“The School of Hard Knocks”

04 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 35, Psalms

Tags

Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Peninsula National Park, David, faith, Job's trials, perserverance, Prayer, Satan, School of Hard Knocks, Scripture, Suffering, testing, the LORD, trials, trouble

Reading: Psalm 35

(Verses 17-21)
How long, LORD, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
Do not let those gloat over me
who are my enemies without cause;
do not let those who hate me without reason
maliciously wink the eye.
They do not speak peaceably,
but devise false accusations
against those who live quietly in the land.
They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha!
With our own eyes we have seen it” (NIV).

Reflection
This portion of Psalm 35 begins with David’s cry for help, “How long, LORD, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.”

Lone tree, Bruce Peninsula National Park — photo by David Kitz

When I am in distress, help can never arrive too soon. I want an instant answer from God. Better yet, He should have pre-empted this disappointment—this disaster. But often God doesn’t instantly ride to our rescue. If poor choices are the cause of our distress, He may let us experience the consequences of our folly. When you are enrolled in “The School of Hard Knocks” the test comes first and then you learn the lesson. Often patient endurance brings about an invaluable change in character through the work of the Holy Spirit. James, the brother of our Lord, reminds us of this truth:

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 (James 1:2-4).

But all of our troubles do not come as a result of bad decisions on our part. Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward (Job 5:7). Job reminds us that even the good and the just will at times face suffering. Anyone who tells you differently is not being faithful to the full counsel of scripture. Satan severely tested Job, but he remained firm in his faith.

When hardships come will you stand firm? When the haughty accuse can you bear it? David felt the sting of false accusation. They sneer at me and say, “Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it.”

Thanks be to God. We can bring our trials and burdens to the Lord in prayer. He hears and in His perfect time He responds.

Response: Lord, you know the troubles and trials that I face daily. You are my help and my strength. I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among the throngs I will praise you. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you learn from God’s word or from “The School of Hard Knocks” or from both?

Christ’s Suffering and my Suffering

12 Wednesday Jul 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Bible, Devotionals, Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

death, faith, hell, human condition, incarnate, Isaiah 53, Jesus, Jesus Christ, pierced, praise, Prayer, Suffering, the grave, triumph, victory

Reading: Psalm 22

Verses 22-26

I will declare your name to my people;
in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not despised or scorned
the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him
but has listened to his cry for help.
From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly;
before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.
The poor will eat and be satisfied;
those who seek the LORD will praise him—
may your hearts live forever! (NIV)

Reflection
In this ongoing discussion of Psalm 22 we hit a critical turning point with yesterday’s scripture reading. The humiliated, pierced and tortured Christ prays, “But you, LORD, do not be far from me. You are my strength; come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs. Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save me from the horns of the wild oxen” (Psalm 22:19-21).

May your hearts live forever — photo by David Kitz

God the Father answered the prayer of his suffering Son, not immediately, but three days later Jesus arose from the dead. Now he reigns triumphant over death, hell and the grave. The opening words recorded here are the resurrected Christ’s song of triumph: I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you. You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

And why should we praise the LORD? Here is the answer: For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

In the context of this psalm, Christ is the afflict one. The prophet Isaiah declares, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

Yes, praise Him! We have a Savior who can fully identify with every aspect of our humanity because he was fully human. He suffered just as we suffer and in his body he experience severe loss and pain. God incarnate knows all about the human condition because He lived as a human.

But in all this Jesus is the victor. May your hearts live forever because of Jesus Christ who conquered death and lives now and forever.

Response: Father, thank you for victory over death, hell and the grave through your Son Jesus. By faith his victory becomes my victory. Hallelujah! I praise you my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Your Turn: Does the knowledge of Christ’s suffering help you in times of personal pain or loss?

Led Like a Lamb to the Slaughter

14 Friday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Good Friday, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

death, lamb, oppressed, pain, peace, pierced, punishment, slaughter, Suffering, transgressions, wounded

I will bow before Him!

: He was pierced for our transgressions.

Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

(Isaiah 53:4-9, NIV)

Securing Justice for the Poor

10 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 140, Psalms

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

churches, churches in North America, compassion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, needy, praise, salvation, social justice, social justice issues, Suffering, the LORD, the poor

Reading: Psalm 140

(Verses 9-13)

Those who surround me proudly rear their heads;

may the mischief of their lips engulf them.

