The Good Master

"Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit; so he who waits on his master will be honoured."

Proverbs 27:18

We understand the concept of one who plants, waters, and tends a tree having the privilege of eating the fruit it produces.  Harvesting and eating figs is likely the main reason a fig tree was planted in the first place!  The owner of the land fertilises and prunes his trees in the right season so he will benefit the most from fruitfulness.  In an odd way, serving a fig tree leads to being served delicious figs.

The second stanza of this proverb is intriguing, for I would have assumed the master would be the one having an expectation of benefit from his servant.  Solomon turns it the other way round, that a faithful servant who waits on his master can expect to be honoured.  We catch a glimpse of this with Mordecai the Jew who was promoted by king Ahasuerus after he foiled a murder plot by eunuchs.  Mordecai was clothed in the king's clothes, was seated on the king's horse, and a noble proclaimed before him as he was led through the streets of Shushan:  "Thus shall it be done for whom the king delights to honour!"  Later Mordecai was promoted to the high-ranking position previously held by Haman, the enemy of the Jews.

There may be a master who does not esteem or care to honour his servants, but we can know God certainly does crown His servants with honour.  Jesus Christ came to earth as the servant of all, only doing His Father's will, and God has exalted His name over all other names.  Paul affirmed God will give every man according to his deeds and said in Romans 2:10-11 also "...glory, honour, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God."  James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  It is written of Christians and servants of living God in Revelation 1:5-6 that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth who has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.  What greater honour could be bestowed upon anyone?

There likely have been people who planted and tended fig trees that never produced figs, and such would have been disappointed to look for fruit and never find it.  There are no such disappointments possible for the born again Christian who waits on the LORD and serves Him faithfully, for he who waits on his Master will be honoured.  David urged in Psalm 27:14, "Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the LORD!"  Those who wait on the LORD will be strengthened, honoured and blessed now and forever.  We do not serve God to be honoured, but we can know God honours those who honour Him.

The LORD Always Wins

"There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the LORD."

Proverbs 21:30

What confidence and comfort God's people can have in His sovereign rule over all!  Paul was convinced he and all believers who love God can know He makes all things work together for good.  Thus situations that we would say are bad or are intended by others for evil will not undermine or prevent God's good purposes from ultimately being accomplished.  Sometimes, like Joseph in Egypt, God can provide insight into His redemptive operation in our circumstances and ourselves.  He explained to his brethren in Genesis 50:20:  "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."  It was evil when Joseph's brothers sold him as a slave and fabricated evidence to deceive his father into believing he was dead, yet God meant it for good--that in time nations, Joseph, his father and even his brothers would be spared from starvation and death.

Paul suffered many things for the sake of Christ.  His personal introduction to Jesus on the road to Damascus rendered him blind for days and this led to great spiritual insight as God's chosen vessel to bear Christ's name to the Gentiles.  Wherever he went, Paul regularly faced opposition, death threats, beatings and was incarcerated many times.  He took courage in Jesus Christ in such moments, for there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the LORD.  While imprisoned he wrote in Philippians 1:12-14:  "But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³ so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."  One might assume Paul would be hindered, silenced and isolated by his chains, yet new doors of fruitful ministry opened up to him because of it.  We do not read of Paul complaining or ranting about the injustice of his arrest or the need of judicial reforms, for the Gospel was being furthered and Christians were increasingly bold without fear.

In His wisdom, God sent His only begotten Son Jesus to become wisdom for us.  King Herod tried to kill Him, Satan tried to tempt Him, the religious rulers tried to trap Him in His words, and His brothers did not initially believe in Him!  Murderous schemes, deceit and unbelief failed to undermine or hinder the fruitfulness and reception of the Gospel by many followers.  When Satan influenced Judas to betray Jesus, the Jewish rulers condemned Him to death in illegal proceedings and pushed for His crucifixion, God accomplished everything He planned from the beginning by providing atonement for sinners by Christ's shed blood.  Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."  Since there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the LORD, everything Satan and man did to silence Jesus has glorified Him forever in His resurrection--proving His divinity, His authority, power over sin and death, and He is able to give eternal life to all who trust in Him.

Knowing there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the LORD, how good it is to be in Jesus Christ by faith in Him!  This means whatever is intended to be evil against us God will use for good, that injustice will lead to an outpouring of grace and salvation, and the miraculous power of God displayed in response to wicked schemes will be so great that Satan will lament having foolishly played into God's hands.  The devil is proud enough to believe he handed God an easy victory, but the credit for every redemptive victory belongs only to Jesus Christ our LORD.  How would it transform your perspective of your life and the world, seeing there is no wisdom, understanding or counsel against the LORD?

Fretting Against the LORD

 "The foolishness of a man twists his way, and his heart frets against the LORD."

Proverbs 19:3

The picture of the foolish heart of man fretting against the LORD is an apt one.  I have several shirts that show evidence of fretting from scraping across rough surfaces, and it is unsightly when fibers of fabric pull unevenly.  Webster describes the word "fret" as meaning, "corroding, wearing away; agitating; vexing; making rough on the surface."  Should a fabric continue to rub upon a stone or block surface, the threads will wear away completely and create a hole.  God is the immoveable, eternal God who is resolute and unchanging.  Man's folly prompts him to dash against the righteous God like a bug impulsively flies repeatedly into a light and stuns itself.  It is the bug that comes off worse for wear.

God is not worn down by the folly, crookedness or perversion of man He has created.  It is man who wears down under the weight of God's judgments, correction and guilt.  Jesus did not commit Himself to men because He knew the hearts of men and what was inside them:  flattery, deceit, lies, unbelief and willful ignorance.  This passage shows the need for every person to receive a new heart and to walk in the wisdom of God rather than fretting against Him.  Jesus said it was hard for Saul to kick against the goads, and we make it hard on ourselves when we fret against the LORD--causing self-inflicted wounds without cure.  The only remedy for our ills is divine intervention and restoration made possible by faith in Jesus Christ.

When God gives us a new heart, having been born again by the Gospel, we are more inclined to love God and walk in His ways rather than backsliding.  Hosea 11:7 speaks of God's people under Law who continued in their own ways despite His revelation of God in the Scripture and in their lives:  "My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, none at all exalt Him."  To backslide means to be faithless, to depart from God and fall away.  Years ago I would commonly hear people identify with backsliding but only partly--claiming they had relapsed into sinful habits but they still loved and believed in God.  It almost sounded acceptable to associate oneself with backsliding, for at least they were at church!  It did not seem to make a lasting difference when those bent on backsliding "rededicated" their lives to God, for they needed a new heart and Spirit within them when away from church gatherings.

