The Longsuffering of our LORD is Salvation

The world for some time has been operating under the illusion that lasting peace is just beyond our grasp.  The generation which saw the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin wall, and sang along with "We Are the World" had bright hopes for the future.  The self-esteem movement, the tackling of social issues like illiteracy, world hunger, poverty, and campaigns to promote safe-sex, end racism, bullying, drug abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence worked to make a difference.  In light of the ongoing riots and looting in the United States, from a humanist perspective it seems the hope of a brighter future is in grave doubt.

The protests, riots, and looting show a greater and enduring cure is needed for the ills of hearts of men.  As awful as violence and destruction is it can be compared to a sore throat and fever that finally moves a person to seek medical aid.  I pray this is a moment when despairing people turn to God instead of on each other.  Whether or not a protest is "peaceful" or turns violent the same murder can fester unresolved in the hearts of men.  If the hope in protesting is to be heard by men or to change circumstances for your benefit, I believe such faith is misplaced.  It is better to seek the LORD, cast our cares upon Him, and follow His leading to love one another as Jesus loves us.  God can enact miraculous changes in the hearts and minds of people videos, signs, and slogans cannot.

Today I read 2 Peter 3 where Peter explains how God's judgment will ultimately come swiftly and be complete:  the world and all the works in it will be consumed with fire.  2 Peter 3:11-15 reads, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? ¹³ Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."  The hope and home for followers of Jesus Christ is with Him in the new heavens and a new earth created by Him where we will dwell together for eternity.  Those who actually experience a revolution will require another one at some point until this world is unmade by Him who created it.

Since Jesus is our Righteousness and our Peace, we ought to be "diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless."  The standard we follow is greater than that of Law but according to the righteousness of God and obedience to Him.  As much as depends upon us we are called to live peaceably with our fellow man whether chatting anonymously online or in person on the street.  We ought to obey the authorities as unto the LORD because we trust Him without taking matters into our own hands.  When the violence of citizens becomes too much for local law enforcement the government can declare martial law and bring in the military to restore order.  God could have justly done this a very long time ago but He is longsuffering and desires to save.  The longer He waits the more He saves.  Praise the LORD He has shown great restraint and love towards those who rebel against Him, and let us resolve to be diligent to be found by Him in peace and blameless toward God and man.

The Crown of Glory

"The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: ² shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; ³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

1 Peter 5:1-4

Peter exhorted those given oversight in the Body of Christ to volunteer willingly and not to be motivated by financial gain.  It is fitting those who labour in the Word of God and sow spiritual things reap a reward according to God's gracious provision (1 Corinthians 9:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:17-18).  The opportunity for income should never, however, enter into our motive for Christian service.  If earning money is why we "serve" we are nothing more than hirelings who flee at the first hint of trouble to save their own skin, lacking love for the sheep of Christ's flock.  It may be cliche to say pastoral work is not a career but a calling, yet it is a calling which is a lifelong career--whether in a paid position or not.

This passage makes it clear to embark in the ministry because it is a paid position would be "dishonest gain" or "filthy lucre" in the KJV.  Peter says those worthy of financial support are those who gladly do the exact same job for free if they had the time and opportunity.  Those in leadership or overseeing the church ought not to live as kings and queens, seeking to control or subjugate others under them.  We are to be examples for others as Jesus set an example for His disciples when He washed their feet.  This was not a one-off humbling of Himself but provided a practical illustration which they were to follow.  Jesus humbled Himself to become a man of no reputation, took the form of a servant, and willingly laid down His life to save sinners.

When I became aware of God's call and gifting of me to teach, I identified with Luke Skywalker tinkering with droids and being restricted to a moisture farm in a desert when he wanted to fly a ship in space.  Initially there was a part of me that felt like nothing less than a recognised pastoral position at a church was sufficient.  But quickly I realised God had already given me a wife and children, an opportunity to teach children at Sunday School, and even lead a Bible study.  Since my calling and ordination did not come from men I did not need to tell anyone what God had shown me (which later was miraculously confirmed):  I voluntarily stepped up my efforts in study and teaching in preparation for a day in the future I could not predict.  In time God graciously opened doors He enabled me to step through, and the doors He opens no man can close.

Whether we serve at church in a paid or unpaid position, we should have the mindset of eager volunteers who are joyful to contribute.  Ministry in the church should never be seen as a chore or something we "have" to do but service we delight to do for the glory of God.  The glory of this earth fades and money grows wings and flies away, but those who humbly serve Jesus "will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

Rise and Shine

One of the scenes I enjoy in the movie "The Great Race" (of which there are many) is when Max urged Professor Fate to rise from his backseat bed:  "Time to get up.  C'mon Professor, rise and shine!"  The grumpy and likely hungover Professor shouted, "Rise and shine?"  "It's 7:30," Max calmly replied.  "Then you rise and you shine!" bellowed the villain professor to his sidekick.  Though some of us are reluctant to leave the warmth of our beds on a cold morning, God created the sun to faithfully rise and shine.  The sun supplies light and heat according to God's design.

The sun shining is a declaration of God's glory as is written in Psalm 19:4-6:  "Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, ⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. ⁶ Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat."  In shining bright the sun is fulfilling its purpose, doing exactly as God created it to do.  It supplies heat for our planet, rays which nourish plants to grow and governs the day with light.  This call to rising and shining then is to embrace God's purpose and design with our lives to glorify Him.

When the moon is visible in the heavens at night and the manner of shining is different:  instead of being the source of light itself it reflects the glory of the sun upon the surface of our planet.  In a similar way man was created in the image of God and the glorious reflection of His qualities have been dimmed by our fallen, fleshly nature.  It is when we are born again the Light of the World Jesus Christ shines from us as the sun.  We can only "rise and shine" because we have been raised to new life through faith in Jesus Christ and it is His work.  The power to shine in the darkness is His alone and God desires our cooperation and willingness to this end.

