by Tim Hall

David's prayer for forgiveness in Psalm 51 is powerful. The sins he had committed were serious and totally out of character for a man after God's own heart. Following his rebuke by the prophet Nathan, David acknowledged his sins and cried out to God for mercy.

One statement in David's psalm is curious: "Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice" (Psalm 51:8, NKJV). Is that right? Did God really break David's bones? Or was David complaining that his punishment was more than he deserved?

Most will quickly recognize David's statement as figurative. There is no indication that he actually suffered broken bones as a result of his transgression with Bathsheba. Yet such a strong figure of speech indicates that David felt great pain and limitations, wounds that he attributed to God. Why would David make such a claim?

Hosea used a similar idea in condemning the sins of Israel and Judah. Speaking on behalf of God he said, "Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth ...." (Hosea 6:5). In this case, God (through Hosea) took responsibility for the wounds suffered by his people. "Hewn" and "slain" are graphic words that bear no trace of mildness. Israel would have understood David's imagery of broken bones.

What kind of God would do such a thing to his people? Would a loving father inflict such suffering on his children? Yes, in fact, he would.

Consider the larger picture presented in Hosea: "Come, and let us return to the Lord; for he has torn, but he will heal us; he has stricken, but he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live in his sight" (Hosea 6:1,2). Viewed in the larger context, the actions of God are merciful. He tore and struck his people, but was ready to heal and bind up. He did it all "that we may live in his sight."

Good parents understand the principle. Pain, though unpleasant, is useful in turning a stubborn child from his destructive behavior. The pain is meted out from a loving heart that wants nothing but the best for that child. Viewed only in the immediate situation, the parent's love is questionable. Considered from the larger perspective, compassionate love becomes obvious.

Here's another statement of the same principle: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6). Another translation opens our understanding further: "Wounds made by a friend are intended to help ..." (God's Word Translation) At the moment, we don't understand why our friend hurt us. Later, their love is seen clearly; they risked our friendship for our good.

Will God break my bones? I don't want it to happen, for I know it will be a painful ordeal. But if that's what it will take to keep me from departing from his side, then may he strike me while there is still hope!

God who was and is and will be,

The world knows the vigor and beauty of youth. But it ignores the glory of the aged in its white hairs. For it fears what lies shortly beyond it.

We rejoice, Lord, that we have the experience and wisdom of the elderly to guide us, their perspective to provide us focus, their patience to slow us down.

May we listen to their words and respect them for the important place they play in our lives.

In him who is the Alpha and Omega, amen.

by Greg Tidwell

Libertarianism, the political expression of Objectivist philosophy, is a continued force in American public policy. With prominent media coverage of the Religious Right, Christians should realize there is also an active atheistic faction in today's Conservative political movement.

The Truth Shall Make You Free

Ayn Rand, who died in 1982, is best known as an author of philosophical novels, the most important of which, Atlas Shrugged, was published in 1957. Rand's novels provide the primary statement of Objectivism, an atheistic system that attempts to give direction for human life based on a logical evaluation of reality.

Rand calls on each person to live by reason, claiming whatever opposes rationality or logic is evil. John Galt, the hero of Atlas Shrugged, expresses this view:

Do not say that you're afraid to trust your mind because you know so little. Are you safer in surrendering to mystics and discarding the little you do know? Live and act within the limit of your knowledge and keep expanding it to the limit of your life. (p. 982)

Objectivism seeks to follow logic to maximize value, each individual acting in his or her own self-interest. Within this system there is a continual dynamic to abandon those things of lesser value to attain those of higher value.

This trenchant analysis of value has figured prominently in the development of Conservative economic policy. Alan Greenspan, for example, was a longtime friend and admirer of Ayn Rand.

The Greatest Truth Is God

Objectivism has its good points, especially its commitment to truth and freedom. However, from a Christian perspective, Rand's analysis is deeply flawed. Her system, failing to consider God, has missed the single most important aspect of reality.

Rand's atheism can only place the individual as the centerpiece of his or her world. This system consists of selfish economic calculations, each person's highest value being only himself.

Objectivism, accordingly, is without mercy, sympathy, or any form of selfless giving.

"My philosophy," Rand explains in an appendix to Atlas Shrugged, "in essence is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity and reason as his only absolute" (p. 1085)

Christians, in contrast, know that there is a God. This knowledge provides a much broader view of value than Rand's system allows. Belief in God calls us to aspire to something greater than ourselves. Knowing God, Christians know the value of mercy, kindness, and love. These transcendent values provide a fuller appreciation for truth than any atheistic system can offer.