Trumping Tests, Trials and Temptations

“For you, O God, have tested us;

you have tried us as silver is tried.”

— Psalm 66:10 (NRSV)

Tests, trials, and temptations are the opportunities we need that prove our mettle. We cannot find evidence for transformation unless we’ve experienced it. We need opportunities to trump our tests, trials, and temptations. And even if we fail our tests, are overwhelmed by our trials, or are weakened into submitting to our temptations, we have hope in the next opportunity, and the next, and so on. God is faithful; he will give us more opportunities in order to grow.

Such are tests, trials, and temptations: the stimulus for triumph. But this is not triumphalism for its own accord. No, God is turning what would be disaster into possible victory because of the example of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

So we come from a situation of loathing our tests, trials, and temptations and we move—or better, are transformed—into an attitudinal situation where we see these three as initiatory spurs; compelling, propelling, and impelling us toward the very purposes of life: to overcome.

A Poem – Purpose In Tests, Trials, and Temptations

Challenges and tests are the defining of me,

They purpose and prophesy who I’m to be,

When I see them this way I’m beautifully blessed,

Because they are God’s ammunition bringing out my best.

I can tell this is true when I’ve finished the task,

When I can again take off my mask,

Because there are times when I must ascend,

When I am called to faithfully contend.

And God’s reward is insistently true,

That I in my obedience will pull through,

For the taste of blessing is never better than this,

Where I am again afforded consummate bliss.

***

The poem attests to the fact that challenges and tests tend to define us—how we receive them and work through them. They are God’s crucible in which our characters are refined, as we are tried like silver. We are blessed to see life like this in the midst of challenges and tests. By being tried and found true our best is brought out so we can see it. God needs no convincing; he knows we can trump our tests, trials, and temptations, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As we finish the task—which is getting through the challenging time—we can afford to take off the mask of patient-with-ourselves-and-grateful-to-God stoicism that saw us through. By this stoicism of good faith we ascend the rawness of our problems in the realisation of hope. We are called to faithfully contend in patience and gratitude.

God’s reward is ever true. As we continue to obey we are steadily drawn toward pulling through. There is hardly a more blissful moment than having trumped the test, trial, or temptation.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Winning with God Every Time

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

— Matthew 6:33 (NRSV)

These words of Jesus’ were spoken in response to the generally petty fears we have about things like what we will eat and what we will wear. We can extend the intention of this Word of God to the broader subject of seeking knowledge of God’s will and the commitment to carry it out.

There are at least two ways we can win within the game of life with God every time.

Both involve the seeking of and obedience to the carrying out of God’s will. The first way is to look for the silver lining upon every cloud. The second way is to choose for an aggressive joy in every bad circumstance, because we have nothing less than the full spiritual Presence of God that is the reason for such joy.

Choosing to See the Silver Lining

Not the prosperity gospel message at all, this idea is simply about reframing our expectations so whatever happens we can see the winning side out of any matter. The winning side is any dimension of issues that favour us. People call this the silver lining on the cloud—for, every cloud has a silver lining, some say.

Seeing the silver lining and not the dark thunder cloud, preferring the positive over the negative, is just a matter of perspective. It’s a choice for joy, not frustration. It’s a choice for joy, not inner conflict.

But seeing the silver lining is, at best, a worldly form of winning every time. The superior way is spiritual—where God holds sway every day.

Opting for God’s Will, No Matter What

This is without doubt the most difficult component of living the Christian life. It’s about jettisoning the want of the flesh, as we favour the want of God.

It’s about installing as a habit choices for God’s will every time.

Opting for God’s will no matter what is about choosing an aggressive joy which is procured by faith. When we meet the will of God—as it’s presented to us, as life is working out—with a willingness to be open and receptive, without dwelling on what could become a mounting resentment, we prove faithful in the moment. And we join this moment that is won to God’s will with the next moment, and so on. It takes an aggressive joy to display such faith, and we can afford to when we realise we have nothing less than the full spiritual Presence of God which is reason for such joy.

