WISDOM

ACTS 5:17-41 (Read this whole passage to get the full effect)34. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men [Peter and John] be put aside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men..."


Gamaliel, was not a follower of Christ. Far from it and he did not hold much respect for those who were. Yet he was a student of God and God's ways. Gamaliel had wisdom and he used it here.

Wisdom is a rare commodity. Wisdom calms a heart, slows down a rushing brain. Wisdom does not use force, but it is powerful. Wisdom is not all dressed up, but it is attractive. Wisdom does not cajole, but it does persuade.

As you read through this passage, look at the counsel of Gamaliel.
1. Think before you act.
       Gamaliel has seen rabble rousers before. He has seen things done in the name of God that were not of God at all. Gamaliel advises to wait it out... 36."Some time ago, Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing."
       So wait.

2. Know the pattern, know the precedence
        There are patterns. There is precedence. Gamaliel reminds them they have seen this all before. And it died out as the leader died out. Since Christ has just been crucified, Gamaliel says "See if the pattern we know continues. This may die out with out us lifting a finger." Remember Theudas and Judas.

3. Understand God will not fail
     38-39 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."


For the moment, the Council listened. But as a whole the religious class did not. They fought the disciples tooth and nail. Martyred them. Did all they could around the region to stamp out Christ but the  words of Gamaliel proved true: They found themselves fighting God, and God does not lose.


     I find myself in the position  of relying on the wisdom of God and it finds its way into my prayers with phrases like "Your will be done." and "Lord, I leave it in your hands." When I pray this, I have had to learn God's will and mine may not be one and the same; Leaving it in God's hands is harder than I think when things do not turn out the way I would like. The question I have to ask myself is do I Trust God or not? Do I rely on the wisdom of God or not? As painful as it sometime is...I must.

    Oh Lord, help me to rely on your wisdom, not just when it suits me, but because you have declared it  so. Help me to search your Scripture and your precepts as I traverse this life for you. Help me to keep the things I have put in your hands, in your hands. Amen.

        
      

OUT OF DARKNESS

2 SAMUEL 22:29 OR PSALM 18:28 "You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light."


     I try not to write anything in the darkness.
    You know the darkness. For some it may be depression. For others it may be a spiritual battle or a time when life has been harsh. It is amazing how we can function just enough in the darkness to get by but not enough to get out.
     My recent bout of darkness left me unable to sleep. Sundays, as a rule, drain me. I am not sure those who do not stand behind the pulpit on a weekly basis understand the battle that goes on spiritually when one preaches. And the battle always takes its toll on the body.
     The fact I love to preach does not mean it is any less draining. It is even more so if you are carrying the darkness with you.
     There is something awesome that happens when I preach. The darkness lifts for that 30 minute window. I feel the best I feel all week, darkness or without darkness, in the pulpit.
     But if you are battling the darkness it returns, for me, one step from behind the pulpit. And it did so in full force this past Sunday.
     But God turns my darkness into light! This is my testimony today.
     I woke up Monday from a fitful night. The darkness kept me awake, I slept in fits. My mind racing, my heart heavy. Today was going to be a dark day. So dark that I did not have the strength to apply God's Word; so dark that my journal for the day consisted with one sentence about how dark it is. I get through the day, trying to be as normal as possible but the darkness prevails.
    Finally, as I crash into bed at 6:00, I find I can't even read the darkness is so heavy. And then I do the first right thing all day. Instead of lamenting the darkness, I pray to God to take the darkness. Why didn't I think of that before? I prayed for the cause of my darkness. And then I slept the heaviest sleep in years. It was three hours of dreamless sleep, awakened by the phone as it rang and rang.
     It was then 9:00. I had slept so hard I did not notice my wife had gone out of bed and to the store. But I did notice my darkness was turned into light. I was a totally different person. After a weekend of darkness, God's lamp was before me.
    It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my walk with Christ. I am not prone to darkness, you see and so I rarely experience the light that comes after the darkness. Everything had changed. I was assured of God's love and strength. I was ready for the day ahead. And now I have written out of darkness.
     Those who read this and suffer from depression, please do not think I am making light of depression or implying that all it takes is a simple prayer and all is well. I know that is not the case. My darkness was more oppressive than depressive. The source was well known to me.
    I only know that God again made his word true, to me. The source of darkness still exists. I will still have to deal with what brought the darkness on. But God has turned my own personal darkness into light. Amen.