Pierced With Sorrows

In the book Where the Red Fern Grows, Billy caught his first raccoon by using a method his grandpa taught him.  He drilled holes in logs, drove nails pointing inward, and placed shiny objects in the holes.  A curious raccoon would be able to slide his paw in and grab the objects, but the shape of his fist prevented him from removing it.  I have read monkeys can be caught in a similar way.  Once the raccoon grabs on to the object he wants, he won't let go - even if it kills him.  If animals could think things through like a person, maybe they would let go.  But taking into considering the decisions people make, however, maybe they wouldn't.

We fancy ourselves intelligent, but we can be foolish as senseless beasts.  We bring all sorts of mischief upon ourselves because we forget to heed God's wisdom.  We can resemble the pitiful raccoon whose greed is the source of those sharp nails digging into his paw.  After informing Timothy godliness with contentment is great gain, Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:8-10:  "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."  The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and greed for gain pierces men through with many sorrows.  The moment we stray from faith in God and His Word we are in serious trouble, ensnared by our own lusts.

I wonder:  how many of our sorrows are self-inflicted? How many of our wounds we blame on others or circumstances we are solely responsible for?  If the raccoon did not desire the food or shiny bits in the trap, he would remain free.  It is his lust which wounds him; it is his stubborn desire which slays him.  When we refuse to let go of sins and lusts which wound the soul we deliberately head towards ruin.  We must completely release the object of our desire before we can be freed.  God desires that we willingly and obediently surrender the desire to be rich, trusting in His provision for our lives.  Having great wealth is no sin, but coveting riches is a snare which has destroyed many.  May our hearts be purified before God and our hands open and clean, praising God for His goodness and abundant provision.

In God is Strength

Hannah was a devout woman who was mercilessly provoked by Peninnah, a rival wife.  Hannah was distressed about her barrenness, and Peninnah seemed to take great pleasure in reminding Hannah of her inability to conceive.  After Hannah earnestly sought the LORD in prayer, God caused her to conceive and give birth to a son.  Hannah had promised to "lend" her son to the LORD's service all his days, and she made good on her word.

I find wonderful the joyful prayer of Hannah after giving birth to Samuel, knowing she had consecrated him to the LORD.  God answered her request and removed her reproach, and she rejoiced to give her weaned son to serve in the tabernacle.  It is common for people to make promises to God and when He has made good they waver to do their part.  Not so with Hannah:  she found peace and rest in the God who answered her prayer, and as hard as it must have been to leave her little son behind at the tabernacle in care of the priests she did so with gladness - when Samuel was her only child.  She did not know if she would ever have a child again, but she praised God with her whole heart.  Years later by His grace God provided an additional three sons and two daughters to her who was once barren.

Hannah concluded her prayer extolling God in 1 Samuel 2:9-10, "He will guard the feet of His saints, but the wicked shall be silent in darkness. For by strength no man shall prevail. ¹⁰ The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces; from heaven He will thunder against them. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth. He will give strength to His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed."  Having trusting in God, Hannah found herself protected by Him.  He had also silenced Peninnah's cutting remarks.  The proud had been brought low, and the humble had been lifted up.  Hannah's praise exalted the majesty and strength of God, for He alone is able to break His adversaries.  When we see people speaking lies and deceit against God and His wisdom, it is easy to lose heart.  But knowing God is mighty and the Judge of all provides rest for our souls.  In God is strength, and those who trust the KING OF KINGS need not fear any man.

The line which ministers most to me today is, "For by strength no man shall prevail."  Many of those in the world who approve wickedness appear strong, influential, and incapable of overthrow.  When Christians stand for righteousness, it seems we cannot prevail against the onslaught of perversion, deceit, and lies the world favours over God's truth.  But by strength of numbers, power of government, or strength of deceit none will prevail over God.  For a season Peninnah spitefully boasted of her fruitfulness and Hannah's impotence, but God caused a day to come when the opposite was true.  Hannah did not boast in her abilities, but in God and His strength.  For all who grieve over the darkness of our day and the impossibilities which loom before us, insurmountable obstacles we cannot overcome alone, God will show Himself strong.  It is in Jesus Christ we find comfort, strength, and rest for our souls.  As He was meek in this world so ought we to be, trusting in Him and seeking to do His will.  It is He who will trample down His enemies, and let us praise Him.

Jesus, Redeemer of Sinners

I find the book of Ruth deeply touching.  Many parallels can be drawn between the lovingkindness demonstrated by Ruth and Boaz with God's love for us.  Ruth was obedient to Naomi, and Jesus was obedient to the Father.  Boaz delighted to redeem Ruth, and Jesus joyfully paid the cost of our redemption with His own blood.  The book of Ruth contains foreshadowing of what Jesus delighted to accomplish as our Redeemer.  What Jesus has done is infinitely greater than what Ruth or Boaz did, and it remains a compelling and insightful read.

After Ruth conveyed her desire to be redeemed by Boaz, he set about the task at the break of day.  Noami knew Boaz was trustworthy and focused on the task, for she told Ruth not to worry in Ruth 3:18:  "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."  Boaz went to the gate first thing in the morning, the place where legal proceedings were carried out.  Boaz assembled 10 elders of the city as witnesses and the single kinsman who had the right of redemption greater than his own.

Boaz informed the man of his right to redeem the property of Elimelech, which the man was only too happy to do.  Ruth 4:5-6 reads, "Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance." ⁶ And the close relative said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."  The inclusion of Ruth the Moabitess and the responsibility to raise up seed for the dead was the deal-breaker for this unnamed relative.  To take Ruth as wife would mar his own inheritance and the closest relative said it was quite impossible.  So he urged Boaz to redeem the property and Ruth, the exact thing Boaz was most keen to do!  Before the day was out, Boaz had seen it done.

What amazes me is how Christ has redeemed sinners from the curse of sin, having shed His own blood on Calvary.  His righteousness has been credited to all who trust in Him.  Having been created in God's image, men are eligible for redemption but not worthy of it.  Unlike Ruth, not one of us in our sinful condition could be deemed "virtuous."  Instead of being like the first man who claimed redeeming Ruth would ruin his own inheritance, Jesus chose for us to become His inheritance.  He did not leave us ruined but causes us to be born again and made new, holy unto God.  The Father has sent the Holy Spirit as the downpayment of our inheritance, for God is our inheritance and we will enjoy His presence forever (Eph. 1:13-14).  How wonderful it is to be redeemed, loved, and wanted!  That is the happy state of every believer, and we do well to think upon and rejoice in God's love toward us always.

Forgiving Yourself

"We've forgiven you, so forgive yourself."

lyric excerpt from "Up Against the Ropes" by August Burns Red

The concept of "forgiving self" is a statement commonly accepted without critical thought.  But does the Bible in any way support the idea of a person's need to forgive self?  There is plenty written about how God forgives sins and that we are called to forgive others, but forgiving self?  This self-focus stinks of humanism and suggests God's forgiveness is insufficient.

I don't believe people are malicious with their encouragement to "forgive self," but I see no biblical evidence this exhortation comes from God.  Instead of self-help, God tells us to deny self.  Naturally self is our primary focus and our feelings and desires are central to our existence.  1 John 1:9 says concerning believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  Whether we feel forgiven or not is beside the point.  All sin is primarily against God, and He is the only One who has the power to release us from our guilt.  A man who claims to have this power or authority proudly sits in God's judgment seat.

Think about this in terms of the judicial system.  Say I am guilty of a crime and justice requires a large fine far beyond my ability to pay.  Say a person with financial means heard of my plight and decided to pay the fine in full.  After the exorbitant payment was paid, justice was satisfied.  Since the fine was paid I could legally leave the courtroom a free man.  Wouldn't it be ridiculous for me to hang my head over my guilt and hold out my wrists to be shackled and led away to prison?  "I just can't forgive myself for what I did.  I deserve to rot in prison forever."  The incredulous bailiff would say, "Didn't you hear the judge?  Get out of here.  What's your problem?"  Shouldn't I be thankful to the one who paid for me to be free?  Wouldn't I be overwhelmed with love for such generosity and grace of my saviour?  "Forgiving self" has no bearing on my legal standing before God and any prison in which I remain is imaginary, a paper tiger fashioned by my refusal to receive God's gracious gift.

There is something about penance that appeals to the flesh, that we need to or must afflict ourselves to "pay" for our wrongs.  Again, this is a arbitrary refusal of God's grace.  It is ridiculous to make God's forgiveness depend on my feelings or seek to earn forgiveness only freely received by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the One who makes sinners free indeed (John 8:36)  Instead of urging others to forgive themselves, it would be better for people to repent, receive, and rejoice in God's forgiveness which is all of grace.  We have a part to play in the matter to be released from the guilt of sin, but forgiveness of self is not a legitimate part of the process.

Bitter and Blind

Bitterness and disappointment ruin our perspective.  A friend told me an amusing anecdote he was taught in sales which displays the power of perspective.  A shoe salesman was sent to sell shoes to people in a remote area and he returned despondent:  "Nobody wears shoes!"  His efforts were wasted because it was a dead market.  Another shoe salesman went and returned bubbly, his eyes wide with excitement:  "Nobody wears shoes!  Think of the potential!"  The little story shows we can be negative over things which can be a great boon when viewed from a different perspective.

Naomi in the book of Ruth was embittered by her losses.  Naomi, her husband, and two sons left Bethlehem due to a famine and moved to Moab.  Over the course of time her sons were both married, but eventually her husband and sons all died.  When the famine was over in Bethlehem, Naomi decided to return.  She sent her daughters-in-law away to their families and gods, but Ruth refused to leave Naomi.  She was so determined to stay with Naomi she affirmed only death would separate them.  When Naomi returned home despondent and depressed, she told people a more fitting name for her was Mara, (literally "bitter").  Ruth 1:21-22 says, "I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?" ²² So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest."

Naomi had left with a husband and two sons out of necessity, and she had returned from Moab with Ruth the Moabitess who faithfully loved her and came of her own free will.  Yet because Naomi's perspective was fixed on all she had lost, she did not value what she had in Ruth.  She saw herself as empty because she had no husband or sons, and remained bitter despite having a loving daughter-in-law.  Over the course of time I believe Naomi came to recognise the treasure she had in Ruth.  After Ruth was married to Boaz and Naomi loved her grandson as her own child, perhaps she began to see how the seemingly ill-fated trip to Moab actually enriched her by God's grace.  She saw God as afflicting her when He provided blessing upon blessing.  Bitterness blinded Naomi to the goodness of God.

The women of the town came to see the blessing Ruth was, as did her husband Boaz.  Ruth 4:14-15 reads, "Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! ¹⁵ And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him."  Not all who fear God are as Job who blessed God in the day of terrible news and during a long season of affliction, but may we be those who rejoice in all we have by God's grace instead of being bitter over our perceived loss.  Ruth was better to Naomi than seven sons because she loved her, and may we rejoice over the love of Jesus toward us.  May we value above our own lives the love others have shown us, not allowing our disappointments to overshadow such blessings God provides.  Those who make their hope in God have fullness of joy no one can take away.

Begging for Judgment

In world news lately there has been a ramping up of "rhetoric" and "provocation" between North Korea and the United Nations, spearheaded by the United States.  The script looks something like this:  North Korea fires a missile over Japan because of war games in the region.  President Trump threatens the offenders with "fire and fury."  Chairman Kim Jong Un makes inflammatory statements, claiming increased sanctions will only increase the push for nuclear weapons.  The United Nations slaps additional economic sanctions on North Korea.  North Korea then fires another missile over Japan.  And the cycle starts over - with no end in sight.

Despite the widespread international condemnation of these acts, these dangerous provocations continue.  As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have noticed another kind of provocation which goes largely unnoticed:  provocative deeds and proud words spoken against God.  To reject God's Word - adding or taking away from it - is a grave crime which arouses God's wrath.  A U.S. diplomat said recently the launching of missiles and rhetoric from North Korea is "begging for war."  North Korea aside, I am convinced the sins of people and nations is begging for judgment from God.  God is far more patient and longsuffering than any human court, but His justice is pure and absolute.  The anti-christ rhetoric and scorn of those who take a stand on the Word of God is like the verbal firing of missiles in opposition of God.  I don't believe any sensible person wants war, but judgment from God will surely come to all who remain stubbornly in sin.

Let us not delude ourselves to think the world is the source of problems Christians face, for the issue is sin in us.  Whilst God pronounced woe on heathen nations for their rejection of Him, God also spoke strongly against His own people who forsook His Laws and did according to other nations.  Here is a small sampling in Isaiah 5:20-25:  "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! ²¹ Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! ²² Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, ²³ who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man! ²⁴ Therefore, as the fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom will ascend like dust; because they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. ²⁵ Therefore the anger of the LORD is aroused against His people; He has stretched out His hand against them and stricken them, and the hills trembled. Their carcasses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still."

As children of God, we must submit to and seek to uphold the Word of God.  Currently many have been rocked by massive storms, political upheaval, and the voting survey concerning same-sex marriage in Australia have many people pointing fingers at others.  The problems we are facing in the world are profound and we have no means within us to change a single heart.  Our wisdom is incapable of opening blind eyes or releasing the captives of sin.  Thanks be to God He is able to help us and will quicken us to accomplish all things He intends to do.  Those who follow Jesus will suffer for this stand, but there is great consolation for all who trust and fix their eyes upon Him.  The vitriolic and swelling words against God call for justice, yet let us choose compassion, grace, and mercy.  We will not be deterred from loving people, even if we are crucified for our beliefs and convictions.  They might be for war yet may we speak peaceable words, warning others of the certain results of sin.  If we do not love people as God does, our warnings are better applied to ourselves.

Singing in the Dark

One thing I appreciate about the scriptures is how they are true to real life.  There are intense victories won in battle, the unspeakable pain of losing loved ones, frustration over being slandered, and awe over the beauty of nature.  The breadth and depth of the human experience is expressed with insight and understanding of what matters to us.  Because of this agreement with our souls the people of scripture resonate with those who seek after God to this day.

A glorious revelation in the Bible about the nature of God is it is always time to seek Him.  Whether we win or lose, if we are healthy or feel sick, when we are filled with joy or deep depression, God is glorious and praiseworthy.  The book of Psalms is filled with people who knew and trusted God who found themselves in impossible situations.  Desperate times were often the background of David's songwriting.  It seems when he was in great danger the sweet psalmist of Israel was at his most melodious, writing prayerful lyrics to God.  Songbirds can be quiet at night, but it was in the dark times David's songs swelled to heaven.

How about you?  Do you sing to God in the dark times, bringing your petitions and adoration to a God who is the lifter of your head?  What great hope and comfort we find in Him, for when we pour out our souls to Him we are heard.  Psalm 61:1-4 provides an example:  "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. ² From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ³ For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. ⁴ I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah"  David trusted in God, and at times he was overwhelmed.  There is great comfort here for those who trust in God who are overwhelmed today, for as God helped David He is faithful to help us.

May the LORD put a new song in our hearts to proclaim His praises, for He is good and His mercy endures forever.  You may not think much of your singing voice, but the LORD delights to hear it because He cares for us.  Whether we find ourselves in a cave, a dungeon at midnight, or feel like we are drowning, God will hear and attend to our prayer.  Praise Him forever! 

Our Choices Affect Others

Driving down Windsor Road yesterday I saw an illuminated sign which read, "Your driving affects others."  That's not something which often preoccupies my mind, but it is true.  Dangerous driving on my part bring increased risk to me, my passengers, pedestrians, other drivers, and property.  Lives have been lost and permanently affected by poor decisions made by others on the road.

Our driving affects others, and the way we live our lives affects others too.  Our everyday choices may not result in accidents which in seconds destroy life and property, but the results can be broader and further reaching.  Should we embrace sin, it will have a catastrophic and destructive impact on our lives and others.  Sin brings destruction not only on lives but upon eternal souls.  Adam is a fitting example, but perhaps that of Micah is more compelling because it occurred after man's initial fall.

Micah lived in a time in Israel when there was no king and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.  Micah had stolen 1,100 shekels of silver from his mother, but after she cursed the thief he admitted stealing the silver.  His mother blessed him for his "honesty."  She claimed she had dedicated the silver unto the LORD, and after he returned it she gave 200 shekels to the silver to make an image for his collection.  Micah had a collection of gods with an ephod, and he consecrated his son to be a priest.  A wandering Levite was later consecrated to take on the role of priest to the family, and Micah believed the LORD would do him good because he had a "proper" priest.  Of course all Micah had done was improper, illegal according to the Law of Moses, and abominable before God but he (like everyone else at the time) did what was right in his own eyes.

Over the course of time men from the tribe of Dan went through the land.  They were looking for good land with people isolated from any help or protection who would be easy prey.  After they found such a place, they took 600 armed men to take the land by force.  On the way they dropped by Micah's house, took his idols and his Levite "priest," and went on their way despite Micah's protests.  They warned him his life and those of his house would be forfeit if he interfered with them, so Micah returned home.  When the men of Dan arrived in Laish, they smote the city and burned it with fire.  They rebuilt the city and called it Dan, after their father.  Judges 18:30-31 explains the shocking consequences of the idolatry of Micah and his mother:  "Then the children of Dan set up for themselves the carved image; and Jonathan the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land. ³¹ So they set up for themselves Micah's carved image which he made, all the time that the house of God was in Shiloh."

Micah's mother made an image of silver, and Micah placed it in a shrine in his house.  The tribe of Dan stole it, Jonathan and his sons become priests who used it in worship, and idolatry was entrenched in Israel for hundreds of years.  How many people and families were ensnared by the worship of Micah's idol whilst the Tabernacle of God stood in Shiloh!  Now I cannot say what your sin might be or what could be the ultimate impact of it, but even if one souls is ensnared and turned aside from the living God it would be too much.  It is a tragedy when one life is unnecessarily lost because of poor driving, and it is horrendous for a soul to go to hell for eternity because of sin.  Jesus came to this earth to seek and save sinners, to destroy the works of the devil, and provide eternal life.  The situation with Micah shows the sin of one person has the capacity to affect an entire nation for evil.

The way we live affects others - for good or for evil - more than you know.  It may not be something you often think about, but it is true.

Temptation's Subtlety

Today I read the passage in Judges 16 when Samson divulged to Delilah the secret of his great strength.  I was struck with how a man of great physical strength who could carry off city gates was eventually pushed over with pestering words spoken by a woman he loved.  Samson had bitter and bloody feud with the Philistines, yet he loved a woman named Delilah who lived in the valley of Sorek.  The Philistine lords for a long time had sought to capture Samson, and they bribed Samson's lover to discover the secret of his strength so they might neutralise it.

An interesting observation is as Delilah ramped up the pressure to share the secret of his strength, there was a softening of her request.  Consider the first time she brought up the subject in Judges 16:6:  "So Delilah said to Samson, "Please tell me where your great strength lies, and with what you may be bound to afflict you."   This is a straightforward question with intent.  If I was Samson, I would seriously wonder why she would ask such a question!  Did she ask because she wanted to bind and afflict me?  Samson shrugged it off with a lie.  The next time Delilah made her request it was slightly different in Judges 16:10:  "Then Delilah said to Samson, "Look, you have mocked me and told me lies. Now, please tell me what you may be bound with."  There was no mentioning of the source of his strength, nor any reference to affliction.  Again, Samson deliberately misled her.  Delilah's third request was very similar to the second time with the same results.

Finally Delilah said in Judges 16:15, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when your heart is not with me? You have mocked me these three times, and have not told me where your great strength lies."  Delilah made no mention of binding or affliction.  Her statement is insightful, for she connected the affections of Samson's heart with responding to her request.  She wanted to know where his great strength lie - conveniently not mentioning her intent to bind and afflict him.  Judges 16:16-17a says, "And it came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death, ¹⁷ that he told her all his heart..."  Day after day she pressed him, and the resolve of the mighty judge of Israel crumbled.  It was not long before he was indeed bound, afflicted, blinded, imprisoned, and made the object of ridicule.

It occurred to me the progression employed by Delilah mirrors the tactics of sinful temptation.  At first we are repulsed by the thing, realising the grave consequences of giving into sin.  Day after day of our soul being pressed leads to us wondering what all the fuss is about.  What is the big deal anyway?  Curiosity chews into our resolve and we find our affections shifting from allegiance to God and drifting towards the satisfaction of our flesh.  The scripture does not say, but I wonder if after Samson was bound and his eyes gouged out he regretted loving Delilah in the first place?  Blind in the darkness of a Philistine prison, I imagine Samson started seeing clearly mistakes he made when he could fend off his enemies easily.  It is good for us to realise the enemy of our souls is always looking to afflict and blind us, but as children of God he cannot do so without our permission.  The "secret" of our strength found through trust and obedience to Jesus Christ is no secret, but we can forget to guard our hearts from illicit affections and to keep our hands clean of sin.  When we give into sin's demands, we find ourselves weak as any other man.

Where Is The Compassion?

Paul asked a good question in Romans 9:20:  "O man, who are you to reply against God?"  Maybe there was a day when people realised the implications of arrogantly speaking against God and His wisdom, but it is not today.  I shudder when I hear the swelling words and vain philosophies of people who vaunt themselves over the Almighty LORD of hosts, the Creator and Judge of all the earth.  Woe to those who say they know better than God!  Professing to be wise, such expose their own folly.  These voices who oppose God have the same demonic tenor of those who shouted before Pilate concerning Jesus Christ, "Away with Him!  Crucify Him!"

It is a simple thing to point fingers at the faults of others, but followers of Jesus Christ ought to live as He did in a secular culture and faithfully examine our own hearts.  We cannot stoop to the level of such who speak proudly in arrogance, hating any who oppose them.  If we do not have compassion on those who are deceived and deliberately adding to their guilt before a holy God by rebellion and pride, we sin by refusing to love others as God does.  Passion without love and compassion is sin.  We must stand fast on the Word of God, for only then do we find an unshakeable foundation under our feet.  It is good to uphold righteousness, especially in a sinful world.  Love does not oppose righteousness but completes it.  We will surely suffer for such a clear stand, but praise God for His abundant consolation.

Consider what is written in 1 Peter 2:20-23:  "For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. ²¹ For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² "Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth"; ²³  who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously..."  Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, filled with people scattered as sheep without a shepherd.  They refused to believe Jesus was the Son of God, rejected His sound teaching, and scorned His outstretched arms of love.  Those few faithful followers of Jesus today are to follow His example of compassion, mercy and grace when we are maligned, belittled, and slandered falsely.

Brothers and sisters, let us not shy away from using the truth of scripture to combat the satanic deceptions at work in the minds and hearts of people today.  Why use secondary sources or statistics when we can speak forth the powerful words of God?  When Peter spoke to the unbelieving Sanhedrin, he quoted the scriptures.  After Philip ran to the Ethiopian eunuch, he preached Christ from the Word of God.  Whether Paul spoke to unbelieving Jews, Roman rulers, or the philosophers in Athens, he preached from the Bible.  Preaching the Word of God is a single thread connecting all their discourses to believers as well as unbelievers.  Some were enraged, others laughed and mocked, but there were some who believed and were saved.  LORD, forgive me when I have substituted the logic of men for the Word of God!

Will you be so bold to seek opportunities to share the truth of God's Word with others to show why you believe what you believe with meekness and fear?  1 Peter 3:8-12 exhorts us all, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; ⁹  not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For "He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. ¹¹ Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. ¹² For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."

Loving Indeed

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. "

1 John 3:18

As children of God, we are called to love one another as He loves us.  God's love is practically displayed, meeting all our needs by God's grace.  This love is more than words or feelings, but is actively demonstrated in opening our hearts to one another.  1 John 3:17 asks the question:  "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?"  We cannot meet every need, nor does God expect us to.  Based upon the great love we have received from Jesus, our hearts should be open to being used by God to meet needs everywhere in Jesus' name.

When there is hatred in our hearts, we cannot love as we ought.  This passage in 1 John reveals that in God's sight hatred towards our brother is murder in God's eyes, even as looking with lustful intent is the same as committing adultery.  We do well not to hate others, but our aim must be to love them.  As James demonstrated his faith in God through God works, the righteousness of God is displayed through love towards others.  It does us little good to ask ourselves if we nurse a grudge or hatred of others, but better to ask if we have demonstrated love to them.  God's love is active and never fails.  Praise God for that!

What Jesus Does

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another."

John 15:16-17

These things Jesus told His disciples during their celebration of the Passover are true for His followers today.  Whilst instructing His followers Jesus also emphasised their calling.  In choosing to pursue Christ as disciples we can mistakenly place our primary focus on what we have done and what we must do, but the words of Jesus remind us of His divine role.

Jesus corrected the disciples' thinking they had chosen Him because Jesus had chosen them first.  He knew them before they knew Him; He first called them and then they followed.  He chose them and appointed (ordained, commissioned) them to go and bear fruit which would remain.  Having supplied the good seed of the Word of God, it would doubtless bear much fruit according to the design of Jesus Christ.  Jesus also appointed them to pray to God, and whatever they asked in Jesus' name would be given.

See all the things Jesus did for His disciples before they even knew Him?  He chose and ordained them, He formulated a plan for them, and ensured they would be successful.  Do you realise as a child of God He has done the same for you?  You do not need to graduate from seminary, become a foreign missionary, or have a ministry position recognised by men to be eternally fruitful.  All we do is within the context of God's love, loving one another as He loves us.  Disillusionment comes when we figure fruitfulness depends primarily upon our efforts.  We imagine "fruit" to be immediate and qualitative and forget seeds take time to grow.  There is danger in departing from the good Word for anything else in an effort to accomplish our plans rather than seeking God.

I am blessed to know God has chosen me, ordained me, and commissioned me to go and bear fruit.  I am humbled to have access to God's throne room of grace to find mercy and help in time of need.  Since I am called to love as Jesus does and cannot do this without Him, how necessary it is to seek Him.  Looking outside on this spring morning, God knows how to make seeds germinate, flowers bloom, and trees flourish with new growth.  Won't He also do marvellously with His Word in the hearts of those prepared to receive Him?

Do You Suppose?

Have you ever thought something which turned out not to be true?  Expectations and assumptions which seem reasonable can often lead us astray.  A lot of things we think are simply wrong, and God has provided His Word to guide us into all truth.  I was surprised how often supposing and being mistaken correlate in scripture.  It is not always the case, but take a look at some examples:

• The disciples were rowing in the sea and supposed they had seen a spirit when it was in fact Jesus walking on the water (Mark 6:39).
• Joseph and Mary supposed Jesus had left Jerusalem in their company, but He had remained behind in the Temple (Luke 2:44).
• People supposed Jesus was the son of Joseph, but He had been conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary and was the Son of God (Luke 2:23).
• Mary Magdalene supposed Jesus was the gardener when He was her risen LORD (John 20:15).
• Peter corrected the people who supposed the Christians who were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues were drunk (Acts 2:15).
• Stephen related Moses supposed his fellow Hebrews would have understood he had been called by God to deliver them from the Eyptians, but they did not (Acts 7:25).
• The Philippian jailer woke up from sleep, being startled by an earthquake.  He supposed all the prisoners had fled when he saw all the doors open, and would have killed himself had not Paul shouted to say the prisoners had not escaped (Acts 16:27).
• The master of the ship and the centurion supposed they had obtained their purpose to winter in a haven of Crete, only to be driven by a massive tempest and shipwrecked on Malta (Acts 27:13).

Based on these examples, "supposing" obviously has many pitfalls.  We likely all (to some degree) assume and think many things which have no basis in reality.  No matter how much we know of the truth and think things through, assumptions can creep in.  I believe supposing leads to much unnecessary heartache and sorrow only wisdom and discernment from God can deliver us from.  When you discover things are not as you supposed do not lose heart, but seek the LORD and trust in Him.  God never supposes; He always knows.

The Best Bargain

Do you love to find a great bargain at the shops?  I know many people who will haggle or bargain even over fixed prices with great enthusiasm.  For me, however, I feel uncomfortable with haggling in shops even when it is the norm.  My bargaining has improved over the years after trips to Cambodia, Israel, and from buying appliances at local stores in Sydney, but I still don't enjoy it.  The time spent going back and forth debating over dollars never feels worth the effort in the end.  Even when I have obtained a better price, I wonder if I could have done better.  Anyone with me?

It occurred to me this morning bargaining may be more common than we recognise.  Even for those who hate haggling, it is in the self-centred nature of man to look for or be open to a better offer.  We make these kinds of bargains with ourselves all the time.  We weigh our options concerning eating, drinking, and exercise.  We reduce our calorie intake or increase exercise one day because we want to have dinner and desert at a restaurant that night.  People reduce consumption of alcohol or tobacco to have more money for other things or for health reasons.  We make sacrifices in one area and reward ourselves with other things.  Much of our lives are lived with constant tension between needs and desires, moderation and excess, indulgence and abstention.  Our motives and issues may be different, but this inner haggling happens.

As with decisions which effect the health of our bodies, we can bring this same approach to moral, biblical, and spiritual issues.  We make a mistake when we try to bargain with God concerning repentance and sin.  This happens so subtly it often escapes our notice.  We attempt to trade abstinence in one area for dabbling or indulgence in another - complete with arbitrary, self-imposed boundaries.  We will repent and put sin away from us if we see how it is negatively affecting our lives, but not just because God said so.  We can go so far as to refuse to obey unless our demands are met.  My patience runs thin quickly when it comes to making what I consider drastic changes to my diet.  In the past if I didn't see tangible, quantifiable results quickly from sacrifices, it wasn't long until I went back to my old ways.  In a spiritual sense we can do the same thing.  We can choose to love a person in obedience to Jesus but when it doesn't seem to work in our favour our unbelief rises up:  "See?  I loved that person and it didn't do anything!  What a waste."

The people of Israel provide a good example in the book of Judges when they found themselves oppressed by their enemies.  They cried out to God and He pointed out their chronic idolatry.  "I have saved you many times in the past but you chose to forsake Me.  Cry out to the gods you have chosen and see if they will save you," He said.  See the response of the people in Judges 10:15-16:  "And the children of Israel said to the LORD, "We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray." ¹⁶ So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel."  God's people confessed their sin, made their request, but did not make their repentance contingent upon God doing anything for their good.  They put away their idols and served the LORD.  And guess what?  They were still oppressed.  They remained in a miserable season and God's heart went out to them.  Eventually God would deliver His people according to His mercy, but He would lovingly refine them as long as it took.

How good it is when God's people unite with His will and the revelation of His righteousness.  To bargain with God is an affront to His holiness and exposes our selfish unbelief.  Let us be numbered among those who repent and serve the LORD without haggling, not making our obedience contingent on benefits we want God to guarantee us.  Like the good example provided in Judges, let us keep seeking God, keep repenting, and keep serving Him.  Satan and self provide offers which appeal to our flesh, but all they do is deliver us into bondage and death.  God's offer is a fixed price which He has already paid in full through the Gospel, and the cost for us is repentance, trust, and obedience.  God exchanges our sin for righteousness, distance for intimacy, bondage for freedom, and death for eternal life.  We are called to do our part, and He will deliver in due time.

God Our King

The absolute sovereignty of a king is a foreign concept to many today.  Having grown up and lived in democratic countries, being a citizen affords me particular rights.  One of those rights (and privileges) is to participate in elections through voting.  Every person who votes has the same power to elect representatives and pass legislation.  Though my contribution is one vote among many, our system of government allows the voice of the people to be heard.

I have no idea how different life would be if I lived in a nation ruled by a king.  I am not talking about celebrity royals or figureheads, but I imagine life would be very different if I was the legal subject of a monarch whose word was law, whose retribution upon his enemies was swift and severe, and who wielded the power of life and death over his people.  Kings will not suffer any to oppose them.  Forget rubber bullets, tear gas, or being kept overnight in jail:  to protest or even question a king would mean certain death.  King Solomon knew what he was saying by experience when he wrote in Ecclesiastes 8:2-4:  "I say, "Keep the king's commandment for the sake of your oath to God. ³ Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him. ⁴ Where the word of a king is, there is power; and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"  People were urged to be careful in the presence of the king, lest they offend him.  A king is obligated to do whatever pleases him, and who can speak against or even question him?  Life and death is in the power of a king's tongue.  As a king, absolute power is his right.

If we should fear and obey kings whom God has placed in authority, how much more should we fear and reverence the King of kings?  Paul said something similar to Solomon in Romans 9:20-24:  "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honour and another for dishonour? ²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?"  Though it is foolish to charge God with wrong and question his righteous judgments, people still do.  God is answerable to no man, for He is our Creator and King.  No one has a legal right to oppose Him.  Even as a potter can make whatever he wants with clay, God has the divine right to do exactly as He pleases with His things.  And since we born-again Christians are bought with the blood of Jesus Christ, we are doubly His.  He has glorious plans we cannot conceive of, and instead of questioning Him in doubt we are to trust and obey.

The grace of God is more compelling than any "rights" we claim for ourselves.  Earthly kings are not longsuffering, but God is.  He suffers long with fools and offers them forgiveness and everlasting life if they will repent of their sin and trust in Jesus.  Not one of us has the right to be heard by God, but God has freely given us the right to become His beloved children through the Gospel.  We are given privileged access to God by the blood of Christ, and we are urged to act on this in Hebrews 4:16:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  God's throne is founded on righteousness, grace, justice and love.  He is not soft, caving into the demands of anyone.  Yet unlike many in authority, God actually listens to each of his loyal subjects.  We have a voice heard in heaven which can accomplish more than a million votes in an election.  We don't deserve this privilege, but God delights to grant this to all who delight in Him.  Let us thank God and show our appreciation by boldly approaching Him in prayer, for He is our worthy King.

The Pencil Message

It is wonderful to realise God knows what we need and is able and willing to meet our needs.  He has promised to provide for us, and sometimes we don't recognise what our needs are.  We might think God's provision of our needs depends upon us remembering to ask Him.  While it is true we do not have because we have not asked, God has freely provided our needs before we were born without us acknowledging Him at all!  He does more for us than we could ever ask or think.

I have been reading lately through the life of Gideon in the book of Judges.  Gideon was a bit incredulous God would choose him to be a deliverer of God's people from Midianite oppressors.  When the Angel of the LORD ascended to heaven, it confirmed God's call upon Gideon and strengthened his faith to take additional steps of obedience.  On two occasions Gideon asked God to confirm he was indeed the one to lead Israel into battle with a fleece, and God did.  Trusting in God, Gideon immediately took action to muster the men of Israel for battle.  After God instructed him to cull the fighting force to a meagre 300 men, God told Gideon to sneak down into the Midianite camp.  As he and his servant crept near to a tent, they heard men discussing a dream about a loaf of barley bread which tumbled down a hill and knocked a tent over.

Judges 7:14-15 says, "Then his companion answered and said, "This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp." ¹⁵ And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshipped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand."  Gideon had not asked God for a sign, but God gave obedient Gideon a sign which prompted him to worship God.  Hearing the dream and interpretation from the tent of an enemy quickened Gideon to further trust God to arise and fight.  That very night God wrought a great deliverance in Israel, and helped Gideon every step of the way.  When God's people trust and obey Him, God will do marvellous things.

It is good to be reminded of God's calling upon our lives, especially when things are difficult.  God has used many people and situations to bring encouragement my way when I didn't realise I was discouraged.  Once God even used a simple pencil to encourage me!  Growing up in San Diego, I was introduced to golf in my later teen years by friends.  I became a junior member of Singing Hills Country Club and played super cheap golf almost weekly on the executive Pine Glen course.  It seemed to fall to me to organise tee times, and I called the Pro Shop all the time.  It has been about 20 years since I played on Pine Glen and moved to Australia about 7 years ago.  A while back I began to play golf more regularly.  I typically play early in the mornings and walk alone.  This is a great time for me to enjoy exercise, think about things, and pray.  I suppose I was feeling a bit low, and it was more than just my poor golfing!  As I walked up the 9th fairway and conversing with God, I saw a pencil laying on the turf.  Would you believe it was a pencil from my old home golf course (now called "Sycuan Golf Resort") in San Diego?

When I picked up the pencil on an Australian golf course in Windsor with wide eyes - engraved with the "619" area code and the familiar number - I had the overwhelming sense  God knew where I was, He had not forgotten me, I was not alone, and He would supply my needs.  To date it is the only pencil I have ever seen on a golf course in Australia.  The odds of me finding a pencil in Australia from a particular golf course in the United States are staggeringly long.  With God, odds are nothing.  Now the pencil serves as a little reminder on my office bookshelf, a wooden "Ebeneezer" of sorts, a testimony of our faithful God who calls, sends, provides for, and guides His people.  When I saw the writing on the pencil I worshipped God because He used it to speak comfort and peace to my heart.  Let us worship the LORD for His goodness, and for the love and grace He freely offers to all.