Love and Happiness

When I read the works of C.S. Lewis, I am always blessed and encouraged by his God-honouring intelligence which far exceeds my own.  His literary skill and creative approach to answering meaningful questions puts me in the place of a little child having to run to keep up with his father's long stride and still lagging behind.  I recently started re-reading The Problem of Pain, a book Lewis wrote in 1940.  It is the sort of book which strikes the reader differently in each reading because of the depth of content and how much the reader or his circumstances have changed.  Instead of following a familiar pattern of discussion, C.S. Lewis blazed a trail academics, theologians, and us ordinary folk do well to follow.

Having laid the foundation for the existence of God, C.S. Lewis began to explore how people have a belief that if God is all powerful and loving, He should ensure our constant happiness.  A false contradiction and even the denial of God's existence can follow because of the pain a supposed loving God allows.  Consider this remarkable paragraph on page 36:

"The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word "love", and look on things as if man were the centre of them.  Man is not the centre.  God does not exist for the sake of man.  Man does not exist for his own sake.  "Thou has created all things, and for they pleasure they are and were created."  We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us, that we may become objects in which the Divine love may rest "well pleased".  To ask that God's love should be content with us as we are is to ask that God should cease to be God:  because He is what He is, His love must, in the nature of things, be impeded and repelled, by certain stains in our present character, and because He already loves us He must labour to make us loveable.  We cannot even wish, in our better moments, that He could reconcile Himself to our present impurities--no more that the beggar maid could with that King Copherua should be content with her rags and dirt, or a dog, once having learned to love man, could with that man were such as to tolerate in his house the snapping, verminous, polluting creature of the wild pack.  What we would here and now call our "happiness" is not the end God chiefly has in view:  but when we are such as He can love without impediment, we shall in fact be happy." (Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain. Whitefriars Press Ltd., London and Tonbridge, 1942.)

Every love we experience on earth:  the love of people for pets, the love of family, and love between a married couple are only shadows of the love God has for every person.  In our natural state we are cut off from the love of God by our sin, but having provided atonement through the Gospel we are restored to a relationship with God He has designed and desires.  Love is never content with distance, and God delights for us to invite Him in.  Jesus stands at the door and knocks, calling out for people who have grown comfortable without Him like the Shulamite in Solomon's Song.  Fullness of joy is promised those who open the door of their hearts to Him.  What could make a man happier than to love the God who created and loves him?

According to the Gospel

God's Word is like a fire, like a hammer that breaks the rocks in pieces.  It vapourises the chaff of personal opinion and shatters assumptions about God and what we must do to please Him.  It is a light unto our feet and a lamp unto our path, guiding us to avoid pitfalls and obstacles common in life.  In reading the Bible we are warned and in heeding the scriptures there is great reward.  We are most blessed to have the Bible preserved and provided for us personally.

I was impacted as Paul hammered home the nature of the Gospel to believing Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-10:  "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ⁸  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel..."  Like glowing embers that are stirred flare up, so God's Word stirs up our hearts to consider the things of God and live accordingly.  Paul reminded Timothy to stir up the gift of God he received by the grace of God, to use his gifts liberally without fear.

God had not given Timothy or any Christian a spirit of fear but the Holy Spirit marked by "...power and of love and of a sound mind."  The nature of God aligns perfectly with the Gospel provided for the salvation of sinners.  It is a Gospel "according to the power of God" which was evident in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and His glorification.  The Gospel has been provided "according to His own purpose and grace" which was given to us in Christ Jesus.  Before the world began God purposed to save sinners and make us His inheritance by grace, for the Gospel is "not according to our works."  God's power, own purpose, and grace has been revealed by our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Good News of salvation offered freely to all.

Paul, Timothy, and all believers are divinely empowered and enabled to walk in the power and love of God with a sound mind.  No longer should we be ruled by fear, cares, and unknowns but rest in the Saviour we know and that we are known and loved by Him.  Having been saved by grace through faith in Christ Ephesians 2:5-10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  An inventor carefully guards his designs and prototypes which are his life's work, and we are far more precious to God having been purchased with the blood of Jesus.  A Jewish sofer takes great pains to ensure the Torah is copied with perfect precision, and God knows us intimately out of His goodness and for the glory of His name.  A curator is careful to prevent any damage to a painting (or even the frame!) of a valued masterpiece when it is being displayed, moved, and stored, and God takes infinitely more care with us since we are His forever.

Like a weaver makes fabric on a loom, by the command of God this universe has been created, we have been fashioned in the wombs of our mothers, and Jesus Christ the Saviour has called out to us.  Through the Gospel we are His workmanship created for the purpose of revealing God's power, purpose, and grace through good works God has prepared for us.  Having believed we have received blessings beyond number or price, death having been abolished and life and immortality have been brought to light through the Gospel.  How amazing is the power of God and the love He has demonstrated for us.  Since we have received the Gospel we should walk according to it.  Should we suffer for the Gospel it is light affliction indeed, for how can the loss of anything compare with all we have gained through Him?

God Regards the Lowly

"Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar."

Psalm 138:6

God is exalted and on high, greater than all others.  The affluent, famous, and powerful among men fraternise with others like them, but the Creator of all things condescends to hear the lowly.  No amount of riches can compensate for or afford His blessings, but Jesus gladly acknowledged the widow who freely gave two copper coins which amounted to a penny because she gave all (Mark 12:41).  The Most High draws near to the humble soul He regards, but keeps the proud at a distance.

It is entirely possible to have great wealth with humility as Jesus Himself showed:  all things are created by Him and for Him, yet He gave all to put on human flesh with humility.  Since He has all authority in heaven and earth Jesus could have come as a king in glory attended by the host of heaven shouting His praise.  Jesus was instead born of a virgin, wrapped with strips of cloth, and laid in a feeding trough because there was no room for him in the inn.  He was viewed with disdain and suspicion as a child conceived out of wedlock, and when Jesus was grown even His own brothers did not believe He was the Son of God.  Even when He was crucified Jesus prayed concerning His enemies, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do."  What grace!

