Healing Rays of Righteousness

Longing For God

Woefully, many Christians go through life with little spiritual interest or vitality.  Their days are consumed with secular pursuits.  For them “real life” is not life in the Spirit, but life in the flesh.  It is reaching here and there, doing this and that, and fitting in some Christian activity, mostly to meet their own social needs.  Bible reading and prayer are like a once-a-day “fast food” activity.  They may even close the night in prayer as a “spiritual glaze” over their real interests, but there is no serious heart-hunger for God. 

Does this describe your life?  This limited relationship with God may fit nicely into your busy schedule and presently satisfy you.  But I remind and assure you that this can change, sometimes sudden and dramatically, causing you to feel separated from God.  Serious illness or accident, death in family, loss of job, business or home, conflict in marriage or with children, may bring you to a crisis point of despair and desperation that frightens.  

But whatever the reason, these emotional earthquakes will break down our defenses and open us up to the Lord.  The feelings of helplessness, inner emptiness, and separation from God generates an intense longing for God.  You feel much like small children feel when they are separated from their parents; frightened, lonely, angry, depressed, and  intensely longing for your parent to return.

Psalm 63 is a prayer psalm of David written while hiding from Saul in the Desert of Judah.  It is a prayer of lament dominated by trust in God.  In spite of his dire circumstances, his psalm also becomes a song of confidence and thanksgiving.

In verses 1-2, David calls out in prayer, confessing his faith in God.  This God is his God.  He lives in a daily personal relationship with Him, a relationship that is the priority of his life.

For David to say “you are my God” means he is assured that God can be trusted, and that he is concerned about David’s situation.  It also means he is willing to stake his present and future on God and God alone.  Can we honestly say that?

In praying “earnestly I seek you” David puts his whole self into his spiritual search.  The Hebrew verb used here means “to seek with longing” and implies a passionate desire for relationship with God.

To pray “my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,” is no disembodied spirituality.  Rather, it expresses the deep passion of his whole being in seeking God’s presence of love and provision in his time of need.

Psalm 42:1–2 expresses a similar thought: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

David’s thirst for God is set in the context of a “dry and weary land where there is no water.”  He thirsts for God as an exhausted wander needs water in a parched desert.  This is a classic metaphor for spiritual longing.  If you are feeling this way, read on.

Then David remembers where his spiritual thirst has been quenched in the past.  It was in the “sanctuary” that David felt the presence of God.  It was there that David sees God’s “power” and “glory.”  (Read Psalm 27:4-6).

The memory of seeing God in the sanctuary is so powerful that he says, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” (vv. 3-4).

David’s worship is based on God’s “love” which he says is a greater good than “life” itself.  And David’s response to God’s love is, “my lips will glorify you.  I will praise you as long as I live.” 

And the result of this worship is that David’s “soul” is now “satisfied as with the richest of foods.”  The refreshing power of the nearness of God is compared to a rich feast.  And he responds in praising God “with singing lips.”

In verses 6-8, we hear that David also seeks God “on my bed” where he remembers and meditates on God.  Through the dark and dangerous night, David meditates on God’s help, protection, and authority.  Remembering that God has been his “help” in protecting him, David sings “in the shadow of (God’s) wings.”  And so, David “clings” to God and is upheld by God’s “right hand” of authority and power.

What is fascinating and most reassuring about these verses is that David’s situation has not changed at all.  He is still in the desert.  He is still a hunted man.  But, within that condition, David has learned the secret of spiritual richness. 

He has learned that when he fully puts his trust in God and longs for God as much as he longs for the cool refreshing stream of pure water, he finds God.  He finds a deep sense of peace and acceptance.  His longing is answered by God presence.

David’s longing for God is satisfied as he meditates, remembers, and worships.  As this becomes our spiritual lifestyle, we too will see God’s “power” and “glory” and our hunger for God will be satisfied.

David’s experience teaches us that God’s presence can be enjoyed right now.  Yes, right now!  In the midst of the pressures and debilitating forces that threaten to diminish and destroy us, God is there!

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 26, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

With Whom Are You Staying

In his Gospel account regarding Jesus, the disciple John, tells the story of John, the Baptizer, standing with two of his disciples when Jesus came walking by.  John said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” (1:35-41).

Hearing this, the two disciples decided to follow this man and see for themselves if it was true what the Baptist was declaring about this man named Jesus.  Going only a short distance, Jesus turns around and seeing them following asks, “What do you want?” 

In asking these two men “What do you want?” Jesus was asking the most fundamental question in life.

A question we should be frequently asking of ourselves, especially at the beginning of a new year. What do I want to accomplish this year?  What are my goals?  What are my plans in seeking to achieve what I want from life?  Is the desire to know God better and be in a more intimate relationship with him a priority on my want list?”

The two disciples respectfully answered with their own question, “Rabbi, where are you staying?”  In other words, “Where are you making your home in the world?”

This suggests they were curious and wanted to know more about this “Lamb of God.”  And possibly were hoping for some “alone time” with him so they could ask questions and see for themselves what the Baptist was seeing in this man named Jesus.  They wanted to know for themselves whether or not he was truly “the Lamb of God?”

But maybe they, like many of us, did not know what they wanted or what they were looking for.  Maybe they were afraid or ashamed to state what they really were hoping for, that is, a comfortable lifestyle, good health, much happiness along the way, and financial security in our elderly years.

