The Evidence of God's Love: Good News if You're a Bull - Part I

Do you ever have that moment when your error feels greater than the forgiveness you receive from that person? You are so ashamed, so weary, and so guilty that one apology does not suffice. It might satisfy the one hurt by your actions, but you are your own worst critic. You are not content with the apology you gave, but your insistence that there must be more you could do irritates the one you hurt. They command you to drop it, let it go, and stop giving it negative attention, but you refuse. They want to move on, but you keep digging in and bringing up what you have done. They declare it is in the past, and they might even grab your shoulders and tell you it’s nothing to worry about. Nothing they tell you will convince you to move on from your misdeed.

                

Whether we voice our displeasure with the mistake we made or not, admitting that we are prone to sin and likely to make mistakes is difficult to do. To some degree, we are all OCD about being good to others and living a mistake-free life. When we do sin against someone, it feels like a point is being deducted from our scoresheet. We want to make it right with others, but all too often we don’t forgive ourselves and/or don’t feel forgiven. Criticism of ourselves comes naturally to us, and it can become difficult to move on when we should.

This type of criticism is nothing new. A long time ago, before Jesus’ time, a sinful nature meant paying a steep price every year. The old system directed the people to sacrifice animals like a goat or a bull in order to take away sin. The act of sacrificing an animal was meant to provide the people with a reason to move on from the sin and live in freedom temporarily. If sacrificing an animal could atone for sin, even temporarily, that’s a pretty good bargain. For a guy like me, I would do whatever I could to remind myself that I am worth more than my mistakes.

           

However helpful the act of sacrificing goats and bulls was for the people, there was one minor kink that needed to be smoothed out: atoning for sin happened one too many times. The people were reminded every year how sinful they were. There had to have been some level of moaning and groaning with all of the repeat sacrificing going on. “I forgot to take care of Pumpkin this weekend! Now the dog is dead. Time to sacrifice another goat.” The people were born into sin, and now they had to pay for it every time? Maybe that’s not such a good bargain after all.

           

 The worst part of animal sacrifices? God did not even like that system! Take a look:

 “That is why, when Christ came into the world, [Jesus] said to God, ‘You did not want animal sacrifice or sin offerings. But you have given me a body to offer. You were not pleased with burnt offerings or other offerings for sin. Then I said, ‘Look, I have come to do your will O God – as is written about me in the Scriptures’” (Hebrews 10:5-7).

So, God did just that; He sent someone to atone for all sin for all time. Jesus became the High Priest and “offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time” (Hebrews 10:12). In other words, there no longer needed to be a priest who “stands and ministers before the alter day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:11). Remembrance of our sin has already been canceled out because of a one-time sacrifice that actually works. Jesus came not just to cancel our sin, but to give us a reason to never remember it again. All debts have been paid, and no bull or goat is needed to be slain to forgive us.

              

It sounds like a pretty simply pill to swallow. When Jesus was that sacrifice, good for all time, we don’t need a bull or a goat to sacrifice. Simple concept, right? While it is certainly a simple concept, we don’t live like it. Though most of us do not have a physical bull to sacrifice, the metaphorical bull rests on our shoulders the same way. We have the mindset that we owe something to God to balance out our sin. Carrying our burden and strapping the bull to our back, we drag our feet to the top of the mountain. Then, we throw the bull to the alter, wearily crying to the heavens, “Take my bull! I am a sinner. I am unworthy to be yours. Here is my sacrifice!” 

You must stop dragging your feet! Put down that bull and come down from that mountain! Lift your praise to God! The High Priest came, and he represents hope and an Old Covenant forgotten. Your burdens are no more, brother. Your sin has been removed, sister. Your Father and Savior says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds” (Hebrews 10:17).

Use the time spent sulking about your sin and making up for your misdeed and instead praise Jesus for what he has already done. Recognize that you are a “new creation, the old is gone and the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17) and live in the promise that “if we confess (acknowledge) our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9). We do not need to be reminded of our sin when we have a High Priest to cleanse us of them. All we have to do is acknowledge our sin, admit that we need his grace, kindness, and mercy, and our sins will be atoned for, once for all time.

