MATLOCK

Did you ever watch the popular TV series Matlock which premiered on NBC in 1983, moved to ABC after six seasons and then ended its nine-year run in 1995?  I don’t remember watching it too much when it was originally broadcast, but it definitely came onto to our radar after moving to Andy Griffith’s home state of North Carolina in 2014.

He is a most venerated favorite son in the state, having been born and raised in the small town of Mount Airy in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, about three miles south of the Virginia State border in northwestern North Carolina.  Mount Airy is said to be the inspiration for Mayberry, the setting of Andy’s first popular series, the Andy Griffith Show… and capitalizes on its connection with many special museum buildings and related events throughout the year.

It seemed like we could hardly turn on the TV, read the Raleigh newspaper or go into town without seeing a program, article or advertisement for something to do with Andy Griffith and/or Mayberry!  So, once we settled into our new home in the country side between a couple of small towns south of the state capital of Raleigh, we couldn’t help but to watch reruns of both of his popular shows!

I especially enjoyed his presentation of the Matlock character.  He portrayed a very likable, easy going Southern Trial Lawyer with a folksy personality, some finicky, penny-pinching habits but yet with a strong sense of right and wrong.  Once in the court room his years of experience with the justice system and command of the law always shined forth.  And his dogged determination and dedication to the truth regularly prevailed by the end of each show… I mean… what else would you expect… right?

Well, I found something un-expected this last week as I continued to study on the subject of the JOY that we have in the Lord, based on the Old Testament scripture in Nehemiah 8:10, where Ezra the priest and Nehemiah the governor of Jerusalem encouraged the grief-stricken children of Israel after getting a first glimpse of the destruction of their beloved city of Jerusalem, saying,

“Today is a holy day for the Lord. Don’t be sad because the JOY you have in the LORD is your strength.” (God’s Word ©)

I was led to a well-known scripture in the New Testament, written many years later by the Pastor of the Jerusalem church to his congregation, as well as to the Christians who were scattered around the known world.  Here James, like his OT predecessors, writes to encourage his troubled readers, who were experiencing persecutions and various trials, telling them to,

“Consider it pure JOY, my brothers (and sisters), when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  (&) Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 / Berean Study Bible)

And you know me… I just had to dig into the meanings of the original Greek words in order to best understand what the writers… under the influence of the Holy Spirit… were trying to convey to us modern day readers some 1,980 years later (give or take).

So… I started off with the very first word in the verse “Consider” or “Count” in the King James Version where I found the something unexpected!  Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries defined it as “To lead, that is to command (with official authority)” While Thayer’s Greek Definitions described it’s meaning as “to have authority over; of regal power; to lead as respects to influence.”

Well… that wasn’t what I expected to hear!  It sort of threw my long-held theology on this verse for a loop… and yet… it EXCITED me at the same time!

James isn’t telling us to just think about or half-heartedly consider trying to have some JOY when we encounter the various trials that we face throughout our lives… He’s instructing us to take a much more proactive and authoritative approach!  I thought of Matlock at this point of revelation in my personal study, because the idea of having a more authoritative role in the testing times in my life, caused me to picture Christians feeling very confident as they go to trial, in a court of law, with a high-powered, brilliant attorney at their side.  But in these particular trial’s that we face in life, the high-powered attorney at our side would be the Holy Spirit – the Spirit of Truth* of whom Jesus said,

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate [ie; lawyer], Strengthener and Standby), that He may remain with you forever.” (John 14:16 – Amplified Bible)

Once again, Pastor James is explaining to us that we can and should take on the trials and tribulations that come our way from a place of authority… because we have the full backing, resources, scope, rights and power of God’s TRUTH on our side!  No wonder we can experience and keep the cheerful, calm delight** of JOY about us when things may not look their best during the difficult times in our lives! 

We not only have the absolute TRUTH of God’s Word for our defense, but the best trial lawyer in the universe… in any realm… representing us!  For you see… all of the things that the enemy of our souls may try to throw at us in our low times are all lies from the pit of hell.  And the TRUTH of God’s Word will prove it so!  The enemy will call us all kinds of names and make many false accusations in order to steal our faith… and when that doesn’t work, he will attack our character!

But that’s exactly when the TRUTH of God’s Word, His LOVE for us and a powerful Attorney sitting next to us really shines forth!  So don’t ever give up but stay strong and EXPECT God’s TRUTH to prevail… every time… in every situation! 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

I can’t remember MATLOCK ever losing a case… and while he may have been good… He’s couldn’t come close to the Spirit of Truth living in us!

Have a good fresh new week ahead!  They are forecasting the beginning of a fall weather pattern this week in our neck of the woods out here… and I’m excited about that!  What’s it like where you live?

 

*See John 14:17, 26

**the definition of JOY in Strong’s Greek Hebrew Dictionaries