Our hearts are going to break —
we can count on it.
But the surprise is that suffering can actually produce joy.
I want you to meet Stephanie, a new young friend and neighbor!
She is the youthful Mary to my aging Elizabeth and
comes to my door brimming with joy, magnifying the Lord.
She tells me:
“I used to get antsy after five minutes of prayer, Dee,
but now I don’t want to stop, for I am sensing His presence so!
I don’t want this sweet season to end!”
How did this twenty-something woman stumble
upon the secret that eludes many believers for decades,
even their whole lives?
Through suffering.
Here is Stephanie this summer.
Before Stephanie moved to our green thumb that juts into Lake Michigan,
She was a missionary in a
dry and dusty part of Africa.
She was there loving Muslim women and children.
Here is Stephanie dressed like her neighbors in Africa,
looking to me like she can’t move! 🙂
I want to tell you Stephanie’s story, for it is such an illustration of what Psalm 16 teaches — that our suffering can actually
produce joy.
Stephanie felt called to Africa right out of college — she just had one hesitation. One day she hoped to be married and have children, but where she was going was a very unlikely place to find a godly young man. But she decided she needed to trust God with that, and so she went.
To her great surprise and delight, it was in Africa that she met the man of her dreams, another missionary who came from Australia. They developed a friendship that was wonderful, and as Stephanie said, “We were so good together!” Each separately began to seek the Lord and godly counsel to see if they should take their relationship to the next step. Receiving only green lights they moved ahead. It was such an exciting time. Eventually Stephanie went to Australia to meet his family and he went to America to meet hers. How thankful Stephanie was for this love, and for answers to her prayers!
And then, he began to have doubts, uncertainties about issues in his life, and opened up to Stephanie about them. They discussed them together, and though he was kind and so sad to be bringing her this pain, Stephanie realized his conflict was deep, and she needed to release him. He went home to Australia. Stephanie was left with shattered dreams and sobbed on her mother’s couch.
Not wanting to return to the mission field, Stephanie decided to leave her mother’s home in Green Bay and work for the tourist season at a resort in my corner of the world: Door County, Wisconsin. She hoped to rest, heal, and get some answers from God. She lamented:
How could You let this happen, God?
We tried so hard to hear from You – to do it right.
Your Word says not to awaken love before the time is right – and I did that!
I know You aren’t a God who plays tricks, but I feel like you led me on.
Stephanie was being honest with God. And that’s when the dialogue began to open – she heard neither a voice from heaven nor saw a vision, but He came to her in ordinary ways.
One day Stephanie came across Sara Hagerty’s book, Every Bitter Thing is Sweet. She thought, Could something sweet really come out of my pain?
She read Sara’s own story of heartbreak, of one miscarriage after another, when Sara felt so strongly she was called to motherhood. God began to bring healing to Sara, as Sara lamented and pressed into God for help. And God met Sara, speaking to her gently through His Word, His Spirit, and His family. She surrendered her dream to Him, and He gave her a different dream. She and her husband began to adopt one international orphan after another, each one an exciting “God” story of its own. And then, when their home was brimming with beautiful children, Sara found out she was pregnant again – and this baby she carried to term.
But the greatest change in Sara was not in her circumstances, but in her sense of the presence of the Lord and in discovering that in His presence is fullness of joy.
Stephanie followed Sara’s model in endeavoring to release her dream as best as she could, and in not backing away from God but pressing in.
She found herself drawn to The Song of Songs, that mysterious book of earthly love that points, as all the Old Testament books do, to Christ. He is the Bridegroom hidden in the earthly bridegroom who rejoices over His bride. Stephanie was particularly captivated by the 2nd chapter where the bridegroom proposes to the bride, saying:
Then another confirmation came from a friend who suggested she read the 2nd chapter of The Song of Songs. So more and more, Stephanie began to come away with Jesus, allowing Him to meet her.
One day Stephanie showed Every Bitter Thing is Sweet to Whitney, a friend at church. Whitney turned the book over and saw an endorsement from me. She told Stephanie that I lived in Door County and that I had a new book out on The Song of Songs called He Calls You Beautiful. Another confirmation from God that she needed to understand the message of the Song of Songs.
One Sunday I happened to visit Stephanie’s church and sat right behind her. When we were introduced she gave me the widest grin and her eyes filled with tears, for it was yet another confirmation of God’s mindfulness of her. She was already studying my book with Whitney, but when I invited them both to my study of the same, they eagerly accepted.
Through the truths in the Song, God showed Stephanie His deep love for her, and more and more, she sensed Him rejoicing over her, as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. One day in study Stephanie shared, “When you give your heart to a man,” cupping her hands together as if holding her fragile heart, “it’s a real risk, for he may take it and break it. But when you give your heart to the Lord, you can trust Him completely, for He is altogether good and will only do what is best for you, even if it may not at first make sense. He has come to me in a way I did not even imagine was possible. He is filling my life with the joy of His presence.” Stephanie’s face is the face of one who’s heart and mind are fixed on Him.
We’re going to be looking at Psalm 16 for the next two weeks, for it is so packed with treasures. Let’s go!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
Monday: The Stonecutter
Psalm 16 deals with idols of the heart, those “stones” that keep us from experiencing God. We’re going to begin, therefore, by looking at Ezekiel and a metaphor God uses to show us how to respond so that we might experience growth and fullness of joy. There are two steps needed for spiritual growth. Something must be recognized and removed and something must, by faith, replace what has been removed.
3. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25? (Use a translation rather than a paraphrase like The Message.)
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents?
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
Tuesday: Applying Ezekiel
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God?
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B.
Wednesday: The Sorrows of Those Who Run After Another God
The truth is, we love our heart idols, and we are afraid to let them go. So the Psalmist helps us to see the truth so that we might be strengthened to truly repent and trust.
5. Read Psalm 16:1-5
A. Of what does David remind himself in verses 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God?
B. What happens, according to verse 4a, to those who run after another god?
C. Share a personal example of your running after “another god,” or rebelling against God’s way and experiencing “multiplied sorrows.” (It doesn’t have be choosing something bad, but making something good like food, friendship, ministry or position your security or identity.)
D. What happens, according to verses 5-6, to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup?
E. The tribe of Levi, or the priests of Israel, were given no land like the others, to remind them that the Lord was their inheritance. How could this help you as you ponder financial losses or decisions?
Thursday: How Sorrow Can Produce Joy in a Believer’s Heart
6. Read Psalm 16:7-11
A. What does God give David, according to verse 7?
B. In order to experience the two part process of cleansing and replacing, we must listen to the Lord. How has the Lord given you counsel in regard to your heart idols?
C. Hebrews tells us that God is going to shake our world – but what will happen to the person who sets the Lord always before him, according to v. 8?
D. Sometimes the shaking of our world causes us to realize the futility of our idols. The only One who will never let us down, move away, or die is the Lord. Have you experienced a shaking of your world that helped you to press into God and experience joy?
E. How do you see joy in the psalmist in verse 9?
F. How does verse 10 show you we are no longer talking about David?
G. What three joys await the one who makes the Lord his refuge according to verse 11?
7. In applying this psalm to a heartbreak like Stephanie’s, what thoughts do you have? When we are endeavoring to follow God and yet are deeply disappointed, how could this psalm be helpful?
Friday: Optional Free Keller Sermon
9. This sermon is actually on last week’s psalm, Psalm 126, but fits perfectly with the first part of Psalm 16 as well. It is a favorite of mine so many of you have listened before. But it is so worth a repeat. Listen and share your comments.
Saturday:
8. What is your take-a-way and why?
174 comments
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Love the hope in Stephanie’s story! I have had a “hankering” to begin a bible study with young women in our church. It has been in my heart for awhile now.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
Yes, a couple of times. Once I described last week with our grandkids and the second time was when my colleague/friend announced she (who claims to be agnostic) told me she thought God was with her during an “incident” this week. She never would have said that years ago. I felt Him working in her!
You’d be so good with young women, Laura!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
ALL OF IT. I already love Stephanie. Also, I see that what happened between her boyfriend and her, though she suffered, was a gift and I admire her so that she obeyed God even though it was painful, and look at her life with Him now-that relationship may have distracted her from Him. Her intimacy with Him is beautiful.
What also struck me and was so true was this: “When you give your heart to a man,” cupping her hands together as if holding her fragile heart, “it’s a real risk, for he may take it and break it. But when you give your heart to the Lord, you can trust Him completely, for He is altogether good and will only do what is best for you, even if it may not at first make sense. He has come to me in a way I did not even imagine was possible. He is filling my life with the joy of His presence.”
You and Stephanie remind me in many ways of one another.
