MARRIAGE AND DIVINE APPOINTMENT IN HUMAN DISAPPOINTMENT

WEDDINGS: Are you planning one? Perhaps you can remember the day of your wedding and all the plans and expectations you had of that new life to come. I wonder if the reality of that life has been equal to or perhaps exceeded the expectations you had on that day? I ask that question because we live in a day where the ceremony of a wedding carries far more weight than the actual life of the marriage. With divorce at an all time high and growing higher and with the emphasis from Society not to even marry at all, we have more resources and more counseling than ever on the subject of marriage and yet the reality of divorce still looms over most of the western civilized world.

The reason for the high rate of divorce can be summed up in one word, sin. That's a word the world and even the church does not like today. The specifics of that sin may vary in each marriage and subsequent divorce but the reality of sin causing the separation of two people who have been joined in the eyes of God and others is evident. God created the male and the female. Actually, if we are Biblical about it , He not only created male and female but, He created female out of and for the male. That reality is not popular today but it is a divine appointment by God who has created all things for His purpose and glory, including marriage.

I introduce the blog post in this way because when we turn to the little book of Ruth in the Old Testament, we find it filled with the subject of marriage, weddings and children as well as sin, separation and death. When I was younger and read this story, I contemplated much on Ruth, the young girl from a foreign land who had married into a family in Israel. She said of herself at one point, "I am not like the other women in Israel". How different she felt from those who had been born into the family of God and had learned about and served the true God their whole lives. One can only imagine the turmoil she felt in her heart as she went in and out among the people. We may wonder what the other women in Bethlehem thought of her. After all, she was a Moabite, from a land that God called his "wash pot" and upon whom the judgment of God lay. And, the men of Bethlehem seemed to have even less regard for her since Boaz had to instruct them at one point not to touch her. We assume they too had little respect for this young woman.

How did the citizens of Bethlehem feel about this foreigner coming into their town and living, working and eating among them? And, how did Ruth feel? We know one way she felt for she told us, "I am not like the other women in Israel". There is a lesson for us here to be sensitive to those who may not have had the same instruction in the things of God as we have had but have nevertheless, come to place their trust underneath the protecting wings of a loving God. I am sure Ruth's insecurities were much like those of the woman at the well or the woman who was taken in adultery in the New Testament. And, knowing something of human nature I am equally sure from the responses of those who had known this God all their lives, that these women thought they had reason to feel such a rejection. But, though Ruth may not have had acceptance and respect from the citizens of Bethlehem, she did have a loving mother-in-law who told her about the God of Israel and the blessings He had promised them in the land of Bethlehem.

That mother-in-law was Naomi and now that I am closer in age to her than Ruth, she has captured my contemplation. I have often wondered what Naomi's expectations were on the day of her wedding? I can't help but think that her expectation was that she would live a long, happy and fulfilled life with the one whom she was about to marry. She probably thought of having children and as the custom of the times were then, the more the better. Perhaps they would live in a fine home in Bethlehem and her husband, Elimelech, would be an honored and productive citizen of that town. And, of course her children would go to the finest schools to be educated not only in the vast array of knowledge of the times but in the true God of Israel and His law. At some time in the future those children would also marry but only of course to believers in the true God of Israel. Oh, how high were her expectations on that wedding day! How she waited and perhaps even prayed and believed that God would bring it all about in the years to come.

These expectations were not wrong, sinful or even selfish. They were the expectations of life and she had a right to have them. But, were those expectations true? Scripture says that "man plans his way (rightly so - what are we without plans), but God directs his steps." We are also told that we do not know what a day may bring. So, while expectations may be justified, they must be placed in the hands of a loving God, trusting that whichever way he directs our steps, He does it by His divine appointments for us for His glory, our good and the good of others as we will see in the life of Naomi.

The next blog post will expand on the life of Naomi and whether her expectations proved true in the long run. But, one of the things for us to consider from the introduction of Naomi's life is her faith and the sharing of it with a young woman to whom God had directed her steps. You may not be in the exact place you "expected" to be years ago, but that should not keep you from sharing your faith in the true God of Israel to those not only in your family, but with whom you come in contact in the providence of God.