Whatever thought these two men may have had that prompted their question, Jesus simply replied, “Come, and you will see” and took them to where he was staying. John, the disciple who wrote this gospel account, finishes the story with “So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him.”  And, as it turned out, they stayed with him for the rest of their lives.

Don’t you, like me, wish that John would have recorded their conversation?  What subjects did they talk about?  What were their conclusions?  We do not know, but we do know that John and Andrew’s life was forever changed that day, for they met and were convinced that he was indeed Jesus, the “Lamb of God” – the “Son of God” – the “Messiah (Christ).”

And so, the first thing Andrew did in the morning was to find his brother, and with great excitement tell him, “We have found the Messiah. And he brought him to Jesus.”

This story introduces us to the larger story of Jesus’ ministry while on this earth.  That bigger story teaches us that authentic disciples of Jesus are persons who want to stay with Jesus, wherever that stay may be and wherever it may take them.

Discovering who God is and experiencing the presence of Christ in your life is rarely experienced as a sudden blinding light or a burning bush. Enlarging your knowledge and soul, filling your spirit with the right spiritual nutrients of Godly wisdom, understanding, and purpose is a lifelong process of staying with Jesus.

It is more than just interesting to note that the Gospel accounts of Jesus portray him as a traveling man, always going somewhere.  It underscores an important truth that staying with Jesus means daily traveling with Him to wherever He chooses to go.  Where might he travel?  Only He knows.

We know it will be to the temple to worship and to the mountain to pray, but He also will travel to painful places of human need and desolate places destruction, demons, and death.  These places may be a natural disaster, a demonstration, or mission trip into unfriendly territory. Will we stay with Him there?  He also may travel to a classroom, a workplace, a neighbor’s house, or a hospital.  Will we stay with Him there?

The truth we need to consider is this;  Jesus is always on the go, traveling to all and every living person and to every place and situation on earth.  Are we prepared to stay with Him anywhere at any time?  Can we join William O. Cushing in his commitment to “Follow On” as he penned it in 1878? 

Down in the valley with my Savior I would  go,  Where the flowers are blooming and the sweet waters flow.  Everywhere He leads me I would follow, follow on,  Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.

                (Chorus)   Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.  Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on.

                                    Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus.  Everywhere He leads me I will follow on.

Down in the valley with my Savior I would go,  Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters

flow.  With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear;  Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.

       Down in the valley or upon the mountain steep,  Close beside my Savior would my soul ever keep. 

       He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,  Up to where they gather on the hills of God.

So, where will you be staying tonight?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 12, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

Will You See Jesus in 2022

A new year has begun.  A new chapter in our book of life is waiting to be written.  It is a new beginning and chance to live with new resolve, aspirations, and behaviors.  Some say the year ahead provides exciting anticipation, while others view it as dismal and threatening.  What do you see as you peer into your future?  What do you dare to imagine happening in your world of experiences?  What and who will anchor your faith, trust, and decision-making?

There have been times in my life when I was breathless with wonder and awe.  It has happened when someone gave me a gift I never expected.  At other times it happened when seeing something incredible, such as a “breathtaking view” of God’s creation. 

I remember the day when I, with eager anticipation, walked from the parking lot to the edge of the Grand Canyon.  When I got there and looked down into that expansive space I was awestruck and speechless.  I was not prepared for the overwhelming emotions that filled and silenced me.  All the pictures that I had seen beforehand did not fully prepare me for the awesome breath-taking view.

There are also times when I feel that way spiritually.  Consider with me John’s opening introduction of Jesus to us in his Gospel account.  As you slowly read the first two verses and verse fourteen of chapter 1, I invite you to open your spiritual eyes and imagine the awesome grandeur and beauty of this reality.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made, without him nothing was made that has been made.”  … “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”  (NIV).

And now slowly read verse sixteen for the awesome view of our relationship with this Word (Jesus). “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  Or, as the New Living Translation says it, “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.”    Wow!  What breath-taking, soul-stirring beauty.  It is utterly amazing grace.

The story is told of a poor, elderly lady who sometimes visited a church in her town.  The elders of the church were always embarrassed when she did because she often would get excited in the service and shout “Praise the Lord!  Hallelujah!”  And that was more than the dignified members of this traditional congregation could endure.

One Sunday morning the church elders greeted her at the door and made an agreement with her.  They promised her a new, heavy blanket for the cold, winter months if she would not shout during the service.  She agreed and took a seat near the front of the sanctuary.

She held her silence at first, but as the pastor got into his message, he got more wound up, really preaching from the heart, and his words about the grace of God in Jesus gripped that elderly woman’s heart and soul, until she almost exploded with excitement.  Finally, she stood up and shouted, “Blanket or no blanket, Hallelujah, Amen!”

Maybe the year 2022 has that kind of awesome spiritual surprise awaiting you.  Are you eager for such an experience?  If not, why not?  Imagine what would happen in your church and community if you got so excited about Jesus that you could not restrain yourself from telling the next person you meet just how much Jesus Christ means to you?

That is what happened to Andrew.  He listened to what John the Baptist had to say about Jesus and then he listened to what Jesus had to say, and he got so excited that he went and found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!”

Are you seeing Jesus and the glory of God’s amazing grace ?  Are you receiving one gracious blessing after another?  Then, “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere; go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!  Down in a lowly manger the humble Christ was born, and God sent us salvation that blessed Christmas morn.”

Are you eager to see Jesus in 2022 and be awestruck with his amazing grace and glory?  I pray it will be so for both you and me.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – January 5, 2022

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley