Healing Rays of Righteousness

Weeping With Those Who Weep

It is wonderful to read or hear stories of answered prayers for successful surgery, cancer cured, health restored, protection and safety in dangerous storm or threatening violence.  We rejoice with all recipients of answered prayer and gratefully praise God for His intervention and help.

However, there are times when sincere and fervent prayers are not answered as we would desire, and our life is painfully shattered with grievous loss of spouse or child, and our future is emptied of dreams and expectations.  We weep, we groan, we cry out “O God, why?”

There are countless psalms that ask this same question; Psalm 10:1 – Why, Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  Psalm 22:1 – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?  Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?

Feeling alone, unloved, and forsaken by God, we need someone to sit and weep with us.

Sometimes well-meaning friends attempt to comfort by using biblical texts to explain the whys behind unanswered prayer and grief’s suffering, but I never found that to be comforting or satisfying.  A much better choice of biblical texts are those that speak of God’s promises to us.  It is the promises of God that encourage and reassure us when we feel alone and forsaken.

We may be crying out “Why” but we really want to know “Where” is God.  And, it is the promises of God that speak of the loving, compassionate, “present with us” character of God.  It is the promises of God that affirm His being the Holy, All-loving One who sits with us in our pain and weeps with us.

And when we sit and weep with our grieving friends, we become God’s heart and hands in human flesh and presence.  I believe God intends this to be our ministry of shared pilgrimage with one another.

The apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian Christians in this ministry in his greeting to them.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Cor. 1:3-5).

Paul also talks about this caring, sensitive, comforting lifestyle in his letter to the Romans, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  (12:15).

We can learn much from the story that is told of a little girl who got home from school unusually late one evening, only to find a daddy who was very unhappy about her lateness.  He asked his little girl why she was late.  She said, “Because my friend broke her dolly.”  Her daddy then said, “Oh, okay, so you stayed with her to fix it?”  He did not expect her gentle reply, “No, Daddy, I stayed with her to help her cry.”

As strange as it may sound, it is our weeping together that brings about our healing as grieving individuals and friends.  The tear ducts that God has graciously given us are not just to cleanse our eyes of dust and dirt, but also to release and cleanse our souls of grief and pain.

Weeping together reminds us that we are vulnerable human beings and not self-sufficient; dependent upon and needing one another.  Weeping together reminds us that we are spiritual beings, feeling the tug in heart and soul to turn to God and cry out for help and hope.

Weeping together cleanses our spiritual eyes to see God as our compassionate Father and friend.  Most importantly, weeping together is a powerful unifying force that turns our usual selfishness into unselfish caring and generosity.

We often don’t do this very well, because our full schedules keep us so busy and disconnected from another’s pain.  But God is always giving us opportunities to hear someone’s cry, to feel someone’s pain, and to be God’s compassionate presence in the midst of their hurt.

I hope that all of us will nurture within ourselves a Spirit-led flexibility that allows us to step away from our busyness and sit with those who need a friend to “help them cry.” 

In his book, Out of Solitude, Henri Nouwen says, “When we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand.”

Perhaps the most important thing we can do in life is to “weep with those who weep.”

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 27, 2019

Jesus Knows Our Name

I have always found it very difficult to remember names, and enviously admire those who do. I am frequently embarrassed by my forgetfulness and the need to say, “I need to ask again, what is your name?”  And so, I often find it easier to continue the conversation with someone without speaking their name.  Over the years, I’ve tried different ways of improving my memory that were recommended to me, but never experienced much improvement.

My greatest reluctance to asking a person I’ve met on numerous occasions their name, has always been that the individual may think that their previous acquaintance and friendship with me has not been important to me.  Believe me; nothing is further from the truth.

I feel so deficient and uncaring because I know how good it feels when someone approaches me and begins conversation by speaking my name.  Truly, there is no better sound than the sound of your own name being spoken, particularly when spoken with caring love or congratulating kindness.

