Author: Lee Wilson

 

1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Genesis 23:1-2  (NLT)

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A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

We have spent this week focusing on the difficult subject of grief, specifically how Abraham processed the passing of his wife, Sarah. I would like to talk about another Abraham, though. This man was no stranger to grief. He lost his mother when he was just a nine-year-old boy, his sister died 10 years later during childbirth, and he himself would later lose two sons to illness before they reached the age of 12. I am referring to Abraham Lincoln, one of the most well-versed people on the subject of grief in the public eye.

Lincoln’s second son, Edward, died at the age of 4 from tuberculosis. He then lost his son, Willie, to typhoid fever. Willie passed during Lincoln’s time as president in 1862. Elizabeth Keckly, a former slave who had been hired as Mrs. Lincoln’s Chief Wardrobe Designer, recounted Willie’s passing and said that Lincoln stood at the end of his bed, staring at his body moments after. She said the president stood “in silent, awe-stricken wonder…the genius and greatness weeping over love’s idol lost.”

Lincoln was no stranger to loss, in other words. It is the reason he was hesitant to let his eldest, Robert Todd Lincoln, serve during the Civil War. He was afraid he would lose him too. He eventually relented but assigned Robert as an assistant to General Grant, thereby guaranteeing he would be kept close to Grant and out of harm’s way to whatever degree possible.

It would make sense, then, for Lincoln to be a qualified grief counselor in some sense after having so much practice himself. Also in 1862, a good friend of his named William McCullough was killed in battle, further devastating Lincoln. He penned a letter to the surviving daughter of McCullough, named Fanny. In the letter, Lincoln says, “In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and, to the young, it comes with bitterest agony, because it takes them unawares. The older have learned to ever expect it. I am anxious to afford some alleviation of your present distress. Perfect relief is not possible, except with time.”

Lincoln’s letter echoes the lessons we have studied repeatedly this week. We will all experience trouble, and the time to process and mourn is necessary (Genesis 23:1-2); we need to accept help in our times of need and offer it to those struggling around us when we can (Galatians 6:2, Proverbs 17:17); and we are reminded by Paul to look out for each other, not just ourselves (Philippians 2:4).

When we face challenges, our task is to persevere in the faith to receive what is promised to us (Hebrews 10:36), relying on God’s word to guide us. Lincoln called the Bible “the best gift God has given to man.” So heed our weary past president’s words and cling tightly to Scripture. Our hope is in Christ, no matter what we are facing. For He told us that “…in this world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Genesis 23:1-2  (NLT)

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WALKS TO WINKS

 

As we reflect on the subject of emotional turmoil and grief, we have focused on Abraham and the death of his wife, Sarah. Even though none of us ever met Abraham, many of us can relate to the story through relevant personal losses we have experienced in our lifetimes.

The first time I ever remember experiencing death’s sting was when my grandmother, “Nana,” passed away in 1999. I was 12 years old, and I knew she was sick with lung cancer. I had been given limited anecdotes from my parents about how serious it was and to enjoy the time I got to spend with her.

I remember getting called up to the front office at school out of nowhere on a cold February day and feeling so perplexed with curiosity as to why I was leaving early that day. When I rounded the corner down the hallway and saw my teary-eyed father, I immediately knew, even before he told me. She was 58 years old.

I have always felt sorrow that I did not get to experience life beyond that age with her. I remember her, but I remember her through the eyes of a 12-year-old. I remember that being the only time I ever really saw my grandfather sad. He was a man who rarely wasn’t wearing a smile, thus sorrow wasn’t a common mode for him. I am grateful to say that my grandfather (“Pop Pop” to us) lived to see me get married, and he and I developed a special bond.

My family would take vacations every summer to the Outer Banks in North Carolina, with my grandfather picking a new beach house for my family and extended family to spend a week in every summer. I was an early riser, and most mornings it would be just me and him watching the sun come up over the beach in the distance. He would take a morning walk to a little general store called “Winks” every morning and grab a newspaper before everyone woke.

So, he started inviting me to go with him. It became our thing. Every vacation, I would get up, race to the living room, and wait for him to put on a pot of coffee so it would be ready by the time we got back. We would walk the beach road or sometimes in the sand until we got to Winks, where my grandfather and his infectiously boisterous personality were well known and well liked. He seemingly knew no strangers and would always manage to say something to make someone laugh.