Today in this sense is always our "time to shine," not of a desire for fame or fruitfulness but because God is glorious.  On our own we are barren, stark, and cold as the moon, yet after being born again we are filled with the supernatural fire of the Holy Spirit in power.  I am convinced the miraculous work God does inside one person is to be esteemed more greatly than the work He does through that person.  One heart set aflame by the love and fear of God--unlike the sun or moon which will one day cease to shine--will live forever in glory with Jesus Christ.  Our risen Saviour shines as the light of the world through those who trust Him and obey.  God does not need us, but He loves and calls us.  What He calls us to do He will empower us to do just like the sun that rises every day without fail.

The Unalterable Recipe

Since my mum taught me to bake as a child, I have enjoyed making tasty treats to share.  With the rise of the internet it has allowed me to branch out from my trusty Betty Crocker Cookbook and learn to make an array of balanced meals and deserts.  My personal method regarding new recipes is two-fold:  the first time follow the recipe as precisely as possible before making any adjustments, and the second is always try out a recipe before serving it to guests.  Even if I suspect there is too much of one ingredient or not enough of another, I find it necessary to establish a baseline according to the actual recipe so I can know if I have found a keeper or should move on.

One of the greatest compliments as a casual baker is when someone enjoys my offering enough to ask for the recipe.  I have benefited greatly from people sharing recipes with me so I am happy to freely share the love.  Some of the best recipes I have my mother was given by an old lady down the street named Ginger!  I acknowledge people have different cooking and baking styles, but there is one common thing people do:  they ask for a recipe based upon the finished product they enjoyed, and when they receive the recipe feel the need to alter it.  There is no word I am aware of in the English language to describe this curious practice, but there should be.  I am open to suggestions! :)

During a walk yesterday with my wife we discussed this and how people can form opinions about certain ingredients being "good" or "bad."  There are arbitrary amounts we determine to be "too much" or some which seem too little; we make substitutions to cater to our particular tastes and diets.  There is no problem with this!  What I am pointing out is the human tendency to enjoy and want to replicate a finished product but simultaneously want to determine our own way to achieve the same result.  I am reminded of a quote from Leonard Ravenhill, a man greatly used by the LORD known for his praying.  He said, "Everyone wants to have my mantle, but nobody wants my sackcloth and ashes."  People who respected him wanted to be like him, to experience such a revelation of the living God.  They wanted to arrive in a place of spiritual authority like Ravenhill had in a moment when he by God had been brought to this place of humility through years of private prayer.  They liked the end result of a man surrendered to God, but weren't interested to labour in prayer.  Having his mantle given was preferred over following the recipe of surrender to God with perseverance.

If we desire to follow Jesus, He says we need to deny ourselves daily, take up our cross, and follow Him.  There is no shortcut to this complete surrender of our will and choosing to obey Him.  But we are not convinced of this.  So we experiment with various churches, focus in on doctrines of personal interest, buy popular books, and embrace spiritual disciplines others have found profitable--often with little success.  Baking and eating provides insight into our spiritual issues.  Often the problem isn't with the butter made from cows or the sugar refined from cane:  the problem is in our appetites, lack of self control, and unwillingness to submit to God in faith.  The cultures and people of the world bring rich diversity to the Body of Christ the church and Jesus is the Head.  The diets and tastes of people differ, and this is no problem because our unity does not arise from uniformity but from faith in Jesus Christ.

Because of the unique physical bodies we reside in there is a need to alter our diets accordingly:  diabetes, allergies, and intolerances dictate what is safe for us as we employ moderation in eating.  It is fine to steer clear of foods which make us feel ill or don't agree with our constitution.  If we want to follow Jesus we need to follow Him His way.  This life of faith and obedience to Jesus isn't like a recipe we can tweak to improve according to our arbitrary tastes and obtain ideal results.  There is no Christianity without suffering; there is no fellowship or communion with God without prayer.  There is no fruitfulness without faith demonstrated by obedience.  If we desire revival, we must personally embrace it ourselves as we yield to the Holy Spirit.  There is no substitute for Jesus!

The Spirit of Christ

"Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things which angels desire to look into."

1 Peter 1:10-12

We can have this idea those who have received revelation from God have all the answers or insight, but these verses paint a different picture.  Through the prophets in the Old Testament God revealed the Messiah would suffer and it puzzled the prophets who received this divine revelation.  Under the heavy yoke of the Law of Moses the grace of the Gospel was preached yet not understood.  Inspired by the "Spirit of Christ" faithful prophets searched what suffering the Christ would endure, when it would occur, and how it could possibly lead to glory.  For over a thousand years these questions remained unanswered, and this includes angels who minister in the presence of God.

Peter explained these things revealed to the prophets (without their full comprehension of what or when these events would occur) are a ministry to us.  In the Word of God we have testimony of saints who instruct and teach us according to the power of the Holy Spirit who has filled us by grace through faith.  Their reports generated by the everlasting Spirit of Christ now provides understanding how Jesus Christ did suffer on Calvary, was raised the third day, and now is seated at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.  He is the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world (Revelation 13:8) and knew what He would suffer and how it would lead to everlasting glory--not just for Him, but all who believe on His name.

From this passage two things come to mind:  even the partial revelation divinely granted us can be a blessing and preach unalterable truth to generations yet born.  The prophets had no idea of the full extent of what God revealed through them, and there is no possible way to quantify how useful God will make our testimony as we remain true to His Word.  Instead of making complete knowledge our aim (for who can fully grasp the infinite), knowing God trumps all.  The second point is Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life who has sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  I am convinced that if Jesus is not the Christ and Son of God He is a devil, deceiver, and blasphemer.  Because He is the Christ, having fulfilled the Law and the prophets, at His name every knee shall bow and tongue confess He is God.

