18 August 2013 - clouded vision

18 August 2013 - clouded vision

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us
and persevere in running the race that lies before us

We need to see our connection to the family of God and celebrate the deliverance he works throughout history.  In other posts we have mentioned how we are connected to the people of Israel, our forefathers in faith.  The cloud of witnesses includes not just the heroes of ancient Israel, but also those who live after Jesus in the holiness that his Spirit makes possible.  The family of God used to be a hereditary condition.  But Jesus expands it so that it can now include all people, as long as they put their faith in him.  The cloud of witnesses is our family.  They are not distant.  They surround us.  By their example and intercession they give us the strength to persevere in the race we run.

Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners,
in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. 

The struggle of Jesus, embraced in the lives of all of his disciples, can inspire us and give us the strength in order that we may not grow weary and lose heart.  We note especially the opposition which these saints face.  We pay attention because we too will encounter opposition if we are faithfully living the gospel.

Few have encountered quite the opposition we see in the life of the prophet Jeremiah.  We see that Jeremiah is tossed into a pit and we feel very sympathetic:

There was no water in the cistern, only mud,
and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

The opposition we face can make us feel like we're in a cistern out of which we cannot climb.  We may feel like we are sinking in the mud of this life.  Whether the manifestation of oppression is from a person, circumstances, or something else we are reminded that we do not contend against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil (cf. Eph 6:12).  This is true of Jeremiah, too.  Looking at him we can see one more example of the deliverance of God.  Seeing this in Jeremiah and in the lives of the entire family of God we do not grow weary.  We do not lose heart.  Even if we are in sinking in the mud right now we know that we will one day join in the song of the LORD's salvation:

The LORD heard my cry.
He drew me out of the pit of destruction,
out of the mud of the swamp;
he set my feet upon a crag;
he made firm my steps.

It is urgent that we realize this.  The circumstances and challenges we are called to face are not trivial.

Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.

Not that he wants to divide.  But by it's nature the truth separates itself from lies.  And there are many lies in the world today.  Those that do not turn to Jesus for salvation are all but helpless.  They are easy pray to the lies that the spiritual forces of evil use to ensnare them.  If we have relationships with people who keep such allegiances they may not survive.

From now on a household of five will be divided,

That is why it is so important to see ourselves first as members of the family of God.  Our citizenship is ultimately in heaven (cf. Phi 3:20).  We need keep focus on the one who is the source of all truth.  He is therefore the source of the meaning of our lives.

while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus,
the leader and perfecter of faith.

Let us work, surrounded by the cloud of witnesses, to all be united in the truth.  Our relationships, united in truth, are unbreakable.  Together let us sing praise to God.

And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
Many shall look on in awe
and trust in the LORD.