Sunday I spoke from Psalm 13. If you would indulge me I’d like to share some of my thoughts with you. But first, please read verses 1-2 and then jump down to verses 5-6 and read them. The following is the study I led the folks through:
- In verse 2b David says his enemies were triumphing (exalting) over him. At the same time in verse 5b he rejoices in his salvation (God is delivering him). How do you explain that?
- In verse 2a David says he wrestled with many thoughts and had sorrow in his heart every day. But in verse 6a David said he sang with joy at the same time. How do you explain that?
- David says in verse 1 that God hid His face from him, and yet at the same time in verse 6b, David says God was good to him (dealt bountifully with him). How do you explain that?
- If God truly forgot David as he says in verse 1a, then how did God at the same time truly love David with a steadfast love? How do you explain that?
Looks like a serious series of discrepancies doesn’t it? I think the answer is found in the differences between David’s feelings and David’s beliefs. David felt like God has forgotten him, while at the same time he really believed God’s love for him was unceasing.
Question: How often have you/I allowed our feelings to dictate how we act? We have allowed our feelings to beat us up, to carry us places we don’t need to go. Truth: when our feelings are stronger than our beliefs we will find ourselves blown away by circumstances and events out of our control.
Always remember this: “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 We need to remember who God is. His character never changes.
I am indebted to Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur for some of these thoughts and the insight to “stir” my brain.
when our feelings are stronger than our beliefs we will find ourselves blown away by circumstances and events out of our control. This is so true brother. Thankful we have a rock to go to, the Word brings clarity in God’s timing. What I mean in that is, sometimes it’s me who is not ready to receive clarity because I am not ready to do what clarity brings. Oh, but for the steadfast love of God that allows me to be frail and continues to give out new mercies. I going to get that book, Wisdom Hunter…
I tend to be an emotional person is some ways Betty so I have struggled with this very thing a good part of my walk with Christ. As for the “not ready to receive” thing: yeah that is so true. The book is good. It is fiction with a factual base. It hits hard against legalism.
How do you explain that? I am not sure you can explain that reasonably. I am still waiting on an explanation of the character of a God that thinks taking young virgins as a prize for winning a battle is a right thing to do. If I had a God he wouldn’t think about young girls in that way. How do you explain that?
Do you have a reference that you are specifically eluding to?
I can explain it easily Jeff. It is faith vs feelings. While my feelings may be all over the map, my faith has a foundation. I may not always “feel” like loving my wife but I do because of the foundation we have set for 43 years. I’m with Ryan. You have said this several times and it is somewhat “old.” I’d like to know where you find it so I can try to answer it.
I copied the scripture on the first inquiry. I’ll see if I can find it. I’m surprised this hasn’t been asked before. I’ve never heard a good explanation and have asked many different professional Christians.
This from Numbers 31:18. There are other examples as well but this is a pretty explicit example of Gods chosen leader, Moses, doing Gods will.
…17″Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. 18″But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves.
No doubt this is a hard read and I know I would not be able to do justice in trying to interpret or fully understand…
That being said there is some commentary here which probably won’t appease your concerns.
http://biblehub.com/commentaries/numbers/31-18.htm
I am not going to say I agree with all the commentaries or that I like any of them.
I am also not completely sure that this was God approved, rather than just God allowed. God does allow individuals and nations to make choices that are not in line with what He wants. This is not to say He couldn’t change it, but He does allow us to have free will to choose our path. Including choosing to follow him.
Keep in mind that God’s original desire was an intimate relationship with Adam and Eve in the Garden without sin… Free will allowed Adam and Eve to choose a different path which lead to God separating himself from them. This along with continued decisions to walk away from God resulted and continues to result in the world we live in today.
Again, I know that this probably won’t suffice as an explanation, however, If you are truly interested in discussing this or other questions further, I would welcome that.
