Finding Joy in Turbulence!

Finding Joy in Turbulence as an Eagle stirs up its Nest....

As an eagle stirs up its nest,
Hovers over its young,
Spreading out its wings, taking them up,
Carrying them on its wings,
So the LORD alone led him,
And there was no foreign god with him; Deut. 32: 11-12.

 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's, Psa. 103:5.

To the moulting of the eagle and the growth of the new feathers, which we meet with in Psalm 103:5 (cf., Micah 1:16) as a figurative representation of the renewal of youth through grace.[i]   

Strong's Hebrew: 5782. עוּר (ur) -- To rouse, to awaken, to stir up, …

The Song of Songs features repeated warnings: “Do not stir up or awaken love until it pleases” (Song of Songs 2:7; 3:5; 8:4). The term warns against prematurely arousing passions outside …[ii]

 

“The ‘apple of his eye’ (Deuteronomy 32:10) is an English idiom for ‘anything held extremely dear’ or ‘much cherished’ and is a fitting translation for the Hebrew ‘the little man of his eye,’ that is, the pupil.” (Kalland)[iii]

"As an eagle, which stirreth up its nest and soars over its young, He spread out His wings, took him up, carried him upon His wings." Under the figure of an eagle, which teaches its young to fly, and in doing so protects them from injury with watchful affection.[iv]

         Briefly looking at these great facts hidden partly mysteriously: the election of Israel; Deut. 32:8-9; deliverance at the time of  exodus, Deut.32:10–12; and finally God’s gift of entrance into Canaan for his people; Deut. 32:13-14.

        Moses describes the care with which the Lord came to the relief of His people in their helplessness, and hopelessness. God enabled them in their insecurity, weaknesses, and assisted them to develop their strength. The figure of speech upon eagles' wings, can be explained and this signifies specifically on the following three areas:

a. The protection and assistance from God experienced by Israel in their journey through the Arabian desert; and also further in their journey.  

b.  This also embraces both the deliverance of Israel out of Egypt by the outstretched arm of the Lord; Exo. 19:4. The Lord brought His people out of Egypt the suffering, oppressed, persecuted Israelites.

c. The introduction into Canaan, when the Lord drove the Canaanites out from before them and destroyed them. 

What is so special about eagle?

        They represent honesty, truth, majesty, strength, courage, wisdom, power and freedom. The eagle, is powerful, swift, far-sighted, and cares for its own. As they roam the sky, their strength and dignity are related in God’s Word and His attributes.  

Eagles are known for their ability to fly at high altitudes and for soaring in solitude or with other eagles. Some of the lessons are that eagles have excellent vision and focus, feed on meat, are reborn through metaphorical death of the old self, and nurture the next generation.[v]

Application for us?

         Through the shadows and the silence of life, when our soul is dry, thirsty and bare, when the storms of life engulf us,  the raging tornado winds blow, through oppression and in the valleys, deserts and mountain tops, we can and we should fully trust God, as He is our Father in Heaven.  

         He promised us to carry us , and shelter us beneath His wings! Elshadai our hiding place, and Jesus Christ will be our refuge. This is our anchor, our fortress, and the only hope and joy our heart knows, because it is written in God’s word. He has the power and the love and the care to support us and protect us in turbulence. We can find joy in turbulence! 

 

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[i] Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: (Isa. 40: 31).

      [ii] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › hebrew   https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=I657DF&PC=I657&q=stiring+up+the+nest+in+Hebrew

[iii] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-32/

[iv] Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

[v] The Canadian Encyclopedia https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca …

   Eagle - The Canadian Encyclopedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall

Fall and Original Sin

Two most important Greek words in the Bible are logos and Rhema.

Rhema means (spoken) word, whereas logos includes thought (hence logic). Rhema is not just the spoken word, but any means by which the Logos (the substance of what is being communicated) is conveyed. Written text, spoken text, text in Hebrew, Greek, English, etc. are Rhema.[i]

     What is our world view?

        The system of the  world is trying hard with different experimental models of attempting to solve various moral issues, and problems of the world. These trials are doomed for failure, if our worldview is different from what is already written and spoken.

