Not Handling the Pressure (the Israelites' Story, Day 14)

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It's great to look at stories of people whose characters shine as gold in a furnace, and learn how they could draw near to the Lord when things got difficult.  But let's face it.  We don't always handle the pressure well--the stress at work, the financial worries, and the problems of life wherever they crop up, get us down, and easily.

We snap under the pressure {at someone else, at ourselves}, our health suffers, we get depressed, whatever.  We definitely don't sense a Savior who's right close by.

So where is He, when we know He has led us all along but we blow it anyway?

Well, there's a huge group of people whose story is in the Bible to first tell us how patient God is and second how not to live our lives.  They're called the children of Israel.

Fresh out of slavery and on the run from the most powerful government in the world, they face life-threatening stresses on a daily basis.  Yet every day they also face life-saving miracles.  You would think they would learn not to worry, right?  Let's find out.

When Pharaoh pursues this massive group of newly-freed slaves to the edge of the sea, God miraculously provides dry ground for them to walk on but closes the walls of the sea over the heads of their enemies.

 After such a mighty deliverance, it seems like they would quit worrying and just enjoy the walk, but they don't.

Soon they're worried they crossed the sea only to die of starvation in the wilderness.  They can't stop for a moment to think that maybe the mighty hand holding back the water could lead them to food.  So they complain about God.  (Not a good thing to do.)

Instead of losing patience, God provides food.  (See Exodus 16.)

After being well nourished, you would think they would stop to remember the way God blessed them in the past before they worried about having enough water to drink, but they don't.

Instead of losing patience, God provides water.  (See Exodus 17.)

After walking through the walls of water, eating miracle-food when there is no other food, and drinking miracle water when there is no other water, the children of Israel hear the Lord's voice and promise to keep His law.  After all this, you would think they would trust in the Lord and be faithful, but they don't and they aren't.

Yet God stretches out His hands of mercy again.  And again.  And again.  Miracle upon miracle, grace upon grace led them and followed them throughout their desert experiences.  It was harder for them to escape the hand of blessing (which sadly some worked hard to do until their dying day) than it was to find it.

God doesn't leave you alone in the middle of nowhere, with nothing to eat or drink, any more than He did that to the children of Israel.  Instead, He travels with you and asks to lead you every step.

Even when you've messed up over and over like the Israelites did, take courage.

"Not because we first loved Him did Christ love us; but 'while we were yet sinners' He died for us.  He does not treat us according to our desert [what we deserve].  Although our sins have merited condemnation, He does not condemn us.  Year after year He has borne with our weakness and ignorance, with our ingratitude and waywardness.  Notwithstanding our wanderings, our hardness of heart, our neglect of His Holy Word, His hand is stretched out still.

"Grace is an attribute of God exercised toward undeserving human beings.  We did not seek for it, but it was sent in search of us.  God rejoices to bestow His grace upon us, not because we are worthy, but because we are so utterly unworthy.  Our only claim to His mercy is our great need."  (White, Ellen G.  The Ministry of Healing.  p.161.)

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Exercise in the Open Air (A Habit for Day 13)

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Yep, there I am.  Attempting to hop over each of those wooden planks without stopping--all the way one direction, all the way back again.

It's a harder game to play than you might expect.

 I'm not going to attempt to try to give you a scientific or medical breakdown of what exercise does for you, or why you should still try to exercise when you're stressed.  You can find way more sophisticated scientific and medical sources out there than piano-teacher-me.

I will tell you what I think exercise does for me, and why I would include it in a series about finding Jesus in the roughest times of our lives.  I believe, and have found it to be true in my own life, that my physical health has a profound influence on my mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  And I can't imagine pursuing health without pursuing exercise in some form, in whatever way(s) are open to us.

So here goes.  A few reasons I try to prioritize exercise, in the open air as much as possible, which I find to be even more invigorating.

