Recommending: Surviving One Bad Year

I'd like to recommend an important book, Surviving One Bad Year: Spiritual Strategies for When Life Goes Terribly Wrong by Nancie Carmichael. As I read her book, I was encouraged by Nancie's vulnerable sharing about her challenging time. It was especially meaningful as I've been struggling with chronic pain.

Although her wise words would help anyone at any time since we all have struggles and challenges, but for those of us who feel like it's a more-than-average difficult time, her message really hits home. The ideas she shares are applicable for every struggle we face.

If you flip through this book, you don't really benefit from the depth of meaning and encouragement it offers. I liked how Nancie included both spiritual insights and very practical ideas like taking good care of yourself. Sometimes we just need to have someone give us permission to do the things that should come naturally—but in times of stress we don't.

She has included a “Personal Reflection” section at the end of each chapter that could easily be used by a group. And there's also a “New Beginnings Resource” list of insights; plus recommended reading.

I've already recommended this book to others. Have it on hand for your inevitable “bad year.”

God Is El Shaddai: He is Enough For You

Yesterday, I wrote about reaching the end of my rope in the midst of pain. Today, I was continuing my reading in Catherine Martin's excellent book, Drawing Strength from the Names of God, and the Lord gave me a new insight about how He provides for us when we reach the end of our rope.

She quoted 2 Corinthians 12:9 which includes the memorable words, “...my grace is sufficient for you.” I had this sense that no matter how long or short the rope is, God provides what we need. Each of our ropes are not the same. Maybe your rope is longer than mine or shorter. Maybe your pain is greater or less than mine. Maybe your disappointment is greater or less than mine. Maybe your sin is greater or less than mine. Actually, since there's no degree of sin (it's all the same to God: BAD!), there's only consequences that are greater or less than others.

So whatever the degree of the length of the rope, God is sufficient. His provision of whatever we need to carry on will increase or decrease according to the length of need. In knowing that, we have hope.

And then Catherine wrote, “When you trust in El Shaddai, you will learn to never give up as you watch God match your need with His sufficiency, regardless of the depth of the challenge.” (pg 18.)

And there it was: He matches whatever the length of the rope is. God's name, El Shaddai, means “He is enough for you.” Whatever the length of your rope and when you think you can't hold on any longer, He matches what you need with His provision so that it is enough.

It reminds me of the woman with the flask of oil and Elisha said, pour it out for me...and then there was more and more and more. (2 Kings 4)

It reminds of the Corrie ten Boom story where her sister, Betsey, had a little tiny bottle of vitamins. Betsey generously shared it with others. Corrie told her not to; that Betsey needed it for herself because she was more sickly than others. But Betsey just kept dropping the precious liquid out for any who asked. And that little bottle kept dropping and dropping and dropping precious vitamin liquid way beyond what Corrie realized it should. It was God's “enough” coming through for women who would die anyway in the concentration camp (except for Corrie). But God cared about each one and provided just a little bit of hope and love and joy in that bottle of vitamins.

God is enough. God takes care of us and matches whatever the need with His sufficiency. If you need a lot; he'll match it. If you need a little; He'll match it. He's has a matching gift program going on all the time. And all you have to do is say, “Help me.” That's what I said when I was barely holding on to the end of my rope, as I was engulfed in pain. And God matched my need with His sufficiency to carry on. And I had hope.

The Fruit of Hope

Have you ever been so discouraged that you didn't think life was worthwhile and maybe not even worth living? I've only experienced that depth of despair, helplessness, and hopelessness a few times in my life. And most recently, it was when I was in so much pain from my back that I thought, “I can't continue living like this.” Plus, it had been seven months of often-excruciating pain. Larry told me that the constant pain had added five years to my face. I agreed with him. I'm grateful that he could tell me recently that my face was looking younger now that the pain was decreasing.

When you're feeling that low, it's hard to see the hope that God offers. Just ask Job. In the 10^th chapter of Job, he laments, “Why then have You brought me out of the womb? Would that I had died and no eye had seen me!” That's pretty low. Not only does he not want to live any longer, he also doesn't want to have ever lived! The whole chapter is filled with lament that only the greatest depression and pain would put on someone's mind and onto their tongue. He believes that his life is no longer worth living or worthwhile as he sits on his ash heap scraping the puss from his oozing sores. If you want a real pick-me-up, be sure to read Job 10. NOT!

Then in Job 11, we find where our word “hope” is next located. The words are spoken by Job's other friend, Zophar, who hasn't yet made an appearance in the text other than introduced as one of the three friends who comes to “comfort Job.” He says in verses 17-19: (with the attitude of, “this would have happened if you hadn't sinned” and “this will happen if you repent of your claim to not have sinned”):

"Your life would be brighter than noonday; (If you hadn't sinned, bad boy!) my added comment
Darkness would be like the morning.
Then you would trust, because there is hope; (which you lack because you sinned, bad boy!)
And you would look around and rest securely.
You would lie down and none would disturb you,
And many would entreat your favor.”

