A bridge in Jerusalem for the city's light rail mass transit system. Some say it resembles the strings of David's harp. I hope this harp calms traffic tension as well as David's harp calmed the evil spirit afflicting King Saul.
"Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him." 1 Sam. 16:14
This is a hard passage. And there are a lot of other things in today's reading I could focus on instead - the introduction of David into Saul's court, David's harp and the power of music, the Spirit filling David, the slaying of Goliath. But I welcome the scriptures' mysteries. I'm not worried that I don't know all the answers. Because I know the One who does.
Some think "an evil spirit from the Lord" means that when God removes his protection from a person it opens the door for an evil spirit to enter a person. And it can be explained that way and it may be true.
One of the most difficult things for me to understand is that an all-knowing, all-powerful God allows evil to exist in the world. That He even allows it to exist is He not in someway responsible? Forgive me, Lord, but I do hold the all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God all-responsible.
Satan's existence and evil in the world is necessary if there is to be choice. God makes freedom possible only by allowing evil to exist. And God uses our freedom and our choices, good and bad, ultimately to the salvation of our souls.
So, yes, it can be said that an evil spirit can be sent from God. He allows it to exist. And, as hard as it is to fathom with all of the suffering in the world, I believe it is for our benefit. Ultimately. Eternally.
Oh, I know, I pray, we will be amazed on judgement day. Because right now, we think we've got it figured out. Just like the Jews had who and what the messiah would be figured out. God is full of surprises and you can expect that He will do the unexpected. Just because time and time again, we miss what He's all about.
Lord knows.
My post last year on this date.
I think this connects directly with my spiritual struggles in my mind. I have often prayed that God would take away my wrong thoughts, which often act like tormenting spirits, but I still have them to fight with, though sometimes I find relief. Sometimes I wonder if they remain because I do not love God enough or do not have faith the way I need to. I'm encouraged, though, when I think of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" and God's message that His grace is sufficient. I hope that the thoughts are allowed to remain not to show I am failing God but because He wants me to continue to lean on Him and fight them to be a stronger woman for Him.
ReplyDeleteI think you're on the right road with your encouragement in Paul. His grace is sufficient. And I think your worry shows your heart is in pleasing Him. We all have thoughts that we fight daily. It's the fight...and the journey that reveal our heart. Lean on Him and Learn on Him and know that I love you always.
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