Theological Geography
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:6
Distresses – There’s safety in the desert. Oh, yes, we know that the desert is an uninhabitable place. It is a place of wild animals, danger and potential death. But God is in the desert – and that makes it a safe place to be. Of course, we won’t feel safe if we try to manage in the wilderness by ourselves. We will seek geographical protection – like the mountains. But that might be a mistake.
The Hebrew word for “distresses” is mimtsookoteihem. Just trying to pronounce it is distressing enough. But there is something hidden here that we need to uncover. We can start by noticing that the root of this word is matsuk, a word that describes a column or a rock. It’s worth noting along the way that the Talmud uses this word for a steep mountain, just the kind of place you might seek for refuge. However, the root of matsuk is tsuk which means “to be narrow, compressed, constrained.” Now we see why this word describes “distresses.” In Hebrew, to be at peace and to be secure is to be led to a wide and open space. “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” contrasts the hemmed-in feeling of the narrow valley of stress. Mountains might be great lookouts, but they come with valleys, and in the valleys you can’t see what’s coming. Better to be in God’s wilderness than in the depths of a narrow valley.
Our natural instinct for protection is to run to the hills. We fear an open space. But maybe, just maybe, we are running the wrong way. Maybe our theological geography needs to be directed toward dependence rather than self-protection. Maybe when we flee to the mountains we are heading away from God’s good grace.
Think about it. How many times have we run for cover only to discover that we are more hemmed-in than ever? How many times have we sought protection but ended up in confinement? When God delivers us, doesn’t He open the way that leads to broader vistas? Oswald Chambers said that we were not meant for mountain-top living. We always have to come back down to life in the ordinary valley of trials and struggles. But when we are really pressed on all sides, maybe we need to turn our gaze to the wilderness instead of the mountain tops. God seems to like those places where we must depend on Him for survival.
Today has been an enormously stressful day. It seems like life is just one valley after another. It’s impossible to stand on the slippery slopes of the peaks. It goes against the grain, but once I get to the desert, I know it will be flat, open and sheltering. That’s where my Lord waits for me.
Topical Index: distress, matsuk, tsuk, desert, valley, Psalm 107:6
“And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.” (Mark 1.35)
I have a confession to make today. I’ll confess quickly and with no delay- I haven’t prayed as I should.
I’m doing an assessment of my time here on the planet and reviewing how I have spent my twenty four hour days over the sweep of my life. I realize and recognize, I have not prayed as I should.
“They cried unto the LORD in their trouble.” Isn’t this the pattern? Right now, in this “present” moment, I’m “doin’ fine.” No problems, no needs, no worries. Do I “need” to call on the name of the LORD? This is an extremely dangerous time for me. Prosperity is a dangerous place. Mr. Fat-and-happy. Mr. High-and-dry.
If I am to be a disciple of the Christ, (and may I quickly assure everyone reading these my words, my heart’s desire is to “follow Him”), I must also “in the morning, depart into a solitary place, and pray.”
The disciples/talmudim/learners request to their Rabboni/Master/Teacher was this: “LORD, teach us to pray.” Why? Yeshua, even though He was fully G-d, lived his life while here on the planet, as a man. He showed/demonstrated to us how to live. This “life” and to be fully alive will not occur until we each “learn to pray.” As the young people are wont to say: -this (prayer) is “where it’s at!”
I learned to ride a bicycle by riding a bicycle. I learned to swim by getting wet. I am (forever) learning to pray by praying.
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go,
To the secret place I go.
..in all your ways acknowlege/yada/know Him, and He will direct your paths. (Proverbs 3.6)
This “direct your paths” is equivalent of bulldozing through this “mountain.” If the quarterback hands off the ball to the halfback, the downfield blockers are busy “clearing a pathway” for the one running the ball toward the goal. G-d specializes in “making a highway in the desert!”
Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! (Isaiah 40.3)
I’d like to end with a question- “Can G-d furnish a table in the wilderness?”.. well?? lol!!
Is He able??
Has He? (do you have a “history” with G-d?)
Does He? (is your heart, “today”, -“rightly-related” to Him?)
Will He? (three hundred sixty six times, -it is written, -“fear not.” Why?
We can only “know” Someone by spending time with them.
LORD, teach us (the learners) to pray..
Carl,
I stand convicted. I pray that God would continually hold before my face and in my mind the problems I need to pray about until they are resolved, or until He calls me home. I can fool myself into thinking that all is right with the world, but I am deceiving myself. I can busy myself with the pleasures and problems of the world (political and fiancial), but doing the work that God leads me to do through prayer is all that matters. Thanks for your post today and all the others that inspire us to action.
Dear brother John.. it is largely in part to this very website (right here folks!), I also stand “convicted” to pray. (Yes, brother Skip, I agree with the Hebrew worldview- (to pray is to live and to pray is to breath).
I kind of have a “cheat” though, a constant reminder beating within my chest. In 2005 by the (continuous) mercies of Elohim, I had a metal heart valve installed on the top of my heart (aortic valve replacement). Don’t be weeping for me though, -I’m “turbo-charged!”-lol!! I truly feel as if I have the heart of a teenager. A rather strange mix though- the heart of a teenager, the body of an old man, and the mind of a child. We’ve all had to learn to “play nice” together! lol!
I can truly say it (and mean it!)- “my heart is fixed O Lord, my heart is fixed, I will sing and give praise! (Psalm 57.7). Yes, my dear brother,- G-d has been good to me.
One thing I was not told prior to my surgery though, is the fact that I now “click” with every heartbeat and flip/flap of the metal valve! I sound like the crocodile on Peter Pan! Tick-click,tick-click.. How am I supposed to get any sleep? lol!! For two days I was awake “listening” and wondering- “what is this monstrous “thing” in my chest? When I laid down with my wife, she sat up with a start and exclaimed, “what’s that ticking sound?” lol!! “It’s me, honey!!” The kids in the car- “we hear you ticking dad.” So, what am I supposed to do? I will sing and give praise! It does give new meaning to “with every beat of my heart!” (lol!).
For the LORD is good.. (another understatement) lol! G-d is SO good!- (that’s better!)
“Let the high praises of G-d be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,.”. (Psalm 149.6)
I was lured to the desert with Christ some years ago and the season lasted far longer than I anticipated or at the time desired….”I wanted out!”. My desert experience which I often refer to as “wilderness experience” or even “the dark night of the soul” taught me so much. I had been a praying women prior to this journey, yet I came through praying and learned much about prayer through it. Surviving in the open places is a paradigm shift…one that I learned while drawn to intimacy with Christ. When I wanted protection, I thought I had to run to the mountains….but frankly found confinement as you say. Learning to depend upon Him for my very survival whether it be in those dark times or a simple day like today….walking in my faith, going to work, paying bills, raising a child as a single mother, ministering to a brokenhearted friend, holding the hand of one dying of cancer, leading a young women to have faith in her marriage, and so on. Praying, claiming His Word, drawing near to Him……these things are the only things I can offer…..I long for the presence of Jesus!
Our sister … what you can offer is MUCH! These things (works of faith) indicate that He is already with you! 🙂
Soon enough (we pray) we shall be raised to incorruptibility … in the meantime (as you remind me via your post) we are to stand in The Lord’s place for those that are looking for HIM … for those that are looking for the hope that He brings!
Thanks Kelly
Kelly.. mondo digital hugs to you!! I am going to attempt with limited means (my pitiful grasp of any language) to share with you.
I would like to visit this phrase: “a crisis followed by a process.” This is about as “nutshell” or “distilled” as I have seen. The phrase “dark night of the soul”, is rather dark, foreboding and hopeless, but those who have “been there”/”done that”, know our compassionate G-d knows what He is doing, at all times, in all places, and with everyone. Having been through such an “experience”, we can look back, say it, mean it and know it, (and share’ with others), “G-d is good, all the time.. -and (my added thoughts)- to everyone. “For the LORD is good.” (Psalm 100.5) Some people read these words and go on their way. I read these words and stare at the period at the end of this sentence. He IS good. Always good, always wise and always holy. How do I know this?
I have read about Mt. Everest. I “know” it exists, but I’ve never “been there.” I’ve seen other people climb it, but I never have. I’ve read about it in books, seen it on the small screen and the big screen, but I’ve never had the “thrill of the climb.”
Now we are able to “consider” the following words of YHWH with a more clearer view. “Who comforts us in all our affliction (?)-(for the purpose of)- so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1.4)
You have just testified by your words of the “comfort of (the) Christ.” You know “first hand”, “the Comforter has come.” We can “go back” (return-shuv) and read James chapter 1 again with a totally fresh perspective.
There is nothing better for your eyes, physically (or spiritually) than tears. Tears “clear our vision” and give us clarity of sight. They help us to “see”. David said in Psalm 119:71: “My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.” The price of an “education?” -lol!!
Our G-d is not a random G-d, He does nothing “willy-nilly”, but rather is purposeful in all His dealings with his children. Just as our children are “different”, so are His. He “chastises” each of us for His purposes and according to His good pleasure. He knows exactly what we need (ahem.. shall we call it- “an attention getter?”) and provides for each of us in our daily circumstances. Three hundred sixty six times “it is written”, “fear not.” YHWH wants our “focused attention.” Why?
When the student is ready, the teacher will show up. What an “eye-opener” it was for me when I (very late in life) realized “affliction/sorrow/trouble/tribulation” are included in my lists of “needs.” It ain’t easy, but this is His way. He wants our “focused attention”, our “listening ears” and our willingness to obey His will. Seems rather harsh to some maybe, but allow me to “testify.” “It’s all good!” lol!
Listen to these “comforting” words.. “after” you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (I Peter 5.10). There is an “after!” (after all!). And G-d knows what He is after! (obedient children!) lol!.
Brennan Manning calls us- “wounded healers”. “He took bread and broke it.” G-d never uses anything or anybody until He first “breaks” them. A wild horse needs to be “meeked.”
We have a part in the process. in the words of Andrew Murray- “Absolute Surrender” is an excellent starting place. This is a “crisis followed by a process.” It ain’t over – till it’s over!
Meanwhile (back at the ranch..-lol!)- “this is the day which the LORD has made.. we will (thank you for the “choice”) rejoice, and be glad in it! (Psalm 118.24)
realized “affliction/sorrow/trouble/tribulation” are included in my lists of “needs.”
I drink of your words…thank you. I, too, learned that same list of needs. I read of a man of Brighton, England that was suddenly struck with blindness, he said, “Lord, I accept ths ‘talent’ of blindness from You. Help me to use if for Your glory so that when you return, you may receive it ‘back with interest’ Matt 25:27 God then allowed this same man to invent the alphabet for the blind which enabled thousands of blind people to read the Word of God and come to the saving knowledge of Christ!
“A wild horse needs to be “meeked.””
Hi Carl,
Never seen meek used as a verb before, so I googled it and found the Sighted Moon website, which plays beautiful Israeli music.
Learned that meeked does not mean being a door mat.
“Meekness then is not that of the doormat but one in which that which is meeked has yielded it’s own”
power to that of the one holding the reigns.