Enabled to Stand

It all started like a regular day at church:  there was prayer, fellowship, and giving.  Things changed after a large financial gift was presented to the church leadership.  Instead of commendation, blessing, and acknowledgement, there was rebuke.  It was divinely revealed the man had only given a portion of what he claimed, and suddenly he fell down dead.  This was a day at church no one would ever forget, and three hours later it became even more crazy when the wife of the man also fell down dead in the congregation for lying to God.  This is a true story, and you can read about the demise of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts chapter 5.

The Bible says great fear came upon all those who heard these things, and the wise today still take notice.  After teaching this portion of scripture at church this weekend, I put myself in the place of a congregant in the church in Jerusalem.  How would I felt to see these sudden deaths for lying to the Holy Spirit?  Then I started thinking, what if something like this happened in church today?  What would be your response if this happened in your church on Sunday?  What would you tell your children who were eye-witnesses?  Would you keep going to that church, would you look for other church options, or would you quit going to church altogether?  Though the early church met from house to house, there was only one "Christian" church option in Jerusalem.  How might have this display of power affected you or your worship?

I cannot speak for you, but seeing Ananias and Sapphira fall down dead would not have put me off following Jesus or gathering to worship in Jerusalem.  The word of knowledge through Peter, the discernment provided by the Holy Spirit, and the power over life and death proved the presence of God was there.  As a lover of God, where else would you go?  Wonders, healings, and deliverance from evil spirits continued in the name of Jesus Christ by the apostles and believers, and people were added to the church continually.  Why?  Jesus alone has the words of life and only through faith in Jesus is forgiveness and salvation.  The God who kills can also make alive, and all who have been born again through the Gospel can rely upon the goodness, mercy, and grace of God forever.

It would not be long before persecution scattered the true church in Jerusalem across the globe.  New churches united in the name of Jesus sprang up in every place, having been grafted into the body of Christ.  Today we have the benefit of various expressions of faith and fellowship in Jesus Christ, and like nomads many believers drift from fellowship to fellowship looking for something.  If the words of life - the teaching of the Word of God - are absent, it should be no surprise if the power and presence of God is quiet.  Praise the LORD Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to fill every Christian, and even in a church gathering some might classify as "dead" there is new life ready to spring forth.  Let us be as those in the early church, brave pioneers who were glad to continue meeting even when people fell beside them.  Followers of Jesus can say with assurance, "A thousand may fall at my side but it will not come near me." (from Ps. 91:7)  As God enables us to stand, may we do so in purity, holiness, righteousness, and power.

The God Who Is

God is not like a person who conveys, "Do as I say but not as I do."  He is not like a parent who needs to apologise after doing or saying something they forbid of their children.  He is utterly consistent in His righteousness and purity.  His holiness reaches infinitely beyond our ability to ascertain, and He says truly of Himself:  "I am the LORD; I change not."

Romans 1:31 sums up the condition of a sinner worthy of death with five words which are the antithesis of the of character of God:  "undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful."  Having established His throne on righteousness, God is the source and sustainer of all life.  God is discerning, knowing all things.  He is absolutely trustworthy for He cannot tell a lie.  God is loving, demonstrating this reality by sending Jesus Christ to save sinners.  He is forgiving, a quality not found in men who nurse grudges and remember wrongs done against them.  He also delights to show mercy because He is merciful.  This is the God who was, is, and is to come.  He is our Creator and divine sovereign who is worthy to be worshipped and praised.

Though we have all been undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, and unmerciful, we sinners can be born again and sanctified by the grace of God.  The wickedness which marked our lives we cannot undo, yet God can make us new with a clean slate.  Because of the Holy Spirit who indwells us, our thoughts, motives, and ability to perceive spiritual truth begins to align more with His.  Naturally in us there is no good thing (Romans 7:18), and thus any attribute deemed good has been gifted by God to us.  How we need Him, and may we do more than appreciate Him:  let us praise Him, exalt Him, and honour Him now and forever.

Eyes Open to See

"And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

2 Kings 6:17

It seemed like a hopeless situation:  the Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan to bring Elisha to the king.  When the servant of Elisha saw they were surrounded by this great force he was overwhelmed.  He said, "Alas my master!  How shall we do?"  "Alas" is a word used to express pity, grief, or concern.  The servant of Elisha realised he and the inhabitants of the city were out of their depth given the tenuous situation, and given the circumstances it is likely most people would have panicked.

The perspective of Elisha was quite different than his servant.  Elisha didn't ask what they should do because he knew something his servant did not:  they were not alone or forsaken.  God was with them and had the situation completely in hand.  He said in 2 Kings 6:16, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant, and then he was divinely enabled to see the Syrian army was completely surrounded by horses and chariots of fire.  God could have laid waste to His enemies in a moment, yet He would have them live.  When the Syrians came to arrest Elisha they were struck blind and he led them to Samaria.  After feeding them he sent them on their way.

I wonder how many times we are lamenting an overwhelming situation like Elisha's servant when Jesus our Master has everything in hand?  How often have we been afraid because our eyes have been closed to God's promises and presence in our lives?  Walking by sight things seem impossible, yet with God all things are possible.  He has all knowledge and power at His disposal, and He is gracious to deliver and save.  This passage shows even those who rise up against God and His people benefit from His grace.  May God open our eyes to see we are never alone and can have complete confidence in the God who sees and knows all.

It is a little thing for Christians to perceive potential danger or opposition rising against us.  It is obvious we live in a world where there is great animosity against God and His people.  Those who know God and whose eyes have been opened to see remember those who are with us are more than those who are with them.  Elisha and his servant were two among countless foes, yet because God was with them they were the far stronger side.  Praise the LORD for this!

A Presence Regarded

Have you ever received a call you declined to take because it was a "private" number?  In the old days people would "screen" their calls by listening to the caller speak on their answering machine in real time:  if they wanted to take the call, they could.  But if it was a caller they would rather not talk to at the moment (or ever!), the machine ran interference.

This morning I read a passage which showed similar to how we screen calls, God in a sense screens prayers.  Those who do not fear or regard Him do not have the access and immediate response He gladly gives to those who trust and obey Him.  The situation is described in 2 Kings 3 when the king of Moab rebelled against Jehoram king of Israel.  Jehoram enlisted the aid of king Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom.  Of the three only Jehoshaphat feared the LORD.  When Jehoram blamed God for dooming their mission, Jehoshaphat suggested they inquire of the LORD and Elisha the prophet was summoned.

2 Kings 3:13-14 reads, "Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab." ¹⁴ And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you."  Elisha the prophet was a man who spoke for God, and idolatrous Jehoram nor the king of Edom were deemed worthy of an audience.  The presence of Jehoshaphat, on the other hand, was regarded by God.  Access to the glorious presence of the LORD cannot be earned but is happily granted by God to all who trust in Him.  The cries of the humble will be heard and answered by the Almighty God of Israel.

God was gracious to respond to the inquiry of Jehoshaphat in spite of the kings who he sat beside.  God's grace is even greater magnified by God's answer and action which would benefit them all by giving their cattle water and smiting the Moabites before them.  The requests of unbelievers went straight into the spam folder, but God honoured the presence of Jehoshaphat as a son in whom He was well pleased.  Who would you rather be:  to be one whose presence God regards or to be one He will not look at or see?  Do you want your prayers to be screened and silenced or to be likened to a call God immediately takes at any hour of day or night?  Those who regard God's presence will be gladly regarded by Him.