Zophar's words are powerfully true (even if his intent is skewed). He's saying that hoping in God brings:

• lightness –encouragement, prosperity, and glory

• dispelled darkness—no longer believing lies and reaping discouragement

• trust in God: believing God is God and can manage our lives

• secure rest—calmly trusting in God's plan

• no disturbance from others—we don't allow other people to spoil our trust in God and they are not our source, God is

• favor with others—they will cooperate with God's plan for whatever He wants to happen for us.

Praise be to God, those are true thoughts. Trusting in God brings those blessings. When we're not trusting God, we're like Job, despairing and having a hard time believing things will ever get better again.

Although I'm now far from the pain that created my hopeless feelings, I'm finding I must resist putting my hope into any progress I experience (IE I can finally take walks). On the days that my pain increases (and who knows why), my hope faints. “Now,” I think, “I'm going backward and all is lost. Woe is me! I'm doomed!” Then when the pain diminishes, I'm encouraged and full of hope.

Then God convicts me that I'm putting my hope in my symptoms rather than the solid rock of Jesus who knows exactly the progress (or lack of) He has for me. Then the lightness and hope and rest and not looking to others to confirm that I'm doing things right occurs. The darkness (of discouragement—in this case) leaves and trust in God returns. I'm no longer controlled by outward forces but by God's perfect love and His plan for me. Keeping my eyes on Jesus brings hope because my sovereign Lord is in control of my life and He loves me!

Recommending Walking Through Postpartum Depression

Walking Through Postpartum Depression is written by Judy Dippel and I recommend it. It is both an instructional workbook and a write-in Bible study and self-examination to help a new mom deal with feelings of lostness, lack of identity, loss of hope, and a lack of trust in her own mothering instincts.

But this is a positive workbook that will help many. If you know of anyone who is struggling after childbirth, I know it will help.

Do You Want to Bless a Military Wife?

Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives is an excellent bookthat covers just about every concern that a military wife could think of. The devotionals compact a lot into pithy, short 2-3 pages on subjects like jealousy, being still and seeking God, finding support, stress, and oh, so much more.

I so appreciate the vulnerability and honesty of the military wives who wrote the devotionals. They share their hearts and give practical ideas and advice. I actually think any woman could enjoy and benefit from this book even though the focus and topics are specific to military wives. But who shouldn't and couldn't benefit from reading about seeking God? The ideas are powerful enough for everyone but yes, military wives will appreciate it the most.

I'm passing this valuable book along to my niece who is a Navy wife. I just know she's going to gain so much from it and draw closer to God because of it. And she'll know to a greater degree that her service for our country is appreciated. Because she is serving too!

Reflections on The Perfect Parent

I've spent some of this afternoon reflecting on the life of my mother-in-law Audrey who entered the gates of heaven Friday morning after suffering from Lewy -Body Dementia for the last five years of her 93 years. I'm envisioning her being so thrilled to be loosed from this body of difficulty and rejoicing with her husband and relatives and friends before the very throne of her Savior and God.

The reflections have been both joyful and painful. Throughout the 43 years I knew her, there were hurts and joys in our relationship. In the end, the Lord brought me to this prayer reflecting on Him as the only perfect parent.

"Oh Lord God, you are the only perfect one who never disappoints. You are extravagant with your gracious love. You always respond perfectly as only You know every need. I praise you God, that you are always faithful and kind and true. That you know everything about me and your Holy Spirit is praying for me before your very throne. Oh Father, You invest in my life for your glory, giving me purpose and strength. Only You are always a safe place, enveloping me in your arms whether I'm sad or grieving or happy and glad. You know how to respond in just the right way as no one else can. In You I find everything I need. I'm so grateful. You want to be involved in every aspect of my life; every dot and comma, no matter how significant or non-significant. In fact, everything is significant to you. Lord, for only you know everything about me, my faults and my strengthens. You delight and rejoice over me with singing nonetheless. How can I thank you for coming through for me? I can only entrust my life to you anew, knowing it is cared for by God who is the perfect parent. I love you, Lord God Almighty. Amen."

Three- Pronged Counter Attack

As we continue our examination of the word “hope” in the Bible, we'll be continuing to see it used a lot in the book of Job. And that certainly seems appropriate. For that Bible book is all about hope: first the hopelessness of Job because of loss and grief and pain. Then his wrestling with God which ends in restoration and hope of a future with a new family. Through the process, Job's friends believe they have the answers to Job's problem and they love to talk about Job's lack of hope. That's where we are as we come to Job 8:11-14:

"Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?
Can the rushes grow without water?
"While it is still green and not cut down,
Yet it withers before any other plant.
"So are the paths of all who forget God;
And the hope of the godless will perish,
Whose confidence is fragile,
And whose trust a spider's web.”

These words are spoken by Bildad who like Eliphaz believes that only good things happen to good people and only bad things happen to bad people. Since Job has bad things happening to him, well...the application is obvious. Job is a bad guy.

Then Bildad takes it a step farther. He points out that papyrus needs water to grow and dies when there's no water, no provision. He compares that to those who seem prosperous but when their provision fades away, they turn on God, not to God, but on God, blaming Him for their problems.

