Tuesday, August 23, 2022

 

Tuesday, August 23, 2022


Psalms 123; 125; 126

2 Chronicles 32:24-33

Romans 15:1-13


For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.


The first thing that came to mind with these readings, and this verse in particular, was a popular theme for punk bands in the late 90s/early 2000s. Chumbawumba released a song with the chorus line “I get knocked down, but I get up again”. Rancid had a good song with a similar theme, where they sang “If I fall back down, you're gonna help me back up again”. It is a nice sentiment, but there is a glaring difference between the pagan unbeliever and the Christian when reflecting upon this theme.


Hezekiah was a great king, but he was not perfect: “Hezekiah did not respond according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud.” (2 Chron 32:25) This small gap in judgement for the king is the same gap in judgement these punk rockers express in their songs.


Perseverance, or steadfastness, is an admirable virtue. But not if it comes from stubbornness and pride. Pride is a rickety foundation, and you only have to hear about the suicide rate to see the proof of this. Pride as a worldview is intellectually inconsistent and entirely reliant upon one's particular frame of mind at that moment in time.


The steadfastness and perseverance that comes from trusting God cannot be moved. God does not change, nor do His promises. It also makes logical sense of the troubles we face in this world. God wants people of strong character. This character can only be developed through training over time. In the same way an athlete needs heat and cold packs, rest, and physiotherapy as a result of their training, so too does our character training put “stress” on our spirit. But it is a good stress; it is training us up so that God can do even bigger and better things through us. If we are ever in doubt, we can always look to the scriptures for “spiritual physiotherapy”, and see how the greatest athletes of the faith endured the most strenuous training regime. We welcome the struggle; it grants us the ability to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, abounding in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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