God, A Consuming Fire

Placing our faith in God ought to change our perspective.  If we believe God created all things seen and unseen, if everything has been made by Him which has been made, then He has authority and control over it all.  Things which appear impossible to us are possible with God, and insurmountable obstacles for us are no hindrance at all to our great God.  Every man and woman of God can be assured of God's protection, help, and power in every situation of life.

I was reminded today of when king Ahaziah sent a captain and his 50 to arrest Elijah and bring him before the king.  The backstory is the injured king had sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub (god of Ekron) if he would recover.  God took exception to this and sent a message by Elijah to condemn the king's act and inform him he would not recover but die.  The king was not pleased with God or Elijah speaking to him in this manner.  2 Kings 1:9-10 says, "Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty men. So he went up to him; and there he was, sitting on the top of a hill. And he spoke to him: "Man of God, the king has said, 'Come down!' " ¹⁰ So Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, "If I am a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men." And fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty."

The captain addressed Elijah as "Man of God," and given the situation this is most ironic.  If Elijah truly was a man of God, then there was indeed a God in Israel.  And if there is a God in Israel, why didn't the King inquire of Him - the One who was revealed to Amaziah's father Ahab and all Israel through Elijah calling fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel?  God's wisdom and insight was displayed in knowing when, where, and why Amaziah sent messengers.  Why didn't Amaziah honour God?  It seems Amaziah had forgotten that at the request of Elijah rain did not fall in Israel for three and a half years, and at his request God caused the rain to fall in torrents.  Since the king nor his men feared God, God gave the king an awesome display of His power by consuming his captain and fifty men in fire.

Undeterred, Amaziah sent a second captain with his 50 to Elijah, demanding he go with them.  Can you guess what happened?  They too were consumed with fire from heaven as the previous group.  Amaziah stubbornly sent a third group to fetch Elijah, but the demeanour of the captain was different than the previous two.  2 Kings 1:13-15 reads, "Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: "Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. ¹⁴ Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight." ¹⁵ And the angel of the LORD said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king."  The third captain went in obedience to his master, but he came humbly before Elijah and his God.  He begged for his life, acknowledging what God had done to the previous captains and their fifties.  God responded graciously by sparing the captain and his 50 and guided Elijah to go with the men without fear.

How fitting it is for us to acknowledge all God has done and humble ourselves before Him!  God already knew why the third captain had come and the orders he had been given by Amaziah.  The God who can withhold rain and cause fire to fall from heaven is worthy of honour and greatly to be feared.  Imagine a man demanding anything of God!  Are we in any position to make demands of God or to think we must inform Him of what is going on as if He didn't know?  What do we know?  As men and women of God we ought not to think it is our place to call fire down from heaven upon others, even upon those who hate or oppose God.  When the disciples James and John suggested they do this upon Samaritans who did not receive Jesus Luke 9:55-56 states, "But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." And they went to another village."

It is not for man to avenge himself or even to try to avenge God's honour, as if God needed any assistance from man to do so.  God has said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay."  He is King and will execute justice and judgment in the earth.  God's heart of love is seen in Christ who came to save lives, not destroy them.  He does not kill first but allows opportunity for men to humble themselves and repent.  Our God is love and also a consuming fire.  Those who humble themselves and acknowledge His sovereignty will experience His love and grace, but those who vaunt themselves against Him and proudly make demands will have another experience entirely - and those flames will never be quenched.

A Real Enemy

An enemy can be defined as one who is opposed to and hostile against another.  When King Saul realised the people cheered David, he was envious of the praise and saw him as a threat.  He became David's enemy and sought opportunity to kill him.  Murder lurked in the heart of the king who was lifted up with pride.  This unchecked pride led to other sins, such as consulting a medium for guidance when he had been tasked by God to rid the nation of such abominations.  Samuel's chilling response to Saul's inquiry include those found in 1 Samuel 28:16:  "Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy?"

Because Saul opposed the righteous judgments of God and sought to murder the one chosen and anointed by God to replace him, God also became Saul's enemy.  Most who have basic Bible knowledge realise the devil, Satan, is an adversary and enemy with whom Christians must contend.  What we may not understand is the principle when we make ourselves enemies of God, He will oppose us as an enemy.  He will discipline us, even as a father the son whom he loves.  Many times God delivered His beloved people into the hands of their enemies and placed them under oppression because of their unrepentant sin against Him.  The Almighty God who is our refuge can also be as a real enemy against us when we are lifted up with pride and oppose Him.

Still not convinced?  Consider the words of Isaiah 63:7-10 concerning His dealings with His people:  "I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD  and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. ⁸ For He said, "Surely they are My people, children who will not lie." So He became their Savior. ⁹ In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old. ¹⁰ But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy, and He fought against them."  God is loving to oppose His people when they work for their own ruin, and His opposition may actually be our salvation.

King Ahab reigned over the northern kingdom of Israel and did great evil in the sight of God.  For three and a half years God withheld rain so people would know He was the true God over all.  When King Ahab went to take possession of Naboth's vineyard after his wife Jezebel arranged his murder, the prophet of God Elijah was sent by God to speak with him.  1 Kings 21:20 says, "So Ahab said to Elijah, "Have you found me, O my enemy?" And he answered, "I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD..."  Ahab viewed Elijah, a man of God, as his enemy when in fact it was Ahab who was an enemy of God!  He fought against God and therefore God opposed Him.  How foolish this proved to be, for who can fight against God and win?

Paul was right to ask the rhetorical question in Romans 8:31:  "If God be for us, who can be against us?"  God is able to deliver us from all evil and trample our enemies under His feet.  Yet it is not by virtue of our new birth or faith in Christ that God is for us:  God is for everyone who believes Him and walks in righteousness.  If we live in sin we are presumptuous to think He will support or deliver us.  When we chose to oppose God and His righteousness, the one who works against us is God Himself.  The devil is not to blame for all that "goes wrong" in our lives, for God is able to graciously work for our redemption through them.  The question is not if God be for us, but are we living against Him?  Only a fool is fine to remain an enemy of God.

Speak the Word

"However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand."

Acts 4:4

A farmer who desires a harvest must first sow seed, and if we will see people converted to Jesus Christ we must preach the Word of God.  In the Parable of the Sower Jesus told, the seed represented the scripture sown into the hearts of listeners.  Some hearts were compared to a dusty footpath whilst others were prepared hearts where the Word of God produced much fruit.  After Peter healed a man in the name of Jesus Christ, he preached the Word to the people.  Many of them believed and became part of the Body of Christ, the church.

There is a quote commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (though there is no factual evidence I know to support this claim) which is, "Preach the Gospel by all means. If necessary, use words.”  Though this quote is not authentic, it is a quote commonly quoted because many people like it.  I believe many Christians support the idea that our actions are significant and words alone are not sufficient to convey the Gospel.  The concern I have with people latching onto the quote is it can be a cop-out of the responsibility we have as Christians to boldly speak forth the Word of God.  The Gospel cannot be conveyed without words, and God's Word in particular.

How will people hear if God's Word is never spoken?  I have been convicted lately how I have not been as vocal concerning the Gospel as I should be.  I run the risk of being known as a "decent bloke" without anyone knowing it is only through Christ living in me anyone could possibly arrive at this conclusion.  It does very little for the sake of God's kingdom to be loving, kind, generous, or compassionate unless there is a clear correlation between doing good, proclaiming Jesus, and being loyal to Him.  I seriously doubt someone who does not believe in God after observing kindness in another person would muse to themselves, "Maybe I am a sinner.  I need to repent and trust in Jesus to be saved."

Peter's deeds and words worked together to bring many people to salvation by faith in Jesus Christ.  We too must be filled with the Holy Spirit to be God's witnesses wherever we go, speaking boldly the truth of God's Word when we have a willing audience.  Let us not hide behind quotes (false ones at that) to justify our reluctance to speak forth God's Word.  If we will see people converted to faith in Jesus Christ, they must hear the Word of God.  How can they hear if no one will speak the Word?

God Dwells Among Us

"I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. ⁴⁶ And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God."

Exodus 29:45-46

The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, and God promised Moses His people would be set free.  He tasked Moses to deliver a message to Pharaoh, to let His people go to serve Him and offer sacrifices a three-day journey into the wilderness.  It seems as long as they served Pharaoh baking bricks and building his cities they could not properly serve God.  Serving God is an exclusive task for Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters."

God would bring His people out with a mighty hand and show His wondrous power to the world through great plagues.  Though Egypt was destroyed, God preserved His people in their land.  He spared His people the afflictions visited upon the unbelieving oppressors.  God's intent was to dwell among His people, but it was not fitting for Him to dwell among His people in an idolatrous nation.  He would birth the Jewish nation out of bondage in Egypt and then dwell among them.  He said, "And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them."

God knew and called His people unto Himself, and brought them out of Egypt so He might dwell among them.  The God who created the universe desired to dwell among people.  He wanted to be central in the lives of those He loved.  I find it remarkable God would choose to dwell in a tent in the midst of a stiff-necked people.  I find it even more unfathomable how God now has extended salvation to whosoever will come to Him in faith.  He desires to dwell within each of us.  That we would be filled with the presence of the Living God is beyond comprehension yet is realised through faith in Jesus Christ.  The children of Israel were not forced by God to leave Egypt, and no one is forced to leave a life of bondage to sin.  But if we desire fellowship with God leaving the old life marked by sin is necessary.

I am reminded of Paul's strong words in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18:  "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people." ¹⁷ Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you." ¹⁸ "I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty."  Jesus says we cannot serve God and money, and there are countless things which vie for mastery over us.  If we want fellowship with God we cannot embrace lawlessness, walk in darkness, or join ourselves with unbelievers.  If we will have God as our Father, then we must be obedient and loyal to Him.

In coming to God we are not moving from the dungeon to a chain-gang:  we go from bondage to joyful freedom.  We do not "give up" anything to leave Egypt, so to speak, but we only gain:  where our LORD is and Good Shepherd for our souls we lack no good thing.  It is true the Israelites often looked back to the food of Egypt with longing (conveniently forgetting the hard labour which caused them to cry out to God in the first place) as they were led by God through the wilderness, but remember they were stricken with unbelief.  This selective memory can affect us as well, causing us to lose sight of all we have in God, His promises, and presence.  Let us value God's love and presence over all, for in Him is life, light, and liberty for all who believe.

Making His Mark

There is a longing in every person for significance, to make a lasting impression in the world.  No matter how much effort we put towards this end, however, will ensure success.  Absalom wanted to be remembered so he built a tomb which stands to this day, but it is an testament of his failure because he never was buried in it.  After he was killed for his villainy he was dumped in an unmarked grave.  Recently a surgeon was caught burning his initials into the liver of his patients - seriously.  Far more common is when people etch their names or press their palms into wet concrete, but even well-formed slabs aren't permanent.  Monuments, plaques, and tombs carry memories precious to some which fade over time.  It is as the Bible says:  our lives are as a breath, like vapour which vanishes without a trace.

As I walked around the oval during cricket training yesterday, I noticed a bare patch of silty dirt surrounded by turf.  This dirt had many impressions upon it:  I recognised the tyre treads of a truck, a bicycle, and and few shoe prints.  With a little wind, rain, or others trampling the surface these marks will be erased forever without memory.  I started thinking about how footprints in a sandy beach are noticeable at first but in moments begin to fade.  How many sand castles have been carefully formed which later were flattened by waves!  The great holes in the beach we dug as children have effortlessly been filled in over time, and not one person can tell exactly where (or why) they were dug.  This is the vanity King Solomon talked about, great effort and accomplishments with the passage of time seem meaningless.

While I pondered these things the question Jesus asked rang in my mind:  "What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his own soul?"  Most people approach life without thinking about what happens after our life on earth is finished and therefore do not invest in what will endure.  Money, gold, silver, and Bitcoin all have their limitations and we cannot take what we acquire with with us.  Like any legacy we leave, it will be left for others to use, maintain, or waste.  The words Jesus said strike at the heart, for we all know this life on earth with someday end - the world itself has a limited life span.  We are all using borrowed money and a gift of time we have no idea when it will be rescinded.  The clock is winding down, and we have not the power to wind it again.  In choosing Christ we only have gain, though perhaps not as the world measures it.  But the gain the world is after will all perish;  it will all fade, be forgotten, and worthless to us when we are gone.

We all want to make our mark on the world, but sin has made permanent marks on us.  Not one of us measures up to God's standard of righteousness and our souls are doomed to destruction in hell forever.  But God has made a way of forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ through faith in Him and supplies the everlasting richness of God's kingdom.  Psalm 130:3-4 says, "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."  How glorious it is to be forgiven, to have our souls saved and cleansed forever!  This forgiveness can be obtained without money but through faith in Jesus and the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed on Calvary.  He has imputed His righteousness to each one who is born again through faith, and this mark is a permanent one.  We are sealed with the Holy Spirit and are guaranteed to live forever.  Better than making a mark in this world is when God puts His mark on us, claiming us as His very own.

God Is Gracious

"If you ever take your neighbour's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. ²⁷ For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious."

Exodus 22:26-27

God cares about people, even the poor who lack basic necessities.  As a kid when I went to the neighbourhood recreation centre to give them an identification card or my wallet as collateral to play Foosball, table tennis, or pool.  Once I returned the supplies to the attendant my property was returned to me.  A similar method was used in ancient times, where people would give a loan of money and hold their cloak as collateral.  God placed a stipulation that if a garment was taken as a pledge to secure payment on a loan, by law it was to be returned "before the sun goes down."  This would afford him warmth on a cold night.

The last part of the verse grabbed me:  "And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious."  God is a gracious God, having mercy and compassion on poor debtors.  He does not chide such a one for their poverty, the decision to take out a loan, or say of the shivering man, "Serves him right!"  God is gracious, a phenomenal characteristic and remarkably rare for a king (or anyone else under the sun, for that matter).  Kings typically reward loyalty and are harsh against any who rebel against them.  Kings who intend to keep their thrones do not promote those who have not been absolutely trustworthy in the past.  Their allies are the wealthy, the ones upon whom they have bestowed titles and lands - not the shivering poor crying at night.

When we come to God in our poverty, crying out to Him in sorrow, sadness, or because of injustice God will hear because He is gracious.  In the darkness when no one sees, in the cold we cannot escape, we can enter into the presence of the Almighty God who is KING OF KINGS.  His grace is seen by the audience He has freely given us and in taking action for our good.  We are all sinners before God and unworthy of His care, but all who trust in Jesus Christ have been redeemed, adopted as children, and exalted to be co-heirs with Jesus Christ.  That we could be grafted into the body of Christ as a viable part through whom God desires to work!  Having received such grace, let us also be gracious as our heavenly Father is to all who cry out to Him.

The Green Room Experience

A "green room" is defined as "a room in a theatre or studio in which performers can relax when they are not performing."  It is a place to hang out and rest with comforts and amenities provided.  Before the show there is a palpable sense of excitement complete with some nerves.  For musicians and actors it is the final moment before displaying the culmination of hard work to do the thing they have worked towards their entire lives.  I have met with people to pray before a church service in a "green room" of sorts, and there was no dread in the air but expectancy God would work and whatever God does is amazing.

For Christians, death beds are similar to a green room.  Instead of sitting on plush or comfortable furniture, those preparing to depart this world lie upon stark hospital beds.  These rooms are not located adjacent a world-famous auditorium but in living rooms, trailers, hospice and aged-care facilities.  There is no murmuring of the adoring fans gathering in the hall but the whirr and beeping of medical equipment and the hushed tones of a visitor or two.  Instead of rehearsing lines or riffs scripture is read aloud, prayers are offered, and tears are shed.  There is no set hour for departure from this spiritual green room, but at the hour only known by God the graduation to glory occurs in an instant.

I remember visiting my Grandad after he had a stroke and seeing a friend in intensive care who was in an induced coma after contracting flesh-eating bacteria.  I held my aunt's hand as she drifted out of consciousness in her living room and sang songs around my Grandmother before her passing surrounded by family.  In these largely quiet and always sacred moments these dear souls had little physical movement besides the drawing of breath, but I am convinced they eagerly awaited release from the body to enter into the joy of the LORD.  In my mind's eye I seem them sitting next to me as I spend a few last moments looking at their tired bodies, and they are on the edge of their seat ready to be ushered by angels into God's presence.

Does the song of your heart echo the words of the Johnny Cash song?  "Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun, let us talk of all His wondrous love and care, then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, and the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there."  The only way any of us will leave this earthly green room and enter the presence of the LORD is by faith in Jesus Christ.  No one earns the right to be a child of God by their own efforts, and there is no curtain call for applause from men.  At the appointed time we will all be freed from the husk of these failing bodies and into heaven, or be shackled and cast into outer darkness and eternal torment.  For those dead in sins it is like awaiting a second death, but the "green room" experience is one of exhilaration because Christians were born again for the moment to be called up on stage for life everlasting.

Be Mine!

It was customary for me in primary school to hand out "Valentine's Day" cards with messages that read "Be Mine" or to give out boxes of chalky Sweethearts candies with each classmate's name written on them.  It was a simple tradition which did not lead to romantic interest (as far as I know).  It was the one time an easy opportunity was given to share feelings about someone, though cards or candy were brought for all.  In my youth the exchange of Valentines was polite and innocent, without any promises of commitment.

God's love and grace is not fickle like the hearts of people who have a crush on someone one week and then affections can shift dramatically.  God offers His favour and blessing to anyone who will have Him.  In a way God asks every person, "Will you be mine?"  All who consent to this relationship can count on the enduring love and the complete commitment of God forever.  When I handed our Valentine's Day cards I did so only for my classmates, but Jesus has come and invited all people to follow Him - not only as servants but as friends.  God is not desperate for attention or needy, as if He needed anyone to validate or appreciate His existence, but because He truly loves.  Love is never content to remain at a distance but seeks unity and intimacy.  This love is not based in sexual desire or selfish control.  Having demonstrated God's love through dying on the cross, our response to Christ's love is the voluntary yielding of our will in recognition of who God is and all He has done - as a child before a loving parent.

This equal opportunity for God's favour was shown to the kings of Israel.  After the people demanded a king, God chose Saul.  He was a handsome, humble, a man head and shoulders taller than all others.  David is described as a "man after God's own heart" whom God brought out of the sheepfold and set him on the throne of Israel.  God then established the throne of Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived.  Finally (for the sake of this example), God revealed to the hard-working Jeroboam He would make him king over 10 tribes of Israel.  What God promised to Saul, David, and Solomon He promised similarly to Jeroboam in 1 Kings 11:38:  "Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you."  If Jeroboam would be God's man, God would be with him and establish him.  But if Jeroboam rejected the LORD as Saul and Solomon in their later years, God would strip the kingdom from him and his house.

God made a conditional promise to all of these kings, and only David - the man after God's own heart - continued following God faithfully.  This shows us a royal bearing, great wisdom, and an industrious work ethic are not enough to keep our hearts from wandering from God.  We must have transformed hearts after God's own through the power of the Holy Spirit to keep walking in God's ways, giving honour and glory to Him as is His just due.  That is the prime distinction between David and the other three first mentioned:  the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit of God was with David from his anointing by Samuel until the end of his days.  This blessing and promise of the Father is not for kings or Jews only but even to all people from every nation under heaven.  When God says "Be Mine!" and you gladly submit to this, He will be yours as long as you will have Him.  Praise the LORD, for He delights to abide in us forever!

The Home of the Brave

I was born and raised in the United States, the "land of the free and the home of the brave."  Freedom has been one of the great hallmarks celebrated by many in American culture:  freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom to assemble, freedom of religion, and more lately freedom for gays to marry.  A potential landmark case is being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court which seemingly pits religious freedom against discrimination.  A baker who declined to make a cake for a same-sex wedding in Colorado ran afoul of State law and appealed his case to the Supreme Court.

I remember as a kid reading signs on the doors and windows of restaurants which said, "No shirt, no shoes, no service!"  It makes sense if an entrepreneur decides to own and run a restaurant which serves the public, it is their rightful place - ultimately for the good or bad of the business - to place restrictions on the conditions of service.  A CNN article says the baker also refused to make Halloween cakes, but apparently he was not taken to court over it.  The Supreme Court now is tasked to weigh the right of religious freedom against a "license to discriminate," as an ABC article puts it.  A quote from the ACLU lawyer concluded the article:  "I worry about what the world looks like if the bakery prevails."  I do not worry, and I hold the opposite view.  What will America look like when an entrepreneur is only free to say yes?  What kind of warped freedom is this?

One thing is for certain:  if the baker does not prevail, America can no longer claim to be the land of the free.  It is truly said freedom is never free.  But there are many who are brave to stand up for what they believe to be true.  Their bravery, as this courageous baker who has paid dearly for his refusal to earn money by compromising his principles, will continue to be on display in America and across the world where the tyranny against God reveals itself.  The Supreme Court contrary to God's Law made a ruling to legalise same-sex marriage in America, and now the same Court may decide a man cannot legally refuse to perform a service in the public sphere.  This is not surprising or shocking.  This is the world we live in, when governments and courts legislate godless morality and those who fear God must make the brave choice.

I commend this baker and many like him who have chosen to honour God at a high personal cost.  His brave approach to this ongoing saga - which will not end when the gavel comes down - embodies the courageous and fearless heart which truly fears God.  It is admirable for a man to stand for what he believes even when he stands to lose much he has laboured for, knowing his future is safe in God's hands.  By God's grace I too am prepared to lovingly stand for my Saviour.  This freedom and power afforded us in Christ no government, court, or legislation can take from us.  When we freely stand up for God there is none who can stand against us.  Even in the face of death, the God who abides in us empowers us to be brave and strong.  Like William Wallace said in the movie "Braveheart," "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom."

A Proverb and Byword

The lives of people we observe are like books which instruct the wise.  They provide examples of what to do and what not to do.  In this case even a "bad" example can be a useful one.  The failures of others and the painful consequences are warnings to all who will take heed.  Because God loves us, He issues specific warnings so we will know right from wrong and the certain awful results of sin.  Every man must decide for himself if he will submit to God's Word in obedience or not.

God provided a warning to King Solomon after the temple was built in Jerusalem.  God answered Solomon's prayer to make the Temple His house of sacrifice, a holy place sanctified by God's presence.  Though God graciously granted this request, God also issued a warning Solomon and all would do well to heed.  With the knowledge God has made born-again Christians the temple of the Holy Spirit, consider the implications of this warning in 2 Chronicles 7:19-20:  "But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, ²⁰ then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples."  After Solomon and others turned to idolatry, God did exactly as He said He would do.  The Temple was pulled down and the rubble burnt.  And He has done this to the lives of the undiscerning many times since.

There is no shortage of people who began following Jesus faithfully but turned aside.  Over the years there have been many prominent pastors and Christians whose private failings were publicised.  The shame of scandal is not only reserved for pastors or televangelists but shame is truly the result for every Christian who turns away from the LORD, sinning against the One they claim to fear and love.  My, how unbelievers delight to see others fall!  I am sure you could rattle off a few notable Christians who fell into sins like greed, lust, deceit or pride and are no longer fit for ministry.  They were as the lights in Shiloh which burned bright and hot for a season when the Tabernacle housed the Ark of the Covenant, but God caused them to be extinguished because of sin.  It is not our role to judge them but as we pass by anyone can see there are only burnt stones where once a ministry flourished.

No one wants to be a "proverb and a byword."  A proverb in this sense is a simile, kind of like a fable with a true moral everyone should take to heart.  Sodom became a proverb, a permanent illustration of God's judgment and the results of sin.  A "byword" is a "taunt or gibe."  It is something which gives others ammunition to mock and ridicule, like one who has fallen in the mud everyone sees, has a bit of a laugh at, and perhaps even kicks them for good measure.  History reveals there are some who remain a proverb and byword, and there are some God graciously delivers from such an end.  Pastors who fell in sin have been restored, perhaps not to their former glory as with the second Temple compared to Solomon's Temple, but restored before God and man nevertheless.

The moral of the story?  Let us not turn away from God and forsake His statues and commandments.  The lure of self and idolatry for every believer are very real, and like the wise Solomon we will at times fail. Examining ourselves according to God's standard in His Word is crucial, and repentance is imperative.  Is there a one among us who is content for God to cast us out of His sight?  When confronted by the words of the prophet Samuel the High Priest Eli was resigned rather than repentant.  May our lives be a testimony of the grace, goodness, and provision of God rather than what not to do - a proverb and byword which dishonours our glorious God.

God's Treasures

When I was a kid I had a wooden box in which I stashed my "treasures."  The objects placed in the box had no resale value but for some reason I liked to collect them.  In the box were keys I had found, stickers with my name on them, ticket stubs to baseball games I attended, and random raffle tickets.  Looking back there were a lot of strange things I collected:  bones, baseball cards, rocks, and action figures.  Some things I collected had a small amount of monetary value, but the majority of it could be classified "junk."  Where it has gone I do not know, but I know where it belongs:  in the bin!

In the same way a parent raises their eyebrows at the worthless sort of stuff kids love to collect, I wonder how God loves me.  I receive His love gladly but at the same time know I do not deserve it.  That God would love sinners and make them His greatest treasures is beyond my comprehension.  He does not merely lift us out of the gutter or from the scrap heap of life, but He raises our carcasses dead in sins to new life and adopts us as His special children.  God even keeps notes concerning our conversation as it is written in Malachi 3:16-17:  "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. ¹⁷ "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him."

There is space in the church and in heaven for all people who repent and trust in Jesus Christ.  God will not refuse any who rely upon Him, for He has plenty of room.  We are not like dusty relics stowed away in a box which are easily forgotten, but a place in heaven is being prepared for us.  Daily we can experience fellowship with God in His presence, for the Holy Spirit dwells in each of us.  Also Jesus has promised that wherever even two or three gather in His name, there He is in the midst of them.  He is the One who has called us and grafted us into the Body of Christ, uniting all Christians as one.

The things we treasure as children we gladly part with later, but God delights in us as our love of Him develops and grows.  God will not part with you any more than a sane person would part with an eye or a leg on a whim.  I am overwhelmed to consider God, who can make all things new from scratch, desires to be glorified through the life of a sinner He has made a saint.  God demonstrated His love by dying on the cross to atone for our sin and purchase us with His own blood (Acts 20:28).  Amazing, that we would be counted among God's precious treasures!

Who Do You Love?

"Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."

Psalm 91:14-16

God makes amazing promises to those who set their love upon Him.  This is to be an exclusive and special love, even as a husband loves his wife or a parent loves their child.  My love of God is a response to His unfailing love which He graciously has extended to me.  Those who set their love upon God, having trusted Him for salvation, find all other genuine loves flow from this supreme one.

These promises God offers are conditional upon our obedience to Him.  1 John 5:1-3 says, "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."  It is not a burdensome thing for us to love One who has demonstrated His love towards us.  Many times people love and desire others who refuse every advance, but God has extended love to all people.  He did not wait for us to "make the first move" but has created us, spoken to us, revealed Himself to us, and offered Himself for us on Calvary.

There are many who profess to love God, and God knows who loves Him in truth.  All who love Him will be the joyful recipients of God's deliverance, enjoy God's presence, be satisfied, and receive eternal salvation.  All these benefits of knowing and loving God are not the primary motivation for loving God.  We are not to set our love upon deliverance from trouble or salvation but upon God.  If we only love the benefits God provides we are only loving ourselves.  When we love someone, we want to be with them.  Jesus Christ was called "Immanuel" which means, "God with us."  He must certainly love us to choose to be with us, much less die for us!  God is worthy to be loved; He is worthy to be praised and exalted.

Power Present to Heal

"Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. ¹⁸  Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him."

Luke 5:17-18

This scene provides a dynamic contrast between those who place their faith in Jesus Christ and those who will not.  Fame of Jesus due to His teaching and miraculous power spread throughout Israel.  The passage says Pharisees and teachers of the law assembled who hailed from all Israel - even from Jerusalem.  These masters of the Law of Moses viewed Jesus as a troublemaker, a young upstart, an untrained layman, a prophet at best but most likely a wicked deceiver of the people who needed to be silenced.  I do not believe these men thought Jesus could teach them anything, and likely He couldn't.  It wasn't because they knew more or better than the Son of God, but they thought they did!  It was customary to sit when teaching, and these men sat as masters before their Creator.

These Pharisees and doctors of the law were likely able-bodied men (having travelled far) and highly respected among the Jews.  They did not need instruction, especially from a carpenter hailing from Galilee.  The second sentence of verse 17 would be a shocker for them to read:  "And the power of the LORD was present to heal them."  They were in desperate need of healing and they did not realise it.  Their demeanour probably resembled the haughty Pharisee who trusted himself to be righteous whilst despising others, the one Jesus mentioned who prayed with himself in Luke 18:11, "God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector."  Unbelief left these deeply religious men mired and dead in their own trespasses and sins.  Because they deemed themselves righteous and believed they saw clearly, their sin remained.  They did not believe they needed healing, and in came a man whose healing was beyond hope.

Before them was brought a living object lesson of their spiritual condition:  a paralysed man was lowered down before them and Jesus Christ.  Perhaps they wrinkled their noses at the gaunt form of the man muttering under their breath, "This man or his parents must have been wretched sinners."  Oh, they were sinners alright (as all men are), but this was not the point.  The power of God was present to heal these self-righteous, hardened sinners as well as the paralysed man who lay motionless on the bed.  The Pharisees bristled in their hearts when Jesus forgave the man's sins and they thought, "Who but God can forgive sins?"  Jesus answered their silent rebellion with a question of His own:  "What is easier to say - your sins are forgiven or to say to a paralysed man - 'Rise up and walk?"  Of course it would be easier to say "Your sins are forgiven" because no physical proof is required.  But so they would know Jesus had power to forgive sins (and was God in the flesh) He said to the paralysed man, "Rise, take up your bed and walk."  And the man did.

Many people, like these learned Pharisees, do not recognise their need for healing because their need is of a spiritual nature.  This paralysed man is one of many people who came to Jesus or sought  or cried out to Him to be cured of physical afflictions.  People born blind sought Him, a woman with a flow of blood reached out and touched Him, and people with sick or demon possessed children begged for help from Him.  Sadly many people were physically healed but they happily walked away just as sinful as before.  Though I am sure it happened often, would you believe there is only one recorded time in the Gospels when a sick person who was miraculously healed stopped to say "Thank you" to Jesus?  This shows me everyone wants healing when they are sick but not everyone is willing to use their wellness to thank God and follow Jesus in faith.

Jesus wants to do more than heal bodies but to raise souls dead in sins to new life through faith in Him.  Do you recognise your need to be healed by Jesus?  The power of God is present today to forgive, redeem, reconcile, and heal all who repent and trust in Him.  Many were astonished and amazed by the things Jesus said and did, and many were physically healed by Him.  But there were many He could not heal because of their unbelief and their sin remained.  The wages of sin is death and we are all beyond hope, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  If you are one who has been spiritually or physically healed by Jesus Christ, are you willing to invest your wellness to give Him thanks and walk in obedience?

Gifts With Your Name On Them

As a young kid I was introduced to hard work.  "Work before play" was a well-known saying for us, and many summer mornings we signed up for chores we were responsible to do that day.  It could be washing the dogs, mowing and raking the lawn, spraying for fleas, cleaning windows and screens, doing the washing (laundry), cleaning bathrooms, washing the van, and the list went on.  I remember being about 10 years old when I proudly put in my first solid eight-hour work day, nailing the floor of our upstairs room addition.  That was a fun kind of work - much better than pulling weeds or gardening.

One thing as a kid that was not work was the tradition of going to my grandparent's home in Ramona on Christmas Eve to enjoy time with family and a wonderful meal.  A stocking with my name on it hung on the mantelpiece, and piled around the Christmas tree were many gifts.  A few of those also had my name on them.  Receiving and opening one of those gifts wasn't hard work, though the waiting was difficult.  We would stay up late, watching cartoons or old movies on the Disney channel with my Grandpa.  But in due time morning came, and after the whole family had gathered and eaten the gifts would be exchanged.  For me growing up, it didn't get much better than that.

You likely agree with me:  receiving a gift is not strenuous work.  For me to receive a gift intended for me at Christmas the two basic requirements are I needed to be present, and I needed to take it in my hands and open it up.  These are both acts of the will.  Sometimes the gift would be something I asked for, but most often it was a complete surprise.  When it comes to receiving spiritual gifts from God, the same is true.  Out of His goodness and grace God has spiritual gifts with our name on them.  We do not need to work to earn them but must humble ourselves to draw near to God in faith and receive gladly whatever He sees fit to give.

I am convinced we over complicate the receiving of spiritual gifts big time.  Wouldn't it be strange for me to ask my smiling grandmother as she holds a gift out to me, "So how do I receive this gift?  Should I open this now or later?  Is it for personal use only?  What will other people think about me if I actually use this gift?  How do I know this gift is really from you?  And will it make me speak in tongues?  If it's tongues I don't want it."  How silly this sounds, but these are the kind of things we can say when it comes to spiritual gifts.  We have no right to demand a gift from God, and there are no returns.  And since God gives gifts according to His perfect will, why would we want to?  James 1:17 says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."  God's Word is explicitly clear we ought to desire spiritual gifts, and having received them we ought to use them.

So what are the conditions to receive a spiritual gift?  We receive them by faith even as we received salvation, believing the promises in God's Word.  After being born again by faith in Christ, the first thing to do is to ask Him to fill us with the Holy Spirit.  James writes that we often have not because we ask not.  We receive the fullness of the Spirit through the "hearing of faith" and not by the works of the law (Galatians 3:2).  Obedience to God is also key as Peter said in Acts 5:32, "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."  When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, He will equip and gift us according to His will.  Those who have the Holy Spirit living within them and present themselves before God in obedience, God can gift to do whatever He wants.  This should not make us fearful but rejoice that we are indeed children of God.  Spiritual gifts are not like dishes at a buffet where we are free to pick and choose.  Like children who wrinkle their noses in disgust at unfamiliar foods, grown adults can do so concerning spiritual gifts.  We must first surrender our will, come to God with an empty plate so to speak, and happily ask Him to fill us however He wants.

God has spiritual gifts with your name on them:  are you willing to ask and receive them?  Let's not over complicate what God has made simple.  A child before they can speak can receive a gift with shining eyes, and every child of God in faith can do the same.  Won't you surrender your will before God and gladly receive with the intention to use for His glory all the gifts Jesus has prepared for you?

The LORD Lives

"The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation!"

2 Samuel 22:47

Only the living God who created all things can save.  The One in whom is life was able to create life from nothing, and He alone can save our souls for eternity.  God can do everything because He is alive.  He is infinitely greater than man, but in living men we see a shadow of God's greatness.  The God who created the eyes of men to see sees all; the One who made ears to hear also hears all.  This God who formed man's mind to consider and think possesses infinite wisdom and knows all.  He created the mouth of man to speak intelligible words can speak clearly to all people.  Whatever a man can do God does infinitely greater.

No spirit, man, thing made by man, or beast can be likened unto God or rightly compared with Him.  He alone is God and is exalted forever without end.  How can an idol of wood, stone, silver, or gold compare with the living God?  God lives, and this is a primary distinction between Him and all others.  He does not only live today but He has always lived in eternity past.  He was not imagined or created but existed before time and the creation of the earth.  God also will always live, for He is not subject to time nor will He ever be.  For an eternity after this world is dissolved and time as we know it is not remembered by a soul, He will live and remain the Rock of my salvation.

God is exalted whether men think to praise Him or not.  If there is anything in this world which fills us with awe and wonder, that is the worship God deserves for He is greater still.  Though He is greater and over all things, God has revealed Himself to lowly man.  When God descended and communed with Moses on the mount Exodus 34:6-8 says, "And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, ⁷ keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." ⁸ So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped."  People and generations pass away, but God remains.

How good it is to serve a living God who speaks with us, who has come to us in Jesus Christ, and is risen from the dead.  Therefore let us bless and exalt our Rock of Salvation, the LORD who lives!

Reasoning Together

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1:18

There is a great example in the Bible of people reasoning together during the siege of Abel.  After David was restored to the throne in Jerusalem, a rebel named Sheba the son of Bichri blew a trumpet and gathered men after himself.  Joab received word that Sheba had taken shelter in Abel of Bethmaachah, and therefore he built a siege mound and battered the wall to bring it down.  2 Samuel 20:16-19 records, "Then a wise woman cried out from the city, "Hear, Hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come nearby, that I may speak with you.' " ¹⁷ When he had come near to her, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am listening." ¹⁸ So she spoke, saying, "They used to talk in former times, saying, 'They shall surely seek guidance at Abel,' and so they would end disputes.¹⁹  I am among the peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the LORD?"  Some people were prepared to hunker down behind their walls without negotiation, but not this wise woman.

2 Samuel 20:20-22 says, "And Joab answered and said, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy! ²¹ That is not so. But a man from the mountains of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has raised his hand against the king, against David. Deliver him only, and I will depart from the city." So the woman said to Joab, "Watch, his head will be thrown to you over the wall." ²² Then the woman in her wisdom went to all the people. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. Then he blew a trumpet, and they withdrew from the city, every man to his tent. So Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem."  Joab informed the woman he held no ill will against her or the city, nor was he intent on destroying Abel.  The problem was a rebellious man had sought shelter within Abel, and if she would agree to deliver him all would be well.  The woman said decisively, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall."  She consulted with the people in the city and they agreed:  why risk the safety of their families, children, home and future to shelter a wicked man?  Once his head was thrown over the wall and identified, Joab called off the siege and returned to Jerusalem.

The situation in Abel is one which commonly plays out in the lives of God's people.  At times our hearts, minds, and deeds are rebellious before the LORD and we bring ourselves under His judgment.  We do not reason with Him as equals but as His subjects - like the wise woman with the general of the army of Israel who acted on king David's command.  The woman and the people of the city were free to harbour the king's enemy, but if they chose this course they would be forced to deal with the consequences.  Only after the head of Sheba was thrown over the wall was the siege lifted and the city safe from harm.  Assurances of Sheba's innocence or claims the king's demand was unreasonable were not enough to call off the attack of the city, and refusal to heed God's commands leads to discipline and strong judgment.  If the people of the city saw the sense in surrendering the head of Sheba to save themselves, city, and families, why don't we always see the sense in surrendering our sin or weights which easily encumber us?  Should we defend what God has condemned?

Consider the practical implications for a city besieged by a strong army.  At first there may only be a negligible effect, but the inhabitants of the city are forced to wait around to die.  When a city is besieged no one is permitted to enter or leave so trade and communication ceases.  Before long those under siege suffer shortages of food and water, their homes, gates, and walls take damage from barrages, and the mental strain of having the enemy at the gates quickly begins to take a physical and mental toll.  Would you say this city under siege well represents a soul labouring under sins not repented of?  Praise the LORD God has drawn near to us with conditions of peace through the Gospel:  if we will confess our sins and repent, He is faithful to forgive us.  But understand that if we will not surrender Sheba or whatever is demanded by our King we will have no peace.  Those are His conditions, and they are altogether reasonable.  What a joy to have the siege lifted and once again have freedom, good food, clean water, communication, and security restored!

Blessed In All Things

"Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things."

Genesis 24:1

When I read this verse last night, a slow smile spread across my face.  Think of it!  The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things:  he had been blessed in his travels, in his marriage, with his children, in necessities, in growing older, and even concerning his temporal and eternal future.  There was no part of his life which had not been blessed by God.  This means he was blessed by God even before he knew God or believed Him!  How great is our God to bless in such a manner.  But having said this, often our ability to receive and walk fully in the blessings God provides is conditional.  

Do you want to be blessed by God?  Blessed is the man who delights in God's Law and shuns evil (Psalm 1).  The one who has clean hands a pure heart by grace through faith in God is blessed (Psalm 24:3-6).  Jesus listed many conditional blessings in Matthew 5:3-12:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

This list provided by Jesus reveals our natural concept of "blessings" and God's descriptions are often fundamentally different from one another.  We think we are "blessed" with good health, and so we are.  But God is able to bless us in poor health, even as God blessed Abraham in all things.  We think of being blessed when we have a near-miss which could have been disastrous, but God blesses us in disasters.  When the world is falling apart and we are splitting at the seams, through faith in God we are blessed in all things.  Praise the LORD His blessing is not dependent on circumstances or our perfect performance, but is according to His grace, goodness, and unfailing promises.  Can you identify with these words spoken of Abraham, that the LORD has blessed you in all things?  May He open our eyes to say with all our hearts, "Yes, indeed He has!"

Standing Firm

Yesterday the results of the Australian same-sex marriage survey were revealed.  The LGBTI community and their supporters celebrated a strong majority result.  Though the laws have not yet been changed to reflect this result, the government and members of parliament are working to pass legislation changing the Australian constitution to approve gay marriage.  In the context of our secular society this result does not at all come as a surprise to me.  I am without fear; I am not worried for in Christ I stand firm.  I am resigned to acknowledge the opinion of the majority of Australians, but that does not deem it righteous.

And this is the place where the victory for same-sex marriage rings hollow:  even when the government legalises and acknowledges gay couples as married, the perversion of God's institution of marriage will never be acceptable in the eyes of God and many who hold a biblical worldview.  My heart breaks to consider the smiles and celebrations will quickly fade into disillusionment, frustration, and anger this result will not provide the kind of acceptance and "equality" many long for.  I am convinced the definition of marriage established by God cannot be altered by the legislation of men.  God's Word cannot be broken, and in Him I place my trust.  His approval is everything.  I love people who identify as gay and understand their desire to marry even as heterosexuals do, but my loyal adherence to the scriptures will likely be viewed as hate and bigotry.  Such is life for born again Christians.

People in the world will do what is right in their own eyes, but followers of Christ are exhorted to hold fast to God's righteous standards as revealed in scripture.  The Bible which clearly illuminates the way of salvation through the Gospel also says all will be judged by God according to their works.  All professing Christians ought to take heed to God's warning, for He has pronounced great woe upon His people who forsook His ways and approved of wickedness as it is written in Isaiah 5:20-21:  "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!"  Many believers have been duped to think they can follow Jesus and celebrate abomination, but this is impossible.  The New Testament passage Romans 1:32 plainly states those who approve and consent to any manner of depravity endanger their own lives and souls.

When we chose to follow Jesus, remaining loyal and obedient to His Word is what we signed up for.  Whilst the world celebrates and rejoices Australia is now "on the right side of history" concerning the approval of gay marriage, I rejoice to hold fast to the truth of God's Word without apology.  I make no claim of perfection or being "holier than thou," but by God's grace He will enable me and all God's children to stand firm in the faith.  These are troubling times, but we have all the security, joy, and hope we need in Jesus.  We ought to rejoice and lift our heads because the day of our salvation draws nigh.  All is exactly as our Saviour foretold in His Word, and He will never leave or forsake us.  He gives peace not as the world gives, an enduring peace which passes understanding.

Narrow Truth and Broader Views

As we follow Jesus Christ and mature in faith and knowledge of His Word, He broadens our understanding.  Studying the scriptures led by the Holy Spirit enables us to connect ideas which provide greater insight into God's truth.  When I was a child after I knew how to count I enjoyed dot-to-dot puzzles.  What began as a mess of dots and numbers became a recognisable object which could be coloured in with crayon.  In a similar way, the more we heed the scriptures the better we comprehend what the Bible says, what it means, and how to rightly apply it in our lives.

