Category Archives: seeking understanding

“His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” Psalm‬ ‭147‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

If we want to learn to love God, we must first realize that we must come to Him, not in strength, but in humility.

We must arrive at the point where we say to Him, to borrow from C. S. Lewis, “Oh God, I can’t. You must.”

Accepting His kindness that leads us to repentance is the way.

Whether in smooth quiet waters as depicted in this photo from Lake Balaton week before last or the threatening storm over Budapest taken from a boat on the Danube, our heart’s posture is to trust, to have faith in God’s power, goodness and steadfast love.

““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” Psalm‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬-‭11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands. I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭143‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

To remember what He has done is to build trust.

“Be not silent, O God of my praise!

For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭109‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

With 15 days and 10 locations behind me, I’m taking a couple of days off to rest, read and reflect.

Here’s two books I’ll be working through:

A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther

and

Communion with God by John Owen

Luther teaches his barber how to pray. He advises preparing to pray using the 10 commandments, the Creed (I’m using “The Apostles Creed”), and the Lord’s Prayer as preparation and guide.

As I began rereading Dr. Luther, this was the view from my room⬇️

Owen has been reminding me of the joy of communicating with, and worshiping the Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Here’s an outline for living in communion, in love with God:

“It is indeed made up of these four things:– 1. Rest; 2. Delight; 3. Reverence; 4. Obedience. By these do we hold communion with the Father in his love.”

Some will complain that this is too formulaic. Maybe, but in my experience those whose communion with God is the rushed aren’t afraid of formula.

The converse also seems to be true.

A man struck up a conversation with me on the train. He asked: “Why are you here?” So I told him. “I’m a preacher telling people about Jesus.”

Now, this usually does one on two things, it either shuts the conversation down and that’s fine. Or it make the conversation more interesting. On that day, it was the later.

In the end, this fellow, who wore a yamaka, and I discussed who Jesus is. I asked him: “Do you believe the Torah and the Prophets and the Psalms?” He replied: “Sort of.” Well, long story short (it’s ok to sigh in relief) – it was a very pleasant conversation and in the end, we both got off at the same stop and he saw me from a distance and shouted “Goodbye rabbi!” He blessed me.

Just now, as I did my Psalms for today, I read this:

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” Psalm‬ ‭66‬:‭16‬-‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This ⬆️ is the call. Engage in conversations in which we point to Jesus. It is Jesus who intercedes at the throne for us. It is Jesus who performed the greatest act of steadfast love, on the cross. Blessed be God indeed!