SOUNDING OUT:
Set Your Affection On Things Above

  We have a duty of disciplined thinking. Colossians 3:1 & 2 contains very important directives along these lines.

  Well, are you risen with Christ? This “if” could also be translated “since.” The NIV translates this phrase, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ.” Since this is true of us, the commands that follow pertain specifically to us.

  Since we are risen with Christ, it is imperative that we seek those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God. Verse two repeats the command in similar words. It says, “to set your affection on things above not on things of the earth.” This is the only place phroneõ is translated “set your affection.” An “affection” is a mental or emotional state that connotes “good feelings.” The reason for this unique translation in this verse is to add the force of an emotional element. We are to attach positive feelings to the things of God. When we have affection for (an emotional attachment to) someone or something, it is much easier to think about them or it.

  Our minds have the ability to concentrate upon specific matters, and to continue in that state of concentration for as long as we choose. Thinking on things above is a choice we can make. The Word mentions specific things upon which we, as believers, should concentrate our thinking. We can also learn lessons from records of men who concentrated upon things other than what the Father intended. These records not only show what the outcome of their concentration upon inferior things was, but also, how these men recovered to once again set their affection properly on things above.

  First we will look at a negative example as we read Psalm 77 and find out how to be miserable. Then next week we will read Psalm 73 and discover how to be distracted. Then the following week we will see what David did as we read Psalm 34. Finally in the fourth week we will look at the word, “behold” and see what God directs us to do.

First, How To Be Miserable

  Asaph, the psalmist, gives us our first insight into this subject in Psalm 77. He tells us of the time in his own life when he faced serious problems. His affection was certainly not on things above while this was going on.

  In verse one Asaph summarizes his deliverance. The repetition there is emphatic, giving the idea that it was an earnest or fervent cry. Then in verses 2-9 he recaps his distress telling of a time when he faced serious difficulties.

  His trouble was grievous. It kept him up at night and wouldn’t stop. All this time his soul refused to be comforted. The reason his trouble ceased not was because he refused comfort. How often have we found ourselves in similar situations? All the time, the comfort of God was available, but it was not realized because it was refused.

  Freedom of will allows us to be miserable if we want. Sometimes, for whatever reason, our conditioned responses engender emotions that over power our logic and reasoning. They can be so powerful that we often feel incapable of controlling them. We know rationally and logically that we have been delivered, but we do not feel like it… sometimes we don’t even seem to want it. We can even fight against ourselves. Verse three explains:

  Many consider “selah” as being an exhortation to “consider these words” or “think on these things.” Bullinger goes even further to state that it means, “That being so, note well what follows.” (Bullinger E.W., The Chief Musician: or Studies in the Psalms and Their Titles, Truth For Today, Lafayette, IN 1992, page 107) Not only does it encourage us to pay attention to what has just been said, but it points out the consequence of such actions in what follows. His statement of the problem in verses two and three lead to the even more debilitating condition expressed in verse four.

  Even his thoughts of God didn’t relieve his trouble. The distress of the present outweighed any memories of God’s grace and goodness in the past. Then he explains how the situation went from bad to worse – he complained. If you want to be overwhelmed, start complaining. That being so, note well what follows.

  He blamed God for his sleeplessness, and became so depressed that he could not speak.

  He ransacked his experience, his memory, his intellect, to find or discover the reason the deliverance was denied him. That’s the problem in a nutshell. He communed with his own heart and looked within himself for answers and deliverance. His introspection continued for he was resolved to get to the bottom of his sorrow and follow it back to its beginning. But, his introspection in verses 2-6 (with 15 references to himself) only led to his questioning God’s willingness and ability in verses 7-9 (with 7 references to God).

  Although he didn’t speak, his mind was still active. He thought about his former days and considered how God worked even unto ancient times. He even recalled previous deliverances when he sang songs of praise in the darkest of nights. His heart mused, as he inquired, “Why has this happened to me?” Then in verses seven through nine he asks a series of six questions [Six is the number of man and human weakness.] all of which demonstrate his despair and his temporary lack of confidence in God. His despair caused him to consider that his trouble would never end.

  Most of us, who have lived for any length of time and are honest about life, may understand the difficulty he has having. Things went from bad to worse as his mind wandered, driven by doubt. Although he was pressing for answers, he found none. His focus turned from his own inability to do anything to God’s apparent unwillingness to act on his behalf. His uncertainty about God caused him to be double-minded. He was no longer sure of God’s willingness and ability to help him. That being so, note well what follows.

  “This” refers to what he has just described in verses two through nine, most specifically the doubt and confusion expressed in verses 7-9. Instead of continuing in his negative spiral down, he took responsibility for his thinking realizing that he had been working against himself. However, once he realized what the problem was, he summoned the resolve to do something about it.

  “I will remember….” “I will remember….” “I will remember….” “I will meditate….” He made his mind work for him not against him. He not only remembered the goodness of God, he also meditated upon it. He repeated it to himself over and over again. Verses 10-12 show that he had made a complete turn around from verses 2-9. Then he took the next step and began talking of all God had done. He set his affection on things above, and praised God for Who He is, thankfully recognizing what He has done.

  If you want to be miserable you can take lessons from Asaph and look within. When we place our eyes on ourselves, our weaknesses and inabilities often come to center stage. However, when we look at God’s goodness and God’s ability and declare it, we can get our thinking straightened out.