The most memorable presentation I ever heard took place at a speech competition. The speaker was a tall and sturdily built young man with long, curly red hair and an intense stage presence that captured attention. The man’s content and timing were impeccable; he kept the audience roaring with laughter.  

The giggles, chuckles, and bellowing delight revolved around the speaker’s personal barroom experiences as a drunken reveler. His tales were rich with the humor of falls, curses, faints, cavorting, and his history of making a fool of himself. Each story built on the previous one as the man increased the intensity of the hilarity to a crescendo. The auditorium echoed with riotous laughter as he took a long pause. 

Then … BAM!!! He slammed the podium with his fist and screamed a curse. “What are you laughing at?” he demanded, “I’m an alcoholic!” Immediately the laughter ceased. The room became utterly still; the silence deafened. As the young man returned to his seat without further comment, his point was clear: Why do people laugh at tragedy and shameful topics? Why do we laugh at sin?  

Proverbs 14:9 says, “Fools mock at sin” (NKJV). The bulk of American comedy, in all of its forms, is generally crude, mean, offensive, and sacrilegious. Certainly we question the morals of those who would speak such filth in order to accumulate wealth and popularity, but few of us bother to avoid movies and television shows in which such comedy is embraced. Jesus said: “The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander’” (Matthew 15:18-19). He also stated: “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). I’m deeply distressed that Christ-followers find amusement in things that point to the tragedy of sin—things that only highlight the sad, evil thoughts that hold so many hostage. 

In First Thessalonians 5:22 Paul says to believers, “Avoid every kind of evil.” But often believers become intrigued by the vile and base language and stories shared in modern comedy. In doing so, we become participants in the propagation of trash. I agree with few Christian slogans since I find very little substance in “bumper sticker religion,” but one catch-phrase that holds merit when it comes to whether or not a Christ-follower should find enjoyment in vulgar or sacrilegious comedy is “WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?” We should constantly ask ourselves, Would Jesus listen to and laugh at this if He were watching and listening to modern entertainment? If the answer is “no,” we are wise to find entertainment elsewhere.  

Clearly Christ condemned the evil thoughts and words that contaminate our society and taint His creation. They indicate a deeper spiritual issue: our sinful and wicked hearts. In Matthew 12:34 Christ asked, “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” On the surface, it’s easy to see the spiritual depravity of the purveyors of the kind of comedy I’ve mentioned, but to enjoy such filth is also a reflection of our sin-stained hearts. We must hold to Paul’s advice to the church as Ephesus: “There [should] be [no] obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place” (Ephesians 5:4). 

Our innate sinful nature and desire for base things over virtuous ones highlight why we so desperately need a Savior from our sin. When we peel back the layers of our human nature, we expose hearts that are radically different than the ones needed to have fellowship with Holy God. Despite the fact that both our culture and those who live in it have lost their innocence, purity, and naiveté, God still demands these virtues (See Colossians 3:8). God’s Word says, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). In the truest sense we can only find those things in Jesus, and so we must pursue Him.  

The Lord is certainly not against laughter; in fact, He created it.  However, let’s remember that He said, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16) and that His ultimate standard is complete righteousness.  Second Corinthians 5:21 tells us that only in Christ will we find what we don’t have and yet what a holy God demands. That’s why pursuing Him and His way is no laughing matter.

Bible-thumping on Bourbon Street at night barred by ordinance

Have you ever been to the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana? I have on several occasions. Many a business conference has taken me there due to the city’s bizarre drawing power. Bourbon Street is central to the city’s pull on tourists and social rubberneckers. Why? Because, after traveling a large part of these United States, it is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to Sodom and Gomorrah in America (Las Vegas and Key West are a pretty close 2^nd). Bourbon Street can be likened to observing a hedonistic car crash – even the purest of heart have difficulty keeping their gaze from the titillating and ostentatious sinfulness and drunken revelry. And the air reeks of the musty, dark odor of voodoo shops, “adult” venues, and alcohol induced vomit.

So what is the city’s answer to the environment that has encouraged the ruin of many lives and souls? Ban the Bible. Never mind the first amendment – let it be noted that every lifestyle known to man (civilized or not) is vociferously promoted and proclaimed on that street. It will both amaze and frighten you. But no Bible…no evangelism? Why don’t we just let the place melt into a pillar of salt? Because God apparently doesn’t want that. And the Bible suggests this.

The most amazing thing to me about the biblical account of Sodom and Gomorrah is God’s patience and grace, not His eventual devastation of that perverse and vile city. Read the story for yourself. You can find it in Genesis 18–19. We all know about the judgement and destruction that marks the end of the saga but often forget that Abraham sought God’s mercy on that scandalous town. And God did relent until it became obvious that the townsfolk would not repent. For there weren’t even 10 righteous men to be found there. But I want to leave you with the part that, as I mentioned before, most impressed me – God’s patience and grace. Maybe they should influence the way we view places like New Orleans and the sad and hopeless people who endlessly and godlessly party on its streets:

“The men turned from there and went toward Sodom while Abraham remained standing before the Lord. Abraham stepped forward and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are 50 righteous people in the city? Will You really sweep it away instead of sparing the place for the sake of the 50 righteous people who are in it? You could not possibly do such a thing: to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. You could not possibly do that! Won’t the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” The Lord said, “If at Sodom I find 50 righteous people in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Then Abraham answered, “Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord-even though I am dust and ashes- suppose the 50 righteous lack five. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” He replied, “I will not destroy [it] if I find 45 there.” Then he spoke to Him again, “Suppose 40 are found there?” He answered, “I will not do [it] on account of 40.” Then he said, “Let the Lord not be angry, and I will speak further. Suppose 30 are found there?” He answered, “I will not do [it] if I find 30 there.” Then he said, “Since I have ventured to speak to the Lord, suppose 20 are found there?” He replied, “I will not destroy [it] on account of 20.” Then he said, “Let the Lord not be angry, and I will speak one more time. Suppose 10 are found there?” He answered, “I will not destroy [it] on account of 10.” When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, He departed, and Abraham returned to his place” Genesis 18:22-33, HCSB).

It was a nervous plane ride to Texas for some. Not for me; I’m used to traveling by air. But for the man seated in the same row, with an empty seat in between, it was uncomfortable and unfamiliar. “I haven’t flown since 9/11,” he said. In my fatigue, all I could babble was, “things have changed, haven’t they?” He asked me a couple of questions before disappearing into an uneasy stare towards the skies from his window seat. I disappeared into my Christian book and was all too happy to have no further dialogue. Though he was pleasant enough, I wanted to lose myself in the lofty thoughts of great theologians and apologists. Shame on me…God had a different plan.

Given my small bladder and that a friend was going to pick me up immediately upon landing, I decided to go to the restroom (as if one can get any rest in the bathroom of a commercial airliner). I laid down my book on the empty middle seat and made the trek to the back of the plane. With the flight nearing its conclusion, I didn’t expect any more conversation. But I was very wrong. The blue-collar gentleman next to me was about to startle me from my missional slumber and into my Great Commission mandate.

“Are you are Christian man?” he inquired. “Well, yes, I certainly am…are you?” He paused and mumbled, “I think so.” I was unprepared for this turn of events (that’s the norm for me) and tried to gather myself. But I failed to come up with a coherent response. So I quickly asked God for wisdom and guidance. Soon my thoughts began to organize and I was empowered to speak again. But I could only think to say, “God wants you to know for sure. In the Bible, John wrote a letter for this very purpose.” Even though silence ensued, at this point I knew that I had nothing to do with my retort – the Holy Spirit had taken control.

Then came a flood of questions and answers. He had been baptized, gone to church, left the church, had faith, lost his faith, had hope and now doubted. He believed he was a good man but knew, deep in his being, that wasn’t enough. He understood that it was about a relationship with Jesus and not about religious dogma and practice. He knew the Bible held the key to understanding and knowing Who held his future. He comprehended that he was a sinner, that he must cast himself upon God’s mercy, and surrender all of who he is to all of Who God is. All I could then do was to ask if I could pray for him. He  appreciatively said yes.

Suddenly I was reminded of Jesus’ encounter with the religious of his day:

“One of the scribes approached. When he heard them debating and saw that Jesus answered them well, he asked Him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?”“This is the most important,” Jesus answered: Listen, Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. “The second is: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Then the scribe said to Him, “You are right, Teacher! You have correctly said that He is One, and there is no one else except Him. And to love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:28-34).

Perry is not far from the kingdom of God. How many teeter on the edge of hope and assurance? Many don’t embrace the simple yet profound words of the Apostle John: “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The one who doesn’t have the Son of God does not have life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” And we most fully know that we know that we have Jesus’ life, His new life, His eternal life when we “Love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart, with all [our] soul, with all [our] mind, and with all [our] strength. [And we] love [our] neighbor as [our self].”

I am praying for Perry. I pray that Perry knows that he knows that Jesus is His and Jesus has him – now and forever. And I pray that one day I will see him in Heaven and we can talk about how wonderful Jesus is…and that bumpy flight between Nashville and Dallas. The one, I hope, where he began his pilgrimage from doubt to assurance. When he affirmed in his head and his heart that he loved Jesus above all else – with all that he is, with all that he has, based upon all of Christ’s worth.

So, what about you?

Given the interesting nature of this article and that our church just concluded a 4 week series entitled Financial Freedom (where, believe it or not, the church gave us money – a crisp $20 bill for each family attending on the last Sunday of the messages), I thought I’d share some of my thoughts on giving. This is an excerpt from my book Captivated by Christ: Focusing on Him, which is available in both digital and hardcopy formats at most online bookstores.  

Joyous Giving 

Ever used a calculator to determine what tithe amount you “owe” based upon ten percent of your take home pay or monthly salary? Ever hesitated when a church need presented itself that would cause you to go above that ten percent threshold? Have you ever rationalized your tithing as a means of lowering your taxes, perhaps even hesitating to give to a situation that wouldn’t work as a tax write it off? I know I have, and I imagine most believers have too. 

Despite the theological debate surrounding the issue, giving really is a blessing to those who do it (Acts 20:35). With that fact in mind, I’d like to suggest that the struggle to give cheerfully and freely is actually a heart issue. God began to deal with me on this topic by gradually enlightening me to the compulsory and obligatory nature of my giving. Actually, at that point in my life I wasn’t giving: I was tithing (which has very little New Testament justification). I saw giving the Lord the first ten percent of every pay check a legalistic duty or spiritual standard. I didn’t enjoy it; in fact, I resented it. I dutifully calculated the amount each week before slowly writing a check to the church. When I reticently dropped it in the offing plate, I felt nothing. I didn’t even have the satisfaction of feeling “righteous” in my “obedience.”  

Looking back, I realize that my irritation over the tithe came down to two facts: (1) I loved money, and (2) I sought to hoard it as a form of (false) security. The truth is that I didn’t love my God enough to cheerfully give back what He had given me. In those days I tithed―not out of overflowing love—but in an attempt to appease my joyless and empty sense of obligation. No sacrificial satisfaction came in the process, and I found very little reduction of that nagging guilt that accompanied the forced activity. I became burdened over the hollowness of my tithing and confessed to God my insincerity. 

Over the next months I began to seek God as my Provider, asking Him to move me from being a mundane tither to a joyful giver. In response to my prayers, He drove me to Second Corinthians 8:1-5: 

“We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” 

I was captivated by the attitude of these impoverished Macedonian Christians as recorded by Paul. Look at the phrases used to capture the attitude behind their sacrificial offerings: overflowing joy, rich generosity, beyond their ability, entirely on their own, privilege of sharing, in service to the saints, and in keeping with God’s will. When I realized that the poverty-stricken saints of the early church were so inclined to give to the Lord and His work that they saw it as a privilege, I was moved to shun calculations and gaze on Calvary. When I did, I was emboldened to forsake obligatory tithing and to embrace happy, love saturated, and sacrificial giving.  

Over the next months, the Lord helped me develop a giving model. It may be effective for you as well: 

• Give a set amount out of every check to the local church. Christ’s church is an instrument and witness for the Gospel. Giving to a local assembly helps facilitate the expansion of His Kingdom. 
• Give either a planned or spontaneous figure to a mission’s organization. In order to broaden our vision of God’s global purposes it is encouraging to contribute financially to His work outside of our own community. 
• Give a spontaneous gift to a specific missionary family. This helps our giving become more personal and intimate. We are more engaged as we partner with “real” people who have dedicated themselves to full-time missions. 
• Prayerfully look for additional opportunities to meet individual local needs that will draw people to God. We model Christ’s love by helping to meet legitimate human needs. We need to be aware of opportunities to joyously give as a testimony to what He has given us.  

I believe that out-of-the-heart giving often exceeds the ten percent Old Testament standard that we so often hear about from the institutional church. The Lord wants us to live and give out of “the abundance of [our] hearts” (Luke 6:45). When we pursue sacrificial and joyful giving we embrace Christ’s example. The more we become like Him the more satisfied we are in Him. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).

“But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. For who sees anything different in you?” (1 Corinthians 4:3-7, ESV). 

I’m one of the few people in America who doesn’t know much of anything about Kim Kardashian. For those who know me well, this will not come as a shock. But I do know that she and her family have a Reality TV show (Isn’t that an oxymoron?). And I understand she recently married a professional basketball player and the union legally lasted only a few weeks. I’m also guessing, due to her immense ability to draw media attention, she is a hero and role-model to millions of girls (and I expect some adult women as well). 

To recap: KK is a celebrity, who has a TV show, who recently got married, who more recently divorced, who now is attending church before she has pictures taken of herself in, what I would presume to be, skimpy negligees. I guess the article above (see link) tells me this much. But I really don’t know her and, though probably dubious of her motives, I don’t know what she is thinking or feeling. I am guessing, at least, that she is desperately seeking something – whether it be secular or spiritual. But aren’t we all?

So what do I think? Does it really matter? Not really – it’s what God knows and thinks that matters. He is the omniscient judge.  

So I believe this is one situation where I (maybe “we”) need to heed Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian church in the passage above. Maybe we shouldn’t pridefully “go beyond what is written” and get all self-righteous and puffed up thinking we can determine motives that only the Lord can discern. And though I’m tempted by my cynicism of “Celebrity Christianity,” I will bite my fingers and leave KK’s evaluation (the term the HCSB uses for “judge” in this text) to Him who knows all things. Instead I pray that Jesus gets such a hold of her that He completely rocks her world, and the entertainment industry in the process. And I pray that, as Paul suggested in verse 7, Jesus gets such a hold of me that people who need to see Him will see in my life the radical difference that He will make.

Whoever wrote Psalm 102 (some say David, some say Asaph) was extremely insecure. But, if we are honest, aren’t we all? We look for affirmation from various things and people – academic credentials, jobs, spouses, ministries, family, possessions, supervisors, financial savings, etc. – wanting to feel good about ourselves and our situation. This writer was no different. He understood the fleeting nature of his life (Psalm 102: 2, 11) and was in the midst of a time of great turmoil, pain, and affliction. Even worse, he felt God was uninvolved (102:2) and had abandoned him in anger (102:10). The psalmist was, by any definition, insecure about himself and his circumstances. Although maybe not to this extreme, can you identify? I sure can. 

I’m so glad the Bible shows God’s people with “warts and all.” They were frail and filled with foibles. And so are we. Insecurity is such a common theme in fallen humanity that, I believe, this passage and others give us guidance on how to deal with our lack of confidence. In this Psalm, like us, the writer tended to look at himself rather than God. When he turned from his feelings and looked at the facts, He saw the greatness and goodness of his God. Not in himself or his circumstances did he find the salve to soothe his insecurity. It was in the immutability of God. 

And what is God’s immutability? Maybe the word “unchangeableness” would be easier to understand. In his systematic theology, Wayne Grudem  (if you don’t have one, get it) defines this attribute of God by explaining that “God is unchanging in His being, perfections, purposes, and promises, yet God does act and feel emotions, and He acts and feels differently in response to different situations.” Beyond being changeless God is also timeless. Both of these concepts are found in the psalmist’s consolation in this passage (see 102:26-27). In the midst of his weakness, this child of God chose to cling to God’s ultimate prominence and infinite power as opposed to his own limitations. The Psalmist understood that contemplating our God’s immutability is a wonderful antidote to our insecurity. His comforting conclusion is found in verse 28: “The children of your servants shall dwell secure; their offspring shall be established before you.”

So what’s the application? In ourselves we are insecure (and have every reason to be). But as blood-bought followers of Jesus our security and identity are found not in ourselves but in the unchanging immensity and integrity of God. And this becomes a reality when we embrace that “who we are” is found only in the person of God’s son, Jesus. And, even more amazing, His identity has been placed into us. This is Paul’s thought when he says in Colossians 2:6-7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” Walking in Him means that, no matter our situation, we are persevering in faith-filled hopefulness and trusting He is at work in us. In other words, Jesus, and nothing else, is our identity and security! We know this because we, “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). This means that part of His good news is that, no matter how imperceptible it may be, He is building us up!

As we battle our insecurity with the immutability of God that is experienced through our union with Christ, let’s ponder James 1:17-18: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” Consider what makes you feel whole, fulfilled, or complete. Is there something outside of Jesus that is your identity or security? Ask God to reveal and imprint the sufficiency of Christ in every aspect of your life and pray that you never look to anything or anyone else to make you feel complete.

