The New Sheriff in Town

A familiar plot in many westerns begins with outlaws and anarchy reigning because there is no sheriff in the town, or the sheriff or deputies are unwilling or unable to do anything because of corruption or fear.  It is only after a brave lawman comes to town that order and peace are restored to the community.  This is the plot arc of a movie I watched as a kid called Support Your Local Sheriff, a parody of westerns and a comedy starring James Gardner who was just a guy "on his way to Australia."  His talent with a firearm was only matched by his ingenuity as he made a prison without bars secure with a little red paint.  There was no question having a new sheriff in town meant there were changes in the ways things were done, and for the better.

Years ago when I lived in the States my wife and I purchased a house with the aim to completely renovate it.  Over the course of many months the layout was altered significantly as walls were knocked down, the kitchen and bathrooms gutted, plumbing fixtures and appliances were relocated, new lighting added, tile and carpet laid.  The consequence of having new owners who had a vision and enacted a plan resulted in dramatic changes to the house and property inside and out.  The difference a new sheriff or homeowner came to mind as I considered the impact of Jesus and the truth of the word of God in the lives of Christians according to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6:  "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."

What is striking about Paul's words to the Galatians is the premise that in the lives of Christians there are strongholds of erroneous beliefs in the hearts and minds of God's people.  It makes perfect sense that children of the devil brought up in the wisdom of the world--not to mention as flawed, sinful, proud and selfish human beings--would to any degree live in light of God's holiness.  It follows that Jesus, having purchased us with His own blood, aims to have strongholds of sin torn down as He makes us new creations by grace through faith.  There are beliefs about God, practices, lustful desires and pride that must be confessed as sin and forsaken.  God has given us spiritual weapons of far greater power than sledgehammers and wrecking balls to rip down strongholds, throw down arguments and anything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God provided in His word.  Having heard the words of Jesus, by faith we build upon Him by faith, our solid foundation and Rock of Salvation.

When the Holy Spirit enters us by saving belief in Christ, we are washed free from sin and guilt, the righteousness of God imputed to us by faith.  The Holy Spirit does not just start smashing walls down like the Hulk:  it is like He points out the slipshod wall that must come down and hands us a hammer.  There are many passages we will read that illuminate sin in our lives through our conscience:  we will recognise our previously justifiable outburst of wrath as sin; suddenly we realise we cannot remember a time when we were not envious or habitually looking with lust.  It comes like a thunderbolt we have doubts of God's goodness or have at times imagined Him to be petty, vindictive and manipulative.  The strongholds built by ignorance, unbelief and rebellion are many, but God and the weapons of our warfare are far stronger.

As a homeowner there is always something that can be done, whether it is a major renovation, painting or something minor like cleaning.  Things like cleaning the oven, BBQ, moving the lounge to sweep or vacuum under it, spraying for pests and washing windows can easily be neglected.  Sometimes it takes new eyes to notice the chair we always sit in is torn, stained, and falling apart.  Imagine what happens when Jesus walks into our hearts and looks with His kind, gentle and piercing gaze upon our thoughts and ideas.  How valuable is the word of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with the Body of Christ the church, for by these God provides illumination of the renovations He desires to do within us and identifies strongholds of error in us He would have us part with forever.  Having agreed to pull down strongholds of lies, we ought to take heed how we built on the foundation of Jesus (1 Cor. 3:9-13) knowing our obedience will yield eternal rewards by God's grace.

With Adoring Eyes

Occasionally a video pops up on my newsfeed about a lone or neglected animal given a new start by a caring rescuer.  I am impressed at the great lengths people go to for the purpose of rescuing strays and nursing them back to health.  They patiently build the trust of the animal until they can safely catch it with the aim to provide food, shelter and love.  Often over the course of months or years (which take mere minutes in a video) the horse, cat or dog that was rescued, fostered and settled undergoes massive changes in physical appearance and behaviour.  Animals that suffered neglect and abuse transform from being aggressive, skittish or cowering to bouncing around a yard at play, tail wagging with bright eyes, looking happy and healthy.

Whenever I see those videos, I consider how the change in these animals provide insight into the lives of people who also have suffered for whatever reason.  One thing the rescuers do not focus on is how the creature came to be in such an emaciated, unhealthy or aggressive state, as if it was their fault:  their sole aim is to care for the animal today and for a bright future.  They do not withhold care if the animal previously ran away, had been dumped by an owner or was born in the wild.  Another thing demonstrated by these rescuers is patience, perseverance and compassion.  They do not lash out in anger or shout if the cat snarls or the dog snaps and even draws blood to defend itself in fear.  The hope is in time the animal will respond positively to being spoken to gently, fed, washed and loved.  While there may be sad cases when neglected animals are too far gone to recover fully, the only way they could ever recover is because someone cared enough to do something about it.

Christians are those who have been rescued by Jesus Christ, for we were like sheep going astray.  It is like we laboured under a heavy fleece that was matted and filthy, were infested with parasites, had eaten noxious weeds that made us ill and were skittish from the attacks of predators.  God has done more than foster us but has adopted us sinners as His beloved sons and daughters.  A rescued animal learns to trust the one who rescued and feeds it, and as believers we are to look to God in faith, worship and gratitude.  There is something in a person that feels special to be the one relied upon or looked to by adoring eyes even of an animal, and should God use us to lead others to Jesus our role is to remind and help them to look to Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd who feeds, protects and provides for all our needs.

People are willing to go into the alleys to find a stray and nurse it back to health so it can be re-homed, and Jesus went to the lost sheep of Israel and opened His arms wide as He called for them to come.  For the most part the Jews in Israel were unwilling, but many of us have heard His voice and come to Him in faith.  Since Jesus has done all for us by coming to us and dying in our place, it follows we ought to demonstrate the same care and compassion to others by dying to self and seeking to have others restored to reliance upon Him.  There are people who suffer neglect on the street, and there are others who are just as spiritually neglected and abused by Satan who live in mansions worth millions.  Jesus has rescued us, and as we look to Him with adoring eyes we can lead others to Him by His grace.

Dealing with the Devil

The Bible has unrivaled wisdom and richness within its pages, and through it we gain divine insight we ought take to heart.  My eyes were recently opened to an incredible parallel all Christians do well to consider.  The children of Israel demanded a king, and according to God's direction the prophet Samuel anointed Saul of the tribe of Benjamin king.  God gave the people what they desired and asked for, yet many of them were displeased with God's choice.  For years people continued living autonomously as if they did not have a king when they actually had a king.  Saul was God's anointed, and their refusal to submit to him lead to unnecessary trouble.