In those early morning conversations, sometimes he would tell me about my grandmother. I would learn things about her that I didn’t know, and he would recount stories from their younger days. He even told me that she would yell “Master Chief!” to which my grandfather, who was an actual Master Chief in the Navy, knew he had messed up and was in the doghouse. We would laugh at those stories.

These conversations were joyful for me, and I think cathartic at times for him. Being present for someone and listening is sometimes the best medicine we can offer when they are working out their grief. We are sure to face adversity, and we all process that differently. We have a responsibility to be there for each other, but how? Paul simply says to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). If we do this, we honor the grieving and Christ alike.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4“I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The Hittites answered Abraham, 6 “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” 7 Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. 

Genesis 23:3-7  (NLT)

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HELP WINNING THE FIGHT

 

I have always enjoyed sports, but I have never really been into boxing. One of my brothers and my dad both love boxing, even taking trips to see major fights in person. I typically stick to baseball and college football. I do, however, enjoy a good boxing movie.

The most notable one is the Rocky collection, which happens to be my brother’s favorite movie series. Another one that I like is Million Dollar Baby, a great movie with a tragic ending. My personal favorite, though, is a movie called Cinderella Man. It stars Russell Crowe as real-life boxer James “Jimmy” Braddock.

The true story is about Braddock’s failing boxing career at the onset of the Great Depression. Braddock was fighting uninteresting matches for whatever money he could get while trying to grab work, with thousands of others, wherever he could find it. Struggling to make ends meet, Braddock suffers a broken hand and can’t fight for a period of time, hurting his ability to earn money for his family.

In a touching scene in the movie, Braddock is at his wit’s end and is trying to avoid eviction. He goes directly to Madison Square Garden offices and takes off his hat, begging for spare change and money needed to stave off eviction (roughly $35, apparently). This scene presents us with a broken and desperate man doing whatever he has to do to protect his wife and kids.

We hopefully will never experience this measure of financial or personal desperation, but if we do, it is up to us to be willing to ask for help. We are reminded over and over again in Scripture that our one true helper is the Lord (Psalm 121:2), and when those moments come, we can’t be unwilling to ask Him for help.

We are to seek counsel from others (Proverbs 12:15) and not get caught up trying to solve everything on our own. This prideful sense of not burdening others with our problems is not healthy, and a true reflection of the humility of Christ is knowing when to ask for help.

In Cinderella Man, after Braddock’s injury is healing, his former trainer and friend offers him a fight where he knows Braddock will be overmatched but says it will pay Braddock $200 if he is willing to step into the ring. Braddock responds joyously, “For $200 I would fight your mother!” and they share a laugh and an embrace.

What follows is the remarkable true story of the underdog Jim Braddock. He would go on an incredible run where he would defeat Corn Griffin, John Henry Lewis, Art Lasky, and eventually Max Baer to win the Heavyweight Championship, etching his name on the wall of the greatest sports stories ever.

This moment was born out of his desperation and his willingness to ask for and accept help. We may not always win every time we step into the ring, but if we put our faith in the right place and accept the help of those around us, we at least have a puncher’s chance.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

7Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. 8And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, 9that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”

10Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, 11“No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” 12Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. 13And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” 14Ephron answered Abraham, 15“My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants.

Genesis 23:7-16  (NLT)

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BEAR EACH OTHER’S BURDENS

 

When we experience pain in this world, one of the only remedies is the company of those who care for us. If a relative or friend passes away, or if you lose a job or are on the brink of divorce, the company and counsel of godly people is required. When Abraham lost Sarah, he decided he wanted to belong to the community instead of just living on the outskirts. As we learn, he goes to speak with the Hittites and openly calls himself a “sojourner and foreigner among you” (Gen. 23:4). Abraham then asked to buy a plot of land to bury his beloved wife.

The story gets a bit perplexing in modern terms at this point because the locals are seemingly gracious to him and offer free burial plots and caves for him to use. Yet Abraham is not satisfied and insists upon buying a place for burial. Overhearing this insistence, Ephron enters the fray and again tries to offer free land to Abraham, but he refuses. After Ephron lists the price as 400 shekels of silver, Abraham carefully measures out and pays the fee in front of everyone, and the land was sold to Abraham. The puzzling nature of this transaction can be explained like this: Abraham wanted to be a land-owning member of the community. He no longer sought to live on the fringes and have to “borrow” free space to bury his wife.

By doing this, Abraham honored the long-term residents with an open and honest business transaction in public, ingratiating himself to them and adhering to cultural norms of the time. He wanted to belong to the community. When we are in search of relief in our most challenging moments, we must rely on the community that we belong to, underscoring the importance of finding this community for ourselves and our families. Paul reminds us that when we are in moments of affliction, we are to “Bear each other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

If we can find our place in our community, like Abraham did, and commit to bearing one another’s burdens, the responsibility then comes to us to accept the help of those around us when our time of need comes. When my daughter passed away, my wife and I drove home from the hospital, exhausted with grief, and slept hard. The next morning, I pried myself out of bed and began to think about arranging a funeral and speaking with family that would be coming into town. Then, around 8 a.m., I had a knock at my door.

It was my friend and our small group leader, Mike Lindeman. He had several boxes of donuts and coffee. He leaned in my front door, gave me a hug, and left me with breakfast. He spent maybe two minutes there before going on his way, saying he just wanted to offer some food because he figured we would have company that day. I remember Mike telling me during that time that it was important to accept help because those around us who cared wanted desperately to help, and we should let them. It meant a lot to me, and it’s a lesson I never forgot. When we find our community or our small group and bear each other’s burdens, we honor God. Give help when you can, but also gladly accept the support of others when it is offered.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

Genesis 23:1-2, 19-20  (NLT)

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A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

 

This week, we get to discuss the universal language of grief. There isn’t a person alive who hasn’t felt the painful sting caused by death and experienced the emotional emptiness that it can bring. In fact, as I write this, I have just come from a funeral service for my neighbor. He was in his early 40s with no health complications, and one day got an internal infection out of nowhere and shortly after went home to be with the Lord. He leaves behind his wife and a precious 5-year-old little girl.

Sitting through his service and watching the slideshow of pictures was emotional. We keep pictures from the pinnacle moments in our lives, the moments where we experienced the most joy and the most fun. I saw pictures of him with his family and friends, but the ones that tugged at my heart were the ones of him with his little girl.

The moments of pain and sorrow felt today are only a glimpse of what this family will endure in their life from here on out. Every birthday, Christmas, and joyous moment will always be slightly dimmed by the absence of someone we wish was still there. Yet, in time, we are able to process and accept the pain, and it can become a constructive part of our journey.

We visited Abraham in the middle of his grief this week. After his beloved Sarah passed into eternity, Abraham went in to “mourn and weep for her” (Gen. 23:1-2). Taking the time to grieve is a necessary component for anyone experiencing loss, but it isn’t the same for all of us. From various medical sources, there is no specific time that it takes somebody to grieve. Some say it could take a year, maybe two, but a lot of it is unique to each situation.

The reality is, when we experience loss, a part of us is from that point gone. My daughter was born and passed away in October 2013. Every single day that I am alive, I feel a hole in my heart because of her absence. I won’t get that piece of my heart back until I see her again in eternity. I feel most people who have experienced meaningful loss can relate to that sentiment. Yet, when we experience the loss that only eternity can fill, we must go to the keeper of eternity’s gates to find purpose and hope in our despair.

David was no stranger to pain and grief, and in the Psalms, we sometimes get expressions of the raw emotions he experienced. In Psalm 13, David has a short yet piercing reflection we can relate to—he felt forgotten and wondered if God was there, but he perseveres in hope. It is only six verses:

1 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O LORD my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me.

Even in a dark moment of doubt, David holds tightly to the Lord’s steadfast love. When we are shaken with grief and facing moments of doubt, we must remember that the Lord will deal “bountifully” with us, too, and cling tightly to His steadfast love.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

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MORE THAN SORRY

 

Every Friday night, my family gets pizza and ice cream and watches a movie together. As people “from the 1900s” as my 8 year old says, we have a fondness for 90s and early 2000s movies and we try to share those with our boys when we can.

One of the movies I remember watching with Deanna when we were dating was an old Ryan Reynolds movie called Just Friends. It’s a comedy in which Reynolds plays an executive at a record label and is charged with the care of a top client and prima donna (played by Anna Farris).

In spite of her immense success and fame, Farris’ character is a terrible singer and songwriter. She writes this short song where she sings “Forgiveness….is more than saying sorry.” The song shows up repeatedly and comically throughout the movie and we still reference it with humor to one another today.

