The Bible is beyond profound, packed with eternal significance. Even historical events are means God utilises to give us a picture of the Christ's power and reality for all who trust in Him today. Those who approach God in faith find food for their souls in the scriptures. Last night as a family this truth was confirmed in a passage from 2 Kings 25:27-30: "Now it came to pass in the thirty-seventh year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, that Evil-Merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, released Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison.
28
He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a more prominent seat than those of the kings who were with him in Babylon.
29
So Jehoiachin changed from his prison garments, and he ate bread regularly before the king all the days of his life.
30
And as for his provisions, there was a regular ration given him by the king, a portion for each day, all the days of his life."
Jehoiachin was a king of Judah who was taken captive and incarcerated in Babylon. In the year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from prison. Evil-Merodach's reign precipitated Jehoiachin's release, promotion, and provision. Jehoiachin's prison garments were removed. He was given new clothes, a place at the king's table, and was given a regular ration of food by the king, "a portion for each day, all the days of his life." This is a beautiful picture of what happens when Jesus Christ becomes our King set on the throne of our hearts, our LORD and Saviour by faith in Him.
Jehoiachin's release from prison was a direct consequence of Evil-Merodach becoming king. When the KING of KINGS Jesus Christ becomes our Saviour through the Gospel, we are freed from the oppressive prison of sin and death. Our filthy garments are removed and we are given white raiment (Rev. 3:5), a robe of righteousness. No longer need we remain hungry or eat the water or bread of affliction in a dungeon of darkness, for a place at the King's table has been provided us. In God's presence every Christian can freely dwell and feast on the daily provision supplied by the Bible, God's Word. Jesus is the Living Bread that came down from heaven, and all who partake of Him by faith will live forever.
Believer, do you realise God has supplied a regular ration of spiritual sustenance from the Bible every single day? The king of Babylon provided a daily supply of food for Jehoiachin, but the responsibility fell upon Jehoiachin to partake of what his king provided. He could choose if he wanted to eat the king's food, decide to sulk in his quarters because it wasn't his favourite, or go on a hunger strike to prove a point. But Jehoiachin was not a fool. The passage tells us Jehoiachin wisely ate regularly before the king all the days of his life. The implication is it was good food because the king had compassion on Jehoiachin. It was food fit for and approved by the king, and his gracious hospitality was an invitation Jehoiachin was blessed to accept. This is what the Bible provides for all those who trust in God and believe Him.
Psalm 81:10 says, "I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." When we open our mouths wide, God will fill our mouths with wholesome truth which promotes health and life. But even as God's people grew weary of gathering and eating manna every day in the wilderness, so God's people can grow weary of the discipline of reading and studying God's Word daily. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for we shall reap if we faint not. Remember how helpless you were in bondage, and how God lovingly drew you from that pit of sin, fear, and hopelessness. He has taken away your rags, given you a place at His own table, and supplied a daily provision for you. Will you accept His hospitality with rejoicing today and every day? Tomorrow and for all eternity there will be plenty of the King's food on offer to joyfully receive, for His Word endures forever!
10 December 2014
09 December 2014
Lying Down in Green Pastures
Near my house there many acres of pasture where cows, horses, and sheep continually graze. The recent summer rains have made the grass grow green and lush. Large catchments of water are filled to capacity, and God has supplied enough rain in the last days to ensure well-watered grazing for a month! As I drove by the property yesterday, it struck me: I have sped by the sheep in those fields hundreds of times, yet to my knowledge not once have I ever seen them laying down. Mixed in with the cows and horses, the sheep seem to perpetually stand. It reminded me of a passage in Phillip Keller's classic, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. Keller writes:
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus is the only one in whom we can find rest for our souls. We think if only the pesky flies would leave us alone, we would have rest. We try to create conditions where we feel safe and secure, only to have our problems and difficulties mount. We feed on all the world can offer us, but remain hungry. We wish our personal disagreements would be resolved and imagine true rest to be satisfied by a holiday or relaxation. But it never comes. True rest, the Bible tells us and experience confirms, is found only through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the One who makes us to lie down in green pastures, for in Him all our needs are completely satisfied.
You may know Jesus as LORD as Saviour, but are you experiencing His rest today? You can if you are willing to draw near to your Good Shepherd and seek Him with your whole heart!
The strange things about sheep is that because of their very make-up it is almost impossible for them to be made to lie down unless four requirements are met. Owing to their timidity they refuse to lie down unless they are free of all fear. Because of the social behavior within a flock sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their kind. If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down. Only when free of these pests can they relax. Lastly, sheep will not lie down as long as they feel in need of finding food. They must be free from hunger. It is significant that to be at rest there must be a definite sense of freedom from fear, tension, aggravations and hunger. The unique aspect of the picture is that it is only the sheepman himself who can provide release from these anxieties. It all depends upon the diligence of the owner whether or not his flock is free of disturbing influences. Phillip Keller from A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (Zondervon, 1970), 35-36.From what I have witnessed of those roaming sheep, they have never been under the guidance and protection of a shepherd. Without the care of a shepherd, it is not surprising the four requirements for sheep to lie down are not met. The lifestyle of those sheep is similar to the lives of many people who do not have Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd. Even Christians can wander from reliance upon Christ and are troubled by fears, tormented by worry, and aggravations. Jesus is a Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. He is the one who David spoke of in Psalm 23, the one who "maketh me to lie down in green pastures" (Psalm 23:2). It is not His negligence which causes us to be troubled and fret to exhaustion, but our self-reliance and unbelief which causes us great anxiety.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Jesus is the only one in whom we can find rest for our souls. We think if only the pesky flies would leave us alone, we would have rest. We try to create conditions where we feel safe and secure, only to have our problems and difficulties mount. We feed on all the world can offer us, but remain hungry. We wish our personal disagreements would be resolved and imagine true rest to be satisfied by a holiday or relaxation. But it never comes. True rest, the Bible tells us and experience confirms, is found only through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the One who makes us to lie down in green pastures, for in Him all our needs are completely satisfied.
You may know Jesus as LORD as Saviour, but are you experiencing His rest today? You can if you are willing to draw near to your Good Shepherd and seek Him with your whole heart!
05 December 2014
Willing Dependence
I have concluded that human independence is merely a mirage. Yesterday we experienced a storm which sent rain and hail hammering down as lightning flashed and thunder boomed. During one of the lighting strikes, all the devices drawing electrical current dimmed. The boys were both playing video games at the time and they simultaneously groaned, because they realised a power outage would end their gaming session. It occurred to me they were completely reliant upon a stable electrical current to play their games. To do anything we want to do, we have to rely upon something our someone to accomplish it.
It is always a sad day when an person can no longer drive because of health reasons or physical limitations. I have heard this referred to as "losing your independence." This is an ironic statement, seeing those who have a car are dependent upon their car to drive anywhere! To use a different example, this morning I mowed the lawn. I was completely dependent upon an operational lawn mower to perform the task. When I bake a cake by myself I still need to have the ingredients, a bowl to mix them, a pan to pour the mix in, and an oven which needs electricity. I am also dependent upon the proper function of my body to stand upright, maintain consciousness, and pay attention to what I am doing. Our bodies are dependent upon a multitude of things: oxygen, water, food, sleep, proper nutrition, and various systems of the body work together in harmony.
If I want to go to the shops, I rely upon something to transport me - whether it be a car, pushbike, my legs, public transport, or a ride from someone else. I am dependent on money to purchase the item I desire. I also depend on the shop to presently stock the item I seek to buy. Even in our most independent and "self-sufficient" stages in life, we are not independent nor are we self-sufficient. There is no one living who can claim true independence. There is a level of dependence inherent in life, and I believe God designed it in such a fashion. Our bodies are dependent on themselves as well as outside resources to do anything, and our survival depends on it.
Dependence is more than a mind set: for a Christian it is to be our way of life. All the resources and things of this world lure us to find our peace and security in them, when it is God in whom we are to depend. If we cannot accomplish a single physical task without depending on something, how could we possibly do anything for God's glory without relying upon His strength and wisdom? It is an interesting dynamic that everything concerning our lives is dependent upon God - whether we rely upon Him or not. We live, move, and breathe only by God's grace. Yet what a blessing it is when we willfully depend upon God, relying upon Him to guide, provide, protect, and save us! No one is truly independent, yet we can choose a life independent from God. Are you willing to admit your dependence on others or self? If "losing our independence" causes us to become more dependent upon God, have we lost anything? Sometimes what we perceive as loss God transforms into gain.
