Rest In Christ!

Choosing a word for 2024 means focusing on a theme or concept that needs improvement in your life. For me, I chose the word rest based on a passage from Psalms.  Yet, the word rest is not necessarily what you may think it means. It doesn’t mean to sleep; not inactivity.

Psalm 37:7 is a powerful scripture that holds a profound message for our lives. It says, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." In this verse, we are reminded of the importance of trust, patience, and surrendering our worries to God.

In today's fast-paced and competitive world, it is easy to get caught up in the pursuit of success and the comparison game. We often find ourselves fretting and becoming anxious when we see others achieving their goals or seemingly prospering while we are still waiting for our own breakthroughs. However, Psalm 37:7 encourages us to take a step back, be still, and trust in the Lord's timing and plan for our lives.

To "be still" before the Lord means to quiet our hearts and minds, to let go of our worries and anxieties, and to find peace in His presence. It is a call to surrender our desires, plans, and expectations to God, knowing that He is in control and has a perfect plan for our lives. Being still before the Lord requires us to trust in His wisdom and timing, even when things may not make sense or seem fair.

My word for last year had to do with waiting on God. It had similar repercussions in my life as I spent the year considering this concept. I spent more time trusting God, and simply waiting for his help. 

Waiting patiently for the Lord can be challenging, especially when we live in a culture that values instant gratification and quick results. However, the Bible repeatedly reminds us of the importance of patience and endurance. In James 1:4, we are told, "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Waiting patiently allows us to grow in character, faith, and dependence on God. It is during these seasons of waiting that we learn to rely on His strength and trust in His faithfulness.

The second part of Psalm 37:7 advises us not to fret when people succeed in their ways or carry out wicked schemes. It is natural to feel envious or discouraged when we see others achieving their goals or seemingly prospering through dishonest means. However, this scripture reminds us that our focus should not be on comparing ourselves to others or being consumed by jealousy. Instead, we are called to trust in God's justice and righteousness. We can find comfort in knowing that God sees everything and will ultimately bring justice and judgment.

Fretting and worrying about the success of others only distracts us from our own journey and hinders our ability to fully trust in God. It robs us of the joy and peace that come from embracing our own unique path and purpose. Instead of being consumed by comparison, we should focus on cultivating gratitude for what we have and trusting in God's provision for our lives.

Psalm 37:7 is a powerful reminder to be still before the Lord, wait patiently, and trust in His timing and plan for our lives. It encourages us to surrender our worries, anxieties, and desires to God, knowing that He is in control and has a perfect plan for us. It reminds us to be patient and endure through seasons of waiting, allowing God to shape and mold us. And it cautions us against fretting and comparing ourselves to others, reminding us to trust in God's justice and righteousness. May we find comfort, peace, and strength in embracing the message of Psalm 37:7 and living it out in our daily lives.

Sermonette: The virtues of waiting.

Reprint from an article published the The Plain Dealer newspaper on December 30, 2023,

https://www.wabashplaindealer.com/opinion/sermonette-the-virtues-of-waiting/article_5d5f6647-8f7e-5cfc-bd45-3a0f6c3a43f3.html

1/2/24, 12:45 PM Sermonette: The virtues of waiting | Opinion | wabashplaindealer.com

---

Sermonette: The virtues of waiting

By Rev. Rick Carder

Dec 30, 2023

Consider the concept of waiting in a new light.

Often, we perceive waiting as a tedious task, but in reality, it is an opportunity to experience something new and invigorating. Waiting is not about wasting time, but rather about gaining from it.

This concept is prevalent throughout the scriptures, particularly during the Advent season. As we approach the dawn of a new year, let’s pause and contemplate something fresh and exciting.

As a child, I was eager to grow up and experience what my older siblings were doing. Now, as an adult, I yearn for the time I wished away.

Our world is teeming with individuals rushing aimlessly, squandering precious moments. People often take shortcuts without considering the consequences. We believe that rushing will give us an advantage, but this is seldom the case.

In times of hardship, we tend to hasten the process, neglecting the valuable lessons that come from the journey and the experiences we need. For instance, after surgery, we may rush to get back on our feet, skipping essential therapy or risking re-injury.

The term Advent signifies waiting. As we stand on the brink of a new year, let’s pause for a moment. Jesus arrived at the perfect time – not too early, never too late. Galatians 4:4 (NIV) states, “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” Jesus came into a world desperate for salvation at the precise moment.

The Wise Men journeyed from afar, likely taking years to find Jesus. By the time they arrived, Jesus was no longer in a manger, yet the star had guided them at the right time. They had to exercise patience on their journey to find the Messiah, to present their gifts and worship the child, Jesus.

Consider the term Advent, which means waiting, as a significant time for us. It’s a period for God to do His best work as we wait on Him.

Before leaping into a new year, take a moment to wait upon the Lord and ask Him to fill your heart with His presence. Don’t rush through this moment, but be fully present, for God wants to meet you in your waiting. As stated in Psalm 27:14 (NIV), “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” God will neither delay nor arrive too late.

Before we move away from this time of year, take time to patiently wait upon God; experience His presence in your life! Make every moment count. Experience all that God has for you through Christ!

Make your season the Merriest of Christmas and wait upon God for the Happiest of New Year!

Rev. Rick Carder is an ordained Wesleyan minister and Regional Director for Youth for Christ of Northern Indiana

New Year - New What?

Many will start up their new year, making commitments that they will seldom keep. They are usually superficial commitments that are related to health or weight loss or something related. It is said that many resolutions are broken within the first few days of the new year.

Richard Batts shares the following:

Researchers suggest that only 9% of Americans that make resolutions complete them. In fact, research goes on to show that 23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.  

A resolution is usually a very temporary answer to a long-term problem. If you don’t fix the core of the problem, then your habits will take over. They say that it is not the decision that you make that matters but it’s the pattern that you generate that is the real issue. We lack the will-power perhaps.

For the last couple of years, I have chosen to select a guiding principle or word, and even a scripture from the Bible to guide my year. It’s a way to develop a new set of habits based on a principal rather than an impulse. Research shows that if we don’t change our belief system, we cannot expect there to be lasting change.

You, like me, often act out of an impulse to change without the necessary tools that are needed. Habits that need to be formed overtime becomes the solution that we need. Well, this article is not intended to be an answer all to the issue of resolutions. Yet, it is my attempt to document a solution that is seemingly work for me over the last couple of years.

In 2023, for example, I chose a word that guided me both emotionally and intellectually. I spent time studying the Bible on that particular word, as well as it guiding me from week to week. It became my consistent Facebook post, which often reminded me of my commitment to that idea.

Last year I chose the word, patience. It’s definition creates the context for my thinking. It means, waiting on God. Although some may view it as an inactive posture, I view it as an active pursuit of God, rather than just being active without context. 

So what did I choose for 2024?

Believe it, or not, I was surprised by this selection. After some prayer in scripture reading, I fell upon a word that feels similar. It feels like it’s an inactive word, but in fact, it is a very active posture. This year’s word is, REST. Feels odd, but it certainly means to be actively present with God. Rather than doing things in my own strength, I choose to rest in Christ rather than work for his approval.

A scripture that instantly came to mind is out of Psalm 37:7.

Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

See what I mean? This is a word that is reminding me that I need to be active in my faith and not in my works alone. It changes even how I do my day-to-day activities while at work. It means that I depend much more on the Lord, for what He would do in me, and through me rather than what I could do in my own strength alone.

A New Year’s resolution could flow out of this type of thinking in the context that God is leading me. Perhaps I am attempting to change the pattern of my life, not by daily choices through my strength but with Christ as my daily guide! 

Although this is a relatively new habit for me, it is proving to be beneficial. I tend to become discourage if I miss a day or fall out of habit.I might challenge you to choose a scripture or a word study that would guide you through the year to remind you of a pattern and way of thinking, rather than a superficial list that feels like a chore.

Give it a try! What word or scripture might you choose to meditate on and create a theme in your life that would transform your relationship with God, through Christ, and ultimately develop better habits for living.

New Year :: Eternal Perspective

Jonathan Edwards (the timid, bold paster, who spoke prompting a revival of repentance. The sermon was entitled, “In the hands of an angry God.” 

His prayer: — “Oh God, stamp eternity on my eyeball.”

In other words, as we read this passage - the oldest of the Psalms - we need to ask God for an eternal perspective that spans time itself. We need to see with these eyes:  with a clear perspective of eternity.

As we transition to a new year, let us reflect on all that God has provided - our testimony that informs others of His goodness! 

As we enter 2024, we need to gain a new perspective — one based on eternal values. As we delve into our lessons for today, take note of life lived for Christ! 

There are two key verses found in the psalms. 

They are:

Psalms 90:4 — For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

Psalms 90:12 — So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.

The book of psalms is divided into 5 books. These are sections within the Psalms… Today’s passage comes from book 4 of 5, inclusive of psalm 90-106. 

Out of all 150 Psalms that we read …here is the oldest of them. 

• Written by Moses. (it’s included as a worship theme, a reminder of their days when they wandered in the wilderness because of their disobedience.)
• Placed here by Solomon as a reminder in our worship to place eternity in our heart.
• This Psalm is perhaps a new year’s message for those of Moses’ day as well as for David’s day and for our day as well. 

Psalm 19:14 perhaps is one that we reflect upon as we are into this new book or section. 

** It reads “May the words of our mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable at your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”**

This is likely a psalm  that was written when Moses was in the midst of the 40 years of his wandering in the wilderness. (some believe that it may have been that which is just recorded in Numbers 11 but more likely it is what is recorded in Numbers 20 and 21.)

