I’m sure you have had at least one experience where something overwhelmed you to the point that you wondered if you could survey the fallout from it. Your mind is gone there already. Some of you are in the middle of that something and are desperate for help and hope. Others have come through and in some ways never fully recovered. Some look back, can witness to making it through, but are fearful of the next bomb that might come.
We need resources, tools that help us in these times. I’m to share with you the theme, "Keeping it together when you’re falling apart." Your relationship with God is the anchor for the priceless treasures we’ll consider. Aiming for these things in your life must not be approached with a mind that says, "I have to do these things because God expects them" which is a form of legalism. You approach these with an understanding that the activity of these qualities in your life will make you richer and fuller and will flood your life with peace and purpose. It’s not about what you "have to do" but about what God wants to do for you!
Topic 1: Remaining Steadfast
To remain steadfast is similar to the word staunch. Staunch is an interesting word. We use it sometimes to describe people who show certain loyalties to things or people -- he’s a staunch Libreral or Democrat or they are staunch Ranger fans. It suggests you couldn’t possibly change their minds to cross the floor to another political party or cheer for a different hockey team. These examples show us what it means to be steadfast David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10 that God would "renew a steadfast spirit" within him was actually his way of saying, "renew a {staunch} spirit within me".
Steadfast is expressed another way. In the New Living Translation of the Bible it says, "Renew a loyal spirit within me."
Being steadfast, staunch or loyal is a huge issue today. It’s tough to be steadfast or loyal to our creditors when the mortgage or car payment is due, cash is tight, and work is gone. It’s tough to be steadfast and hang on in relationships when so many are divorcing their families and walking away. It is tough to be steadfast by trusting God when life is scary, rough and uncertain.
If we’re to keep it together when we’re falling apart, we need to learn the art and experience of steadfastness, of staunchness, or of loyalty. Let’s explore three things that speak of developing a life of steadfastness, a life of loyalty.
1. Steadfastness comes through pain
1 Peter 5:10...
This verse doesn’t mean we’re to ask for pain so we can learn to be steadfast. However, God can use our pain and suffering to do a great work in us if we are willing to receive it and look through the lens of his heart. Theologian William Barclay comments and illustrates with a story. "Suffering, if accepted in humility and trust and love, can repair the weaknesses of a {person’s} character and add the greatness which so far is not there. It is said that Sir Edward Elgar once listened to a young girl singing a solo from one of his own works. She had a voice of exceptional purity and clarity and range, and an almost perfect technique. When she had finished, Sir Edward said softly, ’She will be really great when something happens to break her heart.’"
We only reach our highest potential through pain.
Psalm 51 -- our text -- was written by King David about a year after he had an adulterous affair. While his men were off to war he was home relaxing. The story results in a series of events that went from adultery to deception and finally murder to cover his tracks and hide his transgressions. When his sin caught up with him David wept and grieved deeply. Through his tears and pain he wrote Psalm 51 as he clutched words like "have mercy" (v 1); "blot out my transgressions, wash away all my iniquity" (v 1-2); "cleanse me¡ wash me"(v 7); finally leading to verses 10-12...
We now appreciate more deeply why David pleaded with God to renew a loyal heart within him. David compromised steadfastness with corruption. He wanted steadfastness back. Through the pain of his misbehaviour and sin God redeemed a broken man. Through his pain David learned the art of being loyal or steadfast and became staunch in his pursuit of God and in his pursuit of loyal relationships.
In addition to understanding how remaining steadfast is important personally in our lives we also need to see the larger picture of Christ’s church. We need to understand the responsibility we have to be loyal to each other and to support one another in our pain and suffering as members of this church. There should be no room in our hearts for criticism and unkindness, for divided loyalties and personal biases. It is critically important to remain steadfast through our difficult times and to remain loyal to God’s leadership for the church.
Bonhoeffer was a Christian prisoner during the Nazi occupation of Germany. The following clip from Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace features the portrayed Bonhoeffer speaking to other prisoners about true Christianity just before a Nazi take him to Flossenburg, a concentration camp near Bavaria, Germany. Listen to his insightful words on true Christianity.
Play Clip (Real Christianity: Bonhoeffer)
Look at the things that cause you pain. You have two options as you hold it before you. You can focus on it until your hair grays, you body suffers illness from grieving and you groan about every day; or you can look to Jesus and hold to the promise of 1 Peter 5:10 which I want you to say with me: God called me to his eternal glory in Christ. Through my temporary suffering God will restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast.
If you created the pain that makes you suffer which speaks of your failure and regret, the same promise will work for you! No need to waste your energy wallowing in regret and guilt. Give your pain to Christ and allow him to establish you as a person of loyalty and steadfastness! Humbly give yourself to God and he will make something beautiful of your life!
Remaining steadfast comes through pain and
2. Leads to change
When David asked for "a steadfast spirit" he was not only asking for a loyal spirit but was capturing the language of the prophet Ezekiel when, inspired by God, Ezekiel (18:31) challenged the people of God, "rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit." That should be easy because we love new things! New car, new clothes, new cell phone, new computer, new friends! That is the picture presented, the new heart and new spirit is not a process of refurbishing the existing heart and spirit but a totally, completely new way of living and focus! It is the picture St. Paul presents in Romans 12:1, "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind", a suggestion that there is a complete change of character, investment, priorities and purpose. This funny 33 second clip illustrates the idea of transformation! Watch! (Video, Transformer)
The prophet Ezekiel gives another picture to having a "new heart and a new spirit." He adds to this image in 36:26-27...
This transformation becomes a complete embodiment of the person and character of God. We have the same character traits, live in the same family, have the same responsibilities but are different in our response to life. We embrace His teaching and instruction; it matters that we live in obedience to Him because to live in obedience is to live in love with Him. How wonderful to realize the pain of our experiences can be a stepping stone to a changed life and deeper life in God! The shift is radical! We awake to life’s problems and expectations with a focus on God showing up! Our offensive behaviour becomes wholesome and pure. Our rudeness becomes respect; self-sacrifice replaces selfishness; warmth replaces coldness and indifference. You get the picture! It’s the same you but somehow different. A different you that draws people toward you instead of pushing them away.
I’ll never forget Gary. He showed up on my doorstep in the late 90s. I opened the door to see a man wearing jeans with holes and smattered with paint. His shirt exposed arms covered in dust but his smile was warm and friendly. He was a contractor. He didn’t know if we needed renovations or repairs but thought he’d check since he was cold-calling in the neighborhood. As he spoke I blurted out, "You’re a Christian aren’t you?" That smile again. He quickly shot back, "Well, I try to be. I hope people see that when they see me." That’s the transformation Jesus brings! When the pain of life brings a testimony that glows, there’s some good in all that stuff. The pain comes and problems surface. We have little control over these realities. The control we have is how we will respond and be defeated or gain the upper hand so that we benefit in the end.
Remaining steadfast comes through pain, leads to change and
3. Is the road to peace
Who among us is not in need of peace? Life is such that we often experience anxiety, fear, and discontent with the way things are or any other number of disturbing feelings. Students grapple with career choices. People experience emotional turmoil with retirement and post-retirement life purpose. Should I take a new job in today’s economic climate or stick with what feels safe and familiar? There is anxiety about children, health or aging parents.
The book of Isaiah offers insightful words in 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
When we learn to remain steadfast we get perfect peace. The place to start is learning to be steadfast. This verse tells us we learn steadfastness by learning to trust God. How can we learn to trust God when everything is going well? Look at the times you pray most passionately and you’ll probably discover it is during hard times and tough experiences when problems are mounting. So, problems come, pain comes, hurt comes and God takes the situations of our lives and brings change -- often to the situations themselves but not always. What he guarantees will change is you and I -- our hearts, our focus, our vision and such. God strengthens our character, takes us to higher ideals, and teaches us to value the things that really matter. As these changes happen, we deepen our trust in God and the end result is -- peace. Do you see how it all connects? Deciding to remain steadfast, loyal, and staunch in relationship with God no matter what, leads to peace.
The point I’m making this morning is not to give in when times are tough. That is when you and I need to decide we’re going to stick-it-out and be steadfast.
WRAP
-- Make a summer resolution ¡V to be steadfast (loyal)
-- Recognize God’s desire to work in the pain and trouble of your life to change you so that he can deepen your relationship with him
-- This process will lead you to peace especially when your world seems to be spinning out of control and no matter what you’re facing you’ll survive!
