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I Will Praise You, Lord

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by Brian Waple

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High. (Psalm 9:1–2, NLT)

I have to admit, it’s kind of hard to find comfort in those words in recent days. We have a pandemic that just seems to be getting worse; the 2020 presidential election has left the country more divided than ever; for Elim, our pastor search doesn’t seem to be panning out as we had hoped; the governor’s latest announcement seems to be affecting churches in a way that is constricting how we worship; and flu season is upon us. There are many reasons to be discouraged.

Yet it is during these hard days that God calls us to cling to Him. In the Book of Psalms, we read how David, a man after God’s own heart, went through discouraging (and downright terrifying) times. He spoke to God often about his fears, his disillusions, his failings, God’s failings (as David saw it)—often as a result of things he had no control over. But David also acknowledges God’s grace and mercy and sovereignty in all things.

Psalm 10 begins as many of David’s psalms begin: from a place of anguish. “O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? (Psalm 10:1).” But David knows in his heart and soul that God is greater than his troubles, as we read in Psalm 11: “But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth (Psalm 11:4).”

I believe in my own heart and soul that God is greater than all that is happening right now. I believe that none of this has caught Him by surprise, and I believe that God is working through it all, although I may not see it. Still, I find myself experiencing periods of anguish and asking God, “Lord, when is this going to end?”

David finds his solace in praising his God. When he turns his attention to praise, he doesn’t dwell on what’s happening. It’s still happening, but his attention is focused on the One who is greater than all his troubles. It’s hard for me to want to praise when things are falling apart, but isn’t that what I am called to do? Throughout the Scriptures, God tells His people to “trust in Me.” I know that sounds too simple and naive, especially in these very, very complex times when we are desperately searching for answers. But as we read in Psalm 18, “God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection (Psalm 18: 30).” Now, isn’t that worthy of our praise?

So, in many ways we can’t control what’s going on around us, whether it be this pandemic, or the election, or the pastor seach, or anything else. But, like David, we are called to trust and praise the One who can end this sickness . . . who can unite this country . . . who can bring a pastor to this church . . . and who will one day reign supreme!

I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. (Psalm 145:1–3)

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The Best Laid Plans . . .

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by Brian Waple

My family went back to Virginia this past weekend for my dad’s memorial service. We had been planning the service for friends and family for a while, as well as making preparations for a family graveside service. My dad was not a churchgoer, but he had been a long-time member of the local American Legion. So, the family thought this would be a suitable venue for the event. I made several calls and sent a number of emails to make sure the ballroom was available and set up. In addition, I made arrangements to put my dad’s date of death on a pre-existing headstone in the family plot at the local cemetery.

Both services were scheduled for Saturday. We decided to go by the Legion and cemetery on Friday morning to ensure everything was ready. We had no idea what would be waiting for us.

Arriving at the Legion, we found out it was closed for the next seven days because of a positive COVID test on one of the employees. My single point of contact at the Legion could not be reached. When we got to the cemetery, we found that my dad’s date of death had been placed under my mom’s name (she was with us … awkward). Between panicked calls to the headstone company (they were very distraught) and continued calls to my Legion contact (did I tell you he couldn’t be reached?), we were looking at the beginning of a train wreck and had no idea what we were going to do. So, we prayed.

In Genesis 32, we read of Jacob receiving news that his older brother Esau was coming to meet him with an army of 400 men. Remembering that little deception he and his mother had cooked up to steal his brother’s birthright, Jacob was certain Esau was coming to slaughter him and his family (he could see the wheels coming off the rails). Other than reorganizing his family and possessions, he had no clear assurance of how this was going to turn out. So, he prayed:

And Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” (Genesis 32:9–12, ESV)

After spending the night wrestling with God (and being blessed by God), in Genesis 33 Jacob meets Esau: “He himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept” (Genesis 33:3–4, ESV). The encounter that had so terrified Jacob (now Israel) had instead become a blessing.

As we were preparing my dad’s service, I spent time in prayer, seeking God’s counsel. I wanted to make sure that what I was doing was honoring to Dad, as well as following God’s leading in the direction He wanted me to go. What was happening now was not making sense. I began to question our plan, thinking, “Is this because we weren’t meeting in a church?” But then, the majority of people coming would not feel comfortable in a church, and I wanted them to feel at ease. I wanted to honor God, but I also wanted to honor my dad. I realize that my situation was much smaller in magnitude than Jacob’s, but I had my own time of wrestling with what I needed to do. Slowly, I began to sense that my Father was telling me, “It’s going to be okay . . . stick with the plan.” And, we did.

So, how was the memorial service? It was a real blessing. We sang songs and told stories and remembered and laughed and cried—my Dad would have loved it! Only one employee who worked in the Legion bar tested positive (the bar, which was the only area closed, is on a separate floor from the ballroom we were meeting in). Out of caution, we called everyone we had invited to let them know the circumstances…a few opted not to come. And the headstone company assured me they would remove the headstone (after the graveside service) and would be able to correct the engraving. I learned (once again) that giving this all to God in prayer was all I could do.

