Life in the Deep End

The rhythm that brings peace into our daily lives is holy.  It is cycle that repeats in the same way the flowers die back in the winter and return in spring. In the same way a seed falls to the ground and with “just the right conditions and time”, as my grandfather always said, will sprout again and bring forth its purpose.  That might be a grain of wheat; a dreaded Johnson grass; a sunflower that cannot be stopped from growing tall and strong; or a persistent thistle that looks pretty but comes to invade.

One of the holy rhythms that brings peace into our daily lives is the rhythm of Confession ~ Pardon ~ Peace. Throughout the Scriptures we see this played out.  The God of heaven meets us in our human condition and something explosive and transformative happens. As explosive as a butterfly breaking from its cocoon; as transformative as a rose that brings forth its full bloom with the strong scent of joy; and as powerful as a rushing river that never stops moving forward.

How do we encourage this rhythm of peace? How do we integrate it into our daily lives in a way that forges an avenue, or perhaps a “river”, that keeps us moving along toward more peaceful lives? Confession helps us begin.

Confession is a practice of clearing. It is a way to be honest with ourselves and with God. If we are blessed enough to have someone that will listen, then our confession is farther reaching than we will ever be able to measure.

Skipping over confession is like not learning the alphabet before you begin to write. Letters thrown together without understanding do not make words we can use.  If you’ve ever started a new job or project where the instructions are filled with acronyms, then you know this. An acronym for which you have no definition is of no value.  Confession lays the foundation for change to happen in our lives; change that brings peace.

The story of David in II Samuel is one example for understanding confession.  David didn’t start out as a king. He started out as a shepherd, one of the lowest positions to have in ancient Israel. He grew close to God as he spent his days and nights in creation, watching over flocks of sheep. He learned to fight off wild animals, to depend on prayer, and to communicate through words and music. Eventually David’s skills and experiences matured him into being an incredible warrior and ultimately, he became a king.  He was not born into status and power but as life unfolded, David came into status and power.  You might say God had him on a journey of preparation.

In a particular moment of his life David let his power and luxury, his heart or his physical desires lead him in a way of sin. We don’t know the specific trigger, perhaps it was all of them together that created an environment for him to act far outside his conscience.  We can only speculate the reasons. David made choices that eventually led him into a situation that became darker and deeper.  The reality remains the same: he found himself standing in sin and needing desperately to find a way free.  His first attempts were to cover up his actions, which he did through some strategic decisions he had the power to implement. It didn’t work. When that failed, he tried to cover up his sin with a murder.  That didn’t work either.  The prophet, Nathan, learned of David’s sin and went to him with it. There was trust in their relationship, but the confrontation took him off guard; he wasn’t expecting it.

Of course, David knew he had sinned.  He was living with this every day.  We can look at his confession and see that he understood his sin was against God. David was a man who loved the Lord. His desire was to serve the Lord. And yet, here he was – buried in a situation that was eating him alive.  There is no way God would leave his servant in that condition. God provides a way for this situation to be redeemed.

 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

While I kept silence, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Psalm 32:1-6

Nathan confronts David and the confession comes pouring out almost as if he has been waiting for someone to open the door and invite him into a new place.  It’s not always easy to know how to take a step out of the darkness until someone shines a light where you can see.  Nathan shines that light for David.  And out of David tumbles his cries of regret.  He falls before God with the weight of his sin so heavy he can no longer stand.  And he gets really honest about where he is.  Psalm 51 is his confession.

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Psalm 51:1-5

The cover up is over. David accepts the reality of his sin.  He names it. He accepts that he does not have the power to fix this himself; a simple apology will not do. He cannot erase what has happened.  David acknowledges that this is something only God can redeem. And in this moment, David stops trying to be God (controlling both sin and the forgiveness of sin) and he humbles himself before his Creator. He is turning toward God which is what we call “repentance” …turning in a different direction; a direction toward the God of heaven.  Now there is space for something different to happen.

You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:6-12

Nathan is with him. And Nathan tells him: “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.” (II Samuel 12:13) David has consequences to live through, but his life is being redeemed right there. It begins and it never stops.  He will not live a life of shame. He is being redeemed to live a life of faithfulness with God directing his steps.  David is being set free from the chains of shame and guilt.  Grace is offered. A rhythm of peace is unleashed. A river that will not stop flowing.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Psalm 51:13-17

Confession is a practice of clearing.  It may be as simple as an isolated wrong, or it may be dealing with sin that is complex and deep and systematic.  In all times for the people of God, confession is a practice that leads to forgiveness, repentance and peace. The Lord forgave David immediately.  He did not have to earn it; he only had to receive it.  The LORD forgives!  And we turn our attentions toward God (repentance) to see what that pardon means in our lives.

Practice
Turn to Psalm 51 in your Bible. Pray through it out loud as your personal confession. Name what you want to confess as you read through it. Take a few minutes to comprehend this: in the same way God heard David thousands of years ago, God is hearing you right now. Anytime we offer a confession, the rhythm of peace becomes more and more real in our lives.

Prayer
God we are all in need of your grace. We are in desperate need of your forgiveness; your pardon; your peace. Please meet each of us where we are and hear our confessions of this day. Like David, we are ready to walk forward with you to understand what the gift of redemption means in our lives. We love you and we trust you completely. We offer our prayer in the name of Jesus, the resurrected Christ. Amen.

