Written by God

One thing I was always fascinated and impressed with as a kid was my dad's signature.  It was a scrawl of barely recognisable letters he could reproduce again and again without fail, his own mark.  Surely no forger would attempt that signature!  I enjoyed flipping through a book that contained carbon copies of cheques where page after page of the signature was written.  Occasionally I asked him to sign a blank piece of paper just to see him write it again in person.  Inspired by his signature I tried to develop a signature of my own, yet none could possibly eclipse the immaculate style and flourish of his pen.

Something I have grown to treasure even more than my dad's writing is God's word the Bible, spoken by God and penned for us so we might know Him and walk in His ways.  I felt quite proud to know the illegible words my dad's signature represented, but it is humbling to know God has chosen to speak forth His wisdom so it might be heard and heeded.  God has given to each a measure of faith, and faith when mixed with the hearing of God's word makes it most profitable for life and godliness.  The God who is unfathomable in majesty has graciously revealed Himself through His word, and the heavens and His redeemed proclaim His glory.  Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Over the span of our lives our signatures morph and change, yet God's word endures forever and remains unchanged and perfect as He is.  As Psalm 119:105 states, God's word is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path.  Not only does it reveal the truth about God and us, but it ought to be used as a guide to walk wisely every day.  Consider the words of Jesus in Mark 4:21-22:  "Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light."  Treasuring God's word in our hearts keeps us from sinning against God.  The words of life revealed to us are beneficial to share with others as we heed them ourselves, not to brag of our knowledge, but to demonstrate love in leading others to Jesus as LORD.

My dad's signature was written by hand, and the heavens and earth--and all that is in them--are the work of God's hands.  Jesus pointed to the Roman coin that bore the image of Caesar to support the authority of Caesar to require taxes, and God created human beings in His own image.  Romans 13:7-8 says, "Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. ⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  We only live, breathe and have our being because of God, and we ought to fear, honour and love God over all as He is worthy to be praised.  He does more than we could ever do, and He is greater than we could ever hope to be.  Glory to God for His gracious love and enduring word.

The Work of God

"Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" ²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

John 6:28-29

Belief in Jesus as the promised Messiah is not only the start of a relationship with God but the only way we grow as we exercise faith in submission to Him.  When the Jews asked Jesus about doing the works of God, likely thought about what they needed to do.  Jesus pointed to the work He desired to do inside them, that they would believe Jesus was the Christ and follow Him obediently.  It is much easier to attempt work for God rather than allow Him to work and continue working unhindered in us.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  The illustration Jesus used was an ox wearing a yoke, a device that allowed two oxen to walk along beside each other as a team.  Jesus extended an open invitation to whoever was weary to come to Him and find rest for their souls.  One might think the place of rest is not in a yoke but once the yoke is removed.  Jesus says when we take His yoke upon us and learn from Him we find rest for our souls.  Walking alongside Him we are greatly helped and our  crushing burdens lifted.

Yoked oxen walked together in cooperation according to verbal cues or a goad.  The farmer who directed the plough that cut through the soil behind them into furrows to prepare for planting.  As a trained ox recognises commands, Jesus always did the will of the Father.  Oxen could not see the "work" that was occurring behind them as they walked forward on hard-packed, fallow ground.  The relationship of a team to their trainer and owner was based on trust, and so is our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  We might not realise the work ordained by God that taking place out of sight behind us.  The real work can begin when we humbly respond to the invitation to come to Him and take His yoke upon us by faith in Him.

A farmer might employ the strength of an ox to plough a field, to thresh grain or to pull a cart.  What was required of the oxen was fairly simple:  to obey the commands of the farmer.  How privileged we are to come alongside and to learn from Jesus who is gentle and lowly of heart, not condescending and arrogant.  No amount of working can earn God's acceptance or approval; no sacrifice is worthy of an audience with the almighty God.  The work of God is to believe in Jesus and that is the place where the weary labourer finds rest by God's grace.  It isn't the fields we clear or the furrows we cut that are evidence of the work of God in us but our position wearing Christ's yoke, a work that takes place in and then though us.

An Error Code and Divine Intervention

God who created all things is able to do everything, and this includes using a common household appliance to reveal unbelief in a heart and mind.  Allow me to explain. :)

A couple weeks back our condensing dryer stopped working.  I have a systematic approach to such events:  I dig up the manual, look up the error code and see if there is anything I can do about it.  In this case our Electrolux dryer flashed the letters "EHO" which meant there was an electrical fault in the circuit board.  Since the machine is under warranty for another 6 months it was not a repair I was willing to tackle.  And besides, I have never bothered to invest in a soldering gun.  The manual was hardly informative, and from what I gleaned online the only way to reset the machine was to turn it off for a few minutes and turn it on again.  It was the same problem over and over.

When my wife handed me the extended warranty paperwork for the machine, it was evident to me she wanted nothing to do with it.  I also voiced my feelings that I didn't want to handle it either.  But in our household the dryer has plenty of use and it was still under warranty.  The loving thing to do was to make the call.  Since the fault occurred on a weekend I needed to wait until Monday to contact the company.  On several occasions I tried to start the machine again, only to see the same error code.  "LORD," I prayed, "fix this machine so I don't need to organise this repair."  Well, Monday came and the machine was still broken.  I called the company and there was more I needed to do to prove my identity online.  I ended up scanning documents and applying for the repair online, no need to torture you with the details.