***

Winning with God every time is about seeing the positives in the negatives, and agreeing that obeying God’s will is always the best idea. When we view life as if God is always for us, as is the case, we stop seeing how life gangs up on us. Joy is all about perspective.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Living By Vision of Eternity

“We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come.”

— A.W. Tozer (1897–1963)

Every answer to the problems that perplex us in this world can be facilitated by a renewed vision of life in eternity. By looking over the horizon of this life—whilst we are in the grip of our dear and desperate problems—we retrieve peace beyond what our situations often allow.

This is the exercise of faith: to look beyond the imminence of fear in order to see cause for fearlessness by the peace available in the Spirit.

How might we imagine the differences between two worlds?

This life is about petty concerns; the next life is about true perspective. This life is about confusion; the next life is about eternal clarity. This life is about conflict, both relational and intrapersonal; the next life (in heaven) is about the consummation of congruence and love. This life is about a continual battle; the next life is about an ever-abiding peace.

We have these options:

Borrowing Strength from Eternity versus Living With Our Fear: the essence of this issue is where our focus is. If our focus is on eternity we draw strength, which we borrow, in terms of our faith. We see the transience of this life and we are not afraid, because this life offers very little enduring hope. Still, on the other hand, we can endure the challenging times in situations of this life so much more when we have sight and durable recognition of our eternal home. This is far superior to living, in a resigned way, with our fear. Borrowing strength from eternity, knowing how special we are to be saved, is a superior option.

Strength for Today versus Languishing in the Weakness of Yesterday or Tomorrow: again, this is not much of a choice. Why would we languish when we can draw strength? And drawing strength from the certainties that are layered within the concept of eternity is confidence and courage, borne of hope and a steady vision. But our human nature often shackles us to yesterday or tomorrow, in orders of guilt and shame (for our pasts) or worry for the future. But the golden way is the way of the present. When we locate ourselves in today, by consciousness of the very moment we find ourselves in, we derive strength and purpose and capacity for life.

***

The ultimate answer to our worries in this uncertain life is a focus on the certainties of the next life.

When life is focused on living intentionally for eternity,

Our worries wither away as we experience God’s certainty.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Proverbs 4: Living the God-Heart-Path

“More than all else you guard,

watch your heart, for out of it,

come the surges of life.”

— Proverbs 4:23 (paraphrase)

This nitty gritty of Wisdom’s gospel—the very heart of the matter, where our need of God gains traction for life—is founded in the human heart.  The heart is the seat of the intentions and the source of all our motives.

The heart can be morally or virtuously strong or weak, but we’re only either one or the other primarily via how much wisdom we tip in and draw upon, by seeking God.  Wisdom is therefore seen as a moral imperative and certainly much less than the ‘knowledgeable intelligence’ that the world thinks it is.

Life – Real Life

Paraphrasing the intent of The Message’s take on verse 22 we find that those who really set their hearts on Wisdom, seeking her with all their mind, soul, spirit and strength, will be blessed by the incremental acquisition of the priceless gift of God.  They will really live.

They will bring meaning to verse 23 in the living of their lives, understanding that the heart is incredibly corruptible, no matter how far we progress in the faith.  Oh how we can never escape this fear of the Lord as the way forward; to live!  This is the reminder of the nature of life; that we must continually walk affirmatively in the Light to ward against the encroaching darkness. We go one way or the other—toward Light or darkness. There’s no mid-ground.

The straight path of God is healing.

Staying Straight on That Ancient Path

Jeremiah 6:16 talks about the ancient path of God—which is likewise the way of Wisdom—as being ultimately the rest for our souls we need; the rest our souls were always designed to pine after and therefore receive.

And wrangling with peace is the lot for each of us, lest there be one trillion ways of attempting same.  It’s a pity that there are minuscule ways to follow the Lord in amongst the countless counterfeits; those promising much blessing that get us instead to Sheol.

