Healing Rays of Righteousness

The Joy of Godly Heritage

In Psalm 16, David, the shepherd boy and now King David, writes a testimony regarding his relationship with God. The theme of this short psalm is focused on the special joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. Listen for them as I read, beginning in verse 5.

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

Please note that this deep sense of contentment flows from David’s sense of security expressed in verse 8.           “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

A few chapters later, Psalm 23, David enlarges these joys and benefits with more detailed, descriptive language. Listen carefully as I read.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In these psalms I hear King David giving thanks and praise for God’s ever-loving presence, never-failing provision, and ever-strong protection. And I understand King David saying that these special joys and benefits of a relationship with God are for now and eternity.

This does not mean that all the places of our heritage were pleasant.  Nor does it discount or diminish the difficult struggles in our life’s “cup” of relationships and circumstances. But to say that “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” is to acknowledge that the presence, provision, and protection of God transforms even those difficult places into times of special blessing. 

These “God gifts” often loom larger in retrospect than what is seen in the present moment. When we are young, we feel wise and strong, taking life by the tail for our purposes and enjoyment. But then we soon discover that the table has turned, and that now life has taken us by the tail and is swinging us around until we are dizzy with doubts and fears.

It is in these times of doubt, defeat, and darkness, that we need to turn to God and hear him inviting us to come to him and rest in his loving presence, protection, and provision.

And when we do, we find a table spread with all the good things of heaven to nourish and strengthen our relationship with God. And that gracious table is set right in the midst of our enemies, both physical and spiritual.

The realization that all our life has been and is being blessed by God’s gracious presence and love for us, will cause us to echo the psalmist’s joyous praise, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” 

Reading this testimony of King David reminds me of the southern mountain woman who had chiseled in rough and uneven letters this epitaph on her husband’s tombstone: “He always appreciated.”  I hope that the same tribute can be said about me and you after our deaths.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 27, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Joy of Godly Heritage

In Psalm 16, David, the shepherd boy and now King David, writes a testimony regarding his relationship with God. The theme of this short psalm is focused on the special joys and benefits of a life lived in companionship with God. Listen for them as I read, beginning in verse 5.

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

Please note that this deep sense of contentment flows from David’s sense of security expressed in verse 8.           “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life, you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

A few chapters later, Psalm 23, David enlarges these joys and benefits with more detailed, descriptive language. Listen carefully as I read.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In these psalms I hear King David giving thanks and praise for God’s ever-loving presence, never-failing provision, and ever-strong protection. And I understand King David saying that these special joys and benefits of a relationship with God are for now and eternity.

This does not mean that all the places of our heritage were pleasant.  Nor does it discount or diminish the difficult struggles in our life’s “cup” of relationships and circumstances. But to say that “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” is to acknowledge that the presence, provision, and protection of God transforms even those difficult places into times of special blessing. 

These “God gifts” often loom larger in retrospect than what is seen in the present moment. When we are young, we feel wise and strong, taking life by the tail for our purposes and enjoyment. But then we soon discover that the table has turned, and that now life has taken us by the tail and is swinging us around until we are dizzy with doubts and fears.

It is in these times of doubt, defeat, and darkness, that we need to turn to God and hear him inviting us to come to him and rest in his loving presence, protection, and provision.

And when we do, we find a table spread with all the good things of heaven to nourish and strengthen our relationship with God. And that gracious table is set right in the midst of our enemies, both physical and spiritual.

The realization that all our life has been and is being blessed by God’s gracious presence and love for us, will cause us to echo the psalmist’s joyous praise, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” 

Reading this testimony of King David reminds me of the southern mountain woman who had chiseled in rough and uneven letters this epitaph on her husband’s tombstone: “He always appreciated.”  I hope that the same tribute can be said about me and you after our deaths.

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 27, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

The Joy of Marriage Bliss

Earlier this week my wife and I celebrated our 64^th wedding anniversary. As I was designing and writing an Anniversary card for her, the phrases “marriage bliss” and “blissful marriage” came to mind as appropriate phrases to summarize our many memories of wedded life.

Since I had not heard these phrases being used for many years, I became curious as to what they were describing and opened my two dictionaries for information. This is what I discovered; “Bliss – perfect happiness; great joy; a state of spiritual blessedness. “Bliss – serene happiness; the ecstasy of salvation; spiritual joy; a sense of great delight or happiness. “Blissful – extremely happy; full of joy.