Jesus told an insightful parable in Luke 18:9-14:  "Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: ¹⁰ "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men--extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' ¹³ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

In the Jewish culture the Pharisee would have been regarded by men for his praying, his clothing and tefillin, tassels, tithing and fasting, yet he only prayed "with himself."  A tax collector, despised and maligned by his fellows, went home justified with a short, unorthodox prayer because he humbly begged for mercy.  He humbled himself before God and would be regarded and exalted by God, yet the proud Pharisee who trusted in his own righteousness by the Law despised the man who actually found favour with God.  Thanking God did not eliminate the Pharisee's pride but put it on display as he foolishly imagined himself worthy of God's notice and favour.  The question is, are we willing to humble ourselves?  The rich and poor alike can do this if we will acknowledge God's greatness and our unworthiness.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.  The proud man does not see his need for God while the humble realises all he has is a gift from God.  Genuine humility is like God's wisdom:  God is the only source of both.  Without God we could never humble ourselves and see self in truth as constantly and completely corrupted by pride.  Pride is endemic to the human race:  a rich man may feel superior because of possessions or station in life, and person in poverty is too proud to admit they need help.  The day we imagine we have pride quashed it pops up again like a mechanical "Whack-a-mole" game--and trying to win by brute strength or speed is impossible.  The amazing truth is the proudest, most hardened sinners can humble themselves by the grace of God and He is faithful to draw near.  He has not dealt with us according to our sins but with the grace and humility demonstrated by Jesus Christ as He walked among us.

The Good Fight of Faith

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."

1 Timothy 6:12

Paul strongly urged Timothy not to be swept up by fables, the pursuit of riches, or the works of the flesh, but to fight the good fight of faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul realised a door opened by Jesus did not mean there would be no adversaries or conflict.  All who walk through doors Jesus opens will face opposition, starting with themselves.  Answering the call of Jesus will always require a personal cost of dying to self, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus.

Being "called" by God does not mean the path of following Jesus will be easy:  there are many people Jesus called out to who refused to follow or heed Him at all!  Timothy had been called to eternal life through faith in Jesus, called as a pastor, and gifted by the Holy Spirit.  But calling was no guarantee Timothy would fulfill his calling, much less labour to lay hold on eternal life.  Eternal salvation through the Gospel is absolutely secure, and at the same time Timothy had a personal responsibility to humble himself, to submit to God and others in love, and to hear the Word of God and do it.

Paul's confidence in Timothy's calling was not on the basis of Timothy's calling, gifts, or public profession of faith, but in Jesus Christ whose blood provided atonement for the sins of the world.  Following Jesus is good but it is not easy with the opposition which withstands children of God in subtle and overt ways.  Having realised the pitfalls of pride, perverse disputes, the love of money and pursuit of wealth, Paul exhorted the young pastor in 1 Timothy 6:11, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness."  Fleeing other things preceded the pursuit of Christ and His sanctified life.

Faith in Christ is a battle mostly waged and won within our hearts and minds, for if Jesus refused to lay down His will in Gethsemane there may not have been a Calvary.  It is glorious to be called by Jesus and to have the sure promise of eternal life provided for disciples of Christ by grace through faith.  At the same time if we have genuine faith we will hear the Word of God and do it.  Our weapons of warfare are not carnal but mighty in God to pull down strongholds--spiritual strongholds in our own minds and hearts which impact our conduct and choices (2 Cor. 10:3-6).

Praise God He has called us to lay hold on eternal life, and though our days are filled with conflict may we press on in following Christ without retreating from the front lines.  Let us press the advantage of our Saviour who has claimed the victory over sin, Satan, the flesh, and death.  We overcome not by positive thinking or self-help but because Jesus is our Saviour and we follow Him.  Going our own way leads to ruin, but Paul affirms in 2 Corinthians 2:14:  "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."  Thank God for His glorious presence and promise.

God's Pop-Quiz Moments

I don't know about you, but in school I never preferred a pop-quiz.  I always appreciated the opportunity to review and brush up on information to perform at my best.  Being unexpectedly put on the spot with the possibility of failure was never a enjoyable feeling.  The one major upside of a pop-quiz is all the students were in the same position, and if all did poorly it indicated ignorance of the students and the need of additional lessons.

Life is full of pop-quiz moments God allows for His good purposes, and when we realise we have failed it compels us to labour to be better prepared in the future.  Though God knows everything He also tests us so the condition of our hearts will be revealed to all.  These tests are not undertaken in a classroom with pencil and paper at a desk but in our responses to God in words, deeds, and attitudes.  Moses told the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 8:2, "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not."  There is the test of having little and trusting Him with obedience, and another unexpected test of having abundance and humbling ourselves before God and others too.  This is the test God gave King Hezekiah after his life was miraculously prolonged, and it was a test he failed.

King Hezekiah is numbered among the good kings of Judah, a man who feared the LORD and laboured to please Him.  When strong enemies besieged the city, lobbing threats and mockery over the walls, Hezekiah's faith did not falter.  He looked to God and relied upon Him alone, and God did great wonders to save His people and Jerusalem.  Hezekiah also cried out to God during a grave illness, and God saw his tears, heard his cries, and extended his life for 15 more years. 2 Chronicles 32:25-26 reads, "But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favor shown him, for his heart was lifted up; therefore wrath was looming over him and over Judah and Jerusalem. ²⁶ Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah."  Hezekiah failed the pop-quiz of having great abundance he showed off to the ambassadors of Babylon, but repentance for his pride reveals the test fulfilled the divine purpose because a valuable lesson was taken to heart.