Insecure? Let’s find our identity in “Jesus Christ [who] is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The God who promises that He never changes His mind or breaks His promises (Numbers 23:19). He is the One that has “granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). Our immutable Lord is worthy of our faith – He can be trusted in our weakness. For through Him we have the confidence that only comes because we have “Christ in [us], the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry (my first impulse is to cry) at this ABC News story. It seems as if charismatic churches are the target of numerous law suits alleging they are negligent when parishioners, while being “slain in the Spirit,” uncontrollably fall during their fits of ecstasy and injure themselves or other attendees.

I know we live in a ridiculously litigious society and decry the stereotypical “ambulance chasing lawyer,” but this is outrageous. Taking a clue, I guess, from the Nebraska State Senator who sued “God” and lost (see State Sen. Ernie Chambers Sues God – Omaha News Story – KETV Omaha), these folks have decided that suing the 3^rd person of the Trinity would be considered frivolous by the court system. So they take legal action against churches that practice these types of services, during which they are presumably injured.

Which takes me to our focal passage. Now I’m in no way saying that these claimants are literally “grieving the Spirit” anymore than I’m saying that the defendants aren’t. I’m thinking about the broader context of Paul’s warning to the church at Ephesus. Grieving the Spirit is serious; it’s an affront to God. But the context here has much to do with our attitudes, words, and actions toward others. The Apostle talks about building others up in grace and putting away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander. He tells us to be kind to others and to be forgivers. Doing, or not doing, these things can grieve the Spirit of God as well.

So the lesson to us? Though we may be disgusted by those would charge the church with negligence because they couldn’t litigate the Holy Spirit, we must be careful that we aren’t offending God in a different way. How do we treat others? How do we talk to and about them? Are we divisive; ones who harbor grudges? Our answers may indicate if we are potentially grieving the Spirit just as much as those who choose such senseless and despicable legal actions. Maybe the charge God would bring against us is that we grieve Him in our relationships with others, whether we file a suit against them or not.

Think about it!

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God” – has comforted many a Christ-follower. And rightly so – it stands as a reminder that in the stiff winds of strife, suffering, and sorrow there is a sovereign God who still rules and reigns. And One who cares for and guides His chosen for His glory and their eternal good. Because of the power inherent in this command, we often forget the quote above is but the first half of this verse. It is also sometimes lost on us what the overarching theme and message of this song is. So what is the context here? What does this sentence infer? And, maybe most importantly, what does the phrase “Be still,” which has been the subject of much debate, actually mean? All of this, I believe, has a very practical application for us and does a great deal to help us to more fully know the God who is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Working from the back of Psalm 46 to the front, let’s take the last question first. According to Hebrew scholars (trust me, I’m not one of them) the term translated “Be still” (raphah) is interpreted in various ways. Literally, it could be translated “to be weak, to let go, or to release.” It also suggests to cease, desist, or surrender (hence the HCSB translates this verse as “Stop [your fighting]”). In order that you are encouraged to read on, that you know this isn’t just some academic discourse, this makes a huge difference.

This verse is telling us the posture necessary to know God (which should be our greatest goal) is one of weakness, dependence, and capitulation. Don’t miss the point: this verse is not just saying that we are to find a solitary place, get quiet, and ponder God. It is telling us that humbling ourselves before Him is the means to knowing Him, being gripped by His greatness, and finding strength based on His activity, comfort, and providence in our trials. This humility represents a spiritual disposition that ought to characterize those to whom God’s unfailing promises have been given. For a New Testament point of reference, read Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount description of those who are the blessed dwellers in His kingdom (Matthew 5:3-6).

It is this kind of broken posture that leads us to better understand the nature of a God we can know, one who is described in the last half of verse 10 as “[the] God [who] will be exalted among the nations, [who] will be exalted in the earth!” This dictate - “be still” – forces us to think on two critical points: we are finite, and God is infinite. In other words, He is God and we aren’t! That being the case, we need to assume an attitude of weakness, dependence, and surrender so that we can “come, behold the works of Jehovah” (v. 8). Know that He is God, the psalmist cries! Know this practically, spiritually, and emotionally; not just intellectually. Our God is the ruler of the kingdoms of this earth and the all-powerful Creator of the universe. He has not lost control.

This leads us to the greater context of “Be still and know that I am God.” We see the works and witness of this great God is the 9 verses that precede our focal text. God has revealed the manifestations of His character, His acts of might and mercy, so that we might know Him and that we may enjoy a quiet confidence in Him who gave us his Son. Spiritual serenity, the psalmist indicates, ought to be cultivated in midst of the difficulties we face in this life. This inner calm that the writer professes does not come from a lack of troubles; instead it is nurtured in steady, deep reflection on the ways God has intervened in history on behalf of his people (see Romans 15:4). It is God’s work in the past that provides assurance in our present and our future. So, when our world seemingly crumbles around us, the call from Scripture is to not flinch, but to have faith in this great God of ours. Stand still, He decrees. Not because of a self-made confidence, not because we can cope or deal with life’s uncertainties, not because we have a plan. Instead, be strong and calm because of what we know about our God.

Now we see a certain progression as we work from the back to the front of this comforting passage. Brokenness leads to a greater knowledge of our incomprehensibly mighty God. Our faith in God is confirmed (and affirmed) as we recall His history of great works on behalf of His chosen children, including us. This means, no matter our situation or circumstances, as one of His beloved, we can be at rest and experience the tranquility that comes only from knowing that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Therefore, we will not fear even though the world around us convulses and we struggle under the heavy weight of our troubles. For “[He is] God. [He] will be exalted among the nations, [He] will be exalted in the earth!” And we can never be separated from His loving care. So in humility and faith-filled dependence, let’s “be still, and know that He is [our] God…The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”

No one is a smaller fan of Richard Roberts and his ministry than I am. I consider his theology and ministry to be terribly misguided and a blemish on all that the true Gospel and Scripture stand for. But this is no time to cast stones. I’m praying for him, his family, and all those who follow him. I pray for all of those whose faith might falter due to this news. For, no matter the sin or the sinner in question, I couldn’t be more thankful that our Heavenly Father is a God of mercy, grace, forgiveness, and multiple second chances. And I write knowing this redemptive truth applies more to me than anyone else I know.

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the falling away comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God” ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

As disheartening and shocking as it is, this USAToday article is a must read. It paints a very tragic portrait of the secularization and “lostness” of the country in which we live. And it breaks my heart. Read for yourself:

For many, ‘Losing My Religion’ isn’t just a song: It’s life

This piece reveals a vivid and ugly picture of the practical atheism that is pandemic in America. These unbelievers are euphemistically labeled as “apatheists.” The Bible would describe them as “separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of [God] and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). 

Some snippets and statistics from this troublesome article:

“The real dirty little secret of religiosity in America is that there are so many people for whom spiritual interest, thinking about ultimate questions, is minimal,” says Mark Silk, professor of religion and public life at Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.

“We live in a society today where it is acceptable now to say that they have no spiritual curiosity. At almost any other time in history, that would have been unacceptable,” Budde says.

“This is a disaster for Christians, says Scott McConnell, director of LifeWay Research, “If you’re not worried about heaven, you won’t notice or care if Jesus is essential your salvation. You’re not thinking about any consequences,” McConnell says.  

Here are some appalling numbers, figures that should launch us into an impassioned crusade of Gospel proclamation and disciple-making that Jesus mandated in His Great Commission:

•44% told the 2011 Baylor University Religion Survey they spend no time seeking “eternal wisdom,” and 19% said “it’s useless to search for meaning.”

•46% told a 2011 survey by Nashville-based evangelical research agency, LifeWay Research, they never wonder whether they will go to heaven.

•28% told LifeWay “it’s not a major priority in my life to find my deeper purpose.” And 18% scoffed that God has a purpose or plan for everyone. 

To further accentuate the dire nature of these numbers, hidden beneath these statistics are those who believe in God (or religion) but not the God of the Bible. These include various religions and belief systems outside of and even opposed to traditional Christianity (Islam, Buddhism, etc.).

Do we see these folks? Clearly they are all around us. We can find them where we work, at the store, in our neighborhood, and maybe even at church. USAToday makes it crystal clear they can be found everywhere in our culture. But are we really looking for them? This should serve as a siren’s warning and a powerful motivator to all who claim the name of Christ and profess to follow Him. Do we care? Do we care about those who don’t care, those who give no thought to the things of God and eternal matters? Do we love Him, and them, enough to tell them the truth and share with them the hope and joy found only in Jesus? I pray we do. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). And folks, that means us!

As uncomfortable as it is, I must close with a warning from the Apostle Peter. Why? Because it is the Word of God. It is true and must be said. Take heed, God has spoken and it will come to pass. Therefore, if you aren’t trusting and resting in the assurance and hope that is found only in surrendering by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, I plead with you to look at Him and look to Him, admit your sin, and cast yourself upon His mercy.

“…by way of reminder, that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:1-8).