July 6: Change Our Hearts, Not Your Circumstances

1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4

Acts 24:1-27

Psalm 4:1-8

Proverbs 18:16-18

I follow Tim Keller on Facebook, and today he wrote something that struck me: "It's remarkable that in all of his writings Paul's prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances."  I tried to remember if this was true; I'm not certain, but I think Pastor Keller is right. 

It certainly is true in today's reading.  Consider: Paul has done nothing wrong; he has preached that Jesus is the Messiah, arguing from scripture.  He has done so peacefully.  And yet the Jewish leaders have harassed him, threatened him, arrested him, and now have sent him to judgment before a Roman government the Jews themselves believe is illegal, to a governor who is hoping for a bribe to grant him the freedom he rightfully deserves. 

Paul certainly had reason to cry out to God, demanding a change in his circumstances.  But he didn't.  Instead, he chose to recognize God's sovereignty in all situations, including ones he might not have understood.  And he chose to recognize the earthly authorities God had placed him in front of, even if he had reason to question their legitimacy.  Without this willingness to submit to God, to acknowledge His dominion over all situations, it is difficult to see how Paul might have been such a mighty instrument in God's hands.  

In today's environment, in both my native and my adopted countries, this is a very difficult lesson.  So many people - Christians, even - are wringing their hands in despair at the state of their government, for what they - and many more - believe are very good reasons.    In this context, today's psalm can be seen very differently.  The "relief from my distress" need not mean a change in my circumstances; the "delusions" and "false gods" could well refer to our insistence we know better, what we want is better, than what He wants.  

Lord, rather than change our circumstances, change our hearts and open our eyes, so that in all things we might see Your hand upon us, we might know that You are in control.  Then, as the psalmist prays, "in peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety."