Week Eight - Where is Comfort?

Probably the most heart-wrenching scene in the Bible is Job, with all his livestock and children dead, a non-supportive wife, and judgmental friends, he finds himself sitting in ashes and dust, while his body is covered with running sores.

Three friends gathered to mourn with him and be a comfort (Job 2:11). For the first several days, as they all sat in grief, not a word was spoken.

Sometimes, life brings trials that require silence. They take us by surprise, stopping us dead in our tracks, pausing to take it all in. Grief is not a lack of faith. It is a process of coming to terms with what has happened so we can find a measured and healthy response. Sometimes, we need to sit silently in the dust of our trial and wait to hear from God.

Is comfort found in silence? Yes, briefly. But we cannot remain there.

Words begin to flow as Job's human response pours out. He wishes to die, to run away from the trial, to find the answer to "why." He is face-to-face with his worst fear, and where is comfort?

Is comfort found in questioning? No.

Is comfort found in the counsel or words of others? No.

As his first friend, Eliaphaz begins to speak, and the conversation's downward spiral begins. Job says his grief is as heavy as sand, but the words of Eliaphaz are like water that runs away or snow that melts. They hold no comfort, only condemnation.

As I read Job's story, I am challenged to think about how I respond to friends in grief. Are my words so thin they melt away? Am I forceful, argumentative, or judgmental when I try to encourage? Words often fail as we try to comfort others. Why? Because we are not the comforter - He is.

In John 14:16-17, Jesus says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him; but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

In Him, we have an ever-abiding comfort; a Comforter with a purpose. 

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Our Comforter teaches us truth and helps us remember God's promises. He is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13). His comfort isn't based on man's words. It is founded in His Spirit speaking peace and hope through God's Word to our souls; His Spirit who calms our fears.

In John 16:33, Jesus speaks these words of comfort. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Rarely will we find genuine comfort in this world. Oh, a good cup of tea, a gentle breeze, some beautiful music, warm sunshine, and even the beauty of the snow may temporarily speak peace to our hearts. But abiding comfort only comes by abiding in Christ. The settling of our tumultuous hearts is found in His truth. He has overcome the world, and by faith, we are overcomers with Him. This is genuine comfort.

Week Seven - Others First

The final chapter of the book of Esther is only three verses long, but it reveals a great truth. The Jews have been rescued from annihilation by the faithful acts of Esther and Mordecai, who has been promoted to Prime Minister by King Ahasuerus. And the Bible says Mordecai continued, "seeking the wealth of his people and speaking peace to all his seed."

This was Mordecai's character throughout the story. Just as we saw Esther's character was one of faithful obedience, Mordecai's was one of care for others. He cared for little Esther when she had no parents. He watched carefully over her while she was in the palace. He protected the king from assassination. He advised Esther when she was queen. He stood against evil to protect his people. And why did he do this?

Was it because he had his eye on the throne? Hardly. Was it because these were the easiest choices? No. Was it because he knew there would be a great reward in the end? I doubt it. Mordecai was a man of integrity. He believed doing right and standing for right held its own reward. Esther's success was his success. The king's security was his security. His people's protection was his protection. 

He wasn't acting out of self-interest, but out of a service to others.

The story of Esther and Mordecai portrays the obvious. For Haman, self-seeking was ruinous. For Mordecai, seeking the wealth of others brought wealth to himself.

So we must ask ourselves, "On which side of the story do we live?" Do we live greedily seeking to get all we can? Do we think of ourselves first when we make decisions? 

My mother used everyday lessons to teach us about giving to others first. For example, when we cut pieces of cake for the family, we were to give the largest portion first to our father, and then between the two of us girls, whoever was serving was to take the final, smaller piece. I can still hear her saying, "Give the larger portion to the other person, otherwise you are being selfish."

When it came to the fight for who would ride in the front seat with Mom, her comment was, "The more mature will give way and take the back seat."

This idea of putting self first breeds a spirit of competition that grows into an ugly level of narcissism. We see this so prominently in our society. 

Sadly, we are less often made aware of those who do not seek their own, but seek the wealth of others; the benefit of others over self. Those serving in the homeless shelters, giving to worthy charities, and serving others through education, medicine, and leadership are the real heroes of our society. And God will honor them.

Mordecai wasn't looking for promotion. He was focused on being a blessing to his people, and God blessed him. We see a similar story in the life of Joseph, too. God honors those who honor others. It is part of the Golden Rule - "As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" (Luke 6:31). This was one of the first Bible verses I learned, but I learned a paraphrase - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

So today, think about your underlying motivation. Is it self-seeking and self-promoting or others-focused? Are you treating others with genuine value, or do you see yourself as above them? Do you insist on the front seat and the biggest portion of the cake, or can you be the more mature? 