Hmmm, could he be referring to Job? Of course. He's saying, “Look Job, you were prosperous and now with everything gone, you've turned from God because you were just as flimsy as the papyrus to begin with. You only had faith because it did something for you. And by the way, you're just as fragile in your faith as a spider's web. Anybody can wipe away a spider's web. You've been tested by having everything you depended upon taken from you to prove that your roots weren't there to begin with.”

Bildad's point is that Job is a hypocrite. When things are going good, Job has faith and trust in God. But when things are going bad...well...guess what? He's turning away.

Commentator Matthew Henry wrote, “The spider's web, spun with great skill, but easily swept away, represents a man's pretensions to religion when without the grace of God in his heart.” That's what Bildad is accusing Job--but it isn't true! It isn't true!

Job's friends sure aren't very encouraging. They are actually accusatory. And I'm reminded of another passage in the Bible, Revelation 12:10-11 where someone accuses you and me!

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.” (NASB)

Satan is the one who accuses us before God's throne. And unfortunately, he can also use those around us to try to make us feel hopeless and condemned. What can we do about it?

Verse 11 gives the three pronged counter attack;

1. “because of the blood of the Lamb.” Our position in Christ because of Jesus' spilled blood on the cross solidifies our place in God's kingdom. Gaining salvation has nothing to do with our performance. Therefore when Satan whispers or someone suggests we're not qualified or we're unfit for the kingdom, we can say, “It doesn't matter because actually you're right. I don't deserve it. I'm only here by grace.”

2. “because of the word of their testimony.” We stand firm when we speak our faith and hope. We refute and rebuke Satan by telling him the truth. He must then flee and can't accuse us anymore. If someone is accusing us, we can tell them we aren't worthy to be in the Kingdom but God is working in us both for salvation and for obedience. He doesn't require us to be perfect but He does want us seeking Him. That's our “testimony.”

3. “they did not love their life.” The chance of us having to die for God's cause isn't huge but this refers to our surrender for whatever God calls us to do, whether die for Him or live for Him.

Job didn't know about this three-pronged attack against his accusers, but we do. When you're feeling like there's no hope because you don't deserve God's love, take advantage of those responses. They are God's gift to us for hope.

Lord, Bring Continued Healing

Yesterday I did too much and I have been in more pain today. As a result, I've had a rest day. But as I got up from resting in bed and experienced pain, I got a little scared; afraid I'll slip back into intense pain. Instantly, I had a sense of the Lord's message. I haven't been praying for my healing because now that I'm on the healing slope, I just figure it'll always get better. I'm not being desperate and depending upon Him. I'm just assuming it'll get better and better.

I need to continue to call upon Him and depend upon Him and acknowledge that He is the one who is doing it. It's not just a matter of God puts it in motion and then leaves it to run its course. He continues working but could it be, His working is dependent upon our prayers and our dependence upon Him?

My lack of interest in continuing to seek Him speaks of my... hm, could it be pride? Anything not dependent upon God is pride. It's being dependant upon myself. In this case, there could be a part of not asking that says, “Well, if I just do it right, then I'm guaranteed continuing healing. If I don't sit too much. If I pay attention to my body's warning signs. If I be in charge, then I can make sure it happens.”

Oh, how easily pride slips in. When I'm desperate for God's healing because my pain is intense, I'm humbling myself and saying, “It's up to you, Lord, please help me. I can't do it myself.”

But along comes some relief and some healing, and now it's up to me. “I'll do it right and then my healing will continue.” Hmmm, very interesting. Oh, the subtle but deceptive ways we humans slide into sin and self protection.

Father God, I am dependent and desperate for your hand of healing. I know that it is you who has been healing me. Your healing has been striking because of its quickness. I'm so grateful. And yet, I've grown lax in seeking You for it's continuation. So now, I plead with You to continue this process. Yes, guide me not to do too much but You could heal me instantly regardless. I won't be careless Lord but I know it's up to you. Please bring complete healing. I'm desperate for You and Your touch. I love you, Lord.”

Got A Blessing?

My fellow blogger, Rachel Beran (http://beranville.blogspot.com/) recently wrote, "What is your measure of expectation as you approach God for a blessing? Do you expect to receive from God or do you tend to be forgetful like me?"

Her blog spoke to me and I wrote to her saying, “Thank you for your recent blog post about receiving a blessing from God. That was very powerful and very applicable for me as I've had significant improvement over the last 4-5 days. Yesterday was a little rough but I'll find out how today is. But I find myself first thinking, 'Oh, it's the medicines that I changed to.' Then I'll say, 'Well, God used the new medicines.' But hey, why can't it just be: God is healing me! He's decided it's time. And He alone is doing it! He's giving me a blessing. Why is it so hard to acknowledge that blessing?