Another thing to consider is the acceptance and respect we as believers are to give to everyone. The Apostle Peter tells us in one of his letters that we are to honor all people. After all, we all were created in the image of God and deserve the respect God has conferred on mankind. He makes His sun to shine on the just and the unjust. He has common blessings for all mankind if not covenant blessings for all. We are to receive others as the created beings of God with love and respect. We may not and probably do not know upon whom God has purposed those Covenant blessings. But, perhaps we may be the means of leading them to faith in the true God.

We may also ask ourselves if by our harsh judgments we are causing others to continue in their insecurities or stumble in their faith because "they do not feel like one of the people of God", even though they have come to put their faith in Him. Are we critical and judgmental of their lives? I think Paul had this in mind when he cautioned us to be patient with the weak in faith. We all need that patience and time to grow in grace and in the knowledge of God. So, let us exercise the same degree of love, acceptance and respect we would want others to give us as we mature in the faith. Perhaps you can call someone today who needs encouragement not judgement as they struggle to be accepted in the family of God and maybe you can be the one to further instruct them in the things of God as Naomi did Ruth. I can think of many who were patient with me when I first came to the Lord, who accepted me, loved me, prayed for me and instructed me in the Lord, for whom I am so grateful to this day. May the Lord bless your efforts as you do the same for others. And, may He grant your true expectations today as you bring them before His all wise counsel and yield to His direction of your steps even though it may not be exactly what you "expected". Paul tells us that "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or can ever "expect". May He do it for you, in you and through you today.

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS IN GOOD INTENTIONS

GOOD INTENTIONS: Are you familiar with them? Webster says that the meaning of intention is the determination to act in a certain way. How many times in a day or a week do we say, "Oh, I intended to do such and such", but never fully accomplished the goal. I love the writer, Jude in the New Testament because as he begins his letter it was his desire to write to his readers one thing but nevertheless, found it necessary to write to them about a totally different matter. One wonders if his readers were disappointed that his first subject was not covered in more detail? At one point the Apostle Paul had intended to go to Corinth, but was hindered from doing so. We are left to imply by his response to them that they were not at all happy with Paul's not "doing what he had intended" by coming to visit them. Try as we may, there are times when we cannot fulfill our good intentions toward others or perhaps it is the unfulfilled good intentions from others toward us that cause the disappointment. Can there sometimes really be a divine appointment in our planning one thing and doing another? I introduce the subject today this way because from the beginning of this blog it was my intention to write about divine appointment in human disappointment by using the subject of Naomi from the book of Ruth. Hopefully, that will come soon, but as Jude wrote, I now find it necessary to write about faith in our disappointments. And, hopefully, see that the LORD has a divine appointment for us in the use of that faith.

At one point during the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, as He went about preaching the Kingdom of God, there came a leper to him asking him to heal him. His words to Jesus were, "IF you WILL, you CAN make me whole". Did this leper have faith? Did he exercise that faith?

Some say, that since there was a doubt about Jesus' willingness that the man did not really exercise faith. But, though there was a doubt about his willingness he did exercise faith, for there was no doubt about Jesus' ABILITY. The real faith was exercised in his coming to Christ. He had faith to come for himself and ask for his healing. Jesus looked on him with compassion, honored his faith and made him well. Do you believe that Jesus IS and that He has the ABILITY to do what you ask him? Are you willing to just COME to Him - place your burden before him and leave the "willingness" to HIM? Can you come, lay your burden before Him and say, "THIS is what I desire, but nevertheless, not my will but thine be done?" Come to him for yourself and your own personal needs. "Nothing is too great for HIS power or too small for HIS care"!

As Jesus continued his ministry in that same town, he was preaching to a great crowd in a house. In fact the crowd was so great that many stood outside the door to hear His preaching. His preaching was important to Him for he told his disciples, THIS (preaching, the proclaiming of the Kingdom of God) is what I was sent for. But, as He was preaching there were some men who came and wanted him to heal their friend. This friend was UNABLE to come to Jesus on his own. But, he did have friends who were willing to bring him. How fortunate we are when we do not have the ability to come ourselves that we have friends who will bring us before the LORD and ask on our behalf. Did these friends exercise faith? Their faith too was seen in their COMING to Jesus and BRINGING their friend. How determined were they to COME to HIM? Their faith presented an obstacle, they could not get inside the house to Jesus. But, their faith was so strong that they knew if only they could COME to Him, present the case, that he was ABLE to help them. They were determined to overcome their obstacle and come by any means, or any danger to themselves. They had to COME to Jesus and bring their friend for his healing.

