Blog Archives - James Janzen

The Low Point

8/20/2020

We return to Psalm 142. This picture I took in Israel reminds me of being strong but alone while in the wilderness.

Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Attend to my cry, for I am brought very low! Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me! Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me. Psalm 142:4-7
Looking to the “right,” refers to the Hebrew metaphor that it was on the “right hand” that a protector would stand. But David finds no one. During this time David took up the dangerous idea that nobody really cared for him. (v4). When we get into that mood we are in grave danger of becoming reckless, desperate, doing foolish things or giving up. As time went on David sank very low (v6). Perhaps this was the time in which he was convinced that he would perish at the hand of Saul.
Then David said in his heart, “Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. 1 Samuel 27:1
Many of us will sink very low at some point during this crisis. As the death toll rises, the economy slows down and isolation drags on, I find myself thinking, “Perhaps I too will be one of those who perishes at the hand of COVID-19.” Have similar thoughts crossed your mind? Read on and be encouraged as we listen to David’s strong faith encourage us across the centuries with the words, “you [Lord] will deal bountifully with us.” And I know, this will be true even if it should lead to death as it will one day regardless.

Sharing From Your Cave

8/20/2020

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.

A Cave of Transformation

8/20/2020

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.

Lessons from a Cave—A Heart Made Soft

8/20/2020

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!

Lessons from a Cave—Accepting Weakness

8/20/2020

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.