RE: Fanny Crosby

I was reading a brief biography about a very inspirational woman of God, Fanny Crosby. She is the writer behind many of today's popular hymns. What I hadn't realized before is that she had been totally blind since childhood. In a unique God-given perspective, she was joyful for her blindness and praised God for what many considered a disability. At just the age of 8-years old, she wrote this poem, which has totally humbled me:

Oh, what a happy child I am,
Although I cannot see!
I am resolved that in this world
Contented I will be.

How many blessings I enjoy
That other people don't!
So weep or sigh because I'm blind,
I cannot, or I won't!

It's amazing that a child can be so wise. At my age, there are a lot of things I complain about. Many of which are infinitely more insignificant than blindness. My prayer for this week is to share in Fanny's thoughts, that regardless of what is going on, I will find my joy in God and resolve that "in this world contented I will be".

Do Not Let Me Stray

Psalm 119 is hands down my favorite psalm. I could probably talk for an hour about each verse in that psalm. Don't worry, I won't.

But I will talk about verse 10, because it reveals such a powerful truth about how our good intentions cannot compensate for our weak sinfulness.

I seek you with all my heart; Do not let me stray from your commands. - Psalm 119:10

The first part of the verse sounds like one of those passionate declarations that people make during the worship time of a church service. It's easy to love God and desire Him during times like that: you're surrounded by brothers and sisters, God's Spirit is dancing around the room enjoying the songs about Him, and the enemy is far away cowering from the power of God. In that safe Spirit-filled environment, untwisted by sin, our souls can freely make a declaration like "I seek you with all my heart", because deep down I believe there's nothing humans desire more. It's a great thing to desire and I think most people really intend to pursue it, at least in that moment.

The problem is with the rest of the week. The other six days when we're out in the spiritual battlefield and we might not be as aware of God's presence. This is when we become painfully aware of our own weakness and our inability to seek God under our own strength. Like the other half of verse 10 says, our souls scream out to God, "Do not let me stray from your commands".

Will power cannot enable us to follow God's commands. We are sinful people, living in a sinful world, surrounded by sinful influences, and being constantly lied to by a sinful spirit. We don't stand a chance on our own. Instead of using futile effort to will ourselves to be godly, we need to confess our own weakness and rely on God. Beg Him daily, if not moment-by-moment, "do not let me stray from your commands."

God loves the humble and strengthens the weak. God didn't give us weak will-power so that we would be discouraged when we fail. Our will-power is weak to keep us safe from ourselves—to prevent us from relying on our own strength, from trusting in our own opinions, and from hoping in our own ability. When we come to admit that our strength apart from God is flimsy, our opinions apart from God are tainted, and our ability apart from God is lacking, God will fill us with the power that only His Spirit can provide. He designed it this way so we'll realize we cannot be apart from God, but need Him desperately in order to live a life pleasing to Him. It is faith, not disciplined will-power, that will put a smile on God's face.

And without faith it is impossible to please God... - Hebrews 11:6

Dry Trees

...I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it- Ezekiel 17:21

God likes to turn things upside down. He thinks in ways opposite to what the world thinks. He says the poor are rich, the weak are strong, servants are the greatest. I think this is because God likes to work with humble people. In reality, we're all poor and weak, we just all don't like to admit it. We can either humble ourselves, or wait for God to humble us. One way or the other, it has to happen.

In the verse above, God compares people to trees. Then He talks about humbling them; bringing down the tall trees and drying up the green tree. On the flip side, God likes to lift up the humble; making the low tree grow and the dry tree flourish.

When looking at these two options, being a green tree or a dry tree, I'd rather be the dry tree. I am the dry tree, whether I want to admit it or not. I'll embrace my weaknesses and bring them to God, because through humility, God will make people flourish.

He ends the passage with a powerful declaration of His power and sovereignty: "I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it."

It Ain't Easy

A lot of people don't like reading the Old Testament because they find it sad. There's a lot more people making mistakes and screwing up in the Old Testament and a lot more talk of wrath and punishment. But another characteristic of the Old Testament that isn't talked about enough is that it's caffeinated; it wakes us up and makes us pay attention.