As verse 27 implores, if we wish to live Wisdom’s way we daren’t shift to the right or to the left of this ancient groove of God—the righteous, just and fair way.  The ancient path is a narrow way; one that’s too easy to miss (Matthew 7:13-14).  Yet, it won’t be missed if we’re morally adroit in Wisdom.

When we focus on the Wisdom of God, ruminating over God’s Word for meaning, edification, reflection, and purpose for the ongoing living of life, we venture on the God-heart-path. We are blessed to stay on that Path.

© 2010, 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Postscript: this article is an excerpt from my eBook, Grow In GOD (2011). 100% of Author Proceeds from this eBook go to Compassion Australia to support some of the world’s poorest children and families.

The Conversion Experience

Now when they heard [Peter preach the Gospel], they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

— Acts 2:37-38 (NRSV)

There is much perennial consternation within Christian circles regarding experiences of conversion. There are liberal schools who think God accepts the plainest forms of ecstatic conversion, where altar calls claim, “One more for the Kingdom!” At the other end of the spectrum the conservatives require much more evidence that the transformation of salvation has actually occurred. These people can be very hard to convince, where only the Holy Spirit need be convinced.

Truly only God and the person concerned—ultimately at Judgment—can attest to the effectiveness of the conversion experience. However, we could say that a vital indicator that someone is truly converted to Christ is their approach toward their discipleship under God, as guided by more mature Christians of the cohort, after their conversion.

Now let’s break down the basic components of this particular conversion experience.

The Acts 2:37-38 Components of Conversion

The first process of conversion is conviction by the Holy Spirit—Peter’s listeners were “cut to the heart.” They suddenly realised how far from God they were. They had realised the scale and dimensions of their sin. A person can never be converted unless they are truly cut to the heart; a person’s recognition of themselves as a sinner needing saving.

Only the Holy Spirit can convict the heart of an unregenerate person. People cannot ‘lead’ people to this experience. The Holy Spirit needs to do that. Therefore, the people do not do the saving, but God’s Spirit does. People can teach Biblical truth with power, but it is the Spirit that saves.

The second process of conversion is the spiritual action and commitment of repentance. This, simply as can be put, is turning back to God—the central idea is a lifelong commitment of doing just that; of repenting by character, continually. Evidence of Christian growth and health, therefore, is the pervasiveness of honesty and repentance, toward integrity, in the Christian’s life. If the phenomenon of repentance is a rare experience for a Christian, how close can they be to the Spirit of God?

The third process of conversion is the outworking of the inner condition: baptism. It appears in the text that baptism and the forgiveness of sins are linked. So why would we put off baptism? It seems to be a vital component in the conversion experience. Baptism seems to be a necessary component toward the receipt of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

***

The conversion experience is not a highly excited and emotionally overwhelming experience ‘at an altar call’—though that may be included—but the process of conviction by the Holy Spirit of one’s sin and distance from God, toward repentance, and commitment to follow God all the days of our lives, and then baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. The gift of the Holy Spirit is then received.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Confirmation of the Spirit’s Leading

We’ve all heard the term, “when the ‘planets/stars are in alignment’, the time will be right,” and, whilst it’s a secular view, there is a time for everything; when everything seems right:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...”

— Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NRSV)

One such time in my life, when God seemed to be saying, “Now is the right time to do this thing,” there was a definite discernible feel that God had prepared the way. Suddenly there were no barriers, where previously there were plenty of barriers. People who could have gotten in the way, gracefully allowed the passage of God’s will to unfold. This was the season of courting my wife. We both sensed God’s leading—the confirmation of the Spirit’s sponsorship in preparing the way.

It is a wonderful reality being in the lap of God’s will. The mindful Christian will never want to be anywhere else.

Knowing and Accepting the Timing of Things

We are probably more adept at getting the timing wrong in our lives than being swept off our feet at the answer of our prayers. Prayer is seen to be answered in our favour less than we would like. This is obviously because our flesh is in the way.

