A New Thing

Sheep and human beings share the same trait of having a long memory concerning negative experiences.  Past experiences have a way of colouring the way we see the world and others.  Negative bias is easily confirmed due to this naturally skewed perspective, yet we remain self-assured we see clearly.  Our failures and past struggles hinder us from moving forward and burden us with a preoccupation with self and the assumption others judge us as severely as we currently judge them.  How can we even find the way forward in this state?  The cure for all these ills is found when a person fixes their eyes on Jesus Christ in faith, the One who promises to make all things new.  Before our risen LORD we must each confess our sins and repent saying, "Woe is me!  I am undone!"  He is the One who heals the broken hearted and sets captives free.  No longer need we be saddled with the weight or our inferiority or the expectations of others because we have been made new creations through faith in Jesus.

To a people who would experience war, destruction, and decades of captivity, God said through the prophet in Isaiah 43:18-21, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. ¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ²⁰ The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. ²¹ This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise."  How easy it is for us to immerse ourselves in thinking of the former things:  regret with what has happened, obsessing over our failures, fantasising if things had gone differently, and drowning in self-pity.  After the Exodus the children of Israel longed for the leeks and onions of Egypt rather than the milk and honey in the Land of Promise!  This is the natural tendency of all people, thinking the best is somehow behind us when the Spirit of God leads us on.

God said He would do a new thing, making a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  How many people have been lost in a wilderness and frantically searched for a trail, a path to lead them home!  Countless people have perished in the fierce heat of a desert, hallucinating over oasis after oasis which proved to be nothing more than cruel mirages!  God said the jackals and ostriches would honour God for His provision, and these are not animals known for their brilliance.  Sad, isn't it, that beasts without understanding could honour God more than people He has delivered from death ?  Yet God's grace is shown because He choose us sinners - though at times brute beasts acknowledge and trust Him more than His own redeemed.  God be praised that despite our weakness, that we are blind, miserable, poor, and naked, He opens our eyes to see Him, grants us heavenly riches, places clean apparel on us, and looses our tongues to declare His praise.

Will you take God's exhortation on board?  Do you believe the Word of God, that He will do a new thing and now it shall spring forth?  He is able to make roads through the wilderness and bring refreshing rivers in the desert.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  In every regenerated heart Jesus Christ is enthroned the heavenly reality proclaimed in Revelation 21:5 rings true:  "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  We are eyewitnesses of these things.  Let us fix our eyes upon Jesus and trust, not just try.  Will you declare God's praise?

Broken Vows

When God says something, He can be counted on to keep His word.  Man qualifies his promises with swearing and oaths, but not God.  His Word is true.  Because God is righteous His deeds, character, and word are always in perfect alignment.  Men will someday answer for their own words and will even be judged by them:  every idle word will be accounted for and brought under God's judgment (Matthew 12:26).  Numbers 30 is an entire chapter in the Law of Moses establishing the fact that every vow a man or woman makes is important before God.  If a man made a vow to the LORD, God will hold him responsible to do all he has said.

How many times as a Christian have we said we were going to do something, followed through best as we could, but ultimately fell short of what we said?  We don't have to "cross our heart or hope to die, stick a needle in our eye" to make words spoken in secret binding before God.  I was reminded of this yesterday when I read from J. Edwin Orr's book Full Surrender.  "A man's word is his bond" it has been said, and this rings true concerning the words which come from a man in God's hearing - and He hears all.  The chapter I read made me think:  how many times had I spoken something and not followed through?  Has my relationship with God been hindered because of ignored vows, promises which were proved empty over time, words I simply forgot?  Better to confess my sin and fall on the mercies of God now and be restored than to answer for idle words in the future with negative eternal consequences.

