27 February 2020

The Jehoram Lesson

The life of Jehoram in scripture is a most cautionary tale.  He was made king following the passing of Jehoshaphat, a king who was godly and loved by the people.  Jehoram was given the throne by birthright and his base character was quickly exposed when he killed his brothers and followed the ways of the idolatrous king of Israel.  We imagine a person will "rise to the occasion" when given a position of power but the opposite is true:  they can use their power to do more evil than ever.

With resources and a position which could have been employed to do great good for God's glory, Jehoram led the nation astray.  After years of idolatry, cruelty, and wickedness, God struck Jehoram with an incurable illness.  2 Chronicles 21:20 tragically relates, "He was thirty-two years old when he became king. He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one's sorrow, departed. However they buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."  Did you see that?  Jehoram, "to no one's sorrow, departed."  What a legacy to have attached to the opportunity he had to excel as a honourable man, son, brother, dad, husband, or king.  He was offered the opportunity to receive the blessings of God and be a blessing but became a curse and byword.  He was not missed.

Jehoram was buried in the city of David because of his relation to King David, but he was not afforded the honour of being buried with the kings.  He did not live up to the honour and responsibilities of his station before God or man and thus was shamed even after a painful and prolonged illness which led to death.  He did not have the pity of even his immediate family, for to no one's sorrow he departed.  Do you know what is more profitable and useful than being mourned after your passing?  To use the days God has given you on earth to love one another as Jesus loves you.  Even the kings and leaders the people mourned greatly over were not present to receive the accolades and kind words spoken about them.  Better to honour God in life in all dealings with men because He is the One who supplies eternal rewards and honour by His grace.

If Jehoram had not been king, his corpse would have been viewed as no better than unclean refuse by his subjects.  Christians in this life may be despised for holding fast to their integrity and faith in God, but such are precious in the Father's sight.  Psalm 116:12-16 speaks of our motivation to live as ones loved and redeemed by God--not to earn His love:  "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? 13 I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. 14 I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have loosed my bonds."  We deserve worse than Jehoram for our sin, but praise God He has offered us the cup of salvation, inclined His ear, and loosened our bonds because we are precious in His sight.

25 February 2020

The Christian Tradition

A conversation I shared with a brother from church started me thinking about the impact of tradition in our expressions of faith and obedience.  Traditions in themselves are not necessarily good or bad but because of our bent towards formula, routine, and self-righteousness they can divorced from the original purpose or reasoning behind them.  We can adopt a legalistic view of what should be done when and how things must be to be done right--typically with our own experience setting the gold standard.

Take water baptism for example:  depending on your culture and Christian denomination beyond the theology there is great variety in the view of baptism, who is qualified to perform a baptism, how it is practically done, and the reasons behind it.  It may be we rely upon our own experience (which was likely impacted by tradition to some extent) rather than the scripture to form our ideas of why baptism in water is important.  Some imagine a person cannot be saved without it, and others downplay it altogether because it is not a "salvation issue."  The Bible is clear salvation occurs by faith in Jesus before baptism in water and not dependent on it (Acts 8:37, Acts 16:30-31) but was practiced in obedience to Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) and identification with Him (Acts 10:44-48).

One of the buildings our church moved into had a baptismal on the stage I believe we only utilised once:  our "tradition" was to go to the beach for a picnic.  We made a day of it and headed down to a nice spot in Mission Bay.  After lunch people made their way to the beach with guitars and sang worship songs.  A pastor addressed the people who gathered from the church and curious onlookers to explain we were having a baptism and why.  People stepped forward to be baptised and queued up to be baptised by a pastor or elder who prayed with them before immersing them in water and lifting them up to applause from the crowd.  I realise this experience would be considered strange or even bizarre by some because their traditions are different.  It is important I do not look back upon my experiences as free from tradition because the ceremony was relaxed and did not involve donning white robes.

No matter what church you attend, it is likely (to some degree) tradition has impacted what things are done and how.  It is the scripture--not tradition--which is to dictate why things are done and we can hold to God's unchanging truth with freedom to honour Him as He directs.  If the reason for us doing something are not supported in scripture, we are under no obligation to continue in it.  Growing up we often held a "sunrise service" early on Easter morning, yet there is no biblical mandate for this.  There is certainly nothing amiss with rising before dawn on Easter to remember with awe and praise our risen Saviour Jesus Christ.  One might say if Mary was willing to go to the tomb before it was day out of reverence for Jesus who she expected to find dead, how much earlier should we rise in honour of our risen King!  Tradition can be justified and staunchly defended as better and right, but that does not make those who keep it spiritually superior over anyone else.

Let us have our traditions but in identifying them as such let us not attach any moral or spiritual obligation to keep them beyond the scripture.  Doing things causes tradition to become an obstacle that hinders people from following Jesus in truth.  The Pharisees were masters of this, straining at gnats but swallowing camels.  Let us follow the scripture in step with the Body of Christ according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, giving grace to others whether they hold to a tradition or not.  Our call is to be convinced in our own minds and not give place to the devil through self-righteous judgments of others.  The Christian tradition Jesus established is one of freedom to worship and honour God according to the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit, not to follow tradition as the end in itself.

