Numbers 6:22-27 was part of my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” today. As I read it I was reminded of the responsibility spiritual leaders have to “bless” those they lead…
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people with this special blessing… May the Lord bless you and protect you! May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you! May the Lord show you His favor and give you His peace!'”
Then the Bible says God spoke and said, “Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in My Name, I MYSELF WILL BLESS THEM!!”
You know what? I want to fulfill that responsibility as a spiritual leader!! I want to be known for going around “blessing people” … God, when I bless ’em will you please bless ’em too?!! I know you will!!
The “laments” are a type of poetic literature in the Bible used by the ancients to express their sorrow, grief, loss, pain, frustration (… even anger). I read one this morning – Psalm 56 – and thought of the many situations in life this might apply to… You might be going through one of them right now! The Psalmist cried out…“O God, have mercy on me! People are hounding me! My foes attack me all day long!” Anyone identify?
But listen to what the Psalmist says…
“But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You! I will praise God for what He has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? … This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what He has promised; yes, I praise the Lord for what He has promised!” (Psalm 56.3-4, 9-10 NLT)
Did you pick up on it… three times in this passage!! “I will praise God for what He has promised!” When you feel hounded and attacked the Bible recommends encouraging yourself in the promises of God! There are a lot of things I might be tempted to do it those kinds of situations… things that probably wouldn’t contribute to any kind of a solution – in fact they probably would exacerbate them – just make them worse. I want to do something that helps! Think I’ll “praise the Lord for what He has promised”!
One of the toughest things to handle is accusation – unjust accusation! It stings – it hurts! Every cell in our psyche wants to retaliate! How could they do this to me?! And worse yet, sometimes the attack comes from a so-called “friend!”
That’s the situational context behind Psalm 55 – my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” this morning… (Listen, someone who is going through that kind of crisis, needs the inspired words – the Godly instruction of this Psalm today!)
The issue… How to respond in a Godly way when it happens to YOU! Here’s an excerpt from the Psalm that I believe gives us guidance… (It comes as a prayer and a word of assurance…)
“Give ear to my prayer, O God – hide not Yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me [i.e.. Pay attention to my prayer] and answer me!
“It is not an enemy who taunts me – then I could bear it! It is not an adversary who deals insolently with me – then I could hide from him! But it is my equal, my companion, my familiar friend! We used to take sweet counsel together, within God’s house…
“But I call to God, and the Lord will save me! Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice!
“OH CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD, AND HE WILL SUSTAIN YOU! HE WILL NEVER PERMIT THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE MOVED!” (From Psalm 55)
Seems like a good solution to me! Find a private place for prayer… pour out you heart – your feelings to the Lord! Ask Him to help you – defend you – guide you! Put it all in the Lord’s hands! Trust him to act on your behalf! He will!!!
