PSALM 119:71 – It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.”
THEME OF THE DAY: DON’T PULL ON THE LEASH. In his book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis likened God’s use of adversity to walking a dog. If the dog gets its leash wrapped around a pole and tries to continue running forward, he will only tighten the leash more. Both the dog and the owner are after the same end, forward motion, but the owner must resist the dog by pulling him opposite the direction he wants to go. The master, sharing the same intention, but understanding better than the dog where he really wants to go, takes an action precisely opposite to that of the dog’s will. It is in this way that God uses adversity.
Take a moment and read the insert from Lewis’ book again, and ask these two questions, “Am I like the dog pulling against his master in my relationship with the Lord?’ and “Am I like the dog missing the point that my Master is pulling me in the right direction for good?” I would never call any of our nugget readers a dog, so I will confess that I often feel like the dog Lewis describes. And if it applies, you may make that confession as well.
As human beings, even Christians, we don’t respond well to two things – change and suffering and the dog was resisting both. Back to us. We don’t like change because it takes us out of our comfort zone but the problem is the only place faith matures is out of the comfort zone. And we don’t like suffering because we are obsessed, yes, obsessed with comfort and ease. The scripture teaches us both are necessary parts of the Christian life; change defines the Christian life of becoming more like Jesus – And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). Suffering? It identifies us with Christ and is considered a gift from God – For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29) and that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10),
At the end of the day, Lewis’ dog illustration and today’s scripture put forth the lesson we need to learn. The ways of the Master are always for good and designed to teach us greater submission and obedience. In doing so, we know more of Him and His joy. So, let’s not pull on the “divine leash” because in God’s love, He will keep pulling! Submit in trust. He is doing a good work by pulling us.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I rebel against Your chastening hand in my life.”
QUOTE: “God’s Hand of correction will be painful at times but is loving all the time.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim