Devil Sold His Soul - Time and Pressure
Here is a song that I have currently been digging. I can feel the distress of that picture and of that title. Life picks up and it can be almost unbearable sometimes.
Here are the lyrics:
The passing of our time; we borrowed our own fate
You hurt for nothing in your own mind
The walls are closing in and I can hardly breathe
You cannot hold onto my soul, bearing down
My heart grows darker, my arms grow weak
and I won't be able to see
No matter what they say
they can't explain, they cannot see my eyes
While hiding what I have left you'll be my light
My arms grow weak, my arms grow weak
Lost; my heart grows darker
I set my sights too high
How can you think with the truth ablaze
Making up an excuse to rationale the wrong
Your lack of thought will not break me down
But you don't even realize the cost
You take my arms, you take my light
You don't know how this feels to be so alone
You take too long to see that this is wrong
Just ignore all the sleepless nights
we'll break them all.
The first half of the song seems to build up like a man on a voyage over the sea. Before it hits there is a slowing down of everything almost like the calm before the storm but it is not quite calm but filled with anticipation. Make sure not to miss the thundering bass, that almost sounds like thick ropes on a boat tightly straining. The man on the voyage like the picture on the ablum/video cover--eventually, in my mind, is lost at sea in the middle of the night. Then comes my favorite section of the song around 3 minutes in when the guitar seems to fall lopsided like the tall waves throwing you through the night as a frail boat. I picture the slow drum beat like repetitive lashings on a man who is naked on his knees in the dark with his hands over his face and tears emptying through his fingers. The background guitar feels as though it is ever swirling, like the twisting of a whirlpool or an undertow that relentlessly and emotionlessly smashes over and over against the walls of the pier. The slow transitions of the lead guitar feel like an arm adorned in gold and jewelry pointing down, attacking. Or like golden lighting in the sky.
Who cannot at some point relate with those lyrics? We all can feel crushed, and as though life is a swirling vortex of unrelief.
Caleb and Sol - Afloat
This is a song with a similar water theme about staying afloat but leaning on Jesus in those times. I can really relate with this song and the feelings in the Devil Sold His Soul song.
But going back to the song before. Think of how perfect the band title and song title and lyrics are to the hardships of the christian life. To follow the way of evil, which is our own way not God's way, the way of satan-- we forfeit our soul. Yet, when we are under grace there is mercy and this mercy is so great that it is sometimes almost insulting/appalling to think that God forgives us sinners. "Time and pressure" in the title is so relevant to my life even now. The continual pressure over so much time begins to wear and tear at us. We must be rejuvenated by God. He lives in you believer, go to Him who lives in you and walks with you.
Now on the lyrics,
"The passing of our time; we borrowed our own fate"Though the passing of time is important. The great puritan Jonathan Edwards who greatly esteemed God and lifted Him up and fought dearly for His glory with every inch of his life that he could muster.
Here is Edwards on the subject of just how precious time is and how we should avail ourselves to every moment so as to not waste them but to turn them to God's glory and to fight for availing each opportunity to share our faith or to speak up.
Jonathan Edwards - The Preciousness of Time http://www.apuritansmind.com/puritan-favorites/jonathan-edwards/sermons/the-preciousness-of-time-and-the-importance-of-redeeming-it/
And here is a talk by Steve Lawson about Jonathan Edwards, explaining some history on him, and his views about time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtMuaAOecV4
Yet I find it very important to remind you that though the passing of time is important to use for God's glory; do not worry!! Jesus said worrying is a waste of your time even (how about that for ironic--and it is ironic that this can make us worry even more).
Philippians 4:4-9
The "saints" here refers to anyone who is a believer. The catholic lie that some people are more worthy for heaven is abominable at best. But look here, we are too weak even to pray, yet he will intercede for us when we go to Him, he will translate. I can't tell you how important this verse is for me. How vital this is for me and my walk. I would worry up a storm, I would not get through a day if I didn't know that God could take care of it all, knew it all, was in all control and power. How could you be? If he didn't know all things, how could you trust Him. And if He couldn't move men's hearts, then why pray for people to be saved? Why pray for anything changing, men can all do what they want. If my prayer was all on me--I'd become the legalist the quickest I can tell you that. I would begin to trust myself and not Him so easily. How come? Because there are so many things I want to and need to pray for when I pray. I could spend days trying to get it all down, but after that it would be time to pray it again. Thank God that He understands.
How completely satisfying
to turn from our limitations
to a God who has none.
