The Supremacy Of Love

“In his book Chicken Soup for the Soul, Eric Butterworth tells of a college sociology class that was sent into the Baltimore slums to take case histories of 200 young boys. The students were required to write an evaluation of each boy’s projected future, and in virtually every case, they wrote, “He hasn’t got a chance.”

“Some twenty-five years later, another professor came across the earlier study and decided to do a follow-up study. With the exception of twenty boys who had died or moved, the study revealed that 176 of the remaining 180 boys had gone on to surprising success, with many becoming lawyers, doctors, and leading businessmen.

“When the men were asked for the reasons that contributed to their successes, they all pointed to one particular teacher who had influenced them. The teacher was still alive, so the professor went to visit her to ask how she had influenced boys seemingly destined for poverty and crime to become such success stories. “It’s really very simple,” she responded. “I loved those boys.”*

The life-changing power of love is truly amazing! It’s also something that the Bible has taught all along. Notice how Jesus emphasizes it. When someone asks Him about the greatest commandment, here is what he says: “And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets”” (Matthew 22:37-40). I suppose that’s why Paul would promote love as supreme over human and angelic speech, over prophecy and knowledge, and over sacrificial generosity (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). These things are all important in their own way but will fail. But love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). Even faith and hope, as vital as they are, yield to the supremacy of love -- “...the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). 

God loves you!

Mike

*Robert R. Kopp, Logans Ferry Presbyterian Church, New Kensington, PA

Own It

        In Psalm 7, David is appealing to God for deliverance from wicked opponents who were seeking to harm him in some way. He vividly describes them as a lion seeking to tear his soul and drag him away (vv.1-2). He calls upon God, as the Righteous Judge, to rise up and vindicate him before his enemies (vv.6-11). And while the upright can trust God to deliver them, the wicked cannot expect the same treatment (vv.12-16).

But in the midst of this larger discussion, David has a moment of introspection. Note what he writes in vv. 3-5: “O LORD my God, if I have done this, if there is injustice in my hands, if I have rewarded evil to my friend, or have plundered him who without cause was my adversary, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it; and let him trample my life down to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah” (Psalm 7:3-5). David was struggling to find a reason for what he was enduring. These words perhaps give us some insight into the methods of David’s accusers. In some way, they were calling into question his character. It isn’t that he is professing to be sinless but he does believe there is no basis for the accusations against him. To his credit, David is willing to own it if he has been blind to his own flaws.

This is a great example to all of us when we face our own critics in life. It’s always good to pause long enough to consider if perhaps our struggles with others may be the result of some sinful behavior in our own life. It may or may not be true. If our conscience is clear, then great. Forge ahead and trust God to deal with the critics. But if there is a sin in our life that has provided fuel for the critic, then we need to own it before God (and maybe even our critic). May God help us to be honest about our own flaws

God loves you!

Mike

 

Like A Dread Champion

“I am weary with my sighing; every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears. My eye has wasted away with grief; it has become old because of all my adversaries” (Psalm 6:6-7).

Perhaps these words of David resonate with you. Maybe you have walked the road of suffering that makes this description seem hauntingly familiar. The specific situation that prompted the deep emotions isn’t revealed. He does mention “adversaries” in v.6 and “enemies” in v.10. Whatever the “backstory,” the pain and struggle David is experiencing is deep and overwhelming. Where do you turn in times like these?

David turns to the Lord. And in doing so, he has a word for those who were causing him grief. “Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication, the LORD receives my prayer.” (Psalm 6:8-9). What gives David confidence to confront his adversaries?  His hope is centered in the faithful attention of God. “...for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping…” (v.8). “The LORD has heard my supplication…” (v.9). “...the LORD receives my prayer.” (v.9). 

The final verse in Psalm 6 highlights an important reversal. “All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; they shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed” (v.10). Earlier in the psalm, it was David’s bones and soul that were dismayed (vv. 2-3). Now it’s David’s enemies who will experience it. David’s hope in God allows him to see the fate of his enemies, even though his eyes are filled with tears.

When you are facing your own difficult season in life, remember you have a Champion in your corner. “But the LORD is with me like a dread champion; therefore my persecutors will stumble and not prevail. They will be utterly ashamed, because they have failed, with an everlasting disgrace that will not be forgotten” (Jeremiah 20:11). Lean on Him to deal with your adversaries.

God loves you!

Mike