Definite Questions and Answers

"It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." David said, "Where shall I go up?" And He said, "To Hebron."

2 Samuel 2:1

After the death of King Saul, David inquired of the LORD where he should go.  His place in Ziklag had been burnt with fire, and David wisely sought insight from the LORD concerning his next course of action.  He provides a good example for all who fear God in asking a specific question and did not act on the matter until he received a definite answer.  If we are honest concerning our prayers, we may discover we do not ask many definite questions.  If this is the case, we should not be surprised when a clear answer does not come.

We are not told exactly how God spoke to David, but the text makes it evident God did speak and David heard Him.  In the previous book we read Abiathar, son of the high priest, had brought the ephod and joined David's company after the slaughter of the priests at Nob.  He undoubtedly was involved in this process, likely with the Urim and Thummim.  David obediently went up to Hebron according to God's direction, and shortly thereafter was crowned king of Judah.

It is interesting to note we see a similar situation and a very different result early in the reign of King Saul.  Saul was the king and his demeanour was self-assured and domineering - even with God.  1 Samuel 14:19 says, "Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."  Looking at the situation by sight, Saul made an executive decision to act.  Trusting his own senses, he did not value or desire insight from God.  Such a person who walks by sight or reacts to the movements of the enemy should not expect an answer from the LORD.

In your prayer life, are you intentional to ask a definite question and actively wait on the LORD for a definite answer, confirming His revealed will through His Word?  Proverbs 18:13 explains the result of those who speak presumptuously when they only know half the story:  "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him."  The same is true for those who act presumptuously, responding to what they see or hear.  We ought to patiently, humble ourselves as David before the Almighty God who has wisdom and insight to impart to all who fear and obey Him.

We do not need an ephod, the Urim and Thummim, or any sanctified relic to gain an audience with God, for Jesus Christ is our High Priest who lives to intercede with the Father on our behalf.  We have been given the Holy Spirit who dwells in our hearts and guides us into all truth. The Holy Spirit will not tell us everything, but He will tell us enough and empower us to fulfil our duty before God in all He requires of us.  We often have not because we ask not.  We have cast our cares, poured out our complaints, and we might even tell God what we want Him to do.  But if we do not ask intending to obey whatever He says, we should not expect an answer.

May followers of Jesus Christ indeed seek Him, for He is for us wisdom.  When our view is obscured may we be reminded of our desperate need for His insight and guidance through life, and as we patiently heed His Word we might honour and glorify Him all our days.

Infallible Proofs

I appreciate a person who "says it like it is," a straight-shooter who does not hint or allude to the truth but boldly speaks it.  Every man has his flaws and makes mistakes, but there should be no doubt about what he believes.  In this increasingly subjective and politically-correct age, people are wary of being transparent with their beliefs.  The problem often isn't a lack of thinking before speaking, but of thinking so much we stop short of saying what we really think.  This hollowed version of truth does little to present a viable consideration for belief.

One thing I love about the Bible is the objective nature of it.  It states how things were, are, and will be.  Nature itself is governed by laws which cannot be broken.  There are absolutes which are unchanging, and to alter these absolutes even a fraction (not that man has this capacity) would mean utter catastrophe.  There are facts governing this world we inhabit, and one of the greatest facts is it has been created by God to be as it is.  There is much evidence which points to this fact, though the evidence is hotly contested and debated.

There is a difference between facts and evidence.  It is very fashionable to cite evidence as fact when evidence can only point to or support a fact.  Evidence can be lost, corrupted, forgotten, or ignored, but the fact remains unchallenged:  it simply is.  When God identified Himself to Moses, He said "I AM THAT I AM" in Exodus 3:14.  God has plainly stated in the Bible He is the unchanging, everlasting God, the Creator of the heavens, earth, and all that is in them.  His existence is the ultimate fact, and the evidence is all around us.  "Don't confuse me with the facts," some say in jest, and if men will be honest they must admit they have at times promoted personal opinion as fact.

The facts concerning Jesus Christ have eternal ramifications.  Luke began the book of Acts in this fashion:  "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ² until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ³ to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." (Acts 1:1-3)  Jesus was a man born of a virgin who went about preaching concerning the kingdom of God, healing people of incurable diseases, even raising the dead to life.  He was accused by the Jews, crucified by the Romans, and was buried in a tomb for three days.  Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to hundreds of eye-witnesses and supplied many "infallible proofs" of His identity (and He was indeed alive) over the course of 40 days.

Something that is "infallible" means it is absolutely certain, a matter of fact beyond debate - in the case of Jesus Christ's resurrection, it is a fact corroborated by hundreds of witnesses.  Jesus rose from the dead, and there is ample evidence to support it.  And this is the rub:  facts alone are not sufficient to generate belief, for faith is a matter of the mind and the will.  Upon hearing of Christ's resurrection His enemies did not repent of their unbelief and admit He was the Messiah.  They were hardened in unbelief, and this kind of unbelief in spite of infallible proof remains to this day.  I believe unbelief is common to all men, for a man may believe Jesus rose from the dead but doubt Neil Armstrong or Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon.  There is great evidence to support these facts, but it doesn't mean everyone believes.

Have you considered the infallible proofs Luke spoke of concerning Jesus Christ?  If the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus are all true, these facts are more practical than Newton's Laws and infinitely more revolutionary than rocket science.  Jesus claimed to be the Resurrection and the Life, and His overcoming of death as He promised confirms He is the only way to heaven and eternal life.  The Bible lays out infallible proofs which compel men to pay homage to God to whom all glory is due.  We can be easily deceived, and the scripture guides us into the light of God's truth.  This is a fact, and the evidence of transformed lives and peace despite trials among God's people is all around.  The weight of evidence supplied in the Bible concerning Jesus Christ is staggering, those willing to consider it can be forever changed.

Belonging to God

"And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

Acts 27:22-24

I was greatly encouraged to hear Paul describe his relation to God as "to whom I belong and whom I serve."  People often try to "fit in," and even when these efforts seem successful it is a far cry from belonging.  Paul had been purchased with the blood of Jesus and his life was not his own, but he was not only a servant:  he eternally belonged to God.

Paul was able to encourage his fellow shipmates in the midst of a raging tempest not to lose heart, for the God to whom he belonged had sent a message of deliverance.  God sent the message first to encourage Paul and also for the benefit of the crew.  Many of those men addressed by Paul were criminals and condemned, and Paul in one sense didn't belong there.  He was innocent of all false accusations levelled at him, but he found himself on a ship driven to disaster by a great storm.  Since Paul belonged to God, however, God was with him.  God heard his prayers and not only would save all on board at his request, but also sent an angel to confirm it.

Many people wade through this life on earth lacking the sense of belonging anywhere.  They do not feel comfortable or at ease among crowds, or feel out of place among even family or acquaintances.  There is a yearning within a person which desires more than superficial acceptance but that of belonging - a longing to be with or even be someone he knows he is not.  It is hard to put into words, but it is like an emptiness, a scratch which cannot be pinpointed, a hunger which gnaws at the soul.  This longing for belonging in all people can only be permanently satisfied through a relationship with the eternal, Living God.  Belonging to God provides assurance of truth, wisdom, and a future which the greatest storms cannot destroy.

Belonging to God has nothing to do with geography, people, or plans, but is the reality discovered through receiving the Gospel.  Paul belonged to God, but he was no holy hermit:  we see demonstrated in his life a profound love for people.  Wherever he went it seemed there were brethren he sought to encourage and was strengthened by fellowship.  Even on a sinking vessel he took heart because He belonged to God who spoke to him and would save him.  This provides great consolation for all:  those adrift in life can belong to God through faith, and those who have received the Gospel ought to remember and rejoice that we belong!

Anti-Social Media

Several years ago I went to a cricket test match for the first time.  I was struck by the number of warnings against "antisocial behaviour" at the Sydney Cricket Ground which said all who persisted in such behaviour would be removed from the venue.  Acts of violence, drunken or disorderly conduct, obscene language or threats directed at others, basically any hostility towards other patrons was not permitted.  There is an amount of drinking and sledging (good-natured ribbing) at any cricket match, but it was only permitted in the spirit of the game without becoming "antisocial."

There are no such rules governing the use of social media, which I have found to be growing increasingly antisocial in every way.  What was once a novel and useful tool to connect people has been leveraged to drive people apart.  It used to be in social gatherings common courtesy and polite to avoid camping on emotionally charged subjects (politics and religion were often cited as chief offenders), but it seems these and other controversial subjects are social media mainstays.  Considering the feelings of others seems out of fashion because self-expression reigns supreme.  As useful as it can be, I have found social media (Facebook in particular) to be increasingly politicised and so utilised as marketing to the point almost all personal connection is lost.  Beyond that, comments have become a wasteland given over to the trolls who shamelessly soil every page and person they trample on.

I believe social media can be a valuable tool, but it cannot ever replace a simple conversation.  The Apostle John didn't have Facebook, but he recognised the value of meeting people face to face.  Several times in his letters he expressed his desire not only to write with paper and ink, but to meet in person.  Based upon the correspondence and character of the man it seems he wrote to encourage and exhort fellow believers, not to argue with or shout down those who worshipped Jupiter or Zeus.  Have you considered what purpose social media serves for you?  It must serve a useful purpose for you, not the other way around.  There is no peace for those who become slaves of social media, for it can be a very demanding and harsh master.

With the best intentions I believe Christians can be sucked into useless debates and arguments which do not edify nor impart grace to those involved.  I am convinced it is better for us to stand firm in the faith and give an answer for the hope that is in us rather than pushing back against all error.  God forbid I would come across as "antisocial" when my motive for social involvement in a discussion is the good of others!  Alas, helpful intentions are not easily conveyed with written words using social media, especially concerning emotionally-charged subjects.  If we browse through a Facebook feed without the armour of God, all manner of snares and temptations parade before us.  It is only by God's grace we can prayerfully navigate them, speaking the truth in love.  Let us encourage with gracious words, extending favour without suspicion or hate.  May we be above reproach in what we say and do in all our social connections, online or in person!

The Hope of the Gospel

Recently I heard of a young woman's passing at the age of 21.  Cancer previously in remission came back with a vengeance, and her graduation to glory was sudden and unexpected.  The only solace her friends have in this time of loss is the knowledge this woman chose to place her faith in Jesus Christ, having received the Gospel which saves to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25).