After all, this is the Gospel and this is the Truth.

A New Approach to God

This is for the fist-shakers; for those who are promised one thing, but given another; who firmly believe that light is at the end of the tunnel, but it consistently does not show up. This is for those who feel every opportunity is a dead-end, where life is sucked dry and hope is but a passing shadow. This is for all people who have the wrong perception of God and hope to change that. This is for all who desire to see past their circumstances and into the goodness of God and his plan for those who believe wholeheartedly.

The script says "God is good. God is powerful." Some would say there are aspects of God that make him worthy of that title. Paul did the best he could to express to other Christians how intense God's love is for us. Ephesians 3:17-18: "And I pray that you, being established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." Pastors preach sermons and family members encourage and remind each other of God's infinite love. Naturally, it is easy to believe it when others speak about it or write about it.

But those experiences don't always line up with what people say or write. Exit what people say and enter those dirty, abhorrent situations when God doesn't make sense. God becomes an ostensible thought. You compare him the world around you: What about the kids starving in Africa? What about people who have chronic disease without deserving it? Has God vanished in those times? It seems that God no longer exists when it comes down to crunch time. It seems the miracles Jesus performed back then are only from yester-year. Everything goes our way one day and the very next God steps out for a bathroom break. "Where is God when I need him most?" We murmur. Where is this almighty God, worthy of praise and deserving of all glory? Sometimes, we go as far as mocking God's existence because it isn't the type of existence we like. It doesn't line up with the God we want and we hope to get in every circumstance. While God's love and other such traits are wonderful to have in our lives, his mysteries are also part of the relationship, and it is the mysteries of God that can sometimes leave a bad taste in our mouth.

The negative view of God becomes most apparent when it involves the messy parts of our own lives. Our anger becomes bitterness, and our bitterness separates us from the Truth of who God is. At a point where we justifiably want answers and shake our fists doing so, we often forget who we are shouting at. Our words are a mixture of finger pointing, grumbling, complaining, and a sprinkle of self-pity.

We might also cry out as Job did: "Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? (Job 31:16-21)"

In other words, "Why me? What did I do to deserve your wrath? I have done things for you, God! I shouldn't be punished!" Though we might not say the same thing as Job did, we become so demanding when God doesn't fulfill our needs. We want him to fix everything and make all problems dissolve before our eyes.

Ok, you might not throw your grenades at God when things don't go our way, but there are other ways we speak to God that might not be all that beneficial...and that you might relate to. Most of the time, other than when we throw tantrums, we resort to a quiet prayer that cries out for help. We come before God, bowing down in reverence, ready to remind God of our list of things we need from him. He becomes our supplier, giving us any survival kit we will need. Sometimes it's good to ask God for help, but not like this. Sometimes it becomes a list.

Job was one to quickly "remind" God of his suffering: "These outcasts oppose me to my face. They send me sprawling and lay traps in my path. They block my road and do everything they can to destroy me. They know I have no one to help me. They come at me from all directions. They jump on me when I am down. (Job 30:12-15)"

Well, God, do something! Get in there and help Job! Help me when I need it too! We cry out in our prayers and our tantrums. We want God to give us grace, peace, mercy, wisdom, etc, as if we ran out a long time ago. "God, everything you have been giving me is not enough. Give me more please!"

God's response? Epic. God basically reminds Job who he is. Not the typical, "Hey, I made the mountains" response. Not the "I made animals, trees, and the sun" mini-lecture. Not at all. This was an all out confrontation, "brace yourself like a man," "Are you talkin' to me?" face-to-face chat. Job kicked down the door, and God gave the stern, "Sit down!" after Job ran his mouth; an unnecessary monologue in the midst of an all-knowing Master of the Universe. Sit down, and let me tell you more than just the mountains. Let me tell you more than just the animals, trees, and the sun.

