Simple Love and Trust

Knowing God as revealed in the Bible gives us confident expectation of good even when troubles abound.  With the many voices and influences in the world, God's people ought to determine His word will carry greater weight with us than all other feelings, opinions and views.  It is never easy to trust God and follow Him, as we are prone to lean on our own understanding or rely on help or guidance from others, but it is simple enough even a child can do it faithfully.

G.K. Chesterton famously remarked in an essay, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting.  It has been found difficult and left untried." (Chesterton, G. K. What’s Wrong with the World. Ignatius Press, 1994. pg. 37)  Indeed, even those who are faithful followers of Jesus Christ find personal sanctification and God's refinement difficult.  When our eyes are focused on how far we have come pride can set in, and should we fix our gaze on how far we still have to go we are easily overwhelmed.  Like Korah who asserted Moses took too much upon himself, being critical and judgmental of others undermines our relationship with the LORD and one another.  It is easy to point out faults in others (for who among us is faultless), but to humble ourselves and to repent is difficult:  difficult to do because we are naturally proud and stubborn, but the concept is quite simple.

God's word has a way of simplifying the dizzying complexities of life and the human heart, teaching us of God who does not change.  God has told us what He will do, and by His grace we are all given the responsibility and agency to choose to trust and love Him or not.  The psalmist declared God's words in Psalm 91:14-16:  "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. ¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. ¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation."  God has revealed Himself as gracious, longsuffering, merciful and compassionate towards the undeserving.  It is wonderful to consider what God promises to do for those who love Him, know Him and call upon Him.  God is faithful to deliver those who love Him, exalt those who know Him, answer those who call upon Him, and is with those who are in trouble.

Because God will always do His part by His grace, we can rest assured in His guiding hand to help us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  All who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ have been given the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth, comforts and helps us to do God's will.  God works in His people both to will and do His good pleasure.  God does not hold us responsible to change ourselves, others or our situations:  He simply calls us to love and trust Him in all seasons of life.  Again, this can be difficult and even impossible, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  Our troubled hearts and fretting minds find rest in the LORD of Hosts who has done all for us, freeing us to praise and thank Him as we submit to Him joyfully in love.

Hearing and Sharing God's Word

It dawned on me today that due to the advent of the internet and social media, opinions have never been less or more influential at the same time.  People's views are broadcasted so frequently and cheaply they don't matter much, and people are hungry and thirsty for likes to build personal platforms.  Going viral has led to instant fame, and public outcry can lead to dismissal akin to social banishment.  Despite the facade of social media friendship many still feel desperately lonely, their lives hanging by the thread of superficial connections.

In contrast to the shifting sands of public interest and sentiment, God's word remains sure and absolute, rooted in God's wisdom that encompasses all that matters.  In the Bible, God does not give us His opinions but unchanging judgments concerning what is true.  He has given mankind freedom to choose what we will believe, who we will follow and what voices we will listen to.  I have observed the voices we listen to are the ones we will often repeat as relevant to us and others.  I love that the almighty God does not need to raise His voice to be heard, but in a quiet voice is able to communicate timeless truth with those who know Him.  Jesus said in John 10:27-28, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand."

One challenge we face is allowing man's ways or opinions to sway us from what God has said plainly in His word.  Even faithful followers of Jesus can be distracted from what our LORD has said, similar to how David was influenced by Saul's proud example.  After David's men returned from an interaction with Nabal who spoke harshly to them, David sounded much like Saul as he went to avenge himself and spouted an oath in 1 Samuel 25:22:  "May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light."  In that moment, David reacted to the unflattering opinions of Nabal and forgot the LORD who anointed him as king and would provide for the needs of he and his men.  How quickly we can be swayed from peace and rest in God by man's ways and words!

David wrote concerning God's word in Psalm 19:7-11:  "The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; ⁸ the statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; ⁹ the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. ¹¹ Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward."  Better than sharing our opinions on a matter is to speak forth what God has plainly spoken, for His word is perfect, right, enlightening, precious, valuable, sweet and rewarding.

Casting Our Burdens

"Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Psalm 55:22

When David wrote Psalm 55, he was clearly burdened by many things, including a host of enemies, the oppression of the wicked, and betrayal by a friend.  Unable to fly away from his troubling situation or dread, he sought the LORD he knew would hear and answer him.  Toward the end of the song he turned his attention to the reader and urged all to cast their burdens on the LORD who would sustain those made righteous through faith in Him.

To sustain means "to hold."  When people are burdened in a literal sense, it means we are carrying something.  I picture someone encumbered with bags after coming home from the shops or a person carrying a load of firewood on outstretched arms.  When doing work, we like to make our effort and time worthwhile.  Rather than making several trips, we might load an extra bag or log to finish the job more efficiently.  In contrast to physical burdens we carry in doing work, we can be weighed down with mental and spiritual burdens that go to work on us--and not in a good way.  These cares, worries, fears and anxiety can paralyse us under a weight we struggle to carry.  We would rather carry what we able to carry rather than permitting others to assist us, and this tendency can be carried over to our relationship with God.  He allows burdens we cannot even carry for a moment, for we can easily be overwhelmed and collapse under the weight of them.

There are burdens that situations may place upon us, and there are burdens we voluntarily choose to pick up and carry as something we feel responsible to do or bring justice to bear on them.  At times we may not even realise we are burdened by thoughts and feelings that are weighing us down.  We can become rather attached to burdens, even finding our identify or sense of purpose in carrying them.  But David exhorts us to cast our burden (whatever it may be or however we obtained it) on the LORD and pour out our complaint to Him alone, knowing he will never permit the righteous to be moved.  Christians are exhorted in 1 Peter 5:5-7:  "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." ⁶ 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."

In Bunyan's allegory the Pilgrim's Progress, the protagonist Christian was loaded with a burden of sin, and it is something he always carried that grew weightier over time.  It was when he knelt at the foot of the cross it fell from his shoulders, and Jesus is able to carry the weight of our sin and all other burdens we accumulate as we cast them upon the LORD.  What we can hardly carry He gives us supernatural strength to cast on Him.  It may be we have known the LORD a long season and perhaps we have burdens we have always carried to this day--and thus feel a bit attached to them, even justifying their existence.  We can proudly hold onto our burdens rather than casting them on the LORD, shrinking back from trusting He will sustain and hold us because we have yet to experience this.  What do we have to lose by casting our cares on Him who cares for us?  He rejoices to exalt and lift up those who humble themselves to cast their burdens on the LORD.

