Putting God's Word into Practice

I have never been alive during a global pandemic before, and the impact on church gatherings has been felt.  When businesses and churches were locked down in Sydney for months last year it prompted us to begin live-streaming Sunday sermons.  As restrictions eased I entered discussions if we should continue live-streaming or if it encouraged people who were permitted to worship with a body of believers (with restrictions) to stay isolated in the comfort of their homes.  In the end it was decided any means of sharing the word of God and the Gospel was more profitable than seeking to exert control over the decisions of others.  Each one of us will give an account of himself before God, and to leave matters in His hands is best.

My experience largely lines up with people from other church fellowships I have spoken to, that there are people who regularly attended church before the pandemic who have not made it back.  We have also seen new people visit and attend our fellowship when their churches were not yet meeting.  In a church that practices expository teaching through the Bible from the pulpit, it has occurred to me the emphasis on teaching might convey it is the primary need or means of being "in fellowship."  This, of course, it not true.  Genuine fellowship occurs between people and God when they are born again by faith in Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit.  Believers comprise the church of which Jesus is the Head, and we gather together in His name.  Regular gathering with other Christians is assumed in scripture, for over and over Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth, "When you come together..." not "If you come together."

It is a real problem if people think teaching is all they need for fellowship and spiritual health, as if knowledge alone is enough.  A coach knows a lot about the sport he or she coaches, and they are coaching because for whatever reason they are no longer playing.  Knowing the truth doesn't mean we follow it ourselves.  I have spoken words of encouragement straight from the scripture to people who attended church who later attempted suicide.  This shows attending church, hearing and knowing the scriptures does not profit us unless we heed it!  James 1:22 guides us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."  There are a lot of deceived people in the world, and those who are born again (and not of this world) should take care we are not numbered among them.  Hearing and not putting into practice what we have heard leads to self-deception, and this warning is for believers to take to heart.

This is the key:  we must put into practice what God has said.  Professional athletes are not beyond practicing.  I daresay these who rise to the pinnacle of success in their sport often practice the most and best!  None of us needed to work to earn salvation, for it is a work accomplished by Jesus.  He invites us to take His yoke upon us and learn from Him, to be the servant of all as we follow His example.  This means to practice more than church attendance, reading the Bible or praying:  it means taking action afterward accordingly to what we hear at church, what we read and what God impresses on our hearts.  If God speaks encouragement, let us receive it.  Should He correct us, let us admit we have been wrong about that and seek to do right.  It is when we put faith in Christ into practice we finally begin to grow.

Goliath Had Brothers

The historical record of David triumphing over Goliath the giant with a sling and stone is well known.  Goliath wasn't the only son of a giant in Gath, for the Bible tells us of four others.  I expect you would have trouble if asked to name them, since they only appear in 2 Samuel 21 and 1 Chronicles 20.  This would be a trick question as well, because one of them is unnamed.  His distinguishing mark (besides being a giant!) was he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot.

The children of Israel rejoiced when David slew Goliath and his blasphemous boasting against the living God and His people was silenced forever.  But even after this notable victory conflicts with the Philistines--and giants of Gath--continued after David was unfit to go to battle.  2 Samuel 21:15-17 says, "When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. ¹⁶ Then Ishbi-Benob, who was one of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose bronze spear was three hundred shekels, who was bearing a new sword, thought he could kill David. ¹⁷ But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, "You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel."  Victory over Goliath by the power of God did not mean David was assured victory over Ishi-Benob alone.  David would have been presumptuous to say, "I defeated Goliath last time, so I'm the one to fight his brother." It was God who gave David the victory over Goliath, and he needed help from Abishai on this occasion.

Each of the giants of Gath had different preferences in battle:  Goliath used a sword and javelin, Ishi-Benob had a spear and new sword, and Lahmi used a spear that resembled a weaver's beam due to its great thickness.  We are not told what weapons Saph (Sippai in 1 Chron. 20:4) or the giant with superfluous digits used, only that they were defeated by various men of Israel.  A lesson from this is when a "giant" is defeated, another different one can rise up to oppose God's people.  A Christian has rejoiced in the victory over a particular sin like lust of the eyes only to have the pride of life impose itself upon his soul.  The faith in God required to face and vanquish Goliath was required for new giants who defied Israel, and each was a new test to face and endure by faith.  Each time a giant came up against Israel God raised up one to slay them, and God renews our minds and strengthens our hearts to endure.

The God who helped David defeat lion, bear and Philistine is our Good Shepherd who empowers us to face overwhelming foes more powerful than we.  As we make our pilgrimage there will be a never ending parade of challenges and obstacles to our walk with God, yet all can be overcome as we trust in Jesus Christ for wisdom, strength and courage to continue.  In a spiritual war there are many battles, and let us not imagine any conflict in our flesh is "one and done."  Though David was strengthened to fell Goliath with one shot and Jesus delivered the death blow to sin and death for Christians, we need God as much today as ever to follow Jesus in unwavering faith.  When we are weak and faint, God remains strong.

Needs Graciously Met

God created mankind with many needs and many of these we recognise:  we know we need oxygen to breathe, food to eat, water to drink, to sleep, work and shelter.  We learn by experience we have a limited space of time between feeling like we need to use the toilet to really needing to go.  Over time we discover our list of needs grows to needing to avoid foods that make us sick and medication we are allergic to.  Being born again by faith in Jesus opens our eyes to a whole new world of needs, that of forgiveness, redemption, acceptance and love we never realised before.

Even as there are things we know we need, we have a need all Christians need to realise:  to experience and endure trials.  Many people and even believers are confused with how a God who is supposedly good allows us to go through painful circumstances which obviously seem bad.  The world is full of things which are not God's will due to sin, like death and destruction, yet from the example of Jesus dying on Calvary we learn God has the power to use and redeem them for good.

James 1:2-4 states, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."  Knowledge of our loving God and His good intentions ought to impact our view of trials and turn a hopeless situation into one where we can experience the joy of the LORD.  If we would be honest, we would assert we have no desire or need for trials.  Our lack of faith and patience says otherwise!  Trials are God-ordained and designed tests to strengthen and condition our faith to endure for the long haul.

