Hills and Valleys

"Then Job answered the LORD and said: ² "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You."

Job 42:1-2

When I injured my knee, I was referred to have scans of various kinds:  an x-ray, ultrasound, and ultimately an MRI.  All of these scans have their purpose and all of them have limitations.  It does no good to have a scan performed unless you have an expert to analyse and interpret it!  After the results were provided to my doctor, she referred me to a knee specialist.  This specialist scheduled me for surgery he later performed, yet he did not do this alone.  A nurse prepared the area for the incision, an anesthetist with an assistant, plus many more people in the operating theatre.  This is an example of how many medical specialists worked together to reconstruct a knee, each having a particular area of expertise.

Similar to this, ancient gods all had particular areas of control.  Some gods were believed to control the sun, caused the rain to fall, brought good luck or fertility, protected the home, healed, and caused lightning to strike.  Different cultures had their own idols and deities they were loyal to through worship and sacrifice.  Among the Greeks and Romans their god resembled our modern-day superheroes, each with "superpowers," strengths, and weakness.  Some can fly, use telepathy, shape-shift, create illusions, and become invisible.  Each has their own area of expertise they use for good or evil.  The Jews were unique among the nations because they worshiped only one God.  This seemed strange to other cultures:  why not have many gods to cover all the bases?  What if the sun didn't rise or crops didn't grow? They didn't realise the God of Israel is the Almighty God who created all things.  There is nothing