And, they did find a way, unorthodox as it was and they made an opening in the roof and brought their friend before the LORD. We are told that when the LORD saw THEIR faith, He forgave the cripple man of his sins and healed him of his paralysis. These men had faith enough for their friend to bring him to Jesus.

These two men lived lives of disappointment. They experienced long days of sorrow and many nights in tears because of their sicknesses. Was there a divine appointment in it all? There certainly was, for from their infirm lives, Scripture has shown us the necessity of FAITH and the fact that their healing GLORIFIED GOD. After all, isn't that the true purpose for man - "To glorify God and enjoy him forever". These men's lives have already glorified God and no doubt they are even now before His throne enjoying HIM!!!

So, what can we gain from these stories. We can conclude that the sickness, sorrows and difficulties in this life, though they cause disappointment are certainly appointed by God. We can be assured that faith brings us to Jesus for OURSELVES - come to Him with your burdens, lay them before Him knowing that HE is ABLE to do as we ask. But, don't forget to exercise that same faith for your friends and family today. Many may be lost and not even want to come, many may be hindered by one reason or another and YOU may be the only one willing to overcome the obstacles about them to bring them to Jesus. If you are a believer, FAITH has been given to you by God for your forgiveness of sin so exercise that faith for healing for yourself and for your friends, whether that healing be physical, mental, or spiritual. GOD is ABLE and he told the leper, He was also WILLING... He only asks that we exercise FAITH in our COMING to Him. So, COME TO HIM, believe that He IS and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek HIM. He invites you to come. "Come unto ME all you that labor and I will give your rest..." COME boldly before the throne of grace that you may find help in time of need. Come to HIM - place your faith, your trust in HIM for yourself and for your friends. May He be willing today to answer every prayer of FAITH. And, may HE receive the glory and may you enjoy HIM forever!!!

LAUGHTER AFTER TEARS

LAUGHTER: Is there anything better than the laughter of a baby or young child? The innocence of their youth and the simplicity of their joy is enough to make even the most hardened stoic laugh with them. It's only appropriate that after disappointment and tears there should be a time of joy and laughter. After all, to everything there is a season, a time to cry and a time to laugh.

Continuing our theme of divine appointment in human disappointment, I thought after visiting my two granddaughters this weekend, that we would consider laughter after tears. One minute the girls were crying and the next laughing. Doesn't that seem to be the case in your life? Tears usually accompany disappointment and laughter, joy. But, all of these are by God's divine appointment. The Lord Jesus once told His disciples, "you now have sorrow, but you shall see me again and your hearts will rejoice." The Psalmist wrote, "Crying may continue for a night but joy will come in the morning". It is inevitable that while we live in this life, we shall experience both sorrow and joy, tears and laughter.

This reminds us of Sarah and Abraham's great disappointment of a childless life. They were unfruitful in child bearing, but they did have the promise of God that they would one day bear a son. And, while at one point their own schemes seemed to get in the way of that promise, it was said, "Nothing is too hard for the LORD".

We can imagine the many days of sorrow and nights of tears Sarah especially must have shed since being barren in those days carried a much larger stigma than in our own. And, think of the ridicule Abraham must have endured as everywhere he went when asked his name he had to say, "Abraham", which means the father of a multitude. Imagine the embarrassment he felt when asked , "well, how many children do you have", and he had to answer, "well, none". We can be sure that many would reply, "but you are old and your wife old and beyond the hope of child bearing age and yet your name is father of a multitude? What hope do you have?" I have often wondered if Sarah and Abraham after many of those conversations went to their beds in sorrow, disappointment and tears. But, even in their sorrow, their disappointments and their tears the one thing they did have was hope in the promise of God. He had promised a son and the New Testament tells us that Abraham against hope, believed in hope that he would be the Father of many nations. Why such hope? Was it not because the God who had promised was also able, "nothing is too hard for the LORD." And, the God who promised is also faithful. He will do as he has said.