Prayer. It is the foundation of our faith and our hope. When we pray, we enter into genuine relationship with our God and Father who sees all and knows all. We trust that although we can’t always see what’s coming, He can. God loves us. And when it seems like we are at our wit’s end and nothing seems to make sense, we can pray and know that our God hears us.

What do you need to pray for right now?

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Revelation

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By Brian Waple

Normally, I try to write these articles in a way that is encouraging to others.  My desire in what I write is to take the challenges we face as a body…challenges that seem to hijack our focus away from God and redirect that focus back towards God and the loving grace and mercy He has for His people and this church.  During normal times I feel I can write with a clear sense of God’s purpose, and this has helped me find a peace, which I trust brings peace to the reader as well.

But as we all know these are not normal times.  There are a lot of hard, unprecedented things going on right now and I have a difficult time seeing where God is working in the midst of it all.  As a believer, I know that God is in control of all things, but it’s become difficult for me to understand exactly where He is in the day to day.  It’s sad to see what these events are doing to our country.  And as an Elder, it’s become increasingly disheartening to see what these events have done to our Elim community.  As things have unfolded, I fear we are becoming more and more divided…polarized.  And this polarization is not so much a result of the events of the day (it’s expected that we would all have our individual views about what’s happening in this country and how we should respond), but in how we use our views to criticize, judge and marginalize others. 

In the midst of all these polarizing views and divisive stands, I have been asking, “God, what are you doing?  What are you revealing to me, to your church?”  I wonder if, during this time of uncertainty, God could be using these situations to reveal who I am and where my heart, and the hearts of His Body the church, truly are.  I don’t think this is a question of salvation, but more about how I am living life as a follower of Jesus.  Is it pretty?  Not always.  If I’m courageous enough to look, God is showing me more and more how judgemental I can really be.  As long as I have a simpatico relationship with someone, it’s pretty easy to hear them.  But, if I sense resistence or criticism or a difference in what I believe, I attribute something wrong with them and it takes a lot more energy and willingness to be open to hearing them and seeing any truth to what they have to say.  This type of judgement is detrimental individually and as a community, and the judgement we are warned against in Matthew, for as we read, “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1, NLT)

Therefore, my desire is to be less judgemental.  But, being less judgemental and more open to others takes effort and is not something that feels natural to me.  Plus, as a person who likes control, this is all very conflicting.  How can I do it?  Well, there’s the rub…something else He is revealing to me is that I can’t change in my own power.  As Paul says, “I have discovered this principle of life – that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.” (Romans 7:21, NLT)  As hard as I may try this is largely a transformation of the heart, not the mind.  In the end, I realize I can only be obedient by placing all of this before Him in prayer.

As I said in the beginning these are not normal times, and during this period it’s hard to see where God is working.  But, perhaps we need to shift our focus.  I heard a line from a pastor recently that really impressed me: “God is revealed in the conflicted moments, not just in the resolution.”  We find ourselves living in many conflicted moments.  What is being revealed there for you?

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Change

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by Brian Waple

Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains. As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one! Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. (Acts 9:1–9, NLT)

If you were to ask most people what they think of change, they would probably say they don’t care for it. Change interferes with our preconceived notions as to how we live, what we think, why we believe, etc. As a person who likes his routine, I don’t much care for change. I see it as an intrusion. I like to know what is happening. I am fairly certain about what I believe, and I have my established pattern. And part of that pattern was what I believed about God and being a Christian for many years.

Without a doubt, Saul was changed. Prior to his encounter with Jesus, he was a Pharisee through and through, firmly grounded in what he believed and completely convinced that these Jesus Christ followers were bad news—bad for the country and bad for Judaism. They were not following the Law and appeared to be encouraging others not to follow the Law. He was incensed and knew he needed to do something to stop them.

But then something happened. God stepped in uninvited on Saul’s journey to Damascus in a dramatic way. Saul had believed this Jesus Christ business was a threat that needed to be stopped. Little did he know that this “threat” would birth in him a burning desire that would completely change his view. For Saul, this change was substantial and immediate.

I, too, had an encounter with Jesus. But for me, rather than dramatic and immediate, my change has been more gradual over the years. Still, I know that God has been and continues to be at the center. Pastor Steve asked Sunday how we have changed personally since accepting Christ. For me, in spite of my desire for control, I have become more willing to give it up (although it’s still hard!). Another area of growth is thinking more of others and seeking to put them first, sitting in silence with them when they’re hurting, or trying to offer an encouraging word when asked.

Change has also come to Elim. There has been dramatic change with the departure of Pastor Martin, the retirement of Cheryl, and the departure of Pastor Brian. It’s been going on for over a year, and although the transition period continues, we know we will have a new senior pastor. But then, suddenly, we are faced with a new, dramatic, and immediate global change that has created a time of safe distancing and masks and virtual services and shuttered church buildings and much less certainty. None of us could have expected this, and no one knows what church will look like moving forward.

