God's Chosen Family

When I was born to my parents years ago, they didn't choose me from a litter.  I also did not have the choice of my parents or whether I would have a brother or sister:  God sovereignly brought us together as family and I learned to live with and love them all despite our differences.  A day came when I sought the permission of Laura's parents and asked for her hand in marriage.  After being united by God in matrimony new branches were added to the families we were already connected to.  God has graciously given us sons who are growing up and perhaps will someday enlarge our family even further.

My views concerning the church, the Body of Christ, align well with this approach to family relationships that acknowledges the wisdom and sovereignty of God.  Even as I did not choose my parents, I did not choose my Sunday School teachers, pastor or church I grew up attending and later served in.  A day came when the LORD guided me and my family to settle in Australia and serve in a different fellowship of believers which is part of the same Body of Christ.  We were in no way divorced or cut off from fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States but the move has enlarged our circle and enriched our lives.

I recall an impactful incident when I attended an evangelism course out of state years ago.  It was a gathering of people at a conference who were keen to share their faith and I perceived in many an undercurrent of dissatisfaction and disdain of their current congregations which did not share their passion for evangelism.  One person murmured, "To me, this is church.  This is where I really fit in."  There was a sense of disappointment as our time together drew to a close because they knew they were heading back to churches that had little emphasis on evangelism.  Their hope was to attend the next gathering of these folks and steeled their resolve to endure months of isolation from "real church."

From my perspective, this seemed to be a case of a hand desiring to be cut off from a body to be with other hands.  Could it be God had sovereignly placed them in a church which had little emphasis on evangelism because they were to take up the charge themselves?  There is a draw for people to be around people with whom they share things in common, and in the church it is Jesus Christ alone who unites us.  There is nothing wrong with evangelists, missionaries, teachers, pastors, women, men and youth gathering together as distinct groups within a church or even meeting together for conferences.  A problem arises when we, out of dissatisfaction with others God has sovereignly joined to us, cut ourselves off from other believers and them from us.  The commitment God showed to the children of Israel because of the covenant He made with them is a good example for us to follow.  Jesus has made a covenant with us by grace through faith, and we ought to extend grace freely to others as we have freely received grace from Him.

Since the church is the Body of Christ comprised of different members with different functions and gifts according to God's will, let us acknowledge our call and the place where He has us is His doing.  It may be God will say to you as Abraham concerning your home church, "Leave your family and go to the land I show you."  Faith in God must be answered with obedience and trust to do so even when it is not our plan or idea.  God may also put you in a position like Jesus who was sent by God to the lost sheep of Israel who would reject Him.  Paul was raised as a Jew yet was called to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles, and his love for his fellow Jews never waned.  Persecution may scatter believers and physical distance may separate us but this will never sever the fellowship with have with one another through Jesus Christ.  Like Paul's advice to the married that they should not seek to be loosed, it is good to bring that level of commitment to serve and contribute at the church where God has us.

Jesus, Unity and Peace

In a increasingly polarised world it is good to remember Jesus has united believers in the church as one.  Instead of being focused on groups or people which should be excluded from the number of "true disciples," it is more useful for us to ensure we personally are in Christ and walking in His love.  Today I was reading about how timber, gold, silver, curtains, loops, and clasps united together to make one tabernacle.  This is one allusion to the uniting of Jew and Gentile in the church, the Body of Christ.  From every nation, tribe and tongue God has comprised a united church filled with the Holy Spirit.

Paul wrote to Gentile (non-Jew) believers in Ephesians 2:11-18:  "Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--¹² that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."  Remembering our previous distance from God and our unworthiness and inability to draw near to God fills us with gratitude for the access given us by grace through faith in Jesus.

I have heard this passage explained like this:  our sins once separated us from God and through the atonement of Jesus on Calvary the "wall of separation" has been destroyed and united us with Himself.  This is true, however that is not the point Paul makes here.  The context of the passage is the initial distinction and separation between Jew and Gentile, the children of Israel who entered into the covenant of Law and the Gentiles who were foreigners and aliens from the commonwealth of God.  Jesus has broken down the middle wall of separation and created "in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."  Jesus has united Jew and Gentile as one in the kingdom of God even as timber was gilt with gold in the articles of the tabernacle or the gold clasps hooked to the wool loops.  The Body of Jesus the church is one made of many different members by the same Holy Spirit.  The Gospel was preached to Jew and Gentile alike and by Jesus we all have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The temptation of the early church was to place pressure on the Gentiles to live as Jews under Law and for Jews to cast off their heritage and traditions.  Both groups had potential to stumble one another because of their diverse backgrounds, convictions and personal experiences, yet God chose to unite the two as one:  Jesus is our peace, having created one Body redeemed with His own blood.  The knowledge we have been made one body with Jesus prevents us from excluding those God has chosen and accepted as His own.  Having been made one it is the love of Christ that guides us in our interactions with others within and outside the Church.  We ought to demonstrate the same patience and compassion with people who are in Christ to those we desire to introduce to Him and are far off as we used to be.  If Jesus has broken down the middle wall of separation, there is no wall we can justify erecting to protect ourselves or to prevent others from fellowship through Jesus Christ.  Every part of the Body is useful for the whole because it is different than others and thus we can embrace differences for God's glory and unfolding plans.

