Truth

There are six little rocks that live in a small wooden tray that sit on my coffee table. The rocks have words on them, Sassy (my grandmom name) faith, hope, magic hugs and truth. And every grandchild seems to be enamored with these little rocks, taking them and repositioning them into or onto whatever seems to meet their fancy.  I babysat with my baby Molly for a couple of hours today and this was no exception.  She picked them up one at a time and put them into a nearby candle holder, and repeated this process several times.  But there is one rock that she seemed to favor, it was smaller than the rest and fit perfectly in her hands and it was the rock of truth. (This was a rock that my dad had kept in his jewelry box so not only did the text have significant meaning but it also was sentimental.) Molly would let the others fall to the floor at times but she held tight to the truth rock until she decided to put it with the others and pour all of them onto the floor.  She picked them up one at a time, but only five were remaining, the truth rock had landed out of sight. We found it hiding under a nearby chair, put it back in the tray with the others and all was well!  

It is a small example, but how many times do we let truth slip into hiding when everything else is poured out into our lives. It was the smallest of the rocks, it was white, not tainted with color, and it had the word "truth" etched into and carried the significance of the meaning of the word. Truth is before us at all times but we allow it to get buried by circumstances, anxiousness and fear.  Truth is God's Mantel, projected through His word: Truth of promises, truth of deeds, truth of authority, and truth of victory. His truth is the very mainstay of hope, security and guidance, and when we find ourselves uneasy, insecure and doubtful, we need to seek it out from under the lies that have covered the truth of God's word. Just like that little rock that was hiding under the chair; we have to realize that it is not in our forefront, and look for it.    

The world goes about pouring ideas into our minds that just aren't true, and often times we fall into the gap of the lies because we have not anted up with the truth that God has given us to stand on through His word. I watched as my little Molly grasped that one rock.  She toddled around with it and held it her little hand, not knowing the significance of it, only that it fit, and that it was molded  softly into a shape that was easy to hang on to.  It was sort of a prize to her; she had discovered it, she could pick it up and she could hang on to it.  Truth is a solid rock that we as Christians have discovered as well.  It is something that we can meditate on, depend on and hang on to at every interval of life's offerings. 

There is truth and there are lies; no in-betweens.  Oh sure we can rationalize, process, debate, argue and be swayed in position, but truth stands solid without interference.  God's truth does not waver according to platitudes, or worldly influence, it stands on its own 

in power and victory and righteousness.  We are the ones who waver; for we allow the lies of the enemy to abound and seep into our

unconsciousness and take root in our thoughts, and a mental tape is produced that we play over and over giving those lies momentum to debilitate us, steal our hope and forfeit our joy. 

In order to battle against the subtle intrusion: "It is not sufficient to simply read the Word of God but through meditation, we must make its truths a part of us, enabling all that we hear to be filtered through and measured by Godly concepts. The Christian truth is the truth of God, through Jesus Christ the Living Word. This truth is our weapon against lies and falsehood. Through it we can discern and decipher truth from lies within and without. Hebrews 4:12 goes on to prove this point: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (http://www.allaboutreligion.org/christian-truth-faq.htm)

Truth is a rock that we would do well to hold tight to and carry around in the palm of our hands, and the depths of our hearts. It is a secure holding that gives us confidence and enables a trust and faith in God to be generated within us. A careful examination of thoughts is required to be able to decipher truth from the trappings of a well planted lie.  For sometimes truth is hidden beneath a tangle of lies and it takes great courage to dig into the weeds to expose it. But God has given us the tools to be able to do just that; through prayer, through His word, both spoken and read, through Christian friends, and through our own consciences. If we truly seek it, hold tight to it, and embrace it when we find it, we will see that it does set us free. Free from fret, free from chaos, free from guilt or shame, free from the gripping entanglements of chasing after the winds of worldly wiles.    

Truth is not only a defined characteristic of our God, it is the very essence of His being. John 14:6 For the Christian the ultimate expression of truth is found in the Bible, in Jesus who said, "I am the way ,the truth and the life..."

Galatians 5: 7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.  

            

Colossians 2:8 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ," 

It was just a little white rock in small hands of a grand-baby; but it was a clear reminder to not only seek the truth but hold tight to it. 

Dear Lord, help me to seek out your truth that I have often allowed to be covered up or hidden underneath the lies of this world. Help me to use the tools that you have given me to be able to decipher truth from a lie.  Help me to consciously be aware and alert of the continued bombardment of the enemy and to stand steady on your hallowed ground of truth.  Amen     

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!