I Was Pushed Hard
The psalmist is a realist who understands well the tough journey which is the spiritual life. That is why in the midst of Psalm 118 he reminds us that there are days when we are nearly knocked to the earth. His particular words: I was pushed hard so that I was falling. . . . The margin below the passage offers a footnote in which another translation may be found: the enemy pushed me hard. Yes . . . this is real life. Thankfully, however, the very next line portrays the God who acts on our stead. Herein it is written: . . . but the LORD helped me. Pushed hard . . . falling down . . . but the Eternal God helped me. What a great word for a difficult day; indeed, for any day.
What To Do In A World Gone Mad
Though written in the first century, the words of 1 Peter 4:7-8 strike a booming chord for us at whom the headlines scream both pending and realized doom and gloom (think earthquakes, cyclones, war, terrorism, economic chaos, etc.). You might call them words of exhortation in a world gone mad. Read carefully: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
The end is indeed near. Peter wrote this within a generation of Jesus’ resurrection, and it is every bit as true today. The urgent tone reveals the reality that our Lord Jesus could return at any moment to take His church heavenward. The apostle Paul affirmed this imminent expectation clearly in 1 Thessalonians 1:10, writing that we are to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. The Lord is coming soon at the appointed time. Until then we live in a world gone mad and must engage the suffering and difficulty commonplace with depravity. Small wonder, then, that Peter goes forward to state what is needful in this hour. Reflect upon what he exhorts:
First, we must be self-controlled. Panic pounces on faith and tears it to shreds. In a world gone haywire, self-control is a critical part of keeping pespective. Giving cautious consideration to the way we respond to the evil in our world will allow us to embrace faith and peace. Rash responses play into the fear-mongering tactics of Satan. Self-control is a premier virtue for the believer; it refuses to let fleshly impulses best you. Secondly, we must be sober-minded. Sobriety of mind is to concede with faith that God is at work in our world and in our lives, and that we, therefore, will choose to trust Him, despite how strong the frightening forces can appear.
Do not gloss over the fact that self-control and sobriety of mind liberates you to pray. But what to pray in a world gone mad? Perhaps that God would use the tumult to melt hard hearts and move people toward the cross. Maybe that God would use the movement of diplomats and rescue workers and bloggers to quietly but methodically promote Jesus’ reputation in distant lands. Perhaps that God would increase your own faith and allow you to see your circumstances of fear and concern as a parable from which you can understand another’s desperation. The sky is the limit. Self-control and sobriety of mind free you to pray with availability, humility and expectation.
Remember that above all which you do and are, fervent love must be the rule. What greater gift can you give than the picture of Christ-like love that serves, gives, waits, and–yes–forgives? In a world gone utterly mad this is a gift that rises above the mayhem and points to the Messiah who saves; your Messiah–Jesus–the One who is at hand!