1. What stood out? Oh, my! This is my favorite Psalm. I know I’m going to love this week! Then the first quote grabbed me by the throat. “It’s not that your heart isn’t going to break; it’s how you let the brokenness be made into abundance afterward” over a picture of bread being made. If it had just been the quote, I’d read it and mentally agree. But with the picture I see not just getting hurt, but being crushed and ground into dust. Exactly what Christ did for me. Just as wheat needs to be ground into flour, we need to be ‘crushed’ to have our full usefulness to God be available. I’ve read several times this last week that our main purpose as Christians isn’t to be fulfilled and happy as the highest priority, but to be made into the likeness of Jesus. I know that in God’s economy, when we are willing to seek His kingdom first, the others gets added to us. But is can’t be our goal. I think I could camp here all week and not get it all.
2. The presence Jesus… In mentoring Friday, seeing that young woman’s face light up at seeing how much there is to mine in John 3.
Lovely, Mary.
What stands out to me: The story of Stephanie’s heartbreak is so hard, yet God has drawn her to seek him and I love how she discovered this in the Song of Solomon. It is a blessing and I know God has a greater purpose in her life.
This life is hard and full of trouble-Joy comes to me as I experience gratitude for the blessings that God brings into my life.Recalling the scripture when I am struggling with a burden,giving me a song that lifts my spirit, seeing my friend growing in Jesus’ love. I know God is good all the time, as the desires I have may not be best for me.
“I know God is good all the time, as the desires I have may not be the best for me.”
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Stephanie’s story…I love how the Lord showed Stephanie how He was truly interested and in the details of her life; He knows her intimately. God is so faithful…He showed His love to Stephanie…a true and everlasting love.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
Our nephew got married yesterday…the love the bridal couple have for each other is evident, as is their love for the Lord. The vows they spoke to each other were the most special, meaningful, and memorable I have ever heard…they both talked about their love for the other and their love for the Lord. It was pure joy to see that this marital relationship will be a “strand” of “three cords”…the Lord, Colton, and Brittany.
Yes, Nanci — so mindful.
Love your description of your nephew’s wedding.
What stood out to me was Stephaine’s story & how the Lord has been meeting her & confirming His love every step of the way. And wow, that u sat right behind her in church Dee. The Lord is so kind & tender hearted! “Some days you can feel the rise & fall of God’s chest, simply by pausing long enough to rest on it”. Excited to see where he leads Stephanie next, but the bottom line is always that His Presence is enough.
I felt His Presence & answer to prayers this week when I re-connected with my daughter, & was able to hear her out & resolve a misunderstanding. Also this morning when I sang on our worship team. That always lifts me up! 🙂
Fun to think of you on the worship team, Jenny!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“….when you give your heart to the Lord, you can trust Him completely, for He is altogether good and will only do what is best for you, even if it may not at first make sense. He has come to me in a way I did not even imagine was possible. He is filling my life with the joy of His presence.”
This comment by Stephanie is a strong testimony of God’s love and faithfulness to her and a truth for all of us. We really can trust God with our hearts. But we have to soften our hearts toward Him to experience His joy. If we harden our hearts self is in control but a soft heart is pliable and lets God have his way for good.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
My sister was able to come visit me this week. She is my only sister and we hadn’t been together for several months. I had been missing her because we are close as family and as friends but especially close in the Lord. She is a woman of deep faith and has a deep joy in the Lord. Even in a brief time of conversation we talk about Jesus and are able to talk heart to heart. As usual there was joy in being with her.
Over the next couple of months I won’t have time for posting on a regular basis. We started a new women’s bible study at my church this week and I will be leading a group. It is a study with homework so as a leader I need to keep current with the lessons on that. But I will read the blog comments of the lessons and jump in occasionally.
Bev, love the way you talked about your friendship with your sister. It made me miss my sis who passed away 2 years ago. She was like my best spiritual friend even though we were far apart. Treasure those times as I know you do and would!
Thank you for what you share here on the blog. I often want to reply to many but I just don’t have the time.
Bev, we will miss your contributions here! I hope the Bible study you will be leading will be very rewarding to you and the other women!
Bev–I understand the time constraints, but as Susan said, you’ll be missed. Look forward to you jumping in when you can!
Bev, God has given you such wisdom and you will be so missed but I hope it is just a season and I look forward to when you can participate more. 🙂 🙂 That said, I will pray for you leading the bible study. Keep us posted! Love to you, friend.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
OH MY. Streaming tears through Stephanie’s story and I want to meet her!! I want to sit with her and pray together! My heart felt so moved reading her story, so many things I relate to, though the details of our stories are different. What a powerful testimony of God at work in our lives, weaving and creating such a beautiful tapestry. It is so hard when you feel like you did everything “right”, wanting to honor Him, and then things still don’t work out as you hoped. Trusting Him in the midst of that kind of pain is true, tested faith. So encouraged by her example.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
This was from last Sunday. Monday that week, Philip was in the car with me and the song “10,000 reasons” (Matt Redmond) came on the radio. When it finished he said “Mommy I LOVE that song, oh my soul!” And begged me to play “oh my soul” again but I didn’t have the CD, so he’d ask me to sing it constantly (did my best which was pretty bad!). By Friday, I bought the CD (!) and he has kept it on repeat in his room. Last Sunday came, and it was the 2nd song at Church. Philip was in my arms and looked at me, “it’s my song! Oh my soul!” He belted out his best. It was a small thing and yet, because I knew we’d only sung it one other time in the 5 years I’ve been at my church, I felt it as a kiss from God. Blessing my sweet 4 year old, just because He wanted to. I treasure in my heart those tender times He does sweet personal things with His mighty power, just to make us smile.
Oh Lizzy……that story about Philip & the song just touched my heart! He is a true worshiper & how it must thrill our Father’s heart!! I love that song too & I heard it on radio on way home from church this morning, & was singing it at the top of my lungs! Haha 🙂
So sweet Lizzy! I love this story of Phillip!
I’m amazed at his English already. And music does help — I remember that so with Annie. Her song was Unto Thee O Lord, Do I Lift Up My Soul…
Oh Lizzy,
Praise God for the sweet gift he gave you and Phillip. Oh how I love hearing of His ways. You encourage our hearts with your sharing.
http://ferrellchinajourney.blogspot.com/2011/01/lily-asked-jesus-to-be-her-forever.html
oh lizzy! this post took me back to this! Lily could sing long before she really understood english. in this video she had been here 4 months!
Cyndi–SO precious! I think adopting Philip at this age as opposed to birth, I am even more amazed at how quickly he has taken in the idea of God, and Jesus, and praying–it really makes me believe God puts something in their hearts to somehow grasp that when I talk about Jesus it is different than anyone else. Love this sweet story of Lily! So good that you have these things written down and saved–I am so behind on that!
Oh my this is beyond precious…. Children are a blessing directly from the Lord!
you all are so sweet to not tire of my Philip stories! I think the reason this stirred my heart so, was seeing God so specifically do something just for Philip opened my eyes to His direct pursuit of Philip–between them two and not about me. It was a great reminder to me for my other kids as well–HE pursues, in His own personal way, He has (or desires) a relationship with them that has no dependence on or anything to do with me–and that is so freeing!
Yes, a special anointing on him-I will never tire of your stories!
Keep the Philip stories coming, Lizzy. We all need the God “smiles” so much.
Lizzy, We so love your stories and stories of Phillip! I also love to read how you, Dee, and Cyndi encourage one another since you all have adopted it is so wonderful how He ties us this way.
” just to make us smile”…and you bring a huge smile to His face too. Love the kiss Philip received.
Nanci–I don’t know why, but when I read “and you bring a huge smile to His face too”, I immediately got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes. I guess I so rarely let myself think about His smiling on me. Thank you for this. So much.
Oh Lizzy…you are so humble, you have no realization how brightly He shines through you.
Love this story, Lizzy! And, you remind me of Mary as you “treasure in my heart….” – she also treasured things about her growing son, Jesus, in her heart.
Lizzy, this sweet story about Philip and “Oh, my soul” song is SO SWEET! Isn’t God precious!
Oh my gosh Lizzy, how sweet is that. It’s so precious when little ones are excited for the Lord.
This is so precious, Lizzy, and definitely encourages my heart how He does care intimately for every individual. 🙂
3. A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25? (Use a translation rather than a paraphrase like The Message.)
The idols of my heart.
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
First area that comes to mind today is my complaining spirit. I hold it in for most of the world, but my poor husband usually hears me whine about my heavy load at some point each day. What need am I trying to fill? I want to be validated of my trials, affirmed for my hard work, empathy and compassion. But really?, I want help. As I typed this, psalm 121 just came to mind. My answer from Him. “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents?
New birth that comes from cleansing water. I think I always thought “cleansing water” was when we are “washed” by His blood—receiving the Gospel. Now you have me pondering more!
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
He gives us a new heart and His Spirit within us. So powerful. Why do I so easily forget I have His power within me… to strengthen me to walk in His statutes and to be careful to obey His rules. Such generous grace.