24 February 2020

Greener Pastures

Many people traverse through life like grazing animals seeking greener pastures.  The undertones of the phrase "seeking greener pastures" are dissatisfaction and restlessness, something we humans can all identify with to some degree.  It seems we only need to be at the supposed greener pasture for a little while--that new job, relationship, suburb, or church--until we realise it isn't quite as green as we would like.  Our experiences seem to line up with the Erma Bombeck book title from the 70's:  The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank.  The grass is greener, but do you want to know why the grass is greener?  Are you sure you want to eat that grass?

We don't need to be like King Solomon who had everything a person could want and piled on exponentially more to know our expectations are rarely met.  It doesn't take much for a dream holiday to turn into an unforgettable nightmare.  The most exceptional circumstances often leave something to be desired because we are insatiable.  Like greedy dogs whose god is their belly, we are always looking for something to hit the spot.  And when we aren't even hungry we open our stocked fridge or pantry to see what might appeal to us because it is lunchtime and are disappointed.  We scroll through the news or a social media feed to look for something new because our eyes aren't tired of seeing.

Undoubtedly the lure of greener pastures has led unsuspecting sheep to their deaths by hidden dangers they concealed.  Predatory beasts lay in the tall grass with the wind in their face, eyes wide and muscles tense as they crept toward their prey.  You see, it isn't the alluring greenness of a pasture which makes it good for sheep of Christ's fold but the Good Shepherd we follow.  David wrote in Psalm 23:1-2, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."  Could there be greener pastures than those where Jesus has led you?  Maybe, but who cares?  Better to be casting our cares on the One who cares for us than to walk by sight.  Because the LORD is my Shepherd I shall not want, for He will see all my needs abundantly supplied in His time and way.

Predators target animals that are isolated from a herd or flock.  How important it is therefore we would not scatter from our Saviour Jesus!  David concluded his thoughts in Psalm 23:5-6:  "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."  On this planet we are in enemy territory under the sway of Satan, yet believers find rest and peace through faith in our Saviour regardless of circumstances.  He provides, guides, and protects us even when the enemies draw close with evil intent.  With Jesus leading us goodness and mercy will follow us all our days regardless of drought, famine, fire or flood.  What enduring contentment there is in our LORD Jesus Christ who is ours, and we are His forever.

23 February 2020

Stay Loyal to God

My family and I have been reading through the book of 2 Chronicles and the life of king Asa presents a strong case of our need to keep seeking and trusting God all our days.  Our good God does not change, but we do and not always for the better.  The finest wines can turn to vinegar in poor conditions, and when our hearts drift from reliance in the LORD the wisest can become fools.  King Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived, yet in his latter days he was a hollow shell of his former self who more resembled king Saul than king David his father.  This teaches us men, regardless of their divinely inspired wisdom, all have their flaws:  none is good like God, not one.

Because king Asa trusted in the LORD God gave him astonishing victories in battle.  He took courage at the exhortation of godly prophets to put away idols from the land and even removed his mother from being queen because of idolatry.  People throughout Israel flocked to him because he set his heart to seek the LORD.  Asa had been king 36 years in Jerusalem when Basha king of Israel came against him.  Instead of relying upon the LORD as on previous occasions, king Asa sent a present to Benhadad king of Syria to make an alliance with him and help him.  Benhadad agreed to the arrangement which ended the threat of Basha and all seemed to be well--that is, until a prophet of God came to Asa with a sobering message.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9 tells us, "And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: "Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the LORD your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars."  When David was confronted with his sin with Bathsheba and Urijah the Hittite he publicly confessed and repented.  Sadly, king Asa responded in a very different way because he was filled with rage.  He was angry with the messenger and did not receive God's gracious message.  It proved to be the beginning of his end.

2 Chronicles 16:10-13 says, "Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time. 11 Note that the acts of Asa, first and last, are indeed written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 12 And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the LORD, but the physicians. 13 So Asa rested with his fathers; he died in the forty-first year of his reign."  Instead of humbling himself in repentance before God, Asa became angry; he put Hanani the prophet in prison and oppressed God's people.  And when he was stricken with a disease he relied on the doctors rather than  seeking God who had the power to help and make him whole.  Before the LORD all the motives and intent of our hearts is laid bare, and God continues to look to show Himself strong on behalf of people whose hearts are loyal to Him.  This loyalty to God ought to continue even when we are rightly (or even wrongly!) rebuked for our foolishness.

How we receive correction and handle depressing news says something about us:  do we seek the LORD or lash out?  Are we filled with rage or allow our hearts to be broken in repentance?  Do we rely on assistance or help from men or return to the LORD in faith, relying upon Him?  King Asa's days as king are spent, but there is hope for us in God.  Praise the LORD we don't need to be kings or queens to learn and personally apply timeless truth from the lessons God has provided through him.  Let us call to mind Psalm 46:1 in times of peace or when we are overwhelmed:  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

21 February 2020

The Willing Offering

"These are their numbers, according to their fathers' houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; 16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor."
2 Chronicles 17:14-16

The Bible is filled with choice wisdom which can be discovered in listings of genealogies and notable people.  Our initial response when we see longs names and numbers might be to skip or skim, but there are insights for hungry seekers even there.  One such person is mentioned is Amasiah in verse 16, a man "who willingly offered himself to the LORD."

God loves a cheerful giver of themselves into His service, and Amasiah is one of many who offered themselves as a living sacrifice for His glory.  Hannah dedicated her son Samuel before his birth into the service of the tabernacle and later he said to God, "Speak LORD, for your servant hears."  Amasiah was no prophet but a faithful man of God nevertheless, a man God made captain in the army of Judah.  The Hebrew word translated "offered willingly" is defined in the Strong's Concordance as:  "to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously; offer freely, be (give, make, offer self) willing."  The people willingly gave of their goods to build the tabernacle, but greater still is a man who gives himself willingly unto the LORD.  God's eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth seeking to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal and committed to Him (2 Chron. 16:9).

Many people loyal to the God of Israel flocked to King Jehoshaphat who feared and honoured God from all the tribes.  Having willingly offered themselves to God like Amasiah such were pleased to serve the LORD's anointed in Jerusalem.  As a Christian, this made me think of the call for believers to present themselves as living sacrifices to Jesus Christ who died in the place of sinners.  Then it hit me:  if today Jesus literally was sitting on a throne in Jerusalem, would I make it my primary aim to present myself before Him, to willingly offer myself into His service and do whatever He said?  Of course, right?  We would be willing to leave a country, job or career, and all our possessions at great cost just to see in person the Messiah and our KING, to lay our eyes on the One who atoned for our sins on Calvary, to touch the risen and living Son of God.  Like Simeon who held Jesus as an infant we would say upon the conclusion of that meeting, "LORD, I am ready to depart in peace because my eyes have seen your salvation."

Where this illustration falls short is we do not need to wait until Jesus is physically seated on a throne in Jerusalem to willingly offer ourselves to Him, for even now He sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven.  He lives to make intercession on our behalf, ready to grant mercy and grace to help in time of need.  It is attractive for us to willingly offer ourselves in person because of what role He might appoint us to or what we stand to gain in the future, but our daily service unto Him should be based upon Who He is and all He has already done.  Willingly offering ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice is more than a pledge or a commitment but is actually doing the thing, freely giving ourselves into His service.  A son in a parable committed to work for his father but "I go sir!" proved to be empty words.  Christian, we must determine if we are all talk and bluster or are willingly offering ourselves to the LORD, not just bowing our knees or heads in prayer but taking up our cross daily to follow Jesus in joyful obedience.

19 February 2020

Judgment, Division and Contentions

We live in a highly polarised world where people are divided and divisive.  According to political, ethical, religious, and personal convictions we fashion a unique identity which welcomes people who agree with us and often excludes those who do not.  This "us and them" mentality is something which can colour and corrupt the perspectives of genuine Christians.  Our views of other churches or denominations primarily emphasises points of disagreement rather than Who unites us.  Based on hearsay we can write-off thousands of genuine believers as heretics because of a book or alleged quote from a pastor of a particular church.  Instead of following Jesus we can follow the divisive patterns of men or the virtual gossip of many modern-day watchmen.

The danger of division in the church is nothing new.  From early days the devil has sought to overthrow the church by persecution, undermine it by false doctrine, or subvert it through legalism.  This morning I read Paul's words written to the spiritually gifted yet divided Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13:  "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"  Paul wrote to a legitimate church of Jesus Christ--not an apostate or false church--that some today would have deem "hyper-Pentecostal" perhaps with disdain.  Yet Paul did not hold this negative view of them.  Having helped establish the church in Corinth, Paul called them brothers and urged them to put away divisions, the same divisions which continue to be an enemy of God's love, grace, and unity in Jesus today.  Judgment led to divisions and then contentions:  it was an environment where those who asserted they were factually right (and others were wrong) were exposed as carnal.

Paul called out the believers in Corinth for their sinful judgments, self-righteousness, and pride.  Did you notice what they were saying?  "I am of Paul; I am of Apollos; I am of Peter; I am of Christ."  The proclamation of their identify revealed pride in themselves.  There was pride in their boasts:  they boasted of their knowledge of the truth, how they discerned fault in others, and created divisions God never made.  It is hard for us to imagine some would follow Paul to the exclusion of Apollos or Peter, but this scripture shows it happened.  Some refused to humble themselves under the teaching or discipline of anyone because they only answered to Christ.  But Paul saw through their self-righteous spirituality and knew their hearts were not right before God.  Judging others as wrong allowed them to approve themselves and maintain an unassailable moral high ground--even when addressed by Paul who helped bring them to salvation.

We need not look beyond ourselves to know this self-righteousness is a real problem.  How many times have we thought or said out loud about another person or church, "I don't like the way their worship is like a show" or "I hate the Bible translation they use" or "I like that we teach through the Bible" (inferring others don't to our high standard).  It is perfectly fine for us to have preferences based upon our understanding of God and His Word, to have personal convictions we aim to uphold for the glory of God.  This does not mean we are justified to condemn other churches, ministries, or people, to judge ourselves right because others are wrong.  Paul wrote in Romans 14:10-13:  "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way."  Judgment of others led to contempt for them, and Paul urged believers to avoid this pitfall.  Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God, so let us judge ourselves to determine we are walking in the way that pleases Him.

Paul asked the Corinthians, "Is Christ divided?"  The answer is obviously no.  Paul had not been crucified for believers so he had no desire or claim for followers.  Because believers are united under Jesus Christ our Head, we are to walk in humility and love towards one another so there is no hindrance to the fellowship of the saints.  Self-righteousness and pride work to isolate a person unto themselves, and Jesus demonstrated great humility and righteousness when He came to seek and save sinners.  He was not "holier than thou" when He alone was and is holy!  I believe God led me to these scriptures to realign my perspective with His, to cease creating divisions where He has not.  How blatant is my hypocrisy when I do not give more grace to those I perceive as without grace, to judge the judgmental!  By the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit may all in the Body of Christ be joined together in the same mind and same judgment:  that we will demonstrate love for one another by ceasing to negatively judge or stumble others as we keep our eyes on Jesus.  Rather than condemnation, may edification of the Church by grace, love, and truth be Christ's enduring legacy through us.

18 February 2020

The Always Faithful God

It amazes me how God works countless wonders and yet this does not always translate into faith.  God miraculously brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land after sustaining them for 40 years.  He caused water to flow from a rock and provided bread from heaven, yet they continued to lean on their own understanding, walking by sight instead of faith in Him.  This same tendency goes for me too, for none of us are immune to this short-sighted folly.

Yesterday I read 1 Kings 17 which provides an illustration of how slow people are to recognise God's miraculous provision.  During a severe drought and famine God directed the prophet Elijah to go to a widow woman.  When he found her she was gathering sticks to light a fire to bake her last meal for herself and her son.  All they had was a scant amount of flour and oil and once that was gone they were without hope of survival.  Elijah asked her to bake a cake for him first and promised in 1 Kings 17:14-16:  "For thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'" 15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah."

In her desperate plight the woman did as Elijah asked because she had nothing to lose.  She exercised a degree of faith in God which was rewarded with enough flour and oil to live on.  One might imagine the woman cooked food daily in amazement and worship of God that food which could have only supplied a meal for her and her son could last for months while feeding a grown man too!  The poor woman who had already lost her husband eventually faced the death of her child from illness.  She confronted Elijah in grief, accusing him of bringing her sin to remembrance and killing her son!  Though God daily provided the food she ate, her resentment caused her faith to whither.  She was at one point resigned to the death of her son, but after his death she bristled with unbelief.  She questioned the motives and legitimacy of this freeloading prophet who had taken up residence with her.  Isn't this inconsistency strangely familiar in us?

Elijah took the child to the room the widow had provided for him and prayed for the child.  1 Kings 17:21-24 reads, "And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him." 22 Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives!" 24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth."  The woman could have known Elijah was a man of God and spoke truth because the flour and oil was divinely sustained, but it seems that miracle was lost on her:  it took the death and revival of her son to realise Elijah was indeed a prophet of the God of Israel.  I wonder:  how many miracles does God do for us which are lost on us?  He has blessed and saved us and yet we doubt Him and accuse those He sends to help us.

Praise the LORD not one of His miracles is wasted, for there is always more where that came from as our eternal, benevolent, gracious King.  His mercies are without end and His grace is sufficient for us day by day.  We will all go the way of the earth when our time comes, but praise the LORD our times are in the hands of the everlasting God who will never leave or forsake us.  We are not always faithful, but He is ever faithful and good.

16 February 2020

Forsaking All to Follow

"So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him."
Luke 5:11

No matter how much study or effort goes into the process of preaching, there are countless ways to improve.  There are things I wish I had said which I neglected, topics or passages I wish I had handled differently, or words after saying them in retrospect I would have left unsaid.  After preaching it is a mixture of feeling blessed to learn from God and share from His Word coupled with the knowledge I didn't quite nail it.  Yesterday I taught on the first part of Luke 5 and afterwards was a bit disappointed I didn't expound this verse just a bit more.  Praise the LORD He is a Redeemer and the One who gives understanding of His Word so even man's poor attempts can be fruitful and practical.

After Jesus caused Simon and his partners to haul in a miraculous catch of fish, upon reaching the shore they "forsook all and followed Him."  This meant they left their boats, the fish they had caught, their nets, their families, and homes to follow Jesus.  Since Jesus was their LORD they were completely at His service.  The point I wished I had emphasised was because Jesus is LORD they could be assured their families would be cared and provided for should Jesus lead them away from home.  Following Jesus meant Peter leaving his wife and mother-in-law (perhaps some children as well) and James and John are described as leaving their father in the boat with the servants.

There would be a heavy personal cost to follow Jesus for Simon Peter, but he was not required to sin in divorcing his wife to follow Christ.  He was not required to spend all his money on "the ministry" to the neglect of his own family.  Jesus would lead Peter to places and to people which were outside his comfort zone, but Jesus would not lead Peter to shirk his responsibilities at home.  Just like the fruitfulness of Peter's fishing efforts were directly related to the guidance of Jesus being the captain of his ship, so Peter could trust Jesus to lead him in a godly and good way--even when it meant time away from home.  Separation from family and friends is a hard thing Jesus sometimes asks us to do and we can trust Him to supply the needs of a marriage, friendship, and family.