And the barrage of lies continue to rain down. Jesus who took on flesh knows what it is like to be in our shoes. He lived tempted by everything you and I have been tempted with. This is part of how we grow in intimacy in suffering--we are reminded that we have shared in His sufferings. He understands whatever you are in. The ignored sleepless nights. This is something I need to even tell myself: He has seen them. And God does know the cost, he even warns us of what the cost is and warns us to even count the cost! But nonetheless the heartfelt lament is heard, and God still comes to rescue those who come to Him, who fear and adore Him. But we come to do those things by His working.
Psalm 56:8
He has kept count and gathered our tears and remembered it all. He cares for you, he is not forgetting you in this. Even Paul fought with sleepless nights, and restless toil in 2 Corinthians 11.
And then comes the final lament:
"we'll break them all."
We truly do break all of these good gifts, over and over. But hallelujah to His high and holy name. He makes all things new. His compassion is new each morning, and his grace is new each day. He does not grow weary loving you. We may break everything we touch but he heals and rejuvenates everything He touches. If he lives in you, how much more does can He heal? Perhaps distance was never an issue for God, but intimacy wise. We WILL break them all. How much more does this turn you to love? Oh how brilliant He is to love such wretches and bestow such mercy and truly change us.
Relax, rest in Him; your soul with its worries are pouched in the hammock of His arms.
But going back to the song before. Think of how perfect the band title and song title and lyrics are to the hardships of the christian life. To follow the way of evil, which is our own way not God's way, the way of satan-- we forfeit our soul. Yet, when we are under grace there is mercy and this mercy is so great that it is sometimes almost insulting/appalling to think that God forgives us sinners. "Time and pressure" in the title is so relevant to my life even now. The continual pressure over so much time begins to wear and tear at us. We must be rejuvenated by God. He lives in you believer, go to Him who lives in you and walks with you.
Now on the lyrics,
"The passing of our time; we borrowed our own fate"Though the passing of time is important. The great puritan Jonathan Edwards who greatly esteemed God and lifted Him up and fought dearly for His glory with every inch of his life that he could muster.
Here is Edwards on the subject of just how precious time is and how we should avail ourselves to every moment so as to not waste them but to turn them to God's glory and to fight for availing each opportunity to share our faith or to speak up.
Jonathan Edwards - The Preciousness of Time http://www.apuritansmind.com/puritan-favorites/jonathan-edwards/sermons/the-preciousness-of-time-and-the-importance-of-redeeming-it/
And here is a talk by Steve Lawson about Jonathan Edwards, explaining some history on him, and his views about time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtMuaAOecV4
Yet I find it very important to remind you that though the passing of time is important to use for God's glory; do not worry!! Jesus said worrying is a waste of your time even (how about that for ironic--and it is ironic that this can make us worry even more).
Luke 12:25-26
English Standard Version (ESV)
25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
It is pointless to worry about time because you have no power in it, you can do nothing about it. Jesus ups the ante to our lack of control-- you can't even do this "small a thing," (which is a small thing for GOD), we cannot control this. But our days are written and given to us by the Lord.
It is pointless to worry about time because you have no power in it, you can do nothing about it. Jesus ups the ante to our lack of control-- you can't even do this "small a thing," (which is a small thing for GOD), we cannot control this. But our days are written and given to us by the Lord.
Psalm 139:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
All of our days were written beforehand and formed "for me." "Written" in God's book of life! God new me before I was born in and out and not only set love upon me and you, if you indeed are a believer! He has "ordained" "all" of our "days." Let this comfort you, he knows and understands everything going on in your life and has a love that surpasses every detail future, present, or past.
Wait... but I don't believe you... okay, then here:
Wait... but I don't believe you... okay, then here:
Ephesians 2:8-10
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
There it is again! "Beforehand." "No on may boast," why not? For we are HIS workmanship. HE DID IT through you. All of our good works are him working in and through us. Our evil works--that was you and me. "God prepared" all of our good works "beforehand" AND "that we should walk in them." So, why do you worry restlessly, he is the one who works in you to do good works. Yes, we need healthy reminders of the importance of doing these works, but do not get caught in that. Do not forget the reality of the fact that God is the one who works, let it humble you. Also, did you know that the anxiety that comes from not trusting God is actually considered to be a sin? Rest in Jesus, take every opportunity that you can, and when you screw up--take it to Christ, rest in Him yet again. Rest, have joy in Him. Lean on Him and His power not your own. No wonder you're worried; you think you can control more than you actually can. Don't get me wrong, God is an active God, and mourns with us and celebrates us; EVEN SINGS and DANCES OVER US! (let that sink in) And we certainly need to choose to follow Him each day; the question is how are you doin' that? By your arm of flesh? My friend, is his arm too short for anything? Never. Do not worry about the countdown of time.