That’s interesting about “washed by the blood.” It was a lightbulb for me when D. A. Carson pointed out that the words of Jesus to Nicodemus were a quote from Ezekiel. Makes it clear it is neither baptism nor the water of the first birth — but what is the water? I am thinking it is God awakening us to our sin and our need for Him . Ponder with me!
ok Dee–just read a short excerpt from D.A. Carson’s The Gospel According to John, on the meaning of “born of water and of Spirit”…starting to make sense, I think!, but I need to read a few more times! But am I grasping correctly that he says the “water and spirit” are united, not 2 separate births, and represent the spiritual cleansing & rebirth?
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love Stephanie’s testimony. Especially this part: “But when you give your heart to the Lord, you can trust Him completely, for He is altogether good and will only do what is best for you, even if it may not at first make sense. He has come to me in a way I did not even imagine was possible. He is filling my life with the joy of His presence.”
I started this year claiming the promise of God in Lamentations 3:20-24. I keep this at the forefront of my mind when doubts arise especially with regards to some of my heart’s prayers. He is “altogether good…will do what is best for me…I can experience His joy in the midst of waiting and suffering. God, you are faithful, help my wavering faith.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
Yes, today, this morning, to be exact while eating breakfast with my husband before we drove to church. I have prayed for a while for him regarding a specific thing about his health. He has been stubbornly refusing what I thought he needed to do for a long time. This morning, I was just overcome with a sense of peace and understanding of my man, that even as I pray for him, I told the Lord that I am OK if he is not doing what I think he should. And you know what, today, he finally said the magic words I have waited for so long. (Smile). In essence, he said, “Yes, I will do it!” Oh, joy! I know it was a God-thing. I almost picture God sitting across the table from us with a smile on His face.
I see Him smiling too!
Stephanie’s story and testimony is very sweet and encouraging. I know someone who has been through something very similar and found God to be her all in all and a deep intimacy with God. What do I tell her now that 33 years have passed, and she is still alone and growing very weary and feels she is losing that intimacy simply by the ever gnawing loneliness? I think those first few years can be so rich and rewarding, but can someone speak to the woman who’s been in this for a very long time and still no relief She also longs for a return of that intimacy and victory she had with the Lover of her soul, but she is much discouraged by the length of the road.
Good question. Though his situation is different, I wonder if Wesley Hill’s book Washed and Waiting might help — just because he has found a way to live alone.
3. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25? (Use a translation rather than a paraphrase like The Message.)
We have hearts of stone, we are unclean due to our keeping idols.
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
I have one area that consumes my life; food. I mostly eat when I am, nervous, bored, or depressed. I suppose I could read scripture when I sense those times coming on.
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents?
Isn’t the water here referring to human birth? The amnionic fluid?
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
We replace our idols with the Holy Spirit.
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God?
I think his underlying sin is control. He is trying to control each of the situations and they manifest outwardly as anger. He needs to trust God by knowing his every step is in God’s hands.
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B.
My sin is overindulgence of food. Is this a comfort idol? I notice that I like crunchy things. I’ve replaced pretzels with carrots and I get the same satisfaction. You now want me to replace eating in general when I am nervous, bored, or depressed with trusting God to fill me instead of food? But, He is not as tangible as food; I can lay my hands on the food, whereas He is not right there in front of me. I know what you’re saying….the Bible is right there in front of me. I can lay my hands on it and read. Not sure I am strong enough to work this out. It’s hard. I may have to leave the kitchen area all together.
I think carrots instead of chips is good, Laura. If you can do that, I think it shows you don’t really have a problem with food.
Dee, I don’t see a Tuesday lesson?
Whoops — I’ll fix that — but you are going to be ahead!
3.A. What makes us unclean is our heart idols.
B. For me it is primarily food, and it is comfort. I am right there with you Laura, except I crave chocolate.
C. I always thought when Jesus referred to being born of water that He meant physical birth. You obviously have something else in mind. Are you meaning repentance?
D. Our idols need replacement by a new spirit, a heart of flesh instead of stone.
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God?
Heart Idol: control/power. On the slow driver, I think he needs to truth that God is in control of all things, and trust Him with the slow poke making him late, or whatever is really eating at him (likely something bigger), and release it. The missing putt—I tend to think that has a bit of an approval idol to it, he is insecure if he doesn’t ace every shot. He needs to trust Christ for his identity and realize he is deeply loved by the Creator whether he makes a hold in one or not, and that must matter more.
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B.
OK, I can hardly believe this, but minutes after I wrote my answer to 2B, I found a card left for me from my husband (he’s been doing this a lot these recent months). In it, he encouraged me to look to the Lord for the help we need now, and wrote out psalm 121. I repent of my complaining spirit, and of my looking for someone else to offer me what God has promised to give—help, strength, true rest, and renewal. An old Sandra McCracken song comes to mind “In the arms of a good Father, You can go to the deep water, Where the questions, we have left unspoken, Come out in the open, We will find shelter here, So I lay down, what I cannot hold in my hands, Every sorrow and hope spinning out of control, And here I find sweet resolution comes in letting go”
Lizzy — when I read how you complain to your husband, my first instinct was to tell you that was okay, we need to vent. But His Spirit checked me, that complaining doesn’t just hurt others, but ourselves. So though it seems a bit harsh, I think the Spirit is saying that to me, to you, to your husband. And it is good. As a widow, I have to follow this advice not to complain to friends.
However, and let me know your thoughts, there are times when I need a sounding board — but perhaps I am deceiving myself and that is a guise for complaining. Pondering!
I think safe sounding boars are a must! things kept silent tend to brood and get bigger if you do not give voice to them. as long as we chose someone who is wise and not afraid to tell us the truth!
Oh yes, I like the sounding board idea. Sometimes I hear God speaking truth to me through a friend- like when she reminded me”What part did you play in that situation with your husband?” I may have been taken back, but then pondered it and saw that maybe I should have handled my responses differently.Ha-always thinking that I am right.
Well.. Great pondering. Hmm..I see how David complained to God..I think it is okay for perhaps God will move through the hearer to give us wisdom or maybe even to wake us up or help us see what we can’t see about our heart in the moment?
There is a difference between complaining and needing a sounding board. When we complain, we are asking for others to see us as victims or the righteous party or some other aspect of putting ourselves in the limelight. When we ask for a sounding board, we want to understand something better, and are actually humbling ourselves to hear what someone else thinks. Again, it comes down to motives. Who am I doing this for?
I agree Mary! Well said 🙂
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week?
So I will share my reflections in 1 Peter this morning: In 1 Peter He gave me such joy this morning-that my suffering/trials are producing a more steadfast faith in me for in the future when He is revealed in His Glory-that I may be like Him giving Him Glory. That is much much more worthy of my delight right now than the delight of reprieve from suffering-or Him taking it away-even though I would love that. 🙂 If suffering means more letting go of this world, my “rights”, what I “deserve”, and giving Him Glory -how could I want more of this world after He gave up his glory for me on the cross? How can I not respond with desire to honor Him letting Him take me to the king’s chamber all beautiful and adorned-I really want Him to change these desires in my heart more deepening my affections for Him, and the beautiful part is I know HE WILL. 🙂 🙂
So when He is silent and not taking them away I know He really isn’t silent but is helping me take my affections off of this world and my idols, and onto Him.
Great reflections, Rebecca!
Rebecca–this is beautiful. And I think this is why I feel my complaining in sin. I do have some hard things, and we all do in our own ways–I remind myself no Christian is deprived the refining work of trials! I will always be the “honest type”, I cannot candy-coat and I am terrible at faking my feelings!, but I don’t want to forget His faithfulness. I don’t want to act as though these trials are “unfair”, and I don’t want to go my usual road of thinking I’ve done something wrong. And now for my daily Spurgeon quote 😉 : “Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the rod. Sooner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from earth and made meet for heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present and made to long for those eternal things that are so soon to be revealed to you. When you feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nothing, you will then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future.”
Wow. A lot to think about here. Thank you.
I wish we had a “like” button. Yes, thank you for your insights on 1 Peter and suffering/trials.
This is beautiful! “how could I want more of this world after He gave up his glory for me on the cross? How can I not respond with desire to honor Him letting Him take me to the king’s chamber all beautiful and adorned-I really want Him to change these desires in my heart more deepening my affections for Him, and the beautiful part is I know HE WILL. 🙂 :)”
Oh DEE! I know I should not be surprised for so many times I have come to this place and heard exactly what I needed to hear. But today! I have no words. As I prayed on Friday for God to give me wisdom I was led to Psalm 16. This week I am writing about the struggle of our marriage and how I had to be willing to let my heart be broken in order for our marriage to be saved.. every time I go there it brings up so much and my heart wants to hang out in that brokenness for a while and I was struggling! BUT THEN I OPENED UP YOUR BLOG! I was reminded that it is NOT the broken I need to dwell on but what I am letting JESUS do with that broken. thank you do for being an example of a woman who listens to HOLY SPIRIT and does hard things and loves well.
