Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)

It’s hard getting up day after day and persevering in a world that doesn’t cooperate.  There’s a popular saying:

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift, That’s Why it’s Called the Present.” 

It can help us to remember that the faith for today is a gift of God.  It helps us to overcome…today.  And a string of todays–one day at a time–becomes a lifetime of faithfulness.

It’s better than the plaque I saw at a thrift store (for sale): “If today didn’t come, stop believing in tomorrow.”  I’m still not sure what I think of that, except to say that it’s among the most faithless thoughts I’ve seen put to print.  More than anything, it’s nonsensical because:

 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Yesterday is gone and indeed it is history.  Tomorrow is the stuff of faith.  But in the present, God gives us the gift of faith that overcomes…in the moment…every moment…no matter what the day holds.  This is the victory.  It is the faith that overcomes.

I had originally planned on posting something else I had prepared.  Until today happened.  After today’s encounters with people who are genuinely suffering in horrific and depressing ways, the topic I’d prepared suddenly seemed trivial, insignificant, and rather irrelevant.  Petty “first-world problems” when people here and elsewhere are facing life and death choices, persecution, trauma of a deeply scarring nature, and death itself.

So, I can take a Holy Spirit hint and return to the hymns for more help in Overcoming.

Shortly before writ­ing this hymn (to the Swedish melody known as Tryggare kan ingen vara), Karolina San­dell-Berg and her fa­ther Jonas Sandell were on a boat trip across Lake Vättern, when he fell over­board, drowning while she watched.  By way of overcoming deep sorrow, Lina Sandell (age 26) penned the words to Children of the Heavenly Father.  Enjoy this link to hear it sung by the Bethany College choir.

Children of the heav’nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.

God His own doth tend and nourish;
In His holy courts they flourish;
From all evil things He spares them;
In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,
And their sorrows all He knoweth.

Though He giveth or He taketh,
God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solely
To preserve them pure and holy.

Lo, their very hairs He numbers,
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing.

Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:
Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your Defender
Ev’ry foeman must surrender.

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) 

Lucy had a short fuse.  When Linus asked for one good reason why he must memorize the Christmas script, Lucy numbers her fingers, forming a fist.  Linus says “Those are good reasons,” adding that Christmas is getting too dangerous.  Then Snoopy mocks Lucy, and she spins around pronouncing, “I ought to slug you!”  No wonder she only charges a nickel for psychiatric advice.

Making a fist for beating the pulp out of someone is not the approach God encourages for our dealing with anger.  Nor is letting anger fester into bitterness.  Likewise, immediately jumping to judgment or shoving it down to deal with it later (all the while, just letting it ruminate and consume every thought) are also poor responses.

So how do we Overcome anger? 

Consider a better use of time and action.  You see, there exists a bridge of space and time between offense and punishment.  Some offenses rightly require immediate action, but others don’t need prompt reaction.  With Kingdom vision, actions, and time frame, we can span this time and space in God-honoring ways.  We have many choices, only some of which are good (e.g. with anger, love, resentment, patience, bitterness, mercy, forgiveness, revenge, peace, etc.).

God’s approach is to let Him be in charge of that narrow bridge because it is all spiritual.  The narrow bridge is at our feet and God’s Word illuminates the way in which we should go.  But fall off the narrow bridge in one direction and we find it’s flanked on one side with anger.  Fall off the other side and we fall into judgment of our fellow human beings.  Both spiritual chasms are too dangerous for humans to navigate safely so we’re better off staying on the bridge instead of descending into the pit of anger, judgment, and hatred.

Ultimately all offenses against God’s image bearers are against Him.  

Only God is fully capable of resolving anger with proper judgment.

On the other hand, human anger points inward.  We can turn ourselves into victims.  Anger infiltrates our spirits and takes root.  It draws us inward to lavish self-worship by which we focus on our hurts, how offended we feel, and how we were wronged!

Furthermore, jumping headlong into get-even-with’em-ism, we fail to appreciate that only God knows someone’s heart, has perfect understanding, and sees how the narrow bridge of space and time can lead sinners to repentance before punishment must happen.  God doesn’t punish so He gets His pound of flesh.  He punishes as discipline to bring us to godliness and repentance.

Just as anger leads us to focus inward, judgment against our fellow image-bearing humans also brings us face-to-face with another self-worship trap.  We pride ourselves as being more like God than others when, in fact, we become less like Him the more we judge others’ hearts.  Judging can be very god-like.  But each of us has probably encountered a situation which (upon learning the backstory or Paul Harvey’s “the rest of the story”) revealed that what we thought was going on, really wasn’t correct at all.  Better to leave rash judgments aside and rely upon God’s judgment in His timing and to fill our time with choices certain to honor God.

