To pass by an old church building and experience the memories that live within those walls, memories of a life that was changed, memories of the people of God whose burning hearts once sung there at the top of their lungs to the only One worthy of praise. To let my fingers run over the tired keys of an old piano that once majestically led the throngs in praise to the Creator of the universe, its familiar timbre transporting me back to my own boyhood when the LORD captured my heart.
Buildings change, people come and go, cities are raised up and torn down, but the
“…steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
(Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)
We have a natural tendency to move our affections toward God’s provisions in buildings and friends and take our eyes off of the very presence of the LORD himself, who, as Jeremiah said is “my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him” (Lamentations 3:24, ESV). While we love the provisions that the LORD provides us with for a time, we cannot mistake those provisions for His very presence. For, when those gracious provisions are removed from us, we will be devastated and perhaps even be upset with the LORD.
Time moves along like the current of a rushing stream. In the currents of time, you and I will experience joys, heartbreaks, discipline, and even agony like we’ve never experienced before. But, just as an athlete thrives on the pain of the activity and the pushing of the body beyond its capabilities, so we too must engage in the battle with our full palette of wonderful and painful emotions, knowing by faith that the LORD holds us within his powerful hand regardless of how we might feel.
For this reason, Jeremiah writes:
“the LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him…it is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. Let him sit alone in silence when it is laid on him; let him put his mouth in the dust…there may yet be hope…let him give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults.” (Lamentations 3:25-30, ESV)
The book of Lamentations is about the holy city who bore the discipline of God toward His people.
“Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has ruined and broken her bars; her king and princes are among the nations; the law is no more, and her prophets find no vision from the LORD.” (Lamentations 2:9, ESV)
One day, the sins of the people would be atoned for by God’s only Son who would bear the wrath for the people of God, and would certainly “give his cheek to the one who strikes, and let him be filled with insults” and “sit alone in silence when [the yoke] is laid on him” and “put his mouth in the dust”.
This day, we are called to take up our crosses and follow Jesus on the trail of suffering and resurrection from the dead and enter into that which no eye has seen and no ear has heard. We must bear the yoke in our youth in silence and wait for the salvation of our God.
Is this all too gloomy? Not for me! For we will find that from our deepest, most devastating emotions, the door of hope will emerge more brightly and more beautiful than before (see Hosea 2:15). This is the promise, that our mourning will turn into dancing and our sackcloth will turn to a raiment of joy (see Psalm 30:11).
In visiting the tomb of Abraham and Sarah, my heart broke in joy. My heart broke in joy because I remembered the victorious walk of faith of my ancient forefather that preserved him through uncertainty, doubt and fear. I thought about how he had buried his wife here, and I thought about how Isaac and Ishmael had buried him here. Then I thought about the bones of Jacob lying nearby with those of his wife Leah; though not beautiful in appearance, she was the great matriarch of the Savior of the world. I have been given a beautiful heritage.
Today I read about and remember that lonely city of Jerusalem after it had been violated by a pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar. There is a joy that springs forth, because I know the end of the story…I can fully feel the depth of those emotions without fear.
Similarly, all of us in Christ Jesus know the end of all our stories…let us then walk by faith through whatever good or bad emotions the LORD sovereignly brings our way, knowing that when we walk through them in faith, they will ultimately be refined into something full and joyful. This is the Biblical Story. This is the way of the LORD.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
(James 1:12, ESV)
For, one day, someone who hates the LORD Jesus might place our heads on executioner’s blocks…it will be at that place that we will enter into the joy of our Savior and will begin to truly live as never before. Because of our faith, that place will become a hallowed door of life. Someday, someone might read and remember our stories of faith, and feel the emotions of joy when they visit that haunted place so horrible in the world’s sight. Faith in Jesus redeems everything it touches.
“…who through faith….some were tortured…they were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword…”
(from Hebrews 11:33-37, ESV)
Every day not only do we remember the history of the past, but we are forging new memories. In walking by faith, by faith we transform past history, and by faith, the memories that we are making today will bloom into a beautiful garden of flowers tended by the LORD of that place himself.
“…I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”
(Psalm 73:28, ESV)
Perhaps someday I will have a grandson on my knee and I will tell him about what the LORD has done in all of us by faith. In order for us to be able to tell of the LORD’s works someday, we must walk this day and the next day by faith, rather than in our own sight, strength, and contrivances.
May the memory of our days be a testimony that faith is indeed the victory that overcomes the world!
I need Thee, oh I need Thee,
every hour I need Thee;
Oh bless me now my Savior,
I come to Thee.