God honors humility. James 4:10, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."

The promise of blessing is found in giving - "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom, for with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again" (Luke 6:38).  

And this giving isn't limited to monetary gifts. We give when we show respect. We give when we act to support those in need. We give when we show we care. We give when we put others first.

It's quite a challenge, isn't it? So today, when you are tempted to hold back from giving or keep the biggest portion for yourself, why not step back and allow the biggest portion to go to someone else? You never know how God will bless you, and you will be amazed at how good you feel when you put others first.

Week Six - Will You Obey Me?

Last week, I put up a post on Facebook about Esther.  It read, "Esther didn't chase power. She walked in obedience, and God positioned her. A God-led woman doesn't force doors; God opens them." 

This is so true and such a valuable lesson. When we force things, we meet with resistance, but when we allow God to open doors, He clears the way and blesses our obedience.

God has more to say about Esther's obedience. We first read of her obedience in not disclosing her nationality to the court during the process of choosing a new queen. The Bible says Mordecai had "charged her that she should not shew it" (2:10). And then, in verse 20, we read that even after she was chosen, she obediently kept her secret. The verse contains a beautiful phrase describing her character, "like as when she was brought up with him." 

Esther's overriding character trait, apparently evident even from childhood, was obedience. She obeyed Mordecai, the man who brought her up. She obeyed him when challenged to approach the king, and she obeyed her king by respecting the manners and customs of his culture as she made her appeal.

This character of obedience does not place Esther as a doormat, hardly. She was a brave woman who knew the blessings of life were on the other side of obedience. She trusted God, and she obeyed those in authority over her. This is not a quality to take lightly. It takes serious commitment to obey when faced with the threat of death or exposure. It is an "in your face" moment when you come to the reality that you have been positioned, "for such a time as this."

Her example challenges us today. How obedient are we to those in authority over us? Is obedience a characteristic of our lives? Obeying our parents? Obeying our employer? Obeying the law? Obeying God's Word? Or do we thwart instruction and race to do things our own way? Are we in such a hurry to get to the top that we scoff at being obedient, believing it to be a lazy or weak way to progress? 

Are we teaching our children the benefits and blessings of obedience? Do we live an example of obedience before them? 

Waiting and obedience are vital keys to success, for God is the One who gives the increase, and we are but tools in His hand. God used Esther in a mighty way, not because she was super smart or aggressive, but because she trusted and obeyed. 

Where might God be asking you to obey? Will you obey Him?

Week Five - Time for a Remodel

This past week or so, we've been undergoing a major bathroom remodel. It didn't start out that way. It was supposed to be just changing out a tub for a nice-sized shower, but one thing led to another, and now it includes new cabinetry, extra tiling, and even a new toilet. Our home is nearly 100 years old, and old houses do have a way of resisting change. 

My Bible reading was in Exodus 25-27, where God gives exact instructions on how He wants His home decorated. I love decorating. I just don't have much money to spend on it. Sometimes I have to settle for what I can afford. How about you?

Paul Tripp writes, Whether we are conscious of it or not, we are all very particular about how we want our home to look. Some of us take the look of our houses seriously and invest time and money to make them look like our dreams. Others are more casual about our surroundings. Some of us place a high value on neat and clean; others find a bit of a mess more comfortable. But all of us somehow, someway express our personalities and our values by the way we design and keep our surroundings. That's why, when you are in someone else's home, it doesn't quite feel like home to you."

I'd have to agree with Mr Tripp. I like to keep my home a certain way; a way that makes me feel relaxed and comfortable. When I visit other people's homes, I see their personalities and interests revealed in the things they decorate with. Our homes are an expression of who we are, our interests, and what we hold dear.

God's home, the tabernacle at the time of my reading, was elaborately decorated with scarlet, blue, and purple, fine linen, needlework, fragrant oils, onyx, animal fur, gold, silver, and brass, huge handmade ornate draperies, specific woods, hand-carved decorative bowls, and fancy candlesticks. Sounds a bit over the top to me, but who am I to question God's decorating choices? This was where He would dwell among his people - a sinful, complaining, and rebellious lot, wandering in the desert. Maybe He needed His "creature comforts." 

Paul Tripp says, God "wanted his house to communicate who He was and what He valued." It is to "communicate two things: his unapproachable holiness and the mercy of His forgiveness." When you read on to the actual construction and layout of the tabernacle, you will discover that underneath that covering of animal skins was a holy place, an elaborate inner sanctum where God dwelt and met His people - at the mercy seat. 

Is your home a sanctum, a place of holy retreat, mercy, and forgiveness? What does your home communicate? Does God dwell there? Would He be comfortable? Might it be time for a remodel?