Your working is not your own; this is a beautiful short message on this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EEPQ5bc_yE
There it is again! "Beforehand." "No on may boast," why not? For we are HIS workmanship. HE DID IT through you. All of our good works are him working in and through us. Our evil works--that was you and me. "God prepared" all of our good works "beforehand" AND "that we should walk in them." So, why do you worry restlessly, he is the one who works in you to do good works. Yes, we need healthy reminders of the importance of doing these works, but do not get caught in that. Do not forget the reality of the fact that God is the one who works, let it humble you. Also, did you know that the anxiety that comes from not trusting God is actually considered to be a sin? Rest in Jesus, take every opportunity that you can, and when you screw up--take it to Christ, rest in Him yet again. Rest, have joy in Him. Lean on Him and His power not your own. No wonder you're worried; you think you can control more than you actually can. Don't get me wrong, God is an active God, and mourns with us and celebrates us; EVEN SINGS and DANCES OVER US! (let that sink in) And we certainly need to choose to follow Him each day; the question is how are you doin' that? By your arm of flesh? My friend, is his arm too short for anything? Never. Do not worry about the countdown of time.
Your working is not your own; this is a beautiful short message on this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EEPQ5bc_yE
Philippians 4:4-9
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God,which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.(dude guy's emphasis)
Think on this here, the beginning speaks about the preciousness of time, but then this is contrasted by God's power. It starts off... THE LORD IS AT HAND. Whoa there that is hefty. Think of that. Let your reasonableness be known--people are watching me? Everything I do is at hand! But then look at that contrast; "do not be anxious about anything." Okay God, how do you expect me not to be? I can't do that. That is exactly right though. "But in everything by prayer." By prayer. But what if I don't pray enough. My friend even your prayers are not enough:
Think on this here, the beginning speaks about the preciousness of time, but then this is contrasted by God's power. It starts off... THE LORD IS AT HAND. Whoa there that is hefty. Think of that. Let your reasonableness be known--people are watching me? Everything I do is at hand! But then look at that contrast; "do not be anxious about anything." Okay God, how do you expect me not to be? I can't do that. That is exactly right though. "But in everything by prayer." By prayer. But what if I don't pray enough. My friend even your prayers are not enough:
Romans 8:26-27
English Standard Version (ESV)
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
(dude underline)
(dude underline)
The "saints" here refers to anyone who is a believer. The catholic lie that some people are more worthy for heaven is abominable at best. But look here, we are too weak even to pray, yet he will intercede for us when we go to Him, he will translate. I can't tell you how important this verse is for me. How vital this is for me and my walk. I would worry up a storm, I would not get through a day if I didn't know that God could take care of it all, knew it all, was in all control and power. How could you be? If he didn't know all things, how could you trust Him. And if He couldn't move men's hearts, then why pray for people to be saved? Why pray for anything changing, men can all do what they want. If my prayer was all on me--I'd become the legalist the quickest I can tell you that. I would begin to trust myself and not Him so easily. How come? Because there are so many things I want to and need to pray for when I pray. I could spend days trying to get it all down, but after that it would be time to pray it again. Thank God that He understands.
1 Peter 5:6-7
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.(dude guy's emphasis)
Not only does he understand, but he also cares. He cares for you--that is the very reason that Peter through the Holy Spirit gives for casting our anxieties upon Him. He care about them. What a relief! What good news. My petty problems, so small compared to eternity, yet He cares for me. Cast them. Have you ever thrown a person off a cliff but kept a leg as a souvenir? I hope you aren't casting people off of cliffs, but you get my point. When you cast it to Him, trust Him, trust that He will take care of you and that it is now in His hands and that He has heard you.
Why do this, Hebrews helps with that:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Not only does he understand, but he also cares. He cares for you--that is the very reason that Peter through the Holy Spirit gives for casting our anxieties upon Him. He care about them. What a relief! What good news. My petty problems, so small compared to eternity, yet He cares for me. Cast them. Have you ever thrown a person off a cliff but kept a leg as a souvenir? I hope you aren't casting people off of cliffs, but you get my point. When you cast it to Him, trust Him, trust that He will take care of you and that it is now in His hands and that He has heard you.
Why do this, Hebrews helps with that:
Hebrews 11:6
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
How completely satisfying
to turn from our limitations
to a God who has none.
A.W. Tozer
"we borrowed our own fate"
I love this part of that same first line. Yes, you and I who are in Christ... we BORROWED our own fate. Jesus' imputed righteousness upon us. We have borrowed the glorification and resurrection of Jesus. His righteousness is shown before the Father in our place. Now how stupid is it to try to earn your own righteousness when the perfect one is already shown before the Father's face? But when we are believers we do not continue in sin because we have true affection for Jesus, if not, your not a believer!
