David Bahn – Reflections

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath.
² Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
    heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
³ My soul also is greatly troubled.
    But you, O LORD—how long?

⁴ Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
    save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who will give you praise?

⁶ I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
⁷ My eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my plea;
    the LORD accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
    they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

The second part of a psalm of lament is the complaint, or lament. It’s an expression of sorrow, frustration, distress, or pain. And while it is true, “Complaining is not a strategy,” God is willing to hear our complaints. But let’s be clear about two things.

1. Complaining is not a strategy. And,
2. Complaining alone is not a lament in the biblical sense of the word.

A lament in the biblical sense includes not only the complaints, but the address to God, the request for help, an expression of trust, and a vow or anticipation of praise. It’s the full story of a life of faith in a fallen world.

I love teaching the Stockdale Paradox, a concept from Jim Collins’ book Good to Great, based on the experiences of Admiral James Stockdale, a U.S. Navy officer and former prisoner of war in Vietnam. Stockdale observed that prisoners who were overly optimistic—expecting to be freed by a certain date—often lost hope when those expectations weren’t met. The paradox is summarized this way, “Face the brutal facts while holding on to hope.”

Some people falsely believe that if you’re a true Christian you’ll never have any troubles. Jesus said the exact opposite: “In the world you will have troubles” (John 16:33). But we don’t have to stop there for God invites us to express our deepest needs to him. We don’t have to pretend all is well and that we’re shiny happy people holding hands. 

There is, however, a danger to avoid as we share our complaints before God. Lament isn’t just complaint. It’s far different from grumbling. Lament is a faithful cry to God. But grumbling is a faithless complaint against God. Or put it this way:

• Lament says, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I turn to You.”
• Grumbling says, “God, You’re not doing enough. I deserve better.”

You may be struggling desperately with troubles, distress, fear, and pain. Bring those to God. He will hear you. God says, “Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).

From the St. John Psalm Conversation Starters with God

We can pray… Oh my Savior and Lord, how long? These troubles ________________ have been going on and on and we need You to act. We call on the name of our God – the Lord of Heaven and Earth – to ease our pain. Ease this pain we feel in our hearts for the world. Our bodies ache and we literally feel the effect of sin upon the world. May we wait on You with hope. May our hope grow our character and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath.
² Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
    heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
³ My soul also is greatly troubled.
    But you, O LORD—how long?

⁴ Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
    save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
⁵ For in death there is no remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who will give you praise?

⁶ I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
⁷ My eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

⁸ Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
⁹ The LORD has heard my plea;
    the LORD accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
    they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.

Seth, Lead Minister at St. John preached on Psalm 6 this morning, explaining that it is a psalm of lament. He explained that such psalms typically follow a recognizable structure. The key parts are:

1. Address to GoD
2. Complaint
3. Petition (Request for Help)
4. Expression of Trust
5. Praise

Some laments also include imprecations (calls for God’s judgment on enemies) and confessions of sin if personal wrongdoing is involved in the suffering. 

Seth urged us to use the psalm for our devotions, and provided a resource for us to use to that end. I thought I’d use this idea to shape my own reflections for this week and the weeks to come.

Let’s start with the address to God.

Have you ever gotten caught in phone tree purgatory? “We’re glad you called, and your call is important to us. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for German, 4 for French, 5 for Italian, 6 for Portuguese, 7 for Swahili, 9 for Chinese…” Then comes, “If you are calling as a customer press 1. If you want to speak to a billing agent, press 2….” Then, “Please enter the last five digits of your customer number. If you don’t know your customer number, press star to go back to the main menu.” Arrrgh!!!

God offers us a much better calling option. More important, the True God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the great Three-in-One, the Alpha and Omega. David starts this psalm speaking to the LORD, Yahweh.

This is an appeal to the personal identifiable God. He is known by his name. He is not merely a spiritual force. He is the God of the covenant with his people. When Moses was sent to Pharoah to release God’s people from slavery, he told Moses that his name was “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM sent you to them.” The divine name YHWH (often pronounced as Yahweh) comes from the same Hebrew root H-Y-H (“to be”), reinforcing the idea that God is the ever-present, self-sufficient One.

We know, now, that God has revealed himself in Jesus Christ, who commanded us to baptize all nations in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We know God by name, not just as a spiritual force. When we appeal to God in Jesus’ name we’re not sent to a purgatory of phone trees. We have access to the throne of God’s grace. Jesus himself promised, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you.” (John 16:23).

Pour out your heart to God. Don’t just shout to the heavens. Don’t merely complain. Call on the LORD in Jesus’ name. He has promised to hear you.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Diane and I had a very pleasant surprise this morning. We’re in Phoenix for the Best Practices in Ministry conference. This free conference is sponsored by Christ Church Lutheran here. Pastor Jeff Shrank is a fireball of energy and creativity. I’m wondering just now what costume he’ll show up in today. A clown? A bear? A blow-up dinosaur? Who knows? But he’ll show up to engage, encourage, and inspire people to do whatever it takes to bring the gospel message to people. He wants us all to know that we’re not alone. And with nearly 3000 people in attendance, consuming pounds of fruit, gallons of sodas, water, tea, and sports drinks, we’ll be blessed in the generosity of his church. Behind, under, above, beside, and in front of us all will be the gospel message of Jesus’ love for people, and the Holy Spirit’s power for mission and ministry. What a gift! What a blessing! What a joy!