I am also struck at how satan attacks those people reaching out to muslims in such a personal, devastating way. And how GOD shows up to repair the hearts of those he has tried to destroy.
What a great God Hunt, Cyndi. And interesting about those who reach out to Muslims.
I always seem to yield to my approval idol, this is why I have not let myself write here or blog or post much on facebook. My heart has been so tender and broken that I am afraid that the need for approval and positive words will take over again, kind of like an alcoholic has to be REALLY secure in their sobriety in order to walk into a bar. But now it has become abundantly clear that HE is challenging me to believe that I can do something that many people try and fail at…..which kinda makes me want to throw up. I have never tried something that I thought there was a chance that I could fail. I have failed at things that when I started them I was sure I could do them, but I have never started something that I knew from the beginning had a high likelihood of failure because that approval idol has been THAT powerful in my life.
We have a blizzard going on this morning so things are shut down and it’s a great time time to sit and reflect. Reading through the comments this morning I am challenged and blessed.
My thoughts on the sprinkling of the water made me considered being washed by the blood of Jesus and cleansed by Him of my sin. Which I do think is part of the deeper meaning because it is the shedding of Jesus blood that obtained our salvation but as I reread those verses from John 3:5-8 spoken to Nicodemus by Jesus and considered some cross references I wondered about it meaning The Holy Spirit. It is the work of God’s Spirit that moves and works in our hearts and covers us in salvation. He (the HS) brings clean water to our lives and applies the cleansing of Jesus blood when we repent. Maybe I’m stretching the thought.
It’s an interesting idea — Jesus said we must be born of water and the Spirit so I could see how that would work. Here is D.A. Carson’s take, which is like yours:
Most likely this passage (John 3:5) as being “born of water ans spirit” constitutes an allusion to Exek. 36:25-27, which presages God’s cleansing of human heart with water and their inner transformation by His Spirit (also Isaish 44:3-5)
I’m just chiming in here on the “water” imagery from John 3 and from Ezekiel 36. Might the “water” be possibly referring indirectly to the ceremonial cleansing that the priest had to do before they served at the temple? Not that Jesus is saying that in the same way we have to be ceremonially cleansed; rather that only He can cleanse – the washing of regeneration made possible by His blood shed for us. We are cleansed with His water so that we can worship and serve with clean hands and a pure heart.
Dianne — interesting as He is our High Priest! I think the predominant idea in my mind is that is begins with Him — He convicts — we respond in repentance — He provides the means to be forgiven — we respond in faith. Love this discussion.
What makes us unclean? To go to anything for comfort, for fulfillment-idols.
My weak area is seeking approval from others… Only God can approve my effort, my work, nothing else matters. Validation from others is not important. Only God knows my heart and its motivation.
C. John 3:5 “born of water” This seems to me the repentance and washing of forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
D. I will give you a new heart- a desire to obey God and a new spirit- to be a brand new creation. “My help comes from the Lord!”
4. The man with anger has a control idol-wanting to be in power, and the sin is selfishness. I see this so often in men? Maybe the insecurity drives them to exert power that is not theirs over others?
This sin of selfishness is so apparent in all of us from an early age.
B. The 2-step process is to remove the heart of stone, through the cleansing of forgiveness, then the gift of the Holy Spirit which allows one to “walk in my statutes”(being obedient to God’s Word).
3.A. What makes us unclean … what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to v. 25?
worship of idols
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” … where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
As others have mentioned, eating is often a temptation that I give way to. The time frame is usually post supper, rarely am I actually hungry, just hankering for something (sweet, salty, chocolate …fill in the blank). I need to give more thought to what I am trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill.
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel … What do you think it represents?
I think “water” represents the new heart/new life that the Lord provides His followers.
D. The second part … with what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
a tender, responsive heart
4.A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up … from what “heart idol” does he need to repent and how does he need to trust God?
I’m thinking that the heart idol is control. The first step is that the man must be aware and acknowledge his idol, only then can he really repent/turn away from it. He needs to trust that God can and will change his heart; he needs faith and obedience in the Lord’s power to transform. Practically speaking…the Lord may direct him to a particular book, podcast, scriptural text, person, support group, etc.; he must be obedient to the Lord’s leading, be engaged in the transformation process.
B. Now go thorough this two-step process with the sin you mentioned.
I acknowledge my food (comfort?) idol…I am aware that I indulge in foods when I am not hungry and sabotage being healthy. I trust that the Lord can change my heart; He has done it before and I have faith that He can do it again. I am going to be very conscious of where/what/who I discern the Lord is leading/directing me to…acting on those nudges, noticing those “God”-incidence moments. I feel lead to memorize bible text that I can recite to myself when feeling triggered…I’m going to go on a hunt this evening. Prior to grocery shopping, I am going have some time alone with God and pray for strength, intentionality, and impulse control. I’m going to go re-read Rebecca’s portion regarding her comfort idol in Idol Lies. We’ll see where else the Lord leads…
Nanci — I think you’ve hit the nail on the head when you talk about God changing our hearts — unless we have a change of heart we will never be set free — whatever the idol!
3. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25? (Use a translation rather than a paraphrase like The Message.)
Impurities and idols
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
An area that is hard for me is anything where my idol of comfort or control is threatened. I need to learn that my circumstances may not be comfortable but God is my comfort through it all. That God is in control of every little thing that touches my life.
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents?
Not sure here. It will not be the act of baptism because it does not bring us to salvation in Christ. Since entering the Kingdom of God is only thru Jesus’, would water mean Jesus blood? I think of the first Passover, they have to sprinkle blood on the door post and were saved from death?
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
A new heart and a new spirit; A heart of flesh instead of stone
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God?
He has to acknowledge his sin of impatience and anger; His heart idol is the idol of control or status; He needs to trust that God is in control
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B.
Identify my sin as the idol of control. Confess it to the Lord and ask Him to soften my heart (of flesh rather than stone) . Surrender the circumstance to Him and wait on Him. Ask the Spirit to guide me in His ways.
Lots of good pondering from many on what water and the Spirit means in John 3:5. Here is D.A. Carson’s take:
Most likely this passage (John 3:5) as being “born of water ans spirit” constitutes an allusion to Exek. 36:25-27, which presages God’s cleansing of human heart with water and their inner transformation by His Spirit (also Isaish 44:3-5)
P. S.
The Isaiah reference intrigues me above because I am seeing how often God compares the land and the human heart…
3 B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
Okay, so I am being vulnerable here and Cyndi has encouraged me to do so with her vulnerable heart. 🙂 I love you Cyndi.
There are ways idols deceive me..I think I can see the red flags and it has been easy with most red flags due to God making me aware via Idol lies-…Dee warns us in Idol Lies that Idols can be deceptive. My control and approval idol can work together in a most deceptive way. Like my desire that all of my family desire Him and not continue to have kindled flames-that is a good desire. Yet when I say to myself, “We may not be like all the other godly parents who don’t have to force their kids to go to church and teen group, but I would rather have hot or cold children than luke warm. I would rather have flames than have them be tares, attending church for the rest of their lives because it is habit not really knowing or desiring Him.” Sounds real “spiritual” until I find myself getting frustrated at their lack of desire for Him, discouraged and upset because it isn’t happening now or because their flame been kindled too long. Jealous of other families whose children desire God and wondering what they think of us when they find out about our oldest son being an atheist. On our first night of our new community group the other night, I told my son not to tell anyone that he doesn’t believe. It isn’t necessary right now. I also told my husband not to mention it for we have plenty praying for him already. :-/. Ugh..this SO cheats me of time with Him, of trusting Him and experiencing His kisses and His presence and His amazing power in changing hearts.
Love you, Rebecca — so understand this struggle, but love how teachable you are!
Rebecca, this is so precious. I wanted to encourage you with a story. There was a young man working at Chick-fil-A with Abby who was brought up in a Christian home and homeschooled. He began listening to very satanic music and calling himself an atheist. About a year ago he began to hang out with Josh, my son-in-law . they would play a video game together that I would never let my kids play, they drink beer and smoke cigars together for 6 months. Then, 6 months or so ago he started coming to our church. It is a church that has directed its focus on people who have been hurt by the church. He now loves Jesus and is beginning to align his life the way Jesus would have him. Because of the t-shirts he wore and just his General attitude he had been deeply hurt by his parents church and the Homeschool community. It was truly not God he hated or even didn’t believe in but the organized Church and it’s pretense. I will pray for your son to find a group of Christians that doesn’t necessarily look like Christians. That he can find a person his age, with his interests that will love him well.
Rebecca and Cyndi, I love the interchange that you guys have about your children. How we love them! And this one, Cyndi as I think of my own daughter-you give some additional substance to my prayers for her. Thank you! ” I will pray for your son to find a group of Christians that doesn’t necessarily look like Christians. That he can find a person his age, with his interests that will love him well.”