• Exercise clears my mind.  I think that's because it gets my blood working better, which helps even my brain work more efficiently.
• Exercise makes me feel good about myself.  When I've exercised, I experience what it's like to conquer something, and it gives me courage to keep trying in other areas of my life.
• Exercise, especially in the open air, gets me out of the rut of trying to solve everything all at once.  The things I see out walking in nature, for example, force my mind away from the other things that might be causing me stress that day and remind me there's more to life than my problems.  Nature calls my mind to the Creator, who is also my helper in time of need.
• Exercise keeps my digestion working efficiently.  If my system is overloaded with food, I'm sluggish, and not good for much!
• Exercise increases my energy.  Sure, I get tired from exercising sometimes, but my mental energy increases, and over the long term, so does my physical energy.  Energy is something I need more of when I'm stressed, so exercise during stressful seasons becomes especially important.
• I sleep better when I've been getting exercise.
• Exercise is a great physical outlet for mental or emotional weariness.  My life is quite sedentary if I'm not careful, and it includes a lot of brain work.  If I can spend time exercising, it gives my mind a break and brings my mind and body to a place where both are more ready to rest (see the point about sleeping better above).
• All of these things--clear mind, more energy, better, rest, etc.--bring me to a place where I have more mental room and focus when I come to my prayer and Bible study time.  I'm more alert to the things God has for me to learn.

I don't know what kind of exercise works best for you.  I know a little of what it's like to go through a season in life where I couldn't exercise, so if you're there, you have my fullest sympathy!  But most of us can get creative and find some ways to increase our activity levels, and I believe we'll experience blessings in return.

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Losing Your Mother, and Finding Joy Again (Isaac's Story, Day 12)

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We only have one window into Isaac's experience when Sarah his mother died.  We hear all about Abraham mourning, purchasing land to bury her on, and turning his attention to his son Isaac who is nearing forty and needs a wife.

The search is on--not by Isaac, but by Abraham's trusted servant Eleazar who carries with him strict instructions about the kind of woman to bring back.  Still, it doesn't matter to Abraham how good the woman is, if she won't come sight unseen to the land God promised to Abraham and his descendants, there's no marriage.  Isaac must not take the steps backward toward the land of idolatry Abraham left at God's call, even to find a wife.  The ground Abraham has gained, spiritually speaking, through hard knocks and the grace of God, must not be lost.

It's not until after incredible and specific answers to prayer convince both Eleazar and Rebekah she is the one that we hear anything about the groom.

He's alone, and comes out in the evening to spend time with the Lord in nature, when he sees the camels coming bearing his bride.  Eleazar gives him a full report of the search, the find, the veiled woman in his company.

"And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death."  Genesis 24:67

I think there are things to learn about handling grief from Isaac.

While he grieved the loss of his mother, he kept spending time in prayer.  He drew near his Maker, not away from Him.  (see Genesis 24:63)

He spent his prayer time in nature, walking through the fields in the fresh air.  (see Genesis 24:65)

He wasn't in a rush to get rid of his mother's things, nor was he so protective of them that he couldn't put them to new purposes.  His mother's tent was still there, set up, functional, yet when Rebekah arrived, it didn't have to stay Sarah's tent.  It could and did become Rebekah's realm.  Isaac welcomed the new into the old, which I believe helped him move forward from grief. (see Genesis 24:67)

Isaac allowed the new gifts God sent into his life--particularly Rebekah his wife--to bring him joy and comfort.  He didn't stay locked, paralyzed by grief, forever, but instead fully experienced it and then trusted that God had provided him with exactly the woman he needed.  He rested in this, and was comforted.  (see Genesis 24:67)

I'm not going to tell you losing your mother--or any other loved one--somehow becomes easy.  I will, however, tell you that the same God with whom Isaac spent time with during some of his most alone and sad times, is still there for you.  When He sends you tokens of love and new joys in life, don't feel guilty about accepting and enjoying them.  They don't replace the lost loved one, but they do comfort and enrich, just like Rebekah did in Isaac's life.

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Drinking Pure Water (A Habit for Day 11)

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Of the redeemed of the earth, brought finally to heaven, the Bible has this to say:

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters:  and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  Revelation 7:16, 17

Jesus promised the woman at the well that He could give her water to drink that would quench her thirst forever.  What was that water?

Jesus Himself.

There's a reason He could compare Himself to physical water.  We can't live without it.

Likewise, we can't live spiritually without Jesus.

Even a picture of heaven isn't complete without pure water (so don't go thinking we can get away without drinking physical water here!).

"And he shewed me a pure river or water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.  In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month:  and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."  Revelation 22:1,2

The tree of life growing in the paradise of God can't do without water.  We shouldn't try to, either.

Have you had enough water today?  Maybe you and I should both go pour a glass.  And while we're at it, it won't hurt to connect with the spiritual water of life--Jesus--the only one who can quench the thirsting of our souls.  You'll handle stress a lot better and have loads more energy if you've had both these kinds of water in abundance.  I promise.