In Romans 12:21 it reads, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  God has given us a narrow way on which to walk with humility, love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy toward others.  Ultimately our leaving anger and judgment to God alone demonstrates our love for Christ and our trust in Him.

Questions for reflection:

1. Think of some offenses against you that have made you angry.  Picture yourself walking across that narrow bridge from offense to punishment.  What might be some strategies you can use to lay the burden down at the offense and leave the judgment and punishment to God?  What might be some strategies to keep from being tempted to take it up again?
2. Can carrying an offense or a grudge become a habit?  What happens to offenses and grudges over time?  Identify ways grudges can cause you to focus on how you feel and provide reasons to reinforce your right to be offended.

It’s really easy to shirk away from Overcoming when the times get tough.  Speaking the truth, honoring a commitment that you no longer feel like keeping because others are ridiculing you, or standing boldly for a cause that matters is hard work.  Everyone wants to be loved and no one enjoys standing alone–especially in a crowd.  Peer pressure is a powerful motivator and equally powerful at stripping away one’s will to hold onto integrity, uphold a principle, or defend a cherished value.

Jesus didn’t think much of the crowd.  And they didn’t think much of Him.

Matthew 27:15 Now it was the governor’s custom at the Feast to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him. 19 While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.” 20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed. 21 “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. 22 “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all answered, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!” 24 When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” 25 All the people answered, “Let his blood be on us and on our children!”

Pilate, confronted with a crowd, sided with them to avoid the visible natural conflict, and he washed his hands of responsibility.  It didn’t change his culpability before God, though.  It merely postponed the ramifications of a poor decision to the final judgment seat.  Wash his hands all he might, but the consequences are still his to bear.

What will we do when confronted with peer pressure?  Will we do what is right or capitulate to pressure?

Our standing against the rising tide of evil and self-interest in order to do what is right by God will always be valuable in God’s sight.  There is a reward for doing what is good and the abundance is tied to our fear of the Lord.  Overcoming in plain sight of people acts as a powerful witness to God’s existence, holiness, and power.  It brings God great glory when His people take refuge in Him, particularly in plain sight of the crowd.

Some days, Overcomers just need a little reassurance regarding the ultimate victory that is headed our way.  I’m in the mood to hear the inspirational hymn called The Holy City.  About this hymn,  The African American Experience in Ohio 1850-1920 states this story:

“THE HOLY CITY.”

 Thirty men, red-eyed and disheveled, lined up before a judge of the San Francisco police court. It was the regular morning company of “drunks and disorderlies.” Some were old and hardened, others hung their heads in shame. Just as the momentary disorder attending the bringing in of the prisoners quieted down, a strange thing happened. A strong, clear voice from below began singing:

                        “Last night I lay a-sleeping,

                        There came a dream so fair.”

  Last night! It had been for them all a nightmare or a drunken stupor. The song was such a contrast to the horrible fact that no one could fail of a sudden shock at the thought the song suggested.

                         “I stood in old Jerusalem,

                         Beside the temple there”

the song went on. The judge had paused. He made a quiet inquiry. A former member of a famous opera company, known all over the country, was awaiting trial for forgery. It was he who was singing in his cell.

Meantime the song went on and every man in the line showed emotion. One or two dropped on their knees; one boy at the end of the line, after a desperate effort at self-control, leaned against the wall, buried his face against his folded arms, and sobbed, “O mother, mother!”  The sobs, cutting to the very heart of the men who heard, and the song, still welling its way through the court room, blended in the hush.

At length one man protested.   “Judge,” said he “have we got to submit to this? We’re here to take our punishment, but this–”  He, too, began to sob.  It was impossible to proceed with the business of the court, yet the judge gave no order to stop the song. The police sergeant, after a surprised effort to keep the men in line, stepped back and waited with the rest. The song moved on to its climax:

              “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Sing, for the night is o’er!

              Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna for evermore!”

In an ecstacy [sic] of melody the last words rang out, and then there was silence.  The judge looked into the faces of the men before him. There was not one who was not touched by the song; not one in whom some better impulse was not stirred. He did not call the cases singly-a kind word of advice, and he dismissed them all. No man was fined or sentenced to the work-house that morning. The song had done more good than punishment could have accomplished.