Days later I received a call by the service technician who said the soonest they could inspect the machine was 2 weeks later.  Without a choice I agreed to the service and then went back to the machine...which worked perfectly.  I was gobsmacked.  I know machines don't fix themselves!  Again and again the machine turned on, spun and turned off without any trouble.  After all the hassle the machine worked!  I didn't know how to feel about this sudden changed condition.  I didn't want to immediately cancel the service call because what if the persistent fault started again?  But since the machine worked fine having a technician test it was an unnecessary waste of time.  Then I remembered I had prayed for God to fix the machine.  Given the circumstances and how many times I checked the machine, the most rational option was to credit God for fixing the dryer.  It occurred to me my motive for praying was more about my convenience and comfort than it actually be operational, I mean, we have insurance for that.

The fact it was hard for me to accept God had fixed the dryer exposed unbelief secretly nestled in a heart that believes God can do everything.  My reluctance to call and cancel the service call immediately betrayed a mind that did not trust God to enable the machine to keep running, a person who selfishly hoped to receive the benefit of an extended warranty, and disdain to pay to repair or for a new machine if it died 7 months from now.  My troubled feelings were symptomatic of selfish flesh and unbelief.  As I am writing I can hear the machine whirring in the other room like a trooper, all by the grace of God who is faithful to teach us even when I doubted He did anything.  How important it is for us followers of Jesus to credit God for all He does and how much we desperately need Him.

Unlike machines, we don't have the benefit of a touch-screen or user manual that shows our errors plainly for us to see.  But God has given us the light of His word and the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment.  The thoughts and feelings I experienced were a evidence of faults inside me due to selfishness, unbelief in God and lack of love towards others.  Just as God fixed the dryer, He is able to transform us from within when we confess and repent of our sin He brings to light.  If anything goes well in our lives it is by His merciful hand, and when He divinely intervenes to correct and chasten us it is with gentleness.  When things go wrong it would be foolish to assume it is the devil having a go at you when it can be the God-ordained means to draw you to Himself in faith so we might rejoice in Him and proclaim His goodness.

What's With Baptism?

The Bible contains a vast wealth of revelation and information and it is intended for us regular people to be received by faith, comprehended and obeyed.  While the tenets of the Christian faith can be  easily understood by a child, the most learned scholars can never plumb the depths fully.  Biblical doctrine is complex, but it doesn't need to be complicated.  This is where we can muddy the waters despite our best efforts and confuse rather than clarify.  Water baptism is one topic many people do not understand.

Occasionally there are people who express an interest to be baptised, and I find it important to ask them why.  Among those of the Christian faith there is diversity in practice and teaching concerning the significance of baptism for believers.  There are also many traditions and assumptions people have that are not always based on scripture.  While there is nothing wrong in itself with tradition, the Bible (that teaches us about baptism in the first place!) ought to be the ultimate authority in guiding our beliefs and practices.  The purpose of this post is to briefly discuss water baptism in particular.

The Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus alone, so baptism in water cannot save anyone.  Atonement for all our sin comes by the price paid by Jesus on Calvary with His blood, so baptism in water cannot cleanse us from sin.  Some shrug off water baptism as unnecessary because it is not required for salvation, but it is necessary for obedience to our Saviour.  Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  Like each person makes a conscious decision to place his or her faith in Jesus to be born again, disciples of Jesus are commanded to baptise and make disciples of all the nations, teaching to observe and obey all Jesus has said, following His example.

Being baptised in water in obedience to Christ's command follows His example when Jesus drew near to be baptised by John.  John preached a baptism of repentance, but Jesus was without sin.  He was baptised to fulfill all righteousness and be identified as the Messiah when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove.  Peter directed new believers to be baptised in Acts 2:38:  "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  The Ethiopian eunuch who believed Jesus Christ the Messiah in response to Philip's preaching from the book of Isaiah in Acts 8:36-38 requested to be baptised:  "Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" ³⁷ Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." ³⁸ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."  Belief in Jesus Christ as God and Saviour is the sole requirement for baptism, and as we are born again once we only need be baptised once with understanding.

In addition to baptism being a step of obedience, it is personal identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus, that we have been raised to new life by faith in Him.  Baptism cannot add to what Jesus has done for we are complete in Him as it is written of Jesus in Colossians 2:9-12:  "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. ¹¹ In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."  Those who are Christ's are immersed in His life.  Even as Jesus died, was buried and rose from the dead, baptism is a picture of dying and burial with Christ and being raised up to new life with Him by God's miraculous power.  Baptism symbolises being born again and cleansing through the Gospel.

If you ever wondered why Christians are baptised, hopefully this sheds light on the matter.  When Peter saw the Holy Spirit come upon Gentile believers he exclaimed in Acts 10:47-48, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days."  No one can earn salvation or forgiveness, but all who have received the Holy Spirit by faith in Jesus ought to be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Peter commanded the Gentile believers to be baptised, and all who are born again ought to heed this command in submission to our Saviour--as well as obeying all the commands of Jesus like loving God and one another.

Jesus Cares

God created human beings with limitations.  We can only carry or juggle a limited amount of items, and our bodies can only grow so tall.  The dimensions of our bodies are different yet all measurable by height, weight and volume.  There is only so much information we can retain in our minds from a conversation or movie.  Whatever can be stretched can also be broken or ruptured, and even the most fit professional athletes and labourers are no exception.

I have learned when I am easily provoked by a small thing it can be due to carrying a heavy mental load.  Unresolved conflict within me, awareness of troubles others are experiencing, bad news or unexpected obstacles--really any and every little thing--can give rise to overwhelming feelings that stir aggression, frustration and depression.  Peter exhorted believers to be submissive to God and one another, being clothed with humility because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  He said in 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

Followers of Jesus are commanded to be casting all our care upon Jesus because He cares for us.  There are countless things we can care about:  we can be emotionally, financially and physically dependent upon them.  Peter urged believers to keep casting these cares upon Jesus, not like a fisherman casts out a hook or lure with intent to reel it back to himself, but to throw our anxieties and worries upon Jesus for good.  Why?  Because Jesus cares for us.  Jesus is not worried or anxious about us at all, for this "care" is a different word in the Greek that means "to be an object of care, concern."  Worry and anxiety is a symptom of our natural weakness and inability to do anything to help ourselves or others.  Instead of exalting ourselves we are called to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, knowing the smallest burden is too heavy for us to bear in our own strength.

It seems ironic to cast away our cares, for aren't cares evidence of us caring?  Aren't we supposed to care?  The truth is, carrying burdens we ought to cast upon Jesus is evidence of our carelessness.  It is evidence we have neglected to guard our hearts and chosen for a season not to walk by humble faith in our awesome Saviour who cares for us.  Instead of condemning us for our forgetfulness or rejecting us God remains merciful, gracious and compassionate towards us.  He knows our weakness, limitations and foolishness.  God's hand is mighty to save and deliver us by His grace.  Knowing God cares and does everything gives us great confidence to throw all our anxieties and worries upon Him.  We give Him all the feelings, things and circumstances we cannot do anything about, and thus we by faith invite Him to do His wonders concerning those things in His time and way.

Alienated No More

I was impacted by a passage of scripture yesterday by its profound insight and relevance today.  Because God's word is true it is always relevant, but some assume the Bible must be outdated since it is ancient.  There have been many advances in technology, medicine and industry, and the evidence of scripture declares mankind to be the same:  prone to enslavement by lusts of the eyes, lusts of the flesh and the pride of life.

God utilised an object lesson with the children of Israel of two harlot sisters named Oholah and Oholibah (Samaria and Jerusalem).  The people of Samaria and the northern kingdom committed spiritual adultery through idolatry, and the people of Jerusalem followed suit.  In following her sister's lead, Oholibah was corrupted even further in her lust.  Jerusalem should have been faithful to the LORD God who was "married" to her and dwelt with her, but she was unrestrained in her desires.  This sort of thing plays out every day in our world facilitated by apps and websites--and it is nothing new.  God exposed his people for swiping right and sliding into their DMs--when they imagined they had been faithful to Him.

Read Ezekiel 23:14-16 for yourself:  "But she increased her harlotry; she looked at men portrayed on the wall, images of Chaldeans portrayed in vermilion, ¹⁵ girded with belts around their waists, flowing turbans on their heads, all of them looking like captains, in the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity. ¹⁶ As soon as her eyes saw them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea."  What happened next I found most intriguing in Ezekiel 23:17-18:  "Then the Babylonians came to her, into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their immorality; so she was defiled by them, and alienated herself from them. ¹⁸ She revealed her harlotry and uncovered her nakedness. Then I alienated Myself from her, as I had alienated Myself from her sister."

Oholibah liked what she saw and sent messengers to invite attractive, foreign men into her bed when she already had a husband.  As a result she was defiled and alienated from them.  She was left unfulfilled, dissatisfied and even disgusted by her encounters.  Because of her spiritual harlotry, God alienated Himself from her even as He alienated Himself from her sister Samaria.  To be "alienated" is to be estranged and isolated from someone.  Oholibah's soul was alienated from what she lusted after, and God was alienated from her due to her adultery.  The consequences of sin were unsatisfactory for both.  The problem was Oholibah in the illustration kept chasing after men she idolised, false gods that resulted in dissatisfaction and disgust over her illicit loves.

David wrote in Psalm 101:3, "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me."  This is wisdom we ought to walk in.  There is nothing intrinsically wicked about images of captains in Babylonian attire:  the problem rested in the heart of God's people whose hearts were estranged from God.  Oholibah was like a sow returning to the mire, even as Israel had embraced idolatry in Egypt centuries prior.  God's people did not always remain faithful to Him, but He remained faithful to them and would pay the price to redeem all sinners to Himself through the Gospel.  The children of Israel would be taken into captivity in Babylon and Jerusalem would fall, but God would see it rebuilt and His people restored.  There is hope for people who stray from God, for our loving God does not remain estranged forever and draws near by grace with power to save and restore.  By God's grace may we be faithful to Him as He is faithful, now free from bondage to lust and pride.

Overcoming the World

Since moving to Australia years ago I have kept an eye on local baseball and football teams I supported from a young age.  The San Diego Padres have advanced in the playoffs through formidable opposition, some comparing their improbable victories to David over Goliath.  It is a common analogy employed when a big underdog beats a heavily-favoured opponent in sports, but it isn't a biblically accurate one.  

David was not an underdog:  he had no business being on the same battlefield.  The Padres and the teams they faced are all professional teams with players who honed their skills over a lifetime--and are paid handsomely for it.  Goliath was the giant champion of Gath and David was a teenage shepherd.  From a human vantage point, a true David and Goliath would be the Superbowl champion football team in a game of gridiron facing a team comprised of cheerleaders without any opportunity to prepare.  One combatant had state-of-the-art weaponry and protective equipment (with an assistant) while the other had 5 smooth stones and a sling.

The primary difference between David and Goliath was not their skill for battle, equipment or physical size.  What swung the odds of Goliath's victory to nil was his gods were powerless to help him and David fought by faith in the living God Who is mighty to save.  God had previously delivered David from the paw of the lion and bear, and David was convinced God would deliver him from the cursing Philistine before whom all Israel cowered from in fear.  David was not like a "Cinderella" team who had no business being at the Ball but was enabled to attend through the magical power of a Fairy Godmother who appeared in her time of need:  God had been with David all along.  God guided, protected and strengthened David for battle when he obeyed his dad to carry supplies to the front lines.

After David's brother insulted him in a rage 1 Samuel 17:29 reads, "And David said, "What have I done now? Is there not a cause?"  David was indignant Goliath had been permitted to curse God and his people and no one had done anything to stand up for Him.  David was not moved by national pride, the defense of his king, family or land, but saw a cause and opportunity to honour and glorify God by taking a step of faith to face the giant himself.  He would not be alone, for God was with him to deliver and save him.  David defeating Goliath is not the unexpected triumph of the underdog but a demonstration of how faith in God makes His children overcomers by faith, and this is the victory that overcomes the world.

Iniquity Shall End

In a famous scene in the movie Apocolypse Now before slowly walking out of shot Colonel Kilgore remarked, "Someday this war's gonna end."  For people engaged in that horrific conflict it seemed like it would never end:  the shells kept falling, bullets were flying and the napalm burning.  There is a time of war and a time of peace.  A war or battle may be fierce and long, but all will be brought to an end.  It is a grave tragedy that when one war ends other conflicts can arise.  Even in the midst of the battle and peril we can know someday the war will end, and even if this occurs because we have met our end we have a sure hope in heaven of peace in the presence of the glorious God.

Today I read this encouraging passage in Ezekiel 21:25-27:  "Now to you, O profane, wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose iniquity shall end, ²⁶ thus says the Lord GOD: "Remove the turban, and take off the crown; nothing shall remain the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted. ²⁷ Overthrown, overthrown, I will make it overthrown! It shall be no longer, until He comes whose right it is, and I will give it to Him."  Through the prophet God revealed to king Zedekiah the day of judgment had come and his iniquity had an end.  Many people grieved over the sorry spiritual state of Jerusalem which was brought to ruin by idolatry and rebellion against God.  To those who endured the wicked regimes of many kings of Israel there was comfort in knowing God would bring the iniquity of their rulers to an end.  God would strip them of their rule and remove their symbols of authority.  God emphatically said they would be overthrown, and in doing so God would turn everything right side up.

The proud king of Israel would be humbled, and this passage gives us a glimpse of the coming Messiah God would send:  the Son of David who is also the Son of God, Jesus Christ who will rule in righteousness over all.  All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus the righteous, and He resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.  Like king Zedekiah, we deserved to suffer the full force of God's judgment for our sin.  God showed us amazing grace in sending Jesus to atone for our sin on Calvary and clothe us in righteousness.  Jesus has come and we look forward to the day when He will bring an end to wars, murders, lying, greed, hatred and covetousness.  Sin, iniquity and death all will have an end, and Jesus will see to it.  As it is written in Revelation 20:14-15:  "Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire."

Child of the living God by faith in Jesus, we need not despair and grieve over troubles and conflicts as those without hope.  In the midst of suffering God has abundant consolation for us and all who fear Him.  There is small comfort in knowing a war will someday end when it continues to rage on and untold lives are being lost.  But there is great comfort in knowing God and what He has said, that every tyrant's day will come and every worldly regime will fall before the glorious, conquering KING OF KINGS Jesus who is mighty to deliver, save, heal and comfort.  Nothing will remain the same for Jesus makes all things new.  He has already forgiven our iniquity and brought the condemnation of our sin to an end and given us a living hope.  We are able to experience perfect peace in our Saviour Who loves us though He tarries long, knowing He will make good on His promises.

Do You Get It?

In candid videos that catch amusing or amazing moments it is common to hear the one handling the camera say something like, "I got that on video!"  We've all seen some crazy and bizarre things during our lives, and it is a rare thing to have a camera at the ready and capture the footage well.  Perhaps I'm dating myself a bit, for it seems these days everyone has their phones whipped out and already recording and the thought never crossed my mind.  I also have been guilty of going for the camera to memorialise a hilarious event rather than immediately helping a good friend.  As he pushed the boat from the dock he dunked himself into the freezing water of Lake Cuyamaca and it was the funniest thing.  The intense look on his face peering over the stern of the rowboat on that brisk morning I will never forget--even though I didn't get it on film.

The loving thing to do would have been to do unto others as Jesus has done for me:  to not think about myself or "getting" that footage but to help a struggling friend.  Do you know heeding the "Golden Rule" is not natural to us?  I would appreciate someone casually pointing out the greens in my teeth during a meal or that I have a toilet-paper tail upon exiting the bathroom.  I may not pull out a camera to shame the person, but I have not always taken immediate action to help others when a kind word was called for.  I ask myself:  why do I allow feelings of embarrassment to speak up to help others avoid potential embarrassment?  Why do I prefer ignoring or distancing myself from the situation?  There are many reasons and not one is justifiable or righteous.  As a start it is because I am selfish, proud, disobedient and outright refuse to walk in love demonstrated by Jesus.  In the moment when I choose to follow my feelings I tend to cater to innumerable fears, unwarranted though they be.  Living in love puts God and others in our sights rather than thinking of ourselves, knowing He sees and remembers all.

Praise the LORD He desires we would learn to live life skillfully and wisely as Jesus does.  Paul wrote in Philippians 2:1-4, "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."  Jesus humbled Himself for our salvation, and thus we ought to humble ourselves for the sake of others.  Paul continued in Philippians 2:12-13:  "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

God is faithful to discipline and correct us as a father a son in whom he delights.  God reveals our refusal to love, harshness and ungrace.  Having freely received consolation, love, fellowship of the Spirit, affection and mercy, we are called to lowliness of mind that values all others over self.  We tend to connect with people over shared interests, and if their interests are one of our major concerns our perspective will radically change.  This is what God is calling us to do, and let us be obedient to God like Jesus is to His heavenly Father.  It is God's work to change us "both to will and do for His good pleasure."  Instead of seeking to please ourselves, may we yield to God's will to love one another as He loves us.  It is infinitely more important for us to "get this" than saving funny clips on our phones.

