“Bitter Experience and The Nearness of God”

In a broken world – Even God’s most special children often have bitter experience:

Job: “… a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." Job 1:8

Naomi: "… call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” Ruth 1:20

Daniel: Exile, threats, conspiracies and certain death

Jesus: “…A man of sorrows and acquaintedwith grief;…”Isaiah 53:3

Apostle Paul: “… in far more labors, imprisonments, beatings times without number, danger of death. Five times - thirty-nine ,beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, in dangersfrom rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, in cold and exposure. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27

Story of King Hezekiah’s sickness / Hezekiah’s poem – in the middle an Expression of trust

Isaiah 38:15-17 NASB1995

Wander – walk slowly, deliberately, carefully

What did Hezekiah say he knew

· God speaks – God Does

· Our Spirit receives Life from the Word of the Lord and his deeds

· God has forgiven our sins and separated us from them

You can know all of this AND: You can still be a wanderer because of the bitterness of your soul

Definition of “bitter” – a poisonous plant that brings trouble / destruction – also anger / discontent

The Power of Bitterness is rooted in Bitter Experience

What are we repeating in our heart? The bitter story or the Word of God?

Deuteronomy 8:3 NASB1995

No one fully knows what is behind our groans or our smiles

Proverbs 14:10 NASB1995

Only you and God really know the things in your heart

Psalms 19:12-13 describes a secret world containing our “hidden faults” and “presumptuous sins”

Blatant sin & hidden faults / Obvious wrong & sneaky nudges (The tiny little steps)

The Cord of Bitterness: The bitter experience is over there & the bitterness of our soul is in here

· Bitterness connects us to the bitter experience

That awkward moment that can last a long time – Holding on to God & Holding on to bitterness

God insists that I let go of bitterness / Bitterness insists that I let go of God

Hebrews 12:12-15 predicts two results of holding on to bitterness:

Hebrews 12:12-15 NASB1995

So, back to that awkward moment when we were holding on to God and bitterness

Ephesians 2:4-5 NASB1995

Put away bitterness, be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving – because God did it for you, you are free

Ephesians 4:30-32 NASB1995

Some bitter experiences are sins committed against us / others are not – forgiveness may be a big part of getting free.

Bitter Experience and Severing the cord of bitterness

The experience, laid down at His feet, loses its power

Choose God and come to Him - Prayer

ADDENDUM:

How about this for a definition of forgiveness at all levels - giving up the right to prosecute

Why do we rehearse our case against others. Why do we gather and archive evidence for our cause. The heart is deceitful and the tongue is a world of iniquity (check definition).

Life isn't better, nor problems and injuries more likely to be solved/ healed when/ because we hold on to bitterness. Bitterness will spoil/ ruin us (root that defiles). Guilt/ blame balance - bitterness is a heavy immovable weight on the blame side of the balance - the presence of blame in our heart gives us greater capacity to sin without feeling guilt.