Memory Lane

I've had my current study bible since I was about 16 years old. In case you were wondering, 16 was a long time ago for me! That bible is getting pretty tattered. The first three chapters of Genesis have separated from the binding, and Phillipians 4 on to the maps are hanging on by a thread. It wasn't too long ago I was in a Lifeway store and I thought I'd ask if they did Bible rebinding. The sales clerk's response to my question was, "Uh, yeah. But, it's kind of expensive, so you're usually better off just getting a new Bible, unless it's sentimental or something." Code for, "I don't really want to help you with that." I let it drop. I didn't really want to talk to him about it after that response anyway. This Bible has been through high school, college, marriage, a move half-way across the country, a first job, a move back from half-way across the country and now this wonderful journey with all you ladies. To say it's sentimental is putting it mildly. While I do currently have my eye on a few new study bibles, this one I want to keep, intact, forever. What brings all this to mind today?

Written in the margin outside Psalm 77, about verses 17-20, in my teenage cursive was this: "How often has God come through for me, and I still have trouble trusting. Do I know God's character?" My, what a journey God and I have been on since I penned those words. In those days my trust issues centered around whether or not my dreams and God's plans were going to line up. Specifically, finding the right boy to marry, college, career, and perhaps summer missions, etc. While I no longer wonder about those specific dreams, there are still things I have trouble trusting Him with. Now, I've come a long way- but you'd think I would have made more progress by now!

As Asaph is recounting in Psalm 78, (and we've read ourselves) the Israelites apparently had the same problem. So, he's taking them on a trip down memory lane. We've had several posts lately about the importance of remembering what God does for you. Remembering and thanking God for all He does for us is so important to keep us humble, thankful and faithful. It helps us fight the devil and increases our faith as well. In Revelation 12:11, John goes so far as to say that "They overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony." Our testimonies of what God has done for us are weapons we can use to fight satan's attacks in our own lives and perhaps even in the lives of others!

Not long after I wrote that note in my Bible, or perhaps even before I wrote it, a teenager at Columbine High School in Denver Colorado was shot and killed after stating, "Yes, I believe in God." Not long after that, a popular band at the time DC Talk put out a compilation of stories about Christian martyrs called, "Jesus Freaks." They also had a popular song out at the time that had the same title. This is an excerpt from that book.

A Christian prisoner in Cuba was asked to sign a statement containing charges against fellow Christians that would lead to their arrest. He said: "The chain keeps me from signing this." The Communist officer protested, "But you are not in chains!" "I am," said the Christian. "I am bound by the chain of witnesses who throughout the centuries gave their lives for Jesus Christ. I am a link in this chain. I will not break it."

As a teenage girl living in the safe confines of America, the testimony of another girl, who I could easily relate to, that cost her life impacted me strongly. Would I have done the same? So many of my other friends found themselves asking the same question. I devoured the whole book "Jesus Freaks" and marveled at how many people were martyred for Christ the world over, here and now. There are more Christian martyrs today then there were in 100 AD, in the days of the Roman empire. Reading their stories, I echoed the sentiments of the psalmist in Psalm 79. "How long, O Lord? Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die."

You know what amazes me? God uses Satan's own weapons against him. At the threat of death, these courageous men and women- many teenagers- stood firm for God because they knew that Christ had already overcome death. The end was only the beginning for them. Their testimonies then go on- often to turn the hearts of their tormentors or executors, or perhaps to make a teenage girl a half a world away pursue God with a renewed passion for a faith so determined and courageous.

While I hope that none of us are ever faced with the choice of denying Christ or death, we do have stories to share. I've enjoyed reading some of them over the past several days! We are all links in the chain of witness for Christ. It may cost us, but I pray we will share our stories. I pray they will be weapons used to overcome Satan. Thank you Jesus for the blood you shed to overcome death!

Theologians call David a "type" of Christ. Meaning, he was a representation at an earlier time of what Christ would be later. I love how Psalms 78 and 79 both end:

He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;

from tending the sheep he brought him

to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,

of Israel his inheritance.

And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;

with skillful hands he led them. (Ps. 78:70-72)

Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times

the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.

Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,

will praise you forever;

from generation to generation

we will recount your praise. (Ps 79:12-13)

We truly have a Shepherd who shepherds us with integrity of heart and skillful hands. Ladies, we've got to more than remember what God has done for us. We've got to tell it. Pass it on. It's our small part in the battle being played out on the eternal stage. Who knows how far our arrows will reach? One day, we, God's people, will be led in to praise him forever. I can't wait for that march, can you? For now, take a march down memory lane...