IN THE "IMAGE OF GOD"

From the Introduction of
Noble Plans: Living as Heir to the King

Christians talk about being the “King’s kids” and title vacation Bible school programs by the same name. Believers wonder what it will be like reigning and ruling with the King of kings when the Messiah comes to His throne. Catholics and Protestants alike call our heavenly Father “King,” acknowledging at least in principle if not in practice, His boundless sovereignty. Yet why do so many miss the mark when it comes to living life in accord with our spiritual and scriptural
royal lineage?

I believe that there is within each and every person, both inside and out the community of the redeemed, a deep and residing passion for personal nobility; a nobleness mirrored in the One in whose image we were created. Every person on earth, as the Scriptures tell us, is created in the “image” of God—the Lord of the universe—and as such, we have implanted within our core the image of nobility, a resemblance of the Sovereign Creator. If the Almighty God, Supreme Ruler of the universe and King of all the earth is the image reflected in us, then by default, we have within our souls the potential for a most royal bearing.

"The noble man devises noble plans and by noble plans he stand"

A NOBLE RESPONSE TO PAIN

No one in the Bible seemed better acquainted with pain than King David. In psalm after psalm, we find this son of Jesse struggling with emotional stresses. His kingdom was often in peril with attacks from sons, generals, and the very citizens of Israel. There were seasons when it seemed as though everywhere David turned, there was strife.

Few in this world are as honest about their pain as King David was. Consider for example, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and Thou dost lay me in the dust of death” (Psalm 22:14-15, NASB).

Ever feel like that?

I wish there was an easy out, a quick fix for pain, but on the whole there are none. Yes, there are miracles that inject themselves into our world, but they are far and few between, the purview of the King of kings and his omniscient will. We may want God to remove our pain, but what if there is something the Lord wants us to learn from it, some treasure that would be missed by its elimination? Which is more important: feeling good or being faithful?

A. W. Tozer wrote: “We know that the emotional life is a proper and noble part of our total personality. But by its very nature, it is of secondary importance, for religion lies in the will, and so does righteousness. God never intended that such a being as mankind should become the mere plaything of his or her feelings.”

Jim Gorrell, a pastor friend of mine once said, “The real question about pain is, ‘How well do we suffer?’” That stopped me in my tracks and I have pondered it ever since.

Suffering is not a popular position in which to be – but it is a realistic one. Rev. Gorrell’s question offers no fix, and it does not make the problem go away, but it does shake the foundations of how you perceive and can deal with pain.

How well do you suffer?

David’s noble response to pain was to speak his heart and then praise God. His enemies were still at the door. His son was still usurping the crown. His people still railed against him. But David, a man after God’s own heart, knew the appropriate and righteous response to private pain – praise and worship. The book of Psalms is replete with example after example.

Now that you know the biblical response . . . what is your noble response?

“The noble man makes noble plans and by noble plans he stands”