Hardest For Me is Solitude!

There are many disciplines in the Christian faith that I have mastered and yet there are a few that are the toughest for me. Simple disciplines perhaps are the toughest. 

Memorizing scripture and prayer come easy for me. Bible study isn’t all that difficult for me either. I have learned a few methods of study that make it easier. 

However, solitude is what I have yet to master.

Hope is a motivator for me to learn the disciplines of the faith. As I rest in these abiding activities I am taping into hope. These disciplines provide an eternal hope through peace and relationship through Christ. 

You might think that since I spend time reading scripture and I am in prayer, but that might be acts of solitude, but I assure you that I appreciate being in a worship service with others and praying with others as preferred over solitude.

If you know me, you wouldn’t find that very surprising since I am often for social. I enjoy sitting in a restaurant or café reading and studying rather than being alone. There’s just something about the conversation as background noise that keeps me focused.

I have done personal retreats and the worst are those that include sitting alone, perhaps to journal or simply relax with no distractions is the goal, with a focus on the Lord. It is during those times that I think internally, recognizing my faults and needs.

It’s easier to keep busy! 

I can hardly sit still. I hate to wait! Even sitting in my backyard I think of things that need to be done and quickly go to aid my need to be busy. I can’t let grass growing in the patio without having to pluck it out. Weed seem to call my name! 

Maybe I have solitude all wrong but to focus on my personal worship well giving up control of everything is hardest for me.

Maybe you can relate but for now, I will just have to work at it. Luke most disciplines, it is work. 

What is your toughest spiritual discipline?

Why God Laughs!

Today I write about three main voices from Psalm 2 (and Proverbs 2)

Psalms 1:1 reads, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.” This is an overview and summary of most of what is written I. The Psalms.

In Psalm 2 we find in this chapter 3 main voices that are echoed. They are Kings, the Lord, and the King of Kings! This chapter is a Messianic passage of text. 

This is divided into four sections like 4 verses in a hymn… but there are three distinct voices that we here when we read this passage. 

One. This is the voice of Rebellion. (vs 1-3)

Two. This is the voice of the Righteous One. (vs 4 - 6)

Three. This is the voice of the Redeemer (& judge). (vs 6-9)

Chorus of praise for those that take refuge in Him! (Psalm 2: 10-12)

1. The Kings of the World :: The Rebellion. (Ps. 2:1-3)

Psalms 2:1 reads, “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? Who are these kings? 

Today we are bombarded by the many voices of the world… (As if TV & Radio weren’t enough, we hear from others in the form of Social Media; Facebook, Tick-Tock, Group Messaging systems like Remind, Slack, GroupMe, & Twitter…) … I have read a Church Sign that says; “Tweet others as you would Tweet yourself.”

Today I want to help you distinguish between those voices & listen for the great Shepherd!

This is April Fool’s Day joke. This is the arrogance and ignorance of a fallen generation. The kings of this world are rebelling against their creator! They are voices that cry out in complaint against God. They were present at the trial of Jesus when the rulers of the day (though religious) cried out “Crucify Him” speaking of Jesus. 

Acts 4:24-26

And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

‘WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE,

AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

‘THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND,

AND THE RULERS WERE GATHERED TOGETHER

AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.’

This is echoed in the New Testament, making is clear that is is referring to Jesus from Palms 2:2 which reads, “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the LORD and against his anointed one.” 

This is the voice of rebellion!

The Rebellion!

2. The Lord (God) : The Righteous One! (Ps 2:4-6)

We find God’s reaction to this rebellion. The Righteous One (God) is worthy and fully justified to destroy them but instead God laughs. Psalms 2:4, “But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.”

God laughs at their foolishness. It tells us the man’s wisdom is foolishness to God! I read a church sign once that has stuck with me. It read, “A wise man learns everyday. A fool knows everything.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 reads, “This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.”

We hate to follow rules, don’t we? The voice of rebellion wants to throw off restraint. We think we know best! But the reality is that we cannot out-think God. Like children, we are tempted to know better than the parent. 

How then should we respond to a wicked generation? We to hate and despise wicked neighbors? For this is the question that we must answer related to this text. How did God respond? We know that he is capable of judgment, and it’s within his right for sure.

Yet, in Jesus we find a different response. 

Consider Luke 9:51: 

“As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them.”  Luke‬ ‭9:51-55‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Voice of the Righteous One (God) delegates His judgement to Jesus. The Son of God who takes away the sins of the world.

We see that the authority of judgement is given to Christ:

Ephesians 1:21-23 reads; 

“Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”

We find that the voice of the Righteous One, who can destroy laughs because He knows the hope we need is found in Christ! 

3. The King of kings! : The Redeemer (Redemption).  (Ps. 2:7-9)

What joy for those that take refuge in Christ! 

Psalms 2:10-12

** Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth!

**Serve the LORD with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

**Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant.

But what joy for all who take refuge in him! 

The voice of the Redeemer can be heard, like the Great Shepherd who offers grace! 

Psalm 2:7 — “Proclaim the Lord’s Decree!”

It is in Christ that we go from no hope to the God of all hope! This Easter season is a reminder that in the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ that we can find freedoms from sin and hope eternal.

Receive this hope of sins forgiven and guilt remedied in Christ.  You will find hope eternal in the resurrection of the Christ who is the voice of the redeemer! 

1. The Kings of the World :: The Rebellion.

2. The Lord (God) : The Righteous One! 

3. The King of kings! : The Redeemer (Redemption).

This Resurrection day is one for  rejoicing! We read in that sacred hour where all hope is gone… where sorrow is met with laughter! 

We can find our strength as we go from no hope to the God of all hope through Jesus Christ, our Lord! 

Can you hear him today?

Can you hear the voice of the great shepherd? 

Those that are within the sound of His voice come together because we know The Voice of The Great Shepherd’s Voice.