As a day or two has gone by now since then and the Lord has continued to show me He is healing me, I've been able to receive His blessing more fully. And I've recognized that even if I have a setback it doesn't mean that everything is for naught. There will be three steps forward and two steps back. I backed off on one of my pain meds yesterday and more of the burning came back but it's so far less than it used to be. I had to remind myself of the way it used to be. I almost couldn't make it to the bathroom and back because of the excruciating pain. I couldn't take a shower without such pain that I was holding my breath only wanting to get back into bed and lay down so that the pain would go away. Yesterday, I took a shower and enjoyed it! The pain was minimal.

So I'm receiving my blessing from God and letting everyone know He has done it. Why did God delay for seven months? I don't know all the answers. I know I've grown a lot and hopefully been transformed more into Christ's image. For sure, I'm more compassionate to those who hurt. I've considered myself a compassionate person but I think I have a new level of awareness of the difficulty of chronic pain or any pain.

I'll most likely notice more changes in me as I move into a more normal life...like leave the house! For sure, I'll never take sitting for granted again! I can guarantee that. Over the past seven months, there have been a few times when I was able to sit. Before my pain became too bad, I was sitting with light meds. But then as the pain grew worse, I couldn't sit even with heavy pain medicine.

Yesterday, I sat to eat lunch for 20 minutes with minimum pain and minimum pain meds. There is such improvement. I'm thanking God and praising Him and receiving my blessing.

How about you? Can you receive a blessing from God or does it seem too incredible for Him to bless you?

Jeanne Anderson, Inspirational Woman of God

I had met Jeanne Anderson several times but never really talked with her. I knew she had cancer and was living beyond the expectations for her survival, b ut I didn't really know much else.

Jeanne was called into heaven December 28th and it wasn't until I heard more about her that I realized what an impact she'd had on so many. Plus, her courageous obedience to God's leading was a real inspiration to me.

For instance, three years ago, she was on her way to the hospital to have another chemo treatment and she noticed some homeless people living under a freeway bypass. So she stopped, found out what the needs were of the people there and ended up being involved in their lives. She counseled them, shared the Gospel, and met their needs for years. As a result, many came to know the Lord and were restored to productive lives. One man became a pastor and ministers to the needs of the homeless.

Although she ministered to the lowly, she was known among the rich. She prayed with Laura Bush in the White House several times and personally knew the Beach Boys. Her humility made her more interested in others than herself. And even in her times of pain, she reached out to others.

When I heard these things, I was inspired by Jeanne's cheerfulness in the midst of pain and her obedience to the Lord in caring for all, no matter the cost. Thank you, Lord, for Jeanne Anderson who now is painfree and rejoicing in your kingdom.

Is There No Hope?

Our next sighting of the word “hope” is in Job 7:6: “My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And come to an end without hope.”

This time there's not much hope around the word hope, because Job, who speaks those sad words is wrapped in a mantle of despair. For the whole chapter of Job 7, he rails against God in his pitiful state of hopelessness. He has lost his self-control and faith that he first exhibited in Job 1:21 when after losing everything, he exclaimed, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

To what can we attribute Job's change of heart from hope into hopelessness? I think one of the keys is found in Job 7:11 when Job says,

“Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit,
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
Job lost his self control over his mind and his speech. He stopped “restraining” himself to focus on the truth of hope in God. He lost what 2 Corinthians 10:5 talks about, “we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” He allowed his mind to receive and focus on that which isn't in obedience to Christ. He lost his hope and faith. Like a cow chewing its cud, he twirled around in his mind his grievances and his pain.

It's easy to do. As I've gone through this journey of chronic back pain for seven months, I've lost hope at times. I couldn't get my mind off my pain. It consumed me and I wondered how long I'd have to suffer. I'm grateful that I didn't slip into “Why me, God?” I did wonder “What is the purpose?” And I thought, “I don't know if I can continue to do this. How do people live with chronic pain?”

And yet I thought of people I knew and those who serve God even while suffering with chronic pain. In God's power it is possible. We have no guarantee of life without pain. But we can live with hope in the midst of it.

Job gives us the key to hope in the midst of pain. When he was still focusing on the Lord, he did something that will help each of us keep our hope. After hearing of all the disasters that took everything and everyone he ever loved, his diary reads, “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” (Job 1: 20 NASB).

That's the key: worship. Acknowledging God is God and we aren't. Worshiping is rejoicing in who God is and His wonderful qualities. Reminding ourselves that He is wise, gracious, majestic, and so much more. Worship is making a choice, taking every thought captive to believing the truth: even in the midst of pain, God is good and everything He does and allows is intended for our good and His glory. It may not be pretty but it's life on earth short of heaven. There is always hope.

PS Here's a fun way to worship. Go through each letter of the alphabet and find a quality of God that starts with that letter. For instance, for "A", you could say able, active, almighty. For "B", you could say beautiful, bountiful, etc. As you praise and worship God in prayer, you can go through the alphabet doing this saying, "Oh, Lord, you are able, bountiful, caring, determined, etc."

When Hope is Disappointed

Have you ever hoped to receive some emotional support from someone and they were only interested in themselves? Have you ever hoped the doctor would have the solution to your illness but he didn't have a clue? Or you dreamed of having new drapes but after they were installed, all it did was make the rest of the room look shabby?