Was God faithful to Abraham and Sarah? This brings us to the birth of Issac whose name means laughter. Yes, God was faithful to His promise and Abraham's hope proved to be vindicated and we now see him as the father of a multitude. It may have taken years, it may have been through disappointment and tears but God did as He had promised and Abraham and Sarah's disappointment and tears were turned by God's divine appointment to joy and laughter.

Do you feel unfruitful today, unfruitful in your job, your marriage, with your children, in ministry? Have you been hoping against hope in a promise that seems never to be fulfilled? Are you shedding tears of disappointment because it seems God has not done as He has said? Remember Abraham and Sarah today and know that even though today, tonight, tomorrow or maybe even years to come you are facing nights of sorrow and tears, joy will come, God will be faithful to you and you too will laugh and others with you at what God has done for you, in you and through you. Cast your burden on the LORD, look to him, wait for him - he will bring it to pass. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall LAUGH!!!!"

TEARS, DISAPPOINTMENTS and the RESURRECTION

TEARS! Have you shed any lately? The one thing that usually accompanies disappointment is tears. As we approach the day in which we celebrate Easter, I have been thinking more about the Resurrection and the days leading up to it - sorrowful days - days of darkness, sadness, cruelty and yes, TEARS! Have you ever thought about the tears in the Bible as you have been shedding your own? During that long and dreadful week leading up to the Resurrection we find many tears shed. We might even call it, "A Week of Weeping" for that's what it was.

There were the weeping women to whom Jesus said, "Don't weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." He explained to them why. It was because of the coming judgment upon those who had rejected Him. There were also the tears of those women who watched him suffer on the cross. Who of us could ever enter into what His mother, Mary must have endured as she watched him there. Actually, Scripture speaks of Mary's sorrow as a sword that entered into her own soul. How many tears did she weep for him there?

There were also the tears of Judas, tears of regret and remorse that only led to suicide, not genuine repentance. We can contrast Judas' tears with the tears of Peter which did lead to remembrance and repentance and finally to a renewal of wholly following the LORD. One of my favorite stories during the week of Christ's suffering and resurrection is the story of Mary Magdalene. When everyone else had gone back, Mary was still at the grave site, still seeking Him through her tears! We could fill an ocean with the tears that were shed during that sad and mournful week?

But, the tears that touch me the most are those that are mentioned in Hebrews chapter five. There the writer tells us of the Christ himself who in the days of His flesh offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears. Do you see him as he weeps at the tomb of Lazarus. Can you see Him as he looks out over Jerusalem with tears on his cheeks as he cries, "Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often I would have gather you to me as a hen gathers her chicks, but you would not come!" How many were the tears he shed for Jerusalem.?

Do you see Him in the garden weeping as he prays for His own and desires that they will one day be with him where he is? Do you see the tears he shed as he thinks of his betrayal by Judas and his denial by Peter and the forsaking by all of his disciples? Do you see Him as he asks his disciples who sleep instead of watching with him, "WHAT, could you not watch with me one hour?" He could have used a friend then, if ever, but they were sleeping and he was weeping - weeping and praying for them. Do you see him as he cries for the cup to be taken away but resigns to the His Father's will and cries with tears, "nevertheless, not my will but thine be done". Why those tears? Why that suffering? Why that long week of sadness, sorrow and disappointment? Was it not because of the Father's divine appointment - the appointment of the sacrifice for sin. He became SIN for US - HE, who though he knew sorrow and TEARS, knew NO SIN. Yet, in that week, in that hour, HE BECAME SIN.

The good news is that he did not remain sin for us - that hour past - the judgment was cast, the blood shed, the punishment paid and the third day he arose from the grave, entered into glory and ever lives to make intercession for those of us who now cry with strong crying and tears. The disappointment of that week was really a divine appointment for your salvation and mine! He is now a High Priest forever and can have compassion on us - OH what a Saviour, OH, what a Salvation - OH, what blessed TEARS!!

So, if you find yourself in tears this week, remember HIS tears for you and HIS care for you and cast those tears on HIM - He knows your pain and your sorrow and even your sin, for HE bore it all. And, remember some of His last words to us in His Revelation, "And God shall wipe away every TEAR from their eyes: there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor CRYING. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."