I think of this every time I read the first 18 verses of John 10, where Jesus likens himself to a shepherd and us as his sheep.  A first-century Palestinian shepherd lived with his sheep.  He knew his sheep; he named his sheep; and each morning he would come to the sheepfold and “calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (v.3).  Then in verse 14, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep.” 

It is so amazing and reassuring for me to know that in the eyes and heart of Jesus, I am more than a social security number or a picture on a driver’s license.  Like a good shepherd, Jesus knows our names and cares about us so deeply that he is willing to die for us.

In Jesus, God knows us by name and highly values us as his own sheep.  And, according to Isaiah 49:15-16, He never forgets our name because he says, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” 

What a thought.  God knows our names and will never forget them, for they are engraved on his hands and heart.  What a tremendous affirmation and consolation it is to know that God so highly values us that “He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)

And according to Psalm 139:1-4, God not only knows our name, he knows all our activities and all our thoughts, even before we speak them.  In this psalm, David stands in awe before the Lord and is astounded by how thoroughly and intimately the Lord knows him.  And in verse 17, David gratefully praises God, saying “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!  How vast is the sum of them!”

Yes, we have a shepherd who calls us by name and cares for us, provides, and protects us.  In the eyes and heart of God, we are his sheep, his children whom he dearly loves.  In Jesus, our good shepherd, he said, “I lay down my life for my sheep” and his torn, nail-scared hands, with are names written on them, are proof that he did that.  Thank you, Jesus!

As I grow older, I often need a reminder that God loves me, knows my name, even my embarrassing weaknesses, and yet enables me to minister his love and grace to others who stumble along with me in the journey of life.

So be encouraged, my friend, even if I forget your name, God remembers and loves to speak your name in your ear.  And, yes, someday my memory of names will be as perfect  as God’s.

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 20, 2019

What Is Your Name?

It has been said that we have three names; the name we inherit, the name our parents give us, and the name we make for ourselves, that is, our reputation.  And it is this dimension of our name that we are most responsible for, because our reputation is determined by our own actions, attitudes, and disposition.  As we grow into adulthood, our name soon becomes infused with our reputation.

Biblical writers clearly understood the importance of a name.  The Proverb writer states in 22:1 that “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”  I hear the writer saying that “a good name” is a most desirable possession for it causes the person “to be esteemed” in the community.  “A good name” indicates a good reputation of trustworthiness, gratitude, generosity, and compassionate regard for others need.

It’s interesting to note that God changed the names of certain persons because of a change in their reputation; such as Abram to Abraham “for I have made you a father of many nations,” Sarai to Sarah for “I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations,” (Gen. 17:5 & 15), and Jacob to Israel “because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” (Gen. 32:28).

And so, if our name is based on our personal identity and reputation, then our moral and ethical choices do make a difference in how we are known to God and to others around us.  This appears to be what the writer of Proverbs understands for he repeatedly states that one’s reputation and esteem is based largely on how they relate to the poor and powerless in their community.

Furthermore, we find that throughout the Bible and especially in Proverbs, God is portrayed as the protector of the poor and the needy.  Proverbs 22:23-24 says, “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.”

The history of Israel is a testimony to the vengeance of God against those who mistreat the poor and disadvantaged.  The prophets Amos, Micah, Isaiah and Jeremiah all reiterated God’s vengeance visiting on those who abused the poor.  God expects His children to be concerned about the treatment of the poor, needy, disadvantaged, and vulnerable.

And yet in our day, far too many who call themselves Christian seem to have very little concern and compassion for the poor and the powerless.  Yes, they may go to church on Sunday, but all during the week they selfishly shove and ignore others to get ahead, to be number one in every line, being more concerned about earning a good wage than about earning a good name.

Most sadly, many of our top political and religious leaders preach and practice that power, possessions, and position are inherent in attaining the so-called “American Dream.”  In many ways we see that wealth and power most often takes priority over personal character.  How grievous and dishonoring this must be to the God who sacrificially loves all of us.

The writer of Proverbs encourages us to take a hard and serious look at our life choices related to economic justice and social compassion.  In 22:2 we are encouraged to consider our common humanity with all people, regardless of community standing for the “Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.”

We are reminded that we will reap what we sow and that God will bless those who are generous, “for they share their food with the poor” (v.9).  And we are warned about the judgment of God, “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,  for the LORD will take up their case and will exact life for life.” (vv.22-23).

The Scriptures clearly indicate that our name is chosen, in part, by how we relate to those who are nameless in our society.  Our actions, attitudes, and disposition toward others reveal a lot about our true identity. We can and do choose our name, for we are named by the way we live.

In Proverbs 3, verses 3-4, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

What name have you chosen for yourself?

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 13, 2019

The Waiting Room

I’m sure many of us can recall unhappy experiences sitting in a hospital waiting room, becoming more anxious as the clock measured the lengthening of wait time.  The waiting room is often a place where time seems to stand still.  A place where life is put on hold and where anxiety and fear can take hold and grow in you causing hope to dim.

Perhaps you are presently in a “waiting room” experience in your life.  Possibly a loved one is critically ill or suffering severe injuries in an accident, and you have been praying for God to heal him or her.  Or maybe you yourself are in the midst of an emotional or physical crisis. Maybe you are right now feeling as if God has led you down a long hallway and ushered you into a room with a huge sign over it that reads, “WAITING ROOM.”

You reluctantly enter that room, and you wait, and wait, and wait.  Time seems to have stopped.  Tomorrow becomes an agonizing uncertainty.  Well-meaning friends stop by and say, “I’m so sorry to hear about what’s happening to you.  Wait for the Lord.  He is good.”

Meanwhile, the extended waiting causes your anxious heart and mind to cry out in anguish and frustration, “How long, O Lord?  When are you going to do something?  I don’t know how much more I can take!  Please, God, hear my prayer!”

It is at such times, that I need to remind myself and you that waiting is about much more than simply the passage of time.  Neither should we be thinking of waiting as a passive activity, that is, simply sitting back and waiting for something to happen.  The Scriptures suggest that our waiting time should be about anticipation and active with hope-filled expectations for something good to happen.

For example, whenever I am restless, anxious, or fearful and can’t sleep at night, I eagerly wait for the morning light to dawn.  I wait in confident anticipation that the sun will rise up above the horizon, giving light, warmth, and a new perspective to me.  Somehow light seems to take away some of the anxiety and re-energizes my hope and expectation.

Lamentations 3:25-26 encourages us to wait for the Lord by seeking him. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  We seek God when we fill the time of our waiting with reading and meditating on God’s Word, looking for answers to our questions; and by speaking directly to God in prayer about our situation and fears.

Whenever we encounter a “waiting room” situation, we have to make a choice whether or not to wait on the Lord.  When we choose not to wait on God, we become impatient, fearful, and we worry.  We begin to doubt that God is good and loving.  We begin to doubt his ability to provide for us and to resolve our problem situation.  When we respond like this, we are prime candidates for ulcers, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks.

God doesn’t want that for us.  Instead, he wants to give us physical and spiritual refreshment, “but those who hope in (wait on) the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  (Isaiah 40:31)

God’s “Waiting Room” experiences invite me to again listen to the ancient and eternal wisdom of the Scriptures.  They repeatedly invite me to wait with the unwavering confidence that God is present with me and working for good in my behalf.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?  … Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:1, 14).

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”  (Psalm 40:1-3a).

And so, I say to myself and to you, as we sit in the waiting room, let’s take time to read God’s health manual.  Let’s use the time to seek God and discover who he is and what he has promised to do for us.  Let’s pray to God, with confidence and anticipation, expecting him to hear our cry and do great things for us.  For we really do believe that “God is Love!”

“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – March 6, 2019