James Janzen

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. Psalm 57:9
Which songs are providing refuge and healing for you during this time? Today I would like to give you the opportunity to encourage others by sharing titles, lyrics, recordings or video links via the comment box. Please include a brief testimony of how the song is a place of sanctuary and healing. Or maybe your questions are not being answered and you want to share your lament. Many of you may be expressing questions, concerns, hope and victory through creative output. Perhaps you would like to share a poem or song, video, drawing or graphic or work in other medium.
Of course you can share in other places as well. I encourage you to share in other ways as well - personally, email, social media, performance, etc.
Let us send hope and encouragement from cave to cave.

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David submitted to God’s transforming process during times of isolation. As I have spent many hours studying the life of David for a book I am writing I have become firmly convinced that many of David’s positive character traits were forged in times of isolation. He was certainly not perfect but God testified that he was a man ‘’after his own heart.” (Acts 13:22-23) Scripture records that David was a man of integrity.
And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you, and keeping my statutes and my rules, 1 Kings 9:4
The word integrity comes from the Latin word "integer" which refers to the whole of anything, like a whole number as opposed to a fraction. Similarly, we talk about a whole person who is undivided; a person who is the same in private as in public; a person where actions match his or her talk. God is longing and hoping to build uprightness and integrity in us, our families and churches during this time of crisis and isolation.

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Lessons from a Cave—A Heart Made Soft

8/20/2020

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Before continuing with Psalm 142, I want to remind you of the special place brokenness has in a relationship with God. According to Isaiah 57:15, God lives in two very contrasting places. The first—a high and holy place in eternity—is well known. The other, not as well known, is a contrite spirit.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Isaiah 57:15
David came to understand that a broken spirit and a broken and contrite heart were pleasing sacrifices to God.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16
David uses the Hebrew word dakah for ‘broken spirit which means ‘to crush or to humble’. In speaking of the contrite heart David uses the Hebrew word shabar which means ‘to break to pieces’. They do not mean ‘ to destroy’. These words describe a process similar to that of tenderizing a tough steak by breaking down the tough muscle fibres or carefully pounding leather to make it soft and supple. They mean ‘to be surrendered to God, and to make soft’. In the wilderness David learnt that God uses times of isolation to break down our pride, self-centredness, stubbornness, and self-reliance. God considers this process an acceptable sacrifice. Therefore, our response of submission is our act of worship!

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Lessons from a Cave—Accepting Weakness

8/20/2020

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When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! Psalm 142:3
I believe that David would want to remind us of the need to be realistic. We will feel faint at times. We will feel weak and overwhelmed. We should not feel guilty if we do. This is normal, yet many Christians have a false sense of living in God’s power. They think that there is something wrong when they feel faint in spirit. David accepted a fainting spirit as a reality of life. Acknowledging weakness was not a failure. Rather it opened the door for God’s help. Even Christ experienced such faintness that an angel came to strengthen Him (Luke 22:42-43)
What was David’s antidote? Knowing that God has a good way for us which is what the Hebrew phrase for ‘know my way’ means. God knows what is coming and has a plan for us.
May this thought comfort you when you feel weak.

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Lessons from a Cave—Giving Thanks

7/30/2020

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I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations.For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! Psalms 57:9-11

The last three verses of Psalm 57 give us more coping techniques.

Give thanks.
Share sung praise with others. In social isolation, we can still do this via phone or social media or from our balcony or with our family.
Remind ourselves and others of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness
Exalt God.

Does it feel impossible to do this? Don’t forget that this was what David did while Saul was trying to kill him. It was a conscious decision based on his trust in God, not on present circumstances. He said, “I will!” Like David, you can do this in the place of isolation.
What difference is this making in your life and the life of others? Share your answer with others or as a comment on this blog. Your answer may encourage others.

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SWIRLS OF NURTURE

Sharing From Your Cave

A Cave of Transformation

Lessons from a Cave—A Heart Made Soft

Lessons from a Cave—Accepting Weakness

Lessons from a Cave—Giving Thanks

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