Looking back, I believe my views of scripture used to be more rigid than they are now.  My views were rigid because my understanding was limited.  Truth and the Christian walk is narrow, and we cannot deviate from obedience to God and His Word.  We do not need to compromise truth to hold a broader view than we once did.  I have held views in the past which were not wrong in themselves, but I was wrong because I restricted the truth to my current personal view.  We all run the risk of parroting what we have heard from a pastor without critical thought or searching the scriptures ourselves.  We can allow a verse or pet-doctrine to direct us down a familiar track of thought like a dog running a well-worn circuit in the backyard when the gate is open and a world of discovery awaits.

There are people I highly respect, people I am convinced are anointed by the Holy Spirit and called to teach, yet based on my understanding of scripture I am not in full agreement with their Bible interpretation on particular points.  For instance, I recently heard a Bible teacher say leaven always represents sin in the parables of Jesus.  Since the Bible does not explicitly say this, it seems to be a narrow view which disregards the context of each parable.  I agree it is true leaven is commonly used to represent sin, I believe it is a mistake to say it always represents or is a "type" of sin (see Matt. 13:33).  It is commonly taught all birds in the parables represent evil or satanic influence, and whilst this is the given interpretation in one Parable of the Sower it is dangerous to attribute "type" status to birds without considering the context.  These assumptions cause us to read into the text rather than observing the context and interpreting correctly.  Wrong interpretation leads to incorrect application.  Parables are not the only tricky part of scripture to rightly interpret and apply.  Poetry, prophecy, and many hard sayings of the Bible make studying it a most rigorous and challenging exercise.  Without God's help, we could never understand or unravel it.

Praise the LORD for His wisdom and patience with me and all children of God.  My understanding has been expanded from the days of my youth, and undoubtedly there are many areas where I remain in the dark.  We too should be patient with others whose views seem unnecessarily rigid because we too are naturally like them.  A teacher of scripture who will not be taught by God or men is of no value, so let us remain humble and open.  Though there will be differences of opinion on secondary doctrines among genuine believers, let us be gracious - not threatened or suspicious.  Let us respond as Apollo when loving believers pulled him aside and explained the Gospel to Him more perfectly.  He received their correction with joy and boldly spoke the truth in love.  Sometimes we are the ones to come alongside in a spirit of gentleness to instruct and correct.  Love does not compromise truth, but it is willing to speak the truth for the restoration of others.

A Godly Perspective

It is a strange thing when a Christian goes from trusting God for salvation and begins to look to his own strength or abilities in daily decisions.  David provides a compelling example of this in 1 Samuel 17.  God's assessment of David was he was a man after God's own heart, but even he was prone to lean on his own understanding.  His life provides a compelling illustration of what is common to all men - even godly ones.  Just because we have trusted God in the past doesn't mean we are trusting Him today.

When David was a young man he was sent by his dad on an errand to the front lines of battle where a few of his brothers were.  He was shocked when Goliath the champion of Gath stood before the army of Israel and defied and cursed them by his gods.  David wasn't awed by the imposing size or the verbal threats of the giant, but was incredulous Goliath was permitted to reproach the armies of the living God whilst the men of Israel hid in fear.  News of David’s willingness to fight Goliath reached King Saul’s ears and he summoned David.  Saul said, “You can’t fight him.  You’re just a youth and he’s been a warrior from youth.”  David pointed out God had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the bear and God would help him defeat the Philistine also.

Saul finally agreed to allow David to face Goliath, but wanted to outfit him with armour and his own sword.  Being unaccustomed to the encumbrance of armour and unskilled with a sword, David politely declined using them.  He was content to trust God and fight Goliath with a sling and a handful of smooth stones which he gathered from a brook on the way to face Goliath in a battle to the death.  He came before the scoffing Philistine warrior in the name of the God of Israel, and God wrought a great victory.

Years later and then son-in-law to the king, David found himself only a step between him and death because King Saul sought to murder him.  As he fled for his life, 1 Samuel 21 details an incident when he dropped by the Tabernacle in Nob.  He and his men were hungry and desperate for food and supplies.  The chief priest Ahimelech was cautious but willing to help David, and provided him bread from the Table of Showbread for he and his men.  Read what 1 Samuel 21:8-9 says:  "And David said to Ahimelech, "Is there not here on hand a spear or a sword? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste." ⁹ So the priest said, "The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, there it is, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it. For there is no other except that one here." And David said, "There is none like it; give it to me."

Isn’t this ironic?  David trusted God to deliver him from lions and Goliath, but having fought many battles since the victory over Goliath it appears he had grown accustomed to using a spear, sword, and other weapons.  Notice he said, "I have brother neither my sword nor my weapons with me."  Do you find it odd David demanded the sword which was not able to save Goliath?  What had changed?  Was King Saul a more terrifying foe than Goliath?  God had not changed, but in that stressful moment David's perspective had.  It seems it was easier to trust God when facing Philistines than when the attacks came from his own king and kin.

My point is not to second guess David’s choices, but to contrast how he faced conflict in these two instances.  Facing a Philistine in his youth David was fine to trust God, but having become a skilled warrior when threatened David felt he needed a sword.  In the end it turned out he didn’t need the sword because God delivered David.  God was patient and faithful to David, and He is also patient and faithful to us when we forget to trust Him.  Believer, have you started trusting yourself more than God?  Success and popularity can cause us to look to ourselves instead of seeking and simply trusting the LORD.  We trusted God to help, protect, provide, and guide us at the start of our walk with Jesus, and we need to keep trusting Him today.

Commitment or Surrender?

In a sermon I recently heard, the difference between "commitment" and "surrender" was a point of emphasis.  In warfare conditions of surrender are negotiated, but not so in a life which is surrendered to Jesus Christ as LORD.  Since our lives have been purchased with the shed blood of Christ, we are not our own.  As Jesus laid down His will before the Father, we are to voluntarily lay our lives down before our Saviour.  The comment by the preacher was if all we do is "commit" our lives to Christ, we seek to dictate our own terms or will even withdraw our commitment when it pleases us.

In light of this thought, the Oxford definition of "commitment" is interesting.  It means, "The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.; a pledge or undertaking; an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action."  Men are fickle and often do not keep their commitments.  We make promises we do not or cannot keep, and do not like our freedom to do as we choose restricted.  A commitment can become a hindrance from what we want to do rather than being liberating.  It is a burden to be borne rather than a privilege.  In all our commitments we retain our sovereignty over our own will rather than surrendering our lives to the will of God.

Contrast the previous definitions with that of "surrender:"  "stop resisting to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority; give in to; give up or hand over (a person, right, or possession), typically on compulsion or demand."  Christ makes many demands of His disciples, and on the strength of our commitment we are unable to fulfil any of them.  We might as well claim we can do the work of God in our own strength!  We are called to stop resisting or grieving the Holy Spirit through rebellion and disobedience, repent, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.  If we stop short of full surrender, we attempt to remain in charge of our lives.  If we are Christ's disciples, we must lay down our will so we can embrace and be empowered by God to do His.

Many Christians "recommit" their lives to Jesus many times because they have not fully surrendered to Him.  Surrender is not a one-time decision, but one confirmed daily by obedience to God's Word as we deny ourselves, take up our cross daily (die to self), and follow Jesus.  Praise the LORD this is His will, and when we surrender ourselves to Him He will accomplish it.  Answer this question honestly:  are you totally surrendered to God?  Until then we resemble a child falling asleep on a merry-go-round - movement but no real progression.