Psalm 119:55 - We sin because we don't know God

Psalm 119:55 – “I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord, and I obey your Law because of this.”

David is talking about how he obeys God because he understands who he is. In other words, when we truly understand how loving, good and all-knowing God is, we have no reason at all to disobey him. I guess all of our disobedience, then, is rooted in a misunderstanding of God’s character.

I think at the moment I’m learning to re-trust God is certain areas of my life. God nailed me about it last night; this morning, it really hit home to me that there are areas that I don’t trust God in.

Help me to know you better, God.

Update: Just realised that 1 John 3:2 - "...he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. Adds further proof to my hyposthesis that our sin is rooted in mistrust of God.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - God requires our weakness to operate

9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

This is one of my more recent memory verses (aiming to reach 200 by then end of the year - only 173 to go...) One of the things I love about scripture memorisation is that when you memorise something, it forces to you really pay attention to the 'nuances' of each verse. You have to really soak in it, otherwise it's not going to stick. Sort of like tasting a fine wine.... Anyhoo..

So with this verse here, the thing that struck me is that we have to be able to boast about our weakness - otherwise Christ's power can't work through us.. In our attempt to become completely functional and self-dependent, we can effectively stop God from working miracles through us. Sobering thought, hey...

By the way, both my gym-attending and blog-writing habits are back with a vengeance...

A manifesto

I only have one life. And this life has been given to me for a purpose. In order to be happy, I must live out that purpose.

But my life is also a life of extremes.

On one side I have the flesh who seeks the immediate satisfaction of fleshly temptation, to deodorise my life with what makes sense now. To escape pain, to seek pleasure, to hide from reality.

On the other hand there is the “Steve in Christ”. Dedicated, genuinely wanting to make other people’s lives better. Knowledgeable, articulate, able to make things happen if he really wants to. A leader.

This is my manifesto.

I will rely on God for the strength to continue. I will not moan about my existence, point to obvious points of lack and accuse God of leaving me in the cold. I will start to see pain as a meaningful part of growth, rather than an inconsistency in the character of God that I need to continually point out to him. I will realise that God has a bigger picture in his heart that will not always make sense to me. I will start to genuinely desire to please God, by remaining joyful in the midst of adversity, as a child who deeply trusts his father. I will rise above.

I will choose to love even though at times I feel I have no love in me. I will encourage others to pray, even when I struggle with doubt myself. In my weakness God’s goodness will be revealed.

I will ignore the urges in me that seek immediate comfort, who seek to focus my strength on the pursuit of earthly beauty. I must change my diet (both emotionally and spiritually) from sugar-filled take-away, to meat, fruit and vegetables. True refreshment and beauty is found in putting the desires of the Kingdom above my own.

I’ve noticed something: my desire for God, and my desire to serve him, comes alive when I realise that I’ve been given something real and tangible to give to others. To more I realise I am a powerful agent of change, the more I want to be a part of the battle.

By God’s grace, I can only focus on one thing at a time – either the gaping wound in my side, or the powerful sword by my side. Herein lies a very powerful choice – where do I focus? In keeping my eyes focussed on the sword given to me, personal problems will fade away, along with the apathy, resentment and nausea that accompany it. I am able, and it is my capacity that defines me, not my doubt of God.

Above all else I will make it a priority to relate well to God. It must be in the forefront of my mind at all times. My diary must centre around this attempt. The entire world can go jump if I haven’t had a chance to place God first.

We were not designed to focus on our problems. We were designed to relate to God. Henceforth, as Job said, “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”