A Hurting Word...
School's out--I hear "Hurrahs" from kids and "Heaven, help us" from moms! Exchange the notebooks for Nintendos, the classes for camps..and would anyone like to exchange kids?? Moms, these out-of-school whizzes are in the pit--I mean, the well--with us, so get out the peanut butter and jelly, the summer schedules, the beachtogs, and the Excedrin. It's summertime!
Ever been to God's School? Summer School is about to start, so climb out of the well, (leave the kids there--they like dirt anyway!), and sign up for classes!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Math!
Meet Job, the Patient Sufferer, a classmate of long standing! He loved God supremely, and yet, was tested beyond measure. God subtracted his family members, his cattle, his possessions, one by one, almost to the breaking point. The trials added up to a grand total of physical suffering, mental anguish, and emotional devastation. Add Satan's shrewful calculated plan to divide Job's loyalties between his God and his wife. A problem of gigantic, mind-boggling proportion! And how did Job handle the final examination? Here's his written thesis, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him...(Job 13:15 KJV)." God saw the integrity and the faithfulness of His servant. He multiplied His mercies to Job in a miraculous restoration of his losses. Tests passed with flying colors. Final grade: A+
Art and Crafts! Meet Jacob, the Crafty Schemer, class conniver of the year! He schemed, connived, controlled his life away; and then he met the Lord. A struggle ensued, and Jacob became a marked man, a changed man, God's man. His name now Israel, he became the father of the Twelve Tribes (how would you like TWELVE kids this summer at YOUR house?). The lessons were hard ones--artful, crafty, manipulations are difficult to overcome. And yet God knew this crafty man's character could be changed for His service. God persevered as the hard Instructor, until Jacob learned the lessons. What was his report? "...I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved (Genesis 32:30 KJV)." Tests passed with flying colors. Final grade: A+
Literature!
Meet David, the Redeemed Sinner, literary giant of the Psalms! Journalistic reviews of his literary skills continue into the 90s. But his works are far more than library classics--they are pathos and praise of a soul. Heights and depths of a spirit. Musings and mirth of a mortal. The lessons were learned through wars, immorality, depression, victories, emotional turmoils--and sheep-tending! He learned the art of communion with his God, whether to implore forgiveness or to inhabit praise. David, "a man after God's own heart," learned his lessons well. What was his course goal? "Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it unto the end. (Psalm 119:33 KJV)." Tests passed with flying colors. Final grade: A+
Current Events! Meet the Special Students of this class--YOU and ME! And we're contemporary enrollees! The unique events of our lives--joys, sorrows, successes, failures--all part of the class syllabus, taught by the Great Instructor. Sometimes we fail a test, and have to re-take it. Sometimes we pass by the "skin of our teeth." Sometimes we try to copy the answers from others--and THAT never works! And sometimes we just scream, "I don't like this test. I don't want to take it!" Does the Schoolmaster dismiss us from class? No--each time He patiently waits for us to assimilate the truth He would teach us, to willingly submit to His skillful instruction. Will He give us a failing grade? Never, as long as we stay enrolled in the class! He becomes our beloved Teacher--we learn to appreciate His masterful teaching skills; to accept His private, after-school tutoring; and to anticipate His wonderful smile of approval.
Someday the testings will conclude. The finals will be taken. And you, the faithful, persevering, completed student will graduate. I'll be there with you, by God's grace. For I want to hear the Heavenly Examiner say, "Tests passed with flying colors. Final grade: A+"
Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (Galatians 3:24 KJV).
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy lord (Matthew 25:23 KJV)."
"Lord, I'm enrolled in a tough course. Each test seems harder than the last. I need Your Presence, Your help, Your instruction. I want to learn whatever lesson You have for me this day. Give me Your grace, patience, and wisdom, and may I pass the course--with flying colors, and an A+. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