When we think of being tested or tried it is likely we picture a painful betrayal, an illness, a tragic loss, or conflict.  But the test God provided Hezekiah came when the stores were well-stocked, the treasury was enriched, and his health was fine:  the pop-quiz came with the smiling, friendly ambassadors who brought gifts to celebrate his recovery from sickness.  In this entirely prosperous season of life this incident is contrasted in 2 Chronicles 32:31:  "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  This is heavy, that God who had been leading and helping kind Hezekiah all the time "withdrew from him" so the real Hezekiah would show himself, Hezekiah who needed God to walk wisely and humbly.  The inevitable result?  Hezekiah failed the test being lifted up with pride, but he passed the test of humbling himself in repentance because God helped him.

Whether you find yourself in a trying season or things couldn't be better, know the only way we can pass the test is when we humble ourselves before God and are led by the Holy Spirit.  In poverty we can despair and lose hope, and when all is prosperous we are easily lifted up with pride and forget to rely upon God.  We never know what form the pop-quiz from God will take or when it will come, and the only way we can be prepared to pass is when we humble ourselves before God in faith and obedience.  And when we fail, for there is no man who does not sin, may David's words in Psalm 51:10-13 be on our lips:  "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. ¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You."

Christ our Hope

Every time we speak, text, or write, God's people have the opportunity to edify one another in the faith of Jesus Christ who is our Hope.  I started reading 1 Timothy this morning and was reminded of Paul's exhortations to Timothy to faithfully teach the doctrines of Jesus Christ our LORD, "...nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith." (1 Timothy 1:4)  As long as people have been around there has never been a shortage of political intrigue, controversies, and conspiracies which cause disputes, often preying upon fear and ignorance.  Fueled by doubt and speculation, the fear and praise of God can be overshadowed with endless disputes which profit nothing.

The praise, worship, and glory of God however is timeless in beauty, truth, and relevance.  The youngest son of Jesse named David who God brought from the sheepfold to be a ruler over all the tribes of Israel had plenty to occupy his mind:  the death of his best friend Jonathan, enemies without, intrigue within, rape and murderous plots within his own family, the aggressive and violent sons of Zeruiah, and constant adversity.  Prone to being downcast and overwhelmed, David remembered the LORD and looked to Him with songs of praise.  He acknowledged the greatness of God and considered His mighty works and thus was brought through dark seasons with steadfast joy and peace.  Because God was his hope--not his rights, ability to win a debate, or political clout--he was enabled to rest with the Good Shepherd in pastures of green beside still waters as a rule rather than an exception.

What does it profit to protest against government when we know and are known by the KING OF KINGS?  How are believers edified by promoting controversies which cause disputes instead of directing our perspective towards the Most High in worship and praise?  I exhort all God's people to fix their eyes no matter what happens today in faith in God and His Word.  Life is not hopeless when Christ is our Hope.  Consider the song of David recorded in Psalm 145, a glorious proclamation of our great God and Saviour!

Psalm 145

1 I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. 

2 Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. 

3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. 

4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. 

5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. 

6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. 

7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your righteousness. 

8 The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. 

9 The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. 

10 All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, and Your saints shall bless You. 

11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, and talk of Your power, 

12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom. 

13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. 

14 The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down. 

15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. 

16 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. 

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. 

18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. 

19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. 

20 The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. 

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever.

When Condemnation Knocks

When my wife and I bought our first house, apparently the previous tenant owed money to creditors.  Our neighbour divulged it was not uncommon for her to have a "new car every week" only to have it towed away from the driveway.  Then something unsettling happened:  a creditor showed up on two occasions when I wasn't home with the intent to repossess the furniture the previous tenant had bought on credit.  My wife explained how the house had been sold and we had no contact with the previous tenant, but he was undeterred.  He did not believe she was telling the truth and wanted to enter the house to find the lounge and bedroom set he imagined was hidden inside.  Having refused his demand to come in, my wife told him if he wanted access to the premises he would need to contact the police.

In preparing for this week's sermon I was reminded of this incident from the past and realised for a lot of Christians who have been born again and forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ it is a present reality.  Jesus Christ has provided atonement to pay for our sins, yet the accusing voices of self, Satan, and others can ring in our ears over past sins.  That creditor had no business entering the house to have a look inside:  we were not guilty of missing a single payment because we didn't owe him anything!  Now it is true we are all guilty of sin before God, but we do not owe Satan anything.  We do not need to entertain his sweet talk, threats, insinuations, or condemning tone for one second as children of God.  We can say on the authority of Jesus, "Talk to my Father" and let Him handle it.  Because of what Jesus accomplished on Calvary we are freely forgiven, rendered righteous, and can affirm what Paul wrote in Romans 8:1:  "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."  For all who are in Christ Jesus by grace through faith, there is no condemnation of us from God.

The word "condemnation" in the Strong's Concordance means simply, "an adverse sentence."  After trusting in Jesus Christ our life is hid with Christ in God.  We are crucified with Christ and the life we now live in the flesh is by the faith in Jesus Christ who is our Saviour and King.  We are released from the guilt of the past which attempts to mock us as we are reminded of our grave sins and errors.  Like Ishmael and Hagar were sent packing by Abraham, so we can do with the reminders of our sinful past which seem to plague our memory.  Every thought contrary to Jesus Christ can be taken captive to the obedience of Christ because the Law of Moses was nailed to the cross with Jesus, putting an end to its power over us (2 Corinthians 10:1-6, Colossians 2:13-15).  Having repented of our sin and received forgiveness through faith in Jesus, we are free indeed.