Obedience Fulfilled

David spoke of God giving him skill for war, ability to leap over a wall and defeat his enemies.  The battles he fought were physical as well as an inner war that raged against fear, worry and despair.  While most will never experience warfare in muddy trenches or run across a beach with bullets flying, we each face real conflict where triumph can only be experienced by faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul provides insight concerning one of the primary locations where spiritual battles take place, and it might surprise you:  it takes place within our own hearts and minds.  Paul recognised we live in a body of flesh yet we are not to fight according to the flesh.  There are established strongholds and fortifications of lies, attitudes and habits in our own minds and hearts revealed with the word of God.  To the church Paul wrote in 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."  God's word helps us to identify strongholds, arguments and proud thoughts that oppose Jesus in our own minds and He enables us to boldly pull them down by repentance and faith in Him.

When a person suspected of criminal activity is arrested, he is bound and taken into custody.  We are called to wage this war on our own thought life, bringing every thought and vain imagination into captivity to Christ.  Having arrested these sinful thoughts according to God's wisdom, we can put our feet on their necks on what God has condemned and end their reign of terror so we might walk in obedience to Christ.  One purpose of Paul writing to the church in Corinth was to urge and exhort them to return to obedience to Christ, and they needed to ready themselves to embrace church discipline should there be any among them who refused to walk in obedience to Jesus.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers that primarily wield their influence inside us.  We cannot do anything about changing the minds and hearts of others, and know God desires ours to be changed more like His.

I am convinced by the truth of the scripture and the resurrection of Jesus Christ in glory the primary battleground in our hearts and minds can be won and held by God's grace.  To ignore this critical battle will mean our ruin, and we will be severely hampered in our Christian witness and fruitfulness.  Despite books annually churned out concerning spiritual warfare this personal continent of conflict can be overlooked and the result is confusion, formulas and even fear.  We miss the mark to more focus on the strength of the foe and what we need to do to win (or obtain our desire) rather than looking to Jesus who has already vanquished the enemy.  Some are so busy fighting an invisible enemy out there somewhere they can drift from abiding in Christ.  We can be so taken with rebuking the devil we neglect the state of our own thoughts, hearts and actions.  Praise the LORD the weapons of our warfare are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, arguments and imaginations within us so our obedience is fulfilled.

Understanding and Knowing 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

Throughout the Bible we observe people who knew and understood God because He revealed Himself to them.  Before the Law was written on tablets of stone Abraham asked the LORD knowingly, "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?"  Based on the righteous character of God Abraham knew God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked.  Instead of glorying in what is temporal and fading away--by what we know, can do, or have acquired--God says we ought to glory that we understand and know God who is the LORD of all.  Knowing God is the LORD means He is sovereign and supreme over all, and nothing and no one can prevent Him for doing His miraculous wonders.

The almighty God is supreme over all, exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth.  To understand and know God we must first place our faith in Him, and by this revelation in God's word we are assured God presently is working at least in all these ways.  When we or others face trials and troubles it does not always seem like love, justice and righteousness may be present at all.  We can be overwhelmed by the hatred, pride, corruption and injustice we observe in the earth.  This is the triumph of faith, to understand and know God is exercising the good things He delights in beyond our sight.  With our eyes fixed on Jesus and our hearts grounded in the truth of God's immutable goodness, contentment and rest is ours whether we see the peaceful resolution we long for or not.  He is our Peace.

Many godly people like Abraham died in faith without seeing all the promises God made to them fulfilled.  Hebrews 11:13 says, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  If we are troubled and anxious because of the suffering in the world around us without comfort because our expectations of swift deliverance and cessation of warfare are unmet, it may be we are not living in faith in God who is exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth.  Us seeing the resolution we desire is not nearly as important as all God is doing beyond our sight.  With eyes of faith we look upon Him with full assurance of His fulfilling His word.

When we see God at work in exercising lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness towards us and others it is fitting we rejoice, glorying in the God we understand and know.  We love Him because He first loved us, and we know Him only because He has graciously revealed Himself to us.  Knowing God exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness because He delights in them provides us a directive for how we ought to live.  How wonderful it is when a child takes after admirable qualities in their parents in practice, and blessed is the man who makes intentional effort to do what God delights in.

God is Longsuffering

I attended a memorial service years ago that impacted me.  The thing I remember the most is the point emphatically driven home by the impassioned speaker was death was not God's will.  He bristled at the suggestion the sudden passing of his family member could be the will of God.  The point he made is supported in scriptures like 2 Peter 3:9 which reads, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."  God's will is for people to repent of sin and receive salvation, and though our bodies will go the way of the earth the souls of God's redeemed will be clothed with eternal life in glory.

The fact people physically die shows God allows things to transpire on earth that are not His will.  Mankind has chosen to rebel against God in sin and this has brought innumerable horrors into the world God created good.  Even God's people were guilty of doing things which never came into God's mind, (Jeremiah 19:5-6), that they would sacrifice their children to idols.  God would see to it those people reaped what they had sown when they were slaughtered.  Then God did what is awesome and unthinkable in taking human form and laying down His life on the cross, embracing death for lost sinners so His will could be accomplished to redeem and save them.  God is able to overcome death by the power of His glorious life.

It is easy for us to point out faults in others, and it also simple to find things in this world that are not God's will.  Some are very inquisitive about "God's will" as in regards to them, supposing they must submit to circumstances that are God's will and are justified to rail or fight against what they deem is not His will.  This is a risky proposition, for it can be a temptation for man to sit down in the judgment seat and put God on trial by what He has done or sovereignly allowed.  A more constructive approach would be to submit to desiring and doing God's will as revealed in scripture and the example of Jesus.  There are many things I cannot know or understand about God's will and plans, but based on 2 Peter 3:9 I know God's will is to save lives, not destroy them.  He has sent Jesus to that end, and thus I ought to proclaim and live in light of the Gospel, loving others as Jesus loves me.

1 Peter 4:19 says to followers of Jesus, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."  This verse shows suffering in itself is not contrary to the will of God, even though it may feel like it should be.  Our commitment to God is shown by doing what He deems good, knowing He is our faithful Creator.  He will not allow us to be tempted without making the way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13), and He will never leave or forsake us.  Paul learned in all circumstances to be content and rejoice in the LORD--even when he suffered much for Christ's sake.  Praise the LORD God is longsuffering toward us, and let us follow the obedient example of Jesus even when suffering is involved.

Ezekiel's Example

I've been reading the book of Ezekiel each evening and I am always impressed by the intricate object lessons God provided His people through Ezekiel's obedience.  The prophet Ezekiel had an inquisitive audience who wondered over the strange things he did, like making a model of Jerusalem on a tile and laying siege to it, lying on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days, ate his food by weight (20 shekels a day) and drank water by measure (about 600 millilitres), and even baked bread with cow dung.  God made Ezekiel a sign to the rebellious house of Israel, to people who largely ignored God's warning of coming judgment.

It requires faith in God to obey Him, especially when it seems nothing positive comes from our efforts.  It would have been easy for Ezekiel to be discouraged if he looked to his hearers for justification to continue.  Some have said, "If only one person hears the message, it's worth it."  Every person is precious in the eyes of the LORD who loves them, yet I am convinced Ezekiel did not content himself with the hope one person heard and responded in obedience.  Ezekiel's motivation to open his mouth and do as God directed was simply obedience to the LORD God regardless of what others thought of him.  Ezekiel's primary audience was not the people or a person but the almighty God who is worthy of all praise, worship and obedience.  What a good example for us all!

The prophets detailed in scripture (from a human, worldly perspective) had varying degrees of success.  Over 100 years Noah was a preacher of righteousness who convinced only his immediate family to enter the ark while through the preaching of Jonah for 3 days all the inhabitants of Nineveh repented in sackcloth and ashes.  Sometimes prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel were not listened to at all, their words a testimony of God's love and grace to warn rebellious people who would refuse to heed.  If people applaud this ought not to boost our resolve to continue, and should they complain or not even show up this should not discourage us from obedience to our awesome God who has revealed Himself to us.  When no one turns up to a prayer meeting or Bible study we prepared to lead instead of losing heart we can take courage and be strengthened in Christ.

Because God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours we can wonder what He is doing when nothing seems to be happening.  It may be within our own hearts and minds God has much work yet to accomplish.  Know what God has promised He is able to perform (Rom. 4:21), the work He has begun He is faithful to complete (Phil. 1:6) and we are complete in Him (Col. 2:10).  Jeers and praise taken to heart both pose risks for the Christian who is tempted to play to the crowd or even one person rather than speaking forth and living out what God has written in His word.  Praise the LORD Jesus is wisdom for us, the Holy Spirit comforts us and helps us do our duty as God's servants with love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness and self-control.

Be Glad in Jesus Today

It is fitting and proper to read the Bible with a seeking, inquisitive heart.  While it is true many of our questions can spring from doubt and unbelief, this does not mean asking questions reveals a lack of faith.  Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the truth of His word is according to knowledge gained by questioning, wondering and reasoning.  A product of caring and consideration of new concepts and ideas is asking questions, and this simple act acknowledges our lack of understanding and desire to learn and grow.

I was recently asked a great question about the meaning of Jesus' words to Jews who were skeptical of His identity and doctrine in John 8:56:  "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."  The context of the conversation was Jesus claimed not only to be of God to be God made flesh, much to the confusion of His hearers due to unbelief.  These were people who revered Moses and Abraham, and were incredulous Jesus would imagine himself equal or superior to them.  When we reflect on a time past we might say something like, "Back in the day we used to write letters by hand with paper, pen and ink."  Jesus said father Abraham rejoiced to see His day, meaning Jesus was living and present at that time.  His hearers were gobsmacked by this claim because they did not believe Jesus is God in human form and thus eternal.  The surface meaning is clear, that when Abraham lived it was Jesus' day.  The inescapable conclusion is Jesus is greater than Abraham.

Like many passages of scripture, one verse or statement can have multiple correct interpretations, like when prophecies have multiple fulfillments.  It is unnecessary to strictly limit the words of Jesus to only one possible interpretation or application when there is scriptural support for complementary views.  For instance, Abraham and Sarah are mentioned of having eyes of faith in Hebrews 11:13:  "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."  Thus Abraham, having believed the promise of God Who revealed Himself to him, the day of which Jesus spoke was a day present for Abraham and also a future day.  The sacrifice God provided instead of Isaac pointed to the day and hour when Jesus would be offered as a sacrifice for sinners.  God was glorified in the judgment of sinners in the plain of Sodom and in Abraham's victory over the kings of the north.  Abraham rejoiced in the almighty, living God who promised, Who guides, provides and lives.

It is possible for us to be so taken with obscure connections and implications we can miss the plain, simple meaning of the text:  Abraham rejoiced in Jesus' day, and he saw it and was glad.  The people Jesus talked to had a very different attitude towards Jesus.  Though they witnessed His miraculous power they heard Him and were mad.  They hated and rejected Jesus rather than simply believing Him as Abraham did.  This confirmed the truth of what Jesus claimed, that they were children of the devil because they wanted to kill him.  They may have been physical descendants of Abraham but were estranged from God spiritually due to unbelief.  The genuine children of God will hear and rejoice in the words of Jesus, for He speaks to us the words of life.  Instead of picking up stones to destroy Him we rejoice to hear Jesus proclaim in John 8:58, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

God Who Pardons

Contrary to the false caricature that the almighty God is a ruthless, bloodthirsty tyrant, He is a God distinguished by mercy, compassion and love.  Because God is not comparable to anything He has created or concepts conceived in the minds of men, many have taken upon themselves to present distorted ideas of what God is like.  Unless we receive the testimony of the word of God that portrays Him in truth, we could never know Him.

Consider what the prophet concluded in Micah 7:18-20:  "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. ¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. ²⁰ You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old."  God did not create mankind to destroy them, and it is man who is responsible for destroying himself through sin--which is entirely contrary to God's goodness and righteous ways.  Man is notorious for blaming others or even God rather than humble himself and admit his faults.

Isn't it wonderful God pardons iniquity and passes over transgressions?  He is not like those who hold grudges in bitterness, for He delights in mercy.  God maintains a position of absolute power and authority and is not like weak men who are suspicious, defensive, afraid of what others think, say or do.  His mercy, forgiveness and compassion are evidence of His infinite strength and power.  Because all His judgments are in truth He keeps His word to remove and subdue sins of those who fear Him.  God has chosen to redeem sinners as His heritage and thus demonstrates His glorious majesty over all.  Psalm 130:3-4 says, "If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? ⁴ But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."  God's forgiveness is not due to weakness but supernatural strength.

Filled with the Spirit

Since believers in Christ are regenerated by the indwelling Holy Spirit given beyond measure, some wonder what is the point to pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus brought up the subject in Luke 11:9-13:  "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"  Sinful men know how to give good gifts to their children, and our Father God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.

In the New Testament we observe people filled with the Holy Spirit even without asking in particular, but it is fitting to do so when we perceive our need--even as a child asks for food when hungry or a drink when thirsty.  In Galatians 5 Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit.  Should we become aware of sinful attitudes and behaviour in us it is evident we are not walking according to the guidance of the Spirit of Christ.  Coming to God in faith, humbly asking to be filled with the Spirit, is an acknowledgment of our need for Him and willingness to submit to His guidance.  By making this request known to God our aim is to be emptied of our own fleshly ambitions, pride and lust and to be fully under the guidance and empowerment of the Spirit by God's grace.

Not only does the Holy Spirit regenerate us and make us spiritually fruitful, but He gives spiritual gifts according to God's will.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:31 we should "covet earnestly the best gifts," and we are told to make our requests known to God.  This does not suggest one gift is superior to another, but that we ought to earnestly desire the most fitting gifts of God to be manifested in love at the appropriate time for the glory of God and the edification of the church.  God knows better than me when a word of wisdom or edification is needed; He knows what He desires to accomplish, when and how He will bring all to pass.  We are presumptuous to assume we know what others or even we need as if God does not already know and have a perfectly ordered plan.  We ought to submit ourselves to God in opening our mouths wide that He might fill them.

Asking is one rule of the kingdom of God, and He sometimes waits for us to realise our need and humble ourselves to ask.  Other times He may in a moment of time fill believers to overflowing as the situation demands.  But in these bodies of flesh we do not always walk in the Spirit, nor are we even mindful of God in a moment of panic or pain.  Thanks be to God He gives more grace, and when we are spiritually fruitful or useful it is always out of His infinite goodness, mercy and compassion.  For believers it is not so much a question of if we are filled with the Spirit, but if we are humbling ourselves to submit to Him.  Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we are indwelt, sealed and baptised, and we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).  If we desire this filling, than we ought to ask in faith, receive and walk in Him.

Mourning Over Sin

The fear of the LORD keeps people from sin as it is written in Exodus 20:20:  "And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."  One mark of those who genuinely value the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to atone for and redeem lost sinners do not remain in sin but confess and forsake it.  Forgiveness is not license to sin, for those drawn to Jesus by His lovingkindness ought not trample His blood underfoot.

While avoidance of sin and intentional doing what pleases God are marks of followers of Jesus Christ, there are other things God takes notice of as well:  He notices people loyal to Him who grieve and mourn over sins committed against Him.  A vision seen by Ezekiel demonstrates this in Ezekiel 9:4-6:  "...the LORD said to him, "Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who sigh and cry over all the abominations that are done within it." ⁵ To the others He said in my hearing, "Go after him through the city and kill; do not let your eye spare, nor have any pity. ⁶ Utterly slay old and young men, maidens and little children and women; but do not come near anyone on whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were before the temple."  God's eyes go to and fro the whole earth, seeking to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to Him, for He is faithful to protect and save.  And when the time comes for judgment, He will not spare.

God directed a man with an inkhorn to place a mark on all those who sighed and cried over the abominations of the city of Jerusalem.  Whilst those would be spared, all others would face the judgment of God--and they began with the respected elders at God's sanctuary.  1 Peter 4:17-18 shows this is a principle consistent in the New Testament as well as it is written:  "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"  It is a good thing to take to heart:  do we sigh and cry over the abominations committed before God, whether it be our sin or that of others?  Are we convicted and repentant of our sin whilst being careless of others who are in sin?  Man looks on outward appearances, but God looks upon the heart.  How searching is His gaze; how merciful He is to make a way righteousness can be imputed to us.

It is remarkable that in a world steeped with sin there is much that could depress us and cause us to sink into despair, but when we look to Jesus we find a living hope, comfort, joy and consolation.  Those who weep over sin have the assurance of everlasting forgiveness and healing.  Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief yet remains our only source of perfect peace and joy forevermore.  This is the triumph of faith in Christ!  Those who are never far from tears due to the offence of sin may be numbered among those close to the LORD Jesus, upheld in His love because they walk in the fear of God.  Jesus wept over the consequences of sin and the painful separation death brings, and praise the LORD He has overcome.  To souls dead in sins He gives new life, and in Him we can rejoice always.

In the Love of God

God's word is rich with instruction that open our understanding to truth we read but never saw before.  Like the Jewish people who had eyes but could not see or ears that could hear because they lacked faith in Jesus Christ, this can also describe genuine believers at countless times in our earthly pilgrimage.  We have read many passages of scripture yet gleaned little, and by God's grace He enables us to receive more as we consider that same passages later on.

This happened for me when I read Romans 8:37-39 recently:  "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ³⁹ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Paul urged the Romans to recognise all the greatest trials and difficulties of life can be triumphantly navigated because Jesus has overcome.  Because Jesus has conquered sin, Satan, abolished death and made a new and living way through the Gospel, nothing can separate us from the love of God.  We have been justified, free of condemnation, Jesus intercedes on our behalf and even death is powerless to prevent us from receiving and walking in God's love.

Paul was persuaded that neither death nor life can separate us from the love of God in Christ.  I am greatly encouraged that "life" is included here.  Some people express concern about the "busyness of life" as if it is an insurmountable force that is nigh impossible to reckon with, feeling helpless necessary work or activities can distract and deter us from our God-given purposes and spiritual fruitfulness.  While this is entirely possible if we depart from active reliance upon God, life on earth and the demands it places upon us need not deter us at all from a fulfilling, satisfying, abundant life with Jesus.  In mundane chores, labours, careers, sport and service, we can experience and share the love of Jesus.  Life nor present thing are able to separate us from the love of God, and thus we are more than conquerors through Jesus who loves us.

Having been conquered by the love of Jesus, our fears and cares can be confessed and forsaken as faithless; since Jesus demonstrated His love for us on Calvary we are more than conquerors.  When we have trials and troubles we would be quite pleased to settle for being a conqueror, to walk victorious without defeats.  Because we are more than conquerors, the redeemed children of the almighty God, we are given the privilege to learn to walk in the victory Jesus provides ourselves.  Our failures continue to affirm our need for Jesus is greater than we ever imagined, and the resurrection of Jesus persuades us of the victory guaranteed by Jesus from every foe--even death.  How gracious and good God is to us, for nothing shall be able to separate us from His love.

Estranged No More

Being estranged from family and loved ones can be most troubling.  It suggests some obstacle lies between the intimate friendship and fellowship God intended we have with one another by His love.  While this separation may be the result of many factors, to cut others off or to be cut off can be a most painful trial.  But praise the LORD, love suffers long.  There is comfort, hope and healing found in Christ even when relationships are damaged beyond repair.

It seems the people you are closest to have the potential to inflict the greatest wounds by estrangement.  This is evident in marriages gone sour or when children are estranged from their parents.  The impact of this is more keenly felt when the paternal, maternal or marital bonds are broken--sometimes from one side.  I think of when Ishmael was sent away by Abraham or the parable Jesus told of the Prodigal Son when the son decided to take his share of the inheritance and depart from his father's house.  Human relationships are very complex as they involve hidden matters of the heart, blind spots on both sides and the struggle to process all that has happened along the way.

I witnessed a scene recently that impacted me when a parent called out to their teenager who was walking with their friends.  At first I didn't know if the teen heard their parent, but it was obvious she heard when she stopped walking and turned around.  Then slowly, very slowly, she turned back to walk away with friends as if she had not heard a thing.  How deep a wound this could potentially strike into a heart that longs for closeness and companionship!  It made me consider:  have I done this with God?  He has come to us in the person of Jesus and called people to follow Him.  Would I turn my back on Him and walk away as if He had not said anything, ignoring Him and His loving concern as worthless?

It is good to consider if we are estranged from God right now because we have allowed something to stand between us.  God is our good, heavenly Father who calls out to us; He is never estranged from us, but we can choose to be estranged from Him.  Glory to God He pursues and speaks to those who stray, seeking their restoration to fellowship with Him.  Let us draw near at the voice of the Good Shepherd who speaks, our Redeemer who revives our souls.

Without Vision

 As context is critical to understand what is meant in a conversation, it is of utmost importance in the study of the Bible.  Many times we have walked in at the “wrong time” of a conversation and the sentence we heard did not make sense.  This can ironically occur when we take a verse out of context:  phrases from scripture can become catchphrases that miss the original intended meaning.  It is one thing to assume we know what someone means when we haven’t heard half of what they were saying, but it is another when we do this with God Who speaks plainly in His word.

I recently saw a plaque that stated, “Without a vision the people perish” and Proverbs 29:18 was quoted.  I looked up the passage which reads in the KJV (thus I assume this is the translation used as the NKJV puts it differently):  “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”  When we speak about “vision,” often we refer to something which is not plainly seen by all but is visualised by someone who leads who effectively guides us to that end.  The implication of the first part of the verse (when it stands alone) suggests the dire consequences of people who lack visionary leadership or the faculties of sight themselves.  When we read this verse in its entirety, however, a clear directive of keeping God’s law comes into view.

I strongly suspect those who quote the first part of this verse as a cliché might not even know what else that same verse says.  The idea presented dovetails beautifully with what Jesus said about those who hear his voice and do not obey it.  He compared such a one with a man who built a house on sand and it was swept away in the storm—and great was its fall.  News stations all over the world are broadcasting pictures of the widespread destruction caused by hurricane Ivan.  The shocking and tragic pictures of devastation are an object lesson that demonstrates the spiritual reality Jesus spoke of.

The vision Solomon referred to was not one afar off in the future, a personal goal or unknown reality seen by only a few, but the Law of Moses written on tablets of stone hundreds of years before.  This vision was one of God’s righteousness, and those who kept the law would be richly blessed by their God.  Happy are the people whose God is the LORD, and when we keep Jesus in our sight we are always led to walk in righteousness.