James 1:12 provides encouragement for all who are experiencing trials:  "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."  When we feel a trial is killing us it actually works toward us receiving a crown of life by grace through faith in Jesus.  God's love never fails, and His strength is without end.  Having designed the trial, God supplies the way to endure as it is written in 1 Corinthians 10:13:  "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

In trials do not lose heart because God is faithful to keep His promises.  A student who desires approval by a passing mark must first submit to sit the exam, and children of the living God realise He knows our needs and is able to supply them better than we ever could.  Our biggest need in life and for life is that of God, and in Him all our needs--even for trials--are graciously met.

Kingdom Contributors

I have been reading through Exodus during my evening Bible reading.  Every day there is the opportunity to learn more about God and His grace towards all people throughout the scripture.  No matter how many times we go to the well of scripture, it is always abundant with refreshment for a weary soul.

Something that clicked for me last night was how the half-shekel of silver tax exacted from the people was actually used for the construction of the tabernacle.  God gave Bezaleel wisdom to oversee the fabrication of the articles and structure used in the tabernacle.  The silver given was melted down to make the sockets of the sanctuary and hooks for pillars to hold the curtains (Exodus 38:27-28).  Brass offered by the people was melted to make sockets for the door, the brasen altar, sockets of the court and pins (Exodus 38:29-31).  It is a great feeling to look upon a job well done knowing you personally contributed, and the offerings of the people were combined to make the dwelling place of God.

The children of Israel were guests in God's world, and their gifts and efforts combined to make a place for the Spirit of God to reside in their midst.  But God isn't greedy, nor does He require a tabernacle or temple made with hands, seeing the heavens cannot contain Him (2 Chron. 2:6)!  The elaborate tabernacle and the service of it was not so much for God:  it was for man to be able to have fellowship with God.  God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, enabled them to plunder the Egyptians upon their departure, and the generous contributions of the Hebrews provided the materials so the tabernacle could be built, priests could be sanctified and serve, the sins of the people atoned for, and the presence of God sought.  How great are the blessings God lavishes upon His people, that He would call them and desire to be with them.

As cool as it would be to have your silver and brass accepted and used in building the tabernacle, how much more awesome it is God has chosen those who trust in Christ to be living stones He uses for His holy habitation in the church.  For all who have believed in Christ 1 Peter 2:4-5 says, "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."  Having been established on our rock of salvation by faith in Jesus 1 Peter 2:9-10 goes on to say, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

What a privilege we are accepted into the beloved through Christ, and having been redeemed we are enabled to offer ourselves as living sacrifices unto God.  We exist for God's good pleasure, and having obtained mercy we abide in Him now and forever.  All glory and honour be unto Jesus!

Undignified (and Clothed!)

Have you ever heard something and repeated it without personal investigation?  It is likely we have all been guilty of parroting something we heard, and this goes for biblical truth.  These days it seems memes, books, blogs, articles and pastors all share the same space with equal relevance.  It is also possible we might place a higher degree of confidence in something we have heard a preacher say and assume what we have heard is the whole truth.  Those who teach and read the Bible have a responsibility to allow the Bible to speak for itself and seek opportunities for scripture itself to correct the erroneous claims we have heard.

One of the things I have heard people claim is David celebrated the arrival of the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem by stripping down and danced naked.  If you have never heard this one, good.  But if you have, allow passages of scripture to clear up any confusion.  "I will be more undignified than this," people sing as they wonder how the indignity of public nudity of a king could honour God.  The Bible is very clear David was clothed as he danced and played before the LORD.  2 Samuel 6:14 reads, "Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod."  A parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 15:27 says, "David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who bore the ark, the singers, and Chenaniah the music master with the singers. David also wore a linen ephod."

If the scripture plainly states David was clothed, why the suggestion he was naked?  This is likely due to the snide remarks made by David's offended wife, Michal.  The daughter of the previous king Saul, she was shocked David lay aside his royal attire and regal bearing before the people.  Michal despised him as she watched him dance with joy.  She did not share his excitement and was embarrassed by his display.  Upon his arrival home was quick to criticise him with a heavy dose of sarcasm.  2 Samuel 6:20 says, "Then David returned to bless his household.  And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!"  Michal compared David to base fellows who uncovered themselves to attract attention, but David remained clothed as he paraded the ark to its prepared resting place.  David's instinct was not to strip down naked to praise God but laid aside his royal robes and dignity to celebrate the God He served as king.

Let's put an end to this misunderstanding or suggestion the worship of David on that day was in any way modeled after idolatrous and scandalous practices by stripping nude.  David honoured God with his joyful excitement, dancing and generosity when the ark was brought into Jerusalem by sanctified priests, and we should honour God too by holding fast to God's word and delighting in His truth.

Be Lovers of God

As the scriptures predicted, we truly live in perilous times.  Some people wonder if we are in the "last days," and it is clear we are in them based upon Hebrews 1:1-2 which says, "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds..."  The revelation of God through Jesus Christ was the beginning of the last days which have continued until now.  The rapture of the church, the great tribulation, the judgment of the world, Christ's millennial reign, final judgment and the establishment of the new heavens and earth has yet to occur.  Let there be no doubt Jesus is alive and will return for His church and will judge the nations He will rule with a rod of iron.

Paul wrote this to 2 Timothy 3:1-5:  "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: ² for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, ⁴ traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"  I hail from a generation where self-esteem has been paraded as the greatest need of young people rather than the love of God.  The corrupt fruit borne of this distorted view demonstrates what Paul warned Timothy about:  people, being lovers of themselves, money and pleasure rather than God, fall into grave sin and error.  It is seen by some as a triumph these days to break off marriage vows made before God due to adultery, file for divorce, and leave children to a spouse to pursue a "true love."  Those who claim "Love is love" must omit God's love from this equation, because God's love is not at all about Him but is selfless, righteous and continually extended to all.

As believers, we can easily fall into the trap of looking at others to identify the faults listed here and give ourselves a free pass because our faults are not as evident.  But Paul pulls no punches, for he says those who are guilty of these sins have a "form of godliness but denying its power."  Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, He has provided victory over the power of sin.  The presence of the Holy Spirit empowers us to walk uprightly and put off the lusts of the flesh.  Having received the love of God through the Gospel, we are to be the antithesis in our hearts, minds and conduct of what Paul describes:  lovers of God and others, generous, humble, giving praise and thanksgiving to God, obedient to parents, submitting to one another in love, speaking words to edify others, exhibiting self-control, gentle, lovers of what is good, faithful, teachable and loving God completely.  This is the manner of character and people Christians ought to be, and we should join ourselves in fellowship to those who seek to thus honour God with their lives and future.