The words of Peter to the council in Acts 4:8-12 is a fitting conclusion of what we know and are assured of by the Spirit of Christ:  "Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: ⁹ If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, ¹⁰ let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. ¹¹ This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.' ¹² Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."  Knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour and God-made-flesh won't just transform your life today but for all eternity--for good!

Our Marvelous Creator

Recently I was impressed by the amount of consideration and detail which goes into the customising of a Rolls Royce automobile.  According to a video by Business Insider, there are 44,000 colour options and your customised colour becomes your own.  Expertly handcrafted inside and out, a Rolls Royce is a luxury ride just over 5,000 people purchase a year.  One person had the dashboard to reflect their DNA, and another decided the fibre-optic lighting in the "starline headliner" to match a constellation of stars on the day he was born.  The video went into the effort made to make the stitching of letters and images of roses pop.

When I watched this video, what I found more impressive than the cost of a Rolls Royce was the thought, engineering, and effort put into building a car that reflects the owner.  I can't help but turn my thoughts to the Creator of the universe man can only copy:  God is the One who put DNA in every living cell of our bodies, the One who spoke the stars into existence, has given us His Word, and causes flowers and all living things to grow and reproduce after their own kind.  It would be a joke to suggest a car could create or design itself, and I cannot look at a human being or the ordered, beauty of creation and imagine it accidentally came into being.  Words like design, engineered, work, planning, and expense indicate an intelligent mind, and the living things microscopic and enormous which teem on our planet are infinitely more complex and wonderful than anything made by man.

As I was taking a walk the other day, I noticed a bird feather lying on the green grass.  It occurred to me that when I was a child I would have viewed that feather as a special treasure, picked it up, and taken it home.  I had seen birds before but had never been able to touch one:  to hold and examine the feather closely was fun.  I brushed it across my skin and dropped it to see how it fell.  I noticed how light it was, how the shaft was hollow, the expertly blended colours and how different the fluffy down was from the barbs which stuck together.  As adults we see our child picking up feathers and discourage them:  "Eww, don't touch that!  It's covered in germs!"  But the child has it right.  He recognised the feather of a bird was not grass and that it was special.  Isn't it ironic a person can value a car because of the customised features and work that goes into it yet miss the capacity for such innovation and skill are gifts from God?

Psalm 19:1-3 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."  The sun, moon, and stars speak forth the glory of God, yet none of them were created in the image of God like a human being.  God has given people the capacity of thought with a will, the ability to reason, love, a thirst for knowledge, and a delight in discovery.  We are notorious for our tendency to worship the creature over the Creator, to be temporarily pleased with a gift rather than eternally celebrating our Creator.  Psalm 8:3-6 says, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, ⁴ What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? ⁵ For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. ⁶ You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet..."  Let us never lose the wonder of our great God and Saviour, the One from whom all good things come.  He is the One we should always marvel over.

Doing the Word is Work

One letter can make a huge difference in the meaning of a Bible passage.  If I read the New Testament in Greek there would be little chance of confusing "work" with "word."  I don't always wear my glasses (and maybe I should!) when I read but "ergon" looks nothing like "logos."  While I have been guilty of finishing God's sentences in the past, sometimes I have also been guilty of skimming through scripture instead of carefully reading each word.  When we do this we literally don't realise all the revelation from God we missed.

But praise the LORD, even without wearing my glasses I came upon a passage I have mis-read in times past.  I looked it up in another Bible just to make sure it wasn't a typo!  James 1:21-25 says, "Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (bold emphasis mine)  The engrafting of God's word into our hearts and minds is His work believers must cooperate with.  Both men in Jesus' parable who were building a house heard His words, but the one who obeyed them built a house which would endure on a solid foundation.

We have all seen the reflections of our face in a mirror:  some were cursory glances, to aid shaving, help with applying make-up or styling of hair.  We may check to ensure our teeth are clean or to look for the source of pain.  The person who hears the word but doesn't do it James compares to one who takes a quick look and walks away--taking no action concerning the dry slobber on the cheek, sore ingrown hairs, and severe bed-head.  Being freed from the condemnation of sin and the shackles of Law, we are to work to follow Christ's example to love God and others, to make disciples of Jesus.  Our justification and sanctification is the work of God but we too are to work as Jesus did.  Even as a youth He was about His Father's business.  Having been set free by the Gospel by grace through faith in Jesus, we are blessed as He works in and through our lives.  Without Him we cannot do anything!  We do not earn salvation by working, but Jesus has saved us to do good work (Eph. 2:8-10).

When the Word of God is engrafted into our lives it produces fruit were there was only thorns and fruitlessness previously.  Jesus is the Vine and we are grafted into Him, and the Word is engrafted into us.  We are called to be intentional in seeing the contrast between the perfect law of liberty and the bondage we foolishly place ourselves under, whether it be bondage to sin, legalism, judgment, or tradition under the guise of being more pleasing to God than being led by the Holy Spirit.  No profitable labour happens by accident no more than make-up magically bonds to your face because you slept a bit hard last night or your hair is suddenly presentable without a degree of attention.  Hearing the Word of God is not doing it, and when we have heard it we ought to put it into practice.  The one who is a doer of the work will be blessed in what he does.

God's Miraculous Restoration

God's redemptive power is seen in His power to restore what is broken to wholeness.  After the severe testing of Job God gave him double what he had previously.  His health was restored, many children were born to him, and Job was held in great honour.  Job was faced with the temptation to lament all God took from him previously or celebrate the grace and goodness of God with what He provided.  Is your tendency to grieve over what you no longer have or rejoice in God's presence today and the help He provides?

Naomi is a woman who suffered the loss of her husband and two sons in a foreign land and returned to Israel bitter and angry at God.  Her widowed daughter-in-law, Ruth the Moabitess, was all she had to show for the many years she was abroad because of famine.  Naomi said, "I went out full but the LORD has brought me home again empty."  Ouch.  Despite the bitterness of Naomi, Ruth loved her and worked to support her by gleaning in the fields of Bethlehem.  It was then God began to unfold a beautiful relationship between Ruth and Boaz, a relative of Naomi.  Her heart began to soften as Naomi sensed an opportunity for Boaz to redeem Ruth as wife, fulfilling the obligation of a kinsman redeemer to raise up seed for her household so the inheritance would be retained.  The LORD was faithful and Boaz delighted to be joined to Ruth in marriage.