It requires humility and grace from God to make the personal changes required to walk in unity with all our brothers and sisters.  There is pride, assumptions, and expectations in us God wants to confess and strip from us even as the children of Israel were called to throw out their idols.  The "us" and "them" mentality of circumcised Jews and uncircumcised Gentiles has remained endemic among people to this day and can result in denominational and interpersonal divides.  Jews did not always agree or approve of the practices of their brethren, and liberalism is just as threatening as legalism to undermine and hinder the fellowship of believers.  As much as depends upon us we are to live peaceably with one another knowing we are members of one another as well as Christ.  It is written in Romans 12:3-5:  "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴  or as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

People can spend their entire lives trying to "fit in" when Jesus has chosen believers to be part of His Body the church and become our peace.  We can also have a critical mind and find fault with others, effectively closing the door of fellowship to others due to irreconcilable differences.  He has united us with one another by God's grace to supply what the other parts lack.  It is good for the hand to delight to grasp objects and for the feet to be joyfully strengthened to walk and run, but let not the hand imagine the foot is better suited to imitate a hand.  On the heels of exhorting believers to submit to one another in love, Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:1-2:  "Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. ² And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma."  It is the one who walks in love towards God and others that is a living sacrifice God delights in, and this is our reasonable service.

Love Is Patient

 Occasionally on a social media news feed I see a story about a neglected or abused animal which has been rescued.  There was the little pony whose hooves had overgrown so it was unable to walk properly, a cocker spaniel with hair so matted it dragged heavily on the ground, and other animals which had disabilities or were abandoned.  The video goes through the transition of recovery, fostering, and re-homing animals that often the rescuer love too much to let go.  There is an understanding these animals need help, patience, and an investment of time to earn their trust with continued love and gentleness.

These animals that have suffered from abuse and neglect can be quite skittish and hostile toward those who desire to help them.  They growl, bare their teeth, and even snap at any who invade their personal space.  Because of what the animals had suffered the animal lovers who hope to help them are compassionate and patient, realising their present condition is largely a result of their circumstances.  Neglect of proper care, food, training, and affection leads domesticated animals to become wild and dangerous to others.  Unwilling for an abused animal to be put down out of convenience, people make it their life's work to rescue, rehabilitate, and love on these animals who have never known love.

It is a sad and tragic reality that many people have experienced a life without experiencing the love of God.  They also can suffer the pain of neglect, abuse, and abandonment.  When I worked with fostered kids I met caretakers at their wit's end to know how to love and help a very angry, manipulative, and vindictive child who did everything possible to bring havoc into the home.  These folks did a wonderful job to continue to be patient with this little one who was hurting and continued to lash out in response to inner pains.  It is not just small children we ought to be patient with but to keep reaching out to hurting people who have suffered and are suffering.  Jesus knows exactly what they are going through and is able by His grace to give us wisdom, gentleness, and patience to demonstrate His love with compassion.

I remember one video where a rescuer moved a bit too close and attempted to pet a neglected animal and was bitten on the hand that drew blood.  "That's my fault," he said.  "You're not ready for that yet."  There would have been some people who would have taken that dog to be destroyed because the dog hadn't progressed quickly enough according to expectations.  Instead the rescuer took the blame for the incident and kept on showing love to the dog with gentle words and embraced slow progress.  This is what God's love looks like, doesn't it?  After coming to Jesus in faith He doesn't disown us because we lash out in anger and are blinded to His kindness and forgiveness by our pain.  Like a good shepherd who knows His sheep and calls them by name, the LORD seeks us out when we have been lost and neglected.

In 2015 "Chris the sheep" was found and rescued in Canberra with a uncut wool coat he had been carrying for an estimated 6 years.  Because no sheep can shear itself he required rescuing to be relieved of his own wool which weighed a whopping 41 kilos!  In a similar way Jesus rescues people from the burden of our sin, neglect, and abuse we have endured.  Removing the fleece occurred at once but Chris then needed to learn what it was like to live with a caretaker and among other sheep.  I do not know what goes on in the heads of sheep, but there is an incredible amount of thinking, feeling, reacting, worrying, fearfulness, and assuming which goes on in the minds of people.  It takes time to grow and develop as a person, and it also takes time to gain dexterity when an injured person needs to learn to walk again after a significant injury.  Let us be those who are patient and gracious to hurting people, that we would not just receive people into a church fellowship but into our lives, homes and hearts with joy.  We love God because He first loved us, and may we keep loving others as unto Him.

God Draws Near

How good is God to draw near to unworthy sinners who draw near to Him!  God promises if we seek Him with our whole hearts we will find Him (Deut. 4:29).  An example of this is seen after the children of Israel sinned through idolatry when Moses met with the LORD on Mt. Sinai.  Exodus 33 describes how Moses daily went into the tabernacle to meet with God and from their tents the Hebrews witnessed the presence of God descend in a cloud upon it.  Overwhelmed with the dire consequences of their sin of which resulted in separation and distance from the Almighty God, the people grieved over their transgression.  The people worshiped when they saw the presence of God who spoke with Moses face to face as a man speaks with a friend.

Moses provided insight concerning one of these private meetings with God.  After Moses asked to see God's glory Exodus 33:20-23 records, "But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." ²¹ And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. ²² So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. ²³ Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."  The God who is unapproachable in glory descended and met with a mere man he had a place for.  Isn't that amazing?  God said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock."  Moses drew near to God, and God drew near to him.  God also had a place by Him where Moses was invited and welcome to stand.  God promised to protect and shelter Moses from harm.

Now for those familiar with scripture, the place on the rock God offered extends beyond sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rock.  Like the rock from which living water flowed to sustain the lives of God's people in the wilderness, it alludes to the rock of salvation and chief cornerstone who is Jesus Christ the promised Messiah.  David sang in 2 Samuel 22:47, "The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation!"  It is through faith in Jesus Christ we stand as it is written in 1 Peter 2:4-6 reads, "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. ⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

The scene of the interaction with God and Moses is an awesome foreshadowing of the relationship made possible through Jesus.  Moses was permitted to see some of God's glory, but it was revealed fully in Christ the Word in John 1:14:  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  The Jewish religious leaders did not have a place in their rigid legalism for Jesus, yet Jesus promised He would go and prepare a place in the heavens for all who trust in Him (John 14:2-3).  After Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to heaven the Holy Spirit came upon followers of Jesus without measure.  To think God who descended in a cloud and offered a place on the rock to Moses would prepare a place in heaven for redeemed sinners and make our hearts His holy habitation is amazing beyond belief!  As the song "Joy to the World" exhorts, may every heart prepare Him room as we joyfully declare Him our King.

Doing God's Work

"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ² "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. ³ And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, ⁴ to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, ⁵  in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship." Exodus 31:1-5

When people think of people gifted in work and ministry, I'm not sure Bezalel comes to mind.  I love the fact that the Holy Spirit filled him not for the purpose of preaching, prophesying, or speaking with tongues, but gave him wisdom and understanding to design, work with metals, cut stones, and carve wood.  His calling was just as important as Moses or Aaron his Creator gifted him with wisdom to work with his hands.  He did not have the privilege of wearing the ephod, but he was gifted to engrave and place the stones in it.

God has different callings upon people and has given the Holy Spirit who provides skill and wisdom to work.  The God who makes us spiritually fruitful enables us to be mechanically profitable.  There are people God has gifted to work with wool, linen, to design electronics and machines, and to fix engines.  In all God has given us to do we ought to do it heartily as unto the LORD because it is He we serve.  The One who has given us understanding and ability is the One who deserves honour from all we do and accomplish, whether it be labouring in the scriptures, playing instruments in worship of God, sanitizing doorknobs at a church building, or vacuuming floors at home.

It is lovely how God delights to gift His children He calls by name in countless ways with artistic gifts, talents, and skills.  He doesn't just give us talents but fills us with His divine presence to do His work.  Bezalel was given wisdom, knowledge, and skill to work, and I believe God would hold Bezalel to account for honing his craft.  In the parables Jesus told when the masters gave talents to his servants they remained his talents for them to invest productively.  Upon the return of the master there was a settling of accounts:  they returned to the master the original talent and all they gained by trading because it was all the master's.  So it is with the gifts and abilities God has given us to use:  they are His and best used for Him.

May we never discount the value of the wisdom and understanding God gives by the Holy Spirit to His people to work unto Him.  Perhaps Bezalel would not be recognised on the street as the artisan who crafted the ephod like Aaron who wore it, but God knew, called, and gave Bezalel the skills required to fulfill his calling.  Praise the LORD for filling us with the Spirit of God to do His work! 

What Only God Gives

 King Solomon made his share of blunders (as we all have) but he answered wisely when God appeared to him and dream.  God said in 1 Kings 3:5, "Ask!  What shall I give you?"  Instead of imagining he had won the divine lottery to benefit himself, Solomon asked for what only God could provide with a view of God's calling upon his life.  On the basis of the mercy and kindness God had shown David and that Solomon was God's servant he responded in 1 Kings 3:9, "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"  Solomon demonstrated wisdom in asking God to meet his need by supplying wisdom to rule well.

I wonder:  if God revealed Himself to you in a dream and asked you the same question, how would you answer?  Would you be pleased for God to give you what people in the world possess or something only God can supply?  I recall an occasion years ago I didn't know what to pray.  I felt like I was in a bit of a rut, asking for the same things day after day.  I was surprised almost instantly when I heard the LORD's answer with a thought I hadn't considered:  "Pray for the impossible."  All along I had been praying for things that did not require God at all:  people apply for visas, find employment, and immigrate without seeking the aid of God.  After that clear directive I had a special time of prayer because I was intentional to pray for God to do impossible things only He could do.  Without God's help to pray according to His will it was an empty, fruitless exercise.  How different and profitable was my experience when I sought God to do what only He can do.

God created mankind needy, and He alone is able to supply our every need according to His grace.  1 Corinthians 12:4-7 reads, "There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..."  God who chose Solomon to be king after David is the God who gives each one of His adopted children by grace through faith at least one spiritual gift for the profit of all.  Do you know what your gift is?  Have you asked God what your gift is and how to minister it to others for their benefit and His glory?  Our God who is wisdom for us and gives spiritual gifts knows the best way to cultivate the use of it.

Believer, take courage to ask God for what only He can give.  Why settle to ask for things of this world like money or careers or stuff or health when He has true riches of the kingdom of God He delights to supply which will endure forever?

The Greatest Story?

 My eyes chanced upon a blurb about an illustrated Bible that began, "The greatest story ever told..."  Though my face did not betray any emotion inside I cringed.  While is true factual history includes stories, it would be a tragedy to bring the divinely inspired word of God to the level of a historical narrative, poetry, mythology, or fiction.  If we view the scripture as a collection of "stories" it greatly impacts the way we read and relate to it.

When I worked in a trade the humble lunchbreak provided a perfect opportunity for master storytellers to trot out their best tales.  Some stories were amazing and unbelieveable, and others dragged on without a clear point.  My favourite stories were the ones I found funny and entertaining.  Those brief moments provided an opportunity to sit back and be transported to another time, have a laugh, and add the best for your personal arsenal should an opportunity to swap stories present itself.  Thinking about stories in this context, the purpose of the story was rarely to guide my future personal decisions but a tale to recall to impress, shock, or amuse others.

To say the Bible is the "greatest story ever told" is to sell it woefully short of the truth.  Stories over time can be embellished for effect, but the scripture God-breathed, does not change, and will endure forever.  God has provided the Bible so we might know the God who created and loves us, to be redeemed and reconciled to Him through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to live in the way that pleases God.  The scripture exists more than to interest or entertain mankind but is a revelation of the living God.  It is filled with history, prophecy, poetry, and wisdom which exist for more than our inspiration and admiration.  More than a story to be recalled, scripture guides us into a Life to live through faith in Jesus Christ.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  More than words on a page or a tale told God's word sustains our souls.  The prophet said in Jeremiah 15:16, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts."  Insight from God received in a believing soul led to Jeremiah discovering great joy in his relationship with God.  A newspaper is filled with articles and stories that may or not be of any personal interest, yet for children of God the Bible becomes a personal address from the Almighty God to miraculously address our most profound needs and guide us into truth by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Having Faith in Jesus Helps

 Yesterday I was reminded of the occasion when Jesus accompanied His disciples on a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee.  Mark 4:37-40 tells us, "And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸ But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" ³⁹ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰ But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"  The disciples panicked as the wind whipped water into the boat, and Jesus sleeping through the ordeal seemed to trouble them even more.

They asked Jesus, "Do you not care that we are perishing?"  It would be fitting to ask those troubled souls, "Do you not care Jesus is with you in the storm?"  The disciples found themselves in a situation beyond their control, and though they united together the problem was greater than they could handle.  Perhaps they imagined with the help of one more person they could bail the water fast enough to stay afloat.  Upon being awakened, Jesus did something they never expected:  He addressed the wind and the sea saying, "Peace, be still!"  Miraculously there was a great calm.  Mark 4:41 describes the response of the disciples:  "And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"  Though these men had agreed to follow Jesus and obeyed Him, they still didn't realise the full extent of His care for them and power to save them.

When we are going through troubles, it is easy for us to be like the disciples who looked for help that did not come as they expected.  Perhaps their expectation was Jesus would spring to His feet, take charge of the situation, and lead them to safety.  They would take comfort in His proactive leadership and ability to organise disordered panic and "right the ship."  This can be our expectations we have of other people as well.  The disciples were good to seek Christ for help but the problem was they did so without faith in Him being their Messiah, the Resurrection and the Life, the I AM.  Even Christians can make the mistake of looking to people to be their Saviour and Deliverer when Jesus Christ alone is already with them and has the power to bring peace into chaotic circumstances.

Can you imagine saying of Jesus, "If He really cared about them, Jesus would have known they were in trouble and done something without being asked."  That is blasphemous to suggest of Jesus, and thus it is inappropriate to have this expectation of God's children.  Jesus was not in trouble, and they were not in trouble because He was with them:  their trouble stemmed from unbelief.  The lack of faith in Jesus was not due to the inaction of Jesus but unbelief within their own hearts.  They were wrong to doubt the character and care of Jesus because they were afraid and faithless.  In my own life I have found when I make a negative judgment of the character of others I do so because of my vision is skewed.  The most imperfect person I know the best is me, and praise the LORD He cares for His children despite their lack of faith in Him.  As we look to Him in the midst of trials may we remain certain of His care, provision, protection, and rejoice He will never leave or forsake us.

Glory in God

"Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:23-24

It is natural for people to be pleased with what they have earned or accomplished.  God reveals in this passage to make a show of or the celebration of our abilities and possessions (which are gifts received from Him) is misguided.  Man habitually glories in what is not God, and whether we view ourselves as wise, mighty, or rich, this passage aims straight at our hearts with divine correction and instruction.

What are things you "glory" or take pride in?  The way we reveal this pride is often not through overt boasting and bragging, talking loud so everyone can hear.  It can manifest itself by downplaying compliments, by asking questions of others with the aim of sharing your accomplishments, telling a story that is more amazing or exiting than the one just told, or false modesty through humblebragging.  We can delight to be recognised, respected, and recommended.  The things we take pleasure in can be fine in themselves, but when we glory in self or stuff we have it is a dangerous shift towards idolatry.

Instead of glorying in our assets or abilities, God directs those who glory to glory in understanding and knowing God.  This is wisdom, riches, and might that cannot be bought, sold, or earned.  The LORD and knowledge of Him is far beyond price because He is glorious in Himself.  To glory in ourselves is to praise the beauty of a grain of dust compared to the light of the shining sun.  God's glory far outshines the sun in strength and power, for He is the LORD.  The supreme, all-powerful God of all exercises "lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth" and delights in them.  Isn't it crazy we can be more impressed with money, looks, or recognition from people rather than understanding and knowing God?

What a blessing it is to understand and know God because we have a relationship with Him through faith:  faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Understanding and knowing God is more than reading or hearing about Him:  it begins with being born again through faith in Jesus and the transforming power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  How delightful it is to meditate on the goodness of God and how He delights to exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.  People post videos of their exercise routines for peak physical fitness for bodies which will ultimately break down with injuries, weaken and perish.  God demonstrates His lovingkindness continually which is eternal, and we are partakers of His love which never fails.  When we delight in God, we will delight to do as He does and glory in Him.

Christ In Sight

You don’t need to live long to suffer much.  One aspect of God’s character is He is a Redeemer:  He is able take the suffering of one person and make it a source of comfort for others today.  Christians have eternity to look forward to, yet there is also great comfort for us to receive now.  We imagine the best source of comfort is for our circumstances to change for the better, but people who have suffered and are suffering can provide an unexpected source of encouragement when they endure and rejoiced in the LORD.

I recently received shocking and sobering news of friends in the States whose property and house burned to the ground.  I have never personally known such a loss, and I am grateful to have been spared from this trial.  I am also thankful beyond words for the God-fearing, trusting, and celebrating attitude from my friends despite their loss.  I am reminded of the exhortation they are fulfilling in 1 Peter 4:12-13:  "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  Pain can numb us to the love of God He graciously demonstrates through His word, His people, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

True are the words Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  How amazing God makes the ones who have suffered to be comforters through the power of the Holy Spirit!  At the sight of the devastation and total loss I was grieved and then surprised to be suddenly greeted with testimonies of praise and thanksgiving unto God.  Having received the comfort and consolation which is in Christ, victims become victors who shine radiantly with the joy of the LORD.

Giant sequoias have an intriguing relationship with fire.  Being so tall they are often struck by lightning which can start fires sequoias need to reproduce.  The heat of flames is required to crack open their cones to release seeds that can remain locked away for 20 years.  Fire also stimulates growth in giant sequoias, and these trees continue to grow as long as they live.  Isn't it amazing how the fires of trials and tribulations can be a boon to the faith of those who look to the LORD and those who witness their genuine peace?  Fires are deadly and destructive, and it takes the power of God to miraculously use them to accomplish His good purposes in nature and in the lives of His people.  May I learn to praise God always despite of fiery trials because Jesus Christ is in my sight.

A Life With Boundaries

"And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone's inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers."

Numbers 33:54

God provided an inheritance of land for His people to be divided by lot.  The Hebrews were not called to global conquest but were given land with clearly defined borders:  God would drive out the inhabitants of the land before them, and they were called to enter in and take possession of it.  Each tribe and family (save the Levites) were given a parcel of land which would be passed down through generations.  The arid land God gave His people was a small fraction of the land available, and it was sufficient for His people.

It is telling God gave His people land with borders and boundaries.  The Law of Moses forbade the moving of landmarks, and each person was to be content with the land God graciously provided for them.  Some people had running water, others had fields fit for flocks and herds, and others had rocky hills.  It would have been easy to look with longing eyes on land beyond your borders which looked like an oasis compared to your own dusty, rocky patch.  In providing boundaries God taught His people lessons concerning contentment.  Instead of looking to enlarge their borders, they were to put their hand to the plow and make the most of where God sovereignly placed them.

The boundaries God made for His people provides an insightful and instructive lesson for people today.  We all have boundaries in our lives we can view as restrictions that prevent us from fulfillment, satisfaction, profitability, and fruitfulness.  We imagine if we had a role at work with more responsibility we would be content; if our church was bigger our efforts to serve would be more useful.  Because of lack of faith and rest in God's sovereignty we can grow to resent the boundaries God has graciously established for our good.  We can be filled with envy our neighbour's property has a running stream and waterfront property while we must toil to dig a well.  We think happiness and contentment is somewhere to be found outside our borders.

Friends, let us endeavour to trust God, His wisdom, provision, and plans.  There is security and rest in all the boundaries God has given us and what He has chosen not to give us.  It is not in lands, flocks, herds, and waterfalls where we find satisfaction and rest but in the LORD Himself; it is not in proficiency in every spiritual gift we are fruitful but to make the best use of the one God has given us.  Envy stifles the gratefulness and thanksgiving which ought to mark our lives as children of God for whom He has provided all things concerning life and godliness.  Regardless of what has fallen to us, let us rejoice and be satisfied in the goodness, generosity, and kindness of our LORD.

The Blessed Rehearsal

"If it had not been the LORD who was on our side," let Israel now say--² "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us, ³ then they would have swallowed us alive, when their wrath was kindled against us; ⁴ then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; ⁵ then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul." ⁶ Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth."

Psalm 124:1-6

Repetition is a feature of Jewish poetry which is a useful literary device to make strong emphasis.  Psalm 124 caused people to remember and acknowledge the help and deliverance by God in the past.  Passages like this have reminded people in all seasons of life to proclaim the goodness and salvation of God.  In times of peace and prosperity even God's people can forget about Him, so it is profitable to rehearse the many times God has been faithful to protect, provide, and save us.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 was a mandate to the children of Israel to continually teach their children about God and bring Him to remembrance:  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."  God and His righteous ways are to be at the forefront of the minds of those who love Him.  More important than learning a trade or earning a degree was to hold God in honour and high esteem in all aspects of life because He is our life.

A compelling event occurred when Amalek fought against the Hebrews after their deliverance from Egypt.  When Moses held aloft the rod of God the children of Israel prevailed over their enemies, but when his arms dropped Amalek and his people gained the advantage.  Aaron and Hur helped steady the arms of Moses until nightfall while Joshua routed the Amalekites by the power of God.  The victory was not because of the rod of God, the calling of Moses, the quick-thinking and support of Aaron and Hur, or Joshua's skill in battle:  they were victorious because of God alone.  After the battle Exodus 17:14-16 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven." ¹⁵ And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-LORD-Is-My-Banner; ¹⁶ for he said, "Because the LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

The KJV says God told Moses to "rehearse" the memory of this battle in the ears of Joshua, the man God had chosen to lead the people after him.  At a rehearsal of a play lines and scenes are repeated and practiced over and over to gain mastery for a future performance.  Just as parents were to teach their children of God and His deliverance, Moses was to rehearse the victory God had won over Amalek that day--with the knowledge battles with the Amalekites would continue for generations.  In the heat of battle Joshua may not have noticed what Moses, Aaron, and Hur were up to, and a day would come when he would face battle without these men of God.  The victory that day and in every future battle would be won due to Jehovah-Nissi, the LORD who would be Joshua's banner when he looked to Him in faith.

Because the LORD was on the side of His people David concluded his song in Psalm 124:6-8, "Blessed be the LORD, Who has not given us as prey to their teeth. ⁷ Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped. ⁸ Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth."  We make the mistake of hoping for help from someone rather than placing our hope in the LORD who was a Banner of victory for Moses, Joshua, and David.  Let us rehearse with others what God has done to deliver His people in the past and acknowledge the salvation and victory we have also received by His grace--not only so we will be strengthened and comforted but so the generation to come will know, praise, and hope in the LORD God.  Blessed be the LORD who is our Banner! 

Bless the LORD Forever

After God brought His people out of Egypt and through the Red Sea, He miraculously provided them water to drink to quench their thirst.  Though God made a covenant with His people, it was not long before they murmured against Moses and Aaron, men chosen by God according to His divine purposes.  They grumbled and complained in their discontent.  They even expressed their preference to have died in Egypt, for at least there they had meat and bread to eat to the full.  In their bitterness they forgot how they cried out to God for deliverance because of the harsh bondage they suffered.  God would prove faithful to supply food for even grumbling, complaining people.

Exodus 16:6-8 says, "Then Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, "At evening you shall know that the LORD has brought you out of the land of Egypt. ⁷ And in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD; for He hears your complaints against the LORD. But what are we, that you complain against us?" ⁸ Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD."  Moses was meek before God and man.  He revealed complaints against Moses and Aaron were actually against the LORD.  The discontent of the people was fueled by their unbelief in God and exacerbated by their refusal to trust Him.  Their murmuring and complaining was more an indictment against them then an accurate gauge of the performance of Moses and Aaron.

Now were Moses and Aaron perfect leaders?  Absolutely not!  Like all men and women they had many faults, yet even their errors did not justify the complaints of the people against them.  Since God's people know God is sovereign and He rules over all, this should greatly temper our complaints against the rulers He has put in authority.  Though David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel he would not speak against Saul who he acknowledged as the "LORD's anointed."  The apostle Paul once was struck on the face and later apologised for speaking harshly towards the high priest (whose conduct was inappropriate and unlawful) in Acts 23:5:  "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" 

In societies which have embraced democratic principles we are often free to have an opinion, to question and debate policies and platforms, and vote as we see fit.  In a culture polarised by the right and left, by Liberal and Labour, or Republican and Democrat, we can lose sight of God's sovereign role in society, government, and politics.  After God revealed a dream and interpretation, consider the words of Daniel, a Jew was made to serve King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon in Daniel 2:20-22:  "Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. ²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. ²² He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."  Daniel was an advisor of a king who laid Israel waste, razed the Temple in Jerusalem to the ground, killed his countrymen, and took him captive in a foreign land.  When Nebuchadnezzar began to slaughter the wise men of Babylon Daniel sought the LORD so people could be saved--without a single recorded complaint against King Nebuchadnezzar.

Friend, are you one who complains and murmurs against rulers God has put in authority?  Realise when you do so your complaints are actually against God.  The same God who put Pharaoh in authority over Egypt was God who chose Moses to deliver His people from bondage.  The God who established proud, murderous Nebuchadnezzar as king of an empire divinely placed Daniel and his companions in his court as wise men to accomplish His purposes.  By all means we ought to seek to stand up for righteousness and glorify God in our words and conduct, but we cannot do this when there springs from our hearts a poisonous undercurrent of murmuring and complaining against rulers God has raised up.  No matter who "wins" an election or what party or person is seen to be "in charge" of government, God sits on the throne without rival.  It is Him we honour and serve.  Instead of complaining against a person or political party, let us bless the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.

Praying and Prayerfully Doing

"Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The will of God is for us to always rejoice, pray, and in everything give thanks.  Doing so is indicative of people who are at rest in the almighty God they trust with their whole hearts.  Instead of being blinded by fears and worries, followers of Jesus are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit to do God's will with gladness.

I read Exodus 14 today and was intrigued with the back-and-forth between the Hebrews and Moses after Pharaoh sent them away.  Shortly after demanding the children of Israel leave Egypt, Pharaoh and his people regretted sending away their slave labour and mustered all their chariots to pursue them.  When the Hebrews saw the advancing enemies out of fear for their lives they lashed out at Moses.  Their terror distorted their grasp on reality and clouded their view of God, His promises, and ability to save them.  Exodus 14:13-14 reads, "And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."  Moses urged the people to repent of their fear and trust the LORD who would fight for them and save them.

In light of it being God's will people pray without ceasing, Exodus 14:15-16 is most instructive:  "And the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. ¹⁶ But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea."  Prayer is fitting at all times yet prayer should not hinder us from trusting and obeying God.  Moses believed God would save His people and thus it was pointless to continue praying God would save when it was time for Moses to tell the people to go forward in faith when there was no path.  God told Moses to lift up the rod, stretch it out, and the Red Sea would be divided:  it would be a path to deliverance for the Hebrews and a tomb for the pursuing Egyptians.

I wonder:  is it possible we are continuing to pray for something God has already declared as done?  Can we be like Moses, crying out for salvation and deliverance when all that remains is for us to obey Him and take necessary steps of faith?  I am sure the people prayed as they walked between the walls of water which towered above them on the right and the left, and God brought them through.  I am convinced prayer is the best course of action in all seasons of life yet it serves little purpose if we do not respond to God's directives in faithful obedience.  Prayer is an intentional action that leads us to undertake God-directed actions prayerfully.

A similar situation occurred under Joshua's leadership after the children of Israel suffered a shock defeat at Ai.  On the heels of a miraculous victory over the stronghold of Jericho the men who went up against Ai (without seeking counsel of the LORD) fled and 36 of them fell slain.  Joshua tore his clothes and lay before the presence of the LORD with dust on his head.  His words sound eerily similar to the Hebrews who trembled at the sight of the Egyptians:  "Oh that we had been content on the other side of the Jordan!  What shall I say when Israel turns their backs before their enemies?"  Joshua's lamentation received a pointed answer from God.

Joshua 7:10-13 gives us God's response:  "So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff. ¹² Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you. ¹³ Get up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you."  There was no point in Joshua lying and mourning a defeat and loss of life when there was sin in the camp which needed to be confessed and removed from among them.  Only then could they stand before God or their enemies.  Prayer preceded God's answer, and Joshua would prayerfully need to carry out the judgment according to God's word.

When God asked Moses why he cried unto Him or why Joshua lay on his face, they did not answer.  What could they say in light of God's glorious voice, wisdom, and judgments?  God told Moses to tell the people to go forward; Joshua was told to get up and sanctify himself with all the people.  This teaches us prayer is not just something we do as an end in itself so God will do something (which He does beyond reckoning) but to adopt a posture for God to instruct and direct us to practically take action according to His will.  When we are fearful or have suffered a defeat, let us hope in our almighty God, His promises, and unfailing love.  Instead of pleading for what He has already promised or being overwhelmed by regret, go forward in faith!  Get up off the ground, dust yourself off, and take prayerful action to sanctify yourself before the LORD who knows the hearts of all men.  If we trust God to pray, shouldn't we trust His commands and do them?

Intentional Salvation

When I checked the news this morning the top story was top-ranked tennis star Novak Djokovic was disqualified from the U.S. Open after accidentally hitting an umpire with an errant ball.  He hit a ball in frustration intentionally but could not have imagined the ball would have collected a line judge in the throat and she dropped to the ground.  Apparently this is not the first time this has happened to a professional player, when striking an official accidentally led to an ejection and disqualification from a tournament.

Quoting news.com.au, "The US Tennis Association released a statement saying Djokovic would be fined all prize money and lose all ranking points earned during the major.  'In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open.'”  According to the rules, Djokovic's reckless and negligence required him to be sent off the court and to forfeit all earnings and points even though he did not intend to hit the lineswoman.

This situation shows the unflinching nature of rules in sport enforced by a qualified umpire and well illustrates the absolute nature of God's Law to which He will hold all accountable.  Accidentally breaking God's law or being ignorant of it does not spare anyone famous or not from the righteous demands:  the soul that sins will surely die.  Djokovic is reported to have spent 10 minutes pleading his case to no avail because the rules of the game must be held with integrity for there to be a game to play.  The God who created life has provided His laws which govern all aspects of life:  what He says is sin is sin, and those deemed guilty by Him cannot question His righteous judgments.

I am grateful God the Father sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for sinners so according to God's justice we can be forgiven and receive eternal life.  There are consequences of our choices on earth whether we approve or not, and happy is the man who is approved by God through faith in Jesus.  We have all sinned accidentally, purposefully, and maliciously and have no way to defend ourselves from the exacting demands and punishment of God's unalterable laws.  Maybe there is a judge somewhere who would have let play continue, but let us not think God because of His gracious, merciful, and loving character is in any way soft on sin.  We might sin by accident, but salvation received by faith is intentional.  How good is God to make forgiveness possible!

Rejoice with Gladness

God created the earth to have days, seasons, and years.  Not every day is the same, and one season may be preferred over another.  The memories of times past should never be permitted to overshadow the start of a new day, a new season which holds great promise for all those who hope in God.  Instead of lamenting what we can no longer do as the flower of youth fades, we can glory in the strength of God who sustains us and will present us without fault before the throne of God with exceeding joy.

I have heard many people speak disparagingly of the year 2020, yet it is a year comprised of days God has made.  It is true in Australia we have seen fires, floods, a pandemic, and a recession.  These trying circumstances do nothing to take the shine from our great God and the wondrous plans He has for all who love and trust Him.  If they do in our eyes it is evidence things other than God have clouded our vision and purpose.  In our gracious God there is always cause to be glad and experience fullness of joy despite a bleak economic forecast or failing health.  Though our outer man is perishing, God is faithful to renew our inner man day by day (2 Cor. 4:16).

The fullness of joy we receive from God is not received by burying our heads in the sand and ignoring the problems of the world:  it is when we look beyond what puts us in fear and look upon Jesus Christ with eyes of faith we find rest for our souls.  Joshua and Caleb's hearts did not fail them when they saw giants and fortifications because they remembered God's promise.  David did not run from the cursing Philistine who defied the armies of God because He remembered how God had delivered him in the past.  Years later when angry men spoke of stoning because they blamed him for the loss of their families and goods he strengthened himself in the LORD who put His Spirit upon him.  When King Hezekiah received threatening letters he spread them before the LORD, and when King Jehoshaphat heard a great army had been assembled against him he could not defeat his eyes turned to God who fights for His people.

Oh, that we would rejoice and receive the peace God graciously gives us!  Sandwiched within a passage loaded with prophetic references to Jesus Christ the Son of God, those who fear God are exhorted to rejoice and through Jesus are free to!  Quoting Psalm 118:19-29:  "Open to me the gates of righteousness; I will go through them, and I will praise the LORD. ²⁰ This is the gate of the LORD,through which the righteous shall enter. ²¹ I will praise You, for You have answered me, and have become my salvation. ²² The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. ²³ This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. ²⁴ This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. ²⁵ Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send now prosperity. ²⁶  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We have blessed you from the house of the LORD. ²⁷ God is the LORD, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. ²⁸ You are my God, and I will praise You; you are my God, I will exalt You. ²⁹ Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! for His mercy endures forever."

In context the day spoken of here alludes to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary.  For the joy that was set before Him Jesus enduring the cross, despised the shame, and is set on the right hand of the Father.  We are to consider Him who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself lest we be weary or discouraged in our minds (Hebrews 12:1-3).  Happy is the man who blesses the LORD at all times, for at all times God is good.  

Off The Rails

An attraction that never interested me at Disneyland was "Autotopia," a miniature car connected to a rail that guided the car along the course.  There was a steering wheel in the car but it did not allow the driver to make meaningful decisions.  Go-carts were a much more exciting prospect for me because of increased speed and the opportunity to be in control, take turns as fast as possible, and the fun challenge of passing other riders.  For other people, even go-carts are a yawn when you could go off-road.  Why be confined to a small oval track when there is a world to explore?

When the cliche is used "off the rails" it can mean a person, business, or group is like a train that has jumped the track that is no longer safe or able to reach the desired destination.  A train needs a track for the conductor to guide it to the next station.  The ironic thing is when it comes to life there are no rails that force us on the right path.  Very rarely are our choices of attitude or thoughts between changing our current track for one other option:  a whole world of input, feelings, experiences, and beliefs impact our decisions, and sometimes even we realise we have made or are making the wrong choices.  Personal change isn't as easy as pulling a lever.

Another term of phrase used to reference a lapse of sobriety is "falling off the wagon."  Like the train that relies upon the guidance of rails to reach a station, the implication is the wagon--the program, support, and principles--are constructed to guide a person to continued sobriety and to kick addiction.  As good as structure, routine, and boundaries are, they have their limits because of the free agency God has given people to choose for themselves.  Sometimes our ability to reason is hijacked by lies we believe, doubts in God and His Word, and because we are naturally stubborn and rebellious.  We can jump off the wagon because it doesn't seem to be working as fast as we hoped.  One who falls off the wagon can choose to remain on the ground as the wagon plods towards the destination with one less rider.

The example Jesus gives of Him being the Good Shepherd and His hearers being like sheep is a far more accurate representation of the Christian walk than wagons or trains.  Jesus did not herd sheep into wagons to carry them to grassy fields and still waters but we must voluntarily choose to follow the call of Christ step after step.  The church is not intended to be heavy machinery engineered to carry passengers along a rail to heaven but is a living organism, a Body of believers where Jesus Christ is the Head.  I believe people like the idea of a train that has tracks leading them to heaven or a wagon carrying them to sobriety and victory.  The only decision that must be made is to climb aboard and then it will carry us home without us needing to pay a personal cost to repent of sin or exercise faith in Jesus whatsoever.

When used as modes of transportation wagons and trains were modified for comfort with springs, padded cushions, ventilation, and windows.  In addition to these features these vehicles were attractive because they could bring occupants to their desired destinations much faster than walking on foot.  Yet there is a comfort sheep that walked great distances in the sun a businessman in an air-conditioned coach may not have:  the presence of a Good Shepherd who loved them and gave His life for His sheep.  Jesus indeed is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  He does not promise a luxurious, first-class experience of comfort in this life, yet He provides the Comforter who fills us with the presence of God.  It is vain to trust the machinery of church ministry or the wagon of programs to keep us on the "straight and narrow" when Jesus Christ is faithful and loving to lead us every step of the way.

As we follow Christ in faith and obedience life becomes less about what we do or don't do but who Jesus is and all He has done for us.  When "the Way" becomes our Way in daily experience we are more secure, better directed and comforted than any train or wagon could boast.  Where the train and wagon picture works well is we are not alone in the journey, for Jesus connects us with other believers who are on the same journey by grace through faith.  He has given us a command to love one another as He loves us so when another falls we are there to lift them up.  Circumstances may prompt us to desire an express train to heaven, yet we are wise to enjoy the journey God has planned for us.  Like runners who are intentional to compete according to the rules to prevent disqualification, may we each press on for the finish line as we follow Christ's example of love and sacrifice.

The LORD God

"Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" ¹⁴ And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

Exodus 3:13-14

I have read this passage many times in the past, but when I read this recently it impacted me like never before.  When God identified Himself to Moses by name, it reveals He is sovereign, supreme, and eternal.  A man is identified by a personal first name, family surname, and place of birth to distinguish him from others.  A picture, date of birth, fingerprints, dental x-rays, and unique tattoos or birthmarks help to uncover the true identity of a person.

God is the eternal Creator of the world and cannot be tied down to a geographic area on earth.  Nothing in the universe existed before Him, and all has been made by Him.  He will endure beyond everything He has created so creation alone is insufficient to describe His power or wisdom.  No human being can look upon the all-powerful God who is spirit and live thus an attempt at a physical description would be pointless.  There is absolutely nothing in heaven or earth God could rightly use as a frame of reference to identify Himself so the unique, self-existent One wisely appealed to who He was, is, and ever will be:  "I AM WHO I AM."  Isn't He awesome?

When God met with Moses on Sinai He revealed additional truth about His righteous, unchanging nature.  Exodus 34:5-8 says, "Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. ⁶ And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, ⁷ keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." ⁸ So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped."  Moses bowed reverently before the LORD God who is merciful, gracious, and forgiving.  His love, truth, and goodness is not according to the shifting standards of man but are perfect in purity and infinite in power.  The God who forgives sin is the Judge of all the earth before Whom all men must give account.

How great is the LORD and worthy to be praised for His power, holiness, and divine condescension.  Psalm 113:4-6 says, "The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. ⁵ Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high, ⁶ Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?"  Our God is so glorious it shows humility for Him to stoop to look into heaven, to earth, and to reveal Himself to sinners.  The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses went even further, sending His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, to put on human flesh and walk on the earth, to go to the cross, that "I AM WHO I AM" would become our God and Father through faith in Jesus.  Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness, for He is altogether wonderful, eternal, and good.