May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,

into miry pits, never to rise.

May slanderers not be established in the land;

may disaster hunt down the violent.

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor

and upholds the cause of the needy.

Surely the righteous will praise your name,

and the upright will live in your presence (NIV).

Reflection

Here is an observation I have made as a result of visiting and speaking at a wide variety of churches across this continent. Christians and Christian churches in North America appear to fall into two broad camps: Those that are primarily concerned about personal salvation, and those that are concerned mainly about social justice.

Land’s end — Corel photos

There’s often a considerable amount of tension between these two camps. Both are convinced they are doing the will of God as revealed in the scriptures, and they can quote chapter and verse to back up their particular perspective. So which position is correct?

The short answer is they are both right. The eternal destination of your soul is of primary importance, but love and compassion for others is central to the entire mission of Jesus, and the full scope of the scriptures. Today’s reading from Psalm 140 reminds that issues of justice and fairness rank high with the LORD. I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

John, the apostle, gives us this perspective: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).

It got very messy when Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. A lot of blood was spilled. It was brutal beyond measure—humiliation and suffering beyond measure. Our personal salvation was messy—in every way a high cost affair. Are we willing to do the same for others? That’s what John is saying when he writes and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Now there’s a high calling. Do you want to change the world? It starts with a change in your heart. Jesus is in the heart changing business. I need an appointment with him. What about you?

Response: LORD God, I am selfish by nature. It’s not natural for me to think of others first. Help me to change. I want to genuinely care about others. Show me what I can to help because Jesus cares. Amen.

Your Turn: Should the church be involved in social justice issues or just stick to the salvation message?

Your Promise

06 Friday Jan 2017

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 119, Psalms

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

eternal life, God, mind, National Gallery of Canada, pain, promises, Psalms, repentance, slivers, Suffering, thoughts

Reading: Psalm 119

ז Zayin

(Verses 49-56)

Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
In the night, LORD, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts (NIV).

Reflection

Raise your hand if you want a dose of suffering. There aren’t many volunteers when that question is asked. But in all seriousness, we do volunteer for suffering, if we believe there is a benefit.

National Gallery of Canada — photo by David Kitz

As a youngster growing up on a farm, I remember getting a sliver in my finger. It took some convincing from my mother to allow her to dig it out with a needle. Once that sliver was gone, the suffering stopped almost immediately. A small dose of short term pain brought long-lasting relief.

There’s a similar principle at work in a statement from today’s reading. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

It’s the promise of a better future that helps us endure suffering in the present. I’ll endure the suffering of surgery, if it comes with the promise of a pain-free future. But the LORD’s promises are on a grand scale. He doesn’t just preserve my life for the present; He promises to preserve it for eternity. That’s an enormous promise, but our God is far beyond enormous. How do you measure infinity?

Now let’s return to that sliver. You can’t walk through this life without picking up mental slivers—foreign objects that lodge in your mind. It could be an erotic picture, an emotional scar, or an errant thought that grows into a bad habit. Brain slivers aren’t easily removed. And yes, they fester and become infected. It isn’t long and they may begin to take over your whole thought pattern. You can try to remove them yourself, but Jesus is the best brain-sliver remover that I know. Go to him. A little repentant pain can bring eternal relief.

Response: Father God, remove my brain slivers. Forgive me for allowing wrong thoughts and habits to fester. I remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. Preserve my life. Amen.

Your Turn: Are there brain slivers that have invaded your mind? Set your mind on God’s promise.

From Tears to Celebration

21 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

celebrate, celebration, God, harvest, Malala, Malala Yousafza, Suffering, tears

We cried on the way to plant our seeds,
but we will celebrate and shout
as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

Newly planted rice stalks, Nagoya, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is celebration.

All those who like tears and suffering, please raise your hand. Did your hand shoot up in response to that request? No, you say. Well, if it’s any consolation, I didn’t raise my hand. Tears, pain and suffering are things I avoid at all cost. But strange as it may seem some of the greatest human triumphs come directly from experiencing suffering or loss.

On October 9, 2012, Malala Yousafzai was taken off a school bus and shot in the head by the Taliban for the ‘sin’ of seeking an education. But miraculously she survived. Despite tears and pain she has gone on to promote education for girls and win the Nobel Prize.

Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us that cries of anguish often precede shouts of celebration.

We cried on the way to plant our seeds, but we will celebrate and shout as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

If you are suffering now, take heart. God is well able to turn your sorrow into joy. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5, NIV).

Response: LORD God, I know my tears are not wasted. You value even my suffering. Work good out of those things that bring me pain. I will celebrate the victories you bring. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you suffering at the present time? Do you believe God hears your cries?

I Will Remember Your Miracles

20 Friday May 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 77, Psalms

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

faith, God, meditation, miracles, remember, remembering, Suffering

Reading: Psalm 77

Verses 9-15

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph (NIV).

Reflection

Psalm 77 began with the psalmist in a state of anguish approaching despair. He was filled with questions for the LORD—questions but no answers. This brings us to our reading for today. After pouring out his complaint, the psalmist recalls the mighty works of the LORD.

“To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

Garden peony — photo by David Kitz

When in doubt, remember. In a time of suffering, remember. When troubles assail from every side, remember. What should we remember? Remember the God who performs miracles. Remember that He is your personal redeemer. The blood Jesus shed was for you. The resurrection he accomplished was for you. The forgiveness he offers is for you.

During trying times, I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.

Our faith isn’t tested and purified in the good times while the choir sings sweetly in the background. Faith is tested and purified in the furnace of affliction. There’s no lineup of volunteers signing up for affliction. The gospel that is often presented today is branded as affliction-free. But Jesus gave no such promise. He promised persecution to those who leave all to follow him (Mark 10:29-31).

Paul, the apostle, makes this assertion: We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5).

As you face difficult times, reflect on the ever-present miracle working power of God.

Response: LORD God, you are at work on my behalf even when I can’t see it. I believe in you, the miracle-working God. May my meditation center on you and your word, because your word brings light. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God have your attention when you are in trouble or pain?

When I Groan

25 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Friday's Focus, Psalms

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

groan, pray, Prayer, redemption, Suffering, the cross

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

Glory Behind the Cross – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

There is glory on the other side of the cross. Today’s photo illustrates that truth beautifully. The light of God shines beyond the pain and suffering of the cross.

Today is Good Friday, the day when Jesus hands and feet were pierced. Today through agony and blood, Jesus purchased my redemption. He groaned under the weight of the sins of the world. The psalmist expresses it this way:

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

We should never gloss over or rush by the horror of the cross. The cross carries the cost of our sins. There we see a full accounting for the horror of our sins. We ought to consider well the price of our blood-spattered redemption.

But glory be to God! Beyond the cross—on the other side—shines Jesus’ resurrection.

Response: LORD God, help me see your love for me through the suffering of Jesus. You suffered to bring me eternal joy. I bow my head in thanks. Amen.

Your Turn: How can there be glory in the cross—an instrument of death?

From Your Temple

24 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Jesus, open doors, pray, Prayer, resurrection, Suffering, temple, trouble

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Beyond the Door – photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is prayer.

Today’s photo speaks powerfully to me. It shows the sunrise as seen through the open double doors of the country church where I grew up on the prairies. God is not only in his temple. His glory is shining forth across the earth and the sky.

When we are in distress, we can call out to God and He responds. Often He will give us a sign of His presence. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

Jesus is our example. In his great suffering he called out to his heavenly Father. And his Father heard and answered his prayer. But Jesus still had to endure the agony of the cross.

But thanks be to God! The glory of the resurrection lies beyond the suffering and beyond the open door. Before us is the door to eternal life that Jesus opened.

Response: LORD God, in my time of need I call out to you. In your mercy answer me, just as you answered the prayers of Jesus, your son. Give me a sign of your presence with me. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the Lord answered your prayers from His temple?

I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

Tag Archives: Suffering

“The School of Hard Knocks”

Christ’s Suffering and my Suffering

Led Like a Lamb to the Slaughter

I will bow before Him!

(Isaiah 53:4-9, NIV)

Your Promise

From Tears to Celebration

We cried on the way to plant our seeds,
but we will celebrate and shout
as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

We cried on the way to plant our seeds, but we will celebrate and shout as we bring in the crops (Psalm 126:6, CEV).

I Will Remember Your Miracles

More Questions than Answers

When I Groan

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

Listen, LORD, as I pray! Pay attention when I groan (Psalm 5:1, CEV).

From Your Temple

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).

I was in terrible trouble when I called out to you, but from your temple you heard me and answered my prayer (Psalm 18:6, CEV).