Ruth 4:13-17 reads, "So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bore a son. ¹⁴ Then the women said to Naomi, "Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! ¹⁵ And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him." ¹⁶ Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. ¹⁷ Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, "There is a son born to Naomi." And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David."  Little Obed born to Ruth could not replace Naomi's late husband or two sons, but Ruth and her son were used by God to restore Naomi.  This child was a great comfort to elderly Naomi who had seen much evil and suffered much pain.  Her future with the little one was sweeter than the bitterness of days gone by.  Could she have remained bitter?  Sure.  But how blessed Naomi was to gladly receive this little one and hold him close to her heart:  a gift from God who would be the grandfather of King David and in the line of the Messiah Jesus Christ.

When a car is "restored" the usual intention is to return it to the original condition with stock parts--maybe with a little extra chrome under the hood.  God restores in a completely different way:  He transforms us and brings us into seasons we have never experienced before.  Naomi went from being a widow and childless to being a grandmother.  She had a daughter-in-law from Moab who loved her who was better to her than seven sons!  A woman in Israel would have given almost anything to have seven sons who might fall in battle in a day, yet Ruth and Obed were precious gifts from God Naomi could rejoice in all her days.  Because God is with us and will never forsake us we can be bold in declaring His goodness and provision even when we have suffered loss (Hebrews 13:5-6).  We can choose to regret our past or rejoice in our Saviour who holds us close.  Fear and feelings of shame are drowned in the goodness and grace of our God.  The spiritual metamorphosis Christians experience by faith in Jesus leaves nothing to be lamented.

Joel 2:21-27 reads, "Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done marvelous things! ²² Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; for the open pastures are springing up, and the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their strength. ²³ Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you--the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. ²⁴ The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. ²⁵ "So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. ²⁶ You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; and My people shall never be put to shame. ²⁷ Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame."

More Than Reformation

When Jesus walked through Israel teaching and doing wonders people disagreed about His true identity.  Some said he was John the Baptist, others claimed he was Elijah, or one of the old prophets had been reincarnated or risen from the dead.  None of these contradictory opinions were true because Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Elijah and John were reformers but Jesus was a Redeemer.  We know our Redeemer lives because He is risen!

Elijah spoke strongly against the regime of King Ahab and the idolatrous condition of the nation.  He conducted a test between the prophets of Ba'al and himself to prove to the people who was the true God to be worshipped, and God answered with fire from heaven.  Having exposed Ba'als prophets as frauds, they were swiftly executed.  John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance, driving home to individuals their need to confess sin and change.  Various groups of people (including tax collectors and soldiers) asked what they needed to do in light of their present situation and John the Baptist provided guidance (Luke 3:10-14).  John boldly spoke against the unlawful conduct of Herod and was imprisoned.

It was around this time Jesus began preaching repentance and the kingdom of God through the Gospel.  It seems many people, including the disciples of Jesus, expected Him to do as they imagined Elijah or John the Baptist had done.  Jesus explained He did not come to destroy the Law and the prophets but to fulfill, to bring them to completion.  He did not push for social or political reform but demonstrated the love of God for sinners by dying on the cross for their sins as the Lamb of God without blemish.  He did not come to reform people or to improve living conditions for men on earth but to redeem all who believe and provide spiritual transformation.  People looked for Jesus to set up His kingdom in Jerusalem by force, but Jesus established His kingdom by grace through faith in love.

People would have been content with government reformation and social improvements yet God intended to redeem.  This means He is not in a hurry (like we often are) to change our circumstances for the better.  The scripture reveals our good God allows suffering and pain for His redemptive purposes.  Instead of making us calloused towards the suffering of others or indifferent towards our own, remember God is a Redeemer who is compassionate, gracious and merciful.  Having received such grace and kindness such qualities ought to mark our lives as we take courage in the God who will never leave or forsake us.  May our prayers and desires move from directing God to "Do this!"  or "Change that!" to "Thank you God for being my Redeemer."

What Jesus Sitting Says

The LORD is faithful to bless those who read His Word.  Because the wisdom of God is infinite and His ways unsearchable, there will always be revelation for us in the scripture.  Today one minute I was reflected with amazement how I didn't comprehend basic biblical truth in my youth yet moments later noticed something new to me, a fresh connection which confirms the truth I am still learning.  Jesus says not one "jot or tittle" would pass from the Law until all was fulfilled, saying that the smallest of markings remained of great significance.  We know tone, timing, and emphasis can tweak the meaning of a simple sentence, and the writer of Hebrews keyed in on the posture of Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father to confirm the effectiveness of His sacrifice and much more.

A little historical background:  it was customary morning and evening to offer sacrifices at the tabernacle and later the temple in obedience to the Law of Moses.  After Jesus died on the cross, the veil which surrounded the Holy of Holies was torn top to bottom.  The writer of Hebrews alluded to that resembling the torn body of Jesus on Calvary, that through His shed blood that provided atonement those who trust in Jesus now have access to God by the Holy Spirit.  Paul affirmed what spiritually occurred during the crucifixion, how the Old Covenant of the Law was nailed to the cross with Christ in Colossians 2:13-15 and how the New Covenant in Christ's blood made the old obsolete.  When Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection, Paul exhorted believers in Colossians 3:1:  "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God."

Jesus seated at the right hand of God is an important observation seeing He is our Great High Priest.  When the high priest offered the morning and evening sacrifices they stood--they did not sit.  When the annual sacrifice was offered to atone for the priest and the nation the blood of sacrifice covered sin but could not eliminate the need for future sacrifice.  The writer of Hebrews showed how the sitting posture of Jesus proves there is no additional sacrifice possible for sin:  Jesus sat down because the purification for sin is complete.  Hebrews 10:11-14 states, "And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ¹² But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. ¹⁴ For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified."  Isn't this amazing?  Jesus is the LORD who has fulfilled Psalm 110:1, sitting down at the right hand of God.  We are enabled to stand in righteousness because Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, having "perfected forever those who are being sanctified."  Having been purified from our sins, we ought to present ourselves as living sacrifices to the One who laid down His life for our redemption.

Jesus sits as the Great High Priest who has forever finished the work of atonement, but on a couple of occasions He is mentioned standing.  Jesus said He stood at the door of the church of the lukewarm Laodiceans in Revelation 3, and before his martyrdom Stephen cried out before the council Acts 7:55-56 says, "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!"  This shows me though Jesus sits He is not inactive or unmoved by things which concern His people on earth.  He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks; He rises to be our advocate and will someday rise in judgment upon an unbelieving world, delivering all who trust in Him.  He sits at the Father's right hand yet is not sedentary.  He sits to show He is on the throne and rules over all, has once for all offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin, the shadow of Law has been made obsolete by the New Covenant, by grace through faith we are perfected forever, and we are being sanctified by Jesus.  Who could have thought Jesus sitting could mean so much?

Light, Gladness, Joy and Honour

The book of Esther provides a great example of God's deliverance and the marvelous reversals only He is capable of.  The wicked Haman had signed into law of the Medes and Persians (which could not be changed) the Jews were to be slaughtered and plundered.  At the persistent urging of her cousin Mordecai, queen Esther brought the evil plot of Haman against the Jews to light before her husband and king.  Furious at this great betrayal, King Ahasuerus executed Haman, promoted Mordecai to a position of honour and power who drafted a new law which allowed the Jews to protect themselves from all adversaries.  Filled with ironic turns and unbelievable plot twists, the book of Esther puts the best Hollywood attempts to shame.

Mordecai and the people went from fasting, mourning, and wearing sackcloth because of their eminent doom to celebrating together.  Esther 8:15-17 says, "So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. ¹⁶ The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honour. ¹⁷ And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them."  Mordecai who once sat in the dust left the presence of the king clothed in royal apparel wearing a crown of gold; people who were in the shadow of death had "light and gladness, joy and honour."  Jews who looked to the 13th day of the 12th month with fear and dread suddenly instead had a holiday with feasting and gifts.  Inhabitants of the land who were very relieved not to be Jews (seeing they were condemned to death) converted to being Jews!

I cannot read this historical account without considering how followers of Jesus Christ share a similar experience with the Jews in Esther's day.  We were condemned by our sin according to God's righteous Law, but Jesus has provided forgiveness and atonement by shedding His blood on Calvary.  All men are heading to certain death and destruction in hell forever yet through faith in Jesus have the hope of eternal life, having been adopted by God and clothed in His righteousness.  Through Jesus we too have "light and gladness, joy and honour" we do not deserve.  Because Jesus is the Bread of Life we have an everlasting feast by faith in Him and victory over our foes--even Death.  Every year the Jews celebrated Purim as a reminder of the great deliverance God had wrought for them, and the book of Esther is an awesome reminder of God's love and faithfulness to His people under the Old and now the New Covenant in Christ's blood.

Jesus is the Light of the world, and may we walk in His light with gladness.  He grants us fullness of joy and peace that passes understanding.  Though Jesus and His followers are hated by some, we have been granted unspeakable honour by His grace to be called by His name.  The Jews of Shushan rejoiced to have a man of their own Mordecai ruling rather than Haman the Agagite, and how blessed we are to be ruled by Jesus Christ rather than Satan whose skull has been crushed underfoot by the Son of God.  Isaiah 25:8-9 says what the God of Israel has done in Jesus Christ:  "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; the rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken. ⁹ And it will be said in that day: "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation."

When Life is Stale

"When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. ⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah"

Psalm 32:3-4

Reading through this Psalm this week I was prompted to see this in fresh light.  David penned this psalm considering the oppressive nature of sin:  when he refused to confess and repent of sin it gnawed at him day and night.  The picture he paints is one wasting away in pain, a dry soul groaning in distress.  A tree lacking moisture withers and dies, and the drought of summer sapped him of spiritual vitality.

There are certain foods which are delicious when moist, but when the moisture dries up they become stale and unpalatable.  Because of sin David's life became dry and stale.  It is a strange thing how the composition of baked goods changes dramatically for the worse when exposed to air for extended periods of time.  We do not need to interview David to learn more because we also have experienced besetting sins which made our lives stale:  tasteless, worn out, without novelty or power to please.  The things we used to enjoy or live for just aren't as great as they used to be.

In Psalm 1, David compared the child of God to a tree planted by rivers of water that is fruitful in season, its leaves do not wither and it prospers--quite the contrast to the dryness of summer drought.  In verse 4 David ended the line with "Selah" which means to pause and consider.  It is good for us to stop in our tracks and take personally what has been written, examining our own lives to see if we too are dry like a dessert, if ministry has become stale, if relationships are drying up.  The way we feel can be a telling indicator of our need to make personal changes to seek and honour God.

David followed up action with Psalm 32:5:  "I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,"and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah."  Healthy introspection led to confession of sin and forgiveness by our gracious God.  David acknowledged his sinful deeds and also his crooked heart.  He didn't just "Selah" concerning his sin or how twisted and corrupt he was but also revelled in the forgiveness and restoration of his relationship with God.  We can spend a great deal of time wallowing in our failures rather than rejoicing in the forgiveness God delights to give.

Has life become a bit stale?  Pour out your heart to God in confession and know He hears and will answer.  In an instant God can transform a soul that resembles a barren desert into a fruitful oasis by His grace, mercy, and unfailing love.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus can bring radical transformation and renewal to your life today.

The Lovable One

What pictures does "lovable" bring to mind?  Personally I think of a cute and fuzzy plush toy, a smiling face with outstretched arms just begging to be held close.  Synonyms for "lovable" include:  endearing, engaging, attractive, adorable, lovely, sweet, cuddly, charming and pleasing.  One thing these synonyms have in common is being lovable is largely based on appearances and subjective personal opinion--not by demonstrated quality of character.  We can put a great deal of emphasis on looking lovely, but that does not mean we are lovable.

I was struck by David's exhortation in Psalm 31:23-24:  "Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. ²⁴ Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD."  Forget the fluffy teddy bear with the embroidered smile:  God is the most lovable being of all!  God is worthy of all love as He is absolutely loving, though He is not in the least bit "cute" or "cuddly."  He has demonstrated His love for us sinners, not with chocolate or fluffy keepsakes, but by dying on the cross for our redemption and salvation.  He preserves the faithful, provides courage, and strengthens our hearts as we hope in Him.

The lovable plush toy or pet that loves attention cannot meet the needs of our souls.  1 John 4:19 says of God, "We love Him because He first loved us."  When a person goes to the pet shop or breeder to purchase a cute, lovable puppy or kitten, that animal was loved and chosen before it could respond to love and attention.  To a domesticated animal the buyer was just one of many people who stopped by and watched it play, but after becoming an owner and caretaker a relationship began.  God has done a similar thing for people, having loved each human being before we were conceived and individually fashioned by Him in the womb of our mothers.  Isn't God lovable for His goodness towards us, to create us by grace and pursue a relationship with us?

Jesus Christ said to His disciples in John 15:12-17:  "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³ Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ¹⁶ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another."  We did not choose God, but He chose us; we love Him because He first loved us.  Because He loves us we ought to love Him and one another, and consequently He makes us more lovable ourselves.

Confessing One to Another (and praying too!)

Today a visit to the bathroom turned out to provide an unexpected object lesson.  We have an intermittent leaky tap in our bathroom which is the ultimate "jiggle the handle" experience.  If you have the technique and strength, it works ok.  But because the maintenance man didn't match the new handles with the old-style brass fitting it has always been difficult to keep from dripping.  So we have developed a workaround:  if the tap drips a cup is placed underneath to catch the water to prevent wasting it.  Then when I come in to wash my hands, I crank that puppy down--much to Laura's dismay.

As I watched the water slowly form under the tap and drip into the cup, I mused how pointless it would be to try to keep the tap from dripping with a finger.  Attempts to keep the water from dripping by hand pressure or placement of a cup underneath does not address the internal problem with the tap.  It needs to be pulled apart and fitted with a new plunger, O-Ring, and grease for smooth function (with compatible knobs of course!).  The dripping really isn't the problem, but is a symptom of a hidden internal problem.  We can be quite similar to the dripping tap because losing our temper, worrying, lying, or cheating are only symptoms of a heart problem which can result from our neglect of confession and repentance.

In Christian circles confession of specific sins to others on a regular basis is a seldom practiced spiritual discipline--at least speaking for myself.  That is set to change for me personally on the basis of what the LORD has been teaching me lately, for who does not sin (1 John 1:10)?  In addition to the biblical directive in James 5:16, I came across something J. Edwin Orr wrote in his book Full Surrender which impacted me:

"It costs nothing for a church member to admit in a prayer meeting, "I am not what I ought to be."  It costs no more to say:  "I ought to be a better Christian."  It costs something to say:  "I have been a trouble-maker in this church."  It costs something to say:  "I have had bitterness of heart towards certain leaders, to whom I shall definitely apologise."  While it is true that human hearts possess attributes towards sin which can be described as general, all acts of sin are particular and should be confessed in a particular way.  A sinner might be overwhelmed by so many specific convictions of sin that he does not know where to begin.  He should begin with his besetting sin, about which he will feel most conviction.  The exhortation to confess our sins is clearly progressive:  "If we keep on confessing our sins." (Orr, J. Edwin. Full Surrender. Marshall, Morgan, & Scott. 1951. pages 28-29.)

Though all sin is against God, we also sin against people.  Since this is the case, when guilt of sin comes to our attention we ought to confess our sin to the one we have wronged as the Prodigal did to his father:  "I have sinned against heaven and against you."  Orr put forth a maxim concerning confession in Full Surrender to let the "circle of the offence committed be the circle of the confession."  The unity and healthy fellowship of Christians can be severely hampered by pride and our (my!) refusal to confess sins to one another as James prescribed coupled with prayer for each other.  Joshua exhorted Achan to publicly confess what impacted the nation; Job prayed for his erring friends and they were healed.  We cannot keep short accounts with God if our ledger is bleeding red with sins against our brothers and sisters and we have neglected our responsibility to confess.  It is good for us to keep from sin, but if our primary motivation to avoid it is the fear of confessing to our brothers our hearts are not right before God.  Praise the LORD He is forgives, cleanses, restores, and even redeems our sin for His ultimately glory and our good.

Belief and Obedience

"And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? ¹⁹ So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

Hebrews 3:18-19

God brought the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt by a mighty hand and led them to the threshold of the Promised Land.  Yet upon hearing a bad report by 10 of the 12 spies sent into Canaan, the people were filled with fear and even regretted leaving Egypt!  They believed the reports of huge fortifications and giants in the land instead of looking to the almighty God who had brought them thus far:  the One who led them out would bring them in with victory.  Because they would not enter in God decreed that generation (save the two faithful spies Joshua and Caleb) could not enter the land.  Their unbelief led them to rebel rather than obey.

This is an incredibly relevant and thought-provoking situation to consider personally.  If unbelief prevented God's people from trust and obedience to Him, it is possible for us to hesitate on the threshold of blessings God has already provided for us.  Unbelief should be viewed as one of the greatest tragedies, completely preventable by undeterred faith in God marked by obedience.  I am saddened to think my life could at times be comparable to the Hebrews who witnessed the power of God yet turned their backs on what God had freely given them:  all they had to do was trust and enter in.  They would not do it, so God made it impossible for them to do it.  It seems they did not possess the spiritual insight of the author of Hebrews, for though they admitted they sinned at times unbelief was not something they repented of.

Believing and obeying, however, it not as easy as it may seem because it involves crucifixion:  first of Jesus Christ and then of our flesh so by faith the life of Jesus might live through us.  Unless we are born again we cannot surrender to this work of the Holy Spirit required for us to walk in victory purchased with the blood of Jesus.  The children of Israel had faith to follow Moses out of Egypt, to pass through the Red Sea on dry ground, but their lack of faith in God was exposed when they refused to enter the land of Canaan because of the reports of giants.  Compared to the giants 10 spies viewed themselves as grasshoppers, but the two men who kept their eyes on God and His promises saw them as bread.  Are you hungry to enter into the plans God has for you, to trust Him at any cost?  May the LORD cause us to follow the examples of these men and our Saviour Jesus Christ who were strengthened to obey.

The Pebble and O-Ring Lesson

Recently the jet in the pool has been blowing a lot of bubbles which suggested a leak somewhere in the system.  Today I turned off the pump and removed the clear lens on the secondary filter and discovered a small pebble had been lodged under the O-ring and prevented an airtight seal.  I thought to myself, the fix couldn't be this simple of a fix, right?  After removing the tiny stone I turned on the pump and I was pleased to see the water completely fill the secondary filter with bubble-free operation.

It amazed me a little pebble caused such a major problem which compromised the efficiency of the entire filtration system of the pool.  We've all experienced a pebble in our shoe, a tiny object if laying on the ground under normal circumstances would never grab our interest.  We can try to ignore the discomfort, but ultimately we need to stop what we're doing and remove the pebble which barks at us with each step.  If a little pebble can crack a windscreen at high speeds, alter our gait when dropped into our shoe or disrupt pool filtration, it follows even small things can make a negative impact in our lives.

When foreign objects find their ways into our pool filters, shoes, or eyes, if we desire to return to optimal performance we need to take a closer look.  It is one thing to take stock of the cleanliness of your hands or face, but it is far more important to consider our hearts.  Our hearts and minds can wander and little lies can begin to creep in and erode our faith and resolve.  Solomon wisely exhorted his son in Proverbs 4:20-27:  "My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. ²¹ Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; ²² for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. ²³ Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. ²⁴ Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you. ²⁵ Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. ²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. ²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil."

Solomon urged his son to take personal inventory of what he looked at, what he thought about, and the words he spoke.  Just like bubbles in the jet revealed something was amiss so gossip, sharpness, and lies say something true about the condition of our hearts:  such deeds ought to be repented of but there is also hidden sin to be confessed and forsaken.  The temptation is to take stock of others, to measure our efforts against theirs.  Solomon said, "Ponder the path of your feet."  We are to walk in the good, old paths of righteousness blazed by Jesus and those who fear Him.  The pebble under the O-ring provided a tangible example of how a little sin trapped in our hearts leads to major problems that affect body and soul.

What Does the White Stone Say?

I enjoy books and films that make me think, that take me beyond words on a page or a plot unfolding on the screen to learn something.  It doesn't need to be a clearly defined moral like in a family sitcom or a G.I. Joe Public Service Announcement, but they prompt thoughts which open a window of the mind to draw in fresh air.  These books and films do not claim to be ultimate truth, but can at times stir up the truth we have learned and been assured of through scripture and put it to more effective personal use.

In the book The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis mentioned something I was already familiar with but stirred me to think it over.  The point he was making was not the main point taken.  This is a way the Holy Spirit often works in preaching, and I have observed many times He brings to hearer's hearts everlasting truth the preacher never anticipated.  C.S. Lewis wrote:

"The thing you long for summons you away from the self.  Even the desire for the thing lives only if you abandon it.  This is the ultimate law--the seed dies to live, the bread must be cast upon the waters, he that loses his soul will save it.  But the life of the seed, the finding of the bread, the recovery of the soul, are as real as the preliminary sacrifice.  Hence it is truly said of heaven "in heaven there is no ownership.  If any there took upon him to call anything his own, he would straightway be thrust out into hell and become an evil spirit."  But it is also said "To him that overcometh I will give a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."  What can be more a man's own that this new name which even in eternity remains a secret between God and him?  And what shall we take this secrecy to mean?  Surely, that each of the redeemed shall forever know and praise some one aspect of the divine beauty better than any other creature can.  Why else were individuals created, but that God, loving all infinitely, should love each differently?  And this difference, so far from impairing, floods with meaning the love of all blessed creatures from one another, the communion of the saints.  If all experienced God in the same way and returned Him an identical worship, the song of the Church triumphant would have no symphony, it would be like an orchestra in which all the instruments played the same note...For doubtless the continually successful, yet never completed, attempt by each soul to communicate its unique vision to all others (and that by means whereof earthly art and philosophy are but clumsy imitations) is also among the ends for which the individual was created." (Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain. Whitefriars Press Ltd., London and Tonbridge, 1942.)

Lewis' allusion to the passage grabbed my attention, the part when Jesus addressed the church in Pergamos in Revelation 2:17:  "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."  This is numbered among the many promises Jesus makes to overcomers through faith in Him.  It is not a surprise Jesus Christ who makes all things new will provide a new revelation of Himself to His followers to cherish for eternity.  There is something intriguing and alluring about the secrecy, that God has something special just for me and just for you, a unique name for us to call Him--or even a name He calls us.  John was not precisely clear about whose name is written on the stone, but I am looking forward to discovering the secret personally in God's time!  The One who created, called, and chose us has a glorious future other believers will share but for each it will be a personally tailored experience.  It will be the culmination of God's awesome design, that the Saviour slain from the foundations of the earth would joyfully receive His inheritance and we, His redeemed creatures fashioned in His image, will become all He envisioned us to be together.  The saints may be lumped together as one for our convenient reference, but each have an intimate relationship with God that transcends all others.

We could spend our days wondering what the secret name could be or what we think it ought to be, but that misses the point entirely.  Through Christ we can overcome, and He has much He delights to reveal and give to us.  God has already given us a life, a body and personality we never dreamed of or could imagine in the womb of our mothers, and our eternal state will be just as other-worldly and infinitely better than life in or outside a uterus on earth.  The good God who created us and is preparing a place for us to be with Him forever knows perfectly what we need and even the desires of our hearts.  Free from the sins of greed, envy, and covetousness we will be wholly content without the impulse to compare our whites stone with others.  We will eat of the hidden manna He provides and be given at least one secret name revealed by God no one else will know.  This shows me we will not be all-knowing as God is but confirms eternity will be a time of glorious discovery of God as we fellowship with Him, self abandoned to His praise and adoration because He is worthy.

Told or Taught?

Have you ever been in a situation when you wanted God to tell you what to do?  It recently occurred to me telling is not the same as teaching.  A good teacher does not simply tell their pupil what to do at every moment but leads them to learn the correct way for themselves.  The person who wants to be told what to do may not even be teachable.  To be teachable we must humble ourselves and go beyond following a directive to having our minds and hearts changed to align with the master.

Growing up I found 10-pin bowling fun and enjoyable, but at a point it became frustrating when my efforts did not translate to improved scores.  When I took a 10-pin bowling course in university I decided to throw out everything I thought I knew and learned an entirely new system and approach.  My education did not immediately result in better scores but it was not long before my competency and consistency improved.  One does not need to take a course or have a coach to roll a high score, but for me it made an enormous difference and unlocked potential to do so on a consistent basis.

God is infinitely more for the believer than a "life coach" or a means to achieve our goals:  He is our Life!  His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.  Sometimes we are desperate to know what route we ought to take and beg, "Just tell me the way to go!"  As open as it sounds to a clear directive from God this may come from a proud posture, an unwillingness to humble ourselves to be taught.  We aren't interested in personal change or taking time to learn anything:  we want out of our quandary immediately and are seeking an easy and relatively painless fix.  We think it would be loving for God to show us the way out, but it is because God is loving and patient He may allow the situation to continue for our ultimate benefit.  We imagine like children in primary school if we learn the lesson quickly recess can begin, but God has given us all the time in the world and is in no hurry.

Hear what David prayed in Psalm 27:11:  "Teach me Your way, O LORD, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies."  David did not say, "Tell me what to do" but said "Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me..."  There is a huge difference between asking God what you should do and asking Him to teach and lead you in His way.  I am convinced God rejoices when people come to Him, not to escape a trial or speedily solve our dilemma, but because we love Him, want to know Him, and be led in His ways.  God is faithful to hear the cries of the humble and will instruct us in His ways seeing Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Unlike the bowling example where gained proficiency led to less instruction and correction by my coach, the more we learn God's ways the more we learn to seek Him and rely upon Him.  As we follow God's leading, we have the benefit of continually drawing near to Him.  Those who are content to be told what to do miss out on the intimate relationship God desires with all His children.  Those who have been taught God's ways gain knowledge which extends beyond temporary circumstances to develop admiration and awe of our great God and Saviour.  Are you teachable or just wanting to be told?  I am grateful to have such a loving Father in heaven who loves us, is patient to teach us and faithful to lead in His ways.

The Courageous Wait

As a person born in the United States having immigrated to Australia, I have been intrigued by the contrasting perspectives generally reflected in people and media.  The press in the U.S. have been throwing around terms like "tyranny" and "totalitarianism" while the Australian media muses why only 4 million people have voluntarily downloaded an app designed to track movements.  While people in California protest their right to assemble under the Constitution, a vast majority of Sydney-siders are making do best they can to respect restrictions, considering protection of the most vulnerable more important than personal freedoms.  In our polarised world one extreme sees a trojan horse of government oppression, while the other sees it as a necessity for public health.

This is where the supremacy and sovereignty of God is a great comfort to me:  no matter where a person lives or what their perspective is on social matters, what constitutes government overreach, or when schools should open, God rules over all.  He is wise, compassionate, gracious, and faithful.  His power and authority extends far beyond our spinning globe, for this is how the sons of Korah could honestly write 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"  When it feels like the earth has been snatched from under your feet, God is a refuge, strength, and very present help when help seems far away.

When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee and Jesus was asleep, they woke Jesus in a panic.  Many of these followers of Jesus were seasoned veterans on the water, and the peril they faced was very real.  They were shocked when Jesus rose and rebuked the wind and water and it ceased raging.  It seems they expected Jesus to approach the problem at hand like they were, to grab and oar, start bailing out water from their vessel--to express concern over a situation He was literally sleeping through.  This shows me how the power of God transcends this physical world where God remains in total charge, regardless of governments, corporations, panic, and mis-information.  As the story of Job's life reveals, nothing happens outside God's knowledge and control, and we are wise to submit ourselves in faith to Him.

The disciples wanted Jesus to respond to their situation like they were feeling; they wanted Him to realise the urgency of their need and predicament.  Since sin entered the world and until all that is made dissolves in final judgment, this has been and will continue to be a desire familiar to all people who love God and trust Him.  COVID-19 might be a storm of sorts which God will employ to expose our lack of faith and need to seek the LORD.  Are you willing for Jesus to redeem this trying situation in a miraculous manner which glorifies Him?  David wrote in Psalm 27:13-14, "I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁴ Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"  Don't just wait for social distancing to be over, for the storm to pass, a payment to come through, or for circumstances to change for the better:  wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.  We will see the goodness of of the LORD in the land of the living when we look to Jesus.