It is important for us to examine our motives and ensure we are actually following Jesus in our ministering, not just assuming He is in our boat when we left Him on the shore weeks ago.  There are seasons of life; there are seasons of ministry.  Doing things because we have always done them (or at one time felt led to do them) is not a good enough reason to keep doing them.  God is faithful, and may we also be faithful to forsake all our plans and ambitions so we might follow Him in His way.  Those who are married ought not to seek to be loosed, and those who are unmarried ought not be preoccupied to "settle down" in marriage.  Whether married or unmarried, whether our parents are elderly, our children are young, or the family business is booming, let us choose to follow Jesus.  He will always guide us in the right way and make our efforts in obedience to Him fruitful.

13 February 2020

Praise God with Understanding

Over lunch yesterday I shared an engaging conversation about the nature and character of God.  It struck me that no matter how abundant the evidence or plain the facts, at some point faith is required.  God is eternal and infinite in love, wisdom, grace, and goodness.  We humans are finite, locked within time, and our perspective is shockingly limited.  In reaching for better understanding of God and how He operates (who does not share our thoughts, nor are His ways like ours) we cobble together examples which are woefully inadequate using words which cannot do justice to God's reality.  At a funeral or memorial service it is impossible to convey the impact of a single life of a brief span of time:  how can we explain eternity or He who inhabits it?

Because God has graciously revealed Himself through the Word and the person of Jesus Christ we can know Who we worship.  But let us not make the mistake that God is like us any more than a created thing resembles the maker.  He formed Adam from the dust of the ground yet God always has been!  Inventors design and manufacture tools and machines for particular purposes.  A mobile phone looks and behaves nothing like those who designed it, operating on electricity rather than being a living, breathing, thinking person.  A mop bucket, automobile, shoe, or building bear no resemblance to those who engineered or utilise them.  God confronted presumptuous people who assumed He was like them in Psalm 50:19-21:  "You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. 20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes."

It is good to recognise God is someone completely foreign and beyond this world.  This proves difficult when we use familiar allusions like saying "God the Father."  God is a Spirit and does not have a body, but when I think of our heavenly Father and a throne I logically envision something rather based on human anatomy with facial features obscured with white light.  Because God is completely beyond human form, this concrete frame of reference is the best we can do because we live in a concrete, physical world.  This world, relationships, and created living and non-living things can only hint at the order, glory, love, and wisdom of God.  The heavens declare the glory of God but they are not god nor is any created thing worthy of worship.

We cannot comprehend or appreciate the size (big or small) of all God has created, yet by faith we can worship and praise the One God who has created all.  Just like fuel for vehicles and battery power for tools or phones runs out, so our understanding has limitations and an end.  There are things we will never fully understand but we are enabled and called to worship God according to our level of understanding.  It would be silly to allow what we cannot know erode our faith in what and Who we do know.  I do not understand how bones form in the womb of a mother, but I know they can and do.  We are all walking miracles by the grace of God, the One we celebrate and worship with thanksgiving.  As our knowledge of God grows like a baby in the womb, may our praise and gratefulness increase for eternity.  God is nothing like us, but He has loved us enough to become one of us to save, transform, and redeem us forever.

12 February 2020

The Redeemer's Voice

Psalm 77 by Asaph is a great example that in our distress it is good to remember who God is and all He has done.  We easily forget to relate God's awesome deeds in times past to our current situation.  Because God is faithful the provision, protection, and help in the past enables us to trust Him in the present.  Perhaps we can't predict how or when God will do His wonders, but He will.

Asaph wrote in Psalm 77:11-15, "I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? 14 You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. 15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah"  Instead of racking his brain to figure out how he could change his circumstances for the better, Asaph meditated on all the times God delivered His people in the past.  He compared the ways of God to powerless idols and fatally flawed mythological gods, and with the true God there was found no equal or real comparison.  Who is a great redeemer like the God of Israel, a Saviour who does miraculous wonders?

Asaph continued in Psalm 77:16-20:  "The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You, they were afraid; the depths also trembled. 17 The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; Your arrows also flashed about. 18 The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook. 19 Your way was in the sea, Your path in the great waters, and Your footsteps were not known. 20 You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."  If you have ever been outside in a powerful lightning storm or rattled by a strong earthquake, these natural events can be harrowing and strike fear into the most courageous hearts.  Before the presence of the Almighty it was the water, wind, lightning, thunder, and earth which trembled with fear.  When a way of escape and deliverance from the pursuing army was impossible God was the Way, leading His redeemed people through the Red Sea.

The last verse provides a surprising shift from the verses previous:  the great God which defeats enemies, delivers from death, and causes the elements to tremble with reverence, is a gentle Good Shepherd towards His chosen people.  The earth rightly trembles before its Creator, the One who reaches down as a loving father who takes the hand of his frightened child and says with a smile, "Don't be afraid!  Here I am, and I won't leave of forsake you."  Isn't it amazing the God whose voice is like thunder speaks in a soft and still voice which calms troubled souls who trust Him?  God continues to deliver, lead, and save His redeemed as He always has.

10 February 2020

Rejoicing in the LORD Always

A hit song by Bobby McFerrin in the 80's repeated the phrase, "Don't worry, be happy!"  Perhaps the sentiment could be equated with the Aussie standby "No worries" or Disney's "Hakuna Matata" from the Lion King movie.  It suggests a change of mind and focus, that instead of fretting over circumstances out of our control we simply choose happiness instead.  While we can agree worrying can't change our situation, the pursuit of happy feelings is often futile.  The idea worrying and happiness cannot co-exist to some degree is unfounded, for the happiest people endure worrying times.

I am reminded of an approach different to the McFerrin's lyrics by Paul's words in the book of Philippians.  This letter was written from prison where he had been wrongfully arrested and imprisoned for years and said in Philippians 4:4:  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" Rejoicing in the LORD is very different from being "happy."  Happiness often depends on what happens, but regardless of the circumstances of life we always have great cause to rejoice in the LORD.  God is worthy of all honour, glory, and praise, the sovereign KING over all for eternity who loves us!  A fruit of the Spirit is joy, so not only is God worthy of being perpetually celebrated but supplies fullness of joy to our lives.  God works in us to both will and do His good pleasure, and Paul directs us to rejoice in the LORD always.

Jesus modeled and taught His followers that instead of worrying we ought to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all we need will be added to us.  It feels good to be happy when it lasts, but the huge pitfall of seeking happiness is it is self-focused.  Solomon used his great wealth and power to pursue happiness and fulfillment but he ended up empty.  It is ironic narcissistic people who seek happiness tend to be overwhelmingly dissatisfied.  Paul clues all in on a key to overcoming worry in Philippians 4:6-8:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

The one who rejoices in God always is to pray to God instead of worrying.  The focus is to be on God, not the situation or even how bad we feel.  There is one startling omission from what we might expect in verse 8:  there is not one mention of self.  None of us can rise to the standard God has set concerning truth, nobility, or being absolutely just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous, or praiseworthy.  Rejoicing in God, praying to God, thinking about God, that is the place we who naturally worry discover enduring peace and security.

09 February 2020

The Power of Christ

We like the promise of a sure thing, don't we?  Unknowns and uncertainties weigh upon our minds and can paralyse us with worry, fear, and frustration.  We like guarantees even when the assurance provided by a seller may not be worth the paper it is written on.  As our experiences stack up over the years there is likely a growing list of occasions we have been cheated, lied to, and taken advantage of.  All this works to make us cynical and skeptical of finding honesty and fairness in the world.  When we walk by sight this jaded perspective can cloud our view of God and undermine faith in Him.

It has been quipped the only things you can count on in life is death and taxes, but in reality there could be much added to the list:  in this world are liars, cheaters, hypocrites, thieves, and unscrupulous, greedy people.  But I am glad to say there is one Being we can count on who alone is greater than all the evil the world can conjure up:  God!  We can count on God's goodness, love, grace, and provision in all circumstances of life.  Claims of a "cure-all" drug or tonic rightly should be met with skepticism, but God has proven He is a Saviour of all who trust in Him.  Christians can have the absolute confidence of a young child in his father's strength because Jesus Christ has conquered sin and death by His death and resurrection.  He has without fail provided forgiveness and eternal life for all who trust in Him.

Some Christians place a great deal of emphasis on the fact Jesus healed all who were brought to Him to assert God's will is all can be immediately healed of their infirmities:  if we continue to suffer from a condition or deformity it is likely because we have not adequately placed faith in God.  Now it is true Jesus healed all brought to Him, and I believe it is God's will to heal.  But I believe Jesus healed all to show there was no malady, illness, or condition beyond His power to heal--not to say in every case He will bring immediate physical healing.  It is evident there are things God allows on earth which were never His will:  sin, disease, and death.  God is not willing any should perish but there are many who do.  God is able to redeem even a most awful thing like the crucifixion of the righteous Son of God to accomplish His good purposes.

God provides a great blessing to us by the unknowns in this life because they drive us to despair or to trust Him more.  Because they failed to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan God allowed them to remain to test His people, to see if they would trust and obey Him or not.  He compared the enemies He allowed to dwell among them as "snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until you perish..." (Joshua 23:13).  God allowed a "messenger of Satan," a spiritual entity to buffet Paul, and he prayed it would depart from him.  It may be a shock to us God would say "No" to Paul three times, but God had His own purposes behind it.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10 relates, "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In everything God allows His grace is sufficient for us.  We prefer to immediately remove what we perceive to be the source of discomfort, to be physically healed, to be delivered from messengers of Satan, but sometimes for His own reasons God lovingly declines.  It was in the season of pain and certainty of difficulty the power of Christ rested upon Paul.  Isn't that a worthy trade in our favour, to be permitted to suffer what we know God could heal or drive away in an instant so we might walk in God's grace, increased faith, and the power of Christ?  Do you see it?  Jesus Christ is the only One we can count on, our only Refuge, the only path to healing, deliverance, and eternal life.  Righteous Job said of God, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (Job 13:15).  Let us boldly come before God's throne room of grace to seek Him and the healing only He can supply, believing He will ultimately do so, leaving the timing of the thing to Him.  In the meantime may we walk in the power of Christ and have all confidence in our great God, the Saviour and lover of our souls.

07 February 2020

The Satanic Will

During my youth there was a rise of overt satanism.  Occult symbols and practices were expressed in children's cartoons and there were reports of cats being used as sacrifices.  Satanic imagery was employed in artwork and lyrics of rock musicians which shocked the conservative public.  A personal example is when my family arrived early to church on a Sunday morning to find large pentagrams etched onto the doors of the building and also discovered "666" carved by vandals on the communion table.  Though the sensational reports of satanic activity these days is rare, Satan continues to lie, steal, and destroy.

I was reminded of this reality when I read a passage of scripture toward the end of King David's life in 1 Kings 1:5:  "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him."  Like Absalom his brother before him, Adonijah the son of David proudly exalted himself and declared, "I will be king."  He felt entitled to the kingdom of Israel.  The tone of his statement bears a striking resemblance to Lucifer's claim (also called Satan or the devil, among other names) in Isaiah 14:12-15:  "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' 15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."

God created Lucifer perfect yet pride was found in him that asserted, "I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne; I will be like the Most High!"  One of the modern satanic maxims taps directly into this satanic will:  "Do what thou wilt shalt be the whole of the Law."  Don't we live in an age which exalts self, which urges people to follow their hearts, to do or be whoever they want to be--without acknowledgement of God or humility before Him?  James exposed the wickedness in boastfully asserting our will without faith and submission to God in James 4:13-17:  "Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." 16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil."  Boasting isn't just the tone we use but relates to sinful motives in our hearts.

James followed the example of Jesus Christ who did not rail upon the sins in the world but exhorted people to personally repent for their own sin, pride, and boasting.  James wrote to believers who needed correction from a self-willed perspective so they might repent of evil and adopt a humble, God-honouring one instead.  It is interesting to me James encourages people to say, "If the LORD wills, we shall live and do this or that."  This emphasises our connection to Jesus Christ through faith and the Body of Christ the church.  If we are in Christ we are never alone!  This is not to suggest Christians are obliged to speak to pastors or ministers in the church to run their plans by them for approval, but that we are in submission to God.  God is the one being Who is not presumptuous, boastful, or proud when He says, "I will!"  The satanic "I will" is a subtle (or not so subtle!) way of playing God, a vain boast we ought to repent of.  We should choose instead to humble ourselves before God like Jesus:  "Not my will but Yours be done."

06 February 2020

Showers of Grace

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."
Matthew 5:43-45

People across Sydney and much of Australia awakened this morning praising God for the rain that has come to our dry land.  This soaking rain has been predicted to remain for at least a week and will provide much needed relief from bushfires, smoke, and high heat coupled with drought conditions.  For months now I have been praying for rain and it is a blessing to see God answer the requests of many toward this refreshing end.

Jesus taught His followers to love their enemies, doing good to those who hate them, and pray for those who spitefully use them.  The reason given for this is based upon the example of God who makes the sun to rise on the evil and good, and sends rain on the just and unjust.  People across the globe are benefactors of God's goodness, grace, and generous provision who do not acknowledge or thank Him.  Australia is called by many "the lucky country" and do not ascribe glory to God for the richness of the land He has provided for us.  Yet even on avowed enemies of God He has sent an abundance of rain today we all desperately need:  fires are burning, dams are at the lowest level in over a decade, and because of water restrictions our gardens and lawns are dry.

If we are born again children of God through faith in Jesus, then our acts can and ought to reflect His love and grace.  On people who walk in darkness He allows the sun to shine and the Light of the World Jesus Christ has been sent to save them.  Sydney is known to have scattered showers which drench one area and another remains dry.  God has the power to withhold rain and to cause it to fall, but let us not think any of us deserve His blessings because of our goodness or our relation to Him:  all we have received is of grace.  God answers our prayers for rain with showers from heaven because He is gracious, not because He owes us anything.  God is compassionate and gracious to all, commanding rain to fall on the just and unjust because He is good, faithful, and delights in mercy.

05 February 2020

Scripture With Scripture

Using scripture to interpret scripture is a most valuable practice and provides great insight into God's truth.  Because the Bible is the infallible Word of God apparent contradictions can aid us understanding it is not always "either or" but sometimes "both."

An example is seen in 2 Samuel 24:1-2"Again the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, "Go, number Israel and Judah." 2 So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, "Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people."  As a loving father disciplines a child he loves, God at times disciplined His people for their sin through a variety of means:  being troubled or defeated by enemies, stirring up adversaries from within, famine, pestilence, lack of rain, and on.  We are not told precisely why God's anger was aroused against Israel, but scripture reveals God is sovereign, slow to anger, and longsuffering.  His righteous anger (when stirred up) is always justified and perfectly weighted with love and grace.

A parallel passage with a significant difference is found in 1 Chronicles 21:1-2:  "Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, "Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it."  Some might ask, "Was it Satan or God who moved David to take a census?"  One thing we know about the character of Satan from scripture is he is a liar and murderer from the beginning who always is an adversary against God and His people and desires their destruction.  The explanation is God used Satan as the instrument to chasten and teach His own people--even as He used the Babylonians to judge Israel.  There is always a limit to our knowledge or understanding but we should bring the whole counsel of God to aid us to best interpret a Bible passage.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary puts it like this:  "This is no contradiction for the Lord had simply allowed Satan to prompt David to an improper course of action in order that Israel might be punished and that David might be instructed. This is similar to the Lord's permitting Satan to trouble Job (Job 1:12; 2:6) and His allowing an evil spirit to torment Saul (1 Sam. 16:14). In any case, the Lord Himself did not incite David to do evil for "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone" (James 1:13)."  The Commentary illustrates the need to go beyond even the two passages initially cited to look for precedent which support or reject an interpretation.  Knowing the character of God as revealed in scripture helps us rule out erroneous implications and draw informed and useful interpretations and personal applications from scripture.  Having a solid foundation of scriptural truth under our feet by faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit, we are then enabled to grow in understanding and spiritual maturity.

