The spoiles of suffering

If you quote something you read by someone who was quoting someone else, what does that say about your ability to be original? Well anyway, John Piper had this really uncomfortable devotional in which he referenced both Martin Luther and John Bunyan, on the subject of the relationship between suffering and the Word of God. Martin Luther lists the 3 means by which we gain insight into and fresh light on the Scripture: by prayer, by meditation, and ….yup, through suffering. He states, – and we know it’s true, even if we only consider ourselves to have suffered in minor ways, – that it is through pain and in trial that the comfort of the Scripture comes to us in ways that are not possible any other way. John Bunyan, who languished in gaol for 16 years, while his family suffered terribly in his absence, goes so far as to say that He gained understanding and insight into the Word in ways that were only possible because of his terrible suffering. Whether because of relational brokenness, devastating loss, a painful betrayal or the struggle with our own flawed natures, our senses are sharpened by the acuteness of our pain, and the Word of God comes to life with new meaning and deep insights. Like a Lamp Post in a snowy wood, it is a light to our path. Like the first meal after childbirth, it explodes with taste and texture.

“This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life”. Psalm 119:50 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.” Psalm 119:71 “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” Psalm 119:92 “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your Word.” Psalm 119:107

My personal favorite: ” I rejoice at your Word, like one who finds great spoil.” Psalm 119:162

Maintaining eye contact

As I read my Bible this morning, the Daily Light verses jumped out with a new perspective. The verse that particularly struck me was from Psalm 145: “The eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in HIs unfailing love, to deliver them from death”. That led me to think of Psalm 121:1 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord “. So here is what was interesting to me – the one verse talks about the eyes of God, the other talks about our eyes. He is looking at us and we look back at Him in trust and confidence. That reminded me of Peter walking on the water. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he was fine. As soon as he looked at the wind and waves he started to sink. If we maintain eye contact with Jesus, as we walk through life, He holds us up and cause us to walk on water. Perfect peace reigns over our lives no matter what storm may rage around us.

So it’s up to us then to keep our eyes on Jesus and walk faithfully with Him…not exactly…..That would mean there was something we needed to, or could, contribute to a faithful walk with God. Scripture makes it clear that we are saved by grace, and there is nothing we can add to that, for fear that we would have something to boast about. But isn’t it up to us at least to keep looking to Him and not straying into unbelief or worse? God gives us His answer in Jer 36:39 “Iwill give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them…and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me.” The strength and even the desire to keep looking to Jesus comes from Him alone. As we pray for ourselves and our loved ones, we pray in the confidence that God has already promised to give us singleness of heart – that razor-sharp focus to keep looking to Him, maintaining eye contact, as He looks loving on us.