel is a proxy for criticism of Jews” (William Daroff).

REFLECT & PRAY

Is it better and wiser to be on the right side of history, whatever that may be, or on the right side of prophecy?

Father, thank You for the choices that You have made. Thank You for considering me precious in Your sight and giving me the right to be called Your child.

INSIGHT

It is essential for each child of the King to thoughtfully consider and take a stand on modern manifestations of ancient anti-Semitism. Four thousand years ago, the Father made an unconditional promise concerning the Chosen People, the Nation of Israel.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.

Nations have disregarded this fact for millennia to their own peril. Nothing has changed!

Zechariah 2:8 After a period of glory, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies sent me against the nations who plundered you. He said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.”

Zechariah 2:8 Anyone who touches you touches the apple of his eye.

Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, cared for him, and kept him as the apple of his eye.

The phrase “The apple of His eye” originates from Deuteronomy 32:10 and uses the term “apple” to refer to the pupil of the eye, which is particularly vulnerable and requires careful safeguarding. This metaphor symbolizes God’s watchful care over Israel, as they are precious to Him and under His protection (BKC). “God is so closely identified with his people that they are precious to him, and he is zealous to protect them and take care of them (cf. Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalms 17:8; Matthew 25:34-45; Acts 9:1, 4-5)” (EBC).

The Hebrew word translated as touches is shalal. Shalal is a harsh, pugnacious word. It has the sense of harming, plundering, insulting, striking, or taking captive. The verb Touches in this context connotes “harms.” Thus, it has the sense that “Anyone who harms my people harms what is most precious to me.”

How foolish to attempt to battle with the Lord God Almighty and do Him harm. Anyone who tries to harm what is precious to Him does precisely that. The Father is so closely identified with His people that they are precious to Him, and He is zealous to protect them and care for them (Kenneth L. Barker).

Is it possible for the Father to cancel His promises and commitment to the Jewish people?

Hypothetically, what would it take? The Father has unequivocally answered that question for all time and eternity. It would take nothing less than the destruction of the natural and physical laws of the universe.

Jeremiah 31:36-37

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

They are secure in the Father’s love, and nothing will ever change that as long as the Father lives. The apostle Paul uses the Father’s unwavering commitment to the Nation of Israel to illustrate that each child of the King is also secure. If Israel is secure, so are we. If Israel is not secure, neither are we.

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 11:1-29

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this?

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have – the ones God has chosen – but the hearts of the rest were hardened.

11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.

As the Father called and designated the Nation of Israel as His Chosen People, the Father has called and chosen each child of the King.

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Feeling desperate? ∙

Feeling desperate? ∙

I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. – Psalm 13:5

Psalms 13:1-6

1 O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?

2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love, your lovingkindness. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

6 I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city, you go into the desperate country and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind” (Henry David Thoreau).

“Nowadays, most men lead lives of noisy desperation” (James Thurber).

What should you do when you feel desperate?

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on” (Theodore Roosevelt).

David had a better approach. He frequently faced frustration, fear, despair, and desperation, but he persevered and worked his way through it.

Over time, David learned to trust the Father in every situation, even when he felt abandoned and alone. His confidence in the Father’s unfailing love grew. He developed the habit of rejoicing amid his difficult circumstances (Psalms 13:5).

When we find ourselves backed into a corner, weary from life’s relentless challenges, we often start to question everything. We question our own worth and identity. We question the faithfulness and loyalty of those around us. But most of all, we have serious doubts about the Father’s love and involvement in our lives. Is He really there for us? So often, we ask, “Where is God while my life is falling apart? Why has God abandoned me?” (Johnston).

And so it was with David. In Psalms 13, David pleads and challenges four times with the question, “How long?”

How long will you forget me?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

How long do we ask the Father, “How long?”

David felt ignored and neglected, forsaken and downcast. In his despair, he began to believe that the Father was hiding from him. He alludes to his unseen presence in the private recesses of his heart. He feels separated from the Father after experiencing a sweet, intimate walk with Him. David’s sense of estrangement is so intense that he can hardly bear the anguish. It interferes with his breathing, and pain grips his heart. David cries out from the depths of his soul, “Look at me! Answer me!” His plea is an urgent request for an answer now. David feels like he is on the verge of destruction. In desperate need, he cries out for complete deliverance. He begs to survive now (Terrien)!

This is one of the mysterious ways of the Father. As we grow and develop spiritual maturity, we come to understand it as part of the maturation process. “At times, we might feel as though God has slammed the door to heaven in our face. Yet these times do not last. Often, He is testing us to see if we will continue to follow Him, regardless” (Stanley).

Eventually, many of our questions are answered, and we gain perspective and understanding. We acquire wisdom that can only be obtained through periods of isolation.

REFLECT & PRAY

How do we rise above our doubts, questions, and frustration? David shows the way. David feels frustrated and questions the Father. But then a transformation occurs. Something remarkable happens. His questions turn into prayers, and his prayers become acts of worship. Truly extraordinary!

Father, thank You for allowing us to ask questions. Help me transform my questions into worship, praise, and trust in You.

INSIGHT

Almost everyone can relate to David’s desperation and doubts. Desperation has been part of the human experience since the Fall. It is part of the curse. We live in a fallen world, and we are fallen creatures. However, not everyone has found accurate help by turning to the living God, our heavenly Father. In desperate and lonely situations, David shows us the way to find hope when it seems elusive.

“The Christian life thrives on both memory and hope. We remember how God has shown us mercy in the past, and so we look forward to how He will save us in the future” (Stanley).

No matter how great the pressure, the choice remains ours, not the enemy’s. The Father never changes; His lovingkindness is everlasting. David “entrusts himself to this pledged love and turns his attention not to the quality of his faith but to its object and its outcome, which he has every intention of enjoying. David’s certainty, faith exercised, looks back at the whole way he has been led” (Kidner).

Do not be afraid to ask difficult questions. The Father already knows what is in your heart and patiently and lovingly hears them all, even when you are angry. Often, a miraculous transformation takes place as we transition from doubt to confidence. Voicing our doubts can become a spiritual catharsis, freeing us from desperation and isolation.

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