 

(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Finding Friends Worth Keeping (David and Jonathan, Day 10)

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We heard all about Saul, his troops, the way they wouldn't face the giant who defied their God.  We hear David's firm testimony, both to fearful Saul and proud Goliath.  But in the story of David and Goliath, the Bible gets just about to the end when there's a chapter break, cutting off from the victory stories the last blessing and perhaps most lasting gift of the event.

It's Jonathan.

We haven't heard anything about him through all the story of Goliath, yet when we read without stopping through the end of 1 Samuel 17 and into the beginning of 1 Samuel 18, the Bible's spotlight finally shines on Jonathan.

"And it came to pass, when he [David] had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."  1 Samuel 18:1  Three times throughout the story, the Bible uses this same description of Jonathan's love for David--he loves him as his own soul.

You've heard about friends who would give you the shirt off their backs, so to speak, right?  Well, Jonathan may have been the first friend to actually do it.  He and David make a covenant of friendship, and his robe, sword, armor, and all go to David.  Emblems and equipment of the prince of the kingdom, given to the man who would eventually take the throne.

Jonathan remains loyal to David, even saving his life, and David honors Jonathan when he takes the throne by providing for Jonathan's descendants.  Jonathan's friendship is selfless in a special way, because he knows David will eventually take his place in line for the throne.

When they must say goodbye for the safety of David's life, both men--both who have been so strong in battle that we can hardly imagine anyone of their strength today--weep bitterly.

Finally, it's Jonathan who pulls himself together, reminding them both they have the Lord to trust, telling David to go in peace committing everything to God.

And don't you think that's what Jesus designed friends to be?  Strength for each other when life can't seem to get any more difficult, and joy for each other when life is at its brightest?  God's representatives to us when we need to remember He is near?

I think we could learn from the way Jonathan chose his friends.

He watched David take on Goliath in the name of the Lord, and overcome.  He saw in David a character of strong courage, and unshakable trust in God.  And since he had the same characteristics (when you get a chance, it's well worth spending some time reading all the Bible stories about Jonathan found in 1 Samuel), they made a good match.  

Jonathan didn't just choose to befriend David because his exploits in battle made him popular with the ladies (although that's exactly what happened).  He went for character.

I think we could also learn from the way Jonathan treated his friends.

He took every risk to his own life and future to be true to his friend.  He sacrificed.  He had at least one delicate and risky conversation with Saul, defending David even though he knew Saul wouldn't like it and might turn on him as well.

Jonathan didn't just support David when it was easy.  He stayed loyal, no matter what trials presented themselves.

Let's look at our friendships today.

Do we have friends in our circles who have solid character?  

I'm not going to tell you to dump any friends who aren't perfect, or who might need your support.  I am going to tell you that if most of your friends are not the kind of people you can turn to when you need support, you might want to branch out a little.  Watch quietly.  Look at character like Jonathan did.  Then love those solid friends as you love your own soul.

If you already have friends like that?  Remind them today how much they've blessed your life.  As I think over the many, many friends who have blessed my life, I am deeply and incredibly humbled.  Many of them don't even know the depth of joy and blessing they've given me, but their influence, their words, the memories I have of them have reached into my life and reminded me of what's important in ways they wouldn't have dreamed were possible.

If you have friends right now who need a friend like that?

Get creative.  Go be the blessing of Jesus to them in whatever way you can.  You never know but that your simple gestures of friendship might make all the difference.

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Sing, O Barren One (A Habit for Day 9)

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I'm guessing you've experienced those tough places in life where everything feels bleak.  You're maybe wondering why I've titled this post in the imperative, telling you to sing.  You who feel empty.

If that's how you're feeling, I dare you to go read Isaiah chapter 54.

 Because I'm not really the one telling you to sing, no matter what your life looks like right now.  Jesus is.  You can't read even a small part of this chapter tucked into Isaiah without pausing in awe at the things God has in store for His people.  The ones who seem abandoned, hopeless, alone.  He's talking especially to you.

He's asking you to claim what you know He has promised, and with the eye of faith make room in your life for the blessings He has to pour out on you.  The first place to make room is in your mouth, your lungs, your mind.  So take that deep breath, and sing something.

Not just anything.  We're talking about praise to our Jesus here.  Songs and hymns of faith.

They may be as simple as a song I remember from playing piano for the littlest children's Sabbath school:

"My Lord knows the way through the wilderness.  All I have to do is follow!  Strength for today is mine all the way, and all I need for tomorrow.  My Lord knows the way through the wilderness.  All I have to do is follow!"

There are days I sing that simple chorus over and over and over, clinging to its promise by a thin faith.  Yet I've noticed whenever I make the first attempt to sing praise to my Lord--or any song that reaches out to Him in faith, whether it be one of supplication or of gratitude--a door in my heart opens toward heaven.  My whole body gets involved in making sounds of faith, and before long, the darkest clouds vanish and I am ready to get up and walk the narrow path of faith again.

It's a habit we all need, whether we think we're good at singing or not.

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne) 

Water in the Desert (Hagar's Story, Day 8)

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I hate Hagar's story.

I hate the way a woman suggests that her man try to impregnate another woman.  What's wrong with Sarai/Sarah?  No matter the cultural pressure of having an heir, I cannot put myself in her place.  I cannot understand.

I hate the way a man doesn't say no.  I thought Abram/Abraham, the man of God, would have done better than that, both in faithful love to his wife and trust in God's promise.

I hate the way Hagar just goes along with it.  She's a servant with little or no power in the situation,  but she was my last ditch hope of saving the story.  She didn't, and I realize the guilt can't possibly all hang on her, but she caves in and we're stuck with a dreadful Bible story.

What's more, Hagar lords her pregnancy over Sarai and uses every power play she can against her mistress.  Which makes Sarai mad, which leads her to blame Abram for her own wrong (see Genesis 16:5--that's pretty much what she says).  Abram tells his wife to treat the servant woman however she wants in an attempt to wash his hands of the matter, which gives Sarai the license to abuse the poor maid (who did turn mean but can we blame her?) more.

Which makes Hagar run into the desert.  Away from all those {truly} religious {but oh-so-human} people who messed up her life.

"And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur."  Genesis 16:7

Jesus found her there.  He searched for her, and found her.  To Him, she wasn't just a servant girl to be used and abused, she was His child who He couldn't bear to see lost and alone.  Even though she had let all the abuse of her life pile up inside and come out in hatred toward her mistress.  He still heard her cries.

She still had to go back home, she still had to face things she probably didn't think she could face, but without asking any questions, she obeys.  It's enough for her that God sees.

"And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me; for she said, Have I also here looked after Him that seest me?"  Genesis 16:13

[I don't believe for a second that God sent her back to keep having an adulterous relationship with Abram, but rather His instructions specifically include submitting to Sarai who is legally her boss.  There's no evidence of Hagar and Abram continuing their relationship; we simply know that he provided for her and her son Ishmael.]

But it doesn't end there for Hagar and the desert.  Her son Ishmael unfortunately doesn't treat Isaac very well once he is born into the mix, and Sarah (by this time Abram and Sarai have become Abraham and Sarah) doesn't like it. 


Doesn't it make you wonder what would have happened, what blessing might have come to the world, if Ishmeal had been more like Jonathan, who gave David his total support and friendship even though he knew the kingdom would pass out of his own hands into David's instead?  What unselfish loyalty!  But theirs is a story for another day, and we're left with Ishmael, who apparently had nothing in him of the character of Jonathan.

Abraham sends them away with food and water, his heart breaking at the father-son goodbye yet obedient to the voice of the Lord.  The supplies run out, and Hagar leaves Ishmael so that she will not have to watch him die.  She collapses, weeping.

And Jesus finds her again. There was no desert in Hagar's life, no place so far, so dry, or so barren, that Jesus couldn't find her.

She's out of water, and long before the children of Israel need water in the wilderness, God shows her a well, with more than enough flowing from it to satisfy her needs.

If I remember right, that's the last we ever hear about Hagar:  she's alone again in the wilderness, and the Lord seeks her out and provides for her needs. It's enough to get her going again.  She raises her son in the wilderness, later choosing his wife.

Perhaps, just perhaps, that's not such a bad end, especially for a story that starts out so horribly.  Found of God when she ran away.  Found of God when she was sent away.  Found of God both times when she thought she could go no farther, when she thought she would die, when she thought she had no hope.

If that's where you are--without strength, without hope--look up.  Jesus is there bending over you, offering you a glass of the water of life, just like He did for Hagar.
 

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(Photo by Barbara Frohne)