August 27, 2013

Proverbs 3:1,4 — My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

What do you do when your world is rocked — and not in a good way? It happened to me today. I was told that I had upset a customer by something I’d said. Now the fact is, I hadn’t. And even if I had, you would find it really hard to understand why anybody would be so upset by what I am supposed to have said. I’ve been prevented from approaching the customer and trying to deal with the issue … and the whole thing might turn ugly enough that I lose my job over it. But that’s not the point.
How do you react when your world is rocked? I’m working through it. I was initially very distressed, and I’m still pretty upset. But aren’t I supposed to be joyful in all circumstances? I was talking with Myra as we drove home. “It’s natural,” she said, “your perch has been shaken. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t react.” That seems true. I thought about some Biblical heroes who definitely wobbled when there perch was shaken.
Take Elijah. He was definitely a hero. In 1 King 18 he despatched the prophets of Ba’al in one swoop. What happens next? In the very next chapter we find him heading for the hills as Jezebel threatens his life. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
Then there’s Peter. One of my all time heroes! He goes from hero to zero in no time flat (well, from Mark 14:31 to Mark 14:72 anyway!) He goes from swearing eternal loyalty to denying all knowledge of Jesus in less than a chapter …
So it seems that even the Biblical greats were shaken when there worlds were rocked. But what happened next? Elijah rallies and faces down Kings Ahab and Ahaziah and calls down fire from heaven 50 soldiers at a time. Peter goes on to be the rock on which the church is founded and finds a martyr’s death.
How did the heroes of old steady themselves when life wobbled their perches? That’s the clue I’m looking for. I think I’ve found it in the “journal” of a man whose world was rocked more than most. The psalms of David show us how he reacted under pressure. Take Psalm 3, for instance, when Absalom drove him out of Jerusalem —

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Thou, O Lord, are a shield for me … I will do my best to keep your commandments and trust you for the outcomes of the events of my life.