Known To God

"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."

Philippians 4:6-7

When a great host of Assyrians encamped outside Jerusalem, the people and king Hezekiah were filled with fear.  The Assyrian war machine had torn through nations and people with ease and finally arrived at the gates of Jerusalem intent on destroying the will of the people to fight, swallow up the nation and absorb them in captivity.  After Hezekiah heard the report of what the Rabshakeh has said, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went to the house of the LORD.  He also sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 37:4 who said to him, "It may be that the LORD your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left."

Hezekiah was a godly king who feared the LORD and hearkened to His prophets.  Though he went up to the house of the LORD in mourning at the disturbing report brought to him, it seems Hezekiah's hope was God would hear the words of the Rabshakeh to rebuke them, and urged Isaiah to pray for the remnant because he would be heard by God.  In going up to the house of the LORD I would expect Hezekiah to meet with the chief priest, though it is not recorded for us.  Later he would spread out a scroll of threats before the LORD and prayed believing the LORD would hear and respond.  Hezekiah's reliance on God, seeking Him in prayer and urging others to pray is a good example to us all.

In the age of grace in which we live, Hezekiah could only see the faint outline of the LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ who has been revealed, has risen from the dead and ascended to the Father.  He has been revealed to be the KING OF KINGS and the great High Priest and Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."  Instead of accommodating worry or anxiety, Christians are called by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving to "let your requests be made known to God."  It is fine for us to ask others to pray to God on our behalf, but they never ought to pray to God for or instead of us.  Hezekiah did not retire to his palace and direct Isaiah what to pray, but because he trusted and feared the LORD he sought God himself first.  When Hannah was barren she sought the LORD herself in prayer without consulting with the high priest who imagined she was drunk!  God heard the prayers of Hannah and Hezekiah, and He will hear our prayers of faith in Him as well.

Often what is called "prayer requests" are made of other people to pray and outline a need or circumstances where we desire God would intervene.  Telling people about our problem or having people pray on our behalf does not meet the conditions of the peace of God promised in Philippians 4:7.  Having sought the LORD in prayer, with supplication and thanksgiving, having made our requests known to God, then the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  If we are anxious without contentment, rest or confidence in the LORD, it may be we have neglected to actually pray about it.  Thinking about a situation is not praying, though praying involves thinking.  Prayer is an expression of our faith God hears and will answer according to His goodness and grace.  In bringing our requests to God we consider Who He is, what He has said and the glorious things He does.

Friends, I encourage you to let your requests be made known to God by your prayers.  One does not need to be a king, a high priest, prophet or pastor to pray and be heard by God.  Hebrews 4:16 is true concerning all those born again by the Gospel of Jesus Christ:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Before we ask God knows what we need, and praise Him timely mercy and grace is on offer for us all.  We can boldly make our requests known because we know Jesus, Who intercedes on our behalf, knows and loves us.

Glory in the LORD

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

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Man has a thing for self-promotion and seeking his own glory.  Whether it is an obvious boast, a humblebrag, belittling others or showing off for attention, it seems we cannot help ourselves.  We can be proud about how much we have or proud of how difficult things have been.  Our pride can manifest itself in rejoicing in accomplishment through perseverance or quitting and still being successful.  Man's tendency to glory is often by comparison to other people, and the command of God through the prophet is to make God the One in Whom we glory.

Everything we have has been received by the goodness and grace of God, and this includes knowledge of Him.  God instructed the wise man not to glory in his wisdom, the mighty man in his strength or the rich man in his riches.  We could extend this list as much as we wanted:  let not the Instagram influencer glory in their followers, the youtube content creator glory in likes or shares, the educated to glory in degrees, the celebrity in their popularity, the Super Bowl champion in his rings, the musician in her mastery of an instrument, or the pastor in the number of people attending a Sunday gathering or prayer meeting.  Instead we are to glory in that we understand and know God, that He is the LORD over all.

This privilege of knowing God is made available to all people by God's grace, mercy and goodness.  The LORD God today is exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth because He delights in them.  God's love is unchanging, revealed in His covenant through the shed blood of Jesus to atone for lost sinners.  He chose to freely offer Himself as the payment for sin so forgiveness could be justly provided.  Through the Gospel the righteousness of Christ is imputed to believers so we can know and understand God.  As we interpret scripture with scripture we plainly see Jesus Christ is the LORD of glory we ought to make our boast in.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 says, "For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD."  It is all by God's grace and goodness Peter could conclude his epistle with the exhortation to believers in 2 Peter 3:18:  "...but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."

David's song is a good conclusion to this post and also an invitation to start making our boast in the LORD continually from now on in Psalm 34:1-3:  "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. ³ Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."  When it is revealed we are boasting in ourselves, our accomplishment or our possessions, let us repent of our sins and exercise lovingkindness, wise judgment and righteousness to glory in the LORD.  Such are those who will grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ.

The Stage of Duty

How easily people can be fooled!  I saw a clip recently of a celebrity chef who asked a couple of young and unknown chefs to make a few dishes.  The famous chef brought out the dishes as if he cooked them himself, and the restaurant owners were full of praise for the beautifully presented and prepared food.  After they heaped lavish praise on the celebrity chef, who obviously was the real deal because they had sampled his fares themselves, he revealed he was not responsible for the delectable food they enjoyed:  it was their own staff they imagined to be the weak link in their establishment.  The employers hid their embarrassment very well, having been made to eat humble pie in public.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.  God is intimately acquainted with what we cannot see or know, for the motives of others are hidden from our eyes.  On several occasions circumstances have laid this bare for me, for I too have been mislead.  I am still learning the difficult lesson of rejoicing in the LORD rather than in a person's apparent maturity or growth in grace, for people are not always whom they seem to be.  Samuel was ready to anoint Eliab as king over Israel for his regal bearing yet God had refused him, and to seek the LORD and heed His guidance is wise.

William Gurnall wrote concerning his observations of others in their dealings with personal sin:

"Is Satan divided?  Will the devil within fight against the devil without?  Satan in the heart shut out Satan at the door?  Sometimes indeed there appears a scuffle between Satan and a carnal heart, but is a mere cheat, like the fighting of two fencers on a stage.  You would think at first they were in earnest, but observing how wary they are, [and] where they hit one another, you may soon know they do not mean to kill; and that which puts all out of doubt, when the prize is done you shall see them making merry together with what they have got of their spectators, which was all they fought for.  When a carnal heart makes the greatest bustle against sin by complaining of it, or praying against it, follow him but off the stage of duty, where he hath gained the reputation of a saint--the prize he fights for--and you shall see them sit as friendly together in a corner as ever." (Gurnall, William. The Christian in Complete Armour. Banner of Truth Trust, 1987. pages 49-50)

I have witnessed this sort of thing in sport when games feature rival teams with a long, bitter history.  It happens even after international tests:  the athletes playing for their country leave everything out on the field and after the game shake hands, embrace and head off to the pub for pints.  They probably are invited to each other's weddings and birthday parties.  No one enjoys losing a game, yet the players do enjoy the camaraderie between their fellow athletes.  They know there will be another game and at the next opportunity seek to win on the international stage.  If this is our approach towards temptation and sin, we ought not be surprised when we are soundly beaten by it.  Since Jesus died to free us from the curse and power and sin, we ought to see it as a life and death struggle--not a friendly match but the real thing that counts.  We can be the one deceived about the intentions of someone else who only fights to gain the reputation as a believer, and we can be that carnal person too.

It may be the humble pie those restaurant owners ate was the first step in improving their business and relations with their crew, and it all could have been played up for the cameras as a cheat.  Regardless, it is good for us to examine our own hearts as we look to the LORD, knowing He looks upon the heart.  In a world where reality TV has directors, producers and demographics they aim for and cater to, let us humble our hearts before God in faith off the stage of duty, choosing to put sin revealed in our lives to death because Jesus died so we could live, receive His love, forgiveness and salvation.

Now God Will be Exalted

During our lives there is much that can throw us for a loop.  In addition to our own feelings and circumstances we can receive news that grieves our hearts.  This is my personal experience as I hear and see reports of the United States are as divided as ever.  It looks like the greatest threat to the prosperity and peace of the U.S. are the citizens of the States themselves.  Some people say election results are not trustworthy, and other say decisions of the Supreme Court are illegitimate.  People rejoice over increased gun control to reduce violence while others feel their rights are being infringed.  Lately people have celebrated abortion is no longer a federal mandate to save the lives of unborn whilst the other side believes their constitutional rights are being stripped away.  The strife, discord, threats and hatred of one another is palpable, and any outlook for peaceable, humble unity is grim.

For a believer it is not healthy or beneficial to be preoccupied or distressed by these developments, nor is it wise to place our faith in political sway or legislation.  I find it impossible to rejoice when these recent reports reveal a hardness of heart towards God and one another, devoid of the fear of God, of love for God and fellow man.  The argument was increased gun control doesn't keep criminals from breaking laws by stealing, buying or 3D-printing firearms; another argument was the restriction of abortion will not keep people from risking their health with "back alley" abortions.  Both of these arguments agree legislation cannot change the hearts and minds of people.  When we dig in our heels and refuse to budge for anyone--even God--the best and most equitable laws will not improve society at all.  Man will find a way to rebel and reject God to follow his own heart to destruction.  Recent conflicts reveal the schisms that already existed under the surface, and it seems there is no healing balm for them.

When David was overwhelmed he looked to the LORD with faith who rules and reigns on high, and this is an excellent example all ought to follow.  This morning I read Isaiah 33:5-6:  "The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. ⁶ Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure."  God is exalted, and blessed are those who exalt Him, who trust in His wisdom, knowledge and strength.  God's goodness and power will be the "stability of your times," and this is timeless truth we can rely upon.  No matter what happens in the world, who wins or loses an elections, regardless of the changing of legislation or a government, the one who fears the LORD is treasured by Him.  We protect what we treasure, and the LORD protects and provides for those who fear and love Him by His grace.

How the grieving and troubled hearts of God's people are lifted by the word of the LORD in Isaiah 33:10:  "Now I will rise," says the LORD; "now I will be exalted, now I will lift Myself up."  No one appointed or elected God who is alive and rises when He pleases to do His perfect will.  The drunkard and fearful person stumbles in the dark, but God rises and stands with power to save and deliver.  It does not matter if the enemy is from without or within, for He is our advocate and Saviour who gives eternal life, perfect peace and fullness of joy that is ours by faith in Jesus.  Those who hear the words of Jesus and do them He likens to a wise man who builds his house upon the rock that will endure the storm and flood.  He has made us upright by the power of the Holy Spirit, and so let us walk in the fear of the LORD and His timeless wisdom.  We cannot fix the broken world we live in, nor are we called to:  we are called to unite our hearts to fear His name, as much as depends on us to walk peaceably with one another, and to walk humbly with our God who is risen and is exalted on high.

Love the LORD

One aspect I love about God is He is good and does not change.  It does not matter what country we reside in or what politicians or government hold power, whether we see legislation changing for good or ill, for He rules as LORD over all.  The irony is God's people at times are as likely to forget or revolt against Him as unbelievers who continue in unbelief.  This was true in the days of Isaiah in Israel, and the same tendency to look to something other than God for help stubbornly persists in our times.

A pitfall that has stumbled many is a focus on what God could or should do for us rather than seeking His face and waiting on Him.  It is possible we can idolise our relationship with God received by grace rather than rejoicing in and celebrating God Himself.  We can look to eternity in heaven with glorified bodies for comfort that is found in the presence of God alone today; we can cling to promises rather than resting and trusting in He Who has promised.  This subtle idolatry can worm its way into our thinking as we continue our pilgrimage in the flesh, caring more for what we can potentially receive from God than the Giver Himself.

After pronouncing woe on people of God who looked to Egypt and horsemen for help rather than God, the prophet said in Isaiah 31:6-7:  "Return to Him against whom the children of Israel have deeply revolted. ⁷ For in that day every man shall throw away his idols of silver and his idols of gold--sin, which your own hands have made for yourselves."  This call to return to God is fitting for today, for Jesus called out to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2 and revealed they had left their first love.  His call was to repent and do the first works again.  What are the first works He referred to?  It is faith which works by love.  In Ephesians 1:15 Paul commended them for their faith in the LORD Jesus and their love unto all the saints.  Like that church fellowship, over time we too can find our love has grown cold.

Love the LORD, you His saints!  Praise Him for His goodness in all seasons of life!  He is our help and shield, our comfort, One who saves and delivers.  He remains and sits enthroned over all things and everyone, and may we return to enthrone Him in our hearts with faith and love.  In a world of confusion, anger, hopelessness and conflict God is not troubled, for He has all things in hand.  May we truly love God for all He is, the just Judge and KING OF KINGS who never faints or is weary.  Let us return and look to the LORD who loved us first and will continue to uphold us in His love forever.

Where God Looks to Dwell

When king Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he knew it was inadequate to house the almighty God who is eternal and dwells on high in unapproachable glory.  Through the Law of Moses God made a way for men to be sanctified as priests and for acceptable worship, offerings and sacrifice.  God's desire was to dwell among His people, yet their sinful condition made fellowship and communion impossible.  God in His mercy provided atonement and cleansing of sin as His people looked to Him in faith and obedience.

God said through the prophet in Isaiah 66:1-2, "Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? ² For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."  The invisible, glorious God shares no likeness with engraved images, nor is He confined within houses of worship.  All of heaven is His throne, far beyond what our eyes can see.  There is nothing made by man that God requires or can benefit Him at all.  Even the most glorious edifices constructed and adorned by men cannot be compared to His inspiring greatness.

God was not looking for man to build Him a house to dwell in, but God was looking to indwell those who fear and trust Him.  Paul revealed the spiritual reality of God's choice to reside within every Christian in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:  "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?"  Every born again follower of Jesus Christ can know with confidence our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that our bodies are indeed the dwelling place and house of God.  He is not attracted to dwell in ornate structures but these perishing bodies that are like tents that grow old and wear out.  Like Abraham dwelt in tents as he walked through the land God would give as an inheritance to him and his descendants, so God dwells in us as His inheritance during our earthly pilgrimage.

Hebrews 11:8-10 says, "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. ⁹ By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; ¹⁰ for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."  By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise and lived in tents because he was waiting for a permanent home made by God.  In an amazing parallel, God has chosen to dwell inside believers He has purchased by the blood of Jesus, claimed as His own inheritance, and will one day usher us into His presence where He sits enthroned for eternity.  By His grace, we are God's gift for Himself.  He is not drawn to us by our physical beauty, earthly wealth or abilities, but by a humble heart and contrite spirit that trembles at His word.

We can build elaborate temples and structures, but it does not follow God resides in them.  He looks at people as a builder does a heritage house that is dilapidated and condemned with an aim to restore and improve it--not to flip on the market for a profit--but to make a dream home to live in himself.  God looks for hurting, beat down, broken hearts willing to humble themselves before Him in faith and to make Him room where He is pleased to dwell, for people who gladly hand over the title deed of their lives and say to their Saviour, "LORD Jesus, come on in."  We receive Jesus by faith as we are, knowing we will never be the same.

Despising the Shame

"I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting."

Isaiah 50:6

Everyone has experienced feelings of shame when we felt exposed or humiliated for our failure or due to the mockery of others.  It is natural when feeling shame to try to hide from it and work to cover our faults.  Some feel ashamed of what they have said or done; others are ashamed of aspects of their appearance.  A person can feel shame about what they are personally responsible for or shame on behalf of seeing others mistreated.

For reasons known by the LORD during the past day or two I have been reminded of past events of my life when I said and did things I look upon with great shame.  There are things embarrassing to speak about, and there are things shameful to think about even though the events occurred years ago.  Most of the things I find deeply regrettable I seemed to be carefree about and justified easily at the time, but later my heart smote me as David after cutting Saul's garment.  For a long time we can shrug off shame, yet it proves more persistent than the most steely resolve.  Like Hannah's adversary, shame provokes us sore until we are made to despair in our wretched past we are powerless to change.

How grateful we should be that Jesus did not hide His face from shame and spitting.  He endured the most shameful humiliation for the sins of mankind which are shameful beyond description.  The scriptures teach us Jesus took our sins upon Him on Calvary, and He did not hide from the shame associated with them.  Praise be to God!  Though it may seem justifiable to our flesh to live in shame because of our sins, what Jesus accomplished on the cross gives us eternal hope no power of sin or Satan can frustrate.  Jesus took our sin and shame so we could rejoice in His forgiveness, redemption and salvation.  The shameful things I have done and said will forever be etched in history, yet by His grace through the Gospel I am not doomed to repeat them but can learn from them.

My friend, do you allow shame for your past or present failures dictate your feelings rather than knowing what Jesus has done for you on the cross?  Even now He stands ready to save, forgive and intercede on our behalf as it is written in Hebrews 4:16:  "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  The blood of our LORD Jesus covers our sin and shame in the past and for the future according to the riches of His grace.  Jesus did not hide from shame and humiliation for our sake, and thus we should not justify living in shame.  For the joy before Him Jesus endured the cross and despised (or thought little of) the shame and is seated at the right hand of the Father, His work accomplished.  Let us glory in Jesus Christ rather than hiding in shame.

The Author of Peace

Today a new insight came to mind:  without Babel there would not have been Pentecost as we know it.  When everyone spoke the same language, there was no need for translation or interpretation.  After the LORD came down and confounded the builders in Shinar they scattered according to their families, languages and nations.  It was a common language that united people after the flood rather than borders controlled by rulers or government.  Babel was the antithesis of peace, for people proudly stood in opposition to God.  According to His grace and mercy God intervened so people could have peace with God by faith in the Saviour He would send.

After Jesus ascended to the Father in the sight of hundreds of people after He rose from the dead, followers of Jesus gathered in one accord to pray on the Day of Pentecost.  Suddenly the Holy Spirit came upon the 120 people who assembled and praised the LORD in a variety of languages.  This grabbed the attention of the amazed devout Jews who had assembled in Jerusalem to observe the feast.  Acts 2:6-11:  "And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. ⁷ Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."

In light of Babel, this is an amazing contrast.  God confused the languages from one to many so the people could not understand each other, but when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers their fellow Jews were confused how Galilean Jews spoke their own languages fluently with praises to God!  The builders in Shinar were confused and departed, and the Jews in Jerusalem were confused and gathered together for an explanation.  Through the teaching of Peter who was filled with the Holy Spirit 3,000 believers were added to the kingdom of God, born again by faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul later revealed guidance concerning the appropriate use of tongues and prophecy in an assembly, and urged them to do all to edify one another.  1 Corinthians 14:27-33 says, "If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. ³⁰ But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. ³² And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ³³ For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."  Though God confused the builders at Babel, He is not the author of confusion:  there was a perfectly clear and rational reason He does all that He does in mercy, grace and love.  He knows all languages having birthed them at Babel, and He knew all the people who were in Jerusalem to hear of the wonderful works of God in their own language.  He who gifts with tongues also can enable them to be interpreted for the benefit of all so those in the church will be edified.

Isn't God amazing how He works His wonders in wisdom?  Praise the LORD He has given us tongues we can use to praise and glorify Him, putting our thoughts into words for His honour and exaltation.  Envy and strife lead to confusion, and God is not the author of these.  One of God's wonderful works is clearing up our confusion and bringing clarity and understanding by faith in Him.  Jesus is the author of peace in all the churches and may we be filled with His Spirit to speak forth His praise.

The Rod and Rebuke

"Correct your son, and he will give you rest; yes, he will give delight to your soul."

Proverbs 29:17

This is one of many proverbs that provide wise instruction for parents in raising their children.  Children need correction, it is true parents at times need correction as well.  Correction is not only being aware of making a mistake or expressing displeasure, but taking action to instruct and guide to do what is right.

Marking and correcting papers at school are two different things.  To mark a paper or exam is to point out the faults and provide the final grade.  Correcting requires an additional step to marking errors but providing the correct answer and even an explanation if necessary.  I believe a lot of the frustration parents experience with misbehaving children is marking without correction or disciplinary action.  Complaining or venting about bad behaviour is not discipline, but a disciplined parent will take loving action to correct according to guidance they have received from God and His word.

Warnings are wise when followed up by prompt, appropriate consequences determined before the offence occurred.  Reproof using words is important, and at times there is need for a rod.  A couple verses earlier Solomon said in Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother."  The rod and rebuke are two different things.  We might imagine our rebuke can be employed as a rod to avoid taking physical disciplinary action.  Speaking with someone is not the same as taking corrective action, and Paul made this clear in his letter to the church in 1 Corinthians 4:21:  "What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?"  We know from God's dealings with His people the rod and love are not opposed to one another, and Paul was willing to wield a whip to drive out the abhorrent sin from the church even as Jesus purified the temple.

While it was common among the Romans and even Jews to whip those who transgressed the law, it is not so in many cultures today.  For the protection of children and parents there are laws in place to deter abusive practices.  The principle remains true that the rod and rebuke are two different things:  words to warn and direct, and the rod to discipline and correct.  Correcting children means proactive and consequential action must take place beyond scolding, complaining, whining or venting.  It is doing more than putting the foot down but taking responsible action with authority given by God to parents that is best for the health and well-being of that child even if it is difficult, costly and painful.

I say to parents using Paul's words, "What do you want?"  Do you want to continue feeling exasperated, frustrated and powerless in the light of foolish behaviour in your child, or will you take action to correct him by doing more than complaining?  Having children is a delightful gift of God, and when we are willing to receive correction from God in our parenting we will experience rest by faith and obedience to Him.  Rebuke and the rod go together like a two-part adhesive, and attempts to employ one without the other will not perform as God intends.

Look to the LORD

"Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. ² Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him alone, and blessed him and increased him."

Isaiah 51:1-2

God bid His people to remember Who He was to them, and how He established and blessed them.  The children of Israel were descendants of Abraham and Sarah who were called by God and with whom God made a covenant.  God caused them to miraculously bring forth a son Isaac in their old age and through them all the earth would be blessed.  Jews who looked to the Law and the LORD were also called to remember the faith of Abraham who believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

The cliche "chip off the old block" conveys the chip is made of the same original material it was hewn from.  A hickory tree chopped into pieces remains hickory, and the God of Abraham was the God of Israel and his descendants forever.  Abraham did not earn the favour of God by his efforts, but God graciously called Abraham out of idolatry and led him on a journey of faith in God based on God's sovereignty, power and goodness.  Abraham did not always look to God for help in trouble, and neither did the children of Israel or people to this day.

Isaiah 22:8-11 describes how God's people looked to many things rather than Him when He allowed them to suffer affliction:  "He removed the protection of Judah. You looked in that day to the armour of the House of the Forest; ⁹ you also saw the damage to the city of David, that it was great; and you gathered together the waters of the lower pool. ¹⁰ You numbered the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses you broke down to fortify the wall. ¹¹ You also made a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the old pool. But you did not look to its Maker, nor did you have respect for Him who fashioned it long ago."  Ironic, isn't it?  God's people saw the damage done to the city of David and forgot to seek God who chose and anointed David.  They were concerned about the breaches of the wall, tore apart homes to fill the gaps,  stopped up the spring to deter invaders, dug a trench to collect water and yet did not look to God who dwelt among them.  They were more moved by the threat of a siege by their enemies than respecting God who had always protected and provided for them.

It is a good question to consider:  am I looking to the LORD by faith in Him?  Am I looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of my faith?  Am I considerate of those deemed heirs of righteousness by faith in God, those who by faith subdued kingdoms, in weakness were made strong, escaped the sword, who were tortured and tempted, people who were destitute and tormented who obtained a good report by faith (Heb. 11:32-40)?  They endured because they looked to the LORD Jesus Christ, the Rock of Salvation, the One upon Whom our lives are built by grace through faith.  Let us look to Him Who saves, delivers and provides all good things, for He is most blessed.  Rejoice and trust in our Saviour who said in Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."  By the Living Bread sent from heaven and the Living Water of the Holy Spirit, we find satisfaction and rest for our souls.

Let No One Despise You

"Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you."

Titus 2:15

After reading these words in the Bible last night, it prompted some discussion about what Paul meant by saying in his letter to Titus, "Let no one despise you."  Certainly Paul did not suggest Titus could control what people thought about him when he exhorted or corrected them, for Jesus said to His disciples who would suffer persecution in Luke 21:17:  "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake."  These verses compliment each other well.  As the disciples were called to remain faithful and obedient to Jesus in spite of persecution, so Titus was not to be intimidated in doing what God directed him to do even when he faced opposition.

In Titus chapter 2, Paul outlined sound doctrine Titus was to hold forth to Christians concerning their personal conduct.  It is likely not everyone would be open to correction or instruction when it involved rebuke, correction or an exhortation to personal change.  No one was excluded from those to whom he was responsible to instruct:  aged men, aged women who in turn were to guide younger women, and younger men.  Titus was also directed engage with people with various positions in Roman society, even exhorting slaves to be obedient to their masters.

Titus 2:7-8 shows the life of Titus was to provide a godly example that aligned with God's wisdom, "...in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, ⁸ sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you."  Titus was to order his conduct in submission to the LORD he served with meekness, humility and devotion.  People might despise Titus because they do not appreciate his correction, but Titus was not to give any cause for someone to hate him because of rudeness, harshness or being inconsiderate.

If all Titus did was correct, it would lead to discouragement.  Thus he was also to balance correction and instruction with encouragement, seeking to edify believers in the church in Christ's love.  It would have been easy for Titus to have been intimidated to approach fellow believers who were older, held positions of authority in government, business or in the church.  Paul exhorted Titus not to allow the fear of man to hinder him from exhortation or rebuke in a loving, gracious manner in obedience to God.  No person is above the need for admonition, and those in need of rebuke can resist and oppose those who speak the truth.  Titus did not need to be told to "harden up:"  he needed to submit to God's authority in obedience rather than being controlled by the fear of man.

When we in obedience to God's prompting have done or said the right thing motivated by love for God and others, sometimes people will hate us.  This should not surprise us, nor should we perpetually kick ourselves because they did not receive correction well.  There is much we can learn in retrospect when we thought we did the right thing and God is faithful to reveal our own faults and need for repentance and greater humility.  David did the right thing in refusing to kill Saul who sought his life, but his heart smote him for cutting off the corner of his robe.  Even in doing what is right our flaws present themselves for correction.  Better than despising ourselves or being intimidated by others, we like Titus are called to love, trust and obey God.

Building or Pulling Down

"The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands."

Proverbs 14:1

The actions people take have real consequences.  Paul urged the believers in Corinth to take heed how they built on the foundation he provided them as a master builder, that they build their lives by faith in  Jesus Christ and the Gospel.  In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus contrasted the wise and foolish man:  those who hear the words of Jesus and obey He likened to a man who built a house on the rock that would stand firm in the storm.  The foolish man heard the words of Jesus but did not do them.  He was likened to one who builds on the sand and the fall of that house would be great.

Everyone who has received life from God by grace chooses how they build their life day by day.  The wise woman builds a house that will stand, for it is built with acknowledgment of God's wisdom and ways.  The foolish woman, however, builds as if God does not exist.  This is like one that builds "off the plan," a dwelling without permits that will be condemned and razed to the ground by the council because it is condemned.  A person might be able to shift the blame for their poor investment by being deceived by an unscrupulous or deceitful builder, but no one can dodge personal responsibility for the condition of their heart before the almighty God and Judge of all.

It is easy to blame others for choices we have made ourselves and now must live with.  We can blame the careless conduct of others for losing our temper; we can blame an addiction on the power temptation has over us.  But those who are wise through being born again by faith in Jesus should not cower behind lame excuses.  Solomon was the wisest man yet worked to pull down his own kingdom through idolatry.  His personal transgressions and rebellion against God made a negative impact on a nation by many who followed his example.  Yet even Solomon's subjects could not rightly blame him for their idolatry, for God had given them His word and revealed Himself in righteous statutes.  God held each person accountable for their sin, and should they cause others to stumble they would also answer for it.

Let us be those who take heed how we build our lives, edified in the grace of God and upholding the wisdom of God in righteous conduct.  If someone is intent on pulling down his or her house, it does not mean houses are bad.  The world in which we live is quick to find blame in government, society, the lack of education or claims problems are systemic when God still holds individuals personally accountable for their actions.  We cannot rightly blame our upbringing, peer pressure we feel, the behaviour of others or any "ism" for choosing to pull down our own house with our hands.  God is greater than the sum of all our problems and conditions, and praise Him He transforms us with His wisdom, goodness and grace.  Even if others work to tear us down, God lifts us up.  Our hope, comfort, peace, joy and rest--the life of abundance--is in Him.

We Have Opportunity

"You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' and you sneer at it," says the LORD of hosts. "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I accept this from your hand?" says the LORD."

Malachi 1:13

Through the prophet Malachi, God confronted His people with their approach to keeping His law and statues.  They viewed the keeping of feasts and offerings a boring chore, and their slack effort evident before God should have been obvious to them as well.  Instead of selecting the first and best of their flock, they brought Him stolen and sickly animals their king would have refused with offence.  Their sneers of disdain were seen by God, and their offerings were sin.

We are richly blessed to live in this day of grace, having had the Gospel revealed to us with the love of Jesus Christ.  Over the years I have heard many exclaim when reading the Law, "I'm so glad not to live under the Law and have to keep all those commands.  What a pain!"  This attitude of gratitude may mask disdain and not be far from those in the day of Malachi.  Instead of viewing the Law as a weary task man was obliged to follow, better to see it as the gracious provision of God to allow Him to dwell in their midst and for them to have fellowship with Him.  The Law was not given for man to earn favour or an audience with God but provided a means for God to bless His people because they found favour in His sight.

How things would have been different if the Jews in the day of Malachi loved and served God only and valued His presence, guidance and wisdom more than gold!  They were afforded a privilege others could only long for, for God committed His precepts to His chosen people.  It was not a chore meant to weary them but and opportunity to commune with Him:  to praise, glorify and honour Him, to avoid sin and do what pleased Him.  David sung in Psalm 5:3-4, "My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. ⁴ For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You."  Sacrifices and offerings provided a covering from sin that allowed those corrupted by sin to find atonement and acceptance by the God who dwelt among them.  Their wickedness was revealed in their weariness in offering their best to the LORD.

God is worthy of all our sacrifices and that we freely offer ourselves, having been purchased by the blood of Jesus as it is written in Romans 12:1:  "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."  It is only by God's grace and mercy we have been saved and can offer ourselves acceptably before Him.  We are called to sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh, and Paul exhorted believers in Galatians 6:9-10, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  Let us be those who wholeheartedly offer ourselves to the LORD because He is worthy, doing good to all.  This is an offering in which He is well pleased.

Jesus Dropped the Eggs?

It is easy to be intimidated by those who impress us.  We imagine they do not struggle like we do and are impervious to trials and difficulties.  My parents worked to raise their children to love God, go to church, be polite, have good manners and show respect.  Though us kids were by no means perfect, it seems at least one person assumed our house was without struggles and problems they faced.  When my mum told another mum on the phone eggs had fallen to the floor and needed cleaning up, the other shocked woman exclaimed, "Wow!  That happens at your house too?"  Being an amazing mum who worked to raise children and manage the home does not prevent mishaps that are common to all people.

Think about this for a moment:  do you believe Jesus was involved in any accidents?  Do you think he ever dropped eggs because his fingers were wet, knocked over a drink with his elbow when speaking or struck his thumb with a glancing blow from a hammer?  I believe it is very likely Jesus experienced all these things and more because He was a man as well as divine.  Just because Jesus is part of the Godhead does not mean His body was spared fatigue or had perfect coordination without fail.  If Jesus was insulated from what we call "accidents" due to His divinity, humanity would be denied at least two things:  a Saviour who refused to stoop to our level of human weakness, and people the opportunity to see a godly response when accidents happened.

Hebrews 4:15 says of our Saviour Jesus, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."  Accidentally dropping an egg because it is slippery is not a sin, but cursing and outbursts of wrath are.  Jesus was not impervious for painful things happen to Him, like being the victim of vicious pranks, mockery and ridicule.  He might have come to work and his tools were stolen or his hard work sabotaged overnight, and though it is not detailed we know by His divine character He always responded in a godly manner.  Jesus was in all points tempted:  tempted to lust, hate, curse, steal, lash out, gossip and fornicate.  He did not live in a perfect world with perfect parents, family or perfect government.  This world and all its inhabitants are deeply flawed and heading to destruction, and that is why He put on weak, imperfect flesh to become the perfect sacrifice for sin as the Lamb of God without blemish.

It could be more edifying for others to accidentally drop the eggs and respond in a God-honouring and gracious manner than to never have dropped an egg in your life.  Many carpenters have smashed their fingers, blackened nails and sliced their skin in the course of their occupation:  it follows that if Jesus built calluses He also had cuts.  For Jesus to continually draw upon His divine foreknowledge to avoid physical pain or embarrassment runs completely contrary to the cross.  Jesus would be one to step in the way of a falling board to protect others and not flee to preserve His own skin.  During His entire life on earth Jesus experienced the full gamut of human experience, for He cried, rejoiced, feasted, grieved, laboured with his hands, hungered and thirsted, became hot and sweaty from walking, and sat down because He was weary.  This is all to point out that we can assume due to Christ's divinity He cannot relate to our frailty, but the message of the cross says otherwise.

Jesus going to the cross was no accident but was determined from before the foundation of the world (Rev. 3:8).  This is way more meaningful and practical than hearing about a time when Jesus dropped the eggs or overcooked them because He was in a conversation and the fire was running hot.  We are not told of all Jesus suffered, and this shows God's plans and purposes Jesus accomplished and are recorded for us in Scripture are infinitely more significant than accidents and injuries we pick up during this life.  We enjoy heartwarming vignettes about athletes and celebrities that make them a bit more relatable to us, though they don't know us and we really don't know them.  The personal connection we have with Jesus by faith is far more profound, for it is personal, spiritual and eternal.  Better than Him being just like us is by God's grace we shall be like Him, having been born again and accepted in the beloved through the Gospel.  The cuts on His fingers in the workshop and the pierced hands on Calvary are for our benefit and blessing.

The Relevance of God's Word

Since God is the unchanging Creator of all people created in His own image, His eternal word is always relevant.  It is a silly exercise to "try" to be relevant when God alone has the words of life.  We do not need to spruik the relevance of water, food and oxygen because our bodies demand them.  The Bible isn't worth listening to because it is "cool" or "sick" or the popular choice:  it alone provides the spiritual and practical guidance for living now and for eternity, reveals God and His perfect will, instructs us with parables, sustains us with promises, amazes us with prophecy and guides our every step with God's wisdom.

There is nothing wrong with a polished presentation, examples that engage hearers or the use of technology to better connect with seekers.  We go through the effort of preaching, teaching and studying God's word because we know it is relevant to our lives without needing to dress it up in fashionable phrases or with a sales pitch to appeal to unbelieving ears.  This has no credibility, like an older person who tries to fit in with a younger crowd by using current or hip slang in all the wrong ways.  An older person has much to offer a younger person by simply being themselves and sharing wisdom and knowledge they have received by God's grace through their experiences.  I did not love my parents because they were fashionable, artistic or "rad:"  I loved them because they were my parents who loved me first.

I understand the draw to shake up our thoughts about Jesus cobbled together from messages we have heard, pictures we have seen, mistaken assumptions or ignorance.  There is great value in prompting a careful examination to discover what is actually true about God and go beyond traditional caricatures.  Yet this is only valuable as long as we are grounded in the truth of the Bible, an ancient book inspired by the living God who has put it above His own name (Psalm 138:2).  Left to himself man's ideas about God are all wrong, and we also have a tendency towards idolatry--making gods to suit ourselves.  God has given humans the capacity to appreciate and describe a range of flavours in foods, and it will not do to make sweet what God has made bitter.

Following God is a walk of faith.  It is of no value to attempt to smuggle a little Gospel truth masked in morality into a discourse because God's word must be willingly received by a reader or listener to benefit.  It is a common practice to mask a tablet or medicine for a pet by smothering it in a treat they enjoy to trick them into eating it.  Not so with the word of God!  There are difficult sayings in the Bible because it is a revelation of God beyond our full comprehension; there are hard doctrines because our flesh balks and resists submission to the LORD.  As a patient must fill out forms, have a consultation, pay a fee, show up on the day and yield to the scalpel of the surgeon to remove the cancer or repair a torn ligament, so we must step by step yield before God and His word to receive it as timeless truth relevant to our lives today.

To an unbeliever the Bible may seem foolishness, but to those who are born again and filled with the Holy Spirit they are truly the words of life.  God uniquely gives spiritual insight to believers which is most practical, for our hearts and eyes are opened to the relevance and refreshment of God's word for us today and always.  It does more than merely entertain us but enlightens us to our needs we never knew we had and the glorious God who meets them all by His grace.

The Delight of Hunger

One great challenge that faces preachers is to feed those with the word of God who are already full.  We have all had the experience of finishing a satisfying, filling meal at a restaurant to have the waiter offer the dessert menu.  The pictures might be appealing to one who is hungry, but the sweet offerings are not remotely tempting when there is no room inside!  Restaurants are filled with patrons who came with the express purpose of eating, and once their hunger is satisfied they head off to other activities.

The same can be true when it comes to feeding on God's word.  Unlike our stomachs which are filled with food and drink, our minds and hearts can be filled with a vast array of ideas, doctrines, agendas, affections, questions and doubts.  Sometimes a doubt can be so great nothing can displace it from a mind even after all questions have been accurately answered because they will not receive the truth by faith.  I have found social media and online interactions provide a mirage of genuine engagement and discourse, for most comments are either a provocative shot across the bow, carefully crafted to draw into a quarrel, or an opinion posed as fact without desire to actually consider a different perspective.  Ever so often, however, there are people hungry for more than information--but for God and His word.

As a hungry person must ingest food and drink in person, so the best interactions I have had with others is in person.  When a person is really hungry, they are not interested to look at menus, consider ingredients and pricing or see pictures with their eyes:  they want to receive the real thing.  This was true in a spiritual sense concerning the Gentles in Antioch mentioned in Acts 13:42-44:  "So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. ⁴³ Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. ⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God."  Paul and Barnabas had preached in the Synagogue to people largely hardened to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, yet there were others who were hungry to hear the word of God.  After the gathering Paul and Barnabas met with those who followed them in response to the message, they "persuaded them to continue in the grace of God."

Here we see most fruitful combinations:  hungry people receiving the word of God and God's people persuading others to continue in the grace of God.  Our physical hunger comes and goes as we snack or eat a meal, but spiritual hunger to receive God's truth and fellowship with the brethren is truly insatiable.  Even after we have eaten spiritually we are enabled and equipped to share what we have received, for observe how almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God:  not to be fed, not to be physically healed, not to be baptised or have demons cast out.  When the congregation broke they looked forward to gathering together again to hear the word of God as they continued in the grace of God.  Such hunger for God's word is a delight, for God has the words of life that satisfy our souls.

When a person is hungry, they will be the instigator.  They do not need to be cajoled, bribed, convinced or pressured into eating because they actually want to eat!  The same is true concerning the word of God:  people hungry for the truth of God's word will open the Bible themselves and desire to hear the Bible taught so they might walk in faith according to it.  Save the presence of the God Himself, there is nothing more enjoyable for a preacher or teacher than to personally engage with seekers or believers who are hungry for the word of God.  In that moment there is a sense of doing what you were created to do, having fellowship with God and one another by faith in His grace.

What Christ Accomplished

"And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem."

Luke 9:30-31

As Jesus prayed on the mountain, He was transfigured and was clothed with glory.  He spoke with Moses and Elijah because God is the God of the living, and the subject of their discussion was intriguing:  His upcoming decease He was about to accomplish.  Most people do not see death as an accomplishment, but Jesus through His death would accomplish more than mortal man or scheming devil could know.  Jesus was about to conquer death by His own death and provide eternal life through His atoning sacrifice.

When John the Baptist saw Jesus he identified Him as "The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29).  The scripture is filled with things Jesus accomplished on Calvary culminating in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and intercession for as many as receive Him.  Paul wrote in Galatians 1:4-5 of Christ "...who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, ⁵ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."  By His atonement Jesus made a way of salvation by faith in Him possible, washed us from sin and imputed righteousness to all who believe.  Jesus has delivered us from sin, Satan and hell and saved us for eternal life and glory with Him.

Recently I was struck by the prophetic utterance of what Christ would accomplish as if it was already finished in Isaiah 53:4-5:  "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."  Many Christians are aware our sins were placed upon Jesus but have not considered that our griefs, sorrows, afflictions and sickness has been as well.  Having overcome sin and death by His divine power, so we also are no longer slaves to grief, sorrow or afflictions.  Knowing Jesus has accomplished this, faith in Him prompts us to be casting our cares upon Him because He cares for us.

There are times when we care about things we cannot change, but God's care for us is combined with almighty power.  Isn't it possible we have tried to shoulder grief and sorrow that overwhelmed us ourselves when Jesus has already borne it for us because we did not know this is part of His accomplishment?  If we will gladly give Him our sin, won't we give Him our grief and afflictions too?  We are not sufficient or able to do even this, but thanks be to God who helps and strengthens us to believe, receive and give.  Jesus was a "man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" and yet He continually has perfect peace and fullness of joy.  We cannot understand how this can possibly be, but what is impossible with men is possible with God.

Declared Of God!

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

1 John 4:4

It is wonderful to consider all Jesus has done for believers.  Because He came to earth and gave His life as a ransom for many, we can be born again by faith in Jesus through the Gospel.  John 1:11-13 says, "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."  To be declared children "of God" by faith in Jesus Christ!  To lay hold of this new identity and righteous standing with God by grace is a humbling privilege.

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, the Pharisee Nicodemus pulled him aside and they had a chat under cover of darkness.  It is written in John 3:2, "This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."  There is a world of difference believing Jesus was a teacher come from God, that He was of God or that He was God.  It seems Nicodemus was yet to be convinced about who Jesus was, that He was the promised Messiah.  He did far better than other religious rulers spoken of in the first part of John 9:16:  "Therefore some of the Pharisees said, "This Man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath."  Jesus was more than from God or of God, for He is called Emmanuel:  God with us.

Because believers in Christ are born again of God, our lives ought to be marked by godliness.  When we talk about being "godly" it typically based upon observable piety, yet godliness is more about who we are in Christ than about what we do or avoid doing.  We are godly because we are of God, and this realisation ought to have a tremendous impact on us choosing to walk in godliness.  1 Timothy 3:16 says, "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory."  True godliness has been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, and we are called to follow Him in faith and obedience.  He blazed a trail to the right hand of God the Father in heaven where we will join Him one day in glory, and so let us walk worthy of those who are of God as He is.

Seeks and Saves

I find encouragement in videos of people who seek to rescue and rehabilitate neglected or abandoned animals.  It is amazing the amount of effort people will go through to capture a stray so they can be reunited with their owner or to provide a new, suitable home with food, shelter and love.  I have seen mangy and sick dogs with ribs showing from malnutrition to looking nothing like the dog they once were.  Some animals go from cowering in a corner and preferring solitude to bounding up to their new owner, tail wagging, and enjoying their new life.

While it isn't the best analogy, I see some similarities to how Jesus went to seek and save the lost.  As incredible and pronounced as the change is in animals that are rescued and re-homed, it pales in comparison to the transformation faith in Jesus brings to a person inside and out.  Jesus did not lure people with food or secretly set a trap to capture prospective followers for their own good:  He simply sought them out, spoke the truth with love and compassion, and He was the Servant of all.  Over time people listened to Jesus and responded to His call to follow Him.  Belief was only the beginning of a process of being transformed from within by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus had compassion on the multitude and also to a sick, lonely man who did not have anyone to help him.  Jesus knew what people had suffered at the hands of others, due to their own sin, choices and folly and chose to reveal Himself to them as the Son of God through Whom forgiveness of sins and eternal life was assured.  While some scampered away, others drew near and sat at His feet.  Jesus demonstrated patience continually with everyone around Him, whether they were snarling enemies or fawning disciples.  This patient compassion seen in Christ ought to mark Christians as well, for though a person can be born again in an instant there is a process of maturation and wisdom that cannot be rushed.  God sanctifies us by faith in Christ, and we are also learning to sanctify ourselves by walking by faith and not by sight.

The patience shown with neglected and sick animals can put me to shame because I have not always extended such patient compassion to other people.  It is easier to be compassionate towards a stray than your own dog who should know better from much training.  Better than seeing ourselves as the one out there looking for strays in the analogy, it is humbling and helpful to know we are one of those strays.  We are not a Saviour; we have no power to transform anyone.  But we can lead those in our pack to seek the LORD Jesus Christ Who loves and has compassion on us, provides for us, protects us, our Master we need right now more than ever.  Praise the LORD for Jesus, the One who seeks and saves the lost.

Seeing the LORD

When I was a kid it was fun to take stock of my prized possessions.  This meant pouring out my marbles on the carpet to separate and examine them, removing money from my piggy bank to count it or looking through baseball and football cards.  I was careful to keep my money in the bank so I didn't lose it, and I kept my baseball cards in a shoebox to keep them from being creased or damaged.  There was a sense of accomplishment to see your stuff laid out in full view because most of the time the things I valued were hidden away somewhere to be kept safe.

Isn't it true that there are things we would like to see because we are not currently seeing them--like seeing people change in making wise decisions, seeing goals achieved, seeing Christians grow in maturity, to see new believers coming to Christ or maybe see people in fellowship at church?  There are all kinds of things we would like to see, and know when our desires are fulfilled we would like to see it again or see something new because our eyes are not satisfied by seeing.  It is good to come to a place of rest in our Saviour's sovereignty and grace we are not discouraged by what we see or do not see.  Many times people have left a church because they weren't "seeing" what they wanted to see:  they wanted to see people healed physically, see more community outreach, see more people filled with the Holy Spirit.  Because they didn't see what they wanted to see they broke off fellowship and looked for it elsewhere.

I say all this to point out that even when you see what is beyond your dreams and expectations it may not benefit you at all.  There is a circumstance in scripture that illustrates this well.  During the reign of King Joram in Samaria, the Assyrians laid siege to the city and the famine was severe.  When Joram went to confront the prophet Elisha, he was given a revelation from the living God in 2 Kings 7:1-2:  "Then Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.'" ²  So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, "Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" And he said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it."  The officer was incredulous even God could do what Elisha said based upon what he could see currently, the squalid suffering of God's people with strong enemies outside the gate.  What Elisha said miraculously came to pass when the army fled overnight and left their food and valuables behind:  the man saw food in abundance he never partook of because he was trampled in the gate.  Seeing with his eyes did not profit him at all.

Jesus asked in Mark 8:36, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"  It does not profit a man to count money he will not spend, to see food he cannot eat or to gain the world and lose his own soul.  Unless the things we see prompts us to a God-honouring response, it will not profit at all.  We can rejoice to see people growing in grace and knowledge of the LORD, but unless it spurns us on to seek God ourselves it is of little value to us at all.  King Solomon, who amassed great riches, wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:11:  "When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes?"  So you see the money pouring in:  of what benefit is that to you when you must pay more in wages and taxes?  The things we want to see can be the things we set our hearts on that are of the flesh and of this world that is passing away and will not profit us.

So church services are full of people or noticeably empty:  what is that to you?  So the sermons don't seem to be engaging many people based upon views:  was that sermon preached for them or for God's sake and in obedience to Him?  When our eyes are fixed upon the LORD, we finally begin to see things more clearly.  When our eyes are searching for what is not, remember that even when we see more than we imagined there is no guarantee we will benefit at all.  Look to the LORD Jesus Christ and serve Him, believer, whether or not you are seeing what you want to see in a church, in people or in yourself.  Hope in the almighty God, servant of the Most High, for He is the One who establishes us and makes us fruitful by His grace.