Dee, Cyndi and Bing..You three encouraged me so the other morning when I read your responses. I am TRULY loved by Him through you. 🙂 🙂 Thank you thank you for praying for my family.
Cyndi, My heart melted when I read your post. THANK YOU. I learn so much from you. Your love for us, your honesty and just your life. I see a lot though you don’t mention it how faithful you are to Him, and your children reflect Him as well.
Thank you so much. I love you too. Your answers are always so thoughtful and researched. Your heart for your boys and the Heartbreak that they are not loving Jesus in a way that makes them want to seek him is so true and pure. I am praying for all four of your boys to fall in love with Jesus.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
Stephanie’s story – of course! How hard for her it must have been to have her dream of marrying this young man shattered, and how easily it would have been to become disillusioned, depressed, about it. Or, to make an idol out of the relationship. But she sought God instead, and it is truly beautiful how He met her, and through Him, she got to meet you, Dee! Love how He led her into The Songs! I also like her word picture of giving your heart to the Lord, that He will never break it.
3. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25?
Our idols make us unclean. God wants to cleanse us from all our idols. Idols are the “sin beneath the sin”, the underlying cause of the bad fruit we see in our lives.
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill?
The area where I tend to yield to temptation is related to my marriage and though my husband and I are getting along fairly well, I long for the intimacy that I see some other couples have. I suppose that craving intimacy can be made into an idol itself. Or, wanting my husband to be what he is not. It is also wanting comfort/security or approval/affirmation. The bad fruit of my idols is that, when I am acutely disappointed, I will let my mind drift into daydreaming or fantasizing as a way to escape. Of course I know that God is more than able to fulfill my longing for closeness and intimacy, and He wants to. I have begun to check myself, bringing my mind back into the reality of the moment and reminding myself that God is a God of reality; He will meet me in my reality.
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents?
In John 3:5, Jesus says that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. If this is a direct reference to Ezekiel, then being “born of water” would be the cleansing from sin that only God can do? “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage?
Our idols need to move out of our hearts, and God needs to move in. God says that He will put His Spirit in us. I see the stony heart as stubbornly clinging to idols to try to get needs met and as resistant to the Spirit. Looking to Him, seeing His love for me and allowing that to stir my affections for Him softens my heart. Rebecca always talks about how God melts her!
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God?
Uncontrolled impatience or anger is a complicated thing….it can happen when something gets in the way of us getting what we want and we are frustrated. I believe it was Leslie Vernick in Dee’s book, Idol Lies, who said that at that moment, we are believing a lie (I think she used the example of getting impatient in the check-out line at the store). The lie may be that we believe we are more important, or what we want to do is more important, than the other person. The idols could be power/control – the slow driver is driving me crazy because I need to be somewhere and need to be in control of my schedule, and throwing the golf club could be approval/affirmation – he’s embarrassed to look like a bad golfer in front of others. The lies are that he is more important than the old man driving slowly, or that his self-worth and status depend on his prowess on the golf course. This man can choose to give up trying to control his circumstances and allow God to be in control, and look to Him for approval. He can ask God to help him see the old man through God’s eyes – perhaps an elderly person still trying to maintain his independence but not able to drive like he did 20 years ago.
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B.
Lord, when my husband fails to meet my needs for intimacy, for closeness, for affirmation, and I am tempted to drift off into a daydream – often one in which I invent the perfect husband in my mind and how he would talk to me or even touch me tenderly, it helps, maybe for a little while, but it’s not real. I am choosing to try to stay alive on crumbs when I’m really starving to death, and when Jesus said to come to Him if I am hungry or thirsty. I know in the end, my idols will leave me empty and they will enslave me. The first step is identifying and repenting of my idolatry – I want and need approval/affirmation, comfort and security. The bad fruit I see is turning to daydreaming instead of to You, or, getting angry with my husband which comes out in being rude, harsh and critical. The second step is replacing the hunger inside of me with You.
The very, very hard part of me working through this is that I have this desire, and some days it kills me to think that I will never, ever know this kind of depth and intimacy in my marriage, and it is very disappointing, to say the least. I have felt, at times, that I don’t deserve to have that kind of marriage, that somehow I didn’t qualify in God’s eyes to have it – there’s something wrong with me. Laura said above in her post that while she can lay her hands on food, she can’t do that with God, although she knows the Bible is right there and she can pick it up and read it. I struggle with that, too – I want something tangible. But – in Stephanie’s story above, she seems to have laid hold of God in a very real and tangible way through The Songs, and it was apparent to me when we studied The Songs that God seems to connect with us in that little book in a way that speaks to our senses – smell, “Your name is perfume poured out”, touch, the myrrh dripping on the door knob, taste, where her lover is like the apple tree in the forest and His fruit is sweet to my taste. These must be my weapons against my idols – He must be bigger, better, more satisfying to me than those little paltry idols.
Susan — this makes me remember some of the things I shared from you in both Idol Lies and He Calls You Beautiful — so beautifully and vulnerably shared.
Oh Susan, this breaks my heart! I am married to a Christian man and did not feel emotionally connected to him for most of our marriage. I am praying that you guys will some how become best friends even if he never does love Jesus. That you will figure out how to have fun together. I know that when I let go of NEEDING Paul to connect with me on a “deep” level and learned to just enjoy sitting next to him on the couch laughing at Monk, or enjoy a walk in nature even if he did not talk I was a much happier person. Im sure it is much more complicated than this, not trying to underestimate how lonely your feeling! I hope this does not come off that way! I just wanted to encourage you that when I gave up the dream of having an emotionally intimate marriage I was able to enjoy the marriage that I had a lot more. (and it was 7 years between the time I gave that dream up and God began to heal my husband through anti-depresents and a new church)
Oh, Susan! How I pray for your husband’s eyes to be opened to the beauty of Christ and His sanctification of you. This is such a mystery-your marriage. Yet, we pray, because with God nothing is impossible. My love to you, dear one.
oh sweet Susan, you know how my heart breaks for your pain in this area. Still praying for that miracle. Just hearing your desire gives me hope and reminds me to keep praying!
Going back to the meaning of the water mentioned in Ezekiel and by Jesus in John, I do have a cross-reference in my Bible to that verse in Ezekiel and it is Hebrews 9:13-14, “The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” I know there are passages in the OT where the people assembled and they were sprinkled with blood, but that didn’t remove their sin on the inside. So, the sprinkling that God does has to be different….
Hebrews 10:22, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Is there any significance in that when Jesus’ side was pierced, both water and blood came out?
Interesting though about Jesus sid e– but it seems the preponderance of evidence is that the water has to do with God purifying our hearts through His Spirit — making us realize our sin, helping us repent — and then the blood cleansing. My thoughts!
3 D I need to replace the lie that I have no value if I do not “fix” everyone in my life with the truth that GOD is the only one who has the power to fix anyone. HE has called me to LOVE people WHILE they are broken, speak truth into their lives and GOD will use that love to heal if HE chooses BUT IT IS NOT ON MY SHOULDERS IF THEY DO OR DON’T FIND HEALING it is on HIS.
4.A. The man needs to repent of wanting to control it all. He should take a deep breath, choose to look at God instead of his circumstances and speak truth to his soul. He could remind himself that God’s timing is perfect, and that He is really the one in control.
B. So, for me, when I want to eat more or wrongly, I should take a deep breath and remind myself that God has promised to be my comfort. He loves me and will meet all my needs. If He is not meeting this request, it must not be a need. That last part I have to think about more. It came out as I was typing.
4 A +B It has been many years since we did the STONE CUTTER series. I remember how much it helped me to see my “need” for approval as an idol. but I also remember thinking that sometimes I just want control or even comfort. I was frustrated that I was unable to really identify what it was that was keeping me from feeling really free from my idols. I could identify them but still often felt trapped in them. so in this example I wonder if it is a lie that this man who is playing golf is believing that is feeding his idol. perhaps in his heart he hears his dad saying that he will never be good enough, or he has always believed that if he is not perfect he has no worth. I wonder if that lie was challenged… you are lovable no matter how you play golf, or I am not identified by what my dad said about me. perhaps the need for the idol is a need for protection. After all that is what an idol of gold is made for. people pray to it for protection and blessing. They don’t really worship the IDOL they worship what they hope the idol can give them.
5 a+b He sees that all that is good is from God and all those who do not have HIM will live in sorrow.
c.in the past 18 months I lost my motherhood to my oldest 3 (I know i am still their mom but they are no longer mine to “control” and pour into on a daily basis) I lost my mobility for over 6 months (severely hurt my ankle) lost a job, a ministry and my mentorship to many young woman all in one day and on that day was told that it was my fault that those woman were hurting and that they would be better off without me and I was told I was not even to contact them. My youngest was diagnosed with attachment disorder and we downsized to a condo so that the youngest two could go to a school that could meet their needs, because I could not….
pretty much blew up EVERY idol I had, there was not one thing left to hold onto but for JESUS. I had no more control, no more self sufficiency, no more kids in my home that made me look good, no more ministry that I could be proud of, nothing left to hide behind. And I began to get free. I am so thankful that GOD took all those things away at one time so that there was no idol left that I could rely on. Other than losing a child to death all of my worst fears came true in to span of 6 months….AND I LEARNED THAT HE INDEED IS ENOUGH!
