The Renewal of God

God is overturning all we are accustomed to. Upheaval, change, disruption, turbulence, disorder, pandemonium were all experienced by the Israelites when they were taken into captivity. At other times throughout history, similar conditions were pervasive, causing the existing structures of power to fall into chaos. Many of us have lived through identical conditions in our personal lives as circumstances have transformed around us, producing new and unexpected results.

Psalms 137
v.1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
v.2 We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
v.3 For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

By clinging to and focusing on what was, we experience a sense of loss, grief, despair of being able to move forward in the absence of what used to be. Hopelessness tinges all that we consider.

Psalm 137
v.4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land?
v.5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
v.6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

But it is in that new, uncertain, strange environment that our walls of "familiar" and our defenses of "predictable" have crumbled and it is there and then that God often arrives with new tools and keys and understanding to open new opportunities for ministry.

Ezekiel 1
v.1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
v.2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
v.3 The word of the LORD came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of the LORD was there upon him.

Jesus overturned every expectation that the disciples had. Once they got past the disruption of leaving everything their lives had revolved around when He called them to follow Him, it started to sink in on them that Jesus *was* the One they had been taught to expect, and they remembered the teachings that the throne of David would be restored and all nations would be subject to Him who sat on it.  

Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

Matthew 20
v.20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
v.21 “What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”

But as they started to lay plans on how to gain the greatest chunk of power and property, Jesus overturned their plans again.

Luke 22:26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

Shock follows shock for those who follow the Lord. Upheavals and turmoil are all around, on every side. The structures we have grown accustomed to and depend upon, the processes we have grown to trust, the sources we rely on, the relationships we count on for stability, all are subject to being shaken.

Just as our works will be tried by fire and some may prove not to be durable for eternity, so our "world" is shaken as we walk in the Spirit so we can know what, and who, is dependable for all time, and all eternity. Relationships based only in the flesh will be stressed and will fail the test, but relationships founded and developed in the Spirit will endure.

Isaiah 13:13 Therefore I will make the heavens tremble; and the earth will shake from its place at the wrath of the LORD Almighty, in the day of his burning anger.

Hebrews 12
v.27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
v.28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,
v.29 for our “God is a consuming fire."

When we experience change and loss, it is not because of sin or due to transgression. We are in the world, and sorrow and loss is part of this present world. Just as Jesus became flesh to share in the trials and temptations we are heir to, we will not be exempt from the daily struggles and life losses, for only wounded healers can truly identify with those they are called to help. Let us walk in Jesus' steps, showing His compassion by serving all, and defending the helpless.

Lord and Savior, Redeemer and Defender, we hear You say, "Come unto Me," and we hasten to Your side and shelter under Your wings. We cast aside those things that crumble and burn in order to accept Your gifts that are solid and precious, valuable tools for the work You call us to. You are gracious and compassionate, and the works of Your hands are faithful and just. You have ordained Your covenant forever, O Lord, holy and awesome is Your name. To You belongs eternal praise!

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