Friday, February 3, 2017

The Legs of a Man

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.— Psalms 147:10-11

As most of you know, I have a neurological condition that has put a hitch in my get-along. I'm learning to live with it—more or less.

I started using a cane a couple of years ago. Now I use a three-wheel walker when I'm out and about. [I also have an "off-road" walker for rugged terrain.] No doubt, I'll be in a wheelchair before long and Carolyn be pushing me around. (Please, no remarks from my friends about retributive justice.)

I came across a George MacDonald story a few months back, that encouraged me greatly. Perhaps it will encourage you as well.

“I shall get rid of my lameness there (in Heaven), Margaret, shall I not?” said Euphra, one day, half playfully.

“Yes, dear.” “It will be delightful to walk again without pain. Perhaps you will not get rid of it all at once, though.”

“Why do you think so?” asked Euphra, with some appearance of uneasiness.

“Because, if it is taken from you before you are quite willing to have it as long as God pleases, by and by you will not be able to rest, till you have asked for it back again, that you may bear it for his sake.”

“I am willing, Margaret, I am willing. Only one can’t like it, you know.”

“I know that,” answered Margaret. She spoke no more, and Margaret heard her weeping gently. Half an hour had passed away, when she looked up, and said:

“Margaret, dear, I begin to like my lameness, I think.”

“Why, dear?”

“Why, just because God made it, and bade me bear it. May I not think it is a mark on me from his hand?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Why do you think it came to me?"

“To walk back to Him with, my dear.”

—George MacDonald, David Elginbrod, Ch 22.

David Roper

1.26.17
Rock Solid

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Psalm 125:1

"Temptations to sin are sure to come," Jesus said (Luke 17:1). We're encouraged to follow every impulse that prompts us, enticements to go with the flow. The call is imperious. "You better start swimming or you'll sink like a stone" (Dylan). 

Wickedness is always looking for something or someone to corrupt. Anyone with a scrap of self-knowledge knows that his motives are always mixed; everyone who searches his conscience can find no end of fresh sins to face. But we can become like Mount Zion: Untouched, unmoved by wickedness. Rock solid!

Oh, it won't happen at once and not right away, but in due time our struggle against sin will come to an end. The "scepter of wickedness" will not rest or rule there (on Zion)" (125:3). Put another way, "sin will not have dominion over you" (Romans 6:14).

There will be growth in this life, but the finale awaits Heaven. Soon, quite soon, we'll be done with sin. Forever! 

David Roper
12.5.16


Going and Not Knowing

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing...