Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17
Scripture: Psalm 68:6
God sets the lonely in families,
he leads forth the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Observation: This last clause got me. "...the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." What a brutal way to live. Rebellious people think that by asserting their "right" to self-determination ("Nobody is going to tell me what to do."), they are truly free and unencumbered by the burden of demands from others. And the ultimate freedom, according to "the rebellious," is freedom from God -- from his expectations, judgments, and demands. The fullest expression of this freedom is to deny even the existence of God -- if not with words, with the way they live: they live as if God is dead. Thus, they are, according to their value system, truly free.
And now, the rest of the story: The reality of the rebellious is quite different from this. And this phrase from Psalm 68:6 shows God's perspective on their "freedom": "the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." This is an oppressive place with no relief. This picturesque description drives home the reality. Have you ever been in a place where the sun was so hot and no shade was to be found? I remember a time in a small fishing boat on a lake. When we first put out, the sun was just below the horizon and the air was cool. But a few hours later, the sun had risen and the air was stifling. The reflection of the glare off the water made the rays of the sun so oppressive. We had to row to get off the lake and it seemed like hours. This experience is etched on my memory as one of the most unpleasant environments I have ever been in. And the Psalmist tells us that it is this kind of place, "a sun-scorched land", where the rebellious person lives. It's really a tragic place, and way, to live.
Application: The only answer is to live a crucified life. Our flesh, or self nature, cries out for respect, protection, attention. Its demands are incessant: "take care of me, don't let anybody step on me, don't let me be put down, etc." And the biggest lie that your flesh will tell you is this: "I (the flesh) am you." But this isn't true. Your flesh (sin nature) is not you. It is a part of you, but you (the essence of who you are) is much more than the flesh. In fact, the flesh is like a cancer on who you are. It is a part of you, but it is deadly and is, in fact, killing you. The only way to be free is to kill it first. We must cut the flesh out of our lives. But it is fast growing and you can never get it all. So we must go through a daily intentional process of execution. Jesus said, "if anyone would be my disciple he must take up his cross [instrument of execution] daily and follow me." This is the only way to be truly free.
The second biggest lie that our flesh offers is that its demands are easy in comparison with other masters. But the flesh is not an easy master. No, the flesh is the cruelest master of all. It is never satisfied, never gives peace, never ceases its demands. And it won't quit until it kills you -- like a parasite destroys its host.
In contrast, we can have Jehovah God as the master of our lives. Yes he is demanding, but he himself actually grants us the means to fulfill the demands he places on us. And he gives comfort, and peace, and encouragement all along the way.
Bottom line: Serve the Lord, kill the flesh. This is the only road to a truly happy life and the greatest freedom that human can know.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your loving ways. May I be one who always embraces you and shuns the selfish demands that originate in my fallen nature. Please continue to cultivate your life in me and assist me to live in full cooperation with this process in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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