1 Samuel 11:1-3 says, "Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." ² And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel." ³ Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you."  When Nahash came up to besiege Jabesh Gilead, notice they did not send word to their king.  It seems it did not even enter into their minds to send messengers to king Saul:  instead they asked for conditions of surrender before a brutal enemy whose terms were to put out all their right eyes!  And they agreed to it!  They asked they be permitted seven days to send messengers to see if help and salvation was even possible.  They did not seek the LORD, nor did they send word to king Saul.  The men of Jabesh Gilead pledged to serve a oppressive, abusive enemy who would reproach them with blindness instead of seeking help from their sovereign.

When Saul heard of the dire situation the men of Jabesh Gilead were in, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and very angry.  1 Samuel 11:7-10 reads, "So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen." And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. ⁸ When he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. ⁹ And they said to the messengers who came, "Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help.' " Then the messengers came and reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad. ¹⁰ Therefore the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you."  The men of Jabesh Gilead did not hold out hope for any help of deliverance from Nahash the Ammonite, but king Saul took immediate action to rally the entire nation to rush to their aid.  They went from dreading having their right eyes gouged out by a cruel master to being saved the following day.  God helped Saul and the 330,000 men of Israel to destroy Nahash and scatter his army.

The chapter concludes in 1 Samuel 11:12-15:  "Then the people said to Samuel, "Who is he who said, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Bring the men, that we may put them to death." ¹³ But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel." ¹⁴ Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there." ¹⁵ So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly."  King Saul had already been anointed and crowned king over Israel years before, but the people hadn't yet made him king over them.  Saul was God's chosen king over Israel but Saul had not been submitted to as king.  There was great rejoicing when the people had victory over their enemies by surrendering to their God and king.  The men of Jabesh Gilead went from making a deal with the devil to saying to Saul, "You may do with us whatever seems good to you."  Nahash came to blind and oppress, and Saul came to deliver and save.

What a wonderful parallel this is of Jesus who is the anointed Messiah of God, the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.  He rules over all, yet many have not chosen to surrender to His rule.  Oppressed by Satan and self they look for help and deliverance without hope, and by God's grace Jesus came to seek and save.  Saul sacrificed his oxen as a warning to those who did not swiftly come to aid the fight against Nahash, and Jesus shed His own blood to atone for the sins of the world so all who trust in Him can be forgiven and saved from eternal damnation.  Jesus opens our eyes to see, and all who surrender to Him as Sovereign find joy and peace beyond compare.  After Saul died on Mt. Gilboa, it was the men of Jabesh Gilead who recovered his body which was displayed on the wall of Beit Shean and gave him a proper burial.  Jesus Christ is risen from the grave, and He lives to intercede for us, to raise us up to new life and usher us into His glorious, eternal kingdom.

How important it was for the men of Jabesh Gilead to surrender to their king who desired their good rather than making deals with the devil who wanted them destroyed.  Christian, is it time for you to renew the kingdom as Israel did, who for a long season had lived as if they didn't have a king at all?  Let us seek our Saviour Jesus Christ instead of making vain attempts to save ourselves or willingly submit to what will destroy us body and soul.  Let us say to Jesus, "You may do with me whatever seems good to you."  We who have been delivered by Jesus ought to display the undying loyalty to Him always more than the men of Jabesh Gilead honoured Saul.  They were loyal to their deeply flawed king after his death, and we ought to love and delight in our risen Saviour in whom is no fault.  It is in surrender and submission to Jesus Christ we find victory, perfect peace and with open eyes behold the beauty of His grace.

Hearts and Minds at Peace

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  Having been provided access to God through prayer by His grace, it is both a privilege and duty of believers to pray.  What ought to be a first impulse can be relegated to a last resort when God is not in all our thoughts.  It is God's will we would pray without ceasing, and those who are wise discipline themselves to often align our hearts and minds with His.

The prophet Samuel provides a good example of a person who often sought the LORD in prayer in 1 Samuel 8:4-6:  "Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, ⁵ and said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations." ⁶ But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD."  When I am displeased, there are many things I can do instead of praying to God.  I can mull it over in my mind and become bitter, and I can complain or vent my feelings to others.  Samuel took his displeasure to the LORD who guided him in wisdom, discernment and humility.

Nehemiah was another man for whom prayer to God was instinctive.  When the king questioned him about his despondency, Nehemiah said his grief was fitting because of the sad, wasted state of the city of Jerusalem.  Nehemiah 2:4 reads, "Then the king said to me, "What do you request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven."  It would have been easy for Nehemiah to trot out his wish-list before a king who had great power and means, yet he sought the God of heaven to know how to answer.  He turned aside the blank check offered him by a king and bowed his heart before his LORD and God because the Jews were His people; He was their God.  Instead of thinking he knew what needed or should happen, Nehemiah looked to the LORD and waited on him to give an answer.

Daniel is an example of a man who prayed at regular intervals of the day with thanksgiving, and this shows us the manner of our prayer to God.  Even when praying was outlawed by the decree of king Darius for 30 days Daniel 6:10 tells us, "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days."  Daniel was a man who had been taken captive into Babylon and knew Jerusalem was burned with fire.  Yet from his early days he had a custom of giving thanks to God in prayer on his knees three times a day.  Regardless what was going on in his life or what laws came into effect, Daniel knew God always remained worthy of thanks.

Paul exhorted followers of Jesus to rejoice in prayer in Philippians 4:4-7:  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  As an unregenerate man self-righteous Saul breathed out threats and murder against Christians, and later as a born-again Christian Paul rejoiced with thanksgiving to make his requests known to God.  By faith in Christ he experience the peace of God that guarded his heart and mind through Jesus.  Prayer for Paul and and us ought to become intentional, instant, regular with thanksgiving and rejoicing, knowing we have been heard and are protected by our LORD and Saviour Jesus.  How blessed we are to enter the throne room of grace where we find mercy and grace to help in time of need by the Prince of Peace, Jesus.

Different People, Same God

It is amazing how God created every human being with a unique personality, perspective and eternal soul.  Soldiers who march together in step wearing matching uniforms have different strengths, weaknesses, preferences and desires:  there is nothing uniform about the individuality of people created in God's image.  The twins Jacob and Esau spent nine months in the womb of Rebekah together, yet when they emerged their appearance was completely different.  As they grew older their differences were more marked, for Esau was a cunning hunter who preferred living in the fields whilst Jacob was a plain man who preferred dwelling in a tent.  Esau was hairy, and Jacob was smooth skinned.  Their physical differences were small compared to their spiritual relationship with God, for Esau did not regard Him whilst Jacob was a man who had faith in God, wrestled with Him and was given a new name.