• Numbers 11 speaks of … when the spies were sent to survey the land in the majority vote ruled in favor of THEIR FEAR INSTEAD OF THEIR FUTURE.
• Numbers 20-21 speaks of Moses’s sister Miriam’s (sister) death and also Aaron’s (brother) death as well as his disobedience of STRIKING THE ROCK IN ANGER.

Whichever is his motivation, writing this does signal to us a clear understanding of what God‘s plan should’ve been for their future and what became their destiny. 

The Psalm was written for those who remained, and did not cross into the promised land. 

Perhaps this is placed here the Psalms that it becomes a universal metaphor for God’s people (at the times of David) during their spiritual wanderings. 

Now we read it as a reminder of our desperate need for God in our later years are we too may wander. 

In 40 years there was an accounted for the death of millions. 1.5 million to be more exact. 

** Because those under 20 were the only ones that were promised to receive the inheritance of which God gave them in the promised land. (only two are over the age of 22 were given a special privilege because of the obedience in their vision for God‘s plan for their future: Caleb and Joshua!

Moses attributes the age of years as 70 or even 80 at a time where they lived over 100. 

According to its title of this Psalm, “A Prayer of Moses the man of God,” Psalm 90 was authored by Moses. 

Since he lived around 1400 BC, this means Psalm 90 is the oldest of the psalms and Moses is the first composer of sacred hymnody.

In their worship liturgy of the Old Testament, the faith of God’s people, this psalm was to be a reminder of God‘s provision and protection of his people, and a promise to those who shall come behind them.

During the 40 years of their wandering in the wilderness, God promised that he would provide even upon their death. Two generations would pass before they could enter into the promised land, because of their lawless and unfaithful decision. The decision of the spies that cast out on God‘s provision into the promised land.

Moses likely perform many of the funerals that happened during their years of wandering. Of course, he had helpers because they were leaders within each of the tribes led by Aaron who would help. That is what priests and pastors do! 

As you can imagine, as you do the math, if there were just about 1.5 million that over a course of years - they would’ve been quite a few funerals that Moses would’ve had to cared for.

Do the math, and you’ll find that their average number of deaths each month …. 30,000 a year, 2,500 a month — 83 a day!!! 

 Questions and Answer :: https://www.gospelgazette.com/gazette/2001/mar/page20.htm 

What’s the point of this? 

Well death was all around them. Were the numbers actually that large nevertheless, it seemed as though death occurred daily among each of the tribes represented in that wilderness experience. 

Turning aside from that negative conversation is clearly our lesson. 

• You see we spent the first part talking about God as eternal – verse 4.

Are you someone who sets resolutions? The Bible tells us that we should! 

Psalm 90:12–

We now turned to verse 12 which reminds us to be resolute. (Resolution of a new year.)

** We are to learn to number our days against the scales of eternity.

If the scales were Godly values, we would need to weigh our resolutions in relationship to God! 

To be resolute in our priorities, putting first things first in accordance with God’s Justice. 

To be resolute in our resources, according to God‘s love.

To be resolute in our investments for God’s glory

To speak in accordance with God’s word/truth. To count for our timely mission way that is according to God‘s faithfulness.

I love what Dr. Steve Lawson observed from the Believers Chapel in Dallas. 

“We are taught to grow in wisdom. Verse 16 says to “recommission ourselves.” Verse 17 says to show us his approval. We are to make efforts in to be successful — that is to receive God‘s plan and to work in it!”

Bottom line:: Grow in wisdom into the new year! 

Vs 12 — Teach us to number our days 

Jonathan Edwards prayer: — “Oh God, stamp eternity on my eyeball.”

Jonathan Edwards, while pastoring in New York near what is today Wall Street wrote down his resolutions. He called them guidelines for godly living. There were 70 of them. (After being converted for one year. Age 18-19.)

They related to living :: For God’s glory — most focused on use of time! 

We must decide what the is the best use of time. 

Well, Time spent -or- time well spent! 

Verse 12 :: help us to number our days, according to your Will and purpose…to gain wisdom.

Psalms 90:12 —- “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

Pastor Steve Pettit — Wrote on this as his conclusion ::

Prayer Is Essential

In verse three of Psalm 90, God calls man to return to Him. In verse 13 the psalmist calls on God to return to man. Our necessary response to the brevity of life is to cry out to God in prayer. This is what Moses does in Psalm 90:13–17.

Pray for mercy.

Psalm 90:13–14
Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Pray for joy.

Psalm 90:15
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Pray for blessing.

Psalm 90:16–17
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Conclusion by Pettit:

“Moses finishes this psalm with a prayer for God’s favor (beauty) to be on His people and for their work to prosper in God’s hand. His desire is for their work to be solidified and enduring as they depend on God.

Our time on earth is short in light of eternity. We must seek God in prayer for His mercy, His joy, and ultimately, His blessing upon all that we do in this life.”

https://today.bju.edu/president/psalm-90-living-with-an-eternal-perspective/

There are only two important days in our lives. 

The day you were born.

And the day you discover why.

Teach Us to Number Our Days : https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/teach-us-number-our-days