We are free from the guilt of sin and free to do the good works God has prepared for us to do.  Let us not confuse condemnation with conviction, as responding to conviction of sin with repentance is one of those good works.  The Holy Spirit has been sent to convict all the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, the same world God loved and sent His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to save.  Not one of us is perfect since we live is a failing, ageing physical body which will see corruption, yet let us not forget the sure promise of being raised incorruptible with Jesus Christ!  Believer, when Condemnation comes knocking at the door of your heart do not give an inch, for he is at the wrong address.  Bid him be on his way!  You do not owe Condemnation a thing, for even he must answer to Jesus.

An Unexpected Idol

Humans have the propensity to turn good things God gives us into idols.  The common examples used as illustrations to me when I was a kid were things like money, cars, music, and self.  I believe it is possible the current isolation restrictions preventing churches from gathering in person might expose one I never could have believed possible:  church attendance.  Gathering at a local church with believers to worship God, study the Bible, and serve one another is a very good thing and the scripture exhorts us not to forsake assembling.  Nearly all the "one another" commands put forth in the New Testament require a degree of personal involvement together.  Going to church is a vital part of growing in faith and edifying one another in obedience to Jesus.

At the same time there might not be a greater metric relied upon for "how we are doing spiritually" than church attendance.  Yet like the shopkeeper who bows before a shrine and image for good fortune, or a person who drives their car with a saintly image for protection, church attendance and serving at church may be a similar practice for Christians.  Going to church ticks a lot of boxes for people which is not always the glory of God.  I remember my surprise when a visitor informed me they came to church for the air conditioning.  Maybe some people come to church for coffee and a doughnut or to please their spouse.  Anyhow, as Corrie Ten Boom was fond of saying, a mouse nesting in a biscuit tin does not make it a biscuit:  attending services every night, singing worship songs, and reading through the Bible does not mean you know or are walking with Jesus.

Here's a question for you:  since you stopped regularly attending church in person, stopped teaching that Bible study or Sunday School, have you been praying or in the Word more or less?  Again, the spiritual disciplines of praying and reading the Bible are only some of the measurable aspects of the Christian walk and can be useful indicators of where our the affections and desires of our hearts lie.  Racing through a chapter or reading for hours will have little effect without faith and obedience.  I have no desire to lay a guilt trip for anyone, but it is always profitable to take stock of our hearts and honestly assess our pursuit of God without the weekly or daily prop of church attendance.  I am so grateful for the technology which allows us to follow God's will in gathering electronically and that prayer and communion with God does not require WiFi and apps!

I love going to church and I miss meeting up with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  When we gather together again I pray there will not be any spiritually gaunt or haggard among us, wasting away from lack of spiritual vitality when we have a God who loves us, speaks to us, and provides for us refreshing streams of water and green pastures of rest in His presence.  Enter in, believer, for a closed church building does not hinder God from drawing near to us or us to Him.  And when those doors open again I exhort you to be there often and early, praising and thanking God with gratitude for His faithfulness with joy.

Increase and Abound in Love

"Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

This is one of many prayers Paul spoke according to the will of God for the Thessalonian church.  I appreciated the connection Paul made between walking in love to one another and holiness.  Holiness is not obtained by attending church services, wearing sacred vestments, offering sacrifices or tithes, but is demonstrated by love for God and one another.  Jesus gave His disciples the new command to love one another as He loved them, and this would distinguish them as children of God having been born again by the Holy Spirit.

Another truth which stood out to me is Paul prayed for the LORD to make them "increase and abound in love to one another and to all."  This implies there is room for an increased capacity to receive God's love as well as better expressing it.  Those who trust in Jesus Christ are born again, sanctified unto God for good works.  We are also being sanctified, growing and maturing in faith.  It is easy to fall into the trap of assuming we are loving or we are not; we are right or wrong.  This false dichotomy is at best an oversimplification and at worst a deceitful lie.  The reality is much more complex, messy, and personally confronting.  At the same time it is from God the promise of growth and maturity beyond where we are now, the certain expectation of changing more into who God desires we be.

No matter how much God has transformed you until now, there is room for you to increase and abound in love to one another and to all.  The only way this would be impossible is if you are already as infinitely loving like Jesus Christ is.  Would you admit that at your best you recognise inconsistency, contradictions, even hypocrisy in yourself?  We may say the "right" thing but later realise our motive or timing for saying was selfish and impatient.  Our love flourishes for certain people but the same affection is withheld from others.  God never intended following Jesus to be easy or to become easier over time as we are further sanctified.  I believe the opposite is true, for if it ever became easier to always walk in love towards all there would be less need to consciously seek the LORD in faith and fall upon His mercy--and God's love is not of us.

Our need to increase and abound in love makes us feel like failures and to give up, but the Spirit of God prompts us to look to Jesus with thanksgiving, knowing we are beloved by Him.  Rather than being mired in our past failures which seem to haunt us, we are called to forget the things that are behind (having repented of sin and received forgiveness) and to labour in our pursuit of Christ.  The presence of our loving, merciful, and powerful Saviour Jesus Christ washes clean all sin which seems permanently etched into our past.  Considering how far we have come leads to pride, and obsessing over how far we still need to go can be depressing.  It is far better to praise Jesus we have been granted today in God's presence, that He will help us to press on, and He will never leave or forsake us as HE makes us increase and abound in love to one another and all.

The Folly of Discontent

Every good gift comes from God (James 1:17).  The LORD who causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall supplies our every need, and the capacity to enjoy anything about life on this planet is also a gift from Him.  Because of our selfish and greedy nature, we can begin to worship self or the creature more than the Creator, the gift rather than the Giver.  When we make stuff, fame, money, or anything that is passing away our desire rather than God, we are not grateful for what we do have.  The one thing we don't have that we want can sour the very things we enjoy.

A perfect example of the folly of discontentment is seen in wicked Haman, enemy of the Jews.  He found favour in the eyes of King Ahasuerus and was promoted to a high station.  He was given privileged access to the king and everyone on the street bowed before Haman in reverence.  However, there was one man named Mordecai who refused to bow.  When Haman discovered Mordecai would not pay homage to him due to his Jewish faith, Haman schemed to destroy all Jews.  The king was not privy to all the details of Haman's intentionally vague plan but was guaranteed to be rid of a trouble-making people while enriching the treasury.  The date of the destruction of the Jews was publicised and moved Mordecai and many others to mourn and cry out to God for deliverance.

After Haman attended a private banquet of wine with the king and queen, consider Haman's perspective in Esther 5:9-13:  "So Haman went out that day joyful and with a glad heart; but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, and that he did not stand or tremble before him, he was filled with indignation against Mordecai. ¹⁰ Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh. ¹¹ Then Haman told them of his great riches, the multitude of his children, everything in which the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the officials and servants of the king. ¹² Moreover Haman said, "Besides, Queen Esther invited no one but me to come in with the king to the banquet that she prepared; and tomorrow I am again invited by her, along with the king. ¹³ Yet all this avails me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate." (bold emphasis mine)

Isn't this astounding?  Haman boasted over his accomplishments and privilege, but when one man refused to bow before him in acknowledgement his view was, "All this avails me nothing."  Haman's seething selfishness, pride, and greed expressed itself in anger and hatred.  Seeing one person sitting and not kowtowing ruined all the good he should have been grateful for.  This is like the person who has a closet full of clothes but with nothing to wear; a person depressed over the shape of their nose that functions perfectly well.  It is fury over a scratch or dent in a car instead of being glad to have a quality vehicle for transportation.  A person who is having a "bad hair day" should be glad they have it.  We complain over how the meat isn't as tender as it was last time when there are people who haven't been able to afford steak for years.  Do you see what I mean?  All the great things provided by God's grace can instantly evaporate in the flames of our selfishness and greed.  Killing Mordecai or all the Jews would never have satisfied Haman because his wickedness was insatiable.

Child of God, may contentment, thanksgiving, and gratefulness for our God and His goodness towards us mark our lives rather than the folly of discontent.  In stark contrast to Haman, let us heed the exhortation of Colossians 3:12-15:  "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."  Our circumstances should never take the shine off the fact we are chosen, made holy, and beloved by God.  As His children the peace of God is to rule our hearts, and we ought to be thankful to be called in one body the Church.  If we fall into idolatry Haman shows us nothing will ever be enough.  When we bow the knee to God in worship and thanksgiving, we can choose gratitude over discontentment.

Jesus and Assurance

This morning I was impressed by Paul's praying for the Thessalonian believer who had been born again through faith in Jesus Christ.  Their response to the Gospel was not an emotive response but reflected marked personal transformation as real as Jesus rising from the dead.  Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5:  "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, ³ remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, ⁴ knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. ⁵ For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake."

Paul addressed followers of Jesus he called brethren because their changed conduct provided evidence they were indeed elect of God.  This assurance came not through willpower or because of good works but because of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who came upon them in power.  The preaching of the Gospel moved these Gentiles from the worship of idols to serve the Living God and to look expectantly to Jesus Christ (verses 9-10).  Their manner of life was described as a work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope in the LORD Jesus.  The condition of their hearts was not like the soil in the Parable of the Sower that the seed sprang up quickly and withered under the blazing rays of the sun, nor was it choked by the cares of the world and rendered unfruitful.  The good Word heard by their ears and received into their hearts by faith in Christ was bearing fruit all could witness.

The testimony of a transformed life reveals the power of the Gospel no amount of church attendance, seminars, conferences, books, or checklists can produce.  We can make the mistake of justifying ourselves as acceptable before God because our efforts and what we have done rather than simply trusting in Christ and His promises in the scripture.  Genuine faith will be expressed in living according to God's will, but the works we do are never the basis of our acceptance before God nor proof we are saved:  the proof is in our risen Saviour Jesus Christ!  As a Lamb of God without blemish His life was laid down as a sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world, and all who have been called can now come to Him for forgiveness and eternal life.  Knowing we are loved, knowing we are undeserving yet chosen by God spurns us on to desire to humbly please Him.  The praise for a transformed life goes all to Jesus, for by His grace our life is now hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Freedom and Security

"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

Colossians 2:6-7

Christians have received Jesus Christ by grace through faith, and thus it is by faith we walk in Him.  Freely have we received, so freely we give and live.  No longer are we governed by the Law of Moses written on tablets of stone but by the righteousness of Christ in faith, love, and obedience to God.  Forgiveness and salvation is a free gift we receive through the Gospel, and having been established in the faith by God we are to abide in Christ.  Paul went on to explain the impact of receiving Christ by faith in verse 10:  "...you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."  The Law is the shadow and the Light of the World Jesus Christ has made it obsolete.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:17, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."  The liberty believers have through Jesus Christ does not foster lawlessness because the Holy Spirit always leads us to do righteously.  Jesus has freed us from the power and penalty of sin.  He has freed us from the bondage to our flesh, the fear of man, and eternal damnation.  Jesus has also freed us for His good purposes:  to make us fit for the kingdom of God as forgiven, righteous children of God by faith, to serve and praise Him, to boldly enter His throne room of grace to find help in time of need.  For people brought up in religion where their standing with God and the church is based upon their good works or personal sacrifice, the idea of freedom can be disconcerting. It reminded me of the following Garfield comic by Jim Davis:

Our perception of God and how we relate to Him can be a cage which confines us like the animals in the pet shop.  Jesus has come and set us free from bondage to rules and regulations of Law, and we shrink back from the freedom He offers because it is without the structure and security we are accustomed to.  Similar to how the animals preferred security over freedom, we can prefer the security of tradition or even ignorance--feeling like a fish out of water.  Now where the analogy falls woefully short is Garfield is a cat and not able to adequately provide for the needs of animals conditioned to be kept indoors.  Jesus sets us free from the bondage of sin and works-based relationship with God to a life of freedom in His grace and says, "I will never leave or forsake you."  The Law resembled a list a homeowner gives a house-sitter to know what his or her responsibilities are when they are away, but when they return the list is overruled by their guidance in person.