We've all had disappointing things happen. We hoped something would meet our needs or someone would come through for us. And that's the idea that Job communicates in our next look at the word “hope” in Scripture. It's found in Job 6:19: "The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.”

When I first read this verse as the next one in our survey of “hope,” I thought, “I'll have to pass on this one.” I figured there might be a few verses that just wouldn't offer anything to write about. This seemed like one of them. After all, who cared about the caravans and travelers of Sheba? But once I studied the passage, it became clear that this is actually a powerful verse. It is used by Job as a metaphor of disappointed longing.

In Job 5, Eliphaz continued his doctrinal verbal thesis that something had been wrong in Job's life because something bad had happened to him. Now in Job 6, Job laments that his friends have been far less than encouraging brothers. I like the way it's said in the Contemporary English Version (vs. 14-21):

“My friends, I am desperate, and you should help me, even if I no longer respect God All-Powerful. But you are treacherous as streams that swell with melting snow, then suddenly disappear in the summer heat. I am like a caravan, lost in the desert while searching for water. Caravans from Tema and Sheba thought they would find water. But they were disappointed, just as I am with you. Only one look at my suffering, and you run away scared.”

Job defines his friends as fickle, sometimes with overflowing generosity but then suddenly as un-satisfying as a dry desert where caravans hoped to find water. Job says, “But they were disappointed, just as I am with you.”

Although we all desire and even strive to be the kind of friend that meets another's needs, the simple fact is that we can't meet all of them. Although Job's friends seemingly met few of his needs, they started really good. In the beginning, they were like the swollen rivers offering thirst-satisfaction. When they first arrived, they sat silent with him for seven days (check out Job 2:12-13). This was the best therapy they gave him but unfortunately, they ended up opening their mouths and spouting their theology. Of course, there's a place for both but they would have done better to stay silent for Job was able to figure it out through what ended up direct communication with God.

Ultimately, Job's friends' failure points us to the fact that only God can be all that we need. Friends must always seem like a parched desert because God is the only one who supplies living water. Parents must always seem like a disappointing dried up river because God is the only one who has all the answers. Mentors must always seem like a water-less oasis because God is the only one who doesn't disappoint. After those friends finished trying to change Job, God stepped into the picture and Job ended up with the right perspective—one of repentance and surrender.

At parenting seminars, I say, “Our children need to be needy so that they will need God.” We can't as parents be our child's all in all because then they wouldn't need God. The same goes for our friends, those we mentor...whoever. We are limited in ministering to their needs because only God can fully do it and He doesn't want a substitute. Trying to find a substitute for God is our trouble to begin with and it ends in sin.

So, what do we learn? Don't try to be a person's all in all. Even thought they may hope you can be. Do what God wants you to do for them and trust He will use their hunger and thirst to draw them to Himself. He's the oasis, the spring in the desert, that waters the caravans as they come by. All you've got is a bucket.

And how about you and me? Are we hoping others will be our all in all? If we're disappointed because they aren't an oasis or a flowing river, maybe we're putting our trust in something that never should have been expected to meet our needs. The caravans had a right to expect water at the oasis but we don't have a right to expect anything or anyone other than God to be what we need.

Feeling Helpless or Powerless Today?

Do you ever feel helpless? Maybe someone is gossiping about you and you have no one standing up for you. Maybe you have a loved one stepping farther away from the Lord and your words are ineffectual. Maybe your job position is perilous and you know nothing you do or say will make any difference.

Helpless means that your efforts have no effect. That's a powerless feeling and it's no fun. We humans by nature want to be in control and feel powerful. It started in Eve's choice to have it her way because she didn't trust God. She may have felt helpless leaving what she needed in God's hands. Dependence and trust in another means leaving things up to them and that's a scary feeling. Would God come through for her? Plus, she felt left out. Satan suggested that God was leaving her out of godhood status. That's a helpless feeling too, when someone is withholding something from you that is desirable. Helpless and powerless. We fight all our lives to stop that from happening. And it ends in sin.

Righteousness means allowing another, God, to choose for us and obey whatever He has for us. That's the opposite of feeling helpless. It's actually a powerful feeling because Someone greater than us knows best and is doing the best for us, never leaving us out of something that is best for us. We have a greater power on our side than we can have on our own. And that's the theme surrounding Job 5 where verse 16 says, “So the helpless has hope, And unrighteousness must shut its mouth.” (NASB).

An important word in this verse is the two letter word: “so.” It makes us look at the previous verses to see what the “so” is about. And it turns out that before this important verse that tells us the helpless has hope, we find an impressive list of the ways God has helped the helpless and thus given them hope that they are not alone and they have power in the Lord.

Read along to see what God can and did do:

"But as for me, I would seek God,
And I would place my cause before God;
Who does great and unsearchable things,
Wonders without number.
"He gives rain on the earth
And sends water on the fields,
So that He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
"He frustrates the plotting of the shrewd,
So that their hands cannot attain success.
"He captures the wise by their own shrewdness,
And the advice of the cunning is quickly thwarted.
"By day they meet with darkness,
And grope at noon as in the night.
"But He saves from the sword of their mouth,
And the poor from the hand of the mighty. (vs 8-15 NASB).