03 February 2020

The Third Dimension

In a world of uncertainty there is security in absolutes.  We like the clear-cut difference between "yes" and "no" or our choices being limited between "A or B."  In Christian circles this desire can filter into doctrine to allow us to make judgments between right or wrong and to determine the "saved" from "unsaved."  Though the truth of God is objective and unchanging our perception of it is in degrees because our limited understanding.  Applying the revelation of God and His Word is more nuanced than a choice between two options.  There are 32 compass points but not one of those readings take vertical elevation into account!

Yesterday I read Romans 1 in the morning and was impacted by something I never noticed before.  It is very easy as a believer in Christ to read this passage (and others like it) with a sort of spiritual superiority akin to the way Jews viewed Gentiles before Jesus established the church and made us one in Him.  When Paul talks about atheists, idolators, fornicators, or homosexuals, surely he is referring to them--not us real Christians, and certainly not me.  Yet see what Romans 1:24-25 says in the KJV, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."

If we relegate the second part of Romans 1 to only the unsaved it has far less personal impact than if we believe it can relate to all people, including myself.  The person who changed the truth of God into a lie is one who "worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator."  The implication of this is enormous because this is not an atheist but one who worships and serves the Creator, to a degree has knowledge of God!  This suggests a degree of worship and service unto God.  The people Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 could be included in this number:  "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" (bold emphasis mine)

Is it possible a genuine Christian can change the truth of God into a lie, to worship and serve the creature more or rather than the Creator?  Sure!  Christianity can be viewed as a means to a better life now through financial gain or blessings.  It is the promise of eternal salvation without forgiveness, forgiveness without repentance, and repentance without brokenness for sin.  The Gospel can be distorted to worship all the benefits we receive from God rather than God who has freely given us all things by His grace.  Christians, like all sinners, have natural leanings towards serving the creature more than the Creator through man-pleasing, self-seeking, and being a respecter of persons.  How important it is to take God's Word personally so we might take it to heart and repent, and not to imagine warnings cannot legitimately apply to us because of our two-dimensional bias.

02 February 2020

Loneliness and Love

During the Australian Open finals I saw an advertisement of an upcoming show of quite possibly the most ill-advised reality-type show ever:  "Married at First Sight."  I freely confess I have arrived to this negative view primarily on the basis of ads alone because I have never watched the show.  It seems ridiculous to pair perfect strangers together as a married couple in a culture which celebrates sex without a marriage relationship that honours God.  I don't know how contestants are compensated beyond money or becoming television celebrities (or gaining a lifelong spouse!), but in my opinion it seems too high a price to toy with people's emotions and feelings for a "social experiment" produced for entertainment.

The promo was particularly impacting because of the harsh reception a young woman named Connie received by family members when she announced she planned to appear on the show.  Connie shared with emotion how she often felt lonely and hoped going on the show and being married would change that.  I know Connie isn't alone.  In our hook-up culture largely devoid of intimacy or godly morality it is increasingly difficult to connect on a personal level that lasts.  This is not to say the church or Christians always have it right.  There are lonely people in the church, in Christian ministry, families, and marriages who seem to have everything going for them.

How I wish I had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with Connie and people who feel like her.  One thing I know for certain is marriage is no silver bullet to kill loneliness dead.  Placing your hopes on a marriage or another person to fulfill a gnawing need within you is misguided:  it is like the hope that eating a wholesome meal will permanently eliminate your need to eat.  No one can live up to our expectations.  To be loved, accepted, and belong is a need all people have only God is able to fully meet.  Looking to others to supply these needs for us will leave us wanting more and filled with dissatisfaction.  David wrote in Psalm 23:1, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."  Because God was David's Shepherd he did not lack anything and was assured of all his needs being met forever by the God who gives eternal life.  David found satisfaction and rest in God who loved him.

It used to be common to say in marriage vows before God, "...till death do we part."  It is God's will marriage between a man and woman be lifelong, but it will not last forever.  The believer's relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ is an eternal union with our Creator who loves us and desires we be together forever.  A married person can feel alone in a relationship devoid of love and affection, but a single person can experience a satisfying, fulfilling life without loneliness through a relationship with God freely offered and received by His grace.  Amazing that God would call our name, that He would seek a union with us more permanent and perfect than the best marriage!

Since God knows our needs and has promised to meet them, we can trust the God who created us to supply our needs in His time and way.  He joins us to His own Body the Church with brothers and sisters, provides spouses and children according to His will.  We can know we are not alone because Jesus has said, "I will never leave or forsake you."  It is this relationship with God which positively impacts all other relationships because God alone is already satisfying us:  it is not about how other people make us feel but that we already belong to God and are loved by Him.  As God's love flows through us to others He continues to fill us.  Instead of thinking, "I'm not getting anything out of this relationship" God shows us how we can love one another as He loves us.  The affirmation God gives is more than positive thinking but unconditional belonging where feelings of loneliness flit away.