But when we are consciously seeking to be in the lap of God’s will most of the things we want will become secondary. This has to be done by intention; to surrender those things that get in the way of discerning the Spirit’s actual leading. Sometimes we hear many ‘voices’; it’s good to be clear regarding the Spirit’s leading. The Spirit’s leading is confirmed not in just one or two ways, but in many ways; too many ways to ignore.

Knowing and accepting the timing of things is part of the mystery of maturity.

When we come to a place of knowing and accepting the timing of things we experience more joy, because most, if not all, our prayers are being answered. Indeed, our hopes, dreams, and plans tend more to conform to the pattern of God’s needs for our lives.

So, two things merge. First, there is the fitting of our expectations to our circumstances and, second, later on, there is the fitting of our circumstances to our expectations. When we can adjust to our circumstances, and live happily that way, we are ready for the new thing. But that doesn’t mean God will necessarily bless us there and then.

It is truly wonderful, and this is where God is real to us, when there is a persuasive confirmation—an incredible number of ‘coincidences’, alignments, and complementary strategies—of the Spirit’s undertaking as he works in and through us for his Kingdom.

***

One thing we ought to pray for, continually, is confirmation of the Spirit’s leading. This requires discernment. It’s the quality of seeking the knowledge of God’s will for our lives, right now. There is no better reality than being in the lap of God’s will.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

The Social Justice In Action

There are myriad concerns in our world today,

So many we find our thoughts run astray,

But to what does God call every woman and man?

It’s simple, really; we act where we can.

Plenteous are feelings that rip our hearts apart,

Of injustice and greed of those without heart,

How are we to reconcile the issues of grace?

It’s simple, really; we seek God’s face.

Wondering aloud within the privacy of our minds,

In this, God will help us sort out our binds,

Again, to what does God call every woman and man?

It’s simple, really; we do what we can.

***

The issues of social justice are poignant and pressing on a Christian’s mind. Mindful Christians cannot help reading their Bibles with hearts split asunder for the injustices that played out in biblical times, because of thought for the same injustices that play out today.

This can leave us with a very heavy burden, especially if we are confused about what God is calling us to. There are at least two courses for social justice, which, for the purposes of this article, is a verb and not a noun: social justice is not a name, it’s about action.

The Action in Social Justice in Our Day-to-Day

There are things in life, in our day-to-day, that ought to inspire the social justice of action. When we see someone treated rudely, we don’t fight with the offender, but we ‘meet’ the offended, offering our support, encouragement, and love.

When we notice that things aren’t going well for someone, because they appear a little more distant, depressed or worried, we have the opportunity to give them not only our time, but our very selves. A true heart is beyond pretentious listening; it hears the groans and shrieks of the soul in distress. Such understanding transcends words.

There are so many day-to-day situations that we are called to act in—little situations and large, and all between—just because we are there.

The Specific Call of Social Justice For Our Lives

Not everyone has a particular call to go and serve in some foreign land to fight for the rampant injustices of a foreign culture in the name of Christ. Some do, but many don’t.

But there is still a specific call of social justice—where God calls us to action—for every human being. My particular call is the protection of the outlier; I hate it when people are excluded because of bigotry, prejudice, bullying, etc. The characterisation of my action is quiet but immediate. I believe in inclusiveness wherever possible.

We all know what social justice issues tug at our hearts. These occur without even a thought. They are more about instinct for right and wrong. So it is not difficult to know what God is calling us to do. We ought to do what we can do.

***

Social justice is truly a verb, not a noun: it’s something we do. It’s action-oriented. Where God’s Spirit leads us to make a difference we are blessed to obey. We are blessed, also, when we don’t let the devil make us feel guilty for the things we can’t or don’t do.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

The Psalm of Habakkuk

Psalms litter the Bible beyond the book of Psalms, and they even appear outside of the Bible—for instance, in the Mesopotamian literature. These poetic utterances, usually accompanying high emotion, teach us much about the worship of God. Habakkuk 3—the Prophet’s Prayer—or, as others have called it, the Psalm of Habakkuk—is the type of Psalm that could be set to dramatic music:

“O Lord, I have heard of your renown,

and I stand in awe, O Lord, of your work.