Back to our very pleasant surprise. I was sitting in the hotel restaurant, having eaten breakfast, and read most of my daily emails. In walks Diane, and I gave her a big smile. We had talked the night before about being more intentional about serving out of our marriage. We agreed to be more intentional about being spiritually and emotionally present and connected for each other. When she walked into the restaurant, she and I must have remembered that and smiled at each other.

A few moments later a woman came to our table. “This is your wife, isn’t she?” she asked. “Yes.” “When she walked in you lit up and smiled at her. She walked over and you both engaged with each other. It was so sweet to see.”

Wow, we thought. We actually did it. Our intentional connecting and serving from our marriage, became evident. The young woman was impressed and encouraged. Diane told her about the book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader by Peter Scazzero. The woman asked several times for the name of the book. It had been the basis for our intentional effort at engaging with each other.

This is pertinent to this passage from Galatians because of the last verse in this section: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Today we heard, “Theology without community is lifeless and pointless.” Paul is making that very point in the middle of talking about circumcision! It’s not just about true theology, it’s about how that true theology is to be expressed and lived out: in gracious and authentic community. 

This has been a very encouraging experience – even though I’m no longer in the throes of full time ministry. I hope to write a blogpost special edition tomorrow summarizing at least some of our experiences here. I am thankful that the fruit of the Spirit is so evident at this conference, and I pray that we can sow seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness…and the like in our neighborhoods and churches.

PS: Happy Valentine’s Day, Diane! I love you!

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

We were at a learning community gathering with the St. John staff. The conference was all about discipleship, specifically, building a discipling culture. We all agreed that focusing our efforts on building a unified, aligned, and concerted discipleship effort for our church was a great idea.

Then Jon spoke up. “We need to be intentional,” he said. That really got my attention. He was right. In other words, it’s not enough to do business as usual with little thought or effort at intentionally pursuing the Great Commission. We need to be intentional.

For the seven months after graduating from university, I worked in a brick factory. All I did all day long was handle bricks. Four at a time, for the most part. Two in each hand. Moving them from the conveyer belt to a jig. Banding the stacked columns of bricks with a metal band and watching as the fork lift came and took the bale to another part of the factory. I mostly did this mindlessly. All I thought about was getting through my 8 hour shift and going home to soak my hands in hot water (to relieve the pain), eat dinner and go to bed so I could get up the next morning and do it all over again. It wasn’t quite Groundhog Day, but it was close.

Diane had a sign on her wall when she served as music director at our previous church. “You must not saunter nonchalantly into the presence of God,” it read. A good reminder for us when it comes to worship. Going to church should be more than a thing we do. We must remember that we are entering into the presence of God. We need to do that intentionally.    

If God is only a slice of our life’s pie, then we can relegate being intentional about our faith to one day a week, or even one or two hours of one day a week. But God is with us 24/7. His goodness, mercy, faithfulness, and grace is with us at all times. We don’t rightly live as Jesus’ followers part time.

That’s where that “I” word comes in. If we are full time followers of Jesus then let’s live intentionally as such. That’s what Paul is saying here, when he says, “Walk by the Spirit.” Intentionally forgive. Intentionally offer grace and truth to those in your life. Intentionally resist temptation. Intentionally turn back to Jesus when we stumble and sin.

The Holy Spirit is intentionally leading us to Jesus. His fruit is beautiful and enriching for the one bearing it and the one receiving it. Sometimes it just happens. More often we need to be intentional about walking with the Spirit. Whenever it does happen we are blessed and there will be opportunities to bless others…if we are intentional about it.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

I have a friend who has and shares strong political opinions. Some of them dig deeply. Some of them are disrespectful. Some of them embarrass me. I have another friend who has strong political feelings on the other end of the spectrum. Maybe not as far leaning, but still strong. And public. I wish they would both keep quiet about their political views. I find common ground with both of them in certain aspects of their expressions. But I’m not convinced that the level of concerns rises to the threshold of needing to be so strident.

Both of these friends are Christians. They profess faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. They might even claim that their views are profoundly Christian and need to be aired. Maybe so. But it’s difficult to see how rancorous expressions of supposed (or real) Christian values actually adorn the Gospel with appropriate grace and truth.

Paul speaks of the works of the flesh. He lays out some pretty ugly expressions of sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I notice strife, dissensions, divisions, and fits of anger. These are unbecoming of a follower of Jesus.

Then come the expressions of the Holy Spirit’s work in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. How beautifully these attitudes and attributes adorn the gospel message of Jesus!

These fruit of the Spirit are so appropriate for Jesus’ followers because they reflect his character and nature. Jesus was a man full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Think of how he withstood the insults and torment of Pilate, the soldiers, and the Jewish leaders at the time of his arrest. Consider how he treated the lame, blind, ill, and broken people he encountered. Reflect on his faithfulness to his Father in heaven in all things. 

