Predisposed “Second Hand” 01
In his book A Lifting Up for the Downcast, (which I HIGHLY recommend) William Bridge writes
“Now it is man’s disposition to come to God at second hand. So long as man can find a fullness in any creature, he comes not to God; . . . . . So long as man has encouragement elsewhere he does not encourage himself in the Lord his God.”
We often wonder at the longevity of our struggles. They seem to go on and on like the Ever- ready Bunny. Bridge gives us an acute insight into why that is and perhaps how we can avoid it.
It seems to be a question of where we are prone to look in times when our souls are distressed and downcast.
First however it is important that we understand that it is our souls that are downcast. Tragedy and trauma (either sudden or prolonged) have their effect on every part of us. But it is our souls that God is concerned with first and so our souls should be our first concern.
When we get sick, do we pray first for His healing and after a season go seek medical help? Or do we, without a thought of Him as our source of relieve, make the appointment with the doctor?
It is not an either/or I am proposing but a both/and. The season of waiting in prayer need not be of great duration and certainly if the condition worsens we should pray harder/more and go see the doctor. But because we assume there is a solution awaiting us at the doctor’s office we give no thought at all to seeking Him.
In difficult times, when a solution seems desperately needed, how much time do we waste casting here and there for that solution? Why do let the situation wear upon our hearts and minds until our very souls are in chaos? Would we not do better and calmed to seek Him first, to cry out to Him for relief or provision and then to seek about for His answer?
I so appreciate the Puritan writers. So much of what they have to say graciously accepts the weakness, limitations and foolish propensities of man. Oh, they may call it foolish and silly but they knew without a doubt that this is how we are and how we would be until He calls us home.
They, wonderfully, knew that:
1Cor 10:13 No temptation (adversity) has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
“Common to man,” what gracious encouraging words. Even in adversity, when we exacerbate it with our casting about, this is common to man, every one of us! It is, in the context of a fallen world and the lives of growing disciples, normal. It’s what we’ve always done and we default back to it naturally. It is not per se a sin but it is a foolishness that adds to our distress.
We have a lot of time, energy, peace and comfort to lose when we look about us in the world for aid and comfort first. Note, I said FIRST! Even though we sense that His provision is available through natural means (doctors when we are ill etc.) how rude is it of us to jump past Him – how thoughtless, how dangerous?
It is an unconscious denial (take that word gently) of His sovereignty when we bypass the throne on the way to find help. It is He who, first and foremost, is the source of our answers and needs. When we (consciously or unconsciously) just assume that we are keeping ourselves to ourselves for ourselves instead of going to the ONE who loves us best and forever.
NOW, I am NOT trying to convict anyone of a sin – maybe silliness or foolishness but not of sin. When we need to stop our cars quickly we don’t tend to pray before we put on the break but notice how quick we are to thank Him when the car stops just short of a collision.
When our souls are distressed and cast down (for whatever reason) we need to intentionally go to the source of all and any provision first. Oh, you may be lifting the phone to make that appointment but you can go to Him as you do.
There is a great distance between wishing for a solution and praying for a solution. Wishing puts its faith in chance, praying puts its faith in God. Which do you think will give greater comfort?
More to come . . . .