Jeremiah 3:21-22 provides hope and healing for the fretting backslider:  "A voice was heard on the desolate heights, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel. For they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God. ²² "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God."  God was able to heal Saul of Tarsus who kicked against the goads, and He is able to heal our backslidings when we return to the LORD.  The sheep that wanders from the fold is exposed to many illnesses, terrors and enemies without the protection of the Good Shepherd, and how good it is for us to return to God, to learn to remember God and be faithful to Him.  Praise the LORD for His mercy and grace, that He calls out to His backsliding children to heal those who return to Him in truth.

Praying Together

"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour."

Acts 3:1

When I consider Peter and John going together to the temple at the hour of prayer, I recall seeing many people praying at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.  Men and women may go up together to pray, but everyone prays by themselves to God.  Currently there are separate areas before the Temple Mount for men and women to pray.  On a layover after a trip to Israel, several orthodox men donned prayer shawls and bound tefillin to pray, each with a prayer book in hand.  The manner of their prayer was different to Christian prayer meetings I have attended, for they each prayed alone to God.

After being born again by faith in Jesus, Peter and John (and countless Jewish disciples) continued in Jewish traditions, like going up together to the temple at the hour of prayer.  With Jesus as their mediator and filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter and John believed God would hear them wherever they were.  But they chose to go up to the temple to pray at the hour of prayer, and it was a good hour to observe.  They went to pray, not out of obligation to observe tradition, but to seek an audience with the living God they knew personally.  They knew God would hear every word muttered in their assembly spoken at once and also the heart of the person who prayed without speaking.

During times of corporate prayer, Christians often speak in turn rather than all speaking at the same time.  Whether Christians pray all at the same time or in turn, the Jewish approach teaches us we all ought to be active participants in humbly seeking God individually in prayer privately and in public.  There is guidance in the Bible we ought to observe, yet there is also great freedom to pray in every place, time and in countless ways.  One thing I observed was in the Old Testament the priest and people laid their hands on the sacrifice to be offered for sin, and Jesus who would lay His life down as the sacrifice for sin laid His hands on people to heal and bless them.  This is one of the remarkable changes Jesus ushered in by God's grace.

The book of Acts shows us His disciples continued what Jesus did together, praying individually and corporately.  At times during prayer they laid hands to heal, for people received the Holy Spirit, or as they sent out disciples as led by the Holy Spirit.  Christians prayed in one accord in the upper room and received the Holy Spirit; believers prayed together and Peter was miraculously released from prison in Acts 12.  Following Christ's example of praying a blessing and breaking bread, the disciples did this regularly as we read in Acts 2:46-47:  "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."  Jesus and the disciples show prayer is more than just for mealtimes or at church, and we can all participate in the daily privilege of praising and thanking God as we make our requests known to Him.

The Simple

"The simple believes every word, but the prudent considers well his steps."

Proverbs 14:15

Solomon spoke of "the simple" many times in his proverbs, and the use of antithetical parallelism reveals the simple to be the opposite of prudent and wise.  It is a person who lacks discernment, is gullible and easily influenced.  Being simple is more indicative of a lack of godly character than intelligence.  Very learned and intelligent people can be simple from a biblical point of view, lacking firm grounding found only in the fear of God and in heeding His word.

A passage I read this morning in the KJV provoked thought concerning the simple in Proverbs 9:13-18:  "A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. ¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ to call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell."  After personifying Wisdom as a woman who cries aloud, Solomon contrasted Wisdom with a foolish, simple and ignorant woman who sat at the door of her house and also called out to people passing by.  She stationed herself on a seat "in the high places of the city."  Generally, references to "high places" speaks of shrines and altars built for the worship of false deities, which is ironic seeing Solomon built many of them in Israel in his latter years.

What intrigued me is how those who passed by were called "passengers" in the KJV, those who went right on in their way.  The simple woman appealed to the simple to turn aside and sample her wares, and it seems many yielded at her voice.  To connect the simple with "passengers" is interesting, as the common use of the term today is the description of one who rides along in a aeroplane, ship, train, or taxi with others driving and navigating.  People these days pay money to be transported as a passenger to an agreed upon destination.  It occurred to me there are people whose lives on earth who resemble passengers, content to be carried along by their own desires, ambitions and feelings wherever they may lead.  In the case of the foolish woman seated at the high place, she called out to the simple to lead them to transgress God's righteous commands.  The simple passenger had no clue those who turned aside to her were spiritually dead and figuratively in hell.

One difference between the simple passenger in life and the wise is the realisation of where we are and where our lives are heading.  The wise make decisions with our ultimate destination in mind.  The prodigal son in the parable showed wisdom when, after being reduced to poverty and feeding pigs to survive, he realised how low he had sunk.  He considered how his father's servants had plenty to eat while he was starving.  Rather than being a passenger in a life driven by lust and the pursuit of pleasure, as God's people we are to be guided by God's word and the Holy Spirit.  We are not to be simple passengers in life easily turned aside to sin but to be faithful to walk with Jesus today.  The worldly aspire to be the captains of their own ship when without Christ the simple can only be passengers on a voyage to ruin.  Jesus does not call us to be passengers but participants, contributing to the health and vitality of the body of Christ by His love and wisdom.  Walking with Jesus and His people is eternally more sweet and pleasant than going right on in our own ways.

Bold and Without Hindrance

"For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."

Acts 28:30-31

Before coming to Jesus Christ, Saul was bold to persecute Christians.  It was like a full-time occupation for Saul to obtain authority from the Jewish rulers to travel far and wide to find, arrest and prosecute believers--and even consented to their death.  Rage against Christ and His people fuelled Saul to pursue Christians until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and from then on his life radically changed.  He went from Saul the Pharisee to Paul the apostle, a man chosen and sent by Jesus to be his witness to the Gentiles for the Gospel.

After coming to Christ in faith, Paul was bold to proclaim Him as it says in Acts 9:29-30:  "And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. ³⁰ When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus."  It didn't matter if Paul spoke with Jews, Gentiles, religious leaders or Roman rulers:  he was bold to speak the truth concerning Christ's death, resurrection and the salvation freely given to all who trust in Jesus.  Even after Paul was arrested, he asked people to pray he would be bold to speak as he should in Ephesians 6:19-20:  "...and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak."

Reading through the book of Acts and epistles Paul wrote, there is a pattern of resistance and opposition to the message of the Gospel by Jews and Gentiles alike.  When He preached Christ in the synagogues or before rulers, there were many who laboured to hinder the message of salvation by Christ.  After healing a crippled man in Jesus' name in Lystra, Paul was stoned by Jews who travelled to persecute him.  Silversmiths sparked a riot in Ephesus because they feared the spread of the Gospel would hinder their profitable business and livelihood.  Jews in Jerusalem falsely accused Paul of defiling the temple and shouted for his execution when he stood before them and explained how Jesus who appeared to him on the road had sent him to the Gentiles.

At the close of the book of Acts, we are told Paul stayed in Rome awaiting trial in his own rented house and he preached the kingdom of God and about the LORD Jesus Christ "boldly and without hindrance."  Isn't that wonderful?  Enemies of Jesus had tried to silence Paul; they beat, flogged and even stoned him.  Paul suffered all manner of conflict and trials inside and outside the church.  Yet after he was unlawfully arrested and transferred to Rome to face trials on false charges, without hindrance he was given opportunity by God to preach boldly of Christ for two years to all who came to him.  Whilst imprisoned Paul wrote much of the New Testament as well, his words a testimony of God's faithfulness, strength in weakness, and power to preserve His people to fulfill His calling upon their lives.

Let this be an encouragement to you, believer, when you feel your witness for Christ is far from bold and without hindrance.  Boldness is not a feeling of self-confidence but reliance upon God to speak the truth in love as led by the Holy Spirit when we would rather hide or remain silent.  Even if you should be muzzled and chained for the sake of the Gospel, recall to mind Paul's words in 2 Timothy 2:8-10:  "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, ⁹ for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."  Speaking boldly of Christ is not primarily for our sake, but for Christ's sake and all who will come to Jesus in faith through our witness.

Pleasures Forevermore

"You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Psalm 16:11

Jesus Christ revealed Himself to be the Way, the Truth and the Life.  Before His crucifixion Jesus told His disciples they knew where He was going, and they also knew the way because He is the Way.  Though under the Mosaic covenant, the psalmist David had a sure expectation of eternal life in the presence of God where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forever.

John 15:9-11 taught His disciples fullness of joy was not only enjoyed in the eternal state but presently in light of His love:  "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ¹⁰ If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. ¹¹ These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."  Having fullness of joy granted us by God's grace is a wondrous thing, and the pleasures provided by God transcend our physical senses.  The word "pleasure" these days has been reduced to primarily refer to sexual enjoyment, but that is a dumbed-down view of the present and ultimate reality.  The Bible teaches there will be no marriage or giving in marriage in heaven, and thus there will be no sexual activity or procreation.  Our pleasure will not be enjoyed by indulging fleshly appetites but in spiritual union with God who is pleased in us.

Webster defined "pleasure" this way:  "The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain."  Notice at God's right hand there are pleasures (plural) forevermore, wholesome delights enjoyed by God's grace.  It is important to point out what gives God pleasure is often different that what pleases mankind.  Psalm 147:10-11 says of God, "He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. ¹¹ The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy."  We are pleased and impressed by the speed of horses or the large muscles of athletes who perform amazing feats of strength, yet God takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.  God takes pleasure in the weak, slow and uncoordinated people who trust in Him and rest in His loyal love in the midst of a fiery trial.

God spoke from the heavens to identify Jesus as His only begotten Son in whom He was well pleased.  In Christ we are enabled to do what pleases God as it is written in Hebrews 13:15-16:  "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. ¹⁶ But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."  Colossians 3:20 also says, "Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord."  There is nothing more pleasurable to the child of God than to be pleasing in His sight, and it is good for us to maintain this perspective--especially when the passing pleasures of sin seductively beckon us during this earthly pilgrimage.  The fleeting pleasures of this life quickly fade in light of the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore in God's presence.

The Contrite Heart

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart--these, O God, You will not despise."

Psalm 51:17

At times I have wondered how people who lived thousands of years ago would react to common experiences today--like riding in a car on the motorway.  This is something most of us have experienced regularly throughout our lives.  As small children we rode in the backseat an looked forward to have a chance to sit up front and see everything better.  I imagine it would be exhilarating or terrifying to be moving so quickly and yet experience the insulated quiet and stillness of a modern vehicle cabin.

I wonder what people from ancient times would think if they were suited up and led into an operating theatre to watch surgery in progress.  They might be shocked to discover there was a living person on the table opened up with organs exposed, cruel torture taking place before their eyes!  I imagine them watching in horror as a surgeon made an incision or removed cancer, and the observers might have judgments about the expert medical professional that is far from the truth--that the surgeon is a barbaric butcher when the procedure actually "went well" with the intent to promote the health of the patients.

I believe there are some today who have a similar misunderstanding about God, for they condemn Him as cruel and bloodthirsty without ever knowing Him.  Based on what they know, they would not want to know Him.  What some do not understand is man is solely responsible for bringing death into the world through sin (which God specifically warned against), and the sacrificial system in the Old Testament was a physical means by which spiritual cleansing and union with God was miraculously possible.  God condemned human sacrifice as an abominable practice, and He allowed select animals to provide substitutionary sacrifice for guilty sinners.  It wasn't blood God desired to see but broken and contrite hearts as David said.  God despises sin, but He loves to see humble people approach Him in faith marked by obedience.

God demonstrated His love for sinful mankind by becoming a man, Jesus Christ, and He provided His own life as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  Jesus humbled and allowed Himself to be killed by sinful men on the cross, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  His shed blood provided atonement so those who were cut off from God by their own sin could draw near to God in repentance for sin by faith in Jesus.  It is not the one proud of themselves but the humble heart God looks upon as it is written in Psalm 138:6:  "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar."  James 4:6 also says, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

God does not despise a broken spirit and contrite heart, but the proud heart rises up with enmity against Him.  The fool justifies himself while criticising and condemning God he does not know rather than submitting to God who knows all hearts.  Consider the love and grace of God, that He would lay down His life so those who hate Him could come to know Him!  This is the case for every Christian, for we were once aliens of the commonwealth of God and headed for ruin when the grace of God appeared by Christ crucified.  It was not Jesus but the Romans who invented crucifixion, and though Jesus did no wrong the Jewish rulers arrested Him and condemned Him to death.  By laying down His life Jesus conquered sin and death, evidenced by His resurrection from the dead 3 days later and His ascension into heaven.

