Secrets From the Unknown

Secrets From the Unknown


Come let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for He is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care. Oh that you would listen to his voice today! The Lord says, “Don’t harden your hearts”
Psalm 95: 6-8 author unknown NEW LIVING TRANSLATION


I try to go against my instincts and be an open and outgoing person. But, I’d honestly rather stay at home and practice my favorite professional sport which is watching television. I love to stay in practice! Besides watching television, I also like staying in the house as it is a safety net. For me, no people means no pain. Over the last four years I have met with derision from many that find my behavior contemptible. Two people at the old church I served told me in their opinion; I should not be there because I “did not belong.” Not long after, I had a nice couple tell me I did not belong with their group and that I had “off center” theology. Another couple told me I “let them down” because I did not apologize fast enough for a mistake I made. Another person told me I had a “closed and small mind.” Someone else told me I was “unlikable.” Now the interesting thing to note is that these were all Christians. The aforementioned is a short list that represents a longer series of put-downs, disappointments, misunderstandings and mistakes. As a result, I am fighting the disease of having a hardened heart toward God’s people.

The unknown author of Psalm 95 indeed understood something of the human heart. He or she understood a lot of hurts in the same area makes a person so overtly cautious that the person recoils in self protection. That can be a good thing only as long as it is a reaction till healing is complete. Prolonged recoil can lead to bitterness, anger and a distorted judgment of others. In this prolonged bitterness, our anger will no longer need a reason to exist. As long as you are justified in your own head, your ill treatment of others will be justified. Now that’s just sick.

The author of Psalm 95 cautions us to listen to God’s voice and not become bitter. It may seem like weird medicine, but let your hurts cause you to praise God. You can praise Him with an instrument. You can praise Him with a song. You can praise Him by remembering a time when He has blessed you. If you can’t remember a specific time, I’ll start you off . . . remember THE CROSS.

When we praise God in the midst of pain, our minds are taken off the struggle, and placed on the One that endures the struggle along with us. Yes, God certainly is with us in the pain. We are the sheep under God’s care. He cares for you, and for me. He even cares for the people that told me I didn’t belong, that my theology is screwy, that I don’t apologize fast enough and that I am unlikable. God watches over us all. God sees.