Know My Anxious Thoughts

Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (NIV)

Recently I discovered that the word "anxious" in the phrase "know my anxious thoughts" from Psalm 139:23-24 was missing in other translations like the King James Version, New Living Version and perhaps others. This is a big deal to me because I want God to know my anxieties. I know God knows all my thoughts for earlier in the same Psalm, David declares "you perceive my thoughts from afar" (v.2). However, if David was praying for this and Christ prayed three times for His anxieties to pass in The Garden of Gethsemane then I deem it an important word to keep.

The actual word, Sarappiym, is found only in two places in The Bible - Psalm 94:19 and Psalm 139:23-24 and only in the plural form, therefore meaning not just one troubled thought, but many.

The Psalm 94:19 passage reads - "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy." (NIV)

Another way to translate this verse is - When I was troubled in my mind about a great many things, your loving kindnesses brought me joy and relief. [Pritchard Paraphrase]

The word fear is used in Scripture as a beneficial keep from danger. A better word or phrase for this fear is reverent respect and/or deep appreciation. The word that we are dealing with here today in the Psalm passages deals with worry or fret. These are issues, problems and concerning thoughts that range from manageable to the point of obsession and loss of control.

Paul, in his letter to the believers in Philippi, gave what seemed to be an impossible charge concerning anxious thoughts, anything to do with unhealthy fear or anxiety.

• "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

The first time I ever read this verse, my knee-jerk reaction was - that is impossible; we cannot, not have an anxious thought about anything! However, the more you read the second part to that verse and walk in The Victory Christ has accomplished for us in everything - we do not have to have any anxiety about anything.

This is not a promise you will not have troubled or anxious thoughts, but Christ and His Victory is the answer every time we have them. The burdensome thoughts are like little flames that pop up and can cause havoc by turning into a wildfire in your mind. But if you consult with Jesus, He will snuff those fires out before they have a chance to do any harm. 

The key lies in the time we consult with Christ. We must name our fears, our worries, our anxieties then hand them over to The Lord who has the victory over all of them and like The Great Shepherd and awesome Father that He is - will gladly answer your prayer of "Know My Anxious Thoughts".

EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES

 None of us want to be at fault and for this fact we are masters at excuses. The world views shame and embarrassment as awaiting those who take responsibility for mistakes and correction. However, responsible people are the individuals who will mature and develop more as a person. 

We are influenced by many factors in this life - mental, physical, spiritual and social - however we still pull-the-trigger on our thoughts, actions and words. I am not saying control is easy, but the first step toward a more responsible, healthy life is to make the decision you will take ownership of all of what you do, say and think before you assign blame where it does not belong. Remember the saying - when you point your finger at someone, you have four other fingers pointing back at you.

We eat improper stuff in abundance and then blame someone else for a failed diet program. We make excuses.

We stay up late hours watching a television program knowing we need to be up early the next morning and functioning at a high level for our jobs. Then the next morning rolls around and we have rolled out of bed with the wrong attitude, have skipped our shower and are late for work - excuses abound. 

We are under a huge delusion that not taking responsibility and blaming something or someone else will save us from the consequences of the situation. If you want to see this in full display, turn in your Bibles to Genesis 3. Right from the beginning we have had plenty of finger-pointing, but consequences still fall on all parties.

But wait there's more! This tendency runs throughout the Scripture and still haunts us today. Many times our shuck of responsibility comes in the form of anywhere from outright denial to a list of rationalizations. In the following cases, excuses means getting out of some kind of service. 

God had a clear and precise mission for a man named Jonah - "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." (Jonah 1:2) Jonah not only said, "No" to God's instructions to go preach in the city of Nineveh, but he physically tried to run away from God. Moses, when in the presence of God, had a list of inadequacies ready to deflect his call for service.

Don't we do this today? We receive a clear message from The Lord that is supported by Scripture and confirmed by a brother/sister in Christ. Then we promptly say, "Here I am Lord, but I think you got the wrong person - use somebody else."

Craig Groeschel in his book Dangerous Prayers elaborates on this by stating - 

"We still do this today. When God challenges us to give, we say, 'But God, I don't have much for myself. Someone else can give more.' When God calls us to serve, we might rationalize, 'I don't have enough time. Surely there are better candidates for this role than me.' When God prompts us to do something, we're tempted to tell Him all the reasons we aren't His best person. We don't know enough. We aren't talented enough. We aren't good enough. There are so many others better qualified for this than us. Here I am, God, but send someone else." (p.115-116)

In one moment we have broken God's heart, believed a lie over God's power in our lives and forsaken the rewards or blessings that come from trusting and obeying God. 

The correct and mature response to God and others, in spite of the list of excuses you have, should be a responsible, positive faith-based reply. Ask God to Search you, Break you and Send you. Having God search you means that you are doing the major Spiritual Spring Cleaning with God that has been needed for quite some time. Having God break you means that the Lord brings you to a place where you confess you cannot do this life on your own - you need Him and other Christians. Having God send you means God has developed you to the point where He desires you to - "Go!" - and we should obey.

"Isaiah prayed such a prayer of unreserved availability in the presence of God. The Old Testament prophet retells of his encounter with the Holy One when God asked, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' (Isa. 6:8a) And without knowing the details, without knowing when or where, Isaiah prayed this stunning, life-altering prayer:  'Here I am, Send me.' (Isa. 6:8b)" [p.116, Dangerous Prayers, Groeschel]

Isaiah exemplified a great leap of faith in his walk with God. Although many of us have not had the dramatic experience of God's presence that Isaiah encountered, we will know when our "Isaiah Moment" has arrived. It is up to us to respond appropriately and not with Excuses, Excuses, Excuses. 

PREPARE TO GIVE AN ANSWER

 

Lately the Earth has experienced the nearest asteroid fly-by on August 15th at 1,830 miles above the Indian Ocean. In the past we have also experienced Super Moons and Blood Moons, both of which are signs of things to come. We have years where the Sun has been abundant with its flares and sunspots. These are heavenly signs that I believe will continue as God tries to get humanity's attention here at the end of The Last Days.

Back on earth, the abundance of active storms in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico should not be a surprise for those who read the Bible and/or study Biblical Prophecy. There are five tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean for only the second time in history plus named storms all the way to letter "V" (for Vicky) and a possible "W" coming off the west coast of Africa at this writing.

For the future of this planet I have a mixed delivery for you. First, the conditions of this world are going to get worse exponentially very soon. However, the second point is those that choose Christ as their Savior now can escape the turmoil that is currently only heating up. 

For those Christians who have read their Bible, Jesus predicted in the last of the End Days - 

• "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken." (Luke 21:25-26)

Notice Christ mentions well-known objects in the heavens will show forth unmistakable signals of forthcoming events. Next Jesus turns His gaze to Earth and sets the scene of not just a few, but "nations" will be in "anguish" and "perplexity" at the tropical storms, hurricanes, cyclones or "roaring and tossing of the sea".

Other words for "anguish" are misery, agony and torment. But there is another word that is synonymous with "anguish" that the Scripture uses later in Revelation - the word "Woe".  Both words depict a sense of inescapable dread and doom.

The word "perplexity" has at its core the condition of being perplexed. This means someone is confused about something and questions or tries to solve the puzzle before them. 

Then Christ's attention turns skyward once again as He describes the human reaction of what is seen - "People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken."

Christ Jesus is coming again soon! The signs that Jesus, Paul, John, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and more have foretold are being fulfilled in earnest in the Generation since the re-birth of Israel in 1948. These signs of the catching away or Rapture of The Bride of Christ are coming with such great frequency and intensity, like that of childbirth, that something has to give. 

Christians know of this Hope we have in Christ Jesus. We know in the middle of the upheaval in society, nature, nations, religion and personal battles that Jesus Christ is our Hope - the one we are looking forward to seeing, meeting and fellow-shipping with for eternity. Scriptures encourage us to have that reason for our hope ever ready on the front of our minds and tips of our tongues to share.

• "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Christians, as you eagerly wait with great anticipation the arrival of The Groom, our Savior - be found working for Him when He comes for us mid-air. And to all those wondering about all these events and wondering about Christ, believers in Christ need to Prepare To Give An Answer.