A mate of mine who knew her well spoke about his grieving process, how his mind went to their last interactions, his sorrow and tears.  He thought about how in her brief life there are many things she never had the opportunity to experience:  to graduate from university, to be married, bear children, or own a home.  Despite the sadness, he was able to discover joy in the knowledge her days of pain are over for good, for she had a hope in the Gospel which is greater than a cure for cancer.  Because of the assurance provided in the Bible through Jesus, this dear girl now rejoices in the arms of her loving Saviour and lives unfettered by illness or pain forever.

It struck me:  even if our days on earth be few, no life is "cut short" after being born again through faith in Jesus Christ.  There is nothing more this woman can do on earth, but she made a decision and lived a life which counted for all eternity.  Marriages end, children move away, and houses burn to ash, but those who repent and trust in Jesus have eternal security and have accomplished all that matters.  "The LORD took her away at work," my friend said.  It is immensely painful for all who remain behind, but I am convinced the one taken up in the arms of Jesus is not at all sorrowful.  Our Saviour wept when He was brought to the tomb of Lazarus, but mourning was turned to joy because He is the Resurrection and the Life.

Cultivating Receptivity

I have been reading through Tozer's Pursuit of God and have found it insightful and thought-provoking.  I like a man who does not only point out problems but holds forth the biblical solution.  While there is no shortage of self-proclaimed watchmen these days, those who cultivate the presence of God are surprisingly few.  After acknowledging the reality of God and our need for utter dependence upon the Holy Spirit, Tozer follows it up with the responsibility of man to labour to seek God and be receptive to His voice.  I find this convicting because of my own lame efforts yet encouraging at the same time because of the assurance provided by God in His Word.  Tozer wrote:

"Receptivity is not a single thing; it is a compound rather, a blending of several elements within the soul.  It is an affinity for, a bent toward, a sympathetic response to, a desire to have.  From this it may be gathered that it can be present in degrees, that we may have little or more or less, depending upon the individual.  It may increased by exercise or destroyed by neglect.  It is not a sovereign and irresistible force which comes upon us as a seizure from above.  It is a gift of God, indeed, but one which must be recognized and cultivated as any other gift if it is to realize the purpose for which it was given.

Failure to see this is the cause of a very serious breakdown in modern evangelicalism.  The idea of cultivation and exercise, so dear to the saints of old, has now no place in our total religious picture.  It is too slow, too common.  We now demand glamour and fast flowing dramatic action.  A generation of Christians reared among push buttons and automatic machines is impatient of slower and less direct methods of reaching their goals.  We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God.  We read our chapter, have our short devotions and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.

The tragic results of this spirit are all about us.  Shallow lives, holy religious philosophies, the preponderance of the element of fun in gospel meetings, the glorification of men, trust in religious externalities, quasi-religious fellowships, salesmanship methods, the mistaking of dynamic personality for the power of the Spirit; these and such as these are the symptoms of an evil disease, a deep and serious malady of the soul.

For this great sickness that is upon us no one person is responsible, and no Christian is wholly free from blame.  We have all contributed, directly or indirectly, to this sad state of affairs.  We have been too blind to see, or too timid to speak out, or too self-satisfied to desire anything better than the poor average diet with which others appear satisfied.  To put in differently, we have accepted on another's notions, copied one another's lives and made one another's experiences the model for our own.  And for a generation the trend has been downward.  Now we have reached a low place of sand and burnt wire grass and, worst of all, we have made the Word of Truth conform to our experience and accepted this low plane as the very pasture of the blessed...

What God in His sovereignty may yet do on a world-scale I do not claim to know:  but what He will do for the plain man or woman who seeks His face I believe I do know and can tell others.  Let any man turn to God in earnest, let him begin to exercise himself unto godliness, let him seek to develop his powers of spiritual receptivity by trust and obedience and humility, and the results will exceed anything he may have hoped in his leaner and weaker days.  Any man who by repentance and a sincere return to God will break himself out of the mold in which he has been held, and will go to the Bible itself for his spiritual standards, will be delighted with what he finds there." (Tozer, A. and Snyder, J. (2017). The Essential Tozer Collection. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, pp.67-69.)

When Wisdom Laughs

Wisdom is no good to us when unheeded.  In the book of Proverbs, Wisdom is personified as a woman calling aloud to all who will listen.  She raised her voice in the city gates and main thoroughfares, reproving the foolish and the scorner.  There is great grace in her boisterous approach, for she sought out and addressed people who were unlikely to listen.  It seems for the most part Wisdom's voice was ignored and scorned by those she warned and instructed.

Her response to their stubborn folly is revealed in Proverbs 1:24-31:  "Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, ²⁵ because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebuke, ²⁶ I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, ²⁷ when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. ²⁸ "Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. ²⁹ Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, ³⁰ they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. ³¹ therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies."

As a farmer reaps what he sows, so those who do not fear God and follow their own ways will reap calamity, terror, destruction, distress, and anguish.  Even as the type of seed sown dictates what kind of crop is produced, our response to God's call, counsel, and rebuke has real consequences in our lives. Should we mock and laugh at the stern warnings of Wisdom, Wisdom will laugh when the trouble she warned them about comes upon us.  Those who despise Wisdom will find themselves without aid in trouble.  I am amazed how Jesus has become for Christians wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30-31) and it is His voice we are to heed.  If we hear and obey His words, we are compared to a wise man who builds his house upon the rock.  When the storm hits we will be secure and protected; we are the ones who can laugh at the storm because Wisdom prepared and preserves us.  When Wisdom laughs at you, that is no laughing matter.

The Rock of the Divisions

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Psalm 18:2

After David fled from Saul, he was relentlessly pursued by the king and his mighty men.  David was convinced there was but a step between him and death, and so David hid in the wilderness.  There is a remarkable account in 1 Samuel 23 when David and his men were on one side of a mountain, and King Saul and his men were on the other side.  When it seemed certain David would be discovered, word was hastily brought to King Saul that the Philistines had invaded and he immediately called off the pursuit.  1 Samuel 23:28-29 reads in the KJV, "Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. ²⁹ And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi."

God was David's rock, his fortress, deliverer, strength, salvation, and stronghold.  The Strong's concordance defines Selahammahlekoth as, "rock of the divisions."  Hearkening to what Jesus said about the wise man building his house upon the rock, we might think the rock of salvation is limited to a foundation.  Yet in David's case, the rock or mountain protected David by dividing the two companies on either side, a barrier which made attack impossible.  This reminds me of how God makes a distinction between those loyal to Him and everyone else.  Jesus spoke concerning the Day of Judgment and how God will divide people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats:  those who love and fear Him will be preserved for eternal life, and those who hate Him will face eternal destruction.

It is a great comfort to know God protects His people today, even as He delivered David from Saul's schemes.  Satan prowls about like a lion seeking whom he may devour, but God is our Rock and Deliverer.  David went from Selahammahlekoth to Engedi, a beautiful oasis with many caves and strongholds.  It is a lovely picture of how God is able to protect and provide for the needs of His people; He was as the rock which divided David from Saul thus preserving him, and He was as the springs and strongholds of Engedi, supplying living water, protection, and solace from assault.

David concluded his song extolling the greatness of God.  Psalm 18:46-50 reads, "The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. ⁴⁷ It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. ⁴⁸ He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. ⁴⁹ Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. ⁵⁰ Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore."  Let us praise and thank the LORD for His deliverance and mercy, and having been adopted into God's family through the Gospel we are partakers!

Waterfall in Engedi, 2014

My Good News

I find it exciting when someone I know has good news they want to share with me.  When I hear of a new job, buying a house, a proposal of marriage, or the birth of a child, those are all exciting times.  Seeing other people excited about most anything grabs my interest, and though what excites them may not directly affect me, I can be happy with them.

Now it is another story when someone says, "I have some good news for you."  Immediately I find myself on the defensive, wondering what product they will pitch or what they want from me.  Please, not another "pyramid scheme" that isn't one!  When I see someone excited about a book, product, diet, or deal, it is my prerogative to decide if it is good news for me or not.  Should a stranger tell me they have good news for me without even knowing me, their enthusiasm seems fake and their assertion presumptuous.  How could they possibly make such a claim?  I am not interested in your pamphlets, thank you.

As Christians, we have the Good News of Jesus Christ to share with the world.  If you were to weigh the Gospel against a job promotion, winning the lottery or a premiership, or receiving news you are going to be a parent or grandparent, there is really no comparison:  the Gospel outshines them all in eternal glory.  The Gospel and the love of God is forever, truly the greatest news imaginable.  This should thrill us!  Forget Disneyland for a weekend:  we are going to heaven forever!  The question is, are we as excited about heaven and being in the presence of God forever as we are about temporal things?  Well, not usually.

How good it is when we are genuinely excited about our salvation!  When we have good news to share our excitement draws the interest of others.  Instead of being mournful no one seems to care about the Gospel, shouldn't we openly express our excitement about our Good News - like we would any other news we are simply dying to share?  How many times have I been excited about a book and by the end of the conversation people said, "Man, that sounds amazing.  I think I'll check it out."  Whether they actually read it or not is another story, but excitement is infectious.  Would to God people I talk to will look into the Gospel for themselves!  I have realised I have made the mistake of pitching the Gospel as "good news for you" instead of simply gushing over it because it is my good news.

We have the freedom and the right to be excited, Christian!  We are going to heaven to be with our Saviour forever, and what an incredible privilege and honour it is to know Him today! 

Forever Friends

"Then Jonathan said to David, "Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, 'May the LORD be between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants, forever.' " So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city."

1 Samuel 20:42

When I read this verse, it struck me how God changes our perspective of life entirely:  He enables us to view life through the lens of eternity.  Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship before God, an expression of love and loyalty beyond life on earth.  It is remarkable how marriage ordained by God between a man and a woman ends when "death do us part," yet those who born again through faith in Jesus Christ will experience forever friendship.

David was forced to flee because of King Saul's murderous madness.  Yet David and Jonathan took solace that as men who feared the Almighty God who lives forever, the distance which separated them was only temporary.  Time apart could not compare to eternity.  The LORD had brought them together as friends, and He would bring and keep them together as well.  Having immigrated internationally, I am joyful in knowing friendship I have with those who are born-again will endure forever.  Jesus called His disciples friends (John 15:15), and every friend of Christ is mine as well.  What great joy there is in enduring friendship, not only on this planet but forever in the LORD's presence!

Jonathan bid David to "Go in peace," and all who have discovered peace through faith in Jesus Christ can also abide in it.  All who have friends will eventually find themselves separated by distance or the death of the body, but we can have peace knowing we will meet again in the best circumstances, in the heavenly embrace of God without the shackles of time or other earthly constraints.  "We will meet again" people say hopefully, yet fellow followers of Jesus know this with all our certainty of salvation.  Death is swallowed up in victory, and the sting is gone.  Shouldn't this cause us to rejoice in our eternal Saviour?  

Real Windex

Thinking back, the Windex at church had looked strange for a couple weeks - a bit cloudy and not as blue as usual.  Then I saw a streaky glass window I know I had recently cleaned.  Something was up.  As I compared the cleaning product in the Windex bottle to the refill, I saw the problem:  someone (and that someone likely was me) had mistakenly poured similar looking surface cleaner into the Windex bottle!  That explained why the Windex looked different, and being a product not made for glass it did not perform as expected.  I am happy to say the cleaning crisis is over, as there is now real Windex in the Windex bottle.

For a week or two I thought I was using Windex because of the professional label on the spray bottle, but the poor results on glass alerted me something was amiss.  It reminds me of the warning Jesus provided us in Matthew 7:15-20: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Therefore by their fruits you will know them."  Many people claim to speak truth from God, but not all who make this claim are legitimate.  Even as a tree is known by its fruit, so genuine prophets of God will speak words which align with God's Word.

All believers, regardless of role or calling, ought to ensure our words and claims of truth do not go beyond what scripture has said.  God's Word is compared to a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).  We need the light of God's Word without man's filters, for they dim and obscure God's clear meaning to accommodate the wisdom of men.  A wolf's growl sounds nothing like the bleat of a sheep, but looks can be deceiving.  For weeks I thought I was using Windex because I didn't take the time to examine the contents of the spray bottle, and often we can believe false teaching is true because we have not carefully examined it ourselves in light of God's Word.  The results of erroneous belief are far more disastrous than streaky glass, and far more difficult to rectify.

May we be as the Jews to whom Paul preached in Berea mentioned in Acts 17:11-12:  "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. ¹² Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men."  The Jews in the synagogue in Berea received the word with all readiness, but also searched the scriptures daily.  They were not suspicious or cynical when hearing an unfamiliar preacher but were willing to receive.  They diligently researched the claims of Paul, and when confirmed many of Jews and Greeks believed.  Faith in a preacher or prophet is a weak foundation, but the faith in the Word of God provides an eternal foundation.  When we build our lives upon Jesus Christ and His Word, the result is eternal life and continual revelation.  

A Key to Spiritual Growth

Something simple James Edwin Orr said in a sermon about spiritual growth always stuck with me:  "If you don't obey, you don't grow."  Spiritual maturity comes through obedience to God in what we already know rather than learning something new.  New things have their allure, but often new things are not necessary.  Take golf clubs, for example.  I have played with people who constantly tinker with their equipment instead of taking lessons to learn how to hit the ball properly.  They hope buying a new driver or new shafts will help their game instead of focusing on developing a game with the decent clubs they already have.  They always seem to have a new club in the bag but perpetually shoot the same old score.  A new club does not eliminate the need for practice, and reading a new Christian book or listening to a sermon will not grant instant maturity.

As believers, we can imagine spiritual growth is facilitated by the discovery of new truth, experience, or gift of the Holy Spirit.  Of writing books there is no end, and there is no shortage of people happy to put a new spin on scripture.  There is more information readily accessible today than ever before.  At our church years ago we had a "Tape Lending Library" where the pastor's sermon was copied onto a cassette tape, was checked out for the week, erased, and the following week a new copy was made.  Today there are hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of new sermons and podcasts available online every week.  Does it mean people are growing?  Listening to more sermons isn't the key to growth, but putting into practice even one thing God showed you through His Word today.

We mature and grow most spiritually when we commit to doing fundamental things better.  Professional athletes illustrate this well.  A quality cricketer enlists the help of coaches to play cricket at the highest possible level – not to switch from cricket to chess or powerlifting.  It is phenomenally rare (based on my observation) for an athlete to reach elite professional status without coaching along the way.  Even the very best rely on coaches who know their game to scrutinise their form, put them through drills, assist with diet, all to elevate their game.  There are some quality multi-sport athletes, but if an athlete were to abandon the fundamentals of a sport under the guise of advancement, their skills would ultimately erode.  During seasons of slumps and struggles, going back to the basics is key to becoming the best player possible.

For Christians, the good-old Gospel saves us as truly now as it ever did before, and maturity comes when we actually start believing and trusting it more.  To grow we do not need more books or sermons (useful and good as these things are) but to read the Bible ourselves and obey what God says, to do the things we already know are true.  We do not move beyond prayer because it is basic but should pray more faithfully.  Jesus gave the command we are to love one another as He has loved us, and notice the disciples did not immediately say, “And?  What next?”  Love is the fulfiment of the entire Law.  Learning new things is amazing, for God has given us the joy of discovery and the capacity to grow.  The key to spiritual growth is obeying God in what you already know.  Be faithful in the basics and who knows what God will teach you!  He undoubtedly will.