Eliphaz is saying these words and although Eliphaz's whole emphasis is to try to convince Job that he's suffering because of his sin (yet Job maintains his innocence), Eliphaz's words are true. Eliphaz is tweaking the point for his own advantage but what he says is true. God does work in those ways to give hope to the hopeless and helpless.

I could list any number of ways those thoughts are currently true—that God is and has helped the helpless and given them hope. My friend Pam Christian (www.pamelachristianministries.com) is now ministering to those who are unemployed because she and her husband lost everything from being unemployed years ago. Lisa Cohen (www.restministries.org) ministers to those with chronic pain. She has rheumatoid arthritis. I could go on and on.

God raises up those who came out of hopelessness and began counting on His strength and help. In fact, most ministries come out of a helpless situation, including mine. When God intervenes and gives hope to the helpless, we want to minister to others. That ministry may not be a “formal” or “official” ministry in that it has a web site, etc. but it's a ministry of help and hope even if you talk to people one on one and give them hope.

How has and how is God bringing hope to you? Eliphaz listed the ways. We can too.

Should We Place Our Hope In Integrity?

We're continuing our survey of the word “hope" in the Bible and now we come to Job 4:6:
"Is not your fear of God your confidence,
And the integrity of your ways your hope?” (NASB).

These words are spoken by Eliphaz to Job, obviously in the book of Job. As Eliphaz speaks, Job is sitting on the ground in physical and emotional torment. His body is racked with pain and all his family have been destroyed except for his wife who told him to just die and get it over with. Not a pretty sight. Job is just about in as much intense pain, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mentally, as anyone can imagine. He has lost everything: those he loves, his wealth, his purpose in life, and his health. There's really nothing left.

Eliphaz's words at first glance seem true. And the first statement, "Is not your fear of God your confidence,” is actually a truth that can buoy any of us up at any time in our lives: trust God through having a healthy fear of him because of who He is and this will give you confidence. But then Eliphaz adds, “And while you're at it, keep the integrity of your behavior which will give you hope.” It seems correct.

The first premise does makes sense. Confidence comes from trusting in, and believing that God is God and knows what He's doing. Fear of God as meant in a right and healthy way, means acknowledging that He is God and I am not. And because our God's every characteristic is wonderful, I can fear Him because He's holy and I don't deserve His goodness. And yet I can have confidence in His goodness because He'll do only what is good for me.

At first light, Eliphaz's second premise seems correct: if you do right things, you can have hope to know things will go well. If you live a life that has integrity, you can place your hope in that integrity. By the way, integrity can be defined as adherence to a set of values.

But the problem is, is it our integrity or is it the Lord Jesus Christ that we're supposed to place our hope in? I think the answer comes from looking at this verse in context. Read the two verses after verse 6:
6"Is not your fear of God your confidence,
And the integrity of your ways your hope?
7"Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright destroyed?
8"According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity
And those who sow trouble harvest it.”

Eliphaz's philosophy of life is that if you do right things you'll reap right things. It's the upright who always have a good life and those who are wicked always reap trouble. This is “what I have seen” Eliphaz says. This philosophy is based on Eliphaz's experience, not on God's guidance.

But what planet is Eliphaz living on? It's an astounding assumption. I find it hard to believe that in every case of every life he has ever observed that premise holds true. Now, maybe he's a young man and hasn't experience much life. But if he's Job's friend and evidently Job was a little un-wet behind the ears, you'd expect his friend would be about the same age and having the same breadth of life experiences.

Let me ask you: have you observed that every Christian who lives a fairly right life has experienced a trouble-free life? And those who aren't trusting in God have experienced a trouble-filled life? I certainly haven't. Even the Bible says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. No life is perfectly trouble-free or trouble-filled—whether you're a Christian or not.

So connecting these dots with what Eliphaz says to Job that the integrity of his ways will be his hope, Eliphaz is really slamming Job. Job has expressed a belief that he is righteous and doesn't deserve the woes that have come upon him. Eliphaz accuses Job of dishonesty. Eliphaz is saying, “Job, you can't be right about your righteousness because you're having hard times. Confess! You've actually done bad things behind closed doors—or tent flaps. Your troubled life proves it. Only the wicked reap troubles like what you're experiencing. If you were really righteous, God wouldn't have brought this upon you.”

How sad. When Job is most needy of some encouragement, his friend slams him with not only misunderstanding, but accusations of his dishonesty and unrighteousness. One more strike against Job, and he's out.

What does this hold for us?

First of all, that a troubled life doesn't necessarily mean you've done something wrong. And a trouble-free life doesn't necessarily mean you've done something right. I'm so glad because right now I'm in trouble with chronic pain!

Secondly, don't place your hope in your own righteousness but in God's gracious and merciful salvation that is available to the just and the unjust. I've experienced that in 43 years of living in God's grace.

Thirdly, read verses in context. Don't quote a verse without finding out the background. And compare it with the totality of Scripture. I'm still trying to remember to do this. It's a lot easier to not do my homework.

Is integrity good? Absolutely. Does it glorify God? Oh, yes. Does God want us to live in integrity? Yes and yes! Amen! But is it something to place your hope in? No, for that leaves God out. And you end up having to be good enough to earn God's love and His salvation. The great news is that salvation and God's love are free gifts. And we then are motivated to live in integrity out of gratitude and Holy Spirit motivation.

Sorry, Eliphaz, you got it wrong. I'd much rather place my hope in Jesus than in my integrity because guess what? I don't always live perfectly right. How about you? What's your hope in?

Someone Bad Is Hoping

Do you know you have an enemy who is hoping to destroy you? But there's good news! The book of Esther is where we find this truth and it's our fourth entry of the word hope:

Esther 9:1 “Now in the twelfth month (that is, the month Adar), on the thirteenth day when the king's command and edict were about to be executed, on the day when the enemies of the Jews hoped to gain the mastery over them, it was turned to the contrary so that the Jews themselves gained the mastery over those who hated them.” NASB

Do you know Satan believes, (maybe you could call it “hopes”) he will kill, steal and destroy you and the good which God intends for you. John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The Enemy wishes evil but Jesus desires your good.

Satan wants to do everything he can to mess up your life, make you fall to temptation, distrust God, and make sinful and unwise decisions. Not only does he want to do that, he tries to do that. He is alive and active; just as alive and active as the enemy's plans that the Jews faced in the time of Esther.

One man in particular, Haman, was the source of a deceitful plan to destroy all Jews because he hated them. But God intervened and through Esther”s obedience, He protected, delivered, and actually prospered the Jews. And of course, we have the magnificent and powerfully inspiring surrender of Esther when she said, “If I perish, I perish.” She went in before the king at her own deadly risk. If you haven't read this book of the Bible, you will find an amazing story, which by the way, doesn't mention God at all but clearly, His fingerprints are all over everything that happened.

You are being attacked even more effectively than you realize and more often than you realize. Our eyes need to be opened to see the enemy's fingerprints, who hopes to destroy everything. We fight him by recognizing his efforts through the principle of 2 Corinthians 10:5: “...we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (NASB). That means we examine our thoughts and compare them to the truths of Scripture. For instance, if we're hearing, “I can't do this even though God wants me to,” take it captive with “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13).

For this principle in my speaking, I pass out rubber bands for everyone to put on their wrists. If they agree with a thought that isn't in line with Scripture, they are to snap themselves with the rubber band.
When you see the rubber band on your wrist it can also be a reminder to ask, “Have I been thinking the truth or believing Satan's lie?”

Satan hopes to destroy you; but through God's truth we will conquer him.

Yet! Regardless! In Spite Of! There is Hope!

We are continuing our walk through the Bible hunting out the word “hope.” The third mention is found in Ezra 1:1-3:

“Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly.

Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.

"So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.”

I'm amazed first of all at the moving of the Holy Spirit within the people to bring repentance. Did it start with one person? Did it start with several people? Or maybe everyone at the same time? You just don't hear too often of a mass of people having a spiritual revival. It certainly has happened in history but not often. And what creates that? Of course the Holy Spirit. But it would be fascinating to know how that happens. And how can we help it to happen around us? And in us?

But what's all this talk about “put away all the wives and their children”? Can that possibly be something God would want? It sounds cruel. Why do they need to do such a hard thing?

The background is that contrary to God's commands, the Jews have intermingled in marriage with those who weren't Jews and who didn't believe in Jehovah God. Bonding themselves with unbelievers was a sign of their disobedience and disbelief in God. If a Gentile wife or child decided to believe in God and follow the Jewish laws and commands, they would no longer be considered in that category. That would be fine. But evidently these Gentiles had not converted and this was preventing God's blessing upon all the community. And it was so grievous a sin that the only way to repent and surrender was to get rid of the unconverted wives and children. Sometimes the repentance has to be that extreme.

I do not believe for a second that a Christan married to an unbelieving spouse should “put away” that spouse. In fact, the New Testament says that shouldn't be done. There is hope for that unbeliever as he or she is surrounded by Christian love.

This Old Testament story though is a powerful example of how important it it is to God that we align ourselves with only believers for marriage. The New Testament says that and this story backs it up in a powerful way. There just can't be the blessings of God upon “unequal yokes.” And ask any Christian married to an unbeliever and they will confirm that. Usually their whole heart longs to have the fellowship of a believing spouse. It's just not the same.

But the important phrase in these passage is: “yet now there is hope.” And that phrase is for every single one of us who need hope. Yet! But! Regardless! Nevertheless! In spite of! Contrary to!

Whether we have sinned and need hope of forgiveness. Whether we are sick and need hope of healing. Whether we have strayed from God and need reconciliation. Whether a loved one is unsaved and need hope of salvation. The list goes on and on. As grievous as the Israelites' sin had been, yet there is hope. If they would repent and surrender and put away the reason for their sin, they would be reconciled with God and then His blessings would flow.