Martha and Mary of Bethany were sisters who had contrasting personalities.  Martha was active and energetic, and she was the one who invited Jesus into her home in Luke 10.  That was a very wise decision!  But as she bustled around and made preparations her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of Jesus and heard His word.  Martha was perturbed Mary did not pitch in to help her and was not "doing" anything, questioned if Jesus cared and even asked Him to tell her to help.  Instead of acquiescing to Martha's demand, Jesus revealed Martha was anxious and distracted by many things while Mary had chosen the needful and good part which would not be taken away from her.  I had not considered this had anything to do with personality until I recently read the John 11 passage when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Martha and Mary had sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, was very sick.  When Jesus arrived in Bethany Lazarus had been dead and buried four days!  John 11:20 reads, "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house."  Here the industry and energy of Martha shines, for "as soon as she heard" Jesus was coming went and met Him.  In contrast, Mary remained sitting in the house with those who with her mourned the death of her brother.  Perhaps sitting was in line with Mary's personality, even as Jacob preferred to sit in the shade of a tent.  After Martha conversed with Jesus John 11:28-29 says, "And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, "The Teacher has come and is calling for you." ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him."  The personal invitation from Jesus moved Mary to immediately respond to go to Jesus, even as Martha did without one.

Isn't it wonderful how Jesus accommodates our differences and provides opportunity and an invitation to seek Him?  Energetic Martha and sedentary Mary were both loved and valued by Jesus who ministered to them with grace, mercy and compassion.  The man of the field who loves to hunt and the one who prefers the shade and cooking stew of lentils both have the opportunity to know, fear God and live by faith in Him.  It does us little good to criticise Martha for being distracted by much serving any more than Mary continuing to sit when Jesus came to visit.  Are we without faults?  Do we always make good choices?  It is far better we follow their good examples of serving, sitting at the feet of Jesus to receive His word, seeking Jesus, inviting others to go to the Saviour and rising when He calls us in faith because He loves us.  Each of our personalities has positives and pitfalls, and God chooses to bless us with His presence anyway because He is good.

Eyes Opened by Grace

The grace of God is revealed by the divine inspiration of Balaam, a man whose eyes were open as he viewed the encampment of Israel according to their tribes.  Though Balaam was greedy and selfish, he had been given revelation from God concerning the nation of Israel and the Messiah who would rise out of Jacob and rule.  Afar off Balaam saw a Star come out of Jacob, and when Jesus was born wise men followed a star to worship the Child whose birth of a virgin had been foretold.  Balaam may have loved the wages of unrighteousness (2 Peter 2:15), yet God graciously for a season opened his eyes to see and proclaim what only God knew.

Blessed is the one whose eyes are opened by God to behold wondrous things in His word!  Blessed are those whose eyes are opened by faith in Jesus Christ to behold Him as their God and KING of KINGS!  It is like the one Jesus makes to see is given the key required to open up the vast wealth of God's wisdom and understanding found throughout scripture we now can see and hear ourselves.  A curator of a museum has access to works of art not yet made available to the public, and by faith in Jesus Christ Jew and Gentile alike are give access to truths hidden from the foundation of the world.  These immaculate, polished gems of truth hide in plain sight in the pages of God's word followers of Jesus have the benefit of admiring and holding close to our hearts, while the most distinguished scholars among men remain ignorant of their beauty and value.

One such gem that caught my attention recently is Zechariah 12:8-10 in relation to God's deliverance of Jerusalem from their enemies:  "In that day the LORD will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the one who is feeble among them in that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the Angel of the LORD before them. ⁹ It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. ¹⁰ "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn."  For those whose eyes have been opened to behold Jesus as LORD, the only begotten Son of God, the glory of the returning Messiah shines forth brighter than the noonday sun.

When Jesus came and ministered in Judea, He was rejected by the sheep of Israel He came to shepherd and save.  His claims of being God in the flesh prompted accusations of blasphemy, and the Son of David was crucified and pierced on Calvary.  As Jesus hung on the cross the chief priests hurled the accusations prophesied in His face prophetically penned in Psalm 22.  They mocked and scorned the Messiah who suffered and died, but Jesus as He said rose from the dead alive and glorified three days later.  Before Jesus ascended to the Father in the view of many witnesses He promised to return, and He will do so to deliver Jerusalem and judge the earth.  God promised, "They will look on Me whom they pierced."  The Jews who survive the Great Tribulation will look upon Jesus and recognise Him as the Son of God they once rejected.  Their grief will be ultimately swallowed up with joy and peace that passes understanding by the grace of God through faith.

We are blessed beyond measure to have Bible translated in a language we can read, yet understanding of the text and proper application comes by interpreting scripture with scripture by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus opens the eyes of those who trust in Him to see His glory in these thin, gilded pages.  He also opens our mouths to taste and see He is good and to proclaim the everlasting truth of the Gospel of grace to all.  There is more to see, believer; there is more in God's word to explore.  There is more of our lives to properly align with God's wisdom.  There is more truth to lay hold of, and we can look forward to seeing all fulfilled by God's grace in due time.

Heard Of God

The richness of God's word is beyond compare.  It is a light to our feet, a lamp unto our path and more still:  they are the words of life revealed.  In pages filled with history, narrative, dialogue, poetry, praise and prophecy, we discover situations we can identify with and apply personally to our situations.  Though it was penned thousands of years ago and translated in English centuries ago, it remains relevant spiritual truth that transforms and sustains countless people through faith in God.

Last night I read the passage when Hannah wept before the LORD at the tabernacle in Shiloh, deeply hurting from the provocations of her rival concerning her barrenness.  She cried out to God who had closed her womb to answer her request for a son she promised to give to the LORD and His service.  Eli the high priest, who watched her with a degree of disgust as her lips moved without audible sound, rebuked her for being drunk!  Hannah explained she was not inebriated but in her affliction of soul she cried out to God.  1 Samuel 1:17 reads, "Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him."  Without knowing what she requested, Eli by faith assured Hannah the God of Israel would grant her petition.

God was faithful to do according to Hannah's request and gave her a son she named Samuel whose name means, "heard of God."  Every time she said his name she was reminded of her former anguish, how God heard her prayer and was faithful to answer.  Hannah kept her word to the LORD and when Samuel was weaned she brought him to the tabernacle in Shiloh with a princely offering of three bulls, flour and wine.  Years had passed and many people had visited the tabernacle since the last time Hannah was there, and she identified herself as that woman whose prayer had been answered 1 Samuel 1:26-28:  "And she said, "O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. ²⁷ For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. ²⁸ Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD." So they worshiped the LORD there."

Eli did not know what Hannah prayed for at the time, but he rejoiced to see her prayer answered and her promise fulfilled.  The last part of verse 28 says in the KJV, "So he worshiped the LORD there."  The "he" and "they" is Eli and Hannah, not Samuel who did not yet know the LORD himself.  Worship is intrinsically tied to knowledge as Jesus said to the Samaritan woman in John 4, "We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."  Without knowledge of God and what He is done a person cannot truly worship God, and when we know what God has done how can we not worship Him?  When Hannah declared how God answered her prayer she and Eli worshiped God, and the beginning of 1 Samuel 2 is a lovely prayer as she rejoiced over the greatness of God.

I can identify with the joyful worship of Eli and Hannah's prayer because I too have been heard by the LORD.  Today marks 25 years since God was faithful to answer my prayer for a wife.  God has given us two sons, guided us to serve Him in Australia, allowed us to be permanent residents, then dual citizens and even provided us a house!  My soul swells with gladness in the worship of God as Hannah prayed in 1 Samuel 2:1-2:  "My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. ² "No one is holy like the LORD, for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our God."  Who is like the LORD who does marvelous things without number?  His ways are past finding out, but all He has made known shows Himself to be good, gracious and glorious.

Has the LORD answered your prayer, believer?  Worship Him in prayer with thanksgiving, beloved of the LORD.  He has been faithful to us, and may we like Hannah be faithful to Him.  He has heard our prayers, and God delights to hear our praise as well as our hearts rejoice in Him.

Divine Delays

I have heard it said God works in mysterious ways, and we can rest assured He is working through intentional delays.  We can often tie God's love for us by His prompt responses to our prayers and requests, and some even doubt His favour if a painful trial be prolonged.  A passage in the Gospel of John reveals God delays with a glorious purpose in mind to accomplish far more than we could ever ask or think.

When Lazarus the friend of Jesus was deathly ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent a messenger to Jesus to notify him.  They knew Jesus had the power to heal, and appealed to His love for Lazarus so He would quickly respond.  John 11:4-6 said, "When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." ⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶ So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."  Martha and Mary thought because Jesus loved Lazarus (which He certainly did) He would immediately respond by coming to them, but out of love for Lazarus--and Mary, Martha, His disciples, people in Bethany, believers and unbelievers for all time--He chose to delay.

While Jesus delayed, Lazarus died and was buried.  By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days.  This was no surprise to Jesus, for before they left on their journey John 11:14-15 reads, "Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."  Jesus allowed Lazarus to die because He was going to raise him from the dead and His disciples, the eyewitnesses and their testimony to others would cause people to believe Jesus was not merely a Rabbi but the Messiah, the Son of God, the Resurrection and the Life, and by faith in Him people would receive eternal life.  He would accomplish this amazing feat by waiting, by delaying when people were desperate for Him to act immediately.  Delay was a divine decree out of God's love for everyone, and His delay still bears everlasting fruit to this day.

Let us not dismiss how God demonstrates love by delays.  We see delays as an unnecessary inconvenience to be avoided, yet faith teaches us God works in and through circumstances in a miraculous fashion beyond what we could ever ask or think.  Martha and Mary desired Jesus to heal the body of Lazarus, but Jesus raised Him from the dead so they could receive eternal life and realise the death of a body does not mean all hope is lost.  For the believer it is a glorious entry into the presence of God where there is no sickness, suffering, pain, tears, sin or death.  Praise the LORD for His wondrous works, and through His divine delays He is accomplishing great things beyond reckoning because He loves us.

The Person Jesus

Jesus is LORD over all, and God has put everything under His feet.  When I grew up in the church I often heard of my need for Jesus as my "personal LORD and Saviour."  It was not enough for me to give mental ascent to the fact there is a God and He has been revealed in the person of Jesus, but to make a personal decision to receive Him by faith.  Whether my parents were "saved" did not remove my personal responsibility to choose to follow Jesus and obey Him.

When we say something is personal, we often mean it is something to keep private.  This is not the case when a soul is born again by the power of the Gospel, for a supernatural and transformational event has taken place.  The pop band Depeche Mode wrote a song about a "personal Jesus" that is not a Gospel song at all, for it suggests a person can be a "Jesus" figure for someone else, one who makes their life have meaning.  The "Jesus" depicted in that song who assures a caller of their acceptance and forgiveness reminds me of a personal pan pizza which translates to being very small, a light lunch for one person.  This isn't the meaning of Jesus being your personal LORD and Saviour at all, for He at once is a Saviour to all who trust in Him--with plenty left over.  To have "your own personal Jesus" excludes others and has it all backwards, for Jesus owns us having purchased us with His own blood.

Since the word "personal" never appears in scripture in the context of the Gospel, I view it as an unnecessary ornamentation or cliche that can potentially confuse people.  The Bible teaches God was manifested to mankind in the person of Jesus Christ, the "Word that became flesh and dwelt among us."  The disciples were eyewitnesses of His glory and many of these chose voluntary death rather than deny what they were convinced of:  they knew Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be, the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world.  Jesus is not the Saviour we imagine He should be, for being God He is Who He is.  Jesus identified as "I AM," the almighty God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  The personal opinions of men have no power to shift who God is.

It is an awesome truth the KING OF KINGS can and will save all who believe and receive the crucified and risen Jesus as Saviour.  This reality changes who we are as people, for Jesus is our life.  Paul urged believers in Colossians 2:6-10:  "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. ⁸ Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power."  Those who receive Christ are made complete in Him, having an abundant life with thanksgiving.

One miracle Jesus did was to feed 5,000 men plus women and children with 5 loaves and 2 fish--a personal-sized lunch of a lad who willingly offered it.  Jesus blessed the bread, broke it and directed His disciples to distribute it among the people who ate to the full.  There were 12 large baskets of fragments left over they gathered up.  This is a wonderful illustration how Jesus ministered to each one as much as they desired, and He is the Bread of Life who supplies more than we could ever need or want.  Our relationship with Him is deeply personal and eternal, and the abundant life Jesus offered by the Gospel is available to all who will choose to submit to Him in faith.

The Word Manifest

It is a wonder God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.  What a time to be alive!  We are blessed beyond measure with the reality of the truth proclaimed in Hebrews 1:1-3:  "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; ³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..."  Many people who feared and sought God did not have the benefit of being introduced to Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created all things, purged our sins and sat down in heavenly glory.  He is our High Priest and KING OF KINGS, the One who calls those who follow Him in obedience "My friends."  This isn't a snoozing, blocking, unfriending kind of friend, but One who sticks closer than a brother for eternity.

As I was reading Lead Like Christ by A.W. Tozer, I was reminded of words found in the beginning of another epistle, Titus 1:1-4:  "Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, ³ but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; ⁴ to Titus, a true son in our common faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, and in our time God has "manifested His word through preaching."  This is really a startling announcement.  God who spoke through prophets, has angelic messengers and His own Son Jesus, has chosen to manifest His word through preaching by man.

There is something supernatural and amazing when God's word is proclaimed with faith by those filled with the Holy Spirit, whether they stand at a pulpit or sit in the lunchroom with co-workers.  The proclamation of the Gospel does not require amplification to be powerful or the dimmed lights of a sanctuary with music in the background to be meaningful:  the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  When believers gather with the expectation and desire to hear from God, through His word God is faithful to speak.  Knowing God has chosen to manifest His word through preaching ought to increase our personal priority to hear preaching and heed the message.  God is faithful to keep His word, and we ought to be faithful to hear and declare it with our lives.  David wrote in Psalm 138:2, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."  That is the word we have the privilege of proclaiming.

Request, not Protest

It seems to me we live in a day of protest, to gather to declare opposition.  Because of the widespread utilisation of protests these days there is little need for me to cite examples of protests or groups that mobilise and gather to oppose the protestors!  Protests are an intriguing social phenomenon, for while they may draw attention to a cause they can also harden the perception of others against them.  As long as protests do not disrupt or negatively impact the lives of others by blocking traffic or destroying property, most people outside the protest pay little mind.  Protesting seems to do more to bolster the morale of people involved in protesting because by shouting slogans and carrying signs they hope to be heard and effect change.  Being unified in opposition against something can bring people together to form a community and a sense of belonging they could cultivate by themselves.

I have been studying through the book of Job and I continue to marvel over his response to the intense personal tragedy of losing his possessions, wealth and children in a day.  Job did not protest to receive evil from the almighty God, for he had also received great good from Him.  When he heard the devastating news of theft, destruction and death Job tore his clothes, shaved his head and fell down in worship of God.  In a day when people take a stand daily for basic human rights, it is shocking how Job humbled himself as he submitted to losing everything.  I wonder:  is there found in God's people the humility, the resignation, to accept such awful news like Job did from God and bless the LORD?  In humbling himself before God in worship, I am convinced Job accomplished far more than he would have by protesting before men.  When the law was signed that prayer was restricted to king Darius for 30 days, Daniel did not protest:  he went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem and he prayed according to his daily routine.  After he was thrown to the lions for breaking the decree God shut the mouths of the hungry lions who did him no harm.  Protesting cannot do what requests to God can.

Having made our requests known to the almighty God, what is a protest except to appeal to men for strength and confidence?  If God has heard our voice cry out to Him, do we need to shout to be heard? Consider the words of Jeremiah 17:5-8:  "Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. ⁶ For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. ⁷ "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. ⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."  It is a curse to make flesh your strength, whether it is your own flesh or the power, influence and ability of others.  This reliance upon anyone rather than God exposes a heart that departs from the LORD.  One of the consequences of this self-inflicted curse is the inability to see when good comes; it is blindness to notice what God is doing and will accomplish.  Like a shrub in a parched land, the one who makes flesh his strength will be alone without refreshment.

The one who trusts and hopes in the LORD is compared by the prophet to a tree planted by waters with a well-established and supportive root system.  This believer can face searing heat of trials without fear and endure drought without feeling anxious, for the needs of this tree are supplied by God who causes growth and fruitfulness in season.  Having been established in the goodness and grace of God, Job was enabled to endure an awful series of trials.  When he lay there in dust and ashes and scraped his boils with a broken piece of pottery, based upon his discourse at the time Job did not feel fruitful or blessed:  he felt ruined and absolutely destroyed without remedy.  Though everything had gone horribly wrong, faith in God moved Job to bless the LORD anyway.  Better than protesting is to bless the LORD at all times whether our voices heard or views shared by men, for God is our strength and refuge.  Philippians 4:6-7 reads, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Having made our request before our God we worship and trust, we can rest assured He will accomplish more than our protesting ever could.

Seeking Good and Speaking Peace

Like Joseph was promoted in Egypt to second under Pharaoh, so Mordecai was promoted under King Ahasuerus in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians.  Joseph was brought out of prison, and Mordecai was brought out from under the sentence of death by the decree issued by Haman.  By God's grace Mordecai was promoted greatly, and in his illustrious role as ruler he did not drift from the fear of the LORD and the love of his people.  Esther 10:3 tells us, "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen."  Though Mordecai personally possessed power and authority beyond the scope of a democratic or parliamentarian government today, his rule was administered in the fear of the LORD, humility and with the good of people in mind.  As a servant of God he was made fit for the role of public servant.

God caused Mordecai to find favour in the eyes of his king and was received by the multitude of his brethren.  His aims in governance was seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.  The KJV says he sought the "wealth" of his people, and their prosperity was his chief aim.  He spoke "shalom" to all his countrymen as he sought to unite, encourage, edify and support all those under his rule.  King Ahasuerus was blessed to have the service of Mordecai, and the people were also beneficiaries of his peaceful rule.  The contrast between Haman and Mordecai was more stark than night and day, for Haman was preoccupied with personal achievement, power and honour for himself as he schemed to use his authority to kill rather than promote peace.

As I considered Mordecai's approach to governance, it struck me how fitting it is for all children of God to embrace these values whether as citizens of a nation or in our roles in the Body of Christ, the church.  Following Jesus is not doing our best to follow a set of values but starts with being born again, made new creations by faith, and choosing to humbly walk in obedience to Him.  Paul summed up the one who walks in love peaceably in Romans 12:9-18.    Paul wrote, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Because our home is in heaven, our aim is to secure the true riches of the kingdom of God which are without price that will endure.  God's word and His wisdom will remain forever after this world and all the riches of it cease to be.  God's goodness, mercy, grace, peace and love will be abundantly provided for those who trust Him now and for all eternity.  God has shown great favour to us by forgiving our sins, adopting us as His children and promoting us in His kindgom beyond angels:  if Mordecai sought the wealth of his people and spoke peace to all his countrymen, isn't it fitting we do so as well--especially to the household of faith?  What a privileged position we have been given, to receive the true riches of the kingdom of God so we can share them:  to love without hypocrisy, to be kindly affectionate one to another, to give preference to one another, to continue steadfastly in prayer, to extend hospitality, to bless, rejoice and live peaceably will all men.

Light and Gladness

In the book of Esther, Haman used his influence over the king to deceitfully enact a decree which doomed the Jewish people to destruction at the hands of their enemies.  Jewish people in all the provinces were shocked and confused over the edict.  They put on sackcloth and mourned bitterly as the king and Haman, his trusted advisor, had a drink together.  In an ironic twist that puts Hollywood's best efforts to shame, the Jew Mordecai Haman hated--who was the driving force behind his desire to annihilate the Jews--he was forced to publicly honour.  Later that same day it was revealed Esther the queen was Jewish and Haman's scheme backfired in spectacular fashion with him being hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, while Mordecai was promoted to Haman's former post.

Because no law of the Medes and Persians could be changed, Mordecai was given the power and authority to write a new law which gave the Jewish people the right to unite, defend themselves and plunder any person or province who sought their harm.  Esther 8:15-17 reads, "So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. ¹⁶ The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honour. ¹⁷ And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them."  When the new decree was announced mourning was replaced with light and gladness, even as Mordecai's sackcloth was exchanged for robes of blue and white, and his dust and ashes was replaced with a great crown of gold.

When the decree signed into law by Haman with the king's signet ring was announced, the minds and hopes of people were shrouded in darkness.  They were heavily burdened with the sentence of death placed upon them that could not be altered.  Yet the king gave favour to the Jewish people for the sake of Esther his beloved wife and Mordecai who had foiled a plot against the life of the king.  In a moment light of salvation and deliverance shone and drove the darkness away, and the heavy burden was lifted.  In this we see a lovely picture of what God has done through the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  We were in darkness and under the sentence of eternal damnation for our crimes, but God has shown us favour through the sacrifice of Jesus whose yoke is easy and His burden light.  For all those who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, we are made glad, given joy and eternal honour by His side.  Wherever we go and whatever befalls us, none can snatch us out of God's hand.  Because Jesus is our Light and Salvation our future is bright.

Because all who are in Christ are sons of light and not of darkness 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 says, "You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."  Some connect watching with soberness as warning and alerting to error, but this passage lays out for us how we ought to live as sons of the day:  walking in faith and love, living together with Jesus and we comfort and edify one another.  Friends, will you receive the comfort of God today with gladness?  If the Jews in Esther's day had light, gladness, joy and honour because they were given the legal right to defend themselves, how much more ought we to celebrate and find comfort in our Saviour who has saved us from wrath and delivered us from Satan's schemes?

Who Marks You?

It is a wise man who recognises signs of the times and also when the time is not yet.  Jesus taught His disciples it was not for them to know times and seasons God has in His own power, but they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them.  The disciples wondered about when the destruction of the temple would occur, the sign of His coming and the end of the world.  "When" questions burned within them, yet Jesus did not give them a future date so they could mark their diaries:  He wanted to teach them to look to Him in all seasons, recognise the signs of the times and lift up their heads knowing their redemption drew nigh.  Instead of grim concern, realising they were in the end times and things were going exactly according to God's plan would bolster their faith.

Because we have been given the word of God, the Bible, we can be certain what God has promised will surely come to pass.  The wisest among us who know what will happen cannot know when many things will happen.  Jesus warned His disciples not to be deceived, suggesting they would think the end was immediate when it was still afar off.  It was erroneous to think a sign meant you were at the final destination, and another error would be to imagine the rapture and second coming of Christ could not happen when Jesus stands at the door.  Jesus said in Matthew 24:6, "And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet."  The beginning of sorrows was not to be confused with the end of all things.  There are many things that must occur before Christ's physical reign on earth in Jerusalem:  the rapture of the church, the rise of the antichrist who will rule all the nations with the false prophet, the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, the abomination of desolation (making the temple a place of worship of the antichrist or beast) and the mark of the beast.

I've been hearing murmurings about the "mark of the beast" for decades now, and I have heard much speculation over what the mark will consist of.  Back in the 80's people wondered if it would be a barcode, and then it was suggested to be a microchip.  We know there is nothing wrong with barcodes and microchips in themselves (though at the time they were a source of alarm for some), and I am certain when you bought whatever device you are reading this on they were involved.  Lately I've even heard some wonder if the mark of the beast could be a covid vaccine.  My sincere conviction is it would be impossible to be a vaccine because of the very precise description provided for us in the book of Revelation.  What the mark of the beast looks like is as irrelevant as the knowing the precise day and hour of Christ's return:  why the mark will be mandated is of primary importance.  The mark of the beast cannot be administered now because the beast (antichrist who must rule over all nations), the false prophet and the temple must be in place for it to be administered since the mark is directly tied to the worship of the beast.  None of these necessary parameters are currently in place.

In the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John explained how the antichrist would be mortally wounded and empowered by Satan to recover.  While the world is amazed and entranced at the power of the beast (antichrist), the false prophet who does miraculous signs will be revealed.  Revelation 13:12-17 reads, "And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. ¹³ He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. ¹⁴ And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. ¹⁵ He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. ¹⁶ He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name."

This is what the Bible teaches of the infamous "mark of the beast:"  it will be a mark mandated by the false prophet for all people as an act of worship of the beast.  Those who refuse to worship the beast will be killed, and whoever willingly worships the beast will have a visible mark "on their right hand or on their foreheads."  There is no reason to spiritualise what is plainly written.  Without the beast, the false prophet and the temple standing in Jerusalem, there can be no mark.  Friends, if the mark of the beast is a scary proposition for you, I understand what it is like to be afraid in the face of an uncertain future.  As a child I was a bit preoccupied with the true identity of the antichrist and was on guard to avoid receiving the mark of the beast because eternity in heaven hung in the balance (Rev. 19:20, 20:4).  I have learned my perspective was all wrong:  instead of looking for the antichrist in fear I am called to look to Jesus by faith; instead of being on guard against receiving the mark I ought to proclaim Christ boldly, heed His word and be led by the Holy Spirit.  I ought to rejoice I have been sealed by the Holy Spirit instead of living in fear of what the future holds.

Revelation 22:10-14 is a fitting conclusion: "And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." ¹² "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." ¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city."  Jesus is coming quickly, believers, and let us look to Him as the Author and Finisher of our faith acknowledging His rule and power over all.  Having believed on Jesus, we have been born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit Who has marked us for eternal glory.  Like a shepherd distinguishes the sheep from the goats, we are known by God as His beloved children.  Let us walk in the glory of these eternal truths with God's love that casts out all fear.

Intercede at the Throne of Grace

In the book of Esther, when word reached Mordecai of the decree that all the Jews would be killed and plundered he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, went to the gate of the king and wailed bitterly in grief.  Mordecai did not venture within the gate wearing sackcloth because this was forbidden by the law.  

Esther 4:4-5 reads, "So Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her, and the queen was deeply distressed. Then she sent garments to clothe Mordecai and take his sackcloth away from him, but he would not accept them. ⁵ Then Esther called Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs whom he had appointed to attend her, and she gave him a command concerning Mordecai, to learn what and why this was."

When Esther heard her cousin mourned in public, Esther was deeply distressed.  She sent clothes to Mordecai with desire to take away his sackcloth, but Mordecai refused.  Perhaps she wanted him to be properly clothed so he could enter the gate of the king and speak with her personally or to show she cared about him.  The problem was greater than Esther imagined, for the decree which had been signed impacted Mordecai, queen Esther and all the Jews in the realm because it condemned them to be executed and plundered on a set day.  Esther would initially have been glad and comforted if Mordecai received the clothing and stopped wailing, yet that would only be treating a symptom rather than the source of his grief.  We can be like Esther:  we can be distressed people are upset without even knowing why others grieve and what can be done to make a difference.  Without an explanation from Mordecai Esther could only guess what had happened and why he was so upset.

Esther was kind and compassionate to offer Mordecai new clothing.  In gaining her attention Mordecai demanded far more than this was necessary, for clothing would not save the Jews from destruction.  Mordecai sent a copy of the edict which sealed the doom of the Jewish people at the hand their enemies and urged her to bravely go before the king in violation of the law of the Medes and Persians (which cannot be altered) to plead for the lives of her people.  He reminded Esther she was a Jew, and being queen did not protect her from the arm of the law if she sheltered within the palace:  the law had gone out from there and would surely be enforced.  The law also said anyone who appeared before the king without being summoned would be executed unless the king held out the sceptre and immediately issued a pardon to the one who found favour in his sight.  To save her life, Mordecai and her people, Esther needed to risk her life trusting the LORD to be with her and help her whether she lived or died.

It struck me as I read this passage how initially Esther limited her efforts to the clothing of one man with an aim to assuage grief and suffering--providing for physical needs--while Mordecai desired Esther to go to king himself and accomplish with her request what smart new clothes could not.  What a glorious picture this is of the privilege of the child of God, that we have access and ability to come before God the KING OF KINGS when we see people sorrow and suffer with spiritual intercession.  Unlike Esther who was prohibited by law to enter the throne room of King Ahasuerus, we are invited to enter into God's throne room of grace.  We enter, not at the risk of our own necks, but because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead to provide access into the presence of the living God.  Since Jesus Christ our High Priest stands ready to hear, help and save Hebrews 4:16 reads:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Seeking the LORD and interceding on behalf of others is the least and most we can do at the same time.

Knowing God and All His Works

"Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had known all the works of the LORD which He had done for Israel."

Joshua 24:31

Whenever I read passages like this, I am not left with a feeling of satisfaction and gladness.  It is great Israel served the LORD during the life of Joshua and the elders who outlived Joshua, but the verses imply that after their passing the people stopped serving the LORD.  As the book of Judges tells us, that period of history was marked by people "doing what was right in their own eyes" and their negligence to obey what God had commanded in His covenant.  The people who knew the works of the LORD He had done for Israel feared and served Him, and it seems this knowledge died with them.

Judges 2:10-12 affirms, "When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel. ¹¹ Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals; ¹² and they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the LORD to anger."  God delivered His people who forsook them into the hands of their enemies, and it was only when they found themselves in trouble they called out to the LORD who delivered them.  The book of Judges is a continual cycle of idolatry, oppression by enemies, crying out to God in repentance, God raising up a judge and delivering them, and then after the death of the judge the people returned to idols.

The knowledge of the LORD was more than memorising facts:  it was being convinced personally of His reality, power and goodness to save His people.  Interestingly, the first generation that came out of Egypt saw miracle after miracle, even walking through the Red Sea on dry ground, yet they did not believe God to obediently enter the land of promise.  It was the second generation who crossed over the Jordan on dry ground led by God and Joshua who saw His mighty works.  It was not an easy time for the Hebrews:  God's victory at Jericho was tempered by the defeat at Ai because of sin in the camp.  Joshua and the elders were tricked by the Gibeonites and made a covenant with them when God told them not to make a covenant with people of the land.  Many tribes became complacent and did not care to labour to possess all the land God gave them.  But God was faithful to do His wonders, and the people knew He was God in heaven and earth and served Him.

The generation raised in the promised land free from the hardship of battle or separation from family and friends did not know the LORD nor the work He did for them.  There was a sense of entitlement to a peaceful, prosperous life--not realising they inherited from the LORD houses they did not build, ate from fig and olive trees they did not plant, drank from wells they had not dug and made wine from vineyards they did not tend.  The older generation in Canaan, having lived as nomads and warriors looking to God for their daily bread, were glad to offer a life to their children they did not have.  Though they raised they children to know God they did not truly know Him without having to trust Him in adversity.  They did not need saving; all the provision they could want was provided in a land flowing with milk and honey.  It was not until they realised they needed help from God and humbled themselves in faith they began to know Him and His works like Joshua, the elders and the generation before them.

I believe this supplies an insightful parallel to children with Christian parents who have been raised in the church.  Children brought up by parents who know God and His works for them do not always know God themselves.  I am not suggesting parents ought to intentionally make life difficult for their children, for trials in this world are bound to come.  Our gracious God will allow them for His good purposes as He did for the children of Israel, Job and Jesus.  We can be guilty of trying to make life too easy for children:  by speaking for them, not being willing to ask probing questions when appropriate that may displease them(1 Kings 1:5-6), interfering with allowing reality to be the teacher, and sheltering them from the consequences of bad decisions.  The book of Judges shows the experiences, especially negative ones, have great capacity to aid us to grow spiritually as we draw near to God in faith.

It is amazing how God wants to work in the lives of adults as much as children, by challenging both parents and kids at the same time to learn to walk by faith in Him, obeying His Word and trusting Him in all things.  I believe parents have as much a need as children to grow and mature spiritually, and knowing God and all His works done for Israel (and us!) are critical during our journey of faith in following Jesus.

Remembered for Good

I admire the godly qualities seen in Nehemiah, a man who God prompted to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem which lay in ruins.  He was a man who feared God, received favour from God and his king, and was bold to press on in obedience whilst facing strong opposition.  Uniting people in the building of the wall was a great task, and even a more difficult task followed:  to ensure people continued to follow God in obedience to the Law of Moses when Nehemiah wasn't around.

God moved people as one to clear away debris, rebuild the ruins of Jerusalem stone by stone and hung the gates.  A great revival of religion followed where people put themselves under a covenant to observe and heed the Law.  After setting all in order, Nehemiah later returned to find the society as distressed and ruined as the walls burnt with fire:  Tobiah the enemy of Israel had been lodging in the temple in a storeroom cleared for him, the Levites had ceased ministering at the temple and went home because tithes and offerings were not being brought, the Sabbath was being broken, sellers from Tyre brought goods for sale on the Sabbath through the gates which were left open, and men of Israel were again marrying foreign wives--even the son of the high priest!  It was one thing when the heathen people of the land opposed the rebuilding of Israel, but it must have been even more disheartening to see God's people to adopt the practices of the heathen themselves.

Nehemiah was a take-charge kind of fellow out of the fear of the LORD, not because he felt slighted in any way.  He went to the guilty parties with the truth of God's word and put them in their place as Nehemiah 13:10-11 says, "I also realized that the portions for the Levites had not been given them; for each of the Levites and the singers who did the work had gone back to his field. ¹¹ So I contended with the rulers, and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their place."  Understanding the proper order according to God's word and will is a key component in serving Him, and Moses, the prophet Elijah and David understood this.  As important as it was for Nehemiah to put the nobles in their place--in a posture of submission and obedience to God--it was important the nobles be willing to humbly remain in that place.  Korah and his fellow rebels would not submit to being put in their place, and God removed them.  King Saul began his reign in humility but was lifted up in pride which led to his ruin.  Men who are fixated on their "authority" often lose sight of God's authority over all, including them.

Three times in the final chapter of Nehemiah he prayed words that hearken forward to the believing thief who hung dying on a cross:  "Remember me."  He prayed in Nehemiah 13:14, "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for its services!"  God, cannot forget anything, has seen fit to record the words and deeds of Nehemiah so all people would remember what godly, humble leadership looks like in the fear of the LORD and submission to God and king.  Nehemiah spoke forth the word of God with boldness to nobles and Levites alike in Nehemiah 13:22:  "And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!"  The closing sentence of the book is, "Remember me, O my God, for good."  Praise the LORD our good, merciful God remembers and spares His beloved who fear Him.

"No" Isn't Negotiable

Whenever I venture into an Australian Post Office, I have always been curious of the odd assortment of goods sold there.  There are office related goods like notepads and envelopes, but the volume is mostly comprised of colourful cheap toys, a variety of "As Seen on TV" products, CD music compilations and gifts.  I have wondered often who would go to the Post Office to buy such things, and today I had this question answered.

A mum and two young daughters were queued in front of me, and the little one aged about six or seven asked her mother to buy her a notepad.  The request was immediately declined.  The little girl went on.  "Pleeeease...it has lines on it...I can practice my writing.  Pleeeease."  Within seconds of observing the behaviour of this little girl I knew beyond doubt she was wise to something her mother may not have realised:  "No" did not mean "No" and was negotiable.  "No" could be expertly overturned with persistence, a word that previous experience enforced countless times.  I was not surprised when she chose not to replace the book as asked, and slowly moved to the next spots on the carpet.

At the next stations there were plenty of new toys and reasons to buy them, the notebook now deposited among the Barbie products.  One offering was met with reasons why the purchase was unnecessary ("You already have four of these") and other with disdain:  "I'm not buying that."  As each toy was tossed aside to make way for the next, it was evident this was not a matter of need or expense:  it was a pitched battle of the will.  The little girl really didn't care about the items, but she wanted her way.  When it came time for the trio to approach the counter, all three had something in their hand and everything was purchased without question.  By this stage the older sister had ditched begging and simply handed her mother an item in silence, her actions revealing her unspoken expectation. 

The situation was as predictable as a children's story I had read a million times because "No" was negotiable.  Have you seen a child "read" a book before they can actually read, reciting the story verbatim without being able to read a single word?  The intelligence of children is not only seen with their recall but their ability to read people and use a situation for their advantage.  Jesus said to all His disciples in Matthew 5:37, "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' 'No.'"  The things we say we ought to do, and if your "No" is negotiable can your "Yes" be relied upon?  Praise the LORD we can rely upon Him to speak the truth without error, and what He has said we can count on Him to follow through.

Dear parents, you potentially do yourself and children harm when you do not do as you say.  Rewarding disobedience to a clear directive is a sure way to undermine your authority given to you by God as a parent.  Perhaps dropping $10 on a cheap toy seems a small price to pay to quiet a whining child and possibly avoid public embarrassment, but the long term cost will be far greater.  Better to say it once and ensure it is done than to repeat yourself emphatically 10 times and cave when it is time to parent-up.  A parent who holds fast to their integrity in private and public to do as they say will not need to beg, cajole, reason or repeat themselves--because kids can also learn "No" isn't negotiable.

Shining in the Dark

During early morning walks this week I have noticed the moon slowly move day by day in a northeast direction through the sky as a waxing crescent.  Today it peeked out from the clouds like a child playing hide and seek who delights to be found.  In His wisdom God established this nocturnal luminary and reminds me to consider and praise God, the Creator of heaven and earth.  As the celestial bodies move through space with precision according to God's design, so His love and grace continually shine forth to all those whose eyes are opened by faith in Him.  How could we question or stand in judgment of our God who is most awesome?

Revelation 1:7-8 reads, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ⁸ "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."  The Bible teaches Jesus will one day return to earth in judgment, and it will be at the right time, with appropriate severity and with precision that exceeds any laser.  Until today I never considered what a disgraceful thing it is to suggest that the judgment of God and ultimate suffering in hell shall be "too good for" someone we believe to be among the worst.  This statement strikes at the sovereignty and ability of God to be a capable Judge of all heaven and earth.  He knows all, and His longsuffering ought not be deemed ignorance or incompetence:  this is man's lot.  On earth the statutes of law are limited by lengths of time and geography, yet God's judgments are absolute, upright and forever according to His infinite power and strength.  The proudest and strongest men and angels are cowardly in His presence.

How much of our wranglings, worries and fears dissolve and flee away when we begin to realise God is exactly who He claims to be:  the eternal, all powerful, all knowing and gracious God who delights to show mercy but will not pardon the guilty.  Jesus said when Israel finds itself in the midst of the great tribulation in Luke 21:25-28:  "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; ²⁶ men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. ²⁷ Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. ²⁸ Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."  When things will seem at their worst and all hope is lost, they were to lift their heads to look to the LORD Jesus Christ who would deliver and redeem them.  Who can do this but God?  The hearts of men will fail, but the love of God is without fail.  Those who place their faith in Jesus are positioned to receive and rejoice in God, satisfied in His love and mercy.

After the six seals are opened and all heaven and earth is shaken Revelation 6:15-17 says, "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"  Answer:  none and all.  No one can stand before the wrath of God, for He is greatest and above all.  Yet all those who He makes to stand by faith in Jesus Christ, the Rock of Salvation, the chief Cornerstone, are enabled to stand by His grace.  God answered the prayer of the sons of Korah by Jesus Christ in Psalm 85:2-7:  "You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people; You have covered all their sin. Selah ³ You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger. ⁴ Restore us, O God of our salvation, and cause Your anger toward us to cease. ⁵ Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations? ⁶ Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You? ⁷ Show us Your mercy, LORD, and grant us Your salvation."

God has done all this through the Gospel and much more still.  Through Jesus our sins have been forgiven and the righteousness of God imputed to us.  He has taken away His wrath, Jesus having satisfied the justice of the Law for sin.  He has restored us to a privileged place of being one with God in the Body of Christ, and given us the right to be called children of God when we were once foreigners and outsiders.  He revives us body and soul and makes us to rejoice in His salvation.  Having received such abundant life and promises through Jesus, He makes us His divine luminaries to shine day and night with His glory and grace.  2 Corinthians 4:6-7 reads, "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."  God said "Let there be light!" and there was light before the sun ever shone in the heavens, and by His grace we will shine for His glory long after the sun and moon flee away and the stars have fallen like figs.  May your glory, LORD Jesus, shine through your servants with rejoicing.