In our own time revive it;

in our own time make it known;

in wrath may you remember mercy.”

— Habakkuk 3:2 (NRSV)

The psalmist, Habakkuk, begins the Psalm in reverent fear for his Lord. He knows something of the infinite power of Yahweh. Habakkuk is desperate to see God’s power for righteousness prevail in his time.

The Context of the Psalm

Reading Habakkuk we notice a flow. The first two chapters are about Habakkuk’s lamenting enquiries, which are followed by the Lord’s answers. There is a real mode of prayer and intimacy with God as the Minor Prophet raises his concerns and casts them upon God.

Habakkuk commits to wait patiently upon Word from the Lord (2:1-2).

It is clear throughout the first two chapters—where Habakkuk seeks God twice and then God answers twice—that an understanding of faithfulness is communicated to the Minor Prophet from the Lord.

Chapter 3 comes about because Habakkuk notes the faithfulness of God and he is inspired to trust the Divine nature.

A Psalm of God’s Anger

God was coming to judge the people of Judah and Habakkuk accepted that, hoping that through such discipline, mercy, too, would be known.

There is a true essence of fear in verse 2, profiled above. God’s judging nature has been known through the timeline of creation. Just like when we quiver at a lightning crack overhead, or we shudder in amazement at the sweeping tide of a tsunami—the Earth sees and trembles (Psalm 97)—God can bring us to quaking fear in an instant.

But such is the Minor Prophet’s faith that he concludes the Psalm as psalmists generally do; there is a fresh commitment made to trust God—to rejoice in his Saviour.

***

No matter what we fear our best response is to trust God. Perhaps fear, of all the emotions, brings us closer to God—because we must rely on our Lord. As Habakkuk found, the Fear of the Lord brings us to a faith-response of reliance in trust.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.

Purpose is About Pursuit of Passion

If anything is to enliven joy within us it is passion.

We read the infused passion within the apostle Paul as he proclaims the gospel of God:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith...”

—    Romans 1:16 (NRSV)

We can imagine not only infused passion, but infused joy also, because of the fullness of commitment the apostle makes in running headlong toward his goal—the salvation, in Jesus Christ’s name, of all who are willing in his path.

“Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”

—    Philippians 3:12 (NRSV)

The beauty in the work of passion is there isn’t any end to it—neither passion nor work to be done in furthering the Kingdom. We are blessed to join this work. We are blessed to have a role. The outworking of our passion is for others to have life, and life abundant, in the name of Jesus. This is not just an exercise in evangelism; it is very much an exercise of spiritual growth to the increasing of discernment toward the growing of wisdom—true godly wisdom, for there is no other kind.

If passion is what we live for, we are not ashamed of the gospel.

We are called to live by faith—those who are right in God’s sight live by faith (Romans 1:17)—and this is manifest by passion, which is indicated by energy and joy.

Being Passionate and Compassionate

God wants us connected to our passions. He wants us to be passionate and compassionate. The Lord wants us to be passionate for our work within the Kingdom. Lord wants us to be compassionate for the people within the Kingdom.

When we work toward achieving both of these—the knowledge and outworking of our passions and engaging compassionately—God blesses us with the confirmation of our purpose.

Our purpose is twofold within the Kingdom: 1) passion for our work, and 2) compassion for people. Often times both of these are merged and it’s even better when they are. When we understand this twofold purpose and it becomes real in our lives, our lives find a new gear, and the characterisation is delight.

***

Passion produces joy, and it is God’s will for all our lives that we experience the joys of passion. In a Kingdom sense, passion is important regarding purpose in two ways: 1) to have passion in our work, and 2) to be compassionate with people. When we have these two we have the keys to a life of joy.

© 2012 S. J. Wickham.