With all the uncertainty and questioning brought on by COVID-19, it’s made me stop and ask: Lord, why did this happen now? And what are You doing in this? Could this change be another Damascus moment for me? For the church? What will church look like going forward? What am I being asked to let go of that I hold stongly—beliefs, traditions, structures—in order to make room for God? In what ways do You desire change in me?

Without a doubt, this has been a dramatic intrusion into all of our lives. How we spend this time is important. Do we hold to the status quo like Saul, or do we reflect on different questions:

  1. What could the church look like moving forward?
  2. What things are we willing to let go of in order to make room for God?
  3. What is the change God desires in us? In Elim?

This is a great opportunity for us to draw closer to God and one another as well as prayerfully reflect on what is happening within each of us as we are becoming the people God has created us to be.

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Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose

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By Brian Waple

I was reminded recently of a TV show from the mid-2000s called Friday Night Lights. The show chronicles the stories of several high school students in the small, football-crazy town of Dillon, Texas. One of the touchstone phrases heard throughout the show, as spoken by the head football coach, is “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.” That mantra touches on the passion the boys feel for football and is a clarion call for them to stretch to levels beyond themselves. When he says it among a throng of enthusiastic players, it’s meant to inspire them before the upcoming game.

Honestly, I must admit it’s hard to feel inspired during this current age of Coronavirus. And I think in light of everything going on, it’s easy for us to forget that God is still on His throne. I do believe that God is using this time to transform His people, but that message can get lost in the fog as I watch the steady deterioration of normalcy as we know it. It’s hard to have eyes that clearly focus on Him as I see on the periphery what this crisis is doing to our economy and the change it is bringing to our day-to-day lives. And it’s hard to have a heart filled with passion for Him as I sense the desperation, helplessness, and isolation that is running rampant. It can seem that in this challenge, we’re on the losing side.

But throughout Scripture, I find assurance that God cares for His people, especially when we have to go through these intense seasons of struggle and everything seems so out of control. For example, the psalmist tells us, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, NLT) Or rather than focusing on the fear and anxiety of their own struggles, Paul tells the Philippians, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT). These words help me see that God is still in control of all of this.

As we continue to journey further into this new normal that we find ourselves, I pray that we will all take time to rest in God’s peace, assurance, and comfort through prayer. God is calling us to keep our eyes clearby focusing on him and our hearts full with His truth. In doing so, we won’t lose, for God is still, and will always be, on His throne and in control over all. And I ask that we continue to connect safely with each other, especially those who are particularly vulnerable during this time.

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Trust and Obey

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by Brian Waple

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

John Henry Sammis (1887)

By the very sound of the word, obey has negative connotations. It’s as though in certain situations we’re being told we have to suspend our free will and submit to a power over which we have no control. You have to do as you’ve been told. Growing up, you obey your parents. You have to pay your taxes. I remember in Air Force Basic Training, you had to obey the Military Training Instructors. Throughout my Air Force career, there were regulations and orders that I had to obey. It wasn’t something I enjoyed, but I knew that in the long run, obeying the regulations and the orders of those appointed over me ensured the success of a mission and maintained a necessary degree of order and discipline.

Then there’s the word trust. Now that’s a word I can embrace, but it’s a lot harder to always see the outcome that you’re expecting. You trust the sun will come up in the morning (except in the Pacific Northwest). You trust that if you do the right thing, a good outcome will result. And doesn’t God tell us to trust in Him? On our money, it says “In God We Trust,” right?

Many years ago, while serving in the Air Force, our family was living in Naples, Italy. One of our sons got into some trouble at school . . . serious trouble. So serious that there was a good chance he would be sent back to the United States. We felt that the best course of action would be for him to obey the school superiors and tell the truth as to what happened. I trusted in God’s sovereignty and my sense of fair play, believing that by obeying the school and military officials and telling the truth, our son would be shown leniency. Our son told the truth . . . and he was sent back to the United States (actually, it was our decision, as the military officials would have made it difficult for him to stay). I was devastated and confused. Doesn’t God tell us to trust in Him? And doesn’t He say that He wants only the best for us? How is our son being sent back to the United States the best for him and our family? (As I write this, it takes me back to a not-so-happy time.)

I struggled with this for a while, but I came to see that obeying God and trusting in His Word isn’t always easy. As Pastor Steve was saying Sunday, “Being a Christian doesn’t mean you won’t have problems . . . in fact, you may have more.” Your prayers won’t always be answered the way you want them answered. Healings won’t always take place. You will lose. You will be hurt. And you could even be separated from your kids. But, by obeying Him and trusting in Him, through faith, you can believe that even though you may not see it at the time, God is working.

Trusting and obeying God doesn’t mean we’ll always be happy. But it brings us comfort knowing that even in the darkest of nights, morning is coming. And as we trust that the sun will rise, trusting in Him also means that we have the assurance that God is in control.

Are there any areas where you have difficulty trusting and obeying God’s call on your life? Where do you sense God is working in these situations?

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