Tuesday, June 04, 2002

 

Dear Family:

 

These days are so full of concern for the future. Just last night the news was full of concern for the new nuclear threat. While the tensions in India and Pakistan are real, there are much greater concerns. While the tensions of war may be able to destroy our land and our bodies they cannot take away our salvation. We worry about the body but give too little concern to the spirit. Christ has said:

  

Matt 6:31-34 "Therefore do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?'  "For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.   (NKJ)

 

The key is seeking first the kingdom of God. Just what is the kingdom of God? Kingdom in the new testament typically refers to the messianic reign of Christ. If we think of this reign as being real and actual then we would see Christ on the throne ruling the world. But since Christ is spiritual and not present in the physical sense, he then is reigning in the spiritual world. While we live in the physical world ruled by Satan, as Christians we are to live under the rule of Christ.

 

I set out to write some thoughts on Psalms 55:16-22. David here is struggling to preserve his kingdom against the attacks of other kings of other countries. You will remember that David was in conflict with Saul who knew that David was to become his successor but continued to fight the idea. So, King Saul was constantly seeking to kill David. David knew he was to be king but was constantly struggling not only with those loyal to Saul but also his own doubts and fears. David's greatest foe was himself. Night and day he struggled with himself and in this wrote some inspiring prophetic psalms.

 

How can someone live like a king when he is hiding in a cave or fleeing from country to country fighting for his life? That is where we find David as he writes these verses.

 

16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me. 17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. 18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me. 19 God will hear, and afflict them, even He who abides from of old. Selah because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God. 20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; he has broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords. 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; he shall never permit the righteous to be moved (NKJ)

 

Look at verse 18, "He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me".   Where is the great battle? It is in his soul. He redeemed my soul in peace. His greatest battle is within himself.  He doubts and fears. He is having trouble seeing himself as king.  He is having trouble with his own relationship within his spirit. But notice verse 16 and 17, they are in the future tense but then notice verse 18 past tense, "he has- that was- there were.  God has already delivered David from the hands of Saul and from his own fears. David is just having doubts. He is having a visibility problem. He cannot visualize victory in his mind, only the fear of defeat. 

 

Solomon said, "as a man thinketh in his heart so is he." Simply put a man is what he thinks he is. How do you overcome it and change it? 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; he shall never permit the righteous to be moved (NKJ)

Verse 22 has the answer.  Cast here means "throw away."  That is action and stronger than give. We throw a rock on a pile while we lay something on our child. We throw it on God and He shall sustain us. Now this word sustain is a big one.

 kuwl (kool); a primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses): KJV-- (be able to, can) abide, bear, comprehend, contain, feed, forbearing, guide, hold (-ing in), nourish (-er), be present, make provision, receive, sustain, provide sustenance (victuals).

 

Now if you apply these words "cast" and "sustain" (kool) to every concern you have, the results are astounding. Give the fears to God and get busy seeking to make Christ the king of your heart. If he is king we are his subjects or servants; and, therefore we are to do as he says. He has given us a vision and he has given us the wherewithal to do it.  Now it is time to forget the fear and doubt and get busy doing it.

1 Pet 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  (NKJ)

 

Phil 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  (NKJ)

 

Memorize these verses and every time you begin to doubt, quote them.

 

Love ya,

 

Dad, Dad2,  Mr. T. and Chuck