I think God was 100% behind Moses and his methods. After all the killing and stealing of land was a command from God. Given the old testament God’s view of women it seemed quite acceptable to the ignorant tribal peasants of the day. Unfortunately, for todays Christian, as morality and a view toward women have changed, the God of the Old Testament appears as an immoral monster that appears to sanction child sex slaves for his followers. I think my explanation is much more reasoned than invoking free will or Adam and Eve.
So are you stating that you believe God exists, but is as you describe?
I can account a number of times where Moses’ methods were not sanctioned by God. One in particular resulted in Moses not being allowed to enter the “Promised Land” with His people.
My take on this verse requires the previous verse(s) to make some sense of it. The Midianite people were responsible for seducing the Israelites. Moses was angry with his officers for allowing this to happen and for being involved in it. His words are for them to put an end to those responsible for the seduction. It also included Balaam who gave the counsel to the king to seduce them. The girls had not been involved with the seduction so they were allowed to live and eventually marry.
It also comes down to perspective. My/your finite mind will never be able to understand all there is to know about God or His dealings.
I agree that is how the story was told. I am not sure that “allowed to live and eventually marry” is any different than “became sex slaves to the victors”, but it does sound better. And it is perspective. I think it is fiction and you think it is real. For sure two different perspectives.
No I am not saying he exists. Some say he is the most evil character in all of fiction. That would be closer to what I am saying.
Jeff, I am going to be a bit blunt.
I think you are choosing to believe/or not believe regardless of what is presented. You indicate that this is how the story is told, but then directly state that is not how it was. Then follow-up with a statement that it is fiction. I think it is poor judgement on your part to accuse of something you perceived happened a different way than the way it was depicted when you have no evidence to prove otherwise. Perhaps being a bit more cautious with your false interpretations would be advised.
Now if you have legitimate questions and are not just spewing garbage just for the sake of negative comments, then please ask.
I agree with Bill that the story was about Moses being angry with the seduction. I also believe it is a fictional story. My point all along was that it involved Moses keeping sex slaves from his victory. That is what it says. No interpretation necessary. Unless you are trying to change what it says. To say the virgins were allowed to live and eventually marry is a bad attempt to justify taking sex slaves. I don’t know how being allowed (forced) to marry the men that killed all of your relatives except the virgins is cause to celebrate. I think the facts are uncomfortable for those who believe. I am just glad it is all fiction.
Yes, there is a definite difference in our feelings and our beliefs. David was able to adeptly express both.
And you won’t believe this, Bill, (or maybe, you will) but I’m using this exact passage from Lamentations for my Friday blog! Coincidence? I think not!
Blessings!
Looking forward to reading your blog then Martha. 🙂
I love His promises but I love His goodness more…which makes me trust in His promises. Thanks Bill!
What a great way to put it Jay!
Amen, Bill. That’s what’s wrong with our society. People use their emotions to make decisions instead of using character, or the powerful sense of right and wrong designed by God.
You ever notice how unhappy and failing the folks who live their lives solely on emotions are?
No argument from me Floyd. Both societies- “Secular” and “religious”- are being fooled by emotions.
You share a powerful truth here, Bill. Feelings can fool us; belief in God’s Word will not.
Thanks Pam. totally agree with you.
Just what I needed to read today. I’ve been struggling lately with some feelings, even though I know they don’t match with my beliefs. May my beliefs win out! King David’s wisdom to the rescue, once again. Thanks for pointing it out here, Bill.
Yes, may your beliefs win out. Trouble is one of two things (I think): we are run by our feelings or we try to hide them and pretend they don’t exist. May David’s wisdom serve you well.
That’s incredible. I responded to your comment at my place with, “Some days it feels more real than others, but it is ALWAYS truth.” I’m definitely with you, brother! Feelings are good and important, but they don’t override truth and we can’t allow them to overtake our lives. Good thoughts here, Bill. Thank you.
I got your comment jason and totally believe in what you say. I am glad for truth and I can always trust it.