It may not be fair that the church today is known for being judgmental and arrogant. But we can do our part to reflect these characteristics of our God – even in a skeptical and hostile world. What better way can we echo Jesus’ perfect love than to endure insults if we have to and yet hold to a spirit of love, joy, and peace?

What shall we be known for? More important, how can we better let God be known as the God of perfect grace and life-giving truth?

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Maybe you’ve had a very picky boss. He watches your every move. She micromanages every decision. You want a new desk lamp? Do you really need it? You turn in a report. Did you double-check the spelling and grammar? Admittedly, sometimes we need those gentle reminders – especially if we don’t have those red squiggly lines showing up in mispeled misspelled words! But the burden of sending daily reports of every 15 minutes of your work day, or being constantly second-guessed in your decision-making can wear thin.

I’m not sure why, but this came to mind when I read these word: But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Somehow these words refreshed my spirit. Somehow they struck a note in my soul. 

The Spirit, according to Jesus, points us to Jesus. His role is to bear witness about Jesus, affirming His identity and work. And I love where Jesus – unashamedly – says “He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).

I was confirmed as a college student. The pastor gave me a confirmation verse that aligns with these thoughts: Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

I’m taking this to heart today, and rejoicing that I don’t have to fight the Holy Spirit’s work in my heart. He leads me back to Jesus, and gives me precious gifts of patience, goodness, kindness, and love.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Here is a conundrum, a paradox: For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. I’m not sure how some people get around this. There are two forces at work in our being that are constantly at war.

Sometimes it is obvious – almost like having a good angel and an evil angel, one on each shoulder. Do this [good thing], the one says. The other, Why would you do that?!? That’s no fun at all. Let’s party! One says, Don’t give in to that temptation. It will ruin your life. The other says, Do you really want to miss out on all the fun?!?

Paul reflected on this truth personally when he wrote, “I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). We all know that reality. We want to be kind and understanding, but we lose our temper. We know better than gossiping, but we join in on the latest whispers in the break room.

We are saint and sinner. And the surest sign that we are saints is that we have a conscience that troubles us when we sin. The greatest danger signal to our spiritual welfare is when we stop feeling bad about something that we know is not right or godly.

It is not an easy battle. And there are times we might wish to be done with it. But God calls us into this battle, and promises to protect us. Paul will speak of the armor God provides in the next chapter. But for now, we must not grow weary or lose heart because we must fight this battle. Satan seeks to kill and destroy us. The world presses in on us, seeking to shape us into its mold. Our own sinful flesh turns our heads and hearts toward cheap imitations of God’s good gifts.

Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit within us who provides his gifts of joy, peace, love, gentleness, and faithfulness – and others as well. All by his grace. All for our good. We must fight the battles against sin and temptation. But we do not have to fight without the power of the Holy Spirit.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

² Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. ⁴ You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. ¹¹ But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹² I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Maybe you remember the song “Charlie Brown” by The Coasters. It was released in 1959 and became one of their hits. The song humorously describes a mischievous kid named Charlie Brown who’s always getting into trouble, and the iconic line “Why’s everybody always picking on me?” is part of the chorus.

Paul’s tone in Galatians 4:11 definitely has that “Why’s everybody always picking on me?” vibe. He’s defending himself against false accusations and constant persecution, despite the fact that he’s preaching the truth of the gospel. It’s like Paul is saying, “Look, if I were compromising the gospel by preaching circumcision like they say I am, why would I still be taking all this heat?!” It’s a bit of a “Does this make sense to you?” moment.

Paul did support circumcision under certain circumstances. Paul had Timothy circumcised (Acts 16:3), but that was done to avoid offending Jews they were trying to evangelize—not because Paul believed it was necessary for salvation. Timothy’s mother was Jewish and he would have been considered Jewish by heritage. However, because he wasn’t circumcised, this might have been a stumbling block to Jews they were trying to reach with the gospel. Paul had Timothy circumcised as a matter of practicality for evangelism, not as a requirement for salvation.

Titus, on the other hand, was a Gentile, and Paul explicitly refused to have him circumcised. This took place during a pivotal moment when Paul was defending the truth of the gospel against Judaizers (those who insisted that Gentile believers needed to follow the Jewish law, including circumcision). He has already written about this in Galatians 2:13-15.

There are simple answers to the question, Why is everyone always picking on me? Sometimes we make ourselves the target for others’ criticism. Some people are just mean and they delight in making other people’s lives miserable. Satan incites people to criticize God’s faithful people.

That’s the simple answer. But the more important and far reaching is the fact that Satan delights to  discourage a follower of Jesus, or derail his mission. So he will do all he can to foment criticism, conflict, reproval, and trouble for God’s servants.

So next time you feel the brunt of others’ criticism, take heart. You are in good company. Sadly, there are those who delight in disturbing others. Being criticized might be thought of as a red badge of courage. On the other hand it is simply a reality of life in a fallen world. And when we do experience such troubles we can take heart in remembering Peter’s encouragement: ““Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV).

Be sure of this. Though we may suffer criticism justly or unjustly, we can be sure that one day every tongue will be stopped, and every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. And we will join in the chorus of praise to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.