Tag Archives: hang in there

And building on it to the glory of God
Reading:

Psalm 137

Zion (ie Jerusalem) was (as well as represented) the Israelite’s heritage and identity.

But in general, they had despised and their hearts had wandered from that identity and heritage. They didn’t want it? They didn’t treasure it? Well, then, God drove them from their land and destroyed Jerusalem.

Then their feelings changed, but too late, of course.

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion” (Psalm 137:1).

What is my spiritual heritage and identity?

Christian, Anabaptist, Mennonite — that’s what. (And that’s the order.)

By the grace of God, I will not despise nor turn from nor forget any of the three.

Is my experience with and among all three perfect? Of course not.

What of it?

Are there hypocrites or immature ones among those who embrace all or any of the three? Yes. Many.

What of it?

God is yet at work!

Why should I give up or settle for a downgrade?

On the other hand, where elements of my heritage, identity, faith, and practice are short of God’s best and distant from His heart, I want to improve them. They must — absolutely and without exception — fall in line with God’s Word and will. As must I.

Well, this post has a different feel to me than do most in this blog. And it certainly is incomplete and, therefore, very vulnerable to attack and to being misunderstood. But it gives you a bit of a glimpse into my heart. Oh, and I suppose I ought to end with an important disclaimer: I do not look down on nor hold in contempt those whose Christian heritage and identity is different from mine.

How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)

How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land? (Psalm 137:4)

A little bit more from Psalm 137: If I Do Not Remember

Meeting my needs is His responsibility.
Reading:

Psalm 123

Who gives me what I need?

Who tells me what to do?

“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us” (Psalm 123:2).

The servant’s duty is to do the will of the master. So he looks to the master to learn what he is to do.

The master’s duty is to supply the needs of the servant. Again, the servant looks to the master for what he needs.

That is how I should be looking to Jesus.

My needs — emotional, social, physical, spiritual — seem numberless and overwhelming. To me. But not to Him!

Interestingly, though, it appears that in being overwhelmed by my needs I am revealing that I am not resting in the mercy of my Master. My fretting seems to indicate that I am trying to meet my own needs instead of depending on the Lord.

Meeting my needs is His responsibility.

Doing His will is mine.

Will I trust Him enough to do His job? Enough to focus on my duty instead of His?

[Have mercy upon us, O LORD (Psalm 123:3)]
from Psalm 123:3

A little bit more from Psalm 123: Eyes for Him