Whenever the stresses of life “distress” you, do you
fantasize an escape? A Caribbean cruise or European vacation? Or just a day
in the woods, or a walk on the beach? “From my distress I called upon the
LORD who answered me and set me in a large place” (Ps. 118:5). “Distress” refers to confinement (Ps.
4:1). Whether a jail cell or classroom; a difficult task or a challenging
relationship—it is the feeling of being pressed in, i.e., a ‘tight spot.’ In contrast, a
“large place” signifies the freedom of wide-open space.
Solomon said “God has put eternity in our hearts” (Eccl.
3:11). If time is the vestibule of eternity, it is
not surprising we feel confined in this narrow hallway called earth. If, as
A.W. Tozer says, the biggest thing in the universe is the human spirit, it is no
wonder we cannot be satisfied with such a small space.
It seems like everyone Altha and I know is experiencing
severe distress: physical, financial, relational. Is it possible these increased troubles are evidence the Lord is
pruning, purging, and purifying His church for His eminent return (1 Peter 4:12-13; 1 Cor.
11:31-32; Heb. 12:5-11)?
After all, isn't it the purpose of the Holy Spirit to prepare the Bride for the return of her Bridegroom? So He can present her to Christ, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish (Eph. 5:27).
If, in the end times, the love of many will grow cold (Matt.
24:12), doesn't it make sense He will do everything necessary to increase the longing of our heart for “home” and for “Him” (Phil. 1:21-23)? Is it possible the severity of our trials means His Return is near? Do you find yourself more often than you used to, looking at each other at the end of one of those hard days, and saying, “Is He coming soon”(Rev. 22:7, 20)?
After two months of chemo therapy for pancreatic cancer, a CT scan revealed that 2 spots on my liver had gotten bigger, or so it seemed. The fact is that these spots are so small that the increase could be explained by the way 2 different radiologists measure them. Regardless,
I am still receiving chemo infusions. And, I will have another CT scan
next month. If there is no further change
in these two little spots, we will assume they are not cancer, but cysts. Then, after 6 weeks of radiation therapy, we wait and
see.
But more important than revelations on a CT scan are revelations of truth I have received during this present trial, many of which are returning to me from posts I wrote in the past. For example, in August 2009, I wrote: Toward the end of his
earthly life, Jesus said “the ruler of this world is coming, and he finds
nothing in me” (John 14:0). Peter explains that Jesus is “the
lamb without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). There was not even one spot for
the devil to get a foothold in Jesus’ heart.
I do not know if I have two little spots of cancer on my liver. But what a great reminder to me that someday Jesus will return for a Bride
that is without “spot” (Eph. 5:27). And, in Christ, I am already spotless.
Today marks the fourth week since my surgery for pancreatic cancer. The majority of the cancer—a tumor—was removed, along with parts of my pancreas, stomach, bile duct, and duodenum—not to mention removal of the gall bladder. It is one of the most invasive surgeries. And the post-operation recovery for this surgery requires absolute confinement. And in this word—confinement—there was/is a great spiritual application.
When Paul referred to his various afflictions as a servant for Christ, he said, “We are hard-pressed, but we are not crushed” (2 Cor. 4:8)—both words connoting confinement, narrowness, or, as one might say, “I’m in a tight spot.” For almost two weeks, I was confined by tubes, needles, and drainage pipes. But, thankfully, my confinement was temporary. And not only was it temporary, I knew it was a portal through which I would find greater freedom.
I am still somewhat confined—by a low energy level, by ongoing medications and treatments that will limit me for an extended period. But the words of the Psalmist have never been more real to me. “From my distress [Hebrew word means a ‘tight or narrow space’] I called upon the LORD, and He answered me, and set me in a large place” (Ps. 118:5).
Have you ever saved a place for your friend(s) in a crowded church service and felt uncomfortable because you knew there was a chance they might not show up, and the seats would be empty? But what if it was a concert your friend(s) had paid for? You would have no reservations about holding their places.
While on earth, Jesus never had a place, once telling an aspiring follower, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus knew His Father was holding His place in Heaven.
And to His disciples, He promised: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, and I'm going to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Ever since, all believers have treasured the truth that He has reserved our place in Heaven. It is prepaid and has our name on it (Eph. 1:20; 2:6; Col. 3:1). And without reservation, I can tell you there will be no empty seats in heaven.
The hottest summer on record is causing even sensible people to wonder, ‘Has global warming arrived?’ A brand new book called, “Global Weirdness: Severe Storms, Deadly Heat Waves, Relentless Drought, Rising Seas and the Weather of the Future,” has advanced the debate. The dry summer of 2012 is likely to spark heated discussions in the 2012 presidential race.
Should this be a hot topic for Christians? “Aren’t we called to be stewards of God’s creation?” you ask. The short answer is ‘yes.’ But the long answer must include an eternal view. Two thousand years ago Peter warned of global warming. “The present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, in which the heavens will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works burned up. Then, a new heaven and earth” (2 Pet 3:7-10, ed.).
Peter's next words are key in answering our question. “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness? Be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of the Lord” (2 Pet 3:11-12, ed.). Peter emphasizes issues of the heart before the environment. But that doesn't give us permission to abuse the earth while we're here. It's not ungodly to recycle!
The Mayan calendar ends on Sunday, December 23, 2012. Is that the end of the world? Harold Camping of Family Radio now proclaims the Lord's return will be on October 20, 2011! A friend of mine who is a biblical scholar says “Many of us who follow world affairs and try to be well-read in eschatology strongly believe the coming of Jesus Christ for His (true) Church is very likely to happen any day now.” How do we know the time is near for Jesus to claim His Bride?
The long answer won’t fit in this venue! But here’s the short answer: When His Bride is ready (Rev. 19:7); when she is spotless (Eph. 5:27; 1 Pet. 3:14); when she loves Him passionately and longs to be with Him (John 17:26; Sng. of Sol. 4:9). A primary role of the Holy Spirit is to prepare the Bride for Jesus' return.
What kind of bride do you think the Spirit wants to present to Jesus on that day? One who is halfhearted, lukewarm, ambivalent? My friends, we are being prepared for the marriage supper (Rev. 19:9). But will He return to a Bride whose heart does not cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus…."? (1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:17, 20)
Some time ago, I wrote about ‘spots,’ but I forgot to mention the ‘wrinkles.’ (Aug. 8, 2009: “It only takes a spot”) (Probably unconscious avoidance on my part!) But Jesus is coming for a Church without spot or wrinkle” (Eph. 5:27). OK, so what are wrinkles?
Perhaps the phrase “a new wrinkle” will help us. A “new wrinkle” means adding a new idea to an old one. In that sense, it could apply to those who try to improve the gospel by adding something new to it. But in so doing, something already perfect gets all messed up. In the 1970’s many churches were infected by psychological theories, and began to incorporate the ideas of self-help into their teaching and programs. This has continued to be a wrinkle in many popular churches right up to this day.
The other way to think about a wrinkle is to look at what it does to otherwise clean apparel. No matter how pristine your clothing may be, if it is wrinkled, it is un-presentable. (Think what impression you’d make in a job interview with a wrinkled shirt.) We all have internal wrinkles. And what are they? They are the ‘crooked’ parts of ourselves—our ‘self-life’: from self-hatred to self-confidence. And when people see you, the first thing they see are these wrinkles instead of the perfect life of Christ.
On my daughter’s wedding day, we took precautions not to wrinkle the wedding dress—having been warned not to ‘lay’ it on the bed, we hung it. When Jesus comes, He doesn’t want to see any wrinkles in His Bride’s gown. But good news! If we confess our wrinkles to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our wrinkles and cleanse us from every spot and wrinkle (1 John 1:9, Greg's version).
Years ago, a book by Robert Munger called “My Heart, Christ’s Home” had a great impact on me. The author metaphorically compares our heart to a house with many rooms where Christ gradually takes up residence, room by room, until He fully possesses the house.
Now of course none of us would intentionally save a “room” in our heart for the devil, but we may unintentionally leave a “place” where he has access. Thus, Paul warns “Do not give a place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). The word “place” can also be translated “spot” as in “save my spot in line,” or “room” as in “is there any room in the car for me?”
It only takes a spot in our hearts to give the devil a “foothold." And a “foothold” can grow into a “stronghold.”
This word “place” or "spot" can also be translated figuratively as an “opportunity.” Every un-crucified “spot” in our hearts gives our enemy an opportunity to bring us into temptation and sin.
Toward the end of his earthly life, Jesus said “the ruler of this world is coming, and he finds nothing in me” (John 14:0). Peter amplifies the thought, saying that Jesus is “the lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Peter 1:19). There was not even one spot (place, room, opportunity) for the devil to get a foothold in Jesus’ heart.
Someday Jesus will return for a Bride that is “holy and blameless,” without “spot or wrinkle or any such thing” (Eph 5:27). We must ask ourselves if we are ready.