When we started this new series at NorthStar, we examined Paul’s letter to the Colossians in which he calls us to “forgive one another as Christ has forgiven you.” (3:13) So, essentially, she’s right…It IS more than saying sorry! In fact it is a call to persistence for any believer, a relentless pursuit to forgive.

The call to forgiveness is echoed throughout the New Testament (Matthew 6:14, Ephesians 4:31-32, Matthew 5:38-48) and is ultimately modeled in Jesus’ death on the cross.

While we see it embodied, it is not easy to put into practice. Jesus discusses the nature of wrongdoing, repentance and forgiveness and it prompted questions with his disciples. In Matthew, He was asked by Peter how many times he should be willing to forgive someone if they repent. “As many as seven times?” Peter asked, to which Jesus responded, “I do not say to you seven times, I say to you seventy-seven times.”

This was Jesus’ way of saying to stop counting and limiting your willingness to forgive someone. Where there is contrition or repentance, we are to offer forgiveness. That means when you do battle with kids or have a world-class argument with your spouse, at the end of the day we still have to meet repentance with forgiveness.

When you harbor resentment or anger against someone, it can actually be clinically bad for you. According to John Hopkins Medicine, lingering or “chronic” anger can put your body into fight or flight mode, elevating your stress levels, while “forgiveness calms stress levels and leads to improved health.”

This should come as no surprise, given the creator of our bodies embodies forgiveness himself. As Mike Linch says, the cup of bitterness is meant for someone else and yet you drink it yourself.

The examples in the scripture are numerous, including Joseph’s forgiveness for his brothers (Gen 45:4-8), David’s forgiveness of Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-15) and Jesus’ prayer for those that tortured him (John 23:33-34).

Exploring  the boundless nature of God’s love for his people does not make it easier to forgive when we have been hurt, but it does make it necessary.

So be kind, show love and remember, forgiveness is more than saying sorry!

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” 7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

2 Samuel 9:1-7 (NLT)

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DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE

 

In our message this past Sunday, we learned that King David demonstrated love to Mephibosheth by restoring to him the lands that belonged to his grandfather, and by giving him a seat at the King’s table. The act of loving kindness is significant because Mephibosheth does not have the means to repay the gift-giver.

Giving gifts can be a unique thing, based on who you are giving it to. I learned early in my relationship with Deanna what kind of gifts she likes, and I also learned if you get her a gift she doesn’t like, she has no problem telling you! Christmas is not for the faint of heart in the Wilson house.

I got her a necklace from a jewelry store while we were dating. It was a nice necklace, considering what I had available to spend at the time, and I hoped she would like it. When I bought it, the jewelry store included this random photo album to go with it. I didn’t know what to do with it, but I decided to fill it with pictures of us and include it with the necklace.

When Christmas came, the necklace was a side note, and the photo album induced joyful tears. To this day, over 15 years later, I have no idea where that necklace is, but I can show you the photo album right now, as we still have it. It was a reflection of what is the most meaningful gift for her – quality time. The picture and memories associated with them made Deanna happy, and that influenced every gift I have gotten her since.

Meaningful gifts can have a profound impact on us because it is a reflection of the heart of the person giving the gift. We learn something about David based on the way he treats Mephibosheth – it is revealing of his character and his heart.

Romans 5:8 says that God demonstrates his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (ESV). This incredible atoning sacrifice brings us as believers into eternity in the presence of the Lord, the ultimate source of our hope and joy.  This is the very bedrock of what we believe as Christians.

John was so humbled by the sacrifice of our savior that he writes, “Beloved, what manner of love is this that we should be called the children of God?” (1 John 3:1). To be counted among the righteous in the presence of God is a humbling thought indeed, and one that can reveal to us the character and nature of the God we serve, for in his love we have been given a gift impossible to repay.

This notion of God’s love was captured by Pastor and Author John Macarthur in a message he gave on God’s Love:

“Scripture does give us reason to proclaim that God is a God of love. In fact, in 2 Corinthians 13:11 He is called the God of love. And in 1 John 4:8 the Bible says God is love. There’s no question but that this is truly an attribute of God. This is part of the fabric of His spiritual essence, His being. And it is a much celebrated attribute, because along with it comes goodness and kindness and mercy. Those are the evidences and those are the elements of expression that find their origin in love.”

May we soak in these words and in the incredible gift of God’s love.

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” 7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!”

2 Samuel 9:1-7 (NLT)

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TAKING INITIATIVE

 

This past Sunday, we learned that one of the ways we show kindness is when we take the initiative. When King David learned about Mephibosheth, he took the initiative to seek him out and to provide him with lifelong blessings.

                  Kindness in the form of initiative can look a lot of different ways. It can look like providing charitable giving of your time and resources, it can look like calling your mom out of the blue just to chat, or it can take on a much more dramatic form as it did for Richard Rowland Kirkland.

                  Kirkland served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and participated in the Battle of Fredricksburg. After a failed assault by the Union Army on Mayre’s Heights, dozens of troops lay on the battlefield wounded or dying, and many of them were crying for the same thing: water.

                  After the agonizing cries persisted, Kirkland took action, approaching his Commander, Joseph B. Kershaw, saying, “General, I can’t stand this.” Initially, Kershaw forbade Kirkland from helping, but he later gave in.

                  So Kirkland rounded up every canteen he could find and headed out to the battlefield. The Union army initially thought he was trying to plunder their dead and took fire, but after seeing that he was supplying the injured on both sides with water, all firing from either side ceased. Once it became apparent what he was doing, cries from all over the battlefield for water erupted, with Kirkland providing relief.

                  The courageous and compassionate acts of this 19 year old soldier earned him the nickname “The Angel of Mayre’s Heights” and immense respect from both sides of the conflict. Just one year later, Kirkland would suffer a fatal wound in battle, with his final words being, “tell my pa I died right.”

                  While many qualities can be observed on the pages of history in battle, honor is among the most compelling. While taking the initiative to approach his commanding officer and making an appeal of compassion, Kirkland was able to set an amazing example of kindness for everyone there. God tells us to love our enemies  (Matthew 5:44), and I am not sure there is a better example given than what Lieutenant Kirkland provided us.

In this remarkable example, we learn about the importance of taking the initiative to do what is right. King David knew it was right to take care of Mephibosheth, and Lt. Kirkland knew it was right to show care for the injured and dying soldiers – regardless of loyalties. James actually warns us that if we know what is right, and choose not to do it, that we are committing sin (James 4:17).

This type of loving kindness is what we would hope for if we were on the battlefield, wounded. Can you imagine? Staring up at the sky wondering if your next breath might be your last, in agonizing pain and just hoping for some water to drink, hoping for somebody brave enough to approach the General and ask if they can help you.

Jesus tells us very plainly that whatever we want someone to do for us, we must do for them (Matthew 7:12). This is the Golden Rule. So don’t hesitate. When you see someone in need, have the courage to take initiative and be kind.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) 11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

2 Samuel 9:8-13 (NLT)

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THE PROMISE KEEPER

 

This past Sunday we examined the topic of kindness, looking at it through the lens of David’s kindness to Mephibosheth. We defined kindness as “an act of love spurred on by genuine care for another person,” and what David did certainly embodied that.

David was the former enemy of Mephibosheth’s grandfather, Saul. To say Mephibosheth was astounded when the King decided to not only show him kindness, but to treat him as one of his own, would be an understatement. David was not just surface-level nice to Mephibosheth; he showed genuine care for him.

Why did David show this kindness? For the sake of his friend, Jonathan (Mephibosheth’s father). David was grieved to learn that his dear friend had perished in battle and lamented the event (2 Samuel 1). When he learned of the last living relative of Jonathan, he wanted to show him love and kindness.  

As we learn, Mephibosheth was crippled, and when he and King David met, he was scared for his life and uncertain what the future may hold for him. It would have been reasonable for him to be prepared for execution given the tense relationship of Saul and David.

Given this tension, he fell to his feet and “paid homage” (2 Samuel 9:6) to the King, prompting David to shock him with the blessings he had planned when he said, “Do not fear, for I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always. (2 Samuel 9:7)”

In response to this kindness in verse 8, Mephibosheth says, “What is your servant that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” For he could provide no real value to the King given his crippled state.

There are remarkable parallels between this relationship and our own relationship with God. For in Christ, we are shown ultimate kindness and love in spite of our rebellious history. In spite of this, Romans 5:8 tells us that “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV)”

Just as David fulfills his promise to Mephibosheth to care for him in the honor of his father, Jesus fulfills his promises to us in the honor of his father. So what kind of promises does God make to his followers?

He promises that all things will work to the good for those who Love him (Romans 8:28), he promises to comfort us in affliction (2 Cor 1:3-4), he promises to give us strength (Isaiah 41:10), he promises us freedom from sin (1 John 1:9), he promises that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:38-39) and literally thousands more.

Scripture also tells us that God will keep the promises that he makes to his people. Hebrews 10:23 says to “hold to the confession of your hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

What wonderful hope and assurance we can take from these words! God loves us, keeps us and is faithful to us. As a believer in Christ, this is a crucial part of our daily walk, according to Billy Graham:

“God has never promised to remove all our troubles, problems and difficulties…but God has promised, in the midst of trouble and conflict, a genuine peace, a sense of assurance and security that the worldly person never knows.”

Just as Mephibosheth did, we can count on our King to keep his promises and give us a seat at his table.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

 

1 One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked. “Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.” 5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” 7 “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” 8 Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” 9 Then the king summoned Saul’s servant Ziba and said, “I have given your master’s grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and servants are to farm the land for him to produce food for your master’s household. But Mephibosheth, your master’s grandson, will eat here at my table.” (Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.) 11 Ziba replied, “Yes, my lord the king; I am your servant, and I will do all that you have commanded.” And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly at David’s table, like one of the king’s own sons. 12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica. From then on, all the members of Ziba’s household were Mephibosheth’s servants. 13 And Mephibosheth, who was crippled in both feet, lived in Jerusalem and ate regularly at the king’s table.

2 Samuel 9:1-13 (NLT)

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THE CALLING OF THE CHOSEN

 

Ever since I was little, I have been fascinated by animals that are dangerous. I love learning about them, whether it’s watching Shark Week or old Steve Irwin videos where he’s free handling a black mamba, one of the world’s most dangerous snakes. I just can’t seem to get enough.

Speaking of dangerous snakes, we have several in our state in the form of pit vipers like Copperheads and rattlesnakes. The Timber Rattlesnake, or Canebrake, is, in my opinion, the most beautiful one. It has a vibrant yellowish gold stripe down the center of it’s back and unmistakable black bands that circle its body. It will shed that skin 4-12 times a year, leaving behind a stern warning to hikers and path-walkers alike.

We’ve been looking at Paul’s letter to the Colossians, and in Chapter 3 he is discussing putting on a new self in Christ. This is the Christian’s way of “shedding skin.” While the snake sheds its skin multiple times, the act of shedding our worldly skin lasts a lifetime as we are sanctified in Christ.

When we get to verse 12, Paul says we are to ”Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (ESV)” So as God’s chosen people, we are to “put on” or act out these traits. That is his expectation of us.

In his Look at the Book study, pastor John Piper discusses this verse and mentions the importance of “knowing and feeling what it means to be chosen, Holy and Loved.” He says the very thought that we are chosen by God should “stagger” us. The same God that created the universe, who sent the flood, who parted the Red Sea, who sent his son to the cross – that God chose YOU.

The insinuation by Piper is that we are called to embody these traits of humility, patience, kindness, etc, but that we will not feel the weight of that command and achieve it until we resolve to understand that we were singled out by God as his chosen people, Holy and beloved.

We are to be Holy, and we are set aside to by God to be as such.  In John 15:16 Jesus says explicitly “You did not choose me, but I chose you…”

God chose us. In spite of everything you’ve ever done or will do wrong, he chose you. He loved you anyway.

Now with this incredible act, we are called to put on a new self, one that is compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient (Col. 3:12). We have a higher calling because we have been appointed by the creator of the universe and are destined for an eternity in his presence. Our journey to perfection will not be complete until we get into the presence of Jesus, but we are chosen to be different in our time on earth.

Sometimes we mess up and fall short. It’s like when my son is playing baseball and I tell him, “Sometimes you strike out, and sometimes the other guy catches the ball. You don’t always get a hit.”  Sometimes we miss in life. But the great Hank Aaron said, “Whether I was a in a slump or feeling badly, the only thing to do was keep swinging.”

So feel the weight of your calling. Wake up every day and fall to your face and thank God that he chose you as his eternal child. Pray for the strength to live out his commands, but do not lose heart when you fall short.   Even the greatest ballplayers ever have slumps. As the Hammer said, the key is to keep swinging.

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.