I was surprised and somewhat awed by these definitions and how much they described what I was feeling, as well as describing the joy that Jesus’ promised us. Listen to Jesus words as John recorded them in his Gospel; “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”(Jn. 15:9-11).

When Jesus is invited into our life and experiences, he comes to enable us to experience fullness of joy in whatever the circumstance or situation – whether it is failure, disappointment, or trouble. Christ’s fervent desire for us is “that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

And then I wondered could “blissful” also be a more appropriate understanding of Jesus’ use of the word “blessed” in his sermon beatitudes? (Mt. 5:3-12).

Gentlemen, do you remember that day, that moment when your bride walked down the aisle and you stepped forward and took her hand in marriage? Ladies, what were you feeling as he did so?

I remember that day and moment with joyous excitement and anticipation. But what happened in that moment of committing our love for one another, was significantly enlarged and enriched during the 64 years of joy and sadness, laughter and tears, good health and painful illnesses and losses. Today I recall these many memories and gratefully thank God that our love commitment to one another produced in us the joyous fruit of “marriage bliss.”

However, such pondering leads me to question if I can rightly summarize my journey with God as a “blissful marriage” relationship since making my baptismal vows of love for him? Can you?

Whether it be my relationship with God or with my wife, the joy of “marriage bliss” is supernatural in its source and essence in both relationships. Perfect and complete joy is God’s gift of being in relationship with him. Yes, this joy is his diamond-studded wedding band on our finger. Are you wearing it?

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 12, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley

CONTROLLING OUR TONGUE

I have been to Niagara Falls and heard the awesome roaring power of water as it cascades over the edge of the riverbed to the rocks far below. I have felt the power of jet engines as they lift the large plane, filled with cargo and passengers, into the skies. I have seen the angry power of tornado winds as they shred and scatter everything in its path. I have seen the deadly power of fire as it sweeps across hill and valley consuming everything caught in its raging fury.

Unfortunately, I have heard, seen, and felt a more deadly power being wielded by an uncontrolled tongue. Yes, the tongue is a small part of our body, but is most likely the most powerful part, capable of speaking words of gracious healing and reconciliation or of grievous hurt and suffering. And the Scriptures consistently declare that it is every person’s responsibility to control it.

I remember the saying we learned as children. “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Even though the saying was meant to encourage steadfastness in the face of ridicule or intimidation, it does not survive the test of truth. I have learned that even though words, however hateful and demeaning they may be, usually do not cause physical harm to our bodies, they can do considerably more damage to our personhood than sticks and stones. Most bodily injuries heal over time. Sometimes the injury will require some medical attention, such as a bandage, stitches, or maybe even a cast or surgery. But eventually, if we are healthy, the physical injury will heal completely.

However, words that are spoken in anger or hatred and without thought or respect for the other, most likely will do damage that may never heal. Most of us have been called a derogatory name or have had someone say things that were not true about us. And the pain we feel is very real and lasting.

Unfortunately, many of us have also been on the other side, being judgmental and speaking unkindly, berating the character or actions of another. Weakened and blinded by heated disagreement or prejudiced opinion, we can easily forget that our tongue is “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” In the tense moments of debate, we can easily forget the need to control our tongue and use it as an instrument of enhanced healing rather than a weapon of fire.

The Scriptures declare that our words do have a wonderful power to heal. The book of Proverbs shares several insights about the power of words to heal and build one another up. “Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up” (Pr. 12:25). “A soft answer turns away wrath” (Pr. 15:1a). “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Pr. 16:24).

James, the brother of Jesus, writes in his letter, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (1:26). Then in chapter 3, James uses very descriptive language to describe our tongue and its power to bless or destroy, in his effort to help us to better understand the urgent and constant need to control what we say. And in verses 9-10, he summarizes “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” 

Think about those three precious words, “I love you.”  When these words are spoken at the right moment, they can lift our spirits and make us forget our anxieties and difficulties. Think about some other phrases like: “I care about you; I have been thinking about you; I have been praying for you.”  Indeed, such words have a wonderful power to heal and lift broken spirits.

Also consider the power in giving a compliment or speaking words of encouragement. Such words contain tremendous healing powers. I encourage myself and you toward being more diligent in controlling our tongue to do so, and to always remember James’ admonition. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20).

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“Healing Rays of Righteousness” – July 7, 2023

www.geigler13.wordpress.com

Ray M. Geigley