Sometimes it can be easy to just cruise past chunks of scripture just to get through the ‘assignment’ and check the box as done. But as the old saying goes,
Focus on the journey, not just getting to the destination.
I’m currently reading through the book of Job as part of my annual trek through the Bible, so when this passage jumped out at me, I slowed down and stopped to explore for a bit.
Job 17:6-9 ESV
"He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit. [7] My eye has grown dim from vexation, and all my members are like a shadow. [8] The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the godless. [9] Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger.
Bend like a Palm Tree.
Having lived in warmer coastal regions for most of my life, my mind went to a palm tree when reading this passage above.
Palm trees are unique when it comes to trees. No branches, smooth and slender trunks that can stretch upwards for several stories, fronds for leaves, its strange coconut fruit, and more.
But have you ever seen a tall palm tree in a storm? As the wind pushes violently against it, the palm tree bends with the wind. It’s almost as if it was made to withstand the forces of nature unleashed.
That’s what I pictured in this section of Job. A righteous man battered by the storms of life raging all around him – the wind, the rain, perhaps even pummeled by debris being slammed against him by well-meaning (but wrong) friends. And as he bends and sways, absorbing the fury we read…
Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger.
Granted, there are times when the storm is just too overwhelming, or the ground below becomes too saturated with floodwaters and the palm will snap or fall over. And sometimes, if a storm doesn’t bring one down, palms do horrible in a fire.
But in general, a well-rooted palm tree will stand it’s ground and weather the storm.
Soak up The Truth.
So how a tree can dig its roots down, grow stronger, and be able to stand firm? How does one, like Job, get to the point of being able to make it through life’s tests?
Where Job’s story ends, Psalms begins..
Psalm 1:1-3 ESV
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; [2] but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. [3] He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Logos. God’s Word. This is the clear and prevalent answer from Genesis to Revelation.
Stay rooted and saturated in the Word of God. Plant yourself next to the streams of Living Water. Drink it deeply and soak it up till it runs throughout your entire soul and being. Let your blood run, as Spurgeon puts it – ‘Bibline’.
Paul tells his spiritual son, Timothy the same thing…
2 Timothy 3:10-17 NIV
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, [11] persecutions, sufferings-what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. [12] In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14] But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, [15] and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
He says, “Timothy, The storms will come, but ‘continue in what you have learned’, that is, stay saturated in The Holy Scriptures.”
Trees Don’t Travel.
As I look to trees in nature as a picture of a mature Believer, one characteristic worth noting is that trees don’t uproot themselves and move around from place to place. They attempt to thrive and grow exactly where they are planted. They will either adapt and overcome in their changing environment, or perish.
In some cases, fleeing persecution for the sake of self-preservation or for the protection of innocents under our stewardship is not only wise, but imperative.
Joseph was told to flee to Egypt when Herod sought to kill baby Jesus. The entire exodus of Israel out of Egypt to break from slavery was orchestrated by God. There’s plenty of scriptural backing for this. The key is in discerning God’s will and plan for my life during certain seasons of life.
But oftentimes, we can expect that there’s simply no escaping persecution. Just read the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs sometime.
The Myth of Fangorn Forest
In the “Lord of The Rings” trilogy (you knew I was gong there, right?), Treebeard, the Ents, and the trees of Fangorn forest are depicted as being able to move about and defend themselves against their mortal enemy, Orcs. In one scene, after deciding they’d had enough of being passive towards their destruction, they are shown attacking Isengard. And in another, the orcs are driven into Fangorn Forest where the trees effectively stomp out the fleeing enemy.
While we cheer on the trees imparting justice upon the evil enemies of Middle Earth, we must remember that this is fiction.
I think there is a pervasive idea among some professing Believers that spiritual battle means going on offense. Going out to meet the enemy in battle. I don’t see the scriptural basis for this approach. In fact, as cited above, we’re told that persecution will come to us simply by living a Godly life.
There’s no need to go out and pick a fight. The enemy actively prowls about, seeking a chance to launch a sneak attack. And if you’re a threat – he will attack.
Going on offense against the enemy does not appear to be part of our New Testament mandate when it comes to spiritual warfare. Remember in Gethsemane when Peter cut off the guy’s ear? Jesus told him to put away the sword.
We are, however, told to be aware and alert, to be prepared and not let our guard down, always ready to defend (apologia) our faith. Like Nehemiah’s families rebuilding the wall, we work with both hands on the brick and mortar while sword remains strapped to the waist.
The sword -of truth- is undeniably part of our tactical gear in Ephesians. But I believe all indications point to it being a defensive weapon.
Ephesians 6:13 NIV
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Apologetics means to give a defense of our beliefs. Not to shrink, cower, or flee in fear, but stand and face the enemy. Like Christian against Appolyon. Like Jesus withstood Satan out in the wilderness fighting twisted scripture with Truth.
Most clearly, we are commanded to remain steadfast when the storms and battles are upon us. To stand firm.
Disciplined Maturity.
For all Believers, the storms of life are a given. For those seeking to grow in their faith and walk with Christ, spiritual battles against the enemy WILL be an added part of life.
To stay rooted in The Word of God, always ready and prepared to face storms and sneak attacks takes discipline. Intentional and consistent discipline that, once we resolve to ingrain into our very beings – will lead to steadfast maturity.
James 1:2-4 ESV
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
That is what ‘perfect’ means – to be complete, or mature. Not flawless or unblemished. Maturity means weathering the seasons of life. A proven warrior carries on their body the marks of battle (Gal 6:17). If Jesus kept His scars in His resurrected body, so will we.
It is when we have persevered through trials that we will then be better prepared and suited to go on offense in spreading the good news of The Kingdom, making disciples of every nation.
After all, we’ve already won!