This is one of those songs that can inspire a weary heart with the hope of vindication and the beauty of salvation.  Enjoy this link by Tenor Marino van Wakeren  

The Holy City Hymn

 Last night I lay a-sleeping
There came a dream so fair,
I stood in old Jerusalem
Beside the temple there.
I heard the children singing,
And ever as they sang,
Me thought the voice of angels
From heaven in answer rang.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Lift up your gates and sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And then me thought my dream was changed,
The streets no longer rang,
Hushed were the glad Hosannas
The little children sang.
The sun grew dark with mystery,
The morn was cold and chill,
As the shadow of a cross arose
Upon a lonely hill.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Hark! How the angels sing,
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!

And once again the scene was changed;
New earth there seemed to be;
I saw the Holy City
Beside the tideless sea;
The light of God was on its streets,
The gates were open wide,
And all who would might enter,
And no one was denied.
No need of moon or stars by night,
Or sun to shine by day;
It was the new Jerusalem
That would not pass away.

Jerusalem! Jerusalem!
Sing for the night is o’er!
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna for evermore!

There are few things more rewarding in the Christian walk than developing a discerning mind.  In a world of look-alikes, fakes, and frauds, it’s helpful to cultivate the ability to discern truth from error and gain the wisdom coming from it.

Ephesians 5:11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live– not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Being cautious and alert, residing in the light of God’s Word, and bringing all things into the light will help us to make the most of every opportunity.  The days in which we live can otherwise be confusing and dangerous.

In the photo below, there is an insect called a White-lined Sphinx Hummingbird Moth.  It was flying from plant to plant and I captured this photo as it was drinking nectar from a fuchsia.  To an undiscerning eye, it looks like a hummingbird.  But it flies differently.  It has more legs and antennae.  It made me think about how many things in life can set Overcomers onto false paths, cause us to hold onto false hopes, and deceive us.  Hummingbird moths are pretty to look at, but they come from caterpillars that eat plants.  They are not the same at all; and hummingbirds are definitely preferable.  Likewise, there are cases of greater goods and lesser goods in the spiritual realm and the discerning mind of the Overcomer has the wisdom to understand these nuances.

Psalm 23:1 <A Psalm of David.> The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

This Psalm was on the prayer card at a family funeral I attended this week.  When we’re weary, in need of Overcoming, but lacking the strength, it’s beautiful that the LORD refreshes us.  He satisfies us.  Or in the lovely King James Version in Psalm 23, “He restoreth my soul.”

I wonder sometimes if I have a big sticker on my forehead that says,

Talk to me.  I’ll listen.”

Wherever I go, people pour out their life stories to me and you know what?  I like that.  I like it so much that I won’t change my seat from an assigned middle seat on an airplane for the express purpose of putting myself in a position to offer a listening ear, some encouragement, a little hope, or healing to someone on the way to their destination.

Oh, I’m not one of those faith healers you might see on TV. 

But, I guess, there’s something about being near someone who has faith that can heal a weary soul.

I don’t know her name.  She sat in the aisle seat “D” and I was in assigned seat “F”, as in Faith, by the window today on my flight home.  I could tell she was actually in “D” as in Distressed.  We talked before cruising altitude and there must have been sufficient emotional refreshing that she zonked out and napped peacefully.  I glanced over at her periodically from my working on Sunday’s sermon.  I prayed for her while she slept.  She was tired from a million stresses weighing her down.  I wanted her to be an Overcomer and to know that healing is available by faith in Jesus.  When she awoke, we had a closing marathon discussion and covered an amazing amount of ground–about her family and the many things that had fallen apart in recent months.  I told her I’d pray for her.

Mystery woman,  whoever you are,  I’ve been praying for you all day.  I didn’t get a chance to tell you about Jesus but I hope you could see Him in me, though I am a total stranger.   I hope you will know Jesus and even felt His presence in the “E” (Emmanuel–“God is with us”) seat between us and that’s the reason you slept peacefully.  I hope I will see you in heaven someday and I truly hope you felt a tiny bit of His healing on the way.

If the goal of our instruction is love, the result of the instruction is faith. 

Faith makes all the difference in the world.

There’s a song that I really like that has the following lyrics:

“Faith makes a way to stand when others fall apart.  Faith makes a path of peace for a heavy hurting heart.  When you can’t see past the moment, hope remains a priceless pearl.  Faith makes all the difference in the world.”

When our hearts are sad, when our lives are turned upside down, when we’re confused and torn and don’t know what to do, when we feel our minds turning toward despair, we must remember the sound instruction that all true Overcomers know: Faith makes all the difference in the world.