Because the sin of the Israelites was so deep, so extensive, so representative of a pervading disbelief in God, the fact that there is hope for them surely gives us hope for us. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. There is no sin that is too bad to be forgiven. There is no straying from God that can't be called back to the path. There is no illness that can't be healed. There is hope for God's best in our lives, regardless of how “bad” we believe we have been. God did it for the Israelites and He wants to do it for us.

Surely, that shows His incredible love and His desire to give us hope..

The Bible Says There is No Hope

We're in our second day of looking at the theme of "hope" and starting from the beginning of the Bible our second selection is found in 1 Chronicles 29:14-16

"But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You.

"For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope.

"O LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided to build You a house for Your holy name, it is from Your hand, and all is Yours. (NASB)

I was surprised when I read that phrase: “there is no hope.” No hope? The Bible says there's no hope? Then what are we doing here trusting and “hoping” in God. I can see where this phrase could be misused by some and I was determined to figure out whether my initial reaction to it was sound.

After looking up several translations, it wasn't until I found the Amplified version that I understood it's underlying meaning: “For we are strangers before You, and sojourners, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope or expectation of remaining.'”

Ah! This gives a better perspective. The meaning is not that there isn't any hope, but that there is no hope of remaining on this earth longer than God intends for each of us to live.

I think this is significant because so often with the Bible we read a verse or passage and we think we know what it means. After all, the words are clear. But sometimes, as in this case, we may not have all the information we need.

Along those lines, I always think of the phrase in the Bible, “there is no God.” I can see someone saying to someone who doesn't know the Bible: “Did you know the Bible says there is no god?” “Really?” they might reply.

But the verse actually says, “The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God.” (NASB)

How careful we need to be to not only quote the Bible correctly and understand the context that it's written in, but also seek the underlying meanings of words.

And that is true with the short passage we're looking at on hope. But the first meaning says we don't have any hope of living longer than God intends. But also read the verse before and after. It's fun to see if there is a connection or contrast. I think there is a contrast.

Because the word hope in verse 15 is surrounded by hope. There is hope that we can give back to God because He so generously gives to us. There is hope that He will always provide for us. The very fact that He determines the length of our days means that He is in control; so therefore, we have the hope that our loving God is in control of every aspect of our lives.

I'm buoyed up by thinking of hope in this context. We have hope for so much: God's provision, God's sovereignty, and God's interest in every area of our lives, including our death. I hope it buoys you up also.

2010 Theme of Hope

>When I paused to ask the Lord about any direction for studying the Bible this year, the word hope came to my mind.

I wondered, “Is that my theme for this year Lord or just an emphasis for this moment or for awhile or what?” I didn't receive any direction on that but I thought I'd do a verse study on hope. And I think I'll blog on it when I can.

Of course, I relate to that word hope because one of the many themes of my illness sabbatical has been hope. Putting my hope in the Lord and His work rather than hoping in doctors, procedures and programs. Only He is my source for relief. He provides.

Speaking of provision, after Dr. Etebar prescribed celebrex and lyrica for pain management for me, we found out it wasn't' covered and would cost $500. We called Dr. Nasr about sample pills and he was able to provided a good amount for several week of the Lyrica. Alhtough we had already bought lyrica at $138. But at least it saved us the larger part of buying celebrex.

I did a word search for “hope” in the Bible at www.biblegateway.com” and the first reference is found in Ruth.

“But Naomi said, "Return, my daughters. Why should you go with me? Have I yet sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? "Return, my daughters! Go, for I am too old to have a husband. If I said I have hope, if I should even have a husband tonight and also bear sons, would you therefore wait until they were grown? Would you therefore refrain from marrying? No, my daughters; for it is harder for me than for you, for the hand of the LORD has gone forth against me." Ruth 1:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)

I'm surprised that the first mention of hope is so far along in the Bible. Not until Ruth is hope mentioned. What about the Law? What about the First five books of the Bible. Hope wasn't even mentioned in relation to Joseph's story? Interesting. Not sure the significance of this but if anyone ever needed hope, it was “Mara”, oh, excuse me, that's Naomi who had no hope.

In the NASB there are 146 references to the word hope. I guess I would have thought there would be more. I anticipate that most of them will be in the Psalms and the Epistles.

Naomi talks about having hope in relation to bearing sons for her daughters-in-law, but really the lack of hope is the whole theme of her life at this present state.

There have been times in this painful journey that I've lost hope of ever being out of pain again. I've longed for the ability to sit in a restaurant, to drive a car, to take a trip, to sit and visit with friends. I still don't know the future but I've had to surrender my expectations and turn them over to the Lord.

I don't know what the future holds, but I have faith to know He knows.

Right now as I'm looking out my bedroom window, there is a wonderful sunset of lines of organe and gray and beige and blue. The sun sets and leaves us the hope that it will rise again. Just as Naomi had hope in the end and ended up with the joy of a grandson, I have hope in the Lord for whatever He desires.