God and Evil Spirits

It is mind-blowing the things God does and the way He chooses to do them.  Though God has made Himself known to men, He is past finding out and His ways are higher than ours.  The Almighty God is infinitely greater in power and wisdom than any created being.  God's wisdom is revealed to us through the Bible and Jesus Christ, wisdom no spirits or men have known.  Paul expressed in 1 Corinthians 2:8 if the rulers of darkness realised God's plan of salvation would come through Christ's death on Calvary, they would not have sought to kill Him!

God's people in scripture were often baffled by the ways God used in chastening them.  They could not believe God would use the Assyrians or Babylonians to lay waste to Israel, destroy the Temple, and to take captive God's own people.  How could a righteous God employ such wicked nations to accomplish His will?  The truth is, God's people had adopted the wicked practices of the surrounding nations in violation of His law and the covenant they made with God.  They had departed from God, and so He delivered them into the hands of their enemies.  God allowed His own people to fall prey to the nations who practised these abominations, knowing He would judge all transgressors according to their works.  There would be a redemptive aspect of captivity, painful and brutal though it was:  He would see them purified, established, and restored as a nation loyal to God once more.

The dealings of God with nations and individuals can have striking similarities.  King Saul was a man chosen out of all the people of Israel to be anointed as king.  He was a man to whom God gave a new heart, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and prophesied with the prophets.  Tragically it was not long until king Saul was lifted up with pride, rebelled against the word of the LORD, and refused to obey.  God spoke through the prophet Samuel:  because Saul had rejected Him, He had rejected Saul as king.  God would choose a man after His own heart, David the son of Jesse.  When David was anointed the Holy Spirit came upon him, and an evil spirit from God came upon Saul - quite a contrast!  1 Samuel 16:14 makes this clear:  "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him."  You might think, wait a minute!  How can a holy God send an evil spirit?  However He wants to.

Saul had been rejected as king, but God never said He rejected him as a descendent of Israel or a partaker of the covenant of God.  Saul rejected the word of the LORD, so God stopped speaking to him.  He sent an evil spirit to chasten him, to reveal the desperate state he was in.  By the way, this is not a unique incident.  There are other times when God employed an evil spirit to trouble or confound those who did wickedly.  Judges 9:23 tells us, "God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech..."  Also God sent a lying spirit to speak through the mouths of Ahab's false prophets (1 Kings 22:23; 2 Chron. 18:22).  There is a principle which is true in both in the natural and spiritual realms:  you reap what you sow.  In all these cases wicked men were visited with wicked spirits intent on their destruction.  I believe this can be true today - even concerning God's people.  If we give heed to lies of the devil, we should not be surprised if we find ourselves troubled by him.

Amazingly, the servants of Saul were perceptive of the problem.  They recognised straight away Saul was troubled by an evil spirit sent by God!  Unfortunately they did not urge Saul to repent or seek the LORD, but suggested they find a skilled musician to calm him.  Would you believe it was David they chose, a man filled with the Spirit of God?  It turned out to be an effective treatment in the short term, yet this began the downward spiral of Saul's life which was profound and disastrous.  He tried to pin David to the wall with a spear, became increasingly surly and suspicious, killed all the priests of God in Nob he deemed disloyal to him, sought the counsel of a medium, and fearfully took his own life on Mt. Gilboa.  Saul had opened himself up to satanic assault through pride and rebellion against God, and without the Holy Spirit he was without defence or help in time of need.

Let all those redeemed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ take note and do not do wickedly as Saul did in departing from the Almighty God.  Jesus will never leave or forsake us, but we can surely leave and forsake Him.  If we are stubborn in this rebellious choice, we open ourselves up to spiritual bondage and captivity - just like king Saul or the children of Israel.  God is willing the temple of our bodies be destroyed so our souls can be saved (1 Cor. 5:5).  Praise the LORD we have more than a musician in God, more than soothing sounds for our ears, but deliverance, redemption, and salvation through Jesus Christ when we humbly repent and trust Him.  All glory to God, whose ways are higher than ours!

Heaven, A Liquid Asset

The assurance Christians have of eternal life through the Gospel ought to impact the way we live now.  Since God has made provision for our future, it stands to reason He will preserve us today.  For followers of Jesus Christ eternal life has already begun, and we can be rid of the cares and worries of this life which potentially plague us with fear.

Eternal life in heaven for some believers could be compared to life savings which remain untouched, an expensive insurance policy which has never been claimed on, or a immense financial investment which currently is a non-liquid asset.  Eternal life is typically (speaking from my own experience a bit) can be seen as something afar off and not quite useful for our experience of daily life.  More and more I am learning that eternal life is altogether relevant for today, a liquid asset we can draw upon to help our perspective remain fixed upon Christ.

Life was not intended by God to be theoretical or philosophical but real and abundant.  The life we have through Jesus Christ is one to be lived boldly today, not only in a heavenly land in the unknown or distant future.  Today we can draw upon the fact God knows us and we know Him; that God loves us and we love Him.  This knowledge should be the framework of our decisions.  We do not need to worry about what we are going to eat or what clothes we should wear because God has us covered for eternity.  He has provided for the birds of the air and beasts of the field, and He will continue providing for us today, tomorrow and forever - though our faith is small.

Do you know you have eternal life?  Have you receive the assurance God offers through His Word of a secure future with Him forever?  Are you drawing upon this reality as days trickle into weeks, months, and years?  Let us be sure we do not glory in our security or heavenly future, for God is the only One deserving of our confidence and trust.  Take the words of Jeremiah 9:23-24 to heart:  "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches;²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."  This is eternal truth we can walk in today!

