Vessels of Honour

One of the interesting aspects of shows like Antique Roadshow or American Pickers is when experts provide insight into the history of a painter, item, car or brand.  They explain how to tell the real deal from fakes and supply a valuation based upon what they believe the item is worth or what it could sell for at auction.  I am often impressed at their historical knowledge, the meaning behind makers marks on ceramics, art pieces and jewelry, and attention to details I never would have known to look for.

While the experts know a lot about the history or current market value of an item, one thing they never talk about is to predict what will happen to that watch, vase or painting 70 years from now.  They can suggest an amount to ensure an antique for, but they are not in the business of providing prophecies about where a set of silver flatware or a gold trinket will be stored.  No expert can claim to have this knowledge, but God does.  God used the vessels and dishes of the temple as an object lesson to demonstrate His all-knowing wisdom, and at the same time expose false prophets for their folly.

Jeremiah 27:19-22 says, "For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, concerning the Sea, concerning the carts, and concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city, ²⁰ which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem--²¹ yes, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem: ²² 'They shall be carried to Babylon, and there they shall be until the day that I visit them,' says the LORD. 'Then I will bring them up and restore them to this place.'"  In the following chapter Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet claimed the vessels already taken by Nebuchadnezzar would be returned within two years.  Hananiah's word was proved false when they were not returned, and they remained in Babylon until the empire was overthrown by the Medes and Persians.  Then the remnant of Israel was sent back with the vessels of the sanctuary according to the word of the LORD.

How wonderful it is to have a God who is omniscient, who cannot be tricked or deceived by lies!  I am reminded of the teaching of Jesus how sparrows were of small monetary value but not one falls without God taking note of it.  Jesus said in Matthew 10:31, "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  The implication is if God knows where dishes will be taken and stored, if He knows when a sparrow falls, He knows precisely what is happening in our lives and where He will lead us.  He cares about us much more than vessels of brass, silver and gold; He loves us more than birds He created beautiful that fly and sing.  In 70 years who knows where my dishes will end up, but praise the LORD disciples of Jesus have assurance where we are going because He is preparing a place for us to be with Him forever.  By God's grace we are His treasures beyond price, purchased with the blood of Jesus.

The Gracious Accident

As I tried to manoeuvre all the tools I was carrying into my car, I groaned inwardly as I watched my stud finder clatter to the ground.  Almost in slow motion the plastic cover for the batteries popped off and the batteries released from the housing and rolled away.  I wondered if the device would be broken and hated the thought of needing to purchase another one due to my clumsiness.  It was the most expensive stud finder I ever bought, and the quality of the instrument justified the price.

When I reached down to retrieve the batteries and the finder, I noticed one of the batteries had been heavily corroded.  A stud finder is something I don't use all the time, and leaving batteries inside devices can lead to leakage.  Because the finder worked fine I never thought to open up the case an examine the batteries.  There I was, concerned I had potentially damaged the finder because I dropped it, while all the time it was insidiously being destroyed from within as it sat there in my garage in a safe place.  I am glad to report after removing the corrosion with a wire brush all is working as it should with new batteries.

It is interesting how positive end results can change our perspective of accidents or unexpected problems that trouble us.  A fall and superficial scratch on a stud finder led to the discovery of leaking batteries that ultimately saved the device from being ruined permanently.  In the end I was glad it happened because it provided insight into damage caused by unseen neglect.  Had I discovered the corrosion when it was too late because the stud-finder no longer worked, I would never have thought:  "I wish I had only dropped this stud-finder accidentally at some point so I would have seen the corrosion before it was too late!"  The stud-finder incident is at its core a lesson that reveals the grace of God to redeem something that was troubling at first for good in the end.

God is faithful to be gracious and merciful to all whether we recognise it or not.  His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and we can be confident in His redemptive power is at work in all situations--whether we recognise it or not.  Instead of beating ourselves up over our failures, accidents we were involved with, or mistakes that have been made, let us believe we will see the goodness of God in the land of the living.  Looking to God and walking in His grace also applies when we see others as responsible for the problem, like if the stud-finder was dropped by someone else and broken on impact beyond repair.  Isn't God able to redeem that too for His good purposes?  This is confirmed beyond doubt (though we often doubt) in Jeremiah 32:27:  "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"  Since it is not hard for God to redeem, we ought to always trust in our Redeemer of our souls.

The Torch Lesson

Live long enough and you will have experiences that supply beneficial lessons God can use to live wisely.  Today I had one of those moments when a situation provided insight beyond the surface and speaks spiritual truth.

When I went to change the batteries in my favourite torch, I noticed the lack of the familiar rattle of the batteries inside.  To my surprise the alkaline batteries over a year had swollen in size and were stuck fast in the aluminium housing.  Try as I might, I could not make them budge.  Tapping the end of the torch on a piece of wood making use of gravity had no impact, and grabbing the end of the battery with needle-nose pliers popped the circular end off!  I could see the end was blackened and oily, welded tight to the torch all around.  This was not a good sign.

So I did what many people had before me:  look for posts on the internet by people who had the same issue and succeeded in fixing the problem.  This led to me drilling a pilot hole in the battery for a lag bolt to pull it out, using washers as leverage.  All I did was take a core-sample from the stubborn battery.  I warmed the housing with a heat gun:  nothing.  What was very interesting is when I tried to grab the hollowed-out battery with pliers the light flicked on brighter than it had when it was switched on previously.  Ultimately I reached a point where methods of extraction required so much force I ran the very high risk of permanently damaging the torch or injuring myself, so into the bin it went.