The only person you will be required to provide an account for before God is you.  We will be required to give an account before our KING Jesus for the words we say (Matthew 12:26), our stewardship of the authority given to us (Hebrews 13:17) and our conduct.  Instead of standing in judgment of others, we are called to examine ourselves as it is written in Romans 14:10-13:  "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. ¹¹ For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." ¹² So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. ¹³ Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way."  The result of judging others is to look down on them, to view them with contempt.  Everyone who is standing today can potentially fall, and thus we ought to be clothed with humility and in love avoid doing what can trip others up.  If we aren't loving God above all, we will ultimately fall into the sins Paul warned Timothy about.

God's Intended End

The child of God can rest in the knowledge God is good and has complete oversight of our lives.  We experience perfect peace when we realise everything we experience--good or bad--is with His knowledge and consent.  God is faithful to accomplish His redemptive purposes for all things in the life of a believer. What Joseph's brothers meant for evil by selling him as a slave, at the same time God intended the situation for good and saved many people alive.

I have witnessed many Christians who feel hopelessly "under attack" by Satan because circumstances of their lives are difficult.  I wonder:  how might these same circumstances be viewed if we knew they were God's doing?  The Bible tells us plainly Job faced attacks from Satan himself, yet Job never credited Satan for doing anything.  Part of Job's wondering and struggle was because he was convinced God was behind the good and evil he experienced.  In profound grief of grave personal loss Job 1:20-21 says, "Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD."  Job did not see himself at the mercy of Satan but of the almighty God.

After Satan plundered Job of his wealth and children, he acquired permission from God to afflict Job's health.  God's only restriction was Job's life be preserved.  Satan covered Job with boils that itched terribly, and when he was miserable his wife scornfully told him to "Curse God and die."  Consider the response of Job in Job 2:10:  "But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips."  Job did not blame Satan, even though he was directly involved in his suffering.  He saw his pains and suffering as from the hand of God Himself, and in faith remained submissive before God in worship.

Like all who suffer pain, Job did much soul-searching during his season of manifold torment.  He had lost his children, wealth, health and support of his wife and friends.  It seemed God Himself had turned against him and for the life of Job he could not figure out why such terrible things had befallen him.  Job claimed the arrows of the Almighty had pierced him, and the terrors of God were set in array against him (Job 6:4)  Not once did Job attribute any of his pains to satanic attack because he realised his life, health and future was entirely in God's hands.  At the end of the book of Job God revealed Himself and did not answer the questions which burned in Job's mind about why he was made to suffer so.  In the end Job was restored to health and his many remaining years were more blessed by God than his beginning (Job 42:10-13).

It is in the new Testament where we gain insight into God's purposes behind the suffering He allowed Job to endure in James 5:10-11:  "My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord--that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful."  Job's friends imagined God was punishing Job for sins he committed in the past, but God allowed Job to suffer so he and we could see the "end intended by the LORD" all along, that God is compassionate and merciful.  Satan was an instrument who intended to harm and destroy, yet God intended all Job's temporal suffering to accomplish His glorious, enduring purposes.  Instead of seeing painful circumstances as satanic attacks, how much better to view the painful situations of life as from the hands of a compassionate and merciful God who blesses all who endure in faith.

Appointment for Salvation

Continual prayer to God is God's will for the life of a follower of Jesus, that we would boldly venture into His throne room of grace in times of need.  Like the scent and wisp of smoke rises continually from incense, so our prayers are to be lifted to the LORD believing He will hear and answer.  One thing I love about God is He knows all and can do everything, and thus we do not need to know anything about what He should do.  Knowing and trusting Him is the main thing, and when we pray God moves according to His will.

One of the things we must be on guard of is leaving the way and timing of His actions in His plans.  If we trust Him to pray, we ought to also entrust what follows to Him.  He knew about needs which would arise before we became desperately aware of a need to seek God in prayer, and what is an emergency for us is already resolved according to His redemptive design and power.  King Jehoshaphat on the cusp of battle prayed to God, rehearsing all God said in the house of the LORD in 2 Chronicles 20:6-12:  "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? ⁷ Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? ⁸ And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ⁹ 'If disaster comes upon us--sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine--we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.' ¹⁰ And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir--whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them--¹¹ here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. ¹² O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

Isn't it interesting how Jehoshaphat asked God several questions he already knew the answers to?  The threat of defeat was imminent, so Jehoshaphat fixed his eyes on God with the expectancy of His favourable answer.  He made no demand of the almighty God yet was so sure of God's word through the prophet he sent the worship leaders to lead the march the following day because the battle was the LORD's.  King Hezekiah also provides a good example of how to pray in times of trouble, when it is easy to be overwhelmed by powerful enemies.  Hezekiah brought a threatening letter and spread it before the LORD and 2 Kings 19:15-19 reads, "Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ¹⁶ Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. ¹⁷ Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, ¹⁸ and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. ¹⁹ Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone."

Hezekiah had not been reproached, but he recognised God had been reproached by the Assyrians who placed the living God of Israel on the same level with dumb idols.  They could not see or hear or act because they were nothing, yet God was aware of the proud boasting against Him.  For God's sake Hezekiah said, "O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone."  It is wise to make God our last resort when by His grace we are reminded to seek Him, yet how much better is it when we seek Him first!  When we are overwhelmed, God has all in hand.  He is able to save and protect us when none others have withstood the trial, and praise the LORD this is true for eternity.

We don't even need to pray perfectly for God to do His wonders.  When David heard his chief advisor Ahithophel had defected to side with usurping Absalom he prayed in 2 Samuel 15:31, "O LORD, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!"  It turned out this was not the way God chose to deliver David from the hand of his murderous son.  Ahithophel continued to give sage counsel Absalom would have been wise to heed, but God caused Absalom and all his men to prefer the advice of Hushai David's friend over that of Ahithophel.  God had already made an appointment to defeat the schemes of the conspirators in 2 Samuel 17:14:  "So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom."  God purposed to defeat sound advice from Ahithophel rather than make it foolish, and God receives the glory for the salvation rendered by His grace.

The takeaway?  Let us pray, whether it been at appointed times or moment by moment as needs arise.  Keep your eyes looking to the LORD, and realise He is LORD alone.  God will accomplish His good and redemptive purposes despite our suggestions, for He is a Saviour and a Redeemer of all who seek Him.

God Changes Us

Have you ever wanted someone else to change?  Whilst our motivation can be anything but pure, there can be very good reasons to desire to shift the perspectives of others, for them to cease destructive behaviours, to recognise and acknowledge their faults or take responsibility for their decisions.  I have learned a truth which prevents me from worry, fears, schemes and manipulation:  I cannot change the heart or mind of anyone else.  Many times we would be content with areas of reformation when God aims at nothing less than supernatural transformation.  My rest, hope and confidence is not in a person changing but in God's goodness and power to accomplish His will in His time.

I imagine there are times our desire to see someone else change directly correlates with our stubbornness to resist changing ourselves.  And here is the rub:  even should we agree to and want to change, we find ourselves incapable of the willpower, discipline or strength to do so.  Anyone can, for a season, modify their behaviour or habits.  A big takeaway from what Jesus taught on the Sermon on the Mount is the only way I can see clearly to remove the speck from my brother's eye is to remove the log from my own first.  My judgment will always be faulty until I first submit before God in faith and obedience.  I must be the first to change.  A husband who identifies a need in his wife to change needs to realise God plans to change him more than he can fathom, and God might employ the process and time to further His divine work and purposes in him.  I am convinced there is more work God wants to do in the heart of one who knows Him than all the faults and inconsistencies in others you become aware of.

The only One who does not need to change is the God who is immutable and already perfect in all His ways!  Think of all the ways God changed people who trusted in Him:  He changed their names.  Abram became Abraham and Sarai become Sarah.  Through faith in God Abraham and Sarah had a son in their old age named Isaac.  Physical deadness and barrenness made way for new life and the birth of the Hebrew nation.  By faith in God Jacob became Israel, Moses tended his father-in-law's sheep and was chosen to deliver the Hebrews from Egypt, and David was taken from the sheepfold and made king over Israel.  What can be overlooked is the fundamental change God worked in the hearts, minds and character of God's people over decades.  Going from tending sheep to governing God's people was insignificant compared to the work of the Holy Spirit did within David as a sheep of God's pasture.  God turned Saul of Tarsus the Pharisee to Paul the apostle and bondservant of Jesus Christ.  God changed names, caused people to be born again with new hearts, and changed their eternal destination from hell to heaven.

When we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ, we are changed on the inside and our lives are in the ongoing process of submission to God.  2 Corinthians 3:17-18 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."  Our relationship with God results in transformation we humble ourselves to embrace.  And guess what?  When our lives on earth reach their divinely ordained conclusion, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 says we will be changed:  "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality."  No matter how much we change on this earth, our bodies will remain corruptible.  A day is coming when this will change permanently and we will see God as He is.

Proverbs 24:21-22 says, "My son, fear the LORD and the king; do not associate with those given to change; ²² for their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?"  Receiving Jesus by faith is not one change among many others but is the crucial, necessary relationship for all other good changes God desires to be possible by His grace.  As much as Israel desired to see a "change at the top" with the removal of wicked kings or desired victory over oppressive enemies, they were to remain grounded in the fear of the LORD and in submission to His rule.  No doubt there were people (like Absalom!) who started movements to resist and undermine those God placed in authority, but may that man's ruin be a warning of departing from the fear of God and working towards change by schemes and manipulation.  Be assured of this:  God desires to change me, and He desires to change you.  Acknowledging God desires to change you ought to be of infinitely greater importance than changes you desire to see in others.

The LORD With Us

"And Phinehas the son of Eleazar had been the officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him."

1 Chronicles 9:20

Isn't this a wonderful testimony of God's grace and faithfulness, that He is with His people who trust Him?  Those who trust and look to Him in faith God rewards with His presence and perfect peace.  Through faith in Jesus Christ we too have this benefit, having been born again and indwelt by the Holy Spirit.  It is awesome to consider we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in Christians because we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus through the Gospel.

Phinehas was a man who was zealous for the glory of God and executed judgment according to God's command.  To him God offered a covenant of peace in Numbers 25:12-13:  "Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; ¹³ and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God, and made atonement for the children of Israel.'"  God would establish an everlasting priesthood through Jesus Christ, the one who provided atonement by shedding His own blood on Calvary.  Jesus is our peace, and those who regard God's presence will be profoundly impacted by Him in their own character.

God referred to David as a man after God's own heart.  When King Saul was plagued by an unclean spirit, notice what was said of the youthful shepherd in 1 Samuel 16:18:  "Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him."  The LORD was with David, and this was greater than all his other skills combined.  Hands once skillful to play the harp can be stiffened with arthritis, the mightiest of men grow old and lose their courage, the most prudent can become foolish and the greatest beauty fades like a flower.  Because the LORD was with David, he was equipped for every task God called him to perform.  Whether he was tending his father's sheep or ruling God's people, the LORD was with David and upheld him continually.

Jesus assures united believers of His presence in Matthew 18:19-20:  "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  The context of this passage is often ignored when referred to, as it is sandwiched in a section concerning dealing with offence among members in the body of Christ.  If an offender is not able to be reconciled alone, by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.  The prayers of those united with Christ will be answered, and the agreement of the brethren is evidence Jesus is in our midst.  How pleasant it is indeed for brethren to dwell together in unity for we are assured of God's presence.

Hebrews 13:5 provides a directive and promise from the LORD to members of the church:  "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  God will never leave or forsake us, but it is evident we can leave and forsake Him.  On the night Jesus was betrayed all His disciples fled in fear when Jesus held His ground.  How important it is we learn to submit and humble ourselves before God, trusting His presence to guide, protect and provide for our every need.  The one God is with is also the one who obeys the LORD, who draws near to Him in faith, and rests in His goodness and promises.  When we abide in Christ who is our peace, we will experience peace with one another even should offences arise.  We are feeble and faint, but the LORD is faithful.

How Do You Read God's Word?

It has been a running joke among Sunday School teachers as long as I can remember, that the correct answer to almost any question asked is "Jesus!"  Knowing the correct answer, however, does not mean we know why it is the correct answer or how to appropriate God's wisdom into our daily decisions.  Believers ought not to be satisfied with the ability to provide a correct answer to a question, as if this means we have nothing more to learn.  Knowing is a start, but walking in light of God's truth is paramount.

A common answer given concerning how believers can foster a closer relationship with God is to read the Bible.  Those who have learned to read likely read many things every day, but the way we read each source of information is different.  As a kid I skipped the front page of the newspaper entirely to find the sports page or comic strips; I scanned textbooks to find the answer to questions for homework.  I have read the ingredients of a packet to ensure it did not contain allergens.  I looked up words in a dictionary to discover the meaning of a word I did not understand.  There is a lot we skip over because it does not seem relevant to us at the time.  When I received a personal note from Laura (who later became my wife) I hungrily consumed every word, reading and re-reading everything again.  It is a good question to consider for ourselves:  how do we read God's word, the Bible?

I am reminded of what Jesus said when He followed on after the Parable of the Sower in Luke 8:16-18:  "No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. ¹⁷ For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. ¹⁸ Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."  In the foregoing parable, Jesus compared the word of God to good seed which bears fruit in a humble heart.  A little seed buried in the soil would be evidenced by a plant that bore fruit, and Jesus explained one purpose God has in providing the scripture.  Just as a lamp is lit and placed in a position to provide light, so God's word is to be lived out in faith.  A good tree will be known by its fruit, and those who are genuinely "in the word" will walk according to it.

Jesus said people must "take heed how you hear."  It follows we must take heed how we read the Bible and why we read it:  do we read to find an answer to our questions, to learn doctrinal facts, to prove a point to someone else, for directives to obey or to better know God?  It is a valuable practice to read the Bible, yet unless what we read is combined with faith to obey the word will not be fruitful as it ought to be.  God brings believers into His secret wisdom and knowledge not only for our personal growth but for the purpose of leading others to God.  We ought not to be surprised by the concept of spiritual atrophy.  Those who know much yet practice little will spiritually waste away, whilst those who have received truth from God and walk therein will be provided and entrusted even more divine revelation.

Verse 18 suggests those who might seem to have all the answers may only "seem to have" the truth they proclaim.  That is why the examination of our hearts is so critical, that we do not exchange doctrinal knowledge for spiritual fruitfulness.  The seed sown indiscriminately on hard ground, shallow soil and areas choked with thorns were fruitless because hearts were not willing to receive and obediently walk in it.  Brothers and sisters, take heed how you hear (and read!) because it is assumed believers will read.  If we do not put in practice by faith personally what we read in the Bible, it will not make the fruitful difference it could.

God's Steadfast Love

It is possible to hear the truth so often it can sound like an empty cliché.  A song taken from scripture called "The Steadfast Love Of The Lord" goes, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end.  They are new every morning, new every morning.  Great is thy faithfulness (oh Lord), great is thy faithfulness."  One might imagine these words were spoken by a person who reveled in the blessings of God away from all trouble, one who celebrated countless blessings of health and wealth, without an enemy or care.  To the contrary:  these words are taken from the Lamentations of Jeremiah who, as he put it, was a "man who has seen affliction by the rod of His wrath."

The wisdom and faith demonstrated by this revelation of God's mercies was forged in the worst human suffering.  If you have doubts, read the first three chapters of the book of Lamentations.  You will read of the sufferings of a person who did not blame the enemies who besieged and starved people, but by the hand of God who was like an enemy when He chastened the nation of Israel for their sin.  It is one thing when we are buffeted by an adversary we can see and overcome by our might or wits, but another thing entirely to face the wrath of God meted out in judgment by whatever means He determines.  The Law contained blessings and curses for those under rule of the Law of Moses, so the sober warnings of the devastation of sin should not have been a surprise.

Nothing could have prepared the people for the intense suffering they would endure days on end.  Jeremiah and the children of Israel felt forgotten by God in their troubles; their prayers were not heard.  Victims young and old lay in the streets without burial, and people resorted to cannibalism to stay alive.  Though Jeremiah was afflicted and horrified by the devastation of Jerusalem and her people, he realised their only hope was in God.  The only reason why they existed or endured to go into captivity was because of the mercy of God.  Lamentations 3:21-25 reads, "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. ²² Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I hope in Him!" ²⁵ The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

Oh, that such wisdom would abide in our hearts when we suffer!  Many foolishly cast off their confidence and hope in God because of their pains, questioning or blaming Him for trials He allows.  Jeremiah read in the Law why God allowed such suffering, and we may not always have that luxury.  But we can understand and appropriate what Jeremiah discovered in the midst of intense suffering, that God is merciful, compassionate and faithful at all times.  It is always fitting to place our hope in the LORD, to wait on Him and seek Him especially when we are hurting and everything seems against us.  Since we are in Christ by grace through faith, we know He is for us and the suffering He allows has a constructive, corrective and conditioning purpose that glorifies Him.  During the siege of Jerusalem God's steadfast love was on display and His mercies were new every morning because He is faithful.  We cannot possibly overstate the mercies and compassion of our great God in all seasons of life, for He is only good and does not change.

Favour in God's Sight

In the book of 1 Chronicles, Achan is referred to in a genealogy as "the troubler of Israel" because he took of the accursed things and led to Israel's defeat at Ai (2:7).  Before they took the city, Joshua strictly warned the people not to take of the spoil for themselves because it was the LORD's.  After God caused the walls of Jericho to fall the the city was taken, Achan coveted gold, silver and clothing he found, stashed it in his tent and brought a curse upon the nation.  Soon thereafter 36 men perished in a battle as a consequence of his decision, and the nation was indeed troubled until the truth came to light.  Having been identified by God Achan confessed his sin, the stolen goods were recovered and he was executed for his rebellion and disobedience before God.

This situation is reminiscent of how the sin of Adam brought sin and death to the world which has been troubled ever since.  Jesus came to provide atonement for sin and destroy the curse which doomed all humanity to everlasting destruction.  Though the work of atonement and forgiveness of sin was complete by Jesus on Calvary for all who are born again and trust in Him, sin will continue to trouble those who practice it without confession and repentance.  We can be justified before God and "have the victory" like Achan did, yet at the same time cause trouble for ourselves and others by our sin.  Achan's punishment was punitive under Law, but we are disciplined and corrected by God not for our destruction but restoration of fellowship with God and increased fruitfulness.  There are troubles God allows Christians to face not as a direct consequence of their own sin, but the point is sin brings trouble to ourselves and others.

Consider the New Testament exhortation to believers in Hebrews 12:14-16:  "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; ¹⁶ lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."  The text is clear anyone can fall short of the grace of God and result in bitterness.  When a person is bitter, it is evidence of a lack of grace in the heart.  Like weeds that spring forth from a bare patch in turf, the root goes down and the bitterness puts out runners that spread to others.  A person who is bitter will spread their toxic response to offense and cause others to be troubled too.  By this, the writer of Hebrews warns us, many become defiled.  Those who are embittered often have legitimate concerns but lack the sweetness of God's grace and love they are called to walk in.  As the example of Esau shows, bitterness does not find its root in circumstances or others:  it is a problem between that person and God.

When Hannah was in bitterness of soul because of her barrenness and the provocation of Peninnah, she sought the LORD in 1 Samuel 1:10:  "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish." After being assured by the high priest Eli she had been heard by the LORD, see the difference in her outlook and disposition in 1 Samuel 1:18:  "And she said, "Let your maidservant find favour in your sight." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad."  We have a far greater high priest than who was in office in Hannah's day, for Jesus Christ is our great high priest who has sat down at the right hand of the Father.  Jesus is the Minister of a better covenant who made a new and living way for us to approach God, and we can approach Jesus at all times as it is written in Hebrews 4:14-16:  "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Having been justified by grace through faith in Jesus, let us be done justifying our bitterness.  When a weed springs up in our lawn we pull it, and when bitterness rears up in our hearts let us come boldly to God, confess our bitterness of soul and know we have found favour in God's sight.

Ruling Well

"Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in the word and doctrine."

1 Timothy 5:17

Passages such as this one are not to be used by those in church leadership for self-serving purposes, but hold forth the practical value of godly leadership the Body of Christ benefits from.  Paul went on to say this "double honour" can involve financial support.  Though he worked as a tent maker to support himself during his missionary journeys so the Gospel would be without charge, it was fitting for him to be supported with practical provision in exchange for spiritual truth which is beyond price.

In our western mindset, we need context about what it means to "rule well."  In the modern-day west, people place great value on personal freedoms as individuals and have no desire to be "ruled" by anyone.  Perhaps verses like this provoke wariness in people whom have experienced or seen abuses justified by those who claimed to wield spiritual authority from God.  It would be wrong to assert the elders ruled well by heavy-handed policies and authoritarian demands, living like kings who imposed their will on others.  Some wonder if they have the right to even "speak against the LORD's anointed," that it could be sinful to oppose or even question those in authority.  It is not a systemic problem but always a personal one, for God has showed us by example what ruling well looks like in the person of Jesus Christ.  Ruling is not about being "in charge" but rather choosing to humble self under God's charge.

The one who rules well must submit to be ruled by God and to walk in His ways.  When God acquiesced at the demand of His people Israel to have a king rule over them, it was required by God in Deuteronomy 17:18-20:  "Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. ¹⁹ And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, ²⁰ that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel."  Kings were not to lord over the people of God but humbly submit to His rule, writing a personal copy of the Law to increase his knowledge of God and His ordinances.  It was not enough for a king to know the Law but needed to keep it himself and view his "subjects" as brethren, all under the authority and grace of God.

The disciples of Jesus were annoyed when James and John sought a privileged position of authority by Jesus' side, and by extension to be promoted over the other disciples.  Matthew 20:25-28 reads, "But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. ²⁷ And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."  The Gentiles wielded their authority over others to benefit themselves, but the responsibility of those who rule in the church is to be the servant of all, to take the lowest place, to make more sacrifices than others for the glory of God and His kingdom.  Ruling does not mean controlling others or demanding respect, but submission before God in serving one another.  Those who are under God's authority in leadership do not pine for the adoration and accolades of men, for their aim is to direct all attention to Jesus Christ.

On the night Jesus was betrayed He girded Himself with a towel and washed the feet of the disciples.  In doing so He provided an example they and we are to follow:  the Master and Messiah crouched on His knees to wash the feet of Judas who would betray Him and of Peter who would deny Him.  Jesus knew all the feet He  washed would run away and forsake Him in His hour of need, but that did not keep Him from what the Father commanded Him.  The conduct of Jesus honoured His Father even when He would be dishonoured, and such is the lot of all those who rule well.  It is continuing to seek God and trust Him faithfully in all seasons, and it is only by the power of the Holy Spirit Who guides us into all truth we can endure.  Ruling well is never an easy gig because it is frankly impossible for man, but what is impossible for men is possible with God.  All honour for ruling well goes to God, and praise Him for those He guides and sustains to provide faithful examples among His people.

The World Behind

Today I was considering the parable Jesus told of the son who returned to his father, the greedy son who demanded his inheritance only to waste it on prodigal living.  Once the man had money in hand, he went far from his father to a distant land and wasted all by his "riotous" or dissolute lifestyle in pursuit of all pleasures of the flesh.  Luke 15:14 says, "But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want."

The party was over and all his money was spent, but this was not enough to cause him to return to his father who loved and provided everything for him.  He left off the partying and pursuit of pleasure for his survival, but perhaps he held out hope he could earn money and continue in a life of sin.  The man chose to join himself to a citizen of that country hoping to enrich himself.  He was not working to earn money for a return trip home, for as the parable related abject poverty and uncleanness did not prevent him from finding his way home to his father if he wanted.

Luke 15:17-19 says, "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."  It took being destitute for the man to start working, and it was the love of his father which brought him to his senses of how awful life had become away from him.  The fog of folly finally cleared, and the man was determined to go home to his father--not to use him, but to serve him.  All desire to return to the previous life of sin was gone.  He went to his father having left his drunkenness, philandering and scheming behind with a humble heart of repentance and sought to serve.

The father saw his son returning a long way off, had compassion on him and ran to embrace him.  God is also gracious to receive His lost and backslidden children who can only truly return when they have left the old life behind.  Had the man hung onto a hope to return to the old life, he would not have returned to serve but to use:  to use his old man for whatever he could get from him.  It is a scene of great rejoicing and celebration when the lost son returned, for a work was done in his heart through experience which moved him to confess his sin, repent and serve faithfully, expecting nothing in return.  He was then able to receive the grace and love of his father, and a life better than he ever imagined unfolded when he was home at his father's side.

"The cross before me, the world behind me," the song says.  If we will return to God our Father in faith, we must leave the old ways and selfish schemes behind.  We are not worthy to serve the LORD, yet He receives us as sons by grace through faith.  No man can do this for another, and God is faithful to even use our wanderings to prove His worthiness to be sought and served.

God's Fellow Workers

"Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour. ⁹ For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building."

1 Corinthians 3:8-9

In a Bible study last night we briefly discussed the implications of being God's fellow workers, His field and building.  Those who plant and water are one, and it is the LORD who receives the increase.  The efforts we expend for the glory of our Saviour are fruitful only by His grace, and Jesus Christ deserves the credit even as the vine supplies nutrients and strength to the branches.

If a farmer is motivated to clear, plow, sow, water and reap the field he owns for a bountiful crop, God is far more active in working to see the peaceable fruit of righteousness produced in us by His grace.  A farmer works the field with a long-term plan in mind:  rotating crops, building and mending fences, ensuring there is a good water supply and is attentive day and night to ensure beasts are not destroying the future crop.  Delicate plants must be covered to protect them from frost; fruit trees and vines require netting to prevent birds from doing damage.  A farmer and his land form a partnership where both benefit, and the burden falls upon the farmer to cultivate with the future in mind.

How true this is concerning the relationship God has made with us through faith in Jesus Christ!  The significant difference between the believer's relationship with God is we are supernaturally empowered to produce spiritual fruit that endures.  Naturally because of sin we could only bear thorns and noxious weeds, our hearts filled with stones, dark woods that block sunlight, land filled with marshes and barren wastes.  Having been born again we now can produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the good seed of God's word begins to spring forth in a humble heart.  The living water of the Holy Spirit begins to flow through a soul yielded to Him, and stagnant ponds begin to be purified.

We are not a passive plot of land in this picture, for consider God's word through the prophet to His people in Hosea 10:12-13:  "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. ¹³ You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men."  Land cannot sow or reap itself, and the work God calls us to do is to yield to Him by faith and obedience.  A farmer sows with the expectation of reaping in season, and the work God does in our lives is with our future on earth and in heaven for eternity.  Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."  During our earthly pilgrimage it is a season of God working in and through His people, and Jesus is faithful to labour for the glory of God and our good.

Paul compares Christians to being "God's building," and we are a building project God is keen to tackle--despite our reluctance.  Now that He has taken possession of us through the power of the Gospel, there are massive renovation plans God has to enact:  a new foundation has been laid and a new structure with quality materials has been erected.  This passage follows on from what Paul described previously in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15:  "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, ¹³ each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. ¹⁴ If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."  God has the set of drawings outlined in His word patterned after Jesus Christ, and praise the LORD the construction process is managed by God who is faithful to complete the work He has begun by grace.

How rewarding it is when we submit and cooperate with the work God does within us!  1 John 3:2-3 reveals, "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."  Our efforts could never accomplish this work, but with God who works in us we are divinely enabled and empowered to work with Him to this glorious end.

The Good Word of the LORD

After King Hezekiah miraculously recovered from a grave illness, he entertained messengers from the distant land of Babylon by showing them all the treasures of his house.  2 Kings 20:16-19 says, "Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: ¹⁷ 'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the LORD. ¹⁸ 'And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' " ¹⁹ So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?"

I have always thought the response of King Hezekiah was very strange, seeing the future events which Isaiah prophesied according to the word of the LORD did not seem good:  the riches of the kingdom plundered, nothing would be left, Hezekiah's sons would go into captivity and be made eunuchs.  Hezekiah's response on the surface seems flippant and careless, even selfish.  But let us not ascribe folly where God has not, for God alone knows the hearts of men.  Though Hezekiah did not live up to the blessing of an extended life God granted him at his request, Hezekiah spoke the truth.  Believers who trust God who is good, gracious, merciful and compassionate can rest in His sovereignty now and forever regardless what He allows.

When Hezekiah was previously told by the word of the LORD he would die of his illness, he turned to the LORD in prayer and pleaded for his life.  Hearing about what would befall his nation and children was certainly sobering, yet he knew the God who answered His prayer would also be faithful to hear and answer the prayers of all who feared and sought Him in the future.  The good word of God would stand, and we who fear God can rest in His unerring wisdom and grace.  It has been revealed to believers how God will one day destroy the heavens and earth with fire (2 Peter 3), yet this should not provoke us to mourn without hope or deny the goodness of God today or tomorrow.  We ought to be like Hezekiah who praised God for His mercy to us and that He has made a way of salvation for all.  The word of the LORD is good and true because it is of God, and because we can know God by faith in Jesus to a greater degree than Hezekiah we can count on God's perfect peace all our days.

Repentance for sin is an important part of the Gospel, and all who see their sin in light of the word of God know judgment for sin is coming.  A judge should not apologise to apply a just sentence that fits the crime.  When God said He was going to destroy Sodom for the cry against it was great because of iniquity, Abraham did not assert it was unjust the wicked should be punished.  People take issue with judgment from God because they do not agree with His assessment of what constitutes sin and how justice is correctly administered by Him because they do not know Him.  When confronted with the judgment of his wicked sons and house Eli responded, "It is the LORD.  Let Him do what seems good to Him." (1 Sam. 3:18)  We would not say, "No so, LORD!" should He offer us grace and mercy:  how can we say, "Not so, LORD!" when He reveals He will surely administer justice upon all?  Our very salvation hinges on the fact God is gracious and just, for the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary who bore the sins of the world satisfied the just requirements of God once for all who believe.

May the LORD by His grace bring us to a place of joyful submission to all He has said, that we can say as Hezekiah, "The word of the LORD is good!" knowing there will be peace and truth in our days because we are in Christ and He is in us.  The Word who became flesh and dwelt among us is good, and He is with us now and forever in glory.

Knowing the LORD

God has revealed Himself to the world in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)  There is no person in the history of this world other than God who can legitimately make that claim, and if the Bible is true it reveals the true identity of Jesus without doubt.  John 1:11-13 says of Jesus, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  Through faith in Jesus all people can know God through this new and living way.

Throughout history there have been many people who have refused to place their faith in the God who created the sun that shines, plants, animals and people.  Some have claimed the multitudes of gods and beliefs makes it unlikely or impossible to know which deity is real.  Many self-serving excuses have been drummed up to attempt in vain to elude acknowledgement of the God who created us and before we all will appear.  Based on the truth of God's unchanging scripture we can be assured the most stubborn skeptic and avowed atheist will one day know God.  Those who know God through faith in Jesus Christ are assured of His forgiveness, salvation and eternal life, and those who refuse to respond to His gracious invitation will know Him according to His justice.

The prophet Ezekiel had many strong words to say both to the children of Israel as well as the foreign nations who served idols.  Consider the repetition as God through Ezekiel spoke to the people of Ammon, Moab, Seir, Edom and Philistia respectively in Ezekiel 25:7, 11, 14 & 17:  "...I will stretch out My hand against you, and give you as plunder to the nations; I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish from the countries; I will destroy you, and you shall know that I am the LORD...¹¹ And I will execute judgments upon Moab, and they shall know that I am the LORD...¹⁴ I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, that they may do in Edom according to My anger and according to My fury; and they shall know My vengeance," says the Lord GOD...¹⁷  I will execute great vengeance on them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I lay My vengeance upon them."  The nations who warred against Israel, instruments God used to chasten His people to repentance, would know God is the LORD when they were judged and destroyed by Him.

This is a most sobering revelation to those who fear the LORD while the unbelieving will shrug it off, content with their own idols.  No idol or man can stand before the living God who will dole out judgment with vengeance upon all who die in their sins.  It is entirely in the character of a God who has revealed His love to all mankind by the humble sacrifice of Jesus to judge eternally proud men who spurn Him as Satan.  In the eternal administration of divine justice all will bow before Jesus Christ and acknowledge Him as divine sovereign in Philippians 2:9-11:  "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."  Sin is so grotesque and eternally binding Jesus died to save us, and commands all men everywhere to repent because a day is coming when the world will be judged in righteousness by Christ (Acts 17:31).

Dear friends, do you know the LORD God?  How blessed are those whose eyes are opened and hearts are humbled to receive Jesus Christ by faith today.  Hear the words of God in Revelation 21:6-8:  "And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. ⁷ He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  Believers bow their knee before God today as their LORD and Father, having been born again by faith in Jesus, and those in eternal torment will bow the knee because they know God is the LORD.  Don't wait to know God after judgment for your sin when we can know Him today as the God who has forgiven all our sin at His own expense.

The Dull One

I am finding a recent study of the book of Hebrews most compelling, relevant and practical.  Perhaps from a worldly vantage point it seems incredible an ancient volume could speak so powerfully today, yet this is the miracle God does daily as we open His word and seek Him.  No one deserves an audience with the Almighty but by God's grace Jesus Christ invites those redeemed by His shed blood into the throne room to find mercy and grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

It struck me today disciples of Jesus at the time did not understand what He was saying, misunderstood Him and other times flatly contradicted Him!  Jesus once asked, "Do you understand what I am saying?"  The apostles assured Him they did, but the Bible reveals they did not!  Those who claimed to understand Him thought Jesus was talking about bread when He was talking about doctrine (Matthew 16:7) and imagined defilement came from outside rather than from within a person (Mark 7:18-23).  After Jesus revealed He was going to Jerusalem, would be killed and rise from the dead the third day, the disciples began debating among themselves who was the greatest (Luke 9:44-46)!  There were countless misconceptions and blatant errors Jesus patiently addressed in the hearts and minds of His disciples, and when He rose to heaven in eternal glory there remained much work to be done in Jesus' disciples.  Having been born again by the Holy Spirit, expect there is still much work God desires to do in and through each one of us. 

The Bible gives us no latitude for saying of the children of Israel in the wilderness, "How could they be so stupid?" or wonder about disciples who walked alongside our Saviour, "What was their problem?"  The writer of Hebrews prefaced a portion of the letter that went on to explain how Jesus has an everlasting priesthood of the order of Melchisedec with this zinger in Hebrews 5:11-12 "...of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food."  Over time a boy grows to be a man and a girl grows to be a woman, but spiritually speaking the Hebrews (and us modern-day readers) can remain illiterate, babbling babes when by now we should be showing signs of spiritual growth, maturity and leadership.

The problem wasn't the lack of knowledge but being "dull of hearing."  The believers to whom this letter was penned had their doctrines lined up and the shocking reality is God's word was unable to adjust them more perfectly!  They agreed with doctrine mentally (theoretically), but their lives were not aligned with it practically.  They believed in Jesus Christ, yet they continued to justify themselves according to the Law of Moses; they continued to bring sacrifices to the Temple when Jesus once for all offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin.  Listen:  let us not assume or imagine we agree with or understand all Jesus has said.  We may nod approvingly because we are familiar with Jesus saying it, but do our lives reflect the reality He proclaimed?  Since the example of the children of Israel and Christ's disciples are provided us, we will find ourselves in their "dull of hearing" sandals more than we care to admit.  It is hard to get through to us when our heads are full of knowledge that has never been adopted by faith in practice.

Jesus spoke the truth in love and many disciples chose to leave Jesus and follow Him no more.  They were unable and unwilling to receive what Jesus said as true, that His flesh was food and blood was drink indeed.  It may be those who hear the word of God preached from a sincere heart of love will choose to leave a church, and Jesus knows exactly what that is like.  Though Jesus Himself kept the Law, He did not for a moment cater to the Pharisees despite their political clout or spiritual authority because His authority as God is infinitely greater.  Great dangers for preachers and teachers today are to avoid controversial subjects, cater to those who oppose Christ or to be content to be dull ourselves and remain unchallenged and thus unchanged by all we read in the Bible.  A knife grows dull from use, and it is the dull knife which is set aside because it needs sharpening.  When we realise we are the dull one it is wise seek the LORD who sharpens us by His grace.