I've been spending a lot of time going through the Old Testament this summer. When going through the two books of Kings and the two books of Chronicles, all the mess-ups in Israel's history are a little overwhelming sometimes. The people seemed like they went out of their way to find ways to anger God. But perhaps one of the causes of those centuries of disobedience is rooted in their neglect of the Old Testament, or, the Book of the Law as it was called at that point. Finally, after a string of failed leaders and horrible kings, a young king by the name of Josiah shows up. He was just eight years old when we took the throne, but his child-like innocence and the humility that comes with youth may have been just the thing Israel needed. He spent his early years devoting himself to God and getting reacquainted with the Lord that his nation had been neglecting for so long. When Josiah reached the age of 28 he decided to do some repairs on the temple, which also had been neglected and was starting to look shabby over the years. During the renovations, the priests uncovered a dusty old book—the Book of the Law. They took the book to King Josiah and read it to him, and his heart shattered.

My Healer

The healing power of God cannot be overemphasized. Not just His ability to heal physical diseases or injury, but His unique capability to reach our souls and mend the things that medicine can't dream of touching.

Reading through the Old Testament prophets can be difficult sometimes. It's a awful feeling to read over and over again of Israel's failures, rebellion, and vicious acts of sin. It's even worse to see yourself reflected in those words. But God never convicts without giving hope; He never tears down without a chance to build up; He doesn't inflict injury without offering to heal.

 "I was enraged by their sinful greed; I punished them, and hid my face in anger, yet they kept on in their willful ways. I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to them." - Isaiah 57:17-18

This passage of healing is specifically speaking to those who are contrite (see Isaiah 57:15). "Contrite" people are those who weep over their wrongdoings and are filled with genuine sorrow for their sins. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He preached repentance over and over. This is because it is only those who are contrite that are capable of true repentance. And these are the people God will heal. Sometimes I find myself feeling spiritually lazy and slipping into a lifestyle that is not pleasing to God. During those times I need to pray for eyes to see my sin for what it is; I need to pray that God would allowed me to be mournful over my actions. When I can come to God broken and genuinely repentant, there is healing.

Defining Humility

Humility is one of those interesting virtues that everyone values, but few possess. Or, at least they don't possess as much of it as they want. Even the most prideful person around will likely say how much they admire humility and boast of how humble they are.

Scripture warns of pride many times.

Proverbs 16:5 - "The Lord detests all the proud of heart"
Proverbs 11:2 - "When pride comes, then comes disgrace,but with humility comes wisdom.

Romans 12:16 - "Do not be proud ... "

Pride, however, thrives in our culture. It's a substantial temptation for anyone preparing for a job interview, filling out a school application, or even trying to make new friends. But in addition to the temptation of pride, I also think a huge concern is that humility is very poorly understood by the church, at least among the younger members. The most common definition (or at least application) or humility I've noticed is to refuse compliments and put yourself down.

Does this sound familiar?

Person A: "You're really smart!"
Person B: "Not really, I'm quite dumb actually."

Person A: "I wish I could play the piano as good as you."
Person B: "No, I suck at the piano."

This isn't the biblical definition of humility. In fact, person B might be "fishing for compliments" which is a deceptive form of pride. Pride and deception... a double-whammy sin. We've all been person B.

Here's a short excerpt on this subject from a older blog I used to write, discussing Luke 1:1-25.

In verse 25, Elizabeth acknowledges that her blessing is from God. She trusts in Himand doesn't credit this gift to luck or her own works. Not only does shegive God credit for doing that great thing for her, but she also saysthat He has shown her favor, meaning that she acknowledges God as aloving God who does good things. She says that He has taken away herdisgrace. She confesses that the disgrace is hers, yet God is the onewho removes it. This again shows God's love and favor and ability toheal and forgive. Not only was the disgrace taken away to benefitElizabeth, but also to glorify God, because the child she would bearwould bring people to God (see Luke 1:16).

In our own lives, we should thank God forwhat He has done. Daily reminding ourselves that what we haveis not from ourselves, but from God. We should remember His favor and thankHim for it. Also, We should remember that God has taken away our disgraceand healed us of sin. He has done this for my benefit, and alsofor His glory.

The point is not that we must refuse compliments, but re-direct them to where they belong. You are good at certain things because God has created you to be good at them! Acknowledge the blessings and gifts we've received, but also acknowledge the giver of those gifts. You shouldn't call yourself dumb if you're actually smart, because God has created your intelligence. You shouldn't put down your musical abilities if you are skilled in that area, because God has given you that ability. Disowning or degrading the gifts God has given you is insulting His creation. So welcome your gifts, just make sure the credit is given to the One is belongs.