Pleasing Our Saviour

People are notoriously difficult to please.  Give someone what they want, and they can still end up dissatisfied.  Whilst it is true some are easier to please than others, we all tend to be upset when our expectations are not met.  When we don't receive what we expect - be it service or quality we believe we have paid for - it leads to ungrateful, bitter attitudes.

The children of Israel provide an example of this after they demanded Samuel anoint them a king to rule over them like the other nations.  1 Samuel 10:24-27 reads, "And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?" So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!" ²⁵ Then Samuel explained to the people the behaviour of royalty, and wrote it in a book and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. ²⁶ And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched. ²⁷ But some rebels said, "How can this man save us?" So they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace."  After it was revealed Saul of the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, a man who stood a head taller than all others, not everyone was pleased.  They were granted their wish of having a king, but they weren't pleased with the king God had given them.  Maybe they had hoped to be king (or at least a man from their tribe) and were a bit sour about it!  This shows the desire for a king was not so much about God's selection of king but a symptom of hearts which had departed from trusting God.

The LORD graciously touched the hearts of valiant men to accompany their king, who served and honoured him.  King Saul was pleased to have valiant men who respected and offered themselves to help him.  Wicked men spoke against the king and questioned his ability to save them.  This brings us back to the reason the people asked for a king:  they wanted someone to fight for them, to lead them in and out of battle.  These men wanted a saviour; they were not interested to serve a ruler.  This perspective relates well to our day.  I would say most people are happy to be saved, glad to go to heaven if it exists, interested to be blessed, but are skeptical to lay down their lives to serve Jesus Christ.  They are fine with a Saviour but are not interested to sacrifice themselves in obedience to Him.

The rebels refused to give Saul gifts, yet Saul held his peace.  Later in his reign he would have taken severe and immediate action!  Jesus is the King of Kings and He holds His peace, patiently and graciously waiting for people to repent of their sins and follow Him as Saviour and LORD.  A day will come when Jesus will take vengeance on His enemies, but those whose hearts have been touched and transformed to follow Him will be preserved and protected.  Some wonder how Jesus can save sinners, but He has proved His love and power through His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.  As He rose from the dead so we will be raised with Him and enter into the joy of the LORD.  Let us give Him the gift of our faithful service, for He is the valiant one.  In all who love the Son the Father is well-pleased.

The Dwelling Place of God

It is amazing how God has graced mere men with His presence.  God has made a way for us to enter into His presence, and for His presence to dwell in us through the Holy Spirit.  Paul wrote of what Jesus accomplished in Ephesians 2:18-22:  "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."  Along with all followers of Christ, we are individually and collectively a dwelling place of God.

How remarkable, that God would dwell with and in men!  For all who have tasted and have seen God is good forever changes the way we relate to God and others.  A.W. Tozer wrote of the importance of recognising and cultivating the presence of God in his book The Pursuit of God: "Ransomed men need no longer pause in fear to enter the Holy of Holies.  God wills that we should push on into His presence and live our whole life there.  This is to be known to us in conscious experience.  It is more than a doctrine to be held; it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day...The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of His Presence.  The instant cure of most of our religious ills would be to enter the Presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and that God is in us."  (Tozer, A. W., The Pursuit of God. WingSpread Publishers, 2006. pages 34; 36.)

So how do we "push on into His presence?"  We like clear checklists for these questions, but God does not provide them for our convenience.  It is not done with the blood of bulls or rams but by the blood of Jesus Christ by faith in Him.  Often seeking God begins with choosing to leave or lay aside something else.  God promised the children of Israel who returned from captivity in Jeremiah 29:12-13:  "Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."  This principle is true throughout all scripture.  Paul said to the inquisitive men of Athens in Acts 17:27, "that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us..."  God is not only interested to be sought and found, but for people to know Him.  Pursuit is a relatively short phase in earthly relationships, but the Christian's pursuit of God is to be a continual action which marks all lives of God's faithful followers.  The more we pursue Him the more we find and know Him, and the more we know Him the more we want to pursue Him.

Let us not assume this pursuit of God ends when the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts.  It is then when we can commune with God in earnest.  The Holy of Holies was unapproachable by all but the High Priest on the appointed day, but Jesus has made a way for us to enter God's presence to find grace and help in time of any need.  Is there ever a time when we are not needy?  God avails Himself to those who beg for help; He will feed the hungry and quench the thirsty.  He will grant wisdom to those who sense they lack it and humbly seek Him.  When speaking of abiding in the presence of God it is not so much "How To" that is needed but "Will I?"  God has chosen to make His habitation in people who fear Him.  Having invited Him in by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, let us also seek Him with our whole hearts.

Love Without Strings

One thing I find remarkable about God is the freedom of choice He grants to all people He has created.  Some wonder if God is loving because of what He allows, but it is precisely by allowing He shows His love and grace.  In this world overwhelmed with sin, hypocrisy, and hopelessness, it is the stark contrast of God's goodness which leads us to Him.

