The Importance of Being Uncomfortable

Deuteronomy 12:30-32

I. Pain Can Have Benefits

A. The Great Physician fights disease; false religion is a deadly infectious disease. “When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.” (Deuteronomy 12:29-30)

B. Treat moral infection for what it is and take precautions. “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.” (Deuteronomy 12:31)

C. Physicians prescribe precise dosages; so does God. “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32)

D. To get good results, follow the directions closely. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

E. Poisons can masquerade as medicines; the fact that the medicine show entertainer said the snake oil would cure the problem is not a guarantee of success. “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15-16)

II. Take the Indicated Medicine

A. People in pain seek relief; Jesus set the subject in theological context. “When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Mark 2:17)

B. The Great Physician’s office is open. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

C. Eliminate infection. “If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him:” (Deuteronomy 13:6-8)

D. Some problems require surgery. “And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.” (Zechariah 13:2)

E. Adopt a healthy life style. “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:” (Revelation 2:2)

F. Check for hidden illnesses before they become major illnesses. “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.” (Revelation 2:14-15)

III. Good Health Is More Comfortable

A. The Heidelberg Catechism describes the comfortable—healthy—life. What is your only comfort, in life and in death? That I belong—body and soul, in life and in death—not to myself but to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ, who at the cost of His own blood has fully paid for all my sins and has completely freed me from the dominion of the devil; that He protects me so well that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that everything must fit His purpose for my salvation. Therefore, by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him. “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” (Romans 14:8)

B. Christ is the perfect medicine for human trouble. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:7-8) “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

C. Practicing Christians do not require supplements or intellectual nutraceuticals. “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

Betrayed

Psalm 55 – Remember Absalom and Ahitophel

I. David Stated the Problem

A. David appealed for God’s help because worries overwhelmed life. “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;” (Psalm 55:1-2)

B. Wicked people, acting from the corruption of their own lives, oppress believers; Absalom saw an opportunity to take advantage of David for personal gain. “Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.” (Psalm 55:3) 2 Samuel 15-18

C. Reflection on betrayal can be as damaging as the actual evil being perpetrated. “My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.” (Psalm 55:4-5)

D. The temptation to escape can become a controlling passion under oppression; cowardice can masquerade as caution.. “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” (Psalm 55:6-8)

II. Oppressors Will Develop Problems in Turn

A. Enemies of grace use their evil methods on themselves even as they appear to be in charge. “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.” (Psalm 55:9-10)

B. When evildoers possess the instruments of power, everyone and every institution will suffer from the corruption; ultimately corruption corrupts. “Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.” (Psalm 55:11)

C. Evil compounds when the evildoer is someone close who should have carried, rather than imposed, burdens. “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.” (Psalm 55:12-13)

D. David consigned such moral saboteurs and quislings to Hell; Scripture holds out little hope for people who have tasted the truth and then turned from it to do evil. “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” (Psalm 55:14-15) “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8)

III. Trust Is the Remedy and Consolation

A. David did not strike back but left the account settling to God; the Lord does not forget abused believers or their tormenters. “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17) “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

B. In the midst of strife, God gives believers peace. “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” (Psalm 55:18) “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

C. Behavior which troubles believers is actually directed against God and will invoke Heaven’s wrath; if the tormenters understood repentance and grace, they would not risk their own souls to do wicked things. “God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.” (Psalm 55:19-20) “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I [Judas] shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.” (Mark 14:44)

D. The smooth form of oppression does not ameliorate what transpires. “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:21)

E. Let God handle the worrying. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

F. Sending people to Hell is God’s business; leave justice to Him Who causes evil to punish itself. “But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 55:23) “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” (Psalm 7:15-16)

Betrayed

Psalm 55 – Remember Absalom and Ahitophel

I. David Stated the Problem

A. David appealed for God’s help because worries overwhelmed life. “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;” (Psalm 55:1-2)

B. Wicked people, acting from the corruption of their own lives, oppress believers; Absalom saw an opportunity to take advantage of David for personal gain. “Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.” (Psalm 55:3) 2 Samuel 15-18

C. Reflection on betrayal can be as damaging as the actual evil being perpetrated. “My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.” (Psalm 55:4-5)
D. The temptation to escape can become a controlling passion under oppression; cowardice can masquerade as caution.. “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.” (Psalm 55:6-8)

II. Oppressors Will Develop Problems in Turn

A. Enemies of grace use their evil methods on themselves even as they appear to be in charge. “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.” (Psalm 55:9-10)

B. When evildoers possess the instruments of power, everyone and every institution will suffer from the corruption; ultimately corruption corrupts. “Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.” (Psalm 55:11)

C. Evil compounds when the evildoer is someone close who should have carried, rather than imposed, burdens. “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.” (Psalm 55:12-13)

D. David consigned such moral saboteurs and quislings to Hell; Scripture holds out little hope for people who have tasted the truth and then turned from it to do evil. “We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.” (Psalm 55:14-15) “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8)

III. Trust Is the Remedy and Consolation

A. David did not strike back but left the account settling to God; the Lord does not forget abused believers or their tormenters. “As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:16-17) “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)

B. In the midst of strife, God gives believers peace. “He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.” (Psalm 55:18) “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

C. Behavior which troubles believers is actually directed against God and will invoke Heaven’s wrath; if the tormenters understood repentance and grace, they would not risk their own souls to do wicked things. “God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.” (Psalm 55:19-20) “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I [Judas] shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.” (Mark 14:44)

D. The smooth form of oppression does not ameliorate what transpires. “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.” (Psalm 55:21)

E. Let God handle the worrying. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)

F. Sending people to Hell is God’s business; leave justice to Him Who causes evil to punish itself. “But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 55:23) “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” (Psalm 7:15-16)

Can You See Anything?

