Tentpegs

Let’s do a couple quick ones:

I find it interesting that many promises are issued in the Old Testament. Many of these we take as current promises in addition to historical ones. One upon which I have been ruminating is the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:4 where God says that a nation on its knees will be one He heals. Do you think these promises hold forth to us today? Of course, a nation on its knees would be blessed if at least in on an individual basis. The concept there logically and holds water. We seem to frequently take promises made to the Israelites or to specific people (Old and New Testament) as promises extended to us. Is that something that is Biblically and/or logically sound? I realize this may be a silly question. I am full of many that I don’t even ask!

This is SO not a silly question! Way too many Christians take promises out of context. Some pray the prayer of Jabez and think that boxes God in, forcing Him to bless them. Others throw unqualified support behind Israel because they believe God gave them that land and that only nations who support them will be blessed. The guy who wrote the book “The Year of Living Biblically” took everything out of context, applying Old Testament laws and rules willy-nilly without checking for context or the original target of the passages.

Paul tells Timothy to “handle correctly” the Word of God. Literally, the words mean “divide it correctly.” Yes, in this instance, the older versions got it right. It is important to check the promises we read. To whom are they given? Are they conditional? (they almost always are) Are they limited in time or space? What, specifically, is being promised?

In a world where people can develop huge, complicated doctrines and flow plans of the premillennial reign of Christ on earth, getting all their information from a couple chapters in Revelation that don’t mention anything in their doctrine, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that people take promises out of context, too. However, some principles can be determined from the promises — and actions and consequences — we find in the Old Testament. As the questioner stated, praying is a very good idea even if it doesn’t save the nation. We learn a great deal about God and about ourselves as we read the Old Testament. Just make sure you don’t apply anything to yourself or your nation that God didn’t so apply.

While I am doing okay right now, I’ve had spiritual crises in the past where I’ve become depressed and doubted everything about God — His existence, His goodness, the Bible. How do I prepare now in case I go through one of those crises again?

I had to paraphrase that last one because I lost the original email. Sorry! Still, it is a good question. One of the ways we suggest our people “remember their Creator” is to build an evidence journal. This is different from a prayer journal which is also important. A prayer journal can be your prayers written out or it can be a list of things you are praying about and notations indicating when they were answered and how they were answered.

An evidence book is entirely different. When you see evidence of the existence of goodness of God, write it down in your book. At the end of each day, spend three minutes reviewing the day and logging any particularly sweet blessings. For example, I have recently noted the flying skills and brain functions of birds (jaw droppingly amazing, really), how my daughter and grandson were delivered safely here and back to Tennessee, that some people were released — healed — from hospital, how I am still amazed that a beautiful girl like Kami picked me… and stuck with me all these years. Today, my book will include those who ate out at Red Robin. You see, our staff ate a lunch there to celebrate one of our secretaries who is having her last day with us today before she takes maternity leave. I looked around the table and could see no reason why such an incredibly diverse group of people would not only have lunch together, but truly love each other and show preference for each other… unless there is a God and His Spirit truly works on our hearts.

Seeing the Great Communion come together so well, seeing so many walls come down, and seeing three fellowships trying to out-love and out-give each other for the benefit of others… that is evidence of God. I could go on and on, but here is the thing: when I hit a bad day — week, month, whatever — I go back and read my evidence books. It reminds me that God is there, even when I can’t see Him. Sometimes, I need to hear other peoples’ evidence stories, too. Therefore, it helps if you can get a group to start evidence books when you do. This is so simple, but it works.