We will pay big bucks for a medical procedure which requires us to bleed in the wish for a positive medical outcome:  should we condemn or criticise God for freely shedding His blood so we could be guaranteed forgiveness and eternal life by faith in Jesus?  God has sanctified believers with the blood of Christ (Heb. 13:12), and Acts 20:28 explains God's purpose in His sacrifice:  "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "  How humbling it is God has extended His grace to us in our low estate, and how blessed we are to know God in truth.  It is well for the humble, contrite heart before God.

What God Pleases He Does

"For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. ⁶ Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places."

Psalm 135:5-6

God is the sovereign creator over all, and whatever pleases Him God does.  No one has any right or authority to criticise or condemn Him, even though man makes a habit of doing this.  God has given mankind the freedom to choose what we say and do as those created in His image, yet God is the only being who always does what is right.  With the understanding God has given us, limited by our short-sighted human perspective, we can complain God is not on task when we are unwilling to trust; we suspect He is not working because we are waiting.  The irony is when it seems God is not actively working, He is accomplishing His good purposes we could never imagine.

We catch a glimpse of this in John 11 after Jesus received word His friend Lazarus was sick.  Mary and Martha were assured of Jesus' love for them and their dying brother, and likely assumed because Jesus loved them He was obligated to come at once and heal Lazarus.  Jesus did not do this.  He waited until after Lazarus was "sleeping" in death and explained His purpose in waiting to wake Him in John 11:14-15:  "Then Jesus said to them plainly, "Lazarus is dead. ¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him."  Among the disciples of Jesus, there was at least one (Judas!) who did not believe.  Rather than sparing Lazarus from illness and death, Jesus allowed him to die physically so others could be born again and receive eternal life by faith in Jesus when they saw His mighty works.

When Jesus came to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead 4 days and the village was bustling with mourners who came to comfort Mary and Martha who were bereaved of their brother.  Jesus went to the tomb of Lazarus and wept, and this demonstrated His genuine love for him and those who had suffered great loss.  He then commanded the stone to be moved from the entrance of the tomb.  John 11:41-45 reads, "Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" ⁴  And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." ⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him."

Isn't this incredible?  While Mary and Martha felt Jesus was not helping them by healing Lazarus, He purposed to save sinners by raising Him to life.  The miracle of people being born again is as great a miracle as Lazarus physically walking out of the tomb.  The sign of Lazarus being raised up was another demonstration of God's grace to prove beyond a doubt Jesus was the Christ, the resurrection and the life, and that people by faith in Him could receive eternal life in His name.  This passage teaches us even when God has not answered our prayers or done our will, He is still working to accomplish His glorious purposes.  As people raised to new life by faith in Jesus, may our lives be a living testimony of God's  grace, love, and power to redeem so others will believe on Jesus Christ and be saved.  How good it is that what God pleases He does!

Repentance and Joy

"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."

1 Peter 5:5

God's call for Christians is to submit to God and one another in the fear of the LORD, to be clothed with humility.  To "submit" is to willingly place oneself in subjection to, and this is the attitude and posture we see in Jesus Christ who submitted to His Father in heaven and did His will.  In His humanity Jesus relinquished His own will to do the Father's will, even when it meant going to the cross joyfully as a sacrifice for sinners.  Knowing God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, we are called to submit to God.  It is not by asserting ourselves but through submission to God we are divinely enabled to walk in victory.

James 4:6-10 connects submission to God with our ability to resist the devil:  "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."  Nowhere in Scripture are Christians commanded to take the fight to the devil, for Christ has already defeated him.  At the same time he can prowl about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Those who are clothed with humility and submit to God are an exercise in futility for satanic assault, and he will flee from those who subject themselves to God without a fight.  Even if trials and temptations come to us, in drawing near to God He draws near to us to help and deliver.

Notice the purifying, sanctifying power of God's presence in the life of a believer!  As light exposes dust in the air and cleaning one area of tile or grout exposes how dingy and dirty the rest of the floor is, so the Holy Spirit reveals sin we are called to repent of, forsake and teaches us what good to do instead.  Like children who resist washing, we may read of lamenting, weeping, and laughter turning to mourning as a bad thing, something to be avoided.  Such may wonder, isn't God loving?  Doesn't He want us to be comforted and happy?  God does not keep a person comfortable in their sin.  He loves us so much He sent His Son to die to atone for our sins--not so we could be happy and content to continue in sin.  When God makes us aware of sin, we are to answer His call to repentance which involves remorse and grief for our wickedness in God's sight coupled with confidence God will forgive those who confess their sin (1 John 1:9).

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus and acknowledged his lack, Jesus directed him to sell his goods, give the proceeds to the poor, and follow him.  Matthew 19:22 says, "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."  Rather than confessing his idolatry and love of money, the young man was sorrowful because he would not repent.  Had this man sorrowfully repented of his sin and obeyed Christ in faith, he would have rejoiced like the man in the parable who found the pearl of great price, having found in Jesus something infinitely more valuable than all he possessed previously.  He would have been lifted up with joy by the LORD who was well-pleased in him!  There is infinitely greater sorrow in refusing to repent than by humbling ourselves in contrite repentance, for the end of repentance is life with fullness of joy by God's grace.  What freedom, joy and light we have in forgiveness and a new beginning with God!

After writing a letter that rebuked Corinthian Christians for their sin, Paul followed up in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10:  "Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. ¹⁰ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."  Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation, but the sorrow of this world produces death.  We observe sorrow of this world in Cain, for all he could think about when confronted for murdering his brother was himself:  "My punishment is more than I can bear!"  Contrast this with the tax collector in the parable Jesus told who would not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his chest and exclaimed, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!"  It was the man who humbled himself in repentance for sin who went home justified.  If you have no sorrow or remorse for sin, if your repentance is only heaviness and gloom, it may be you have yet to repent of sin at all.

Praying For Others

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Romans 8:31

While it is among the shorter words in this verse, the conditional "if" written here has some of the largest implications.  Reading the passage in context, Paul already established God is for those who are for Him, having provided His only begotten Son to save sinners.  Paul taught there was now no condemnation to those who are in Christ and walk according to the Holy Spirit.  Those who are born again by faith in Christ have the Holy Spirit within them and are children of God.  Paul was so confident of God being for His people, having made us joint-heirs with Christ with whom we will be glorified, he declared in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

If God is for some people, it follows He can be against them too.  This can be observed throughout the Bible, that God is against those who do wickedly--like prophets who prophesied out of their own hearts rather than the word of God.  God said through the prophet in Ezekiel 13:8-9:  "Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "Because you have spoken nonsense and envisioned lies, therefore I am indeed against you," says the Lord GOD. ⁹ My hand will be against the prophets who envision futility and who divine lies; they shall not be in the assembly of My people, nor be written in the record of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord GOD."  The LORD said concerning Babylon in Jeremiah 50:31:  "Behold, I am against you, O most haughty one!" says the Lord GOD of hosts; "for your day has come, the time that I will punish you."  This is entirely consistent with the character of God in the Scripture, that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

God is not one of those human fathers who us deluded to imagine his child can do no wrong, one who shows nepotism by willing blindness to our faults and folly:  every one of His adopted children by the Gospel is a sinner who does wrong.  That is why Jesus came to provide forgiveness, pardon, salvation and guidance out of His goodness.  While we were still sinners, God demonstrated His love for all by Jesus laying down His life on Calvary.  What wondrous grace, that when we were against God He was for us.  His longsuffering is salvation, for He is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).  Self-righteousness can lead God's children to feel entitled to God's grace and condemn others, to set ourselves against those who live contrary to God--and assume a posture that is not Christlike.

I have lately been encouraged by Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:43-45:  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."  Notice Jesus commanded His disciples to pray for their enemies, not against them.  God is clearly against those who do wickedly, yet as recipients of His grace, mercy and love we are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use and persecute us.  This is God's intended path of our sanctification, for Jesus concluded in Matthew 5:48:  "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Better than praying against those who oppose God, we can pray for what we know is God's will revealed in His word.  God's people walk in wisdom to pray in alignment with His word rather than against others.

A Glorious Fragrance

"Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."

John 12:3

The worthiness of Jesus Christ to be praised and worshipped is awe inspiring.  Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus, anointed the feet of Jesus with costly perfume as He and His disciples visited them for dinner.  As I considered the passage in light of what happened in the previous chapter, it marked an incredible change in Mary.

After Lazarus died of an illness and had been buried four days, Jesus and His disciples came to Bethany and found a town in mourning.  Martha initially came to meet Jesus, and later (seemingly with reluctance!) Mary did as well.  Both sisters expressed regret Jesus had not been there before Lazarus died, for they were confident Jesus could have healed him.  What they did not comprehend was Jesus intentionally did not return until Lazarus was dead and buried so people would come to know and believe Jesus had been sent by God as Messiah by miraculously raising Lazarus to life.

They drew near to the tomb where the body of Lazarus lay, and Jesus commanded the stone to be moved away.  Martha was opposed to unsealing the tomb because it was filled with the stench of death and decay.  John 11:40 reads, "Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"  By faith and obedience to Christ, the stone was rolled away and the pungent smell of death wafted out.  It was shortly thereafter, Jesus having prayed a simple prayer to the Father and called Lazarus by name, the man who was dead four days walked out of the tomb, alive and well.

It struck me that Mary did not use her precious perfume to mask the smell of her brother Lazarus in the tomb.  Perhaps she wrestled with the decision, to anoint the body of Lazarus or to save it for herself.  Was it wasteful to anoint a dead man who could not appreciate it?  After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, however, she realised Jesus was the one worthy of so precious a gift--much to the dismay of Judas who viewed the perfume poured out as a gross waste--costing a worker's annual wage.  The fact Mary did not use this perfume on her brother or save it for herself shows how highly she valued Jesus Christ, and He commended her for choosing to freely pour it on upon Him.  The fragrance filled the whole house.

Judas suggested a better use of the perfume would have been to sell it and give the proceeds to the poor, not because he cared for the poor but would have used it to enrich himself.  John 12:7-8 says, "But Jesus said, "Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. ⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always."  Mary did not use the perfume for her brother's burial after he died, but she poured out the perfume on Jesus before He died.  She seized the opportunity to bless and worship Jesus through her costly gift, and she is an inspiration for all Christians who say we believe Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, the Messiah sent by God to seek and save the lost.  As we have opportunity, we can give to those in need as unto the LORD Jesus.

The problems of poverty are a permanent blight upon the earth, and no amount of giving will "solve" the problem.  But this means we always will have the opportunity to demonstrate we treasure Jesus Christ above everyone else when we feed the hungry, offer a drink to the thirsty, provide hospitality for strangers, clothe the naked, visit those who are sick and in prison.  Our gifts and service to God are not limited to these specific acts, but Jesus commends those who freely walk in His love towards others as He demonstrated and commanded us.  By the indwelling Holy Spirit, our LORD will guide us to give and serve that He be glorified.  Like the perfume Mary poured out, may our lives be a sweet smelling fragrance to our LORD Jesus Christ because we value Him over all.

Awake in Christ's Likeness

What rest and peace God gives those who trust in Him who only does wondrous things!  In an ever changing world Christians have an anchor for our souls forever in Jesus Christ who loves us and has given us exceedingly great and precious promises.  His resurrection from the dead and ascension in glory gives us confidence through the Gospel our sins are forgiven, we have been justified by faith, and have a sure hope of eternal life in His presence.

When the church was birthed in the book of Acts after Jesus ascended to heaven, Christians faced intense persecution in Jerusalem:  none of the apostles, deacons or unnamed disciples were exempt.  It was not like the church was an organisation where leaders were insulated from the threat of beatings, arrests or execution as they were primary targets of those who hated and killed Jesus.  A man filled with the Holy Spirit named Stephen was falsely accused of speaking blasphemy against the Temple and the Law of Moses, and he was hauled before the Sanhedrin for examination.  His divinely inspired proclamation of truth can be read in Acts 7 that enraged his hearers and resulted in him being martyred for Christ's sake.

As Stephen's eyes were opened to see heaven opened and Jesus Christ standing in glory, the respectable mask of the Sanhedrin slipped and revealed them to be a murderous, hateful mob against Christ and His disciples.  They screamed, covered their ears, rushed upon him, cast Stephen out of the city and stoned Him to death.  Acts 7:59-60 tells us, "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep."  In the midst of murderous chaos, Stephen was the one at peace and full of forgiveness.  Without regard for himself or any attempt to dodge the large stones hurled at him from all around, Stephen knelt and prayed with a loud voice to intercede for those who were killing him--even as Jesus had from the cross.  Suddenly a stone hit the mark, and Stephen fell asleep.  The implication is those who sleep will wake.  Though Stephen died, through faith in Jesus Christ he lives now and forever.

I was reminded of this as I read Psalm 17:15:  "As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness."  Christians have the wondrous expectation that when our eyes close in death, we will awake in the likeness of Christ--satisfied, sinless, glorified and immortal!  Having been deemed righteous by faith in Jesus, there is no fear in death because our Saviour has defeated it.  Our death happened before our birth when Jesus Christ died on the cross, and having been born again and raised with Christ He now lives through us.  Since our death spiritually speaking is in the past, we have only life before us we will enjoy with Him and His people forever.  One day our eyes will close, and miraculously when we open them pain, trouble and sorrow will be a thing of the past, not remembered nor will come into mind, for we have been made new creations by God's grace through faith in Jesus.

Let us not be like those who are asleep spiritually as Paul exhorted believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:6-11:  "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."

Breaking Sin's Cycle

"As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly."

Proverbs 26:11

Like seasons are cyclical and predictable, so we sinners tend to repeat our sins.  Like in the Steely Dan song "Do It Again," the gambler who swore he didn't have a gambling problem found himself back in Vegas with a handle in his hand without explanation.  Almost like by instinct, people are driven to sin and find themselves enslaved to it.  Though people have been created by God in His image, our freedom to choose and make wise decisions can be forfeited when we feed our flesh and go our own way.  Like babies born addicted to narcotics, all humanity lies under the curse of sin passed down from Adam, a chain broken only by Jesus Christ.  Without God's gracious intervention, we will continue pursuing and practicing what works to harm and destroy us forever.

In Psalm 73, Asaph wondered why those who continued in their sin seemed to flourish and not suffer trouble--despite their proud arrogance and rebellion against God.  He mused over what was the point of seeking God and doing good, receiving correction and chastening from the LORD, when others seemed to be prosperous without fear of God and without a care in the world.  But when Asaph drew near to God in worship in His sanctuary, it hit him:  the prosperity of people who remain in sin was an illusion, for God would bring them to destruction in a moment, and there would be no remedy.  Asaph was convicted of envy in his heart and ingratitude for God who loved him enough to chasten him so he might repent and be saved.

Asaph sang in Psalm 73:21-26:  "Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind. ²² I was so foolish and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. ²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. ²⁴ 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."  In the light of God's revelation of Asaph's folly, he compared his behaviour and thinking to that of a senseless beast, an animal driven by instinct that cannot help itself.  I have observed behaviours in animals that are completely irrational but predictable.  Growing up, our dog would always lick the flyscreen and run on the sliding glass door even though he was not allowed inside.  No amount of speaking to him was able to part him from this odd habit.  Asaph was a stark contrast to Slicker, our Cocker Spaniel, because he responded to God's guidance and counsel.  Faith in God caused Asaph's desires to change from his natural selfishness to satisfaction because God was the strength of his heart and his portion forever.

God allows this beastly condition of sin to bring us to our senses, even like the young man in the parable who demanded he be given his inheritance immediately.  It was after he spent all the money and began to be in want, he realised in a paddock with pigs how wonderful his father had been to him.  Remembering the goodness of his father prompted him to return willing to serve.  Proud and powerful Nebuchadnezzar was naturally full of himself, and God caused him to suffer a seven-year season of insanity.  He went completely feral, was unable to speak or listen to reason, ate grass like an ox, and lived outdoors night and day.  His hair was matted in dreadlocks and his nails grew long like eagle claws.  His senseless, irrational behaviour was a picture of how the sin of pride rendered him spiritually:  incapable of hearing God, receiving correction or changing his ways.  Seven years was a long time, but it lead to a most valuable lesson being learned by Nebuchadnezzar we can all benefit from.

Daniel 4:34-35 says, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"  Nebuchadnezzar being restored to his throne is a lovely parallel of what God desires in the hearts of all people:  God would have us look to Him in humility and praise Him.  When we receive God's correction and repent of our sins, our understanding returns to us.  The perpetual cycle of sin is broken by His power, and we ought to be moved to praise, extol and serve God who is wisdom, strength and salvation for us.  Because Jesus lives in Christians, we are delivered from darkness, granted the ability to overcome every instinct to sin, and can now live in the way that fully pleases God as His adopted children (Colossians 1:9-17).

Known By Judgment

"The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah"

Psalm 9:16

I have been meditating on this verse lately, thinking about God's judgments according to His righteousness.  Though He is absolutely just, He remains gracious, compassionate and full of mercy.  His desire is not to destroy but to draw people to Himself to be delivered and saved from sin and death.  God's judgments are inescapable, yet He provides sure deliverance for all who trust in Him.

The LORD is known to be sovereign over all creation because He judged the whole earth with the great flood.  He observed humanity, not only their wicked deeds, but how the imaginations of their hearts was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).  He did not spring the coming judgment upon unsuspecting people without warning, but explained what was coming through Noah who built the ark and was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5).  God followed through on exactly what He said He would do, and that world that perished in the deluge.

God is known by His ability to do the miraculous by bringing 10 severe plagues upon Egypt.  After many warnings by Moses and Aaron, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to let the children of Israel go from bondage.  God made clear the 10th plague would affect every household as is written in Exodus 12:12:  "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD."  Those who refused to believe God invited death into their households, and the Egyptian idols were powerless to protect or save people from the consequences of unbelief.

The almighty God is known to be powerful over heaven and earth by suddenly rained fire and brimstone upon Sodom and the surrounding cities for their wickedness.  God came down and spoke with Abraham, revealing that the cry of Sodom was great and reached up to heaven.  Judgment came in a moment for Sodom's iniquity (Lamentations 4:6) so escape was impossible.  After the flood God promised He would never again destroy the world with water, and has held back judgment that will one day come upon this world with fire as spoken in 2 Peter 3:7:  "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  The LORD has shown Himself sovereign, able and powerful to do exactly as He has said.

One thing all these severe judgments have in common is God preserved a remnant of people who trusted in Him.  Though the flood was global, the plagues widespread and fire raining down on Sodom instantly, God preserved those who believed and obeyed Him.  In every case, all who trusted God were saved.  Noah, his family and animals were saved from the flood.  The Hebrews were spared from plagues in the land of Goshen, their firstborn was spared by putting the blood of the Passover sacrifice on the doorposts of their homes, and they passed safely through the Red Sea on dry land whilst the Egyptians drowned. Lot was taken by the hand by angels who led him with his family out of Sodom before it was utterly consumed.  In all these judgments is seen God's grace, compassion and salvation for those who fear Him.

God is known by the judgment He executes, and the wicked are ensnared by their own hands.  God does not trick or entrap people because He desires their destruction, for man is the one responsible for his own sin God will hold to account.  Because God loves sinners, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to provide atonement for sin, to die on the cross so those ensnared and enslaved by sin could be set free and saved from the wrath to come.  God's righteous justice has been satisfied by the death of Jesus, for the wages of sin is death.  The gift of God is eternal life given by our Saviour who is risen from the dead and will one day return to judge the world in righteousness.  The wise know God by judgment He executes, and thus bow the knee in reverence before Jesus Christ as KING OF KINGS--the God who alone saves.

Lifting Up the Horn

"'I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully,' and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn. ⁵ Do not lift up your horn on high; do not speak with a stiff neck.'"

Psalm 75:4-5

What goes up must come down, the cliche goes, and and those who are lifted up with pride God can easily bring low.  On the other hand, those who humble themselves God will exalt.  The Bible is filled with examples that illustrate God's ability to bring low the proud whether it be king Saul, king Nebuchadnezzar, Haman--or even Satan himself.  Asaph urged people not to be proud or boastful when they were promoted or advanced in stature, for he remarked in Psalm 75:6-7:  "For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. ⁷ But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."  One distinction between God and all other judges is He is perfectly just and remains gracious and merciful.  Sometimes there is no justice possible from earthly courts, and the judgments of men according to law can lack mercy and compassion.

In the book of Ruth, Haman was a man who boasted greatly about his high-ranking position, and he gathered family and friends to speak of his frequent access to royalty and the power bestowed upon him by his king.  It was in this lofty role he was arrogant, proud and despised those he viewed as below him--people like Mordecai the Jew.  When Mordecai did not bow or give him reverence when Haman sauntered past, Haman was incensed and decided to use his power to annihilate all the Jewish people.  He made a massive gallows with the sole purpose of hanging Mordecai, yet when his wicked scheme was uncovered the haughty Haman was brought low.  He was publicly hung on the gallows, and all Shushan could see Haman's meteoric fall from grace when he was executed high in the sky.

Haman was a man who lifted the horn in pride to his own destruction, even as an ox uses his strength to thrust with horns and inflict damage.  Bull calves are not born with horns, but they grow as they mature and gain strength.  Under Mosaic Law, if an ox gored a person to death, the ox would be stoned and the flesh not eaten.  The owner would bear the loss of his valued working animal for the damage it had done.  Exodus 21:29 says, "But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death."  The implication is if an ox was known to be a danger to people because it aggressively lifted the horn, the owner needed to take all precautions to protect people by removing the horns, keeping the animal in a fenced paddock, or if all means failed it would become food for the next BBQ.  The meat would be eaten, and the hide of a stiff-necked ox that refused to heed commands and lifted the horn would be made into leather goods like saddles and sandals--objects that would be sat or walked on.  In some cases a dangerous ox could be more valuable and useful to the owner dead than alive.

Our strength, status or roles that men pride themselves in are the very things which ought to humble the child of God, knowing we are chosen and blessed by God's grace.  Should the LORD grant us horns like a mature bull, we must be wise and gentle in our use of them.  Balaam chose to ride a donkey that was faithful and dependable, one that humbly responded to his guidance by a light tug on a rope.  In a similar fashion, we are called by Jesus to take His yoke upon us and to learn from His example of meekness and lowliness.  Rather than having a stiff neck and refusing instruction, we ought to humble ourselves to yield to God's guidance without the need of bit, bridle or whip.  Knowing we are called to a relationship with the living God ought to humble us rather than puff us up with pride.  Psalm 65:4 reads, "Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, of Your holy temple."  How humbling it is to know as Christians we are the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, and our satisfaction ought to be in God rather than ourselves or our promotion.

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

Because God is awesome and strong, the outlook of Christians should never be grim.  When we focus on the problems in the world, regrets of our past or feelings of anxiety, it is natural for us to be overwhelmed and to despair.  This was our lot before coming to Jesus Christ as Saviour, but we cannot justify our procrastination of God's praise any longer due to fear or cares of this world.  God allows unhappy situations so we might be drawn to Him who gives fullness of joy and peace that passes understanding.

Psalm 68 is wonderful as it extols the awesome strength and salvation of God, and I also love the descriptions of God's people throughout the chapter.  These are not people hunkered down in foxholes at war against fearsome foes, but people publicly and joyfully praised God without a sword, shield or bow among them.  These are people who celebrated and worshipped the almighty God who had taken captivity captive, who delivered them from death, who had gifts for them and graced them with His presence.  One would think they did not have a care in the world apart from glorifying God, and this is a snapshot of the joyous life God supplies for all who fear Him.

The glad countenance of the people described in this chapter is a far cry from the kind of Christian who is quite taken with their own spiritual authority, who expend their energies in forcefully rebuking Satan when praising God would have greater impact to shine for Christ.  When God arises His enemies scatter, and there is nothing we can do or say to add greater effect to His powerful words and judgments.  There is a Christian who imagines walking in victory depends on their knowledge and verbiage when the experiences of Jehoshaphat and countless other believers by faith stood still and saw the salvation of the LORD who fought their battles.

As Paul said, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, rulers of darkness in the heavenly places where God reigns as sovereign KING OF KINGS!  The purpose of our wrestling is not to take the devil to the mat and pin him, but that we would be strong in the LORD and the power of His might to stand and not remain cast down.  God grants victory, not to those who are strong to tout their divine authority, but who recognise Christ's supremacy and humble themselves before Him by faith and obedience.  Rather than wasting our breath rebuking Satan, how about praising and thanking God who is already victorious?  Isn't blessing God with praise and gratitude in tough times walking in victory Jesus has provided by His grace?

He Is All Fair

 "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you."

Song of Songs 4:7

In the love story Solomon penned, the Beloved and the Shulamite had a romantic relationship that resulted in an unlikely but happy marriage.  Both husband and wife were enraptured in the love of one another, and in their eyes their spouse was perfect in every way.  This is how people can be in the throes of romantic love, so smitten with happy emotions they overlook faults which become plain to them over time.  Though we admit theoretically no one is perfect, when someone exceeds our ideals we imagine we have found a person who is an exception to the rule.  Modern rates of infidelity and divorce suggest the discovery of flaws in one once chosen to be their lifelong partner.

I have found the greater my familiarity is with something or someone, their flaws become more apparent.  Take the purchase of a house, for example.  No matter how carefully I have observed the structure, appliances, roofing, flooring and landscaping, it is not until I have lived in the house for weeks and months I suddenly become aware of imperfections and faults that escaped my notice previously.  Some issues could not be seen on the surface, like a loose wiring connection to an aerial or a faulty globe in a garage door opener.  My focus in testing the door was making sure the door opened--not that the light was working.  Other things were in plain view the whole time, yet were easily overlooked because I had not shined light directly upon them or run my hand across the uneven surface.

