A Weighty Matter

As I sat down at my computer this morning to type up what I think is my theme/thought for a new school year, I opened up “Hymns for the Little Flock” and happened to read the poetry of hymn #142. 

“Glory to God on high!  Peace upon earth and joy; Good will to man.  We who God’s blessings prove; His name all names above; Sing now the Savior’s love – Too vast to scan.

Mercy and truth unite, Oh! ‘tis a wondrous sight, All sights above!  Jesus the curse sustains!  Guilt’s bitter cup He drains!  Nothing for us remains – Nothing but love.

Love that no tongue can teach, Love that no thought can reach, No love like His.  God is its blessed Source, Death ne’er can stop its course, Nothing can stay its force; Matchless it is.

Blest in this love, we sing; To God our praises bring; All sins forgiven.  Jesus, our Lord, to Thee; Honor and majesty, Now and forever be, Here and in heaven.”

I can’t start another school year well without being overcome by the truth, mercy and hope displayed by Jesus on the cross.  Truly, His love is “love that no tongue can teach, love that no thought can reach.” 

In itself, this is a weighty matter.  It’s glory beyond all compare.  In fact, it’s so weighty that it should displace thoughts of lesser value in my mind.

But before I go any further, a thesis:  This year, with God’s help, I believe I am supposed to handle the weight (burden/pressure) of the sin and evil in and around me by weighing (pondering) my thoughts, deeds and actions so that I can understand more of the weight (glory/honor) of God and rest in His victory. 

Heavy, eh? 😊.  Let me try to explain the metaphors running amuck in my mind.

Weight #1:  Burden.   (I feel weighed down at times).

Let’s face it:  the world is heavy right now.  You can’t open up an internet browser without being stuck by sorrow, confusion and evil.  And even if you don’t look on the internet or social media, the divisions in families over health decisions, the confusions over identity and purpose in multiple generations (young and old), and the changing political and social climate is everywhere. 

There couldn’t be a more important time to determine truthful statements over lies and to help teach others to do so.  That is a burden I feel heavily this year. 

Weight #2:  Pondering.  (I need to weigh things to determine truth and best action).

We, as people of the 21^st century, are not as skilled in thinking as we used to be.  We react rather than prepare.  We assume rather than ask.  We are led by emotions, not logic.

But, as Christians, are told to have renewed minds (Romans 12:2) and to ponder.

The Hebrew word “palas” (H6424) shows up repeatedly in Proverbs. 

1. Proverbs 4:26  “Ponder the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure.”
2. Proverbs 5:6 “She does not ponder the path of life…”
3. Proverbs 5:21 “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.”

“Palas” means “to roll flat; prepare; weigh (mentally)”. 

Another Hebrew word “azan” (H238/9) means to ponder with the image of weighing as scales between the ears.  It is often translated “give ear” or “hear”. 

Listening and pondering.  These are two abilities which seem to be lost in our world right now.  We are quick to speak before hearing or thinking.

Proverbs 18:13 says “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”

Ooof.

But also, Romans 12:1-2 states “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

This year, I know I need to be pondering and weighing and thinking.  And if I understand the true weight of matters – my decisions will be correct.  So, what weighs the most?

Weight #3:  Glory/Honor.  (God’s glory should have the most weight in my life/decisions).

The Hebrew word “kabod” (H3519) literally means weight or splendor.  It is translated into English most often as glory and honor. 

As I mentioned earlier, the weight of God’s mercy and forgiveness through the cross should displace thoughts of lesser value.  Think about dropping a rock into a container filled with water – the rock displaces the water because it is heavier.  In a similar way – I want to spend enough time with God that the knowledge of His character and glory weighs more than anything else on my mind…and allows my decisions and actions to be based more off of His character than anything else.  My concern for His glory should tip the scales.    

 

In my role as a teacher or daughter/sister or friend, I am convinced that God has called me to carry the burdens of others.  (Galatians 6:2 “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”)

But if I neglect looking at the Savior and relying on His strength, I will collapse under such burdens.  The burdens I feel as I interact with those in the world should spur me to action –not to indecision or gripping fear.  And that only will occur when my vision of the cross and the recognition of His glory outweighs any burden/weight/pressure I experience here. 

This year, I will experience the weight of this world.

In response, I need to carry burdens (mine and others') to the cross.  

Once I ponder what He's already done - I can let those burdens go and rest in the realization that He will take care of them.

But I also need to ponder/think about how He most wants me to respond.

May I take care that my life is so filled with the vision of His glory that I act the way He wants me to.

And then, I’ll pick up my cross (Matthew 16:24-26), another weight worth carrying, and follow Him.