Consider the closing thoughts of Dr. Orr in the first chapter:

"Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?"  Not all prayer is acceptable.  If one regards iniquity in one's heart, the Lord will not hear him.  A broken vow is a sin of omission.  It is also the commission of an affront to God.  It must be confessed as sin before fellowship is completely restored. Otherwise, the discipline of God, the chastening of the Lord, begins to operate.  It is necessary for the Lord to bring our schemes to nought in order that we may not waste time and effort in building of wood, hay and stubble.  Our Friend becomes our opponent, not our enemy, and says "check" to each move until, checkmated, we begin again with Him.

What then are the vows that Christians customarily make to God in times of blessing and on special occasions?  More time in prayer, more intercession for others, more devotional reading, more study, more personal witness, tithing of talents and money, better example to others, patience with children, personal purity, self-denial - there are the vows that are made in watch-night services, prayer meetings, evangelistic campaigns, deeper life conventions, missionary meetings, and the like.  These vows go unfulfilled.  Part of the price is kept back.

Until broken vows are mended, it is difficult to make progress along the way of consecration.  Before seeking blessing from God, one should carefully consider in retrospect one's previous dealings with Deity.  It is not enough that no offence was meant.  It is not enough that no deceit was planned in advance.  The sin against God arises from the most serious transgression of any commandment, that of nursing a coldness of heart towards God Himself. (Orr, J. Edwin. "Broken Vows." Full Surrender. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1951. 18-19. Print.)

Cut to the Heart

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Hebrews 4:12

God's Word is alive and more sharp than a laser, uncovering the truth often concealed in the hearts of men.  Men often do not perceive their own hypocrisy until it is pointed out to them, and those who fear God and love His Word have the benefit of hearing that still, small voice which corrects often.  I don't know a man alive who enjoys being corrected by others, but wise men see great value in learning to walk in the way which fully pleases God.  The same word which is loved by one is hated by another.  Proverbs 9:8 says, "Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you."  In the book of Acts there are two contrasting examples provided.

After Stephen was brought before the High Priest and Jewish rulers, he gave a stirring historical overview in Acts 7,  He spoke of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses.  He explained how Moses knew he had been called by God to deliver the people from bondage yet was pushed away when he tried to bring peace to fighting Hebrews.  After 40 years, God appeared to Moses and sent him back to Egypt.  God brought forth His people with a mighty hand, and Moses led the people out.  Yet it was not long until the people's hearts longed to go back to Egypt and refused to obey Moses.  Stephen said in Acts 7:37, "This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear."  The covenant of Law came through Moses, but the covenant of faith came through Jesus.

Stephen connected the rejection of Moses by the people to his hearer's rejection and murder of Jesus Christ.  The comparison cut them to the heart and infuriated them.  Stephen said in Acts 7:51-58, "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ⁵³ who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it." ⁵⁴ When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; ⁵⁸ and they cast him out of the city and stoned him..."  Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the truth, yet these men refused to hear.  They literally stopped up their ears, violently cast Stephen out of the city and savagely stoned him to death - proving again their resistance to the Holy Spirit.

Earlier in Acts, there is one other mention of people being "cut to the heart."  On the Day of Pentecost at 9am, Peter and the disciples who gathered together in one accord received the "promise of the Father," the baptism with the Holy Spirit.  As people gathered around in amazement hearing them speak the wonderful works of God in languages foreign to the speakers, Peter addressed the multitude.  Peter told his curious listeners they were seeing a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of the Holy Spirit being poured out.  Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus was indeed the Christ, the One promised by God.  He had been rejected and crucified by wicked men.  He said in Acts 2:32-38, "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. ³³ Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, ³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." ' ³⁶ "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" ³⁸ Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

The response of Peter's hearers provides a stark contrast from those Stephen addressed.  When these people were cut to the heart, they did not shout, stop up their ears, lay hands on Peter, and stone him.  The asked an honest question, acknowledging the truth of what Peter said:  "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"  They did not only ask a question, but they heeded the words of Peter.  Acts 2:41 reveals the miraculous effect of the ministry of the Holy Spirit through Peter:  "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."  Jesus was preached on two occasions where people were "cut to the heart."  The truth of God's Word had skewered these people with opposite results.  The same good word led to the salvation of 3,000 glad souls and also preceded the martyrdom of Steven by an enraged mob.  How could the reactions be so different?

Hebrews 4:12 quoted above is following on from a previous statement, as it starts with the word "For."  The writer of Hebrews used the children of Israel who came out of Egypt as a example and warning.  They had the Word and Law of God and the presence of God with them, yet they were unable to enter into the land because of unbelief.  It is one thing to be brought out of bondage, but we must also enter into the rest God has prepared for us through faith.  Hebrews 4:1-2 says, "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. ² For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."  For the Word of God to have God's desired effect upon our hearts, it must be mixed with faith in God.  That is the difference.  There are many people who have been cut to the heart with God's Word and they react violently to it, lashing out with anger and hatred.  Others who are cut to the heart mourn over their sin and repent, the Word being mixed with faith in Jesus Christ.

When we are cut to the heart, faith in God enables us to humble ourselves.  A violent reaction or humble response to God's Word reveals if we are walking in the flesh or by faith in the Living God.  How do you respond when the Word cuts deep?  Do you close the Bible, shut your ears, and lash out?  Or do you ask God "What shall I do?" as you commit to obey His answer?

Evergreen Leaves

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalm 1:3

When Jesus was approached by Nicodemus at night, He compared the movement of the Holy Spirit to wind.  No man can control the wind or the Holy Spirit, but the effect of wind and the presence of the Holy Spirit are easily seen.  Trees do not move by themselves on a still day, yet strong wind causes leaves to shake and limbs to bend and creak.  The Holy Spirit is the One who regenerates a soul that repents and trusts in Jesus, bringing transformation to the life of that person by His grace.

There are no formulas to manipulate the Holy Spirit of God to act according to your will.  Born-again Christians are like trees which ought to bend to His will.  A sailboat by virtue of sitting in the water cannot cause the breeze to blow, but sailors adjust the sails to catch the wind to move the boat towards their destination.  When I was a kid, we used to climb a large Chinaberry tree in our front yard.  I used to climb into the canopy and shake the branches, later collecting bunches of berries which fell to the ground.  I could make branches of the tree shake like the wind was whipping past, but I had no control over the wind.  Through the effort of the flesh people can imitate a move of the Holy Spirit, but it ought not be mistaken for the real thing.

The Psalmist compared the man who delights in God and His law to be like a flourishing tree in a well-watered location.  This tree brings forth fruit in due season and its leaves shall not wither.  Chinaberry trees are deciduous and drop their leaves in autumn, but the Christian is not compared to a deciduous tree:  our leaves shall not wither.  They should be evergreen, soft, and flexible.  Strong winds may move branches and twigs, but how much more sensitive are green leaves to the subtle, passing currents of air!  When a Christian is walking with Jesus in a lifestyle of repentance, obedience, and walking in Christ's love, such a one will grow and flourish.  A Christian filled with the living water of the Holy Spirit will bear spiritual fruit and be increasingly sensitive to His leading.

If we sin by ceasing to walk in love, it is as if leaves begin to dry and drop.  Our hearts become cold as winter, hard as frozen stone.  We begin to lose sensitivity to the leading of the Spirit.  Personal conviction and sorrow for our sin seems a thing of the distant past.  We may still be able to operate in our spiritual gifting, but the fruit of the Spirit falls before it is ripe.  Blessed is the man whom God corrects, who mourns over his own sin and dryness instead of being focused on the faults of others!  Only when we confess our sin and repent can we be sensitive to the still small voice of the Spirit.  Consider your life:  how much of your everyday decisions and life is guided and governed by the Holy Spirit?  When was the last time you heard Him speak?  What did He say?

Jesus supplies Living Water and provides rest for our souls.  We cannot make the Holy Spirit to move, but when He moves we are quick to respond in humble obedience.  My desire is for my life and those in the church to fulfill the prayer of Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21:  "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ¹⁶ that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, ¹⁷ that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- ¹⁹ to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."