God Embarrassing The Wise

How does a stick divide the Red Sea? It doesn't. How does a massive amount of people simply marching around a city, blowing trumpets and finally shouting - collapse the city walls? In and of itself, it does nothing. How does placing those who worship God with singing and the playing of instruments at the front of an army make sense? To the enemy attacking and observer of the battle it looks absurd, delusional and certainly suicidal. The difference in all these events was the obedience within their relationship to Yahweh.

Has God ever challenged your faith to believe and act in obedience toward His miraculous provision? Paul stated God's mode of operation, especially as the Believer obeys to Christ in manners we would question. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says -

• "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

Remember David before the giant, Goliath? Is it any wonder that Goliath and all his men thought Israel stupid, their God had abandoned them and it was a sad day when armies resorted to sending out kids to fight for nations?

David appeared on the battlefield in his normal, everyday shepherd attire. King Saul tried to dress David according to how they dressed and trained for combat, but that armor prohibited and/or constricted David's God-given combat abilities as a Shepherd.

1 Samuel 17:38-40 says,

• "Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.
  
  'I cannot go in these,' he said to Saul, 'because I am not used to them.' So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine."

Many of us know the rest of the story. David killed the giant with a sling, stone and sword by teaching us the lesson of wearing the armor that was perfectly suited for us in spite of the "foolish" appearance.

I believe Trusting is a type of obedience as well as faith. David obeyed, leaned on and trusted wholly in God's training. God took David's shepherd-like qualities and militaristic skills as a boy, developed them in the pasture, then promoted him and his next set of lessons to that of a higher level - Shepherd of Israel, General, and King of Israel.

God does the same for us, especially if we surrender our hopes, dreams and expertise to Him. Willing minds and hearts before The Creator yields God taking what He has already blessed us with and developing us into the man or woman His Plan had for us all along. Just don't be surprised if you see God Embarrassing The Wise.

ASSOCIATIONS AND INTRODUCTIONS

Have you ever had someone you featured in your life to others? Did you ever have anybody you bragged about and took pride in on a regular basis? Grandparents do this a lot and many times the grand-kids don't even do anything but just grow up being family. Others have a friend who saved their life or did them a great service so they praise them at every opportunity. Still others live through athletes doing amazing feats of physical skill and talent by following their career and speaking of them regularly. 

These are types of Associations that turn into Introductions. There is a powerful dynamic within these relationships that urges that person to recommend his or her Association for your benefit or enjoyment.

Growing up and to this day, if I find somebody or group of people enjoyable to be associated with, I feel comfortable and almost compelled to share the treasure with others. 

An example of this relationship treasure(s) that I cherish and have always desired to share is the relationship I have with my parents and my wife. Every day makes me appreciate them even more and the feeling of wanting people to meet them and get to know them is strong. I know their character. I know their values. I know their faith. I know their love and care. Because of the time and attention spent in our relationship I know we are both proud to have the other in our lives.

Any relationship that you want to flourish, develop and keep will take time, care and forgiveness. If you associate yourself with Christ, you will see that He has provided all of these and more as a means of one of the most grand Introductions of all time. 

All throughout my childhood, I was introduced or exposed to Jesus. In 1979 the introductions had been made and now the proposal was laid before me - would I accept Christ as my personal Lord and Savior? Yes! Since then I have known Him as healer, rescuer, provider, guider, inspiration and so much more. And now that I know Him as such, I want to Introduce Him to you and others. I want to brag on my Savior. I want to boast about my King. I want to share my relationship with everyone, so that the same Association, the same relationship, the same Introduction can be made to you and others.

The world and fellow Christians should see this Association with Christ, this wholesomeness because of the Holy Spirit's presence in my life. With my parents and my wife, I am not only associated with them but deeply involved in their daily living. With Christ it is the same - I pray that I am noticed as being associated with Him because of my dedicated Christ-like life. The time and energy you spend with certain individuals gets noticed and reaps its own rewards. Paul admonishes us - "Do not be deceived, 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33) So, be mindful of the company you keep for they navigate the introductions you give.