~ ~ ~ or, We Are All Required to Walk
…even in the midst of our difficulties.
Sooner or later, we all have ENORMOUS hurts or difficulties. They come to Christian and non-Christian, alike. Deaths, bodily sickness or injury, divorce, loneliness --- deep, gut-wrenching loneliness--- every human soul knows these heart-aches in one way or another. And then, when joy is finally gone, comes the worst: what is life all about, anyways? And for some, is it worth the struggle?
Our LORD JESUS tells us to walk with HIM+. HE+ does NOT tell us to be joyful. HE+ does tell us to offer up thanksgiving and praise of Who+ HE+ is in the midst of these griefs. Like Job, we recognize His+ Sovereignty at all times and in all circumstances. And then, we are required to walk with HIM+… in as much obedience as if the hurt had not happened.
As we walk with The LORD JESUS through these gut-wrenching sorrows, HE+ comforts us. HE+ also corrects our vision. HE+ corrects where --- or in whom--- we have put our trust. The Psalmist correctly states:
Whom have I in heaven but thee?
and there is none upon earth
that I desire beside thee.
Psalm 73:25
Our LORD JESUS gently but firmly corrects our heart. HE+ corrects the direction we have been leaning. If we have been leaning on things of this life for our happiness, then HE+ will correct that. Temporal things--- earthly security, houses, lands--- are worse than temporary: they are deceitful security… houses built upon the sand.
If we have been leaning on others as the source of our joy, then HE+ corrects that.
If our job security goes or sickness or disease robs us of our earthly strength, HE+ corrects us here, too. HE+ wants our labor to be in HIM+ and for HIM+. Many a saint has discovered the quietness--- and power--- of the prayer closet while having severe physical limitations to endure daily. With no hope for recovery, they learn to lean on JESUS for their hope. Their strength becomes perfected in their weakness because of JESUS. Their whole identity changes…which is the goal.
If we walk with HIM+ through these distresses, we discover something grand: we become whole again. HE+ brings healing and joy back into our hearts, no matter what the sorrow, if we walk with HIM+ and remain obedient to His+ Word through these awful human woes.
The LORD JESUS is not unmindful of our sorrow, for HE+ was the king of human sorrow. It is not un-ending comfort and compassion that we need, though; it is healing. Yes, JESUS does have un-ending comfort and compassion for His+ followers, and furthermore, HE+ gives it to us freely and abundantly.
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it
more abundantly.
John 10:10
But… we must receive His+ correction in order to be healed.
Furthermore, when we go through the healing that obedience to His+ Word brings, His+ love, comfort, compassion, and tremendous JOY will be poured upon us. Yea, His+ very Presence will be there and the sorrowful torments will flee away. We will not have to work at being joyful; HE+ will send it.
As HE+ corrects us, HE+ tells us to bring the needs of our hearts to HIM+ and to HIM+ alone. We take the demands off of others to “be there” for us. We learn to relate to others through CHRIST and for His+ Sake… and for His+ Sake alone.
This is so that they too might come to know CHRIST JESUS our LORD… so that they too might be released from the torments of darkness … so that they too might go forth and bear witness of HIM+ at all times and in all places.
In the Name of the FATHER, The SON+,