Remember the parable of the prodigal son?  The son demanded his inheritance of his father, and his father complied without complaint.  His father could have decided to "do what is best" for his son by denying his request, but in his generosity - knowing beforehand the poor decisions he would make with "his" money - the father gave the money and all rights to it to the son he loved.  That is a picture of what God has done in giving us life.  He gives life to people who will wrongly use it to hurt others and ruin themselves, but He freely gives life anyway.  It might be, like the prodigal son, when we are at our lowest point we will come to our senses and seek Him out.

God does not force those He loves to do His will, though they be His own children.  After the prophet Samuel's sons demonstrated they were not leadership material, the children of Israel demanded Samuel give them a king to rule over them.  Samuel was rightly upset by this request, for they were glad to substitute to have a man to rule them instead of God.  They wanted to be like all the other nations when God had made a covenant with them, delivered, provided, established, and fought for them.  After Samuel prayed to God, 1 Samuel 8:7 says, "And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them."  This is said by a God who has all power in heaven and in earth, who can annihilate His enemies in a moment, the One who discerns the hearts of men and could strike dead all who oppose Him.

People are chronically insecure.  We can feel uneasy because someone does not share our opinion or does something we do not condone.  God did not condone the request of His people, but He told Samuel to listen to everything they said - the same way God listened to everything His people had said.  He told Samuel to first warn the people of the consequences of this foolish decision, but if they did not heed He would grant them their request.  Do you have such confidence in God to refuse to force or manipulate others to do what you want?  God's love does not force others to do anything in return, and keeps loving when others pay it no mind.  How secure is God in His love and grace towards others!  As a husband, parent and friend it is a massive challenge to trust God and love as He does no matter what, to listen to others even when God's Word is not heeded.

After Samuel warned the people of the negative consequences of their choice to have a king 1 Samuel 8:19-22 says, "Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us, ²⁰ that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles." ²¹ And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. ²² So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city."  I am in awe that the God who has all power would submit to the poor choice of His people.  Couldn't God cite His love for His people to refuse such a request?  Men would, but not God.  I praise God for such love, for who can know it?  Our responsibility before God is to love others as He loves us, and let us not use love as an excuse to control. 

Labour Day Every Day

"My Father has been working until now, and I have been working."

- Jesus Christ, quoted from John 5:17

It is Labour Day in New South Wales, a welcome day of respite from labours.  That is not to say it isn't a good day for working - like washing the cars and vacuuming them.  Labour is work, and would you agree "work" has largely a negative connotation?  We say things like, "I had to work on the weekend" or say a decision created "extra work."  If we can manage with less work, most people are happy with the concept.

God has been working until now, Jesus was working, and it is fair to say a follower of Jesus should work too - and be happy and grateful for it.  After God created Adam, He put him to work keeping and tending the Garden of Eden.  It wasn't because God chose to delegate work He couldn't handle, but because work is something God does and loves to do.  No one made God work, but God has been working until now.  Kings can do as much or as little "work" as they want, and God had no problem creating work for Himself because it isn't hard for Him.  The work He starts He finishes.

Even at a young age, Jesus realised He had been given tasks by His heavenly Father.  After Jesus was found by Joseph and Mary in the Temple, Luke 2:49 records the works of Christ:  "And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"  These are the words of a young teenager who knew something many people never learn:  God is working until now, and we ought to joyfully work too.  There's nothing wrong with having a rest or a holiday, but work shouldn't be a four-letter word.  If "work" isn't something which pleases you, remember how God is working all the time.  As He works in us, when we cooperate He can also work through us.

Jesus, Our Cornerstone

C.H. Spurgeon wisely said concerning sceptics who prefer to remain sceptical, "Our business is not to supply men with arguments by informing them of difficulties...Unbelievers only 'glean their blunted shafts, and shoot them at the shield of truth again.' Our object is not to conquer them in logical encounters, but to save their souls." (Spurgeon, C. H. Lectures to my Students. Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan Publishing House, 1989. pg. 270)  Today I read a passage in 1 Samuel which illustrates this tendency to hold onto faulty ideas and idols well.

The Philistines had captured the ark of God in battle and placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon.  1 Samuel 5:3 says, "And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again."  During the night, the idol Dagon fell before the ark of God.  Instead of ditching their god which had eyes but could not see, they propped up the image again.  It was a strange thing Dagon had fallen, but the image would surely be secure due to their efforts.

The story then gets better.  1 Samuel 5:4 reads, "And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon's torso was left of it."  I wonder if the Philistines were surprised when they found Dagon smashed to bits when they entered the temple in the morning!  The KJV says only the stump of Dagon remained intact.  What a strange thing, that Dagon would again fall prostrate before the ark of the God of Israel!

1 Samuel 5:5 shows the sad folly of unbelief in God and His mighty power:  "Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day."  Instead of reverencing the God of Israel before whom their idol fell, they chose to honour the place where their idol fell and rid themselves of the ark of God.  Why didn't they reject their idol instead of God?  Our natural tendency is to be loyal to a fault, even to faulty ideas not supported in scripture.  Our faith in Christ and His Word is a most reasonable one, and though we do not know all things in knowing God we have His great wisdom at our disposal.

Instead of trusting in ideas or things of this world which ultimately will fall and fail, let us choose to place our faith on Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.  Jesus has proved His power over sin and death.  Not one who builds on this foundation will not be put to shame!  Jesus affirms in Luke 20:18, "Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!