Jeremiah 31:15-22; Mark 8:22-28 / Isaiah 44:1-8

I. Jesus Heals the Blind

A. Inability to see and failure to see are both massive problems; each is a metaphor illustrating the other. “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.” (Mark 8:22) “Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?” (Mark 8:18)

B. Healing the blind man is one of many miracles which the people of the region saw and ignored; all reality glorifies God except for those too blind in heart and mind to see what God is doing. “Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.” (Matthew 11:21)

C. This hurting person was only one of many people whom Jesus blessed; where Jesus is lifted up, life becomes better for those who turn to Him. “And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.” (Mark 6:55)

D. Healing the blind is one of the prophesied marks of the Messiah; changed lives have a persuasive power no jihad can match. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.” (Isaiah 35:5-6)

E. God’s grace is focused but not stingy; the Savior is the help of the helpless and the consolation of the disconsolate. “The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Matthew 11:5)

II. Grace Acts in God’s Time

A. Jesus acted for the benefit of this sufferer, not to bring attention to Himself or to promote His own cultural campaign. “And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.” (Mark 8:23)

B. Saul, the persecutor of believers, had to be stricken blind and led away by hand before he also could be healed and transformed into Paul the evangelist of the Gentiles. “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.” (Acts 9:8)

C. People do not see until God opens eyes. “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye salve, that thou mayest see.” (Revelation 3:18)

D. Healing began partially; growing in grace over time is normal for believers. “And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.” (Mark 8:24) “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” (Psalm 119:18)

E. God will not stop till He finishes what He starts; healing the blind man is evidence for the perseverance for the saints. “And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.” (Isaiah 32:3) “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,” (Ephesians 1:17-18)

III. God Finishes What He Starts

A. Jesus kept working on the sufferer until the man saw clearly. “After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.” (Mark 8:25)

B. Just as revelation is progressive, so is grace. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

C. The good gifts of God are specific, not general; Universalism has a certain charm for the fallen mind, but it does not have Biblical support. “For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” (Matthew 13:12)

D. Confidence in God is fundamental to progress in the gospel and the full Christian life; the man trusted Jesus enough to follow him out of town in hope Jesus would finish what He had begun. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

E. Can you see anything? Eyes healed by Jesus see eternity in the marvelous light of grace. “And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.” (Mark 8:26) “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” (1 Peter 2:9)

Protect Me

Psalm 54

I. Troubles Summon Believers to Prayer

A. When David was betrayed to his enemies, he turned to God and pled for protection on the grounds of God’s grace; faith kills anxiety. “To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.” (Psalm 54:1)

1. See the context in 1 Samuel 23:19-29; the people with whom David was hiding betrayed him to Saul. “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.” (1 Samuel 23:19-20)

2. Jesus was betrayed in a similar way. “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.” (Matthew 26:14-16)

B. Until one has turned a problem over to God, nothing much has been done to resolve the problem and once it has been handed over to God, everything else is less significant. “Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.” (Psalm 54:2) “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23:46)

C. No enemy amounts to much when God backs a believer. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

D. God promised Abraham, the father of the faithful, that He would protect him; God has a personal interest in the people of faith. “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

E. Enemies do not understand the relationship between God and His people; God does not save souls to ignore them. “For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.” (Psalm 54:3)

II. God Takes Care of His People

A. God lifts His people out of their troubles and He often uses other believers to help. “Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.” (Psalm 54:4)

B. The enemies of God’s people are tedious and wear poorly. “Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.” (Isaiah 50:9) C. Eventually, God’s people do triumph over those who oppose them. “Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.” (Deuteronomy 33:29) D. People who seek to hurt God’s people hurt themselves. “He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth.” (Psalm 54:5)

E. Paul made David’s point in the New Testament. “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:17-18)

III. Now Is a Good Time for Thanking God

A. God’s compassion is so great that a believer can begin to thank Him when the prayer is finished. “I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.” (Psalm 54:6)

B. God is so interested in His people that He actually answers their needs before they even seek help. “And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24)

C. God has a record of delivering His people which encourages them to expect future help for themselves and appropriate treatment for their tormenters. “For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.” (Psalm 54:7)

D. Life can be difficult but God delivers His own. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” (Psalm 34:19)

E. Jesus was only moments from Paradise as He hung on the cross. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)