Honesty and the Psalms

D.A. Carson,  in his book The God Who Is There comments about how believers grow to appreciate the Psalms over the years because it resonates with their life experience. In my own reading of the Psalms over the past few months, I have developed a theory as to their enduring popularity: Honesty.

1. They are honest about Who We Are.  The Psalms let us peek into the heart, where there is joy, anger, regret, sorry and amazement. The word 'I' is used prominently, demonstrating how intensely personal the relationship is between a person and God.
2. They are honest about Life. Life isn't fair. We are messed up people, living among messed up people, trying to change a messed up world. No candy-coating.
3. They are honest about God. Does he seem uncaring? The Psalms talk about it. Does he defend those who take shelter with Him? The Psalms talk about it. Is He angry about things? Does He laugh? Does He care? The Psalms talk about these, too.

The honesty of the Psalms is like the genuineness of many of the testimonies I have heard over the past weeks in our men's weekly meetings. These testimonies are a unique reflection of God's work in one person's life. The sharing, in turns stumbling and startling, showed me how to look at myself, my life and my God.

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. - 1 John 1:3

1 John 1:1: Mavens and The Limits of Testimony

A friend of mine, after listening to a speaker enthusiastically describe a new technology at a trade show, described him as a maven. "A maven," he said, "is some one who understands, believes and talks passionately about a topic." Mavens are convincing "evangelists" precisely because they believe their topic is the center of the universe.

The New Testament is full of mavens. John, friend of Jesus, said: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life." (1 John 1:1) Peter, another follower of Jesus, said: "So I will always remind you of these things...as long as I live in the tent of this body." (2 Peter 1:12, 13) Paul, latecomer to the gospel, said: "Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" (1 Cor. 9:16)

These men understood deeply the implications of the gospel, believed wholeheartedley in the good news of God's kingdom and communicated passionately and tirelessly with anyone who would listen about Jesus (and event o many who would not listen!) People listened and were amazed. Cities were in an uproar, Roman authorities took notice, governors wanted to hear. They were mavens.

But mavens only take you so far. At some point, you must decide if you will trust what they trust; whether their cause is going to be your cause; whether their passion is your passion, or just a curiousity; a circus side show. Are they really mavens? Or are they frauds? Or are they deluded?

Peter encountered that frustration. "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." (2 Peter 1:16) Peter had been there. He had seen the Christ transfigured. He had heard the voice of God. But now others would claim it was all clever stories.

Imagine if God were to appear today for an instant to every man, woman and child. I suspect that in 20 minutes, we'd be checking our medications. In a day, we'd be trying to get back to normal. In a week, the news would be full of articles citing experts on mass hallucinations. Not because God didn't show himself, but because we don't want to believe.

At some point, mavens are not enough. They can open your eyes; they can be convincing and thought-provoking. But, no enthusiastic testimony on their part can penetrate the unwilling heart, because you can't borrow testimony. You have to have your own. You have to decide.

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. - Acts 17:27

God would like to give you a testimony of your own, your own story, with him.

He could use a few good mavens; who understand him deeply, trust him completely and communicate him passionately. You just might change the world. Are you willing?