We May Never Know

Reflections.

I love the way water can reflect whatever is beside or above it. When calm, the images the waters reflect seem to go as deep as they are tall. It's God's mirror, giving us the ability to examine the sky and trace its path across the tops of trees.

Amazing!

I could sit for hours and lose myself in the images, experience the cool breeze, and the fragrance of the landscape that surrounds me. 

But what do we do with the reflection when the water is murky or cloudy? The images are distorted and unclear. I know I want to sit far from it to avoid any accidental swimming excursions.

I don't know about you, but as the years pass and the evidence of life lived becomes more apparent in the aches and slowing of pace (or is it the racing of time?), I find myself reflecting.

Some moments are crystal clear, lending to a sigh of wonder and nostalgia. Others, however, are laden with regret and varied levels of shame.

There's nothing we can do to reverse time and correct course, but there is redemption. 

Looking back over the years, I find myself wondering what will be said of me when I stand before the Lord.

I know that we all want to hear, "Well done," don't we?

But in this life, we inevitably face reflections in our mirror that breathe shame and regret. The voices of our past are full of accusation and unforgiveness, reminding us of our worth--or lack. We turn from the images and face the sun, determined to take steps into the light where our darkened souls can find life. 

And we find rest in the grace and mercy of our Lord. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).

It is a beautiful thing to find that rest. Sabbath. Jesus.

It is healing.

Refreshing.

Then the onslaught comes. It feels more like a whirlwind and a hurricane combined with an earthquake. We cling to anything bolted down, but understanding that the floor holding that item may give way at any moment.

And this is where we find Job. 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1 NKJV).

He feared God. So much so that whenever his children held feasts at their homes, he would go sacrifice on their behalf because "it may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). He wanted to make sure his children were prayed for, sins covered by blood sacrifice, and cleared of guilt ... just in case.

What Job hadn't anticipated, nor could he have, was a plot to destroy his character before God. Satan joined the sons of God when they came to present themselves before the LORD. He wanted to prove to God that this righteous man would curse Him to His face. So God allowed Satan to launch an attack on Job. First, his family and possessions. Then his health. The only stipulation: "do not lay a hand on his person" (v12).

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face! 

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold he is in your hand, but spare his life."

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

(Job 1:6-11, 4-7)

From chapter 1 through 42, this man did not curse God. He cursed his own existence. He confessed that God was allowing this, though he had no idea why. Yet through it all, he acknowledged God's greatness, power, and ability to do whatever He wanted. Nothing could stop Him.

And in the end, he heard God's response to his complaints, and his perspective changed.

While he said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him" (Job 13:15), he later confessed, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

And it is from this perspective that I wish to encourage us all.

Whatever it is that troubles our minds and tries to keep. us awake at night, we can be sure of a few things:

1. We might never know the battle being waged in the heavenly realm. 

2. Our Father God will never abandon us or allow Satan to destroy us.

3. At the end of the day (whether on earth or in glory) we will be restored to conditions better than before.

4. Even if He doesn't. He is still good. He is still God. He is still worthy of our whole being.

Until next time, let His glory shine in your hearts!  💜 Karlene J 💜

Body of Truth

Bread dough courtesy google images

Word spread like yeast through rising dough that the most notorious man in the region was coming to my home. Men poured in from across the land. I am certain I saw the seams of the house pull against each other, struggling to hold together. Soon, bodies wedged into the room until air was forced out. The small portals on each wall protested, refusing to admit any refreshing breeze. But I didn't mind.

All of us wanted to hear what he would say, so we sat, ankles crossed, knees held to our chest, layering ourselves in tight rows across the expanse of the den. When the house could hold no more, men gathered outside in the street and surrounded the house. Getting close that day would take great determination and creativity. 

I am certain a great number came because of stories they had heard about the Rabbi, but many Pharisees and teachers of the law were in attendance, looking for an opportunity to prove He was a fraud. They showed up early, wanting the best seats. Whenever He opened His mouth, controversy flew about, chasing down the truths He presented. This in itself was something to behold, especially when the Pharisees tried to put Him in His place. 

Once everyone was situated where the Rabbi could be heard, He began to teach. I cannot remember what He said. The remaining air in the room adopted invisible lightning rods, causing the hairs on my arms and neck to become as needles stabbing me. Something was different. I think others felt it too. A murmur rippled through the men behind me. The unseen power hovering around me was so great that I trembled, almost fearful of what I could not see. 

When His gaze connected with mine, my thrashing heart settled. He swept the room with a glance, returning to pierce me with His wait for it smirk. Wait for what? No matter how I tried to imagine what He might be up to, I came up empty. 

Lowering the Paralytic through the roof - courtesy Google Images 

I reached up to brush a pool of sweat from my neck, and a clump of clay dropped onto my head. I looked toward the ceiling. More fell into my face. Scratching, digging, and what sounded like overgrown rodents skittered across my roof. More clay dropped. Men brushed dirt from their tunics, grumbling. The Rabbi continued to teach as though He heard nothing, and then He stepped back. Never once did He pause to address the disturbance. 

Before my mind could comprehend His movement, a bed came through my roof. Men pushed backwards to make room, brushing debris from their hair and clothes. I watched four men, peering down, guide a rope attached to the mattress. The low tones they used to communicate hummed. They did not deter the Rabbi from His speech. 

Soon, a man was lying on my floor, staring up into the hole he had just come through. The Rabbi looked at him, smiled, and said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Now, this was all it took for the room to erupt with coughs and throat gurgles. No one has the authority to forgive sins but Adonai alone. Who does this man think he is? He’s a good teacher and all, but to assume the authority of Adonai? I don’t think so. Maybe the Pharisees have some valid issue …

“Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins …”

My heart burned at His words. The Rabbi returned his attention to the man, His voice soothing, like ointment. “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”

Immediately, the man obeyed. He was on his feet and carrying his bed out my door. 

Jesus Raised Lazarus from the dead - courtesy Google Images

I am not surprised that Rabbi Jesus healed the man. He does that all the time. But to forgive the man, and then that forgiveness unshackle his body? Astounding! I have never seen anything like it before. Of course, the Pharisees left sputtering something about traps and Beelzebub. 

Now, two years later, Rabbi Jesus is more controversial. In fact, while visiting the town of Bethany, I saw Him again. The crowds were in an uproar. He had called Lazarus from his tomb, where he’d been four days!

Note:
Luke 5: 17 – 26 NKJV
Mark 2: 1 – 12 NKJV

Until next time, let His glory shine in your hearts!  💜 Karlene J 💜