According to God’s Word, every human being has intense interpersonal needs. Romans 1 shows that in their various relationships people may develop complicated and even unconscious patterns of response. Psychology can help us pinpoint the ways in which the fall has distorted our relationships and behavior, leaving our spiritual and social needs largely unfulfilled.^[ii]

God said, “It is not good for a man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18). Adam needed human companionship and social and sexual intercourse for inner happiness and satisfaction. Eve was created to meet those needs, as he would meet hers. After the Fall not only the need for close relationships magnified, but the relationships which remained had become severely distorted.^[iii] 

William T. Kirwan says: “God has created us with spiritual needs. Good interpersonal relationships (with God and with other people) are necessary to fulfill those needs. If our needs are not met by interpersonal relationships, then, like Adam, we will tend to become spiritually, psychologically, and emotionally disoriented.” ^[iv]

 

           However, since man has sinned, he is certainly not as fully like God as he was before. His moral purity has been lost and his sinful character certainly does not reflect God’s holiness. His intellect is corrupted by falsehood and misunderstanding; his speech no longer continually glorifies God; his relationships are often governed by selfishness rather than love, and so forth. Though man is still in the image of God, in every aspect of life some parts of that image have been distorted or lost.^[v]

 

God man made upright, but they have sought out many devices; Ecc. 7:29.

 

What happened at the Fall?

 

            We still represent God- but the image of God in us is distorted; we are less fully like God than we were before the entrance of Sin.

            Louis Berkhof, on the topic of ‘Sin in the Life of the Human Race’ writes: The sinful state and condition in which men are born is designated in theology by the name peccatum originale, which is literally translated in the English “original sin.”^[vi]

          Original sin is derived from the original root of the human race. This is present in the life of every individual from the time of birth.  This is the inward root of all the actual sins that defile the life of man. All kinds of evil we see around us are Infact derived from this Original sin!

        We have to go back to what was already written and spoken by the breath of God, the wind of God, the Spirit of God. We have to set our mind on the spirit, to be saved from and being consumed by our negative thought pattern.

Do we want to enjoy life in full?

       We are ushered peace from God which passeth all understanding. The Lord used the constant word (logos), Ref. Rom. 8; to speak an instant, personal word to us (rhema) in our particular situation; or whatever circumstances we are facing in our life. The Lord’s instant speaking can strengthen us to turn to Him, and we experienced life and peace.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths; Prov. 3: 1-6.

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            [i] logos and Rhema word in Hebrew…

                  Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

                 https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com › questions

                 word study - Rhema versus Logos - Biblical Hermeneutics Stack …

          [ii] William T. Kirwan, Biblical Concepts for Christian Counseling, A Case for Integrating Psychology and Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1984), 40.

That description of the inner processes by which people deny God’s existence as well as their own spiritual needs reads like modern psychology. A study of Paul’s words and the process that they describe shows that they meant, for Paul, exactly what we take them to mean today. Repression is a major defense mechanism, a common form of denial used by all of us. Repression is the process by which we exclude legitimate desires and impulses from our consciousness. One they are denied satisfaction; those desires and impulses are left to operate in the unconscious. Sproul notes that this is the very process that Paul has in mind in Romans 1:18, where repression of God’s truth is said to result in an ungodly lifestyle and sinful behavior.

[iii] William T. Kirwan, ibid., p. 38. Harry Sullivan, on good interpersonal relationships wrote, “personality is formed by the interpersonal relationships that an individual has, especially with close persons in his entire life time…Personality consist of the characteristic way a person deals with other people in his interpersonal relationships.”

[iv] Ibid., p. 41.

[v] Wayne Grudem. Ibid., p. 444.

[vi] Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 231, 244.

Sin is a moral evil. Sin should not be confused with physical evil, with that which is injurious or calamitous. Sin is the result of a free but evil choice of man. This is the plain teaching of the Word of God, Gen. 3:16; Isa. 48:8; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Jn. 3:4. 

To Fight for Joy

             Seeing Jesus through the eyes of the heart and mind- to fight for joy

Strong's Hebrew: 8057. שִׂמְחָה (simchah) -- Joy, gladness, mirth ...

Though simchah is Hebrew, its theological substance flows into the New Testament. The angels proclaim “good news of great joy” at Christ’s birth (Luke 2:10), echoing Isaiah’s announcement.[i]

              Seeing Jesus through the eyes of the heart and mind- to fight for joy. There are ample Scriptures which talks about two different kinds of sight; eyes of the heart, and the eyes of the mind; Matt: 13:13; Eze: 12:2; Jer: 5:21.

Therefore, speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them; Mat 13:13-15.

Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house; Eze 12:2.

Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Jer 5:21.

          Seeing is essential because, God is glorified by being seen because this involves understanding, and God communicates in the hearts of people who can see. God’s glory is revealed in the nature;

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge; Ps. 19:1-2. 

Paul says, that the ‘invisible attributes of God in this Universe display God’s glory”; 

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so, that they are without excuse: Rom.1:20.

         When we look at God’s display of His glory from the minutest atom to the supernova, we clearly see the glory of God with much joy. It is our ungodliness and unrighteousness, whereby we suppress the truth; 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Rom. 1:18,

and that becomes tragic. 

          This joy killing blindness, the veil can be removed in the presence of Christ, which is through the good news of the Gospel. While Satan can do all that, he can to hinder us from enjoying that joy, when the light shines in our hearts, that gives the knowledge of the glory of God; But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ; 2 Cori.4:3-6. 

           God also reveals Himself through His Word, and the relationship between the Word and the glory of God is explained in Exodus 33-34; when Moses asked God in Mt. Sinai to show God’s glory to him. When we hear the Word of God, and when the hearing succeeds, we begin to see His glory, because it is written, Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God; Rom 10.17.

         Being enthralled in God’s glory brings ultimate joy to a believer, and is a special gift of God, and we are constantly being transformed in to His image and into His glory. Jesus expressed the love of Christ for His Disciples, in His final prayer in John 13.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world; Jn. 17:24.

        Seeing Jesus with the eyes of our heart is very much related to knowing Him;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God; Eph.3:19.

        So, our challenge is, to fight to see and enjoy the glory of the ‘Risen Christ’.

References:

Piper, John. When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy (Wheaton: IL, Crossway Books,2004).

The Matthew Henry Study Bible, King James version: The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, (Iowa Falls, U.S.A, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994).[1] 

End Notes

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[i] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › hebrew https://www.bing.com/search?FORM=I657DF&PC=I657&q=Hebrew+word+for+joy

Mount up!

                                                              

                                              Mount up with wings like Eagles  

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint, Isa. 40:31.

The eagle is a symbol of strength.The eagle,  is powerful, swift, far-sighted, and cares for its own. In many cultures and civilizations, the bird has represented strength and power. Countries like, Russia, Rome, Mexico, Scotland, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Albania, the United States, and the Philippines are some examples that have an eagle as an emblem.

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: Deut 32:11.

Hebrew words:

קָוָה (qavah) –

                To wait, to look for, to hope, to expect Usage: The Hebrew verb "qavah" primarily conveys the idea of waiting with anticipation or hope. It is often used in the context of looking forward to something with eager expectation.[i]

חָכָה (chakah) –

                To wait, to tarry, to long for. Usage: The Hebrew verb "chakah" primarily conveys the idea of waiting or tarrying with an expectation or hope. It often implies a sense of patience and anticipation, suggesting a hopeful waiting for something or someone.[ii] 

Eagles are known for their ability to fly at high altitudes and for soaring in solitude or with other eagles. Some of the lessons are that eagles have excellent vision and focus, feed on meat, are reborn through metaphorical death of the old self, and nurture the next generation.[iii]

Shall mount up with wings.—Better, shall lift up their wings, or, shall put forth wings’ feathers, the last, like Psa, 103:5. This implies, that the eagle renewed its plumage in extreme old age. Spiritually, and Biblically this means that for the faithful there is no failure, and faith knows no weariness. It is written, in God’s word, that without faith it is impossible to please God.

To the moulting of the eagle and the growth of the new feathers, which we meet with in Psalm 103:5 (cf., Micah 1:16) as a figurative representation of the renewal of youth through grace.[iv] 

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him; Heb. 11: 6.

Matthew Henry states; Where God had begun the work of grace, he will perfect it. He will help those who, in humble dependence on him, help themselves. As the day, so shall the strength be. If we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hopes in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.

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[i] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › hebrew

  Strong's Hebrew: 6960. קָוָה (qavah) -- To wait, to look for,

[ii] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › hebrew

  Strong's Hebrew: 2442. חָכָה (chakah) -- To wait, to tarry, to long for

[iii] The Canadian Encyclopedia https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca …

   Eagle - The Canadian Encyclopedia

[iv] Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: (Isa. 40: 31).

Separation!

 

The Bible encourages us to separate ourselves from doubt by focusing our thoughts on God’s promises and the truth of His character. By leaning into our faith and …[1] 

Greek: Meaning: (a) I separate, put apart, (b) mid. or pass: I separate myself, depart, withdraw. Word Origin: From the Greek word "χώρα" (chóra), meaning "space" or "region."[2]

Separation of Light from Darkness!

In the Hebrew Bible, "owrah" can signify the light of day, the light of life, or the light of God's presence and revelation. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Hebrew culture, light …[3]

Gen:1;10, 11 Speaks Volume on: Things which cannot be joined together!

1.     Light and darkness- Gen.1: 3-5.

2.     Waters above heavens and waters below were separated!(In the time period of Noah, both joined and great flood happened). Gen. 1:6-8.

3.     Earth and the Ocean/ waters were separated. Ge. 1: 9-13.

 

4.     Male and Female: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them; Gen.1:26-27.

5.     God separated the Earth into continents and Islands.  By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations; Gen. 10: 5;

6.     Gen. 11; the languages were divided!

 

7.     Garden of Eden: God separated life, from man. God separated man from eating the fruit of life, in his sinful state, and He separated man! God separated death form life! Gen. 2; Psa. 95: 7-11; Heb. 4: 1-12.

                       Worse Separation!: This is separation from God.

 

            Separation from God is a state where a person is distanced from His Creator. This means lacking the intimate fellowship, because humanity was formed to dwell in relationship with Him. Sin entered the world; Gen: 3. The beautiful relationship that existed with God, was fractured at Fall. This results in both spiritual and physical alienation from our Creator.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord; Rom. 6: 23.

 

              SIN: We have to remove sin from our lives; and sin is related to mental illnesses. Please note that I am not saying all mental illnesses are because of sin. Sin separates us from God. Any sin in our lives can deteriorate our mental health. Living in sin; tolerating bad communication, words, gossiping, what we watch,  the eye gates, and ear gates, are open doors to sin. We are called to a life of purity, holiness, righteousness, and this will lead us to life!

 

            The immediate consequences of sin are in our daily life and also it has eternal ramifications beyond this life. The gravity of this separation is because of sin. There is deep need for reconciliation and rescue within us. This separation can be repaired, by reconciliation through the work done on the Cross by Jesus Christ! Sin can separate us from God. But we all sinners have a hope!

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; Jn 3:16.

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[1] biblestudyforyou.com https://biblestudyforyou.com › bible-verses-about-separation

30 Powerful bible verses about separation (Full Commentary)

[2] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › greek

Strong's Greek: 5563. χωρίζω (chórizó) -- To separate, divide, …

[3] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › hebrew

Strong's Hebrew: 219. אוֹרָה (owrah) -- Light - Bible Hub

Joy of interpersonal care

 
The uplifting joys of interpersonal care and intimacy is forgotten in our world today. This is because of the world full of hurting people, and humans begin to move around with various boundaries around them. Unconsciously we perceive the world of people around us in a rather stereotyped fashion, which we learned from childhood. We also entertain a certain belief on what patterns of behaviour should be appropriate in this world which would meet our own personal needs. We can all blame the Fall for this! 

  
Today we are in the neuro-divergent world. Often, when humans believe a lie, their basic assumptions are built on this. Their belief first of all is incorrect; and hence the assumptive truth and the actions will be incorrect as well.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free;
Jn. 8:32.
Understanding the problems of people especially when they are in the journey of downward spiral is a gift form God. Liberating truth from the Scriptures are the promises and we all should not be slaves to the past. We are slaves to Christ, who has released us from the bondage of sin and death. Personality change is possible by spending time with Jesus Christ.
Fear, worry, anxiety, depression, bitterness, anger, resentment, bitterness, and guilt can prevent humans from entering the joyous life found in Christ alone. The diagnostic part on the counselors’ side will be to uncover the wrong beliefs supporting the sinful patterns of behaviour. The right procedure to deal would be to teaching right beliefs, exhorting right behaviour, which is consistent with the right beliefs, and coming to a gratifying joyous place which the right living produces.

God is able to understand the complex emotions of mankind, and He has given His word and His promises to navigate difficult situations. At this point the real need for unconditional love and the presentation of the Gospel of love in Jesus Christ is a must.
Life in our sin-stained life is preceded by death.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour;
Jn. 12: 24-26.
 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord;
Rom. 6:11.