Crowd Control
Today is Black Friday. At this moment, I’m stretched out on the couch of our borrowed motorhome and listening to the pitter-patter of rain as it hits the roof. I’m also feeling sorry for all the people out in this weather, standing in mile-long lines at the stores, looking for the most incredible deals. I can see it in my mind’s eye—raincoats and umbrellas, raindrops tracing lines down sour faces, and crowds of people forming geometric shapes as the lines zig-zag around the buildings. Stormy weather. Short tempers. And multitudes of people all trying to occupy the same space at once. No, thank you!
I prefer to do my Christmas shopping online from the solitude of my couch. Yup, I can stay warm and dry, but more than that, I don’t have to face the multitudes. Or do I?
In my quiet time this morning, I came across a familiar verse, but instead of just smiling at it and going on my way, I decided to study it out a little more. I didn’t anticipate there would be much more meaning than what was on the surface, but boy was I wrong!
“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
The first phrase, “multitude of thoughts,” renders so many ideas in the original Hebrew. First off, the word “multitude” implies a crowd, just like you would find at the stores on Black Friday. Envision your thoughts smashed together in your mind. No room to move and no room to breathe. So crowded that the mind itself seems dark. It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? But there’s more.
The multitude of thoughts also represents a tree with long branches that blow in the wind and become entangled with one another. Desiring to be free, they strive with one another to break loose of their entanglement, but alas, their attempts are futile. They are stuck. They are one. They are confused.
The word “thoughts” doesn’t refer to just any thoughts but rather those that are anxious, worrisome, and stressful. The ones that keep you from sleeping at night and keep you on edge during the day. The ones that steal your joy and squash your peace. The ones you don’t want to have and do everything you can think of to get rid of. Are you familiar with those thoughts? I am.
Thankfully, the verse goes on to talk about how God’s comforts delight our souls. The word “comforts” indicates anything and everything about God. His character. His attributes. His promises. His past faithfulness. His future prophecies. His love. His goodness. His salvation. God offers comfort in many forms, but it is all accessed by focusing our minds and hearts on Him. Perhaps meditating on His many attributes is what it takes to pull us out of the pit of despair. Or maybe we find peace by remembering all the things God has done for us to get us where we are. We can cling to His promises for today and tomorrow. We can look forward to our bright future in Heaven with Him. So much comfort is available to us.
Then there’s the word “delight,” which has the idea of stroking or smearing (like a balm). When I read that, a memory flooded my mind and made me smile. Several years ago, we had a dog named Mitchell. Some of you probably remember him. Mitchell was a good dog, and he loved to care for his mommy. One way he cared for me was to pet me when I didn’t feel well or was emotionally distraught. I guess my pup figured it worked when I would pet him, so he returned the favor. The problem was he had the roughest paws, and his petting would leave scratches on my arms. But you know what? I didn’t care. His actions were so precious to me that my heart was eased despite the physical pain from his rugged paws. His strokes brought comfort to my soul.
If a dog can bring such comfort, think how much peace and joy can come from our Heavenly Father! He loves us. He doesn’t want us to be tangled up with the cares of this world and weighed down by a multitude of anxious thoughts. He longs for us to be free. And we can be if we’ll remember to look to Him for comfort. Rely on His faithfulness. Seek His face. And bask in His goodness.
I assure you, my friend, God’s comfort is far better than any Black Friday deal you’ll find. And the best part is, it’s available to His children all year long!
The Room of Doors
For some odd reason, this morning I was thinking about a trip my family took to Pigeon Forge when I was just a girl. During that particular vacation, we decided to visit a haunted house. My parents weren't too keen on the idea, but we three children begged and pleaded. We should have listened to our parents. We didn't even reach the upstairs before we were scared silly and had to exit the tour. Sorry, Mom and Dad.
What I remember most about that haunted house was the room of doors. Yes, when we finally discovered the secret brick that opened the fireplace, allowing us entrance to the remainder of the house, we found ourselves in a dark, round room with a multitude of doors covering the circular walls. Most of the doors opened only partway before slamming into some sort of obstacle. Two of the doors led to emergency exits. And the final door, which we later discovered was the correct passageway, held a surprise for those daring to enter. The door swung wide and, just as we all stepped forward, a huge figure leaped forward and screamed. In response, we all leaped backward and screamed, then resumed trying other doors. Even after we had exhausted all other routes and possibilities, none of us wanted to open that particular door again. Yes, beyond the scary leaper there may have been a passageway, but dare we try again? We did, and sure enough, beyond the jumps and growls of the figure lay the way out of the room of doors.
Does life ever have you feeling like you're in a room of doors? Exhausted and frustrated, you seek a way out only to find that most (if not all) of the doors are barred by some form of obstacle. No way out. Surrounded by darkness, you know that surely one of the doors has to lead to a better place, but no matter which way you turn, you're stuck facing another obstacle. Health. Finances. Relationships. Work. Shattered dreams. Unmet expectations. All you want is an open door. Your heart's desire is to serve God to the best of your ability, and you can't, for the life of you, figure out why He's making it so complicated.
Then you notice the one door that is different from all the rest. While the others only open partway before reaching a dead end, this door opens fully but holds an obstacle of its own. A surprise just for you. It's obvious that this passageway is the way out. There's no mistaking that it is, indeed, different than all the rest, and you feel strangely pulled in its direction. Yet, you've tried that door before. You are all too aware of the leaping figure ready to pounce on you as soon as you take that first step. Yet beyond the door, you hear a soft voice calling, "Come, child. I will protect you." Dare you take the chance?
As you determine, whether out of faith or desperation, to enter the passageway, you take that first step, and sure enough, the roaring lion pounces. He doesn't want you to enter. He wants to keep you in the darkness. He thrives on your confusion and frustration. And he will do whatever it takes to keep you from traveling the road to which the Lord has called you. He knows how weary you have become. He understands that you're ready to quit. And so he pounces, causing you to leap back and scream in fright. He does not want you to reach what's waiting beyond the door--God's perfect will.
And so, there is a decision to make. Do you keep trying other doors? Do you wander around aimlessly hoping that things will change and one of the doors will miraculously become unobstructed? Do you sit in the darkness, determined to just give in? Or do you plow through the door you know to be the right one? Yes, it's scary. Yes, if you choose that door, you're inviting the attacks of Satan. Yes, he's going to fight you all the way.
But don't forget who opened the door to begin with. God will walk with you. He will lead, guide and protect you. He is the One holding Satan's leash, which means the devil can't do anything to you without God's permission. Sure, he'll attack, but you don't have to fight the battle alone. God is on your side. He wants to fight for you. He wants to be your strength. He wants to guide you to a place of peace and contentment. Won't you follow?
Walk through that door and discover the next level!
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Butthe God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory byChrist Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,stablish, strengthen, settle you.- I Peter 5:8-10