It is true in the excuse of "freedom" people have been given over to excess and even used their freedom to justify what God deems sin.  God's grace is not a cloak for our sin but true freedom is possible because God has made us new creations, born again by grace through faith.  The security in this freedom comes from the presence and promises of Jesus Christ Himself who loves us, gave His life for us, and lives!  We are called to serve one another and for all our actions to be governed by love, for love is the fulfillment of the Law.  Love goes beyond the letter of the Law and sacrifices self for the good of others and the glory of God.  Through Christ we are kept secure in His love, free from sin and free to serve.  Jesus said in John 8:36 that if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.  Galatians 3, Colossians 2, and many other places affirm how Jesus has set us free from the ordinances of Law He nailed to the cross and the establishment of the new Way and covenant by which we relate to God.  It is not a list of rules but a real relationship where God transforms us into who He created us to be.

Cleaning Up

Every few months I receive a letter or email that announces an upcoming inspection from the real estate company which manages the property we are renting.  Because of the current quarantine restrictions in NSW they will be conducting them remotely and requested pictures of the exterior and each room.  Usually we have weeks to prepare for an inspection and finish tidying up on the day, but the photos were requested as soon as possible.  We have always found the silver lining in these regular inspections which aid our family to take regular stock in the cleanliness of the place, promotes being tidy and organised, and encourages effort in upkeep of the yard.

Today I learned the difference between tidying up for a physical walkthrough or with photos.  As real estate agents and photographers know, pictures are able to capture and present the most flattering views.  A stack of papers, various dishes or containers, and loose clothing can be moved out of sight rather than being put away.  As I walked through each room and took a picture two things struck me:  I was pleased with the overall appearance and condition of our home, and how different the preparation was for pictures rather than a walkthrough.  During a walkthrough I had no idea where the associate would go or focus on so all needed to be cleaned well.  For pictures, however, I was at the controls and present each room from the best angle.

My mother taught me at a young age the appearance of clean does not mean something has actually been cleaned.  Picking up clothes off the floor and stuffing them into a chest of drawers did not constitute "cleaning" up the room to her satisfaction.  Clothes were to be folded, surfaces wiped, windows cleaned, and dishes washed, dried, and put away.  We naturally put a great deal of emphasis on appearances because that is what we and others can see.  Some people put effort into their physical appearance, and others spend time immaculately landscaping their yards or waxing their cars.  Even the prophet Samuel was impressed by the kingly bearing of men who God refused because He does not see as man sees, for God looks upon the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

How important is it to address what God sees--the issues of our hearts--rather than working to present ourselves as faultless.  Tidying up our appearance by shuffling selfishness into a drawer or hiding our bitterness or lusts from sight of others behind a closet door does nothing to purify our hearts before God.  The light of God's Word and the piercing sharpness of it goes straight to the source of the problem within us.  The Holy Spirit is able to reveal what our flesh hopes to conceal, and God does so because He loves us and can change us.  It is not at a set time but in real time the Spirit of God knows what lies hidden from others in our hearts and minds.  His intent is not for us to try in the flesh to "clean up our act" but to stop acting altogether and begin to live as new creations according to His grace, walking by faith, repenting of sin, holy and governed by His love.

A Father--not Formulas

Human beings are incorrigibly preoccupied with self:  selfish, self-confident, self-conscious, self-righteous, and the list goes on.  The reason why self-help books continue to be perpetually popular is because we recognise we are the weak link, we are not completely content, and if there are benefits or life-hacks out there to improve our lives sign us up!  We are naturally bent to seek out formulas which promise to guarantee beneficial results in things like weight loss, how increase our net worth, superior cleaning products, and also in spiritual matters.  Passages from the Bible can be used like a maths equation, imagining if we plug the right good works or words into a formula God will bow to our will and provide the end result we desire.

Consider this passage in 2 Chronicles 1:7-12:  "On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, "Ask! What shall I give you?" ⁸ And Solomon said to God: "You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. ⁹ Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. ¹⁰ Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?" ¹¹ And God said to Solomon: "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honour or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life--but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king--¹² wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honour, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like."

God appeared to King Solomon and bid him ask for anything.  By the way, if God offered you anything what would you ask for?  Solomon wisely framed his response in light of who God was, God's promises, and in acknowledgement of his inability to rise to the great task God had called him to as king.  Solomon's request for wisdom was not so much for himself but for God and the good of His people Israel.  God was pleased by Solomon's unselfish request and graciously chose to bestow all the things upon him people naturally desire:  riches, wealth, honour, victory over his foes, and long life.  I remember at one point of my life reading this passage and foolishly making a formula out of it, imagining wisdom was the thing to ask for as the means to receive all those other things I valued more than wisdom to walk in God's ways.  There is nothing wrong with asking for wealth or for a long life in themselves, but if these are our primary desire this can be an indication we do not value the true riches God has already provided by the Gospel.