Oh dear Cyndi…what a Job story! So hard for you but you have come tho praising God & feeling set free. You are such an inspiration!
Cyndie — beautiful testimony — truly.
Cyndi. Reading this through teary eyes: “pretty much blew up EVERY idol I had, there was not one thing left to hold onto but JESUS…” On March 13, 2013 the Lord worked that very same process into my life. Interesting to me that you used the phrase “blew up” for it was a bomb in the middle east that began that journey…..A. was the love of my daughter’s life and they were on the road to marriage. He was the “son of my heart” in ways I cannot begin to explain. For three weeks the series of miracles in his recovery were simply, well, miraculous. Then……he got pneumonia and died within 36 hours. This former Navy Seal Captain was the toughest, most tender and kind young man we ever knew. To my knowledge, he never came to know Jesus personally. Grief? I thought I had experienced grief, and of course I had. But NOTHING like this. Nothing. Then….our daughter revealed that she had been diagnosed with late stage ovarian cancer. Then….our son, who we thought was living a sober life, totalled truck #2 and we began to learn the depth of his addiction…..which is a struggle to this day. My husband’s beloved business was in deep trouble as was our marriage. Much like what you have spoken of…..within months it seemed as though the Lord might be leaving NOTHING untouched. In the summer of 2013 I was absolutely flattened. BUT GOD……oh….He NEVER lets us go!! He drew me to the book of Job….and there came a day when I was able to say along with Job: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted….I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (from Job 42). I felt like King Nebuchadnezzer in Daniel 4, when his “reason returned to me” – as he “lifted his eyes toward heaven and blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever.”
Since then? In October of last year my daughter married a dear friend – who truly is the love of her life…..she still (and always will) loves A., but she is committed fully to M……and he loves her so well. Her health is the very best it has been in these past five years….she is vibrant and running a growing horse business….riding, training, teaching lessons. 🙂 My husband and I are living on an amazing horse farm that he is managing – if I told the story of how this job came about you would see that it was GOD who orchestrated it entirely! It suits him and pulls on every skill he has honed through a lifetime in the business. Our marriage is the best it has ever been – and that for several years now. Addiction still plagues one of our sons and is excruciating for us all. None of my family members knows or walks with Jesus. The ebb and flow of the storms of life continue. But He can be trusted! You shared this snippet of your story SO tenderly Cyndi. I celebrate along with you the way in which He has come to you and enlarged your heart, your love for Him! To God be the glory! The singing duo More Than Rubies has a song entitled “Even Though We Lose it All”……sorry I don’t have the link, but it is well worth googling! I feel certain that you will sing along….. 🙂 I am so thankful for your sharing here today.
wow….just WOW! Im speechless!
Jackie–STAY!!! Oh I just love when I get to hear from your wealth of wisdom and see your sweet face in that bubble! You have endures so much pain and tremendous trials Jackie. I cannot even imagine your weariness. But PRAISE that Jes is doing better! And that your marriage is “the best it has ever been”! Love this: “The ebb and flow of the storms of life continue. But He can be trusted!” amen!
Thanks for putting your story and perspective together for us, Jackie. I had heard bits and pieces of it before, but this is surely a powerful testimony of how God shows Himself enough in the midst of disaster. Hugs! Thanks for the lovely song, too.
Jackie, I can see a powerful example of our story-weaving Father in your life. I have been so blessed with Paul Miller’s book, The praying life and he could easily use your story as another victorious way of God working out things for good and for His glory.
Jackie, I’ve often thought of your daughter and wondered about her health, so I’m so happy to hear that she’s married, in the best health she can be in, and doing what she loves with horses. Though your family isn’t walking with Him right now, He has surely been good to them. He is kind and merciful, isn’t He? I will pray for your son, too….I’m sorry for the pain this causes you.
Cyndi, the depth of your sharing here, so real, so honest, so real life. This gave me pause, “….nothing left to hide behind.” You certainly experienced a ton of losses, all at once, and each one, a severe blow. Truly, you had not one idol left to rely on. Your faith shines through, though, “AND I LEARNED THAT HE INDEED IS ENOUGH!”
thank you Susan. praying for you today. The funny thing is that I can honesty say that I am the most content I have ever been in my life. No more pressure to be perfect….that ship has sailed LOL
oh cyndi–sweet friend, one of those times I would give anything to be there in person and give you a real life hug. SO much loss. And yet you have remained steadfast in faith. You have always brought us His light, joy, laughter…and now you shine even brighter. You may feel you lost your ministry–but TRULY you minister daily to every person who knows you. You challenge and inspire and point us back to Him. so love it when you are here!!
thank you sweet Lizzy. I am looking forward to the day that we meet face to face and I get to meet your kiddos too! I felt that hug! tears sweet friend….good, sweet, cleansing tears 🙂 thank you!
Cyndi, wow..just wow.. This blew me away!
5. Read Psalm 16:1-5 A. Of what does David remind himself in verses 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God?
He reminds himself who God is, and who he is himself. Apart from the Lord, we have nothing. Those who trust in Him are excellent.
B. What happens, according to verse 4a, to those who run after another god?
Their sorrows multiply!
C.—coming back to this one 😉
D. What happens, according to verses 5-6, to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup?
They have the peace that the Lord is in control of their lives, and He the plans He has are good, with a “beautiful inheritance”.
E. The tribe of Levi, or the priests of Israel, were given no land like the others, to remind them that the Lord was their inheritance. How could this help you as you ponder financial losses or decisions?
The Lord is my portion—my sustenance, everything I need. I know this would be much harder to answer in the midst of such losses. Still, it is truth and reminding myself to keep an eternal perspective while here on earth is vital—it changes everything.
6. Read Psalm 16:7-11 A. What does God give David, according to verse 7?
God gives him counsel.
B. In order to experience the two part process of cleansing and replacing, we must listen to the Lord. How has the Lord given you counsel in regard to your heart idols?
He often uses His Word to counsel me, but what first comes to mind is the way He has used Dee and His truth in the Idol Lies study, as well as you all here, to help me be honest about my idols and surrender to Him..
C. Hebrews tells us that God is going to shake our world – but what will happen to the person who sets the Lord always before him, according to v. 8?
He will not be shaken
D. Sometimes the shaking of our world causes us to realize the futility of our idols. The only One who will never let us down, move away, or die is the Lord. Have you experienced a shaking of your world that helped you to press into God and experience joy?
Hope this isn’t too much. One of my biggest idols started 24 years ago when I got married. I read a book on the Proverbs 31 wife and I was determined to be her—perfect wife, perfect mother, perfect family. I worked so hard, even hiding things from others that would mar their view of us. The shaking came early with major marriage struggles, then infertility… I kept trying to hide how much I felt like a failure, but God, in His love, kept showing me the futility of my idol… a child who rejects me, and more recently, sisters who have turned against me…it’s not no one’s perfect picture. But through the shaking over the years, He has broken me more and more of my tight grip on my plans, my idols. He has shown me how shallow and they are, unable to give that fullness of joy only He can provide. In the unsteadiness of my crumbling idol, He has come, and is continuing to come to hold me. In those dark early years, He came in and saved my marriage, making it now something more beautiful than I ever would have dared asked. He has brought children through adoption and helped me see my infertility as a gift. Other trials linger but now I do know that my idol was a path of destruction for me. It led me to try to control everyone around me to make them fit the picture. It tempted me to hide and lie to keep up the fascade. He has and is breaking me of all of that and I am so thankful. I can be open and honest about my struggles and watch Him use it all for His glory. He holds my lot and the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
E. How do you see joy in the psalmist in verse 9?
He is at peace, secure. His whole body rejoices.
F. How does verse 10 show you we are no longer talking about David?
This is speaking of Christ, that He will not be left in hell, but will be resurrected.
G. What three joys await the one who makes the Lord his refuge according to verse 11?
Path of life!, fullness of joy!, pleasures forever more! I love this verse!
7. In applying this psalm to a heartbreak like Stephanie’s, what thoughts do you have? When we are endeavoring to follow God and yet are deeply disappointed, how could this psalm be helpful?
We are guaranteed a beautiful inheritance, pleasures forever more. We can have glimpses, tastes of that here. But the true fulfillment lies ahead for us. It is hard to wait, and when the pain is fresh and deep, it is hard to look up. But speaking the truth, again and again, to our soul, it begins to take root, and give us enough hope to press in and on.