It was not until months after moving into our current house I noticed a crack in the wall where a previous repair had come loose.  I tackled the project, imagining I was fixing the only gyprock damage in the house.  In the midst of the repair I began scouring the house, making sure there was no other significant damage.  I found a few more dents and holes I patched and primed--only to find more faults--which included affixing the whole ceiling of one room that was sagging from the ceiling joists.  There have now been three occasions I believed I was done with screws, fiberglass tape, mud, sanding, primer and paint only to start right back at the beginning because I discovered more problems.  The faults were always there, and it took close examination to notice them.  It would be utter folly to suggest the walls and ceilings are in pristine condition, for even my repairs are imperfect.

What is wonderful about Jesus Christ is the exact opposite is true:  the closer we examine Him and the more familiar with Him, His righteousness, goodness and holiness exceeds our wildest imaginations.  He who loves us is all fair, and there is no spot in Him.  The longer I have followed Jesus, the more impressed with Him I am.  The Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed when she came to visit Solomon in person, for the stories she had heard did not do him justice.  I have found this to be even more the case with Jesus, for He routinely impresses me and blows my mind.  He is continually faithful, true, gracious, keeps His promises and never disappoints.  He does not forget or forsake us.  The more I grow to know Him, the more His perfection appears.  I am convinced there is nothing or no one remotely like the almighty God who is perfect in all His ways.  I will joyfully stake my life on the reality of the perfection of my God and Saviour Jesus, and I urge you to do the same.

Yes and Amen

"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us."

 2 Corinthians 1:20

People are not strangers to caveats and limited-time offers, how in marketing the bold print gives but the fine print takes away.  The little asterisk next to an incredible deal often leads to the realisation the advertised deal wasn't as great as initially thought.  I have also had the experience of buying what I believed was an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product only to find it was a very cheaply made knock-off.  Several times I returned products to sellers that assured me a full refund of money but never paid.  Prompt communication fooled me into thinking a company had good customer service until they failed to follow through--and all communication on their end went silent.

In his letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reminded believers they were assured God was faithful to keep His promises in 2 Corinthians 1:18-23:  "But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. ¹⁹ For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us--by me, Silvanus, and Timothy--was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. ²⁰ For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. ²¹ Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, ²² who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."  The Gospel that assures forgiveness of sins and salvation not wishy-washy, but in Christ is Yes and Amen.  The faithfulness of God has been demonstrated continually through His word, covenants and promises kept.  All the promises of God are affirmed by Jesus Christ the Son of God and in Him Amen--all to the glory of God through us.

Someone who receives a good price offered for a limited time realises others may miss out on the bargain.  But Christians can have complete assurance everyone who repents from their sin and believes on the LORD Jesus Christ shall be saved.  We have no need to look for miraculous confirmation of God's promise or wait for a warm feeling to know the prayers of humble sinners are heard and answered by God in the affirmative.  When born again Christians ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can have all confidence we will receive based on God's word that reveals God's will as spoken by Peter on Pentecost in Acts 2:39:  "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."  Jesus Himself said in Luke 11:13, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"  All the promises of God in Christ are Yes and in Him Amen, and what confidence we can have to ask God believing His word in accord with His revealed will.

The blessings, feasts and promises contained in the Law merely hinted and alluded to the substance we have fulfilled in Person in Jesus Christ.  The Law of Moses gave no promise of eternal life, but Jesus made this promise plain to all who received 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."  How glorious is our Good Shepherd and Saviour forever, for all the promises of God in Jesus are Yes and Amen.  In Christ we find rest for our souls all can experience today regardless of circumstances, weather, bad news, feelings and failures.  The LORD has spoken truth and still speaks.  Blessed be the LORD whose mercies are new every morning, for great is His faithfulness.

Moved With Compassion

God spoke a timeless truth to prophet Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7, that God does not see as man sees.  Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks upon the heart.  The most discerning people cannot know exactly the motivations and feelings in the hearts of others, and we cannot even plumb the depths of our own hearts.  After being born again there are aspects of my flesh and tendencies of my character which the Bible has illuminated and the Holy Spirit has convicted me as sinful, and praise the LORD He is able to purify and transform us from within.  In my life God has purposed to refine and transform parts of my life I never had a problem with, and as we embrace our sanctification this is a continual process God's people can rejoice to submit to.

I was recently both convicted and blessed by how different the observations of Jesus are from my natural perspective when I read Matthew 9:35-38:  "Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. ³⁶ But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. ³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. ³⁸ Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."  Because Jesus is good, loving and God, there is hope for everyone by His grace.  Jesus went all throughout Israel teaching, preaching and healing all the people who came to Him.  Jesus was not put off by their heresies, sinful practices, sickness or weakness.  After being completely spent day after day serving everyone, Jesus did not grow weary of doing good for unworthy and often ungrateful people.  We see multitudes and think, "Oh no, what now?" but Jesus was moved with compassion for them.

When Jesus saw crowds of people, He saw people who were weary and scattered, and they resembled sheep without a shepherd.  I like the NIV rendering of this which describes the multitudes as "harassed and helpless."  Instead of seeing people as rabble rousers (which they can certainly be), Jesus knew they were harassed and troubled by many things physically, socially and spiritually.  They were scattered and helpless like sheep are to deliver themselves from their many specific health ailments, parasites, bullying of the flock and their own skittish, fearful nature.  The Jews in the synagogues did not receive salvation by dead works or spiritual guidance only Jesus Christ provides being the Way, the Truth and the Life, and thus they were troubled by sin and lacked peace with God.  Without a shepherd, sheep can be weighed down by wool, without protection from theft or predators, and unable to thrive without rest.  I likely would have seen the Pharisees as arrogant hypocrites without compassion, but Jesus was moved by compassion to help them and everyone else.  Aren't we blessed to have Jesus Christ as our Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep out of love for us?

Moved by compassion for the harassed and helpless, Jesus directed His disciples to pray the LORD of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd who does everything, yet more labourers are needed with His love, compassion and grace to toil in His bountiful harvest.  A blind person does not perceive all they cannot see, and no sensible person faults them for what they cannot see.  From the cross Jesus prayed for people who did not realise their sin for His Father to forgive them, for they knew not what they were doing.  The compassion of Jesus, His love in action and practical affection towards the weary and scattered ought to move us to seek to demonstrate His compassion to all.  Let us pray the LORD would send labourers into His harvest, rejoicing to be an answer to Christ's prayer request (and our own prayers) to labour ourselves for His glory and the good of others.