"You hurt for nothing in your own mind"
Isn't it true that we can feel like this sometimes? We can't feel as though it is all pointless. But let me tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell. Your sufferings while in Christ are not a waste. I am strengthened, and brought to joy by this song, please take the time to hear it:
We only deserve hell, punishment and everlasting suffering-- yet He lavishes us in mercy. Though He sometimes allows us to suffer, we suffer with Him and grow in knowing Him deeply in intimacy. God is close to the brokenhearted as psalm 147 says. Go close to Him in your suffering.
"we borrowed our own fate"
I love this part of that same first line. Yes, you and I who are in Christ... we BORROWED our own fate. Jesus' imputed righteousness upon us. We have borrowed the glorification and resurrection of Jesus. His righteousness is shown before the Father in our place. Now how stupid is it to try to earn your own righteousness when the perfect one is already shown before the Father's face? But when we are believers we do not continue in sin because we have true affection for Jesus, if not, your not a believer!
"You hurt for nothing in your own mind"
Isn't it true that we can feel like this sometimes? We can't feel as though it is all pointless. But let me tell you this is a lie from the pit of hell. Your sufferings while in Christ are not a waste. I am strengthened, and brought to joy by this song, please take the time to hear it:
We only deserve hell, punishment and everlasting suffering-- yet He lavishes us in mercy. Though He sometimes allows us to suffer, we suffer with Him and grow in knowing Him deeply in intimacy. God is close to the brokenhearted as psalm 147 says. Go close to Him in your suffering.
"The walls are closing in and I can hardly breathe
You cannot hold onto my soul, bearing down
My heart grows darker, my arms grow weak
and I won't be able to see"
Satan feeds us the lie that God cannot hold onto our souls, and that everything in this unbearable cycle is only going to destroy us. No there is hope and God can hold you up. This is not reasonless hope. Nothing can separate you from the love Christ, go to romans 8, there is so many reminders of this, and also in psalm 139 again. "Lost; my heart grows darker"
Satan feeds us the lie that God cannot hold onto our souls, and that everything in this unbearable cycle is only going to destroy us. No there is hope and God can hold you up. This is not reasonless hope. Nothing can separate you from the love Christ, go to romans 8, there is so many reminders of this, and also in psalm 139 again. "Lost; my heart grows darker"
And is this not true either? When we are astray from Christ our heart grows darker and number. This is why we must fear leaving His side.
"How can you think with the truth ablaze
"How can you think with the truth ablaze
Making up an excuse to rationale the wrong
Your lack of thought will not break me down"
The truth ablaze! I love that. With the truth on fire in our hearts. How on earth can you claim the have the truth in you and then make up excuses to rationalize your wrong doings? This seems to be a moment where the voice of the lyrics seems to be turning around. There is fight still in him--in us. Does Christ still live in you? Then there is fight in you.
"But you don't even realize the cost
The truth ablaze! I love that. With the truth on fire in our hearts. How on earth can you claim the have the truth in you and then make up excuses to rationalize your wrong doings? This seems to be a moment where the voice of the lyrics seems to be turning around. There is fight still in him--in us. Does Christ still live in you? Then there is fight in you.
"But you don't even realize the cost
You take my arms, you take my light
You don't know how this feels to be so alone
You take too long to see that this is wrong
Just ignore all the sleepless nights"And the barrage of lies continue to rain down. Jesus who took on flesh knows what it is like to be in our shoes. He lived tempted by everything you and I have been tempted with. This is part of how we grow in intimacy in suffering--we are reminded that we have shared in His sufferings. He understands whatever you are in. The ignored sleepless nights. This is something I need to even tell myself: He has seen them. And God does know the cost, he even warns us of what the cost is and warns us to even count the cost! But nonetheless the heartfelt lament is heard, and God still comes to rescue those who come to Him, who fear and adore Him. But we come to do those things by His working.
Psalm 56:8
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 You have kept count of my tossings;
put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?
And then comes the final lament:
"we'll break them all."
We truly do break all of these good gifts, over and over. But hallelujah to His high and holy name. He makes all things new. His compassion is new each morning, and his grace is new each day. He does not grow weary loving you. We may break everything we touch but he heals and rejuvenates everything He touches. If he lives in you, how much more does can He heal? Perhaps distance was never an issue for God, but intimacy wise. We WILL break them all. How much more does this turn you to love? Oh how brilliant He is to love such wretches and bestow such mercy and truly change us.
