Trouble

I really enjoy the music of Ray LaMontagne; his sound is a bluesy, soulful, raspy sound, one that is just right up my alley. All you have probably heard his song “Trouble”. It was a hit and has been used on one of the major insurance carrier’s commercials.

One of the first lines says; “Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born.” I really think that is so true of life for all of us at least to some degree. However, some seem to think that a faithful and loving relationship with Christ should prevent this trouble. You know, I just don’t see that anywhere in the Bible. I see there may be trouble even for believers.

Tullian Tchividjian discusses this in his book, "Do I Know God”. He is discussing the promises of God and states; “Too many people fall into the trap of believing that God is some kind of cosmic genie in a bottle. Or we expect that He owes us something whenever we do something good for Him… I have found myself many times accusing God of breaking promises He never made. The truth is, God never promised to deliver us from affliction here and now, even if we are really good."

Tullian points to Psalm 46:1; God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

He points out that God is there for us while we are IN trouble, not from trouble. So it seems to me that trouble may come, but as Christians we can rest assured that we have a refuge and strength through Christ whatever may come our way. You know that is so comforting to me. The next few verses of Psalm 46 provide even more assurance and it culminates for me in the first part of verse 7; The LORD Almighty is with us.

Isn’t it so amazing that no matter the issue in front of us, the concern, the worry, we have refuge, we have strength; the Lord Almighty is with us! Amen.

Grace and Peace!

Desires

How much is enough? John D. Rockefeller was once asked a similar question and responded; “one more dollar”. I think that speaks volumes to human nature; more, more, more! I know I spent years trying to reach goals and once there it was never enough. I believe human nature just has this insatiable quality.

As such, we just spend lifetimes striving, seeking, earning, gaining, searching only to find it is never enough. But wait, there is hope! There is a way to quench that insatiable desire. That is through a real and loving relationship with Christ. That brings to mind Psalm 73;

23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. 24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. 25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isn’t that so satisfying? Earth has nothing I desire, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Pastor Scotty Smith recently wrote a prayer on this passage and what a fitting way to end this blog.

"Even if I lived in the climate of my choice, had all the money in the world, and had the church of my dreams … Even if I had a trout on every cast, sank every putt, and could run a marathon a day… Even if I could eat all the chocolate I want and not gain weight… spend time with all kinds of people and never have a disagreement… move my entire family and favorite friends to Switzerland… it would not be enough.

Jesus, you are heaven to me, period. Though I may want a bunch of other stuff, you alone are the One I desire. You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Keep me sane by the gospel… keep me free of all bitterness… keep me broken before you and make me a better man by knowing you. So very Amen, I pray, in your most glorious and gracious name."

Grace and Peace!