When it comes to gifts our tendency is to desire and ask for things we can use.  Since we are the LORD's, having been purchased with the blood of Jesus, it is wise for us to follow Solomon's lead to ask for what God's will is for us.  Without wisdom Solomon would never do what was right in God's sight, and therefore Solomon's request was in submission to God.  See, verse 11 shows God knew the motives of Solomon's heart:  he was not asking for His own personal benefit but for God's sake.  Having been loved and chosen by God as His anointed, King Solomon sought to be made divinely fit for the task and God graciously rewarded this humble posture with much Solomon did not ask for.  I am reminded of what Jesus said in Mark 10:29-30:  "So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, ³⁰ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time--houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life."  To call God Father like Jesus and be loved by Him!  To have the presence of God now and the promise of eternal life with Him puts the greatest comforts the world can offer in proper perspective.

Vitality of the Vine

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ⁵ I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

John 15:4-5

When my dad taught me to ride a bike my parents gave me for my birthday, a point came when his hand was removed from bike and I was on my own.  It was up to me to keep my balance, steer, and apply the brakes as needed.  This is not the model Jesus gave to His disciples, nor the pattern for any of God's people in scripture.  The people of God have always needed to be dependent upon God for the ability to do all He has said.  The picture Jesus supplied of our relationship with God is the connection between the vine and branches.  The vitality of the vine extends into the branches and that is the only way the branches can be fruitful, and it is our connection with Jesus which gives us life, wisdom, and power to do good.

God told Joshua on the border of the promised land, "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage."  God met with Gideon in Judges 6:14 which states, "Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?"  Gideon didn't understand:  he protested he was of a poor family and the least in his father's house.  The might of Gideon was not based upon his tribe, monetary wealth, or political pull but was in God who was with Him!  David was not proud to imagine he could fight with lion, bear, or Philistine but his God had given him the victory.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego stood calmly before furious King Nebuchadnezzar and said as the furnace was heated seven times hotter, "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us."  This courage, boldness, and power to overcome comes from God alone in the Old and New Testament.

The Great Commission was often put to me in my youth as something all followers of Jesus needed to do in Matthew 28:19-20:  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Since verse 19 begins with therefore, why and how shall we go?  Matthew 28:18 makes all the difference:  "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Because Jesus has all authority and is with us we are enabled to do what He says.  The connection between Jesus and doing His work is also seen as Paul wrote in Philippians 2:12-13:  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."  See, we aren't alone!  Even when we are separated from other people, we are able to do good works because God is already at work in us.

Our ability to do what God directs us is not then based on our ability but connectivity with God, that we are walking in humble reliance upon Him.  This is more than availability, for the branch grows out of the vine as an extension of itself.  Even so the resurrected life of Jesus Christ is lived out through us when we die to self, take up our cross daily, and follow our risen LORD.  Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13:  "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. ¹³ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  As Paul pointed out, the ability to be content and walk in the Spirit is a learning process.  Our spiritual regeneration is not some sort of magic which compels us to lay down our will and experience perfect peace in all situations.  We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and continual communion with Him is key.

Wonder of the Gospel

While preparing a sermon this week, I was struck by the wonder of the Gospel.  The Law written on tablets of stone could only condemn and revealed beyond doubt men are sinners deserving of God's judgment.  One shortcoming of the Law was the people who needed to keep it wouldn't, nor could they, as it held forth the standard of God's righteousness.  So according to God's grand design, He used the Law to lead sinners by the hand to Jesus Christ the Saviour who provided atonement with His shed blood.  After three days He rose from the dead like He promised, proving He is able to grant forgiveness and eternal life for all who trust in Him.

The Law was unable to keep thieves from stealing and liars from lying, but Jesus came to change the hearts of people and make new creations through faith in Him.  Even as Jesus was raised from the dead glorified, so tax collectors, harlots, and liars are raised changed to new life through faith in Jesus.  Paul wrote to people who had been duped to thinking it was righteous to attempt to relate to God through Law after being born again in Galatians 6:14-16, "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."  Isn't it good news for sinners that Jesus cleanses and makes us new creations?

When He walked the earth, Jesus was surrounded by sinners--people who the religious people wrote off as wicked and beyond redemption.  Yet Jesus called Levi (a tax collector) to be one of His apostles, and He also invited Himself over to the home of Zacchaeus for a meal.  It was unthinkable to the religious rulers Jesus could be viewed as a righteous man for keeping such company!  If He was righteous, surely He would not mix with people known for their greed, theft, and abuse of power.  But Jesus came to this world as a doctor tending to the most ill patients so they might be saved.  On a field of battle the idea is to tend to victims who can be saved, yet Jesus can save all who trust in Him.  Jesus alone can justify us by faith and save sinners the Law could only condemn.

The transforming power of the Gospel is seen in greedy people changing into generous givers, thieves admitting they have stolen and restoring four-fold.  Those who were demon possessed were suddenly in their right mind, people born blind had their sight miraculously restored, and harlots became chaste and devout in their devotion to God.  The power of God through the Gospel is able to fundamentally change a person from within, the very thing the Law or all the willpower a person can muster could never do.  Having been born again God begins to grow in us new desires for what pleases God and conviction of our sin we never noticed before.  This is evidence of what God promised by grace, to write His laws on our regenerated hearts that go beyond what is written in stone.

Pestilence and God's People

Plagues and pestilence are found in the Bible of such great scope and severity the worst we experience can be termed of "biblical proportion."  Though these are acts of God who is to be feared, He is our Deliverer and Saviour.  His proud enemies will be made to cower before Him, yet those who trust in Him are protected like Noah and his family in the ark.  The God who strikes the earth and man is able to heal and restore.  The sons of Korah wrote in Psalm 46:1-3, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³ though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah"

It is because God is good, gracious, loving, merciful, and faithful we were not consumed long ago by our own pride, greed, selfishness and folly because the wages of sin is death.  God causes the rain to fall on the just and the unjust and is longsuffering towards the worst of the worst.  But we do see many scriptures where God judged His own people because of their sins.  It is true He afflicted the Egyptians and their gods with 10 severe plagues, yet it is the action God took upon His own people for their ultimate salvation.  Even as a surgeon removes necrotic flesh which sickens and places the entire body at risk of death, God judged the children of Israel many times so they might be restored to fellowship with Him.  Like a farmer uses the right implement and force to thresh grain, God metes out corrective judgment wisely.