Thankfully I had another torch of the same kind stored away that will work nicely for the foreseeable future.  But what occurred to me is the long passage of time I knew the light from the torch was growing more dim and I never bothered to open it up and change the batteries.  I have tons of batteries of the proper size, so that wasn't the issue.  Neglect of doing the simple act of opening up the housing and taking a look when performance began to suffer ended up in the torch being unusable and destroyed.  It reminded me of our need as followers of Jesus to take the time to examine our own hearts.  Just because we are in fine health on the outside does not mean our thoughts or motives are pure or we are free from sin.  Even as the torch was amazingly able to function with a massive hole drilled through the centre of a battery, so we can go through the motions of life, family and ministry when we are in dire need of personal revival and restoration.

The light of a torch shines away from the batteries, and thus it is necessary for someone to use a different light to examine them.  As insightful as we might be concerning ourselves, we are not nearly as discerning as our God who created us.  It is His gaze we must invite and submit to, choosing to heed His voice.  That is why David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; ²⁴ and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  God knows and sees what man cannot, and in love He will point out of sins and worries man tries to justify.  Praise the LORD He knows us and loves us, and the Light of the World Jesus Christ makes us to shine bright by the power of the Holy Spirit according to His grace.  A new heart and a renewed mind is ours when we humble ourselves before the LORD in contrite faith.

The Stage of Duty

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

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

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

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

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

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

Seeks and Saves

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

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

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

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

Seeing the LORD

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

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

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

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

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

Full of Goodness

There was concern among the staff at a camp when it was realised one of the girls had not been eating much.  Whenever she was encouraged to eat there were always excuses given:  she wasn't feeling well (possibly from not eating), had a headache, she didn't like the food on offer or claimed to have eaten already.  Eating disorders can pose a dangerous and even a deadly risk to the health and well-being of those who suffer from them, and thus the duty of care of leaders at camp was to ensure all had access to wholesome food.  At the same time we could not force anyone to eat anything or everything.  But we could call parents of campers, and praise the LORD loving parents have the well-being of their children in mind.

A similar thing is true concerning pastoral teaching ministry.  Pastors and teachers are called and equipped by God to hold forth the word of God as the spiritual and practical nutrition it is for our souls.  People are also enabled by God to feed on the word they hear in sermons or read themselves.  While all God's word is wholesome and vital to promote our spiritual health, we can be finicky and aloof eaters.  We can eat so much fruit or bread that we have no room for the mains.  There can be subjects or passages we find unpalatable and refuse to receive, choosing to hide it in a serviette to throw away or to feed it to the dog under the table--as if God doesn't realise.  Like a person I heard about who basically survives on chicken nuggets, we can develop a taste for one doctrine or flavour that we willfully deny our bodies and minds the benefit of a wide range of nutritious options.

It is good for us to realise that all God serves up in His word is good and for our maturation.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  It would be a shame to only read the New Testament when all scripture is given by inspiration of God.  There is profitable doctrine and instruction throughout the entire Bible when God opens our eyes to see it.  When we open our mouths wide He will fill them, and this means we must trust Him.  It is good when God has such a reputation in our minds of being perfect and good that we will joyfully receive whatever He supplies in His word for us.

This is why reading through the Bible in its entirety is a good spiritual discipline to embrace.  Learning to read and study the Bible in context is very useful to help us receive the most benefit from God's word as we observe, interpret and personally apply the ageless wisdom and divine truths.  As God reveals Himself through His words coupled with our experience our tastes begin to be refined.  Instead of pitting two rigid views against each other as right or wrong, we begin to realise aspects of Christianity complement each other beautifully like sweet and sour.  In the world there are an abundance of flavours we have yet to experience that are good, and we grow in the grace and knowledge of God through His word may He bring delight to our souls.

Strength in Weakness

God gave us feelings, and this is a good thing.  A problem arises, however, when we allow our feelings to dictate what we do or how we respond to a situation.  Knowledge of the truth helps keep our feelings in check, and faith in God enables feelings to serve us well rather than being mastered by them.

Generally, parents have healthy and positive desires for their babies.  They want to nurture them to grow, learn to roll over, crawl, walk and talk.  A little child comfortable with crawling is not always keen to learn to walk because their legs are wobbly and uncoordinated.  Imagine a child who is barely able to stand with the aid of an object is made to stand in the middle of a room at a distance from a smiling parent who coaxes them to take a step.  The little one fusses or drops to the ground, not feeling happy about this torturous situation.  What is wrong with crawling?  Why is mum or dad just out of reach?  And why do we have to keep playing this awful game over and over?

A parent has a purpose and plan in mind for the child the child does not realise.  A parent knows the act of trying to stand will build strength and muscle coordination the baby does not yet possess.  Adults realise crawling on all fours provides limited mobility for developing infants, but we have feet and legs God created for us to be able to stand, walk, run, leap and dance!  Like babies, we are troubled when God does the equivalent of putting us at arms reach where we feel vulnerable so we will grow in strength and use it to walk towards Him in faith.  Sometimes we want to feel strong to run a marathon before we are willing to learn to take a stand by faith in God.

Though at times we may feel like God is not supporting or helping us, let us not lose heart.  It is faith in the goodness of God in the land of the living that prompts us to seek the LORD and trust He will supply the strength and ability to please Him.  He is good to remove things we used to balance ourselves and to lift us onto our feet where we feel alone and unsteady so we might learn to exercise ourselves in godliness.  Feelings of loneliness or being overwhelmed is a good signal for us to cry out to God as Psalm 61:1-2 says, "Hear my cry, O God; attend to my prayer. ² From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I."  We would rather feel strong and able to take on the world, but God wants us to look to Him and rejoice in our weakness so He can be our strength.

The LORD Our Sanctuary

Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, faults and particular sins they are bent towards.  This morning I experienced a culmination of circumstances which led to me losing my temper.  I allowed feelings of frustration over my own mistakes while baking that resulted in a seething rage.  There are at least two things I despise:  my own foolish mistakes, and wasting good ingredients.  Throwing away what could have been delicious baked goods provoked a grit your teeth, sputtering, white-hot anger that begged to be released on the world easily justified in the moment under the guise of the unexpected problems I faced.

Looking back, my angry reaction was completely unjustified.  It meant I needed to use twice the amount of ingredients and needed to make an unplanned trip to the shops where there were ingredients in abundance I could afford to purchase.  It occurred to me that anger will not be reasoned with, and it prefers cursing over blessing.  We can try to ignore the fact anger prompted cursing in our minds, but better to recognise our need to repent even if we exercised self-control not to utter them.  The need to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ suggests they did not arise from a pure heart but one corrupted by fleshly impulses.  Better to repent of sin than pretend we are pure in ourselves.  Just yesterday I read an amazing encouragement by William Gurnall in The Christian in Complete Armour:

"A heathen could say, when a bird scared by a hawk flew into his bosom, I will not betray thee unto thy enemy, seeing thou comest for sanctuary unto me.  How much less will God yield up a soul unto its enemy when it takes sanctuary in his name, saying, 'Lord, I am hunted with such a temptation, dogged with such a lust, either thou must pardon or I am damned; mortify it, or I shall be a slave to it; take me into the bosom of thy love, for Christ's sake; castle me in the arms of thy everlasting strength, it is in thy power to save me from, or give me up into, the hands of my enemy.  I have no confidence in myself or any other; into thy hands I commit my cause, my life, and rely on thee.'  This dependence of a soul undoubtedly will awaken the almighty power of God for such an one's defense."  (Gurnall, William. The Christian in Complete Armour. Banner of Truth Trust, 1987. page 30)

How great is the need of Christians for Christ!  I have made the mistake of ignoring my own sinful thoughts or selfish attitudes like I would a passerby on the street rather than owning the anger, cursing and frustration as sin to be repented of myself.  God is gracious to reveal His righteousness and our sinfulness so we might repent and be restored to fellowship with Him and one another.  See, my problem was not that an important ingredient was omitted or wasted:  this was God's solution to reveal the problem of my sin already inside me so I might humble myself before Him so he might "take me into the bosom of His love" and "castle me in the arms of His everlasting strength."  Are not His ways and thoughts higher than ours?  Is not His almighty power greater than our sin?  We are wise to humbly seek sanctuary in our LORD Jesus Who saves.

Calling and Taking Initiative

I grew up playing Little League baseball as a kid, and my coaches stressed the importance of fundamentals at the plate, on the mound, on the base paths and in the field.  One aspect of fielding we worked on was knowing what to do should the ball be hit your way.  If a fly ball came in your direction and a catch was likely possible, we were taught to "call" the ball by shouting audibly to communicate with other fielders.  There was also a pecking order to avoid dangerous collisions or dropped balls if a ball was hit between teammates.  An outfielder had the right to "call off" an infielder as their momentum was heading in the right direction, and the center fielder had the right of way over a converging right or left fielder.

Understanding the need to take initiative to call the ball before catching it was as important as knowing when to peel off and allow a teammate to make the catch.  This was not decided in the pressure filled moments of the game but during practice under the watchful eyes of coaches.  There was no time to debate or discuss while the ball sailed through the air, and knowing these unwritten rules helped players work together to win.  When it was time to move up to a new division those old rules stayed consistent and relevant, adopted without question because that is how baseball is meant to be played.  Baseball is a team sport, and making sure the 9 players on the field and those riding the pine (on the bench) understood their roles was an important key to success.

The concept of taking initiative to call a ball and knowing when to give way because you are "called off" by another fielder who is held responsible to do so reminds me a bit of how God has established complimentary roles in the marriage relationship:  a wife is called to submit to her husband as unto the LORD, and a husband is called to love his wife as Christ sacrificially loved the church.  A center fielder can choose not to call off an outfielder or infielder, but it is a judgment call he learns to make.  Many times the ball has fallen to the turf because the one who was meant to take initiative assumed the other fielder who called the ball had it covered.  When there is any doubt and the center fielder can make the catch, it is in the best interests of the whole team for the player to take charge and make the play.

The way a follower of Jesus "takes charge" is NOT like a center fielder who shouts to communicate but by denying and humbling self before God in faith, obedience and love.  Looking to the example of Jesus is critical for all Christians as we submit to one another in love, indwelt and led by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did not tout His authority as the Son of God but made Himself of no reputation, chose to embrace the role of a servant, was made in the likeness of men and was obedient to God unto death.  Each child of God is to respond in obedience to the call of Jesus Christ to love one another, and yielding to Him is a key to walking uprightly.  Before we experience conflict, disagreements or pressure situations it is good to know our responsibilities before Him:  to love God and serve one another according to His command.

Born Again to Be

The viewer's introduction to Aragon in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is in the shadows of the Prancing Pony tavern, his face and piercing eyes illuminated by the glowing embers of a pipe.  The travelling hobbits asked the bartender and host of the establishment about the menacing man who sat alone, and they were told he was a Ranger of the North named "Strider."  Little did they know this man would be their faithful guide, fierce protector and more still: he would be revealed to be the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, one able to wield Anduril, the sword forged from the shards of Narsil.

It is clear in the films Aragon carried shame of his forbear's unwillingness to destroy Sauron's ring of power when he had the chance.  Instead of ridding the world of that great evil, he carried it close to his heart.  Aragon knew the same weakness found in kings and all men also marked him, and so he kept his true identity secret.  He fought for the side of good, yet for decades he shied away from the burden of rule because of his sense of unworthiness.  When the hope of men was almost lost, Elrond king of the Elves forged the sword Anduril.  Knowing the fate of Middle Earth and the life of his daughter Arwen was at stake, Elrond forcefully said: "Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be.”  In picking up the sword Aragon needed to put aside the ranger.  Desperate times moved a man to embrace his purpose.

Now the Lord of the Rings trilogy does not acknowledge or  speak of God, but there are clear parallels between Aragon and followers of Jesus.  We must lose our lives for Christ's sake in order to find them; we must decide to put away the ambitions of our flesh and be born again by faith in Jesus to submit to the plans and purposes God has in creating and redeeming us.  While we are sanctified, set apart by God for God when we are justified, we are also being sanctified.  There is a positional aspect of sanctification as well as a progressive one.  As we are convicted of sin we never noticed before we are to confess and repent, choosing instead to do the things that please God.  We are called to take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, and learn to rightly divide it.  God holds us responsible and accountable to be who we were born again to be.

The church of God is the body of Christ comprised of many members, and it cannot be more healthy, well or fit than each individual person.  To lament the ills of society without realising you are part of society is foolish as grieving over the problems "in the church" without realising it is the body of Jesus Christ (and also our own body!) we criticise.  The call of Christ is an individual call, for each servant of the LORD Jesus to obey, honour and glorify Him.  It is for each Christian to cast aside every weight and the sin that easily weighs us down and to run with endurance the race set before us as we look to Jesus together.  There is a corporate aspect of this, but the corporate will not happen unless we do this ourselves first.  It is our reasonable service to present ourselves as living sacrifices acceptable to Christ, not being conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds to the end we may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

Where the analogy breaks down is no man can become who he is born to be by courage, willpower or strength.  It is God who knits people together in the wombs of their mother and has plans and purposes He intends we fulfill by His grace.  It is God who brings us together as part of a local fellowship of believers who serve the LORD and one another in the ministry of His word.  Every child of God is called to take up the sword of the Spirit and to be strong in the LORD and the power of His might in the service of our King Jesus.  It is God who makes us fruitful in His service.  It is not by our might, nor by our power we will prevail but by His Spirit as we surrender in obedience to Him.  By faith in Jesus Christ marked by obedience to Him we are becoming who we were born again to be.

Laying the Groundwork

"Prepare your outside work, make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterward build your house."

Proverbs 24:27

The book of Proverbs has great stores of wisdom to live skillfully in this life and beyond, and this verse emphasises our need for priorities which have a long view in mind.  A man receiving an inheritance of land would be remiss to focus his efforts on building the house of his dreams when his field was neglected and wall was broken down.  A fit field was the means of providing an income and trade.  It takes much work to prepare a field for ploughing, sowing and harvesting, yet then the land will also work for you.  Laying the groundwork is not as impressive as an edifice of stone and cedar but is critical to the long-term success of the project.

I imagine an ambitious young man who received land would want very much to prove his mettle and skill in building an impressive house for himself and household.  Such a man is interested in spacious rooms and comfortable, practical living spaces--not digging wells, grading, efficient drainage, clearing stones and laying foundations.  Being guided by our current interests can sabotage our long-term plans when we do the equivalent of putting the cart before the horse or the horse on the rider.  It is fine and good to own property, but unless the property  in a city is connected to a water supply, sewerage or electricity a house erected will ultimately become an uninhabitable ruin.  To pour money into electronics and a home automation system without first submitting plans to the council for approval or leveling the land to build a foundation would be a gross waste.

While we do not live in an agricultural society in Sydney, the principle applies to our lives today.  Better to apply to jobs that have openings that will enable you to feed yourself and your future family than to chase a dream which may never be reality.  Secure a job or career and then pursue your goals at the same time, for growing in character and maturity while learning valuable skills will help direct your efforts to maximise their impact.  Do you aspire to being married someday?  Lay down the groundwork by being a man or woman of godly character.  Instead of being frustrated no one fits your preconceived ideas of your ideal spouse today, learn seek the LORD and trust He will supply your needs.  Secure a job and learn skills that will contribute to a healthy household by cooking, cleaning and maintaining a house inside and out before you own one.  Having money to buy a house is not as important as learning to keep a house well.

What is true and verified in the physical world also has a spiritual application.  It would be silly to focus on earthly wealth and prosperity without any thought of the eternal state.  Today is the day to lay groundwork by trusting God, reading and heeding His word and using the gifts and talents He has given us for His glory.  This earth and all that is in it will someday pass away; mansions worth millions and valuable business connections will be swallowed up and lost for eternity.  To put our focus on building ourselves an empire on earth without consideration of God and His glorious kingdom is a great waste that leads to destruction.  Each one of us is building a house (our lives), and it is important we build with materials that will endure.  Knowing there will someday be a reckoning before our Maker, we labour to prepare ourselves today by sanctifying ourselves and being fit for Him.

Owning Sinful Thoughts

 As children of God we ought not to be ignorant of Satan's deceitful tactics.  That father of lies craftily includes bits of truth so we will swallow down his destructive deceptions.  Whether he worked to tempt Eve or Jesus his approach was the same:  he appealed to human needs and desires coupled with rebellion against the almighty God.  Satan even quoted scripture to lure Jesus to transgress, but Jesus wisely saw through the paper-thin facade to the wicked being who would suggest He tempt the LORD God.

The devil has the power to tempt us, but no one can blame the devil for choosing to yield to him.  Satan can shoot fiery arrows at us, imaginations and thoughts that are wicked, but he cannot force our hand.  I suspect most of the time when someone says, "The devil made me do it"  it is a cop out to avoid repentance, a shift of blame from one whose actions condemn them as guilty to an entity a person has never actually met.  You see, we don't need to have spoken with the devil to adopt his carnality, deceit, selfishness and pride.  Our flesh naturally tends towards evil even as our bodies breathe without a thought.  If you are one who blames the devil for your faults, realise you have developed skill to do a flawless impersonation of him.

It is an exceedingly rare quality to admit and confess sin without blaming others or a caveat.  When he sinned Adam blamed Eve and God, and Eve blamed the serpent who deceived her.  After God confronted Cain for murdering his brother Abel he did not take the blame before the God who sees and knows all, for he denied all knowledge of his brothers blood crying out from the earth.  When David was called out for his sin in the circumstance with Urijah the Hittite he simply said, "I have sinned."  He did not blame Bathsheba, a moment of weakness or justify himself:  he owned the sins of adultery, theft, deceit and murder as his own and repented of them before the LORD, sins we do not see him later repeat.

At the end of holiday camps articles of lost property are held up before the group of campers and I am always surprised how much remains unclaimed.  Every hat, sock and towel was brought to camp by campers who are unwilling to admit the lost items are theirs.  Maybe they are embarrassed or perhaps the item is dirty or unrecognisable.  Maybe the campers simply aren't paying attention.  Whether the person left the item on purpose because it was soiled or forgot it isn't the point:  the point is it is theirs to claim.  The same is true when we have thoughts in our heads that are sinful according to the word of God.  These could be temptations to sin or indications our hearts are not pure before God.  Regardless, we do well to take each thought captive to the obedience of Christ and choose to honour and obey God.  Our sin, having been claimed or owned by a child of God, can be thrown into the rubbish like an old sock because Jesus has provided atonement.  It doesn't need to lie around in an old box any more.

Even if Satan himself puts a thought in your mind, there is wisdom and strength in Christ to stand firm on the truth of God's word.  Those who are preoccupied with how "under attack" they are in their minds by God's grace can switch this around and fix their minds on things above with eyes on Jesus Christ who has overcome, having secured the victory over sin, Satan, the flesh and death with His own blood once for all.  Let the attacks come:  does a warrior in body armour fear a caged, barking dog?  Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and He has bid us to be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.  With the Holy Spirit within us we are protected and provision is made for us to walk in victory.  There was a time when we were without the Holy Spirit in our unregenerate state and looking back God was faithful to protect us during that season as well.

Rejoice, servants of the LORD!  When a venomous viper literally latched itself onto Paul's hand, he threw it into the fire and suffered no illness whatsoever.  Even as the venom injected into his body was neutralised miraculously by God, if Satan is permitted by God to flood your mind with temptation we need not submit to it for a moment.  There is no cumulative, negative effect upon us for all the thoughts brought captive to the obedience of Christ in an hour or day:  our problem is when we cease doing this and our will is worn down as we try in vain to do in the power of the flesh that which can only be done by the Holy Spirit.  Own that dirty sock, claim that temptation and admit the wickedness in your own heart without caveat and repent and thus walk righteously and sincerely with Jesus who put away our sin (2 Corinthians 10:1-6).

Complaints and Fire

Complaining is one of those things all people tend to do that is not necessarily sinful in itself yet can be an indication of a wicked heart that is displeasing to God.  Even when a complaint is justified, our pride and anger can be stirred to transgress in self-righteousness.  We can have our facts straight and our thoughts, feelings and attitudes disjointed from the faith, hope and love Jesus leads us to submit to.

It is perfectly wise to pour out our complaints to God as the psalmist Asaph did in Psalm 77:3:  "I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah."  In an ironic twist these overwhelming thoughts and feelings turned out it to be Asaph's problem, not God's.  While a complaint can be an expression of grief or dissatisfaction, it can also be a judgment or protest against something viewed as unacceptable.  Should our complaint be about what God has done or allowed, Who is only righteous, wise and good, it makes a man sinfully rise up in criticism of God.  To take our complaint before the LORD is one thing, but to murmur and complain to others--as if God has done wrong--reveals a heart has veered from faith and reliance on God.

Numbers 10:33-11:3 is a compelling example of how complaining can be displeasing to God:  "So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them. ³⁴ And the cloud of the LORD was above them by day when they went out from the camp. ³⁵ So it was, whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O LORD! Let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You." ³⁶ And when it rested, he said: "Return, O LORD, to the many thousands of Israel." ¹ Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. ² Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched. ³ So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them."

I wonder:  why did the people complain?  God wasn't the source of the problem but unbelief, selfishness and pride in the hearts of His people.  The presence of God was with His people to guide and protect them, yet they complained.  The text does not say they complained to God but is inferred they loudly murmured in their tents like countless other times.  Their complaining displeased the LORD and His fire burned among them and consumed some of them, even as their murmuring spread like fire in the camp.  Their loud complaining quickly shifted to crying out to Moses, and God immediately responded to his intercessory prayer and quenched the flames.  Complaints and fire share things in common, like how they tend to spread and do great damage.  God was displeased by the complaining of the people, and the people were displeased by the fire He sent.  The response of God Who committed His Law to Moses showed just how destructive complaining is in a spiritual sense when His fire burnt among them, a just response like an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a burn for a burn.

It is good for us to realise when we complain and murmur over what we deem unsatisfactory or troubling, we can be unknowingly complaining against God.  Better to direct our concerns to God ourselves and be casting our cares upon Him than to vent our complaints to whoever happens to be at hand.  Complaining spreads like a fire among people and with this God is not pleased.  It is when we bring our complaints to Him we are enlightened, not with the burning heat of a flame that scorches skin, but by the Light of the World Jesus Christ pierced for us.  He turns our complaints into praise, for the Holy Spirit reminds us of God's great works and His glorious redemption by His grace.

The Ever-Shining Light

Before travelling back from the Gold Coast yesterday, I noticed Sydney had been experiencing a lot of rain with more forecast to fall.  Our flight was delayed due to high winds and I wondered how the stormy weather along the east of Australia would increase turbulence.  The weather was fine in the Gold Coast--and even better above the clouds.

From my vantage point in a window seat the aircraft was bathed in sunlight as we flew above a light blanket of clouds.  The images of clouds expected to drop heavy rainfalls according to the radar were not dark or foreboding at all from above.  Many times I have looked up to see dark clouds gathering in the sky and wondered if I brought an umbrella along.  But from the pressurised cabin high above such thoughts never entered my mind because flying above the storm provided a fresh perspective impossible for me to obtain by my own power alone.

This is a great thing for us to remember with our limited perspectives during dark and troubled seasons on earth:  above the clouds the sun still shines.  There is light shining when all seems dark and dreary, and there is clear calmness above the rising flood.  Even when we cannot see the sun because it is obscured by clouds or the earth itself, we know it will rise and set every day according to God's flawless design.  Knowing Jesus is the Light of the World who spoke the sun into existence, we can look to Him beyond the troubles we can see and enter into the rest, peace, joy and comfort only He provides.

The time came for us to descend through the clouds and rain and land on the tarmac, wet from all the rain.  From above it did not look like it could be raining, even as from below I could not see the sun shining.  Both were a reality, though I could not see them at the same time.  Praise God that even when bad things happen God is good, and all that God allows for His sovereign purposes He can also redeem.  We may not be able to understand or comprehend what that is or how it could be possible, but in knowing the almighty God we know everything is possible for Him.  When we look to our LORD and Saviour Jesus we need not be troubled or afraid because He was, is and will ever be.  He lives, and we live through Him.

Life Out of Death

Today I walked through the Macdonald section of Tamborine Mountain and came across an enormous stump of a tree that fell some time ago.  It was of impressive size and a reminder that even the most seemingly solid, strong and longstanding specimens can only stand for limited time.

The almost solid canopy high overhead was broken where the large tree once stood, and light from above flooded the area.  I was surprised by the many smaller trees that were taken out when the great tree fell, gnarled and uprooted underneath.  The fall of the great tree impacted many other trees, a silent testimony of the damage a fall can have on others that spoke volumes.  As I walked the circuit there were many examples in various stages of decomposition.

But it was not all bad news:  the gap in the canopy allows direct sunlight which quickens other trees to sprout and grow towards the light.  This tree for many years had been likely suffering from an insect infestation that bored holes in the timber and reduced it to mush.  It was only a matter of time before the tree fell and made way for the regeneration of lush foliage that will grow high and strong.

The proof of revival was in the place where the tree fell, for trees large and small have begun to grow.  No tree could be the same one that fell, but the opportunity for others to reach such heights was now afforded all others that for some time had been overshadowed.  What is amazing is how God is able to bring revival to a stump like in the case of king Nebuchadnezzar.  His pride and subsequent fall did not mean he was destined to rot but to realise after 7 years the greatness and majesty of God.  His glory was restored to him.

Praise the LORD God is able to bring life out of death.  Jesus said in John 12:24, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."  What is seen in the natural realm is true in the spiritual realm as Jesus demonstrated by His death and resurrection.  His temporary death made eternal life possible, for Jesus brought forth new creations redeemed with His own blood.  The Light of the World Jesus has shone forth, and we thus are enabled to grow in grace and the knowledge of God by the Holy Spirit given to us.  Having slain death, Jesus is the Gate to eternal life opened to us.  He bids us to arise and stand by His side now and forever.

Faith in Action Together

God's word has an incredible power to impact our minds and hearts.  Even narratives are instructive to provide examples good and bad that challenge our attitudes and approaches to life and ministry.  The passage in Mark 2 when the paralytic was lowered to Jesus as He preached the word is a passage God has recently impressed upon me.

Mark 2:1-5 says of Jesus, "And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ² Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³ Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."  When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, word spread quickly through the city and region.  People dropped what they were doing and headed to see and hear Jesus for themselves.  It could have been people saw a group gathering and came to see out of curiosity.

Mark tells us there were four men who heard Jesus had come and carried their paralysed friend to Jesus to be healed by Him.  The problem was, there was no way to move through the dense crowd.  Even if those on the outside of the group made way, the house itself was completely full and there was no way for them to disperse.  So these men hatched a plan:  they scrabbled up on the roof of the house, lugged their friend on his bed up there, broke through the roof material and let him down to Jesus.  One thing which struck me was the united faith and efforts of these men:  their breakthrough to Jesus came together as they got their hands dirty to bring a friend to Jesus.  There was a desperation, a spontaneity as they communicated to overcome obstacles as a united team which would have turned others away disappointed who said, "Oh well, I guess we can't bring our friend to Jesus today after all."

These men sourced ropes and perhaps tools; they made it work.  Their faith in Jesus moved them to break through the roof together and lower their paralysed friend to the LORD Jesus.  When He saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you."  He said this knowing full well there were bystanders who imagined Jesus was a blasphemer to claim to have ability to forgive sins, since only God can forgive sins.  To demonstrate Jesus has the power to forgive sins--and thus is God--He healed the man physically as well as forgiving his sins.  Jesus did the healing and forgiving, yet there was also an important role fulfilled by those four men who were united in faith and ministry to bring him to Jesus.  I view this as an example of how the church can operate, many people working together as one united by faith in Christ to bring people to Him.

It occurred to me that I was brought to Jesus by others, and we can even bring a paralysed church or ministry to Jesus to set us right.  If we are not bringing people to Jesus, we need look no further than ourselves:  does my faith in Jesus prompt me to bring people to Him?  Do I allow different interpretations or doctrinal emphasis to divide me from serving with brothers and sisters?  Have I been doing my own thing without consulting and joining together with fellow believers in united effort?  Am I afraid or unwilling to embrace new roles or challenges, waiting for a path to miraculously clear when there is a way to break through the roof right now?  The fear of heights, a longstanding back problem, fatigue from a long day in the fields or the inherent danger of the work did not hinder those men with faith in Jesus from teaming up, discussing, communicating with one another, sourcing what was needed and working together to bring one person to Jesus.

Even as the bodies of those four men worked together to lower the paralysed man to Jesus, the paralysed man was willing to be lowered.  He demonstrated faith in obedience to Jesus when at His command he rose, took up his bed and walked.  This is how the body of Christ the church is to operate as led by the Holy Spirit together:  not one person doing what they have prayed about and doing what is right in their own eyes, but all the members joined together by faith in Jesus to bring people to Him.  We are all individual members of the body of Christ, yet we are also all joined together with one another and Jesus Christ who is our Head.  This passage illustrates how breakthroughs are not just for individuals but for groups of people who unite to seek Jesus together.

Better than Compensation

After I injured my knee playing baseball years ago, I was amazed how the body unconsciously adjusts to avoid further pain by compensating.  Without thinking I favoured my other leg and learned how to avoid uncomfortable positions.  By the time I was diagnosed with a torn ACL and and had surgery to replace the ligament, I suffered a significant amount of muscle wastage on the affected quadriceps.  What was once my dominant leg had become less used and weaker due to over-compensation for the injury.   Because the leg hurt I didn't use it as I should even after the surgery, and it took a long time with intentional effort to be restored.  It is natural for us to avoid pain when we can, yet doing so can prevent us from seeking help.

The example of the results of over-compensation to avoid pain are not only seen in the physical bodies of people.  A hidden wound in our hearts and minds can lead us to withdraw from social interactions or to over-compensate with gregarious carelessness.  The person who senses a lack in one area of their lives is spurned on to great achievement or acquiring much in another area.  Like a pendulum in a clock swings from one side to the other, inner hurts pushes people to pursue pleasure to mask or cover them.  Many under the conviction of sin or in the depths of grief have sought to numb the pain with drugs or alcohol.  In many cases there is a real risk of spiraling into ruin unless the source of the hurt is exposed before the LORD for healing and restoration.

Compensation means to give equal value to, and my favouring one leg over the other in walking was  revealed by shrinking muscles to be unequal.  It means I could not risk running, jumping or quick movements to stand or turn.  My knee injury affected the entire way I walked and moved.  Sometimes we might imagine a mental, emotional, or spiritual wound can be contained in one aspect of our lives or way of thinking, but this is untrue.  A broken leg or palpitating heart affects the whole body, and the lives of believers are connected as members of the Body of Christ, the church.  The effects of over-compensation are not always as easy to see in our lives as when I injured my leg, yet the reality is we must bring our hurts, pain and grief to Jesus for Him to heal and restore.

Praise the LORD He is able to identify the source of our troubles and do a restorative, healing work by His grace.  So many of our troubles come from sin and self, our pride that refuses to surrender before God in faith and obedience.  My knee injury was self-inflicted as I was simply running, and there was no one to blame for the ligament that gave way.  It wasn't because I was being malicious or self-destructive:  I was just rounding first base!  It may be satisfying on some level to blame others, our circumstances or growing old for the injuries we have picked up over the years, but this insight gives us no power to be healed or progress in joy, thanksgiving and gratitude for God's goodness and faithfulness to us.  To those who are hurting, to those with hidden pains, conviction of sin or shame, come to the LORD Jesus who loves, heals and gives rest for our souls.

When we have been wronged we may demand compensation by the guilty party, but God's mercy and grace trumps any compensation provided by man.  A financial windfall will not soothe our wounds, nor will an apology right wrongs.  Only God is righteous, just and His grace is sufficient for us.  His divine goodness according to the riches of His grace is our only hope to move forward.  Getting what you are owed or seeing justice done is not as satisfying as God's grace freely given and received by faith in Jesus.  I choose being compassed by God's grace and mercy than compensation any day.

Ascribe Strength to God

"Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds. ³⁵ O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!"

Psalm 68:34-35

Many of our cares, worries, anxieties and fears arise out of neglect to ascribe strength, excellence and power to God.  We believe in God's omnipotence and ability to save and deliver often in a hypothetical sense because our being overwhelmed betrays us.  David bid God's people to actually credit Him for how awesome God truly is and all He has done and does as our Creator and Saviour who loves us.

If I ascribe fullness to my tank of petrol (and this agrees with reality), I can drive carefree to the coast and back home without concern for needing fuel.  Many have made the mistake of ascribing more petrol to their tank than they actually had and ended up stranded by their false confidence when they ran out.  When we pull out a debit card to make a purchase in a shop, we consider what card we ascribe sufficient funds to cover the cost.  If we are confident the card used has been loaded with money to spare we do not dread being declined and having to cancel the transaction and start over.

A person with a full tank of petrol and a broken fuel gauge may be nervous driving longer distances because they are afraid of running out.  Believers chosen and accepted by God can be like a driver who frets and worries over running out of petrol when God has all strength and power when we do not ascribe strength to Him.  The reality is God has strength that is not dependent on our faith because it is of grace, and God is faithful and merciful to give strength and power to His people.  David's heart swelled in praise to the almighty God to Whom he ascribed strength, even when God at times seemed distant as the clouds above.

The most awesome places in the world are nothing compared to the awesomeness of our God to Whom we are wise to ascribe strength.  Like God hangs the earth upon nothing, He puts clouds in the sky that carry moisture where He causes rain to fall in due season for the refreshment and benefit of the earth, man and beast.  Should we ascribe strength and power to people or ourselves we will ultimately break down in disappointment with dashed expectations, but those who ascribe strength to the LORD bless His holy name with joyful gratitude.  Are you ascribing strength and power to God today Who is generous to supply all our needs?

The Danger of Overcorrection

A lot of driving accidents occur due to overcorrection.  When driving is monotonous and fatigue sets in, as a driver drifts off to sleep their car can also begin to drift from their lane.  Waking with a start, the driver impulsively jerks the wheel to swerve back into the lane or slams the brakes.  This rapid movement to avoid the danger of the ditch creates a new one when control is lost of the car which can fishtail, spin, hit other cars, or plunge into the ditch the driver attempted to avoid.  Gentle directional correction while controlling speed helps a driver stay safely in their own lane and reach the intended destination.

The danger of overcorrection can be seen beyond our roadways.  There are many people who make negative judgments about groups of people because of a bad experience they had.  In Christians circles this tendency is seen in legalism as fresh zeal for God lends itself to condemnation of others who have different convictions and beliefs.  Arbitrary categories for music, movies or modesty are formed as badge of genuine spirituality.  Because a person attended a church where the gifts of the Holy Spirit were used in a disorderly fashion, the suggestion particular gifts of the Holy Spirit are valid today may be dismissed with scornful disdain.  Instead of seeking the balance provided by the word of God, man can swing to extremes.  Being offended by a person who identifies as a Christian has made many people swear off the church, the existence of God and a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I read a passage recently which likely provides a demonstration of overcorrection.  After the king of Judah Uzziah transgressed and was struck with leprosy when he entered the holy place and offered incense, 2 Chronicles 27:2 (KJV) says of Jotham his son who was made king:  "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly."  Jotham was wise to learn from his father's mistake and not transgress by offering incense because this was the duty of a sanctified priest.  Jotham did what was right in the sight of the LORD, howbeit he did not enter the temple of the LORD.  The way this is written suggests to me he was keen to avoid the temple and even temple courts frequented by godly kings before him as they sought the LORD in prayer like King Solomon at the altar.  It is possible Jotham avoided the temple because it was the place his father was struck with leprosy, an overcorrection to avoid God's punishment instead of being an example of righteousness and humility in public worship of God--unlike his father.  Avoiding the temple did nothing to instill a fear of God in the wayward people.

Overcorrection leads to disaster on the roadways and is a real danger in the lives of Christians who lose the proper tension between the love and fear of God.  These are not contradictory but complimentary motivations that govern our attitudes, convictions, words and deeds.  The pendulum of a clock swings from one side to another, and it is wise for us to find a balance between extreme reactions to which we are prone.  Let us be extreme in our love and fear of God and obedience to walk in righteousness, but let us be careful not to swing towards condemning what and whom God has not.  Be firm in your convictions yet not hard as stone, for God has given us hearts of flesh to care and feel for others.