Coming up next… Rhythms of Peace: Part II “Forgiveness & Pardon”

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -Janes1:2-5

Navigating our way through a global pandemic is probably not what any one of us thought we would be doing in 2020. Depending on what article you read or news you hear, it’s even a bit difficult to discern what deserves our attention. Medical professionals are fairly consistent about the practices of health and preventing spread of infection. Stay home if you don’t feel well. If you are going into public spaces, a temp check and a mask may help you prevent spread if you are carrying COVID19 but don’t have symptoms. Get outside – enjoy the sunshine and fresh air; take a walk; go fishing; eat right and reduce your stress level throughout the day.  And don’t forget to wash your hands:)

The more people and places we are around, the more likely we are to come in contact with the virus. So stay as healthy and strong as possible. Take care of your immune system. Help your neighbor, especially those who may not be able to get out of the house.  Fear is not needed; wise and practical living for the situation is warranted. Many generations before us have lived through times of disease and difficulty.  It will pass, but for right now, we have to navigate our way through it.

The reopening of businesses and public places brings a host of questions and opinions are not hard to find. But wisdom is not illusive when it is asked for in faith. Each business, every family, our specific communities, churches and people are all in a different situation. COVID19 may not be an issue for you, but it may be for your neighbor. Your family may have needs that are very different from others. There are a host of other life events unfolding that have nothing to do with the pandemic, and all are tempered by the presence of an illness that is new for all of us. Maybe your family has been blessed by the change of pace and priorities; while others hold private funerals and are faced with grief they never imagined experiencing. We must give one another grace in these days.

We are all seeking what is wise and best for right now. Decisions are made as that discernment is clear. God is generous to offer us wisdom when we ask. The LORD delights in a humble approach that indicates we are both in need of divine help and that we trust God to provide it.

Solomon was young when he took his leadership role as king. He didn’t have the wisdom needed for the task ahead of him, so he asked God. And God responded. (I Kings 3:7-9)

Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?
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The LORD judges. We are equipped to recognize fruit.

Proclaiming judgements is not our role.  We have people that are appointed to positions that require them to make judgements with specific guidelines and parameters.  That work is done with enormous responsibility and weight.  But in general, we are not given the role of judging one another.

There is a story about David and Saul (in the Old Testament) that offers some practical insight. Saul is king over Israel and David will become his successor. Saul is overcome by jealousy; he hates David’s success and he does not want David to become king. He pursues him and does everything he can to kill him.  It’s a bit of a roller coaster with Saul; he is often unstable. He actually loves David like a son but his jealousy is relentless and it leads him down wrong paths.

There is a moment when David and his men are hidden in the back of a cave and Saul happens to stop by that exact spot and go in to relieve himself. David, who is a skillful shepherd and warrior, sneaks up on him and without Saul even knowing it…he cuts off a piece of his clothing! So close! David could have easily killed Saul and ended the madness, but he didn’t.  And there is a reason.

David knew that God was the one that would have be the judge over Saul’s actions toward him. This was not a war environment, though what seemed like an “enemy” was present.  David knew better.  This was about two men and how they were doing life.  It was about what God was doing in them.

David knew that God did not give him the role of avenging Saul’s actions.  Instead, David was supposed to show grace in this moment AND David was to trust God for right judgements in the way only God can provide them.  David was growing in his understanding of God’s ways. So, he didn’t kill Saul. He cut off a piece of his robe instead and then he let Saul know why:

May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.  As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds, so my hand will not touch you.
– I Samuel 24:12-13

Jesus talked about judgement too and provided some warning about being too quick to judge others.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
– Matthew 7:1-2

Jesus also offers wisdom for what we are to do as we are trying to discern and understand what we are hearing, seeing and experiencing with others.  We absolutely need to practice wisdom and discernment; this guides our choices and decisions. Jesus reminds us of something we see in nature: fruit trees.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
– Matthew 7:15-20

Notice how closely this teaching of Jesus connects with what David said to Saul, “From evildoers come evil deeds, so my hand will not touch you.”  The lesson?  Let the LORD be the judge of others. Train your eyes and spirit to recognize the what is being produced in a life. Don’t be confused by something that looks really good on the outside but is rotten on the inside. When our discernment is clouded, clarity is only a humble prayer away. God is faithful in moments and in seasons. We have been given what we need for this time.

Prayer
God please help us grow in your wisdom for these days. We yield our desire to judge others to you. You are righteous and merciful and just.  You will bring about your judgements at just the right time.  You see and know all things; we see dimly and know very little.  We are grateful for the ways you speak to us and help us when we ask.  Please hear the prayers of your people. Help us all to mature in your wisdom so we can recognize fruit when that is what we need to do. And please let your wisdom be what guides everything we do.  We love you Lord, and we need you. We trust you completely.  Amen.

A Practice
Go outside and spend a few moments noticing trees that are growing in ways that provide shade and shelter, or good wood for building or making fuel.  Notice also brush and invasive plants or trees that choke out other growth or create danger in a particular environment. Let your eyes and mind understand how you are able to notice the difference. Pay attention to the many ways God helps us open our eyes to see.

 

 

 

 

But I will sing of your strength,
    in the morning I will sing of your love;
for you are my fortress,
    my refuge in times of trouble.
You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.
Psalm 59: 16-17

There are many things that try to hold us down.  Fear. Doubt. Shame. Toxic relationships. Regret. Exhaustion. COVID19.  And there are probably just as many false remedies that beg for our attention; quick fixes that “promise” instant relief. They most often come with compromises that only add to the burdens from which we so desperately want to be freed.

We celebrate Easter as the moment in history that God made it as clear as possible: nothing will stop the power of God’s love for us.  Easter is a season that extends into every day of our lives.  So, when we are in need of strength today – from the smallest to greatest task in front of us:  there is a steadfast source that will never let us down.  The God of heaven is our fortress and our strength. Tap into that power…make it your morning song.

“Lord come quickly to help us; you are our strength and shield.”

Ain’t No Grave – Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs