The apostle Paul indirectly mentions the expression “no matter what” in his letter to the Church at Rome, Romans 5:8. While human beings were still sinning based upon the harsh reality of Romans 3:23, God sent Jesus to be a perfect lamb to die to pay the penalty for our sins. This is the topic which inspired Kerrie Robert’s song No Matther What. Like the words of Jesus to a sarcastic first century Pharisee, God sent His one and only Son to save the world, not condemn it.
The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9.
One of Jesus’ disciples writes a similar message to Christians scattered throughout the world following Nero’s persecution. The earthly brother of Jesus agrees with this, suggesting that it’s never too late to confess your sins, James 5:16-20. I was taught in college to hate the sin but love the sinner. Peter experienced this compassion following his public denial of Jesus after his arrest. While no one is worthy of God’s forgiveness and grace, the Lord is faithful to those who humbly confess their shortcomings.
Instead of using the term reputation, the Bible uses the expression “good name” to refer to an outstanding citizen. King Solomon sets this as a goal to aim for, Proverbs 22:1, better than a precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1. Unfortunately, it only takes one emotional outburst, moment of weakness or subtle compromise to flush your reputation down the toilet. Every week there is breaking news of a shocking fall from grace, the byproduct of a secret sin or sins. When the sun rises on the next day, it’s time to bounce back from your own Bathsheba like moment.
One evening David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, when from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very lovely to behold. 3 David sent and inquired about the woman. One said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him, and he lay with her—for she was purified from her uncleanness. Then she returned to her house, 2 Samuel 11:2-4.
If you think that “this will never happen to me,” don’t be so sure. Check out what happened to a man after God’s own heart. One night David was unable to sleep, so he takes a stroll on top of his castle. While checking out the scenery, a beautiful woman is taking a bath outside in a hot tub. Eager to find out about her availability, David sends a servant who brings back the bad news, “she’s married.” On any other occasion, David would have accepted this and moved on. However, something changed as David was lured away by sexual fantasies as enticement and lust consumed him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death, James 1:13-15.
While you may not have committed adultery, the internet has opened up entirely new avenues to ruin your reputation. A politically incorrect blog post, an inappropriate picture or expressing opinions that oppose secular worldviews can get you into hot water or worse. While I don’t want people to refrain from sharing what you believe, you have to do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:14-15. The earthly brother of Jesus explains at the end of his letter how to bounce back from your own Bathsheba moment, James 5:16. When you confess your sins to one another and pray for each other, restoring your name and reputation can occur.
The term tapped out refers to reaching a point of emptiness, unable to go any farther. A mother breast feeding her child may hit a wall, unable to produce any more milk. Despite an infant’s cries, mom is done. A keg on a college campus is bound to dry up, tapped out from over use. However, one of the most common examples today relates to a parent or student, burning the candle at both ends until they crash and burn from sheer exhaustion.
1. Acknowledge your condition – Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray, James 5:13a.
In the prime of my life, I worked 90 hours a week as a youth pastor. On my only day off, I led a Bible Study at McDonald’s in the morning, drove to Cincinnati to meet a friend (a 90 minute drive one way) and came back by dinner time to attend an adult Bible Study which required extensive reading. Sure, this sounds like a lot, but I was young. After my wealthy church rejected a plea for a homeless guy, I let him stay on my couch at my apartment for six months. To justify my raise after one year, my responsibilities tripled to include Confirmation, Coaching High School Basketball and Helping out with Young Life.
2. Find someone to confide in – If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up, Ecclesiastes 4:10.
Sometime after the first six months, I became comfortably numb, running on fumes. Since I didn’t have anyone to intervene, I reached an emotional breaking point, unable to give anymore. Thus, 14 months after starting my dream job, what I was born to do, I was forced to take a step back. So… what do you do when you’re all tapped out? Well, I went hiking on the Appalachian Trail with a mentor from high school, a former coach and Fellowship of Christian’s Athletes director. Looking back now, most of this weekend was a blur, yet I needed to retreat before I could go any further.
3. Find a quiet place to meet with God – Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed, Mark 1:35.
Before he became king of Israel, David had his own issues. The king, who just happened to be his best friend’s dad was trying to kill him, jealous of his fame from defeating Goliath. A man without a country, David fled for a cave, encouraged by 400 men, soldiers who had became friends. Despite being anointed as king by Samuel, David had to wait and wait and wait some more. Just as the mountains served as a retreat for me, this cave was like an oasis, able to shoot the breeze, wondering where to go and what to do next. Fellowship in these close quarters likely developed friendships for a lifetime.
4. Publicly confess your sins – Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed, James 5:16a.
To provide a woman’s perspective, I can’t help but mention the woman described in Matthew 9. If you think you’ve had a tough life, just listen to her sob story. Suffering from a bleeding disorder, she saw every specialist possible until she ran out of money. Broke and still unhealed, she was probably forced to beg like the homeless. Yet, fearful of contracting what she had, this woman was forced beyond the cities gates to live among the outcasts in society. Financially tapped, healing appeared unattainable until a man named Jesus worked the earth.
5. Find rest for your soul – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest, ” Matthew 11:28.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” – Genesis 3:1
Whenever someone refuses to break a rule, fails to compromise or take a short cut, the Devil becomes unsettled. Therefore, expect a heavy dose of temptation in minds to challenge authority, doubt absolute truth and draw a new line for modern times. Hollywood is a pawn that continues to remake documentaries and movies about American history, Bible stories and godly leaders in the past, hoping to rewrite a legacy void of character, integrity and truth.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. – Luke 15:17-20
2) Repentance
Any act, attempt or consideration to reconcile unhinges the Devil. Whenever you confess your sins, you attract God the Father’s attention, thereby creating panic within the realm of fallen angels. To squash any thoughts of this, don’t be surprised by spirits of bitterness, grudges and or pride getting in the way of restoring broken relationships. Those on the verge of mending friendships will have unusual things occur, trying to distract and prevent you from publicly expressing your sorrow, James 5:16.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil.After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. – Matthew 4:1-2.
3) Fasting
Finally, the spiritual practice of forgoing food to draw near to the Lord will certainly be like stirring up a hornet’s nest. Fearful of the powerful results portrayed throughout the Bible, Satan will pull every dirty trick out of his play book to prevent you from entering this state of worship. Mental, physical and spiritual attacks always follow this practice so be on guard if the Holy Spirit encourages you to participate in a fast, Ephesians 6:11-12. Arm yourself with the attitude of Christ so that you will be reach new heights in your relationship with God.
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