It is always a sad day when an person can no longer drive because of health reasons or physical limitations. I have heard this referred to as "losing your independence." This is an ironic statement, seeing those who have a car are dependent upon their car to drive anywhere! To use a different example, this morning I mowed the lawn. I was completely dependent upon an operational lawn mower to perform the task. When I bake a cake by myself I still need to have the ingredients, a bowl to mix them, a pan to pour the mix in, and an oven which needs electricity. I am also dependent upon the proper function of my body to stand upright, maintain consciousness, and pay attention to what I am doing. Our bodies are dependent upon a multitude of things: oxygen, water, food, sleep, proper nutrition, and various systems of the body work together in harmony.
If I want to go to the shops, I rely upon something to transport me - whether it be a car, pushbike, my legs, public transport, or a ride from someone else. I am dependent on money to purchase the item I desire. I also depend on the shop to presently stock the item I seek to buy. Even in our most independent and "self-sufficient" stages in life, we are not independent nor are we self-sufficient. There is no one living who can claim true independence. There is a level of dependence inherent in life, and I believe God designed it in such a fashion. Our bodies are dependent on themselves as well as outside resources to do anything, and our survival depends on it.
Dependence is more than a mind set: for a Christian it is to be our way of life. All the resources and things of this world lure us to find our peace and security in them, when it is God in whom we are to depend. If we cannot accomplish a single physical task without depending on something, how could we possibly do anything for God's glory without relying upon His strength and wisdom? It is an interesting dynamic that everything concerning our lives is dependent upon God - whether we rely upon Him or not. We live, move, and breathe only by God's grace. Yet what a blessing it is when we willfully depend upon God, relying upon Him to guide, provide, protect, and save us! No one is truly independent, yet we can choose a life independent from God. Are you willing to admit your dependence on others or self? If "losing our independence" causes us to become more dependent upon God, have we lost anything? Sometimes what we perceive as loss God transforms into gain.
04 December 2014
No "Plan B"
God responds with answers to those who rely upon Him. As long as we have a backup plan, the very existence of such a plan shows our faith is not in God. To paraphrase a quote from Transformational Discipleship (by Geiger, Kelley, Nation), our "Plan B" is an offense to God. God should not be at the top of our personal pecking order, but the One in whom we seek refuge. There is to be no other retreat for a believer. God is not to be our last resort, nor should we line up options should He not respond according to our demands or impatience.
There is a telling contrast in the Bible between two kings: King Saul and King Hezekiah. With impending war looming on the horizon, each of these kings responded quite differently. Despite their differences, both these kings share something in common: they both sought the LORD first. The condition of their hearts and the reality of their faith would be revealed to us, even as it was known by God before they approached Him! Let us begin with the example of Saul found in 1 Samuel 28:4-8: "Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." Saul was a man with a "Plan-B." He had forsaken God for decades, yet in a moment of desperation he did all in his power to seek God. He sought an answer from prophets, and even waited for God to speak to him in a dream! No answer came.
Since God did not respond to proud and unrepentant King Saul, he implemented his backup plan. He told his servants to find a medium so he could inquire of her. God didn't provide Saul an answer, so Saul sought the counsel of devils. Saul decided to resort to seeking advice of those he had been tasked to remove from the land because of their abominations. In his mind, he had no choice. He easily justified going to a medium when God did not answer, even as he "forced himself" to sacrifice unto the LORD when Samuel did not arrive as quickly as he hoped (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Saul's eyes were ever upon himself and others - and did not look to God in faith. He feared when the people began to scatter from him, and feared when enemies encamped against him. Saul's fears of defeat were fully realised the very next day when he was wounded on Mt. Gilboa and decided to end his life by falling on his own sword in battle.
Over the course of time, Hezekiah became king in Jerusalem. The King of Assyria sent a vast army on multiple occasions to intimidate and threaten Hezekiah and the people. 2 Kings 19:1-7 tells us what happened: "And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' " 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says the LORD: "Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." Hezekiah tore his clothes in grief, and immediately went into the house of the LORD. He sent word to Isaiah the prophet to pray for the people, for they were in great strife. Immediately an answer from God was sent. Hezekiah was commanded not to fear, for the LORD would send their enemies away. He would fight for them through a rumour to draw the army away from the doorstep of Jerusalem.
But the fight wasn't over. The Assyrians sent a letter to Hezekiah, telling him it was pointless to trust in God. Hezekiah followed the same pattern as previously. 2 Kings 19:14-19 reads, "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." Amazingly, the prophet Isaiah sent an answer of peace and promises (without Hezekiah even sending messengers this time) in 2 Kings 19:20: "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.'"
The King of Assyria had spoken high things against God, and Hezekiah sought refuge in God. He was not looking to Egypt, his weapons, army, or the Temple of the LORD: he looked to the LORD of the Temple! Without a backup plan Hezekiah spread out the letter before the LORD, and God answered. 2 Kings 19:32-37 says, "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 34 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' 35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 37 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place."
When we face conflict, we are given the choice to line up our options. These examples reveal the folly of trusting in self or resorting to a "Plan B" when God sits on the throne. If we have a "Plan B," God will not be our "Plan A!" God regards, defends, and fights for those who trust wholly in Him. Is He not able to supply all our needs? The God who created the ear, shall He not hear? The God who formed the eye, shall He not see? The God who created all things remains in total, complete control. Fear Him, seek Him, and your eyes will see the salvation of the LORD!
There is a telling contrast in the Bible between two kings: King Saul and King Hezekiah. With impending war looming on the horizon, each of these kings responded quite differently. Despite their differences, both these kings share something in common: they both sought the LORD first. The condition of their hearts and the reality of their faith would be revealed to us, even as it was known by God before they approached Him! Let us begin with the example of Saul found in 1 Samuel 28:4-8: "Then the Philistines gathered together, and came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor." 8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you." Saul was a man with a "Plan-B." He had forsaken God for decades, yet in a moment of desperation he did all in his power to seek God. He sought an answer from prophets, and even waited for God to speak to him in a dream! No answer came.
Since God did not respond to proud and unrepentant King Saul, he implemented his backup plan. He told his servants to find a medium so he could inquire of her. God didn't provide Saul an answer, so Saul sought the counsel of devils. Saul decided to resort to seeking advice of those he had been tasked to remove from the land because of their abominations. In his mind, he had no choice. He easily justified going to a medium when God did not answer, even as he "forced himself" to sacrifice unto the LORD when Samuel did not arrive as quickly as he hoped (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Saul's eyes were ever upon himself and others - and did not look to God in faith. He feared when the people began to scatter from him, and feared when enemies encamped against him. Saul's fears of defeat were fully realised the very next day when he was wounded on Mt. Gilboa and decided to end his life by falling on his own sword in battle.
Over the course of time, Hezekiah became king in Jerusalem. The King of Assyria sent a vast army on multiple occasions to intimidate and threaten Hezekiah and the people. 2 Kings 19:1-7 tells us what happened: "And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, "Thus says Hezekiah: 'This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.' " 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 And Isaiah said to them, "Thus you shall say to your master, 'Thus says the LORD: "Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land." Hezekiah tore his clothes in grief, and immediately went into the house of the LORD. He sent word to Isaiah the prophet to pray for the people, for they were in great strife. Immediately an answer from God was sent. Hezekiah was commanded not to fear, for the LORD would send their enemies away. He would fight for them through a rumour to draw the army away from the doorstep of Jerusalem.
But the fight wasn't over. The Assyrians sent a letter to Hezekiah, telling him it was pointless to trust in God. Hezekiah followed the same pattern as previously. 2 Kings 19:14-19 reads, "And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: "O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men's hands--wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." Amazingly, the prophet Isaiah sent an answer of peace and promises (without Hezekiah even sending messengers this time) in 2 Kings 19:20: "Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.'"
The King of Assyria had spoken high things against God, and Hezekiah sought refuge in God. He was not looking to Egypt, his weapons, army, or the Temple of the LORD: he looked to the LORD of the Temple! Without a backup plan Hezekiah spread out the letter before the LORD, and God answered. 2 Kings 19:32-37 says, "Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: 'He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor build a siege mound against it. 33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,' says the LORD. 34 'For I will defend this city, to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.' 35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses--all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 37 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place."
When we face conflict, we are given the choice to line up our options. These examples reveal the folly of trusting in self or resorting to a "Plan B" when God sits on the throne. If we have a "Plan B," God will not be our "Plan A!" God regards, defends, and fights for those who trust wholly in Him. Is He not able to supply all our needs? The God who created the ear, shall He not hear? The God who formed the eye, shall He not see? The God who created all things remains in total, complete control. Fear Him, seek Him, and your eyes will see the salvation of the LORD!
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