This Personal note prefaced a weekly mailing to those in our gatherings: Unfortunately we will have another HIATUS WEEK for fellowship. Abby flew to NW AR for work and house hunting, Mary and I drove to come help her and visit Mary’s sister in Fayetteville. While there we had a major car issue so we have been stuck awaiting repairs…. Gabe and Jess were willing to host, but it was decided, after some discussion, that a hiatus might be best given the week we have all endured. (Lael, (our eldest) has been hospitalized again as well)
Life just keeps coming at you. Sometimes you just wonder “what is going on?”, or worse yet…”Where is God in all this?” Thank our LORD we are not ruled by circumstance. But we can place ourselves in the hands of Him, that is, as Peter said even in persecution, “Doing what is right”. (1 Peter 4:19)
Such are weeks like the one I referenced above for my family this week. Our intentions were to do good, be a blessing, take next steps, and yet the end result, on the face, seems a train wreck. It is at times like these you must say “God is good!”…. and then kind of grit your teeth and force out “All the time!” But , the truth is: “All the time; God is good!”
I will admit I was a bit despairing this morning when getting the mechanics report diagnosing our car issue and time and cost estimates. But, just in that moment, an ad came on TV for Tunnel to Towers, and I am seeing young vets with one limb left. Young men who have sacrificed literally life and limb to serve their country and others, and face a long life of challenges as a result. They didn’t seem bitter, changed and challenged; Yes. But, not bitter about what happened, or what lies ahead. And, I heard the Holy Spirit whisper… “even in all this Randy I am here for purpose, and you are blessed!” I told my wife. I look at these guys, and I see I have nothing to complain about. While I don’t know any of these young veterans, I am fairly sure even if they have wondered “What is going on?” or “Where is /was God?”, they have reconciled that their life is worth living and they have had, and still have, a purpose. LORD I PRAY YOU BLESS THEM WITH UNDERSTANDING!
[2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NASB95] 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 8 [we are] afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
In times passed I have waxed eloquent on this passage and Paul’ use of wrestling terms in it. Your adversary in a wrestling match afflicts in every way, perplexes as best he can, persecutes at every turn and move you make, tries to strike you down. Such are the wrestling strategies, and the terms of the games in Paul’s day and, although I can’t prove it, I do believe that is why he paints this picture. But notice this adversary is afflicting … but not crushing you, perplexing….. but not leaving you despairing as one without hope, persecuting you where you are ..but having no intention of forsaking you and leaving you alone and without help, and finally, striking you down in your strength…. but not destroying you. Many have applied this passage to our adversary the devil. But he comes to kill, steal and destroy. I think Paul is alluding to our wrestling with God through situations that break us and teach us to depend on nothing but Him and His power. And so “the surpassing greatness” of His power will be seen.
When life keeps coming. It is alright to look and consider if the thief has come to kill, steal and destroy. However, don’t discount looking for the Hand of God in it as well. Discernment will often bring enlightenment and blessing. And most certainly avoid crushing, bring hope in despair, not leave you forsaken and destroyed.
We often wrestle with life’s situations that don’t seem like blessing or the goodness of God. Yet, just as often, on the other side, we find He has met us in the midst of trial to reveal Himself as our strength, salvation, and deliverance. Every trial has a witness stand. Our trials bring us to witness His blessing, goodness, and love in that that looks like anything other than blessing, goodness or loving in the midst sometimes.
In wrestling with Him, He breaks us of trusting ourselves and our abilities. His touch breaks our strengths and often leaves us perhaps even limping, yet we will know we have indeed seen Him and been blessed by him.
[Genesis 32:24-32 NASB] 24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28 He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” 29 Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” 31 Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh. 32 Therefore, to this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.”
I have seen God face to face and have lived! The limp is worth it.
Paul said it this way;
[2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NASB] 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me–to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Although it is uncomfortable to consider. Brokenness is often the place of the release of the Spirit and the place of improving our trust. Tozer wrote: “It is doubtful God can greatly use a man He has not hurt deeply”. Long before I read this myself, someone paraphrased it saying to me “God cannot greatly use a man He has not completely broken”. This brokenness is not to damage us, but to reveal Himself as our strength at the point of weakness and savior in the time of pain, deliverer in time of peril. A crucified man God can greatly use. A man who is dead to flesh, is the only one that can manifest resurrection power.
[Psalm 34:18 NASB] 18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Brokenness is essential if we would experience His presence, and see His salvation.
[Psalm 147:3 NASB] 3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
[Isaiah 61:1 NASB] 1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;
His healing touch comes to the brokenhearted.
[Psalm 51:1-6, 8, 17 NASB] 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
James and Peter both tell us God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Brokenness removes our pride and trust in self.
Both Luke 15’s prodigal, who humbly returned broken, and Luke18’s tax gatherer, who cried out “God be merciful to me a sinner” in comparison to a proud and self-righteous Pharisee, received mercy. Both out of their brokenness found love, forgiveness, and the nearness of God.
When life sends a challenge, or series of them. Hold on and look for His nearness. For it is in the wrestling match at Peniel you may declare “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.”
AND… A REMINDER from Randy: Our brother, Art Mealer, who has been a part of the gatherings in my home for several years now has authored THE SERVANT COMMUNITY: EXPERIENCING THE PROMISE OF EKKLESIA. I have had fellowship with Art for, I am sure, over a decade, even before he started coming to the gatherings in our home.
He has been a part of “house church, simple church/organic church” gatherings for, I think, well over 30 years, because He had an awakening regarding the Biblical template for ecclesiology. But, really, that awakening was about much more than just the form and function of gathering. And, this book is not necessarily an apology for “house/simple/organic” church, nor is it an attack on more traditional fellowships. It is simply an exposition from the scriptures regarding the drastic reshaping of leadership advancing the mutual servanthood that Jesus promoted as “The New Greatness”. And, it is an exposition of the church as we find it in scripture, which represents a radical alternative to what we know and experience in the world. Art is a very solid student of the scriptures and, I believe, the Holy Spirit has been at work producing this work through his hands to edify believers and strengthen the church.
As with most books, I would not agree with everything written here. But, having watched Art labor diligently in the Lord on this work, and… having helped with some input and editing (at his invitation), and… having him in our fellowship for sometime, I can strongly recommend it. I started encouraging Art some years ago to work to finish it, because I had a very real sense that the LORD would use it powerfully to touch people with a clear understanding of being called to being a part of The Servant Community that is the church/ekklesia. And, I think you will find insights in it that you will enjoy and find edifying. I certainly pray you will. You may want to share it with others as well, or suggest they read it.
Here is a link to it on Amazon: The Servant Community by Art Mealer