So good you shared that, Lizzy. A testimony that touches many!
Lizzy!
Though I have heard your testimony before I LOVE revisiting it and how eloquently you speak to the glory of God through it all….and even going forward as we go along our not perfect, and yet exactly perfect (for it is His path we follow) way. This is so well said and you do so shine the spotlight on our glorious almighty God! Thank you.
Oh my goodness Lizzy! as I read this it was as if I was reading out of my own journal!
Sunday:
1. What stands out to you from the above and why? – The pain that Stephanie felt after her relationship was over. She felt so certain that that man was the one the Lord sent to her and then in an instant it was over. In so many cases just like Stephanie when you feel so sure that you hear the Lord speaking and your dream was shattered I start to doubt if I even heard him at all. But how she kept after it to find the true and comfort of Jesus again is so encouraging.
2. This life is hard and full of trouble — was there a time when the presence of Jesus, either alone or with other believers, filled you with joy this week? – Sunday’s sermon was from 1st Peter on relationships and how we need to submit to them and work at them. My husband and I have been blocked from one of our sons lives for a reason we are not sure of. We don’t think that we did anything wrong, but when he has reached out to his son there is no response back. There were some very hurtful words said about both of us on social media and when I heard the sermon, I thought, we need to reach out to them and try to see if they will tell us what we have done. When I brought this up in our Life Group that afternoon, our group was so supportive and helpful in guiding us and knowing that this week and the weeks to come we will be lifted up in prayer for the situation. They are such a blessing to us, we love each other unconditionally and we know that we have the trust for each person that we can open up and know we won’t be judged.
Monday
3. Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. What makes us unclean, or to put it another way, what is “the sin beneath our sin” according to verse 25? (Use a translation rather than a paraphrase like The Message.) – We will have our impurities and idols washed from our hearts. The idols that we carry around (Dee your book Idol Lies came up in our Life Group Sunday :)) burden us and weigh us down. They keep us from hearing and doing what God calls us to do.
B. “The sprinkling of clean water” is a metaphor for the cleansing of God when we repent of our idols. To recognize and repent from an idol, ask yourself, where is an area where I tend to yield to temptation? What need am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill? – I think for me acceptance from others it what I still need to release and give to the Lord. The acceptance I need and that will cover me in peace is the acceptance that comes from the Lord, knowing I am His and he will protect me and show me what I need to give up.
C. Jesus quotes Ezekiel when speaking to Nicodemus in John 3:5. I often wondered what the water was, but now I understand. What do you think it represents? – I always thought it was baptism, but I’m wondering know if it is the impurities and idols we carry along with us. If these aren’t removed first, to follow Jesus and his ways will be a rough and bumpy road.
D. The second part of the process of growth is described in verses 26-27. Idols cannot be removed but only replaced. With what do we need to allow God to replace them according to this passage? – We need to allow God to replace our impurities and idols with his kind heart, his understanding spirit and his flesh, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Without these we will not be free and the washing of the water will be to no avail.
Love your pondering, Julie.
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
I love your story about Stephanie and especially how she was drawn to the Song of Songs, and then your book and then YOU! We are still working through your book on Song of Songs, Dee. I am learning a lot as I spend time in Song of Songs, especially about how gracious He is with us – even when we are reluctant to respond to Him. (See Song chapter 5). In this chapter, the beloved allows suffering to teach her as she seeks Him. As a further resource to your study, Dee, I am also enjoying listening to Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s teaching on the Song of Song online. See https://www.reviveourhearts.com/series/how-fall-and-stay-love-jesus/.
Those are great lessons — I think perhaps I should refer them on my website.Thanks, Diane.
A. Of what does David remind himself in verses 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God?
All good things come from God no one else. So why not turn to Him? Because of His character-omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, faithful, everlasting, king of kings, Lord of lords and most of all-MY Father, Abba-where else can I turn to?
Like Peter in John 6 may I declare, 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
B. What happens, according to verse 4a, to those who run after another god?
They will suffer more.
C. Share a personal example of your running after “another god,” or rebelling against God’s way and experiencing “multiplied sorrows.” (It doesn’t have be choosing something bad, but making something good like food, friendship, ministry or position your security or identity.)
I am embarrassed to say that I have run after the god of my relationship with my daughter! Although I would say that I am slowly releasing her from my grasp, I suddenly had a deeper awareness that for so long, my identity was based on how she performs in life. I believe I was in denial for a long time-acknowledging it, naming it and confessing before the Lord without making any excuses is very freeing.
And the greatest thing aside from knowing I am God’s beloved is that this freedom translates to other relationships I have. I will not be controlled by other people because of fear, intimidation, etc. I know who my enemy is and by God’s help, Satan will not steal my joy.
D. What happens, according to verses 5-6, to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup?
His lot is secure and he will always have an inheritance. I looked up the meaning of “lot” and had synonyms of fate, fortune, destiny, luck and a person’s condition in life. My condition in life will always be secure regardless of my circumstances because God is my circumstance!
Bing: I so get what you said about your idol of relationship with your daughter. I haven’t fleshed it all out, but I feel in some ways similar with my daughter. It’s very hard to let go when we love them so much, but Praise God for giving you strength & freedom!
Being born of “water”: I wondered if its being washed by the Word; Jesus is the Living Word. He cleanses us when we come to Him & the gives us His Spirit…new birth.
I heard a message yesterday by Pastor Colin Smith (who I love), & he said “what Jesus demands, Jesus gives”. He came to fulfill all the demands of God for us, & He gives us Himself. So He cleanses us, fills us & gives us a new heart that desires to walk in His Truth.
3) B. What am I trying to fulfill for myself that God could fill? Security, comfort, approval, acceptance…I definitely worry about pleasing people too much.
Skipping ahead to 4). A. The man needs to acknowledge his anger & pride, & ask God to cleanse him; & ask God for the desire & strength to change & respond God’s way.
4). B. 2-step process: When I’m tempted to say words to placate or to please (& I’m not being sincere), I need to pause & ask the Lord to help me to listen; speak truth in love; say whatever He leads me to & to trust that He is working. Not try to control outcomes.
5). A. David reminds himself that God is his Lord & that he has no true good besides Him. Also how he delights in the godly ones. It inspires him to know that God is Sovereign & that he is not alone.
B. Those who run after other gods: their sorrows shall be multiplied.
C. Personal example: I’m sure I have tons!! Probably by being too quick to speak & not to really listen; succumbing to co-dependent ways. Trying to find my security in what others think of me instead of in God my Rock. It can lead to dryness & emptiness & a mess.
D. When I make the Lord my chosen portion & cup…. I have a secure future & boundaries in pleasant places.
E. The Tribe of Levi were not given land to remind them that the Lord was their inheritance: How can this help me ? I can ponder the eternal weight & value of a secure inheritance & future in the Lord. He gives me Himself: He is my security, my Shepherd; my Comforter; my Lover. He accepts me, provides for me, covers me & keeps me! I need to live like I believe it!! 🙂
Washed by the Word. Another good possibility!
4. Application of Ezekiel 36:25-27
A. Let’s say that a man has a habit of blowing up when things don’t go as he wishes: he’ll throw his golf club after missing a putt or curse the old man who is driving too slowly. Describe how he could cooperate with this two-step process of growth. From what “heart idol” does he need to repent, and how does he need to trust God? – This man needs to repent from his anger that he has built up inside and ask the Lord to calm his spirit. He needs to recall how patient and calm Jesus was in the many stories in the Bible and know that the Lord can also give him that calming spirit.
B. Now go through this two-step process with the sin you mentioned in 2:B. – I need to not worry if someone doesn’t like me, or accepts how I may see things differently from them. We aren’t going to get along every minute of the day. We are all sinners in a sin filled world. I need to remember that Jesus has already accepted me into his kingdom and will never forsake me. He will always be there for me and guide me through life. I can trust he will help me with this acceptance idol because his promises are true.
5.A. David reminds himself that God alone is God, and His people are the exalted ones.
so…aim to be wholeheartedly His. Bring God back into focus.
B. I know from experience that running after other gods makes regret pile up.
C. Not only do I have the regret of running to food, but I have the reminder on the scale, mirror, and clothes that I was unwise and undisciplined.
D. Choosing God leads to security, pleasant boundaries and delightful inheritance. I think part of my problem is thinking that to be obedient means having to forever give up what I enjoy eating for the rest of my life.
E. Levi was to be supported thru tithes and offerings, dependant daily on God. Much like the forty years in the wilderness as the people had to depend on God daily. I need to remind myself that God will take care of my cravings each and every day. Lately what I have been hearing is that I am blowing this up out of proportion, and that God can’t be bothered with my calorie intake. But here, David says that God wants to concern Himself every little thing. Could it be that God is leaving these cravings in me so that I will find Him reliable and true day by day?