When Moses received the 10 Commandments from God on Sinai, during that short space of time the high priest Aaron, at the urging of the people, made a molded image they worshiped as the "gods who brought you out of Egypt."  Exodus 32:35 says, "So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made."  On another occasion the people murmured against God and Moses for his dealings with Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.  Notice how the passage describes how God was involved in the plague for sin and causing it to cease in Numbers 16:47-50:  "Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. ⁴⁸ And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. ⁴⁹ Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah incident. ⁵⁰ So Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, for the plague had stopped."  The sin of the people was the cause of this plague, and a righteous God is not at fault for dealing justly--though unrighteous men stand foolishly in judgment of Him.

There was another time when the Hebrews entered into sexual sin and idolatry with the women of Moab.  Numbers 25 describes in detail the command of the death penalty for those who sinned, and how the plague which claimed 24,000 people ceased when Phinehas zealously obeyed God in executing judgment.  Still another plague occurred after David numbered the people of Israel without receiving the census tax (Exodus 30:12).  King David was given the choice of three years of famine, three months of being defeated by their enemies, or three days of pestilence.  1 Chronicles 21:13-15 reads, "And David said to Gad, "I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man." ¹⁴ So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. ¹⁵ And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the LORD looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, "It is enough; now restrain your hand." And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite."  The severity and swiftness of these plagues make the current pandemic small in comparison.

What is so comforting about our great God is His great love, grace, and compassion in judgment.  He could have destroyed the nation without remedy, but He looked upon His suffering people and said, "It is enough."  He went further than determining the measure of judgment but was able to stop it.  He said to the angel, "Now restrain your hand."  God is able to stop deadly plagues and pestilence dead in its tracks.  This is the comfort and consolation available today to followers of Jesus Christ, for we know He is on the throne and supreme in power.  We are wise given the current situation to do everything in our power to practically prevent the spread of illness and protect the vulnerable, yet without God we cannot do anything.  Doctors who treat the sick are able to become sick themselves and this reveals the vulnerability of all people to a microscopic organism.  There is much we cannot know, but what we can know is God according to His grace has the power to heal bodies, save souls, and say "It is enough."  Then restoration can begin.

The Men of Jericho

In our family reading last night I was struck by the mention of men from Jericho rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, tucked neatly in Nehemiah 3:1-2:  "Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. ² Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built."  The books of Ezra and Nehemiah confirm 345 men of Jericho returned to Jerusalem 70 years after the Babylonian captivity.  The fact they worked alongside the high priest on the walls of Jerusalem--and that they were reckoned to have an inheritance among the children of Israel--is an amazing demonstration of God's grace considering the history of that accursed city.

Jericho was the first stronghold defeated in the conquest of Canaan by the LORD at the hand of Joshua.  The city and all in it were accursed by God, save the harlot Rehab and her household who feared the LORD who were saved alive.  On a side note, Rehab ultimately converted to Judaism and married a man of Judah.  All the gold, silver, and precious things were brought into the treasury of the LORD, but everything else was to be destroyed and burned with fire.  Because Jericho was accursed by God Joshua also uttered a curse over the burning ruin in Joshua 6:26:  "Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, "Cursed be the man before the LORD who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates."

About 500 years later this curse came into effect according to 1 Kings 16:34:  "In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation with Abiram his firstborn, and with his youngest son Segub he set up its gates, according to the word of the LORD, which He had spoken through Joshua the son of Nun."  In 2 Kings before his departure the prophet Elijah visited Jericho where there was a school for prophets of God.  This should be no surprise, for even in the darkest places in this world the light of the LORD shines bright.  There is no heart too darkened by sin and wickedness which cannot be redeemed, no human soul incapable of being reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Elisha the prophet carried along after Elijah's departure and was approached by Jewish men who resided in Jericho.  2 Kings 2:19-22 says, "Then the men of the city said to Elisha, "Please notice, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees; but the water is bad, and the ground barren." ²⁰ And he said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. ²¹ Then he went out to the source of the water, and cast in the salt there, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'I have healed this water; from it there shall be no more death or barrenness.' " ²² So the water remains healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke."  By the power of God Elisha miraculously healed the source of the waters of Jericho with salt--which naturally would always have the opposite effect!  True to God's Word, the waters of Jericho have remained pure to this day.  When I visited Israel in 2005 I was treated with a tangible reminder of God's faithfulness by "Jericho" spring water.

Think of it:  from the accursed city Jericho God saved the harlot Rehab who is included in the lineage of Jesus Christ; after Jericho was rebuilt the bad water and barren soil were healed by the Word of the LORD; God brought men of Jericho out of captivity in Babylon to rebuild the holy city of Jerusalem!  It is a demonstration of God's grace and faithfulness that we can identify with personally because this is what Jesus has done for all who believe in Him.  We were accursed by our sin, yet we have been spared the wrath of God by grace through faith in Jesus.  We were barren and unfruitful, and God has redeemed and reconciled us to Himself, making us fruitful by the Living Water of the Holy Spirit.  He has purified and cleansed us from within, now the pure source of our lives.  By Jesus' stripes we are healed now and forever!  God has chosen us as His inheritance, and His is ours.

The scene of the men of Jericho building reminds me how we are God's chosen materials to construct His habitation in 1 Peter 2:4-5:  "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."  Jesus is our great High Priest and we are enabled to take His yoke upon us.  We are the accursed once afar off but have been brought near as Ephesians 2:19-22 says:  "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."  Praise the LORD!