The Freedom of Gratitude

When we observe people of God making head-scratching decisions that are inconsistent with what they know to be true or right, know we are looking at a mirror image of ourselves.  Sure, our failings may not mirror the exact circumstances people experienced in the historical narrative, but we share the same weaknesses, are prone to spiritual dullness and have our own blind spots.  We wonder, how can people who saw the miracles God did to deliver them from slavery in Egypt murmur against Him in unbelief shortly thereafter?  Isn't it true that after coming to faith in Christ we too have complained of far less trying circumstances--despite our knowledge of what God has done and promised?

This inconsistency in people who fear God can be easily found throughout Scripture.  Peter spoke courageously in front of Jesus and the other disciples and even lashed out with a sword when Jesus was being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Yet he wilted under the scrutiny of servants who identified him as a disciple of Jesus as he warmed himself by the fire, trying in vain to shield himself with oaths and curses out of fear.  David did a similar thing.  He was bold and fearless in the face of Goliath of Gath, a towering giant who hurled vicious insults that made the men of Israel run for cover.  Yet when he travelled to Gath while on the run from King Saul, he was afraid when he heard Philistines identify him as a famous warrior.  He feigned insanity before the people and the king to show he was not a threat, and it was God who graciously delivered him again from death--not Goliath's sword he carried.

This madness seen in Peter and David is as natural for us humans as living in our own skin.  We can neglect to consider the faithfulness of God in the past or presently as relevant to our current struggle.  The disciples who witnessed Jesus miraculously multiply five loaves and two fish to feed over 5,000 people at one time did not imagine the power of Jesus extended to causing a storm to cease by His word alone.  Jesus' power to do so as God was alluded to in Psalm 107:28-30:  "Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. ²⁹ He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. ³⁰ Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven."  Since God is able to stir up and calm a storm by His power, like the disciples we are guided to cry out to Him in turbulent times (whether in a boat, train or aeroplane) knowing He will hear and answer.

Four times in the song the psalmist burst forth with praise as recorded in Psalm 107:31:  "Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!"  It is one thing to keep the good things God has done for other people and us in mind, but we are to go further in giving God thanks for His goodness and wonderful works.  When our thanksgiving and gratitude for God's deliverance wanes because we are ungrateful, forgetful or distracted, Peter and David illustrate how we can gravitate to the snare of self-preservation rather than God's glorification.  It is good that we repent of our neglect to give thanks to God so we might learn to abide in Christ by faith, trusting He protects and provides perfect peace in all circumstances of life.

Sending and Sovereignty

Jonathan was a man who feared God and believed God was in control of situations that were out of his control.  When people say, "God is in control," it is likely the details of their circumstances are different than others or could mean different things.  The overarching point Christians likely agree on is what the Bible plainly declares:  God rules over all, is good, and He can redeem all things together for our good.  We can find rest and comfort in knowing God is totally aware of our situation and that He is able to do everything necessary to accomplish His good purposes through it.

It is good for us to acknowledge God is all-knowing, all-powerful and a present help in time of trouble whose desire is to save rather than destroy.  This is not true, however, concerning people who may have authority over us.  After David become acutely aware of King Saul's intention to murder him, he confided in Jonathan who was a good friend and son of the king.  Jonathan was taken aback by the accusation as he expected his father to confide in him and assured him all was well between the king and David.  Having dodged a couple spears already, David was not convinced.

Together Jonathan and David hatched a plan to see what Saul's intentions were towards David.  David proposed he be absent from the king's table, and if Saul noticed Jonathan was to explain David had asked permission to visit his family.  If the king was satisfied and content with this revelation all was well, but if he became angry his fury would lay his murderous intentions bare.  Then it was decided how Jonathan would secretly convey the message to David, if he should stay or flee for his life.  While David hid in the field near a particular rock, Jonathan would go out with a lad to fetch arrows he shot.  1 Samuel 20:21b-22 reads, "...If I expressly say to him, 'Look, the arrows are on this side of you; get them and come'--then, as the LORD lives, there is safety for you and no harm. ²² But if I say thus to the young man, 'Look, the arrows are beyond you'--go your way, for the LORD has sent you away."

See how Jonathan viewed the exposure of the king's murderous plot as an act of God's grace, that God was sending David away rather than King Saul driving him away.  Being "sent" carries with it the idea of thought and purpose preceding definite action to accomplish the desire of the sender.  For me to successfully send a letter by the Australian Post, I need to place it in an addressed envelope, affix the stamp and drop it in a red postbox.  David's departure was not to be regretted, for it was God who sent him away for His good purposes:  to preserve David's life and ultimately to grant him the kingdom as his chosen, anointed king.  I love Jonathan's perspective in the midst of this difficult trial that saw his father angrily pitted against his dear friend, for he proclaimed the sovereignty of God in a situation completely out of his control.  It gives God glory when we do this--not blaming Him as if He is cruel or selfish--but knowing He has a good and glorious future for us in mind.

God's Strength Made Complete

Confidence in the goodness of God and His sovereignty is a key factor in us experiencing the rest and abundant life graciously offered by Jesus Christ.  Paul expressed great confidence all Christians ought to have in Romans 8:28:  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  Because God is almighty, a Redeemer and faithful, we are assured on the basis of His glorious deity His good purposes can be furthered in what we can only see as bad circumstances in this life.

Since God has revealed Himself to us in truth, having provided His Word and the Holy Spirit, we know one of His purposes is our sanctification:  for us to be set apart for Him and submit to being made more like Him continually in thought, word and deed.  Another purpose God has in saving us and adopting us into His family by the Gospel is to make us spiritually fruitful.  We have been created for the purpose of bringing glory to God, and Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:8, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."  Our LORD is not content with foliage or occasional fruit but that we would bear much fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells us.

In light of these things, I have arrived at conclusions I am convinced of and need to continue processing personally.  The very situation I see as bad and want God to change for the better is the very situation God can use to change me for the better.  The other person I want God to change is the person God can use to sanctify me further.  The conditions I suffer and pray for God to take from me can be used by God to make me more fruitful for His glory.  The process of sanctification God employs is gentle, timely (though it will take the remainder of our lives on earth) and perfectly weighted to accomplish His refining purposes--even when I shrink from His pruning shears or the heat of the crucible of affliction that refines believers as gold.

Knowing this to be true, we can arrive at the conclusion Paul did after God rejected his request for the LORD to stop and silence the messenger of Satan who buffeted him.  Made courageous by faith in the living, good God, Paul shared in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:  "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."  In all our infirmities, God's strength is made perfect or complete in us by God's grace.  Our infirmities, diseases, disasters, pressures, and needs are made for us a potential delight, for in Christ we can enjoy His strength accomplishing in and through our lives incredible good we could never experience alone.

Strengthened Hearts

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Galatians 6:9

In preparing to preach on this passage, it occurred to me how the concept of sowing and reaping has been hijacked by some to convey a distorted, unbiblical teaching:  we can get what we want if we do our part.  I have heard some preachers urge their hearers to make a vow or donate money motivated by paying off bills and becoming more wealthy and prosperous.  Such seem to forget that what is reaped is different than the seed.  Money given to a church or ministry is no guarantee of money multiplying, but when it is done by obedience to God will result in bearing the spiritual fruit God intends--something priceless that money cannot buy.

The passage found in Hosea 10:12 shows what we sow differs from what is reaped:  "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you."  As children of God who have received God's word (which is compared to good seed in the Parable of the Sower), evidence that it has taken root in our hearts is that we believe it and seek to honour God by obedience to it.  We cannot say exactly how God will cause His word to be fruitful in our lives or in the lives of others, but we can know the living God who speaks is always at work to accomplish His good, refining and redemptive purposes.

Paul is not advocating a works-based relationship with God to earn passage to heaven or a kind of spiritual karma that gives us what we deserve or withholds what we have not rightly earned.  This would be a curse that would doom us all, for God's goodness His people receive is all by the riches of His grace.  Paul utilised the natural process of sowing and reaping to illustrate the very real consequences of sowing to the flesh or sowing to the Spirit.  Investing our efforts to satisfy sinful desires in our flesh will lead to ruin, whilst sowing to the Spirit by waiting on the LORD and obeying His word leads to abundant life in Christ.

It is wonderful to realise all we have to sow and whatever we reap is all by the grace of God and for His glory.  Sowing seed does not break the farmer's heart as if he is losing something precious because he looks toward the gain that will be enjoyed in the season of harvest.  If we treasure the LORD over what He has given us, we will be encouraged to present ourselves as living sacrifices to Him with all we have.  May our hearts join with the psalmist whose confidence was in the living God in Psalm 73:24-26:  "You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. ²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  When we consider God, all He has done and promised, combined with His presence within us, our hearts are strengthened to persevere until He calls us home.

Word Like a Hammer

"Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?"

Jeremiah 23:29

This verse follows on from God saying through the prophet, "What is the chaff to the wheat?"  The chaff is a thin, papery coating that is distinct from the edible wheat that can be planted and produce more grain.  God followed on to ask, "Is not My word like a fire?"  There was a statute in Israel that all spoil obtained from enemies was to be purified by fire if it could endure fire.  Dreams and prophesies were thus tested and approved by the absolute truth of God's word He had spoken.  God's word would consume the chaff of lies and deceit and reveal the living word God spoke through His faithful ministers that would bear much fruit.  As it is written in Psalm 12:6, "The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times."

God then likened His word to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces.  A hammer wielded by a worker is able to accomplish what is impossible with bare hands.  Sometimes a hammer is used to pulverise rocks, and this morning I used a roto hammer to separate bricks from concrete.  While power tools did not exist when the prophet Jeremiah spoke these words, God's word remains true and relevant to this day.  Not only does God's word have the power to break hard hearts, it can make an accurate impact on our hearts and minds.  In the context of distinguishing faith in God from unbelief, Hebrews 4:12 says:  "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

For a hammer to be useful, it needs to be accurately swung.  While separating concrete bedding from pavers, it was important to place the chisel bit in the correct location to create cleavage between the different materials.  It is important we do not use the Bible as a hammer to bash people, but that we humbly allow the Holy Spirit to administer the impact of God's word where it is best needed.  Because we cannot know people's hearts (or perfectly discern our own thoughts and motivations) we are called to exercise faith God is able to safely use all His word in a refining, purifying and constructive way.

Jesus said in John 16:12-14, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."  Our call is to trust God by obeying His word and to leave all the "hammering" on others to God.  Not only does God always and only speak the truth, but God is perfectly accurate to accomplish His purposes by the redemptive work of His word in our hearts.  His word is able to make quicker work in the minds and lives of His humble children than a roto hammer through concrete bedding.

A Different Kind

Without God's grace, humanity would remain in a perpetual decline.  While we observe many sons walking in the sinful ways of their fathers or departing from the living God their fathers faithfully served, there are many occasions when the son of a wicked king did what was right in God's sight.  I think of Jeroboam who made all Israel sin through idolatry and yet he had a young son God revealed "...in him there is found something good toward the LORD God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam." (1 Kings 14:13)  In all the house of Jeroboam, one boy who would have been the most naturally impressionable and influenced by his father instead had a heart that was inclined to the LORD God of Israel.

King Saul and his son Jonathan also provide a stark contrast.  While Saul began his reign with humility and faith in God, in a short time he was lifted up with pride and disobeyed the LORD's commands.  Just this morning I read of what happened as Jonathan and his armourbearer drew near to a Philistine garrison.  Jonathan suggested they show themselves to the Philistines, and if they were invited to advance up the steep hill it was a sign the LORD had delivered them into their hands.  After they put their plan into motion, 1 Samuel 14:12 tells us:  "Then the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his armorbearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we will show you something." Jonathan said to his armorbearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel."  I am struck by the faith and humility of Jonathan, for he saw the victory the LORD gave them as already complete.  It was a victory for God and Israel, and Jonathan gave all honour to Him.

Jonathan did not learn this from his father, King Saul.  Rather than seeking the LORD for guidance before battle, Saul sought out valiant men to add to his fighting force.  Saul was very self-centred in broadcasting his victories (even when he did not fight), and his focus remained on himself and his enemies--not God and the nation.  Later in the passage 1 Samuel 14:24 illustrates the point:  "And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food."  Rather than blessing the LORD and the people who bravely fought for Saul, he placed a curse upon them if they ate food before "I have taken vengeance on my enemies."  He did not mention God, express confidence the battle was the LORD's, exhort the people to take courage in the LORD, or lead by brave example.

While Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree surrounded by his valiant men, Jonathan was valiant in faith and humility before God by advancing upon a Philistine garrison by faith in God.  I have heard it said an apple does not fall far from the tree, but it is clear Jonathan was of a different kind than his father.  Jonathan's actions illustrates the power and grace of God to guide a person to embrace a life of faith in God they have not observed in others close to them, and it is a blessing to know God is in no way limited by the selfish, proud or faithless people to raise up from their children people who fear and trust Him.  A selfish father can raise a selfless child when that child has God as his Father by faith.  There's always hope for transformation when God is involved, for He is able to stop the downward spiral of humanity and helps us embark on God's upward call by faith in Jesus.

The Heart of the Problem

God allows His people to experience situations that put their faith and leadership to the test.  There are tests God brings that refine us, that prompt us to exercise faith in God that builds faith and results in spiritual growth as we trust in God.  There are also tests that reveal our heart, motives and actions to be sinful and in need of repentance.  Tests can reveal what our hearts carefully conceal, the reality about us the LORD knows already.  When Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, it indicated his lack of strength to resist the fear of man and his lack of faith in Christ's word--which resulted in weeping, repentance but ultimately spiritual growth and fruitfulness.

There are examples in Scripture of people who tragically were exposed as lacking faith in God and never seems they came round to repentance and renewed trust in God.  King Saul was one of these people.  He had been a king for a couple years when he commanded the trumpet sound to announce his successful attack on a Philistine garrison so all Hebrews would hear.  This had an unintended effect, for the Philistines responded by invading Israel with horsemen and chariots.  King Saul and his men were filled with fear and some hid in caves, bushes or rocks whilst others crossed the Jordan river to avoid warfare.  As Saul watched his fighting force melt away day after day, on the seventh day he sinned by offering a sacrifice to God when he should have waited for the prophet Samuel to do so according to the word of the LORD.

When confronted by Samuel, the king gave weak excuses to justify his actions:  the people were scattered from him, Samuel had not yet arrived, and the Philistines gathered together.  Instead of obeying the LORD or seeking His counsel, Saul said to himself offering the sacrifice in Samuel's stead was the best course of action.  1 Samuel 13:13-14 says, "And Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. ¹⁴ But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."  King Saul imagined his kingdom and leadership was threatened by the Philistine army, his fearful subjects or Samuel's lack of punctuality when it was his own proud, conceited heart which pried the kingdom from his grasp.

This is remarkable, isn't it?  The Philistine army was a problem for Saul, but it wasn't a problem for God.  Saul's inability to rally and inspire the troops wasn't the problem either.  The test God allowed of the invading army, fleeing fighters and the last-minute arrival of a prophet exposed King Saul as a fool.  This was affirmed when instead of owning up to his sin and humbling himself, Saul vainly tried to justify himself and continued on his proud path to ruin.  He looked to himself, to everything and everyone else rather than God and his kingdom would not be established or continue because of his faithless heart.  As Christians we do well to meditate on this matter, for many times the problems we see around us or in others isn't our problem.  God allows us to face tests that reveal the real problem is the unbelief and pride that runs rampant in our own hearts that undermines the strength and victory found in Jesus alone.

Remember God and King

Knowing we are to bear the infirmities of the weak and to edify one another according to Christ's example, Paul wrote of the Bible in Romans 15:4:  "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."  Reading the Scripture illuminates our hearts and minds to reveal the truth about us with the light of God's wisdom, that we naturally follow examples of those who did not trust or rely upon God.  The Bible also illustrates time and again the confidence we can have in God who is faithful to deliver people from sin, adversaries and troubled hearts.

None of us are strangers to bad news, and it seems with the lightning speed of the internet bad news reaches our ears and eyes faster than ever.  Paul's teaching leads us to conclude that what happened in Israel long ago--before the advent of what we call snail mail--remains relevant and edifying for us today.  In 1 Samuel 11, Nahash the Ammonite rose up and encamped against Jabesh-Gilead.  He offered them conditions of peace on the condition he could gouge out every person's right eye.  It doesn't take a genius to know these were terrible and unacceptable terms.  But the men of Jabesh-Gilead responded with a request for 7 days of respite during which they would send messengers with a plea to come to their aid.  If no one responded, they grimly agreed with being disfigured and reproached to save their lives.

From a Christian perspective, it is strange the men of Jabesh-Gilead did not seek the LORD.  They also did not consider Saul had been anointed king to lead God's people to victory in battle.  It was as if in the minds of the people God nor the king He anointed existed, and the people of Jabesh-Gilead had absolutely no confidence in anyone responding to their alarming message.  The passage goes on to say messengers from Jabesh-Gilead arrived at Gibeah where king Saul lived.  Instead of seeking audience with the king in person, they told the bad news to the people.   1 Samuel 11:4-5 reads, "So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept. ⁵ Now there was Saul, coming behind the herd from the field; and Saul said, "What troubles the people, that they weep?" And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh."  The response of the people of Gibeah were as faithless as those of Jabesh-Gilead, for they too mourned without thought of God or their king without any expectation of help, hope or deliverance!

It was only after Saul inquired he heard what was the matter in 1 Samuel 11:6-7:  "Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. ⁷ So he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle, so it shall be done to his oxen." And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent."  When the king was finally informed of the trouble the people of Jabesh-Gilead faced, the Spirit of God came upon Saul and he mustered the people to battle immediately.  Within a day the people of Jabesh-Gilead were delivered from Nahash the Ammonite by God's grace, and Saul's actions galvanised the nation Israel in the fear of God.

Because this passage has been provided for our learning, it reveals the tendency of God's people upon hearing bad news is not to consider the promises, presence or power of God--nor the King He has ordained.  In the case of Christians today, when situations cause us to feel powerless and helpless, we can send messages to other men rather than seeking the LORD.  When we hear bad news that overwhelms us concerning others, we can grieve and mourn without any thought of our anointed King Jesus who is a deliverer and Saviour.  We would love to see ourselves as king Saul in this analogy, but even Saul could not do anything to help unless he had been first filled with the Holy Spirit and given wisdom by God.  It is good for us to own the fact we naturally and perhaps often resemble the men of Jabesh-Gilead and Gibeah so we might change our ways in the fear of God and look to Jesus our Saviour as we cast our cares upon Him.

Admonish as Brothers

"And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

In his second letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul issued corrections and instructions concerning those who were idle and disorderly.  He directed Christians who observed unruly believers to warn the disobedient and to avoid company with them for the purpose of repentance and restoration.  In this case social pressure to obey God and walk in holiness served a good purpose, for shame and conviction over sin provided strong motivation to repent and live in the way that pleases God and fostered unity in the church.

Paul said a fellow Christian who erred was not to be treated as an enemy but believers were to "admonish him as a brother."  Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines to admonish as, "to teach, warn counsel, to reprove with mildness."  Not only was correction and instruction to be done in a gentle fashion but with the same approach as one would with a brother.  They were not to admonish as a boss to a worker or a parent to a child:  they were to admonish as equals who shared the same God and Saviour.  While brothers have different personalities, they have more in common than anyone else on the planet.  Brothers share the same parents, genetics, upbringing, and usually a last name.  On the basis of their relationship as family, brothers ought to be committed to one another and to love one another regardless of differences or mistakes.  While people may fall short of this ideal, it is a noble aspiration.

If brothers are committed to support and help each other on the basis of their temporal relationship, how much more sacrificial our love, patience and grace be towards brothers and sisters in Christ whom Jesus loves and has purchased with His own blood?  We have been redeemed by the same Saviour and received the same forgiveness, acceptance and love of God, and thus we are supernaturally equipped by the Holy Spirit and guided to extend the same to all our Christian brethren.  Tragically we in the church--like all sinners--fall short of God's standard of perfection, and we can be unwilling to work on our sanctification or labour to admonish our brothers at all.  Somehow we imagine someone else should be held responsible to do what God demands of us.  Lack of love and unity are results when we allow grievances to fester, respond to sin with harshness, or admonish like an angry judge does a criminal when we are just as crooked ourselves.

It may be we have been admonished (and rightfully so) but not in a kind or gentle way, but we ought to receive it in the loving manner such admonition ought to have been given.  We can receive instruction and correction from the hand of our Saviour from a rude messenger as from the LORD.  Let us give grace as those who instruct as well as those who are being taught by our LORD Jesus.  We may fail to warn or reprove those who err with mildness, and we have been guilty of ignoring rebuke because it was not done with the right heart--but who among men is always right but Jesus?  Be certain of this, brothers and sisters, that the way to give and receive reproof and correction is when we walk in the love of God and one another.  Instead of seeing a Christian brother or sister as an enemy, let us admonish them (when needed!) as brethren we love and are committed to loving forever because of the relationship we share with God our Father.

Hearing God's Words

When correspondence is written to us personally, it changes the way we receive it.  I remember holding letters from local politicians up to the light to see if it was actually signed by the dignitary or merely printed coloured ink.  If it was signed by hand it wouldn't have changed my view of the policies--but I would have respected our government representative more.  Personal letters ought to be taken personally, for they were sent to an individual in particular.  A letter directed to you ought to have more impact than a news article or encyclopedia entry, for within could be a call to action or request that requires a response.

The reading of the Law of Moses certainly made an impact on king Josiah after it was found in 2 Kings 22:10-11:  "Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king. ¹¹ Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes."  Tearing clothes was a sign of grief and mourning, and the king gave the command in 2 Kings 22:13:  "Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."  Needless to say, king Josiah took God's words very seriously.  I would be hard pressed to say reading the Bible ever provoked such a strong, immediate response like this.

As born again Christians, the Bible ought to have a powerful influence upon us because we believe it is God's word spoken to us personally.  God's word is living and powerful, and it is sharp as a two-edged sword that pierces our hearts and exposes our motives.  Our lack of any emotional response to the Scripture can be an indication of hardness of heart in us and even dullness from much hearing.  One thing the Bible cannot be is boring, for it holds forth the words of life to our thirsty, starving souls by our awesome Creator who loves us.  The truth of the Bible washes over us, purifying our minds from deceptions and assumptions we continue to carry, and guides us into all truth.

While we may not tear our clothes after hearing a passage of Scripture, the God who looks upon the heart takes notice.  2 Kings 22:18-19 tells us the message of God through the prophetess:  "But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, in this manner you shall speak to him, 'Thus says the LORD God of Israel: "Concerning the words which you have heard--¹⁹ because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the LORD."  King Josiah heard the word of the LORD and wept, and in response God also heard him.  Josiah sowed in tears and reaped in joy as he received God's words of comfort and peace.  Let us be those who read God's word with humble, contrite hearts, for such are the ones who will hear our Father's voice in fellowship.

Seeing the Big Picture

While drawing spiritual parallels from biblical historical accounts can provide insights, we must remain vigilant to survey the big picture.  For example, this morning I read 1 Samuel 7 which explains how the Ark of the Covenant remained in the home of Abinadab for 20 years before the children of Israel returned to the LORD with all their hearts, put away their idols and served God only.  For a long time the nation of Israel had been oppressed by the Philistines, and drawing near to God according to His covenant was an important step in their restoration.  The Hebrews gathered at the word of Samuel and humbled themselves before God in acknowledging their sin with fasting and repentance.

The Philistines heard the Hebrews had gathered in Mizpeh, and they decided it provided an opportune time to attack.  The people were likely weakened from their fast and not organised to fight a battle, so it seemed they would be easy prey.  Some might read this passage and draw a spiritual parallel, that when God's people take steps to be right with God and serve Him the enemy of our souls will muster forces to attack.  We do observe it was after Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness and hungry from an extended fast Satan tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread.  While this interpretation may have merit, it is not the whole story.  If we hold fast to this interpretation of events on a spiritual level, we do a disservice to ignore what happened later.  Focusing on the enemy attack or satanic temptation results in poor--even unbiblical--personal application.

When the people saw the advancing Philistines, they were afraid and asked Samuel to intercede on their behalf with God.  Samuel cried out to God, and God heard him.  1 Samuel 7:10 reads, "Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel."  In response to the cries of His people, God delivered them from their adversaries with a mighty hand, for He thundered against them.  The passage goes on to say in 1 Samuel 7:13-14, "So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. ¹⁴ Then the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered its territory from the hands of the Philistines. Also there was peace between Israel and the Amorites."  When the enemies of Israel seized an opportunity to fight and overcome Israel, God fought for His people, overcame their enemies, kept the Philistines out of Israel's territory, and restored cities long inhabited by Philistines!  God brought peace where there had only been oppression and warfare.

For those who would use the 1 Samuel 7 passage to suggest we ought to expect opposition when we turn to the LORD and serve Him wholly, we also ought to praise God because He will deliver us!  After the temptations of Satan proved futile, the Gospels of Matthew and Mark say after the devil left him angels came and ministered unto Him.  God allowed Job to suffer at the hands of Satan with the aim to doubly bless him in the end and reveal His compassion and mercy (James 5:11).  The devil imagined he could destroy Jesus on Calvary, but by God's grace the death of Jesus ushered in the means of justification and salvation for all sinners forever.  From these passages the big picture is revealed, that whenever God allows attacks and trials God is able to redeem them as a massive win for those who love Him.

If we only focus on the likelihood of attacks for seeking the LORD and serving Him, it follows people may conclude opposition is validation of their piety.  A better interpretation and application is to realise our sovereign God is able to deliver, save and minister to us because He preserves us by His grace.  Let us be those who cry out to Him for salvation and abide in His word.  John 8:31-32 says, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  In Christ we are free from the shackles of worry, sin, fear and pride, and we are free to worship, praise and thank God for His salvation.  As it is written in Psalm 34:6, "This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles."  More than focusing on enemy attacks or what we must do to overcome, how good it is to rejoice in our Saviour who hears and saves us out of all our troubles.

Rejoicing in Christ

I enjoy reading good books that provoke reflection and provide insight into living like Jesus Christ.  I especially like concrete examples that aid personal application of points being made.  In Spiritual Leadership, a list from the Life of Robert E Speer was provided for leaders to measure their maturity in practical and timeless ways.  Most of those listed were things to avoid because it is our natural, fleshly inclination we all suffer from in various degrees.  Here are some I found most useful:

• Not to murmur at the multitude of business or the shortness of time but to buy up the time all around.
• Not to groan when letters are brought in; not even a murmur.
• Not to magnify undertaken duties by seeming to suffer under them, but to treat all as liberties and gladness...
• Before censuring anyone, obtain from God a real love for him.  Be sure that you know and that you allow all allowances that can be made.  Otherwise, how ineffective, how unintelligible or perhaps provocative your best-meant censure may be.
• Oh, how well it doth make for peace to be silent about others, not to believe everything without discernment, and not to go on easily telling things.
• Not to seek praise, gratitude, respect or regard from superiors or equals of age or past service.
• Not to feel uneasiness when your advice or opinion is not asked or is set aside.
• Never to let yourself be placed in favorable contrast with another.
• Not to hunger for conversation to  turn of yourself.
• To seek no favor, no compassion; to deserve, not to ask for, tenderness.
• To bear blame rather than share or transmit it.
• When credit for your own design or execution is given to another, not to be disturbed, but to give thanks. (Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership. Marshall Pickering, 1986. pages 118-119)

There is much in the world, in the church and in ourselves that can be disheartening when we focus on faults and failures.  But when we learn to trust God, continue to cast our cares on Jesus, and expect to see the goodness of God in the land of the living, we will experience comfort from the LORD as we rejoice in our Saviour.  Examining the motivations of our hearts and walking in integrity before God and man is our calling and a blessing afforded us as God's beloved children.  By God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit we can implement Philippians 4:4 in all seasons of life because Jesus is our Life:  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

Saved to Stand

History has shown even those who believe God exists and attribute power to Him often choose to reject Him.  The Egyptians realised the God of the Hebrews fought against them when suddenly their chariot wheels began falling off as they tried to pursue them through the Red Sea.  The testimony of Rahab in Jericho showed the miraculous, marvelous power of God had been voiced throughout the region with the plagues He poured out on Egypt, yet those in Jericho did not worship Him.  In a passage I read this morning, the Philistines believed the God of Israel was responsible for the deadly tumours and plague of mice that ravaged the land wherever the ark of God was carried, yet they continued to cling to their idol Dagon.  God's own people were guilty of forsaking the worship of God in their service to idols who never once saved them.

In a rather humorous way, the Bible describes what happened when the ark of God was captured and placed by the image of Dagon in the Philistine temple.  1 Samuel 5:3-5 says, "And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. ⁴ And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the LORD. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon's torso was left of it. ⁵ Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon's house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day."  It is likely the image of Dagon had never toppled over until the ark of God was brought into his temple.  The irony is after Dagon fell over a second time and his head and hands broke off--leaving only a stump--the Philistine priests and people reverenced the threshold where Dagon fell rather than transferring their allegiance to the God before whom Dagon bowed.

Recently I viewed a clip of a hardened atheist who railed upon God for the suffering He allows people to endure, yet his worldview does not provide him or anyone else comfort from suffering in this supposedly godless world.  All the rage the fellow expressed remained impotent to redeem the past or provide a bright future for him:  so it is for all who make a covenant with death.  The amazing thing about the living God is He chose to come to earth as a man and suffer a bloody death at the hands of murderous humanity on the cross on Calvary so whosoever might believe in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.  The resurrection of Jesus from the dead and ascension to heaven reveals His power over sin and death, and by faith in Him we have a living, enduring hope.  God demonstrated His love for us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us so we might live with Him.

The God who created mankind has suffered more rejection than everyone else combined, yet He remains gracious and loving towards us.  Despite people throughout the ages to this day who reverence rocks, stones and themselves over the true God, He stays faithful and is worthy to be praised.  Let us be numbered among those who cast aside our idols and wrath and faithfully cling to Him, for He able to set us back on our feet after we have fallen.  When we suffer, He draws us to Himself with words of comfort, love and peace.  He supports us, despite our wretchedness and folly, with His redemptive power and everlasting arms.  Psalm 20:6-8 expresses our great confidence in Christ:  "Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. ⁷ Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. ⁸ They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright."

Power of Prophecy

Some Christians have an appetite for biblical prophecy to gain understanding of future events.  Some enjoy observing what is happening in the world with the aim of connecting what they see with what the Bible says.  Given a bit of time, this often proves to be a highly speculative practice.  If people were to dig out dusty paperbacks from the 70's and 80's, there undoubtedly would be suggestions based on current events at the time that sound quite silly now.  A problem I have with those who have a prophetic sweet tooth that springboards off current events is the quick discarding of claims that proved erroneous to make way for new speculations that pose as revelations--without damaging the credibility of those who made false claims previously.

I am convinced God has revealed Himself to mankind through His word for the purpose of us knowing Him, that we would be saved and sanctified by Him.  This is true concerning poetry, prophecy or any book of the Bible.  God has spoken through historical narrative, through prophets and His Son Jesus so we would be transformed inside and out.  On the subject of God being our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble, the sons of Korah sang prophetically in Psalm 46:10-11:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ¹¹ The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah"  To people who looked around at the desolations of the earth and justified being afraid, God commanded His people to stand still and know the LORD of hosts is God.  Knowledge of God's power and presence was intended to shift the perspective of God's people from their enemies or troubles to their God who will be exalted.  God's word ought to change our outlook, thinking, words and actions.

At the conclusion of the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ Revelation 22:10-11 says, "And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. ¹¹ He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."  The words of prophecy spoken through the apostle John were relevant for the 1st century Christians and remain important to this day.  The words were not to be sealed because they were intended to be heard and responded to by faith through obedience.  Those who refused to heed God's word would remain unchanged in their sinfulness, and those made righteous by faith in Jesus would listen to and obey His word.  This exhortation is not to encourage unjust and filthy living, but it shows how our response to God's pure and holy word will be reflected in our actions.  Sin and righteousness each have their own final reward from God:  death or life.

The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary said this:  "No worse punishment can God lay on ungodly men than to give them up to themselves. The solemn lesson derivable from this verse is, Be converted now in the short time left (Rev 22:10, end) before “I come” (Rev 22:7, 12), or else you must remain unconverted for ever; sin in the eternal world will be left to its own natural consequences; holiness in germ will there develop itself into perfect holiness, which is happiness."  One thing that rings true from reading the Bible is it never comforts or exhorts people to remain as we are, for unconverted sinners and redeemed saints are both called to repentance and to follow Jesus.  We come to Jesus as we are, and as a potter fashions clay so God works in and through us to accomplish His pleasure as vessels sanctified for His honour.  The power of prophecy is not knowing when or what will happen in the future but by the transformation God brings about in us when we submit and entrust our lives to Him by faith and obedience.

The Shoulder Incident(s)

This morning I was reminded of a surprise revelation when I went to the doctor about shoulder discomfort.  While playing baseball, I stumbled and rolled onto my shoulder in tagging out a baserunner hung up between third base and home.  I ended up separating my shoulder and damaging the AC joint when I landed heavily on it.  There was no question what I did that hurt myself, but I was quite surprised after the doctor looked at scans.

The x-ray brought to light I had--at some point prior without my knowledge--sustained a Hills-Sachs fracture of the shoulder.  I could only theorise what had happened.  Maybe it happened when I injured my shoulder throwing a baseball during high school or at a point during my working career.  Looking at the scan it was clear there had been trauma to the shoulder, even though I could not say when it happened or what caused it.  Healing had taken place but the evidence of the break remained.

My situation illustrates to me the grace of God who enabled me to press on with playing baseball, worked in a trade to provide for my family, and continue living as if I had never sustained an injury.  God is faithful to protect and help us when we cannot help ourselves.  The LORD did a similar thing for me mentally and emotionally when I went to 8th grade after being homeschooled for years.  I remember in my adulthood I ran into one of my classmates in a Bible study where he apologised profusely for bullying me in school.  Honestly, I could not recall a single thing he did or said that disturbed or troubled me.  It was another case of God's protecting, healing hand upon my life when I was clueless of how completely I needed Him.

The separated shoulder event I knew perfectly well happened also had a valuable takeaway.  Rather than throwing the ball to my teammate to tag the runner, my lack of confidence in his ability and self-confidence led me to overexert myself by taking matters into my own hands.  Sure, the runner was tagged out, but it came at a heavy cost that has impacted my ability to sleep on that side every night until this day.  I should have distributed the responsibility to make the play to my teammate by throwing him the ball, yet the priceless lesson of learning to trust the LORD by entrusting important tasks to others has served me well.  Pain is a skilled teacher, but the LORD is the greatest Teacher because He can use every experience of life--and the experiences of others--to teach us life-changing lessons money cannot buy.

Praying Changes Us

I was impressed to read the testimony of Hannah and how praying to the LORD made an immediate impact in her life.  For a long time she had been provoked by her husband's second wife who pitted herself against Hannah as her rival.  Hannah's adversary Penninah had children and Hannah was barren, and year after year she heaped scorn upon Hannah concerning something she could not change.  She wanted children, and as the years dragged the continuous provocations wounded Hannah to the point she lost her appetite.

During her annual trek to the tabernacle with her family, Hannah wept before the LORD in prayer.  She prayed God would giver her a son, a child she promised to lend to the LORD all his days.  Eli, the high priest at the time, observed her praying and assumed she was drunk because her mouth was moving but no sounds came forth.  One might think with all Hannah suffered--and then to be falsely accused by the high priest as a drunk--would only have added to her pain and led her to further despair.

This wasn't the case at all!  Having poured out her heart to the LORD and refuted the accusation of being drunk, she explained to Eli her demeanour in prayer was the result of great sorrow and grief.  Eli then blessed Hannah and encouraged her with agreement that God would hear and answer her request.  1 Samuel 1:18 says, "And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight.  So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."  Crying out to God in faith did not immediately change Hannah's barrenness, but praying changed Hannah.  Her pained expression turned to gladness, and she ate the portion provided by her husband who loved her.

Casting our cares upon the LORD knowing He will hear and answer may not change our situation, but exercising faith in God in prayer works to change us, our attitude and perspective going forward.  The very situations we desire God to change can be employed by God to change us.  It took great provocation before Hannah was moved to desperately seek the LORD in prayer, and when she later conceived and bore a son by God's grace she testified of God's faithfulness all along.  We can know we have cast our cares upon the LORD when we are changed and encouraged by doing so--not because our circumstances have changed.

Minds Set Right

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

Colossians 3:1-2

In a sermon I heard many years ago, the pastor urged his hearers to consider how our perspective should be ordered as children of God.  Rather than being at the mercy of our circumstances, emotions or feelings, we are to remain grounded in the sovereignty and goodness of God in every season of life.  Unlike a ship adrift that is carried by wind or currents, we have an anchor for our souls by faith in Jesus Christ our Saviour.  We can see the waves and feel them beating upon us, yet we can remain immoveable, fruitful and abounding in the work of the LORD.

He used an illustration of the difference Jesus makes in our lives, not to pump us up that we can feel "in control" during the storms of this life, but to know that whatever happens God remains on the throne over this world and us personally.  My takeaway from the message was to ask myself, "Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?  Do you register or regulate?"  A thermometer passively displays the ambient temperature, but a thermostat is set in an air-conditioning system to change the temperature of the air.  Thermometers and people both register, but as we submit ourselves to God's rule in faith we can make a positive impact that will be felt by others--like an unexpected cool breeze on a sweltering day.

It is important in the thermostat analogy to recognise it is God who is established over all things, and He is the one who sets us right by the Gospel.  In response to our glorious God and Saviour and our good standing in Him we are called to purposely seek Him and to set our minds on things above.  By faith in Jesus we are enabled to stand by the power of the Holy Spirit even in the midst of trials and troubles.  It is natural for us to be mindful of earthly, temporal things because we continue to live in perishing bodies on the earth.  Reading through the Psalms of late I can say David was both a thermometer and thermostat:  the trials and persecution he faced registered in his heart, prompted him to seek the LORD, and then his heart was fixed (set) to wait on the LORD with the firm conviction he would see the goodness of God in the land of the living.

How about you?  Do you tend to be a thermometer or a thermostat?  Should there come a day when the pains or difficulties of life no longer register in us at all, it may be because we are dead!  By God's grace He has given us feelings, emotions and desires, and it is good for us to seek God and His wisdom so He might establish us by faith and reliance upon Him.  Our LORD regulates the fiery trials He allows, and may His testing result in our faith growing exceedingly, our love abounding, and entering into the rest made possible by our Saviour Jesus.  May this overcoming, conquering faith in Christ bring great glory to our LORD who is the Rock of Salvation our lives are built upon.

Loved Without Reproach

The book of Ruth is a beautiful and heartwarming passage of virtue, kindness and redemption.  The most compelling and romantic fairy tales written by people fall infinitely short of its perfection.  This historical narrative is no work of fiction dreamed up by man but is the word of God that leads us to wonder and marvel over the Redeemer of lost sinners, Jesus Christ.

The plot of the story is simple:  Naomi went to Moab to avoid a famine in Bethlehem-Judah with her husband and two sons, and she later returned widowed, childless and bitter accompanied by her loyal daughter-in-law named Ruth.  This industrious woman went to glean in a field which turned out to be owned by a rich older man named Boaz, who was unmarried, and he also happed to be a near relative of Naomi.  He was aware of Ruth and her relation to Naomi, and he did everything to generously extend kindness to Ruth.

Boaz urged Ruth to only glean in his field to protect her from unsavoury men.  He provided access to water, shade and bread--though she was a foreigner and a Moabite.  Boaz invited Ruth to eat with his own servants and gave directives concerning her in Ruth 2:15-16:  "And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, "Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. ¹⁶ Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her."  Boaz extended unrestricted access for Ruth to glean even among the sheaves without reproach or rebuke.  He told his workers to intentionally let grain fall so she might gather it up for herself and her mother-in-law.

Ultimately the book comes to a close with Boaz and Ruth being wed and Naomi holding her dear grandson Obed--who would be the father of Jesse and grandfather of king David.  Boaz fulfilled the responsibility of a kinsman redeemer, and the Bible reveals Jesus far outshines the great kindness Boaz showed Ruth through the Gospel to redeem lost sinners to be citizens of His kingdom and members of the people of God.  Jesus is the Bread of Life who does not reproach us for our unworthiness, nor does He rebuke us for our woeful sinfulness:  He invites all who are hungry to come to Him and freely receive Him, and all who are thirsty are invited to partake of His living water by faith in Him.  Instead of us needing to find Him, Jesus has drawn near to us in person and given us the Bible so we might feed on His faithfulness continually.

I love the scene of Boaz generously telling his servants to do a lousy job of gathering grain so Ruth might benefit.  How awesome it is when we are empty, hungry, thirsty and needy, we can rest assured Jesus provides us access into His presence, and in Him all our needs are met by grace.  At all hours of the day we can hear His voice through His word and venture into His presence through prayer.  It is bad manners to overstay one's welcome as a guest, and though God regards Christians as His beloved children He does not whisk us off to bed so He can have quiet or rest:  our rest and peace is found in the living God with us!  Christians can identify with Naomi, Ruth and Boaz at various times in our lives, but we have a source of joy, prosperity and fruitfulness through the everlasting Gospel that overwhelms the temporal happiness of family and friendship.

Seasons come and go; a spouse passes away and a child is born.  We are perpetually worthy of reproach and rebuke for our sins, yet God graciously made a way of salvation and redemption by His own Son.  He does not remember our faults but commends us for our faith we received from Him.  He gives wisdom and life liberally without reproach.  The LORD sent word to shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem in Luke 2:10-11:  "Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  The death of Jesus and Calvary, His resurrection and ascension reveals our Redeemer lives and has drawn us to Himself by His grace.  No longer need we be bitter, for the sweetness of His love, grace and acceptance fills and satisfies with His presence.