5. Read Psalm 16:1-5
A. Of what does David remind himself in verses 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God?
David reminds himself that he belongs to God. “You are MY Lord.” He reminds himself that apart from God, he has nothing. “Apart from You I have no good thing.” So, even the good things in life, minus God, can never satisfy. David delights in others who feel the same way about the Lord as he does. It inspires confidence because it corrects our mindset, away from being fastened on the things of this world and back to a focus on God, who is goodness Himself.
B. What happens, according to verse 4a, to those who run after another god?
It brings a ton of sorrow.
C. Share a personal example of your running after “another god”, or rebelling against God’s way and experiencing “multiplied sorrows”. (It doesn’t have to be choosing something bad, but making something good like food, friendship, ministry or position your security or identity)
It has taken me a long time to begin to come out of the trap of making idols out of my children, or being a mom, and basing my worth, security, and identity in them. So, when one of my children hurts me with their words, indifference, fails to show love to me the way I want, doesn’t pay attention to me the way I want, or they are going through some difficulty, it would cause me to spiral downward with a range of emotions – anger, sadness, depression, hopelessness, worry, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, self-pity. I am still learning, but am quick to recognize the pattern and am (hopefully) dealing with these things in a more mature, godly way. That’s not to say that I am a stoic block of cement that is impermeable to getting my feelings hurt, but I recognize that my children cannot be my identity, the basis of my security or approval. It frees both me and them.
D. What happens, according to verses 5-6, to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup?
This implies trusting that the Lord has given me my “fair share”. I always picture a family meal at a table in God’s house (v 5), and I can’t imagine coming for supper and God giving me a couple of peas on my plate while everyone else has a full plate! I have my assigned seat at the table and what’s on my plate is different from the others, and it is good, it is my portion. The result is feeling secure. My attitude will then be one of contentment, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”, not looking at what’s on the other side of the fence (the grass is greener over there), and I can have delight in knowing that I have a forever inheritance kept in heaven for me.
E. The tribe of Levi, or the priests of Israel, were given no land like the others, to remind them that the Lord was their inheritance. How could this help you as you ponder financial losses or decisions?
I can’t say that right now we are facing any financial losses or big decisions, but, I do know a few people who make it a daily habit to watch the stock market. My life and future inheritance will never depend on what I have in this world, monetarily. I must never put my hope and trust in what is in our bank account, or be afraid to be generous.
5. Read Psalm 16:1-5
A. Of what does David remind himself in verses 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God? – David is reminding himself that God is the only thing he needs and with Him all is good
B. What happens, according to verse 4a, to those who run after another god? – Those that follow other gods will suffer and struggle in their lives. I believe that God will protect us if we allow him in to our lives, but if we don’t then we are walking along in this world by ourselves.
C. Share a personal example of your running after “another god,” or rebelling against God’s way and experiencing “multiplied sorrows.” (It doesn’t have be choosing something bad, but making something good like food, friendship, ministry or position your security or identity.) – My ‘other god’ is holding on to bitterness and anger. Being upset with my husband because he doesn’t think to help me when he gets home. I had a full load with a full time job, part time school, and keeping up with the house and cooking. I was very frustrated having to do it all. Once I released (my word for the year) that to the Lord, there was a peace that came over me and my attitude is starting to get better. I’m more mindful of how I’m saying things and even what I’m saying under my breath or out loud to my husband.
D. What happens, according to verses 5-6, to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup? – Once you realize that God is all you need and place your trust in him, you will be on a much smoother path in your life. That is not a guarantee that it will always be smooth, but having the lord in your life will make things easier. Following the Lords ways will put you on the right track to have blessings come your way.
E. The tribe of Levi, or the priests of Israel, were given no land like the others, to remind them that the Lord was their inheritance. How could this help you as you ponder financial losses or decisions? – The Lord supplies all my riches and needs, he will give me what I need and when I trust in him and believe that, I will not be in want. I need to realize though that my wants may be different then what the Lord will provide for me so I need to wait on him and know that in His time, my needs will be provided.
Have another rare few minutes so I wanted to share this. After I shared earlier some of my past trials, I wondered if I said too much or shouldn’t have posted (a frequent wondering of mine!). But then I come here and see encouragement from Jackie and Cyndi, and it just reminded me I wanted to say something from last week’s question about the fellowship we have experienced here. Sorry to go backwards but I finally have some free minutes! I feel what we have here is a taste of what true fellowship is meant to be. Perhaps the fact we’re not “in real life” there is more safety, but I’ve noticed there is an absence of those things that can steal joy from friendships. Instead of jealousy or competition, or high-maintenance demands (phone calls to return…) there is genuine encouragement and compassion for one another. We pray for one another, we empathize and build each other up, as we are called to do. There is also a humility among us that I have only in recent years found in my “real life” friendships. I credit that spirit of humility to Dee’s example. I was looking through my books the other day of other women authors, and so many of them I like their writing, but with the exception of Joni E. Tada, if I imagine having lunch, I’d be tense and feel like because of my own sin and weakness, I just don’t measure up. I realize that is MY problem (approval idol!), not theirs! But I thought how different it is with Dee. Although she is more accomplished than these others, her heart is so incredibly humble. With every post, she shares her heart–her weaknesses, her struggles and how she is pressing into Him in the midst. And that example, allows the flood gates of our own hearts to open–there is safety in sharing our own sin, our idols. There is no judgment. Instead, there is the assurance of being heard, understood, and prayed for. “For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow” Ecc. 4:10
Lizzy — you have been so other-centered, encouraging, praying, loving. You model the life of Jesus here.
5.A. Of what does Dave remind himself in v. 2-3? How does this inspire confidence in God?
David reminds himself that the Lord is God, the One and Only, the Creator of all…the Lord’s provision is what brings joy and blessing. Confidence in God is inspired when we speak truth to our soul of Who the Lord is.
B. What happens (v. 4) to those who run after another god?
troubles come
D. What happens (v. 5-6) to the person who makes the Lord his chosen portion and cup?
The Lord watches over them, He provides for their needs, He brings them into His family, He calls them His own.
E. The tribe of Levi … How could this help you as you ponder financial losses or decisions?
I am reminded to ask myself who I am placing my trust in…is it worthy of my trust? These questions give me a needed perspective adjustment and that adjustment helps in my decision-making, reminding me that the Lord is the One who is truly and completely trustworthy, the One who wants what is best for me, who loves me more than my infinite mind can fathom.
6.A. What does God give David (v. 7)?
guidance
B. How has the Lord given you counsel in regard to your heart idols?
The Lord definitely guides me to places, people, things, etc. that He would like me to go…He provides these “nudges,” “promptings.” He makes me aware through a variety of “coincidences”…similar things seen, heard, etc.
C. Hebrews tells us that God is going to shake our world-but what will happen to the person who sets the Lord always before him (v. 8)?
They will not be shaken because the Lord is by their side…He is with us always.
6. Read Psalm 16:7-11
A. What does God give David, according to verse 7?
Counsel and instruction-love this combination! Counsel can be the general idea or long view. Instructions, especially when specific, is the shorter view. One step at a time, I tell my students.
B. In order to experience the two part process of cleansing and replacing, we must listen to the Lord. How has the Lord given you counsel in regard to your heart idols?
Through using His Word:
Control Proverbs 3:5-6; John 15:5
Relationships Song of Songs!!! Only Jesus can fill all my needs
Comfort Jeremiah 2:13 My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Rebecca, I’ll be praying for you, your husband and your son. I have 4 boys also. I prayed for them before they were ever born. My oldest, who just turned 32, was always a sweet, intelligent, tenderhearted kid, he professed a faith in Christ when he was 8. I thought he was perfect. In his teen years he started rebelling against church, religion, God and us. He’s not a believer right now. He lives with the mother of his twin daughters and has no interest in Christ that I know of. He’s still a sweet, intelligent, tenderhearted man and I will never stop praying for him and believing that Christ is calling him and that he will hear and respond. I hope that I will see this while I’m still walking this earth, but if not I expect to spend eternity with him.
I know what it is like to feel like you’ve “failed” and that other people are judging you as parents and as Christians. We homeschooled and had to “explain” our oldest son. We had a parent pull their kindergartner from our Sunday school class because our son was in there helping us and the dad said as long as “that kid” is in there, his won’t be. I’ll admit that I really was angry and hoped that his kid rebelled so he could see what it was like to not have any control in that area. Not pretty.
I will never give up on my son, until my dying day and you shouldn’t either. Love him for who he will be, but don’t make him feel like he is less than the other kids because of his choices today.
And we pray with you, Dawn!
Dawn,
Your post here grabbed my heart. Have you heard of the book called “Prayers for Prodigals” by James Banks? I’ve been using it as a prayer guide for my 29 year old son for the past few years. This dad went through many years of heartbreak with his son. His prayers are heart-felt and full of understanding and compassion. Here’s a 2 min. youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE_0-D3elWg