Here's God in response to Job. You might want to read this 30 times:
"Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know! (Job 38:16-18)

God goes on. More rhetorical questions that God knows Job cannot answer. More questions than Job can do with. Furthermore, God's sense of humor comes through:
"Where does light come from, and where does darkness go? Can you take each to its home? Do you know how to get there? But of course you know all this! For you were born before it was all created and you are so very experienced! (Job 38:19-21)

After approximately 71 verses (Job 38-39:30) of God responding to Job's reminders of his anguish, suffering, and good deeds, He asks Job these two questions:
"Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers? (Job 40:1-2)"

Job's reply? "I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say. (Job 40:3-5)

But God was not finished.

God goes on to describe the creatures of the earth, large and explainable. In fact, He effortlessly describes many of the creatures today's websites have difficulty putting a finger on. In regards to the Behemoth, Wikipedia says "Suggested identities range from a mythological creature to an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros or crocodile." In Job 40:15-19, God describes it from head to tail: "Take a look at Behemoth, which I made, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God's handiwork, and only its Creator can threaten it." God could have just said, "I made an animal called a Behemoth." But he doesn't. He describes what he made, "just as I made you."

Wikipedia begins the page about the Behemoth with these words:
"Behemoth is a beast mentioned in Job 40:15-24." These are God's words to Job. They are words about a beast that clearly its Creator knows the most about. "Only the Creator can threaten it." Only God himself can disturb the lifestyle of such an animal. God's message to Job: I made the Behemoth and you. Both I know by name, and I can describe each in tremendous detail. This is who you complain to, Job.

God continues to speak of the Leviathan, another large creature, which goes for another 35 verses (Job 41:1-34).

If these verses provide any sort of evidence about God, its that He 1) is an expert on his creation and 2) he knows exactly what is going on. He knows all of the nuances, personality traits, quirks, characteristics, defense mechanisms, techniques, habitats, capabilities, limitations, formations, transformations, life cycles, moods, symptoms, ideas, behaviors, etc. He knows what has happened, is happening, and what will happen. Edwin Louis Cole, author of Maximized Manhood, writes, "God created this whole thing, including you and me, and by His active presence. He sustains it all. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-seeing. (45)" 

Since God created all of the Earth, God is also in control, and many times, whether we come to him with a list or with murmurs, both methods can be detrimental to the relationship and the work the Lord is doing in and through you.

God doesn't just speak to Job this way. Isaiah 40:25-26 shows that God is not ignorant and unaware of your troubles:
"'To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?' asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing. O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?"

David, over a period of time, modeled a similar approach in many of his Psalms, and this is the perspective of God we should all adopt:

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them? (Psalm 8:3-4)"

David is asking, "In all of your great power and sovereignty, what kind of Master thinks so highly of something so small in comparison to all He has made?" He is placing value on the perspective God has of him, and it changes how he approaches his Savior. This is the same song David sings that starts with, "O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!"

So, what can we do differently?
#1. God offers hope, and he freely gives us wonderful things in Him (2 Corinthians 2:12). These are already promised to us in full, so why do we need to beg God for what he is already giving everyday? Why do we throw complaints and murmurs God's way? God knows exactly what he is doing. Though David went through plenty of trouble, he was good at giving God credit where it was due, and he did so in Psalm 34:4 - "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened." If this is true about David - if he was radiant with joy when he seeks and prays to listening God, then perhaps we can view God this way too.  It is not about your list. It is not about you telling God what to give you. Perhaps we can rid ourselves of the notion that God doesn't care about us or that he negligently looks the other way while we suffer. It is time to dispel the lie that God only desires that we suffer to learn our lessons. It's time to stop thinking we need to convince God to do what's best for us and start noticing that God is and has been. David received plenty of reward from just meeting with the Lord and praising him through joy and sorrow. His reward was a deeper intimacy and understanding with his Creator. You can reach that same level of intimacy by praising him no matter what circumstances say otherwise.

#2. We can train our mind and heart to dwell on greater things that are eternal, not just the temporal. Paul encourages fellow believers to press on, never give up, and look ahead to greater things: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen... (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)" If we are striving towards what is already promised to us, we will not be intimidated by things that come and go like the wind because they cannot measure up to the greater things in store. This is a gift we can cling to, even though we do not have it right away. When our perspective changes, turning our hearts towards what is eternally true, we prepare our hearts and minds for heavenly desires and thoughts.

These strategies, lived daily and intentionally, will provide a more successful life free from the imaginary bondage we place on ourselves. Let us break free from them by changing our false perspectives of God and turning them into truths that are evident throughout Scripture.

Live Like Intertidal Fish

Intertidal fish are interesting. They swim closer to the shore, where the waves are more volatile and become more intense during storms. The most intriguing about the fish, though, is not their vibrant colors or the unique traits they might possess, but the way they respond to water. On the outside, it looks like chaotic, dark, misty, eerie, and stormy; nothing a sailor would want to be a part of.

Based on appearance, if you were to ask the fish how they feel about this perpetual violence they experience, they would respond in a very mellow way.

"No problem. Just floating along," they would murmur. "Just drifting wherever the storm takes us." Who knows, maybe the fish are completely unaware the storm is there. For any human being, the feisty waves could be reason to panic - and panic most would.

But the fish, not the fish. They are not effected by the waves. In fact, the condition of the waves and the location the fish are at doesn't appear to be a problem. They have accepted the environment they are a part of and go as far as using it to their advantage. Like any other species in the ocean, Intertidal fish understand their surroundings. Because they are a part of violent waves, what appears rough on the outside is calm under the surface. They bob back and forth, working with the current, weaving back and forth without much effort and swimming. The expression is priceless - as if there is no change in the intensity.

Like all fish of the sea, God made them specifically to fit into the culture in which they live. These fish are made to survive the bleakest of weather. While chaos ensues, they remain as calm as any other species.

We are similar in that we have daily "storms" that are known as "curveballs," "lemons," and other more endearing terms. Most would say these storms are so consistent, it is only fitting to label any good thing "too good to be true." The moment a good thing happens, a bad thing follows. The moment a bad thing introduces itself, another bad thing follows. Storm after storm, wave after wave, current after current. They keep coming, and we are often left with are heads barely above water.

Our response to these storms is where we could learn from the Intertidal fish. We get scared. Nerves kick in and we might even blame God or become distant from him. Though he made the waves, storms, and us, it is him we drift from. Sometimes we cry out to God in anguish and present our pleas to God as if we need to persuade him. In other cases, we complain, toss up our hands, or cry quietly until the storms pass.

Though we both experience extreme storms at times, it seems like the little Intertidal fish of the sea have a lot to teach us about these storms.

While no one should feel the need to rationalize why their storms are so unbearable, there is no need to ponder the destructive behavior of these storms when, just like the fish, we are thought of and taken care of. These fish may seem different then us, especially the way they handle pressure. But, humans do not need to be so different than the fish. Just like the fish, God made us. Just like the fish, he gave us distinct and unique features that allow us to adapt and understand our situation as we grow.

Fortunately, God doesn't just show us through the Intertidal fish he made. He also reminded us through Matthew 6:26, which says, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

God cares so deeply about us, that he considers us more valuable than the birds of the air and the fish of the sea - and he cares so much about them. How much more does he care about us then?

As we approach the waves of life, let us be reminded that we are cared for. No storm is too great for God. No tsunami rattles God. He is not hindered by our complex issues; he made you complex so you could stand among those waves with the courage and strength he has given you. He has you, he holds you, and he gives you the tools you need to ride the waves as they come. Most importantly, he gives strength to the weak and weary (Isaiah 40:29), which enables you to grow in character and hope.

The waves often get large, but we have a greater hope in God and his promises. When we firmly plant ourselves on those promises and the mighty hand of God, we can swim as the Intertidal fish do: at peace and content. And, if God's promise to never leave and forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) is not enough, James 1:2-4 is more than enough to provide that everlasting hope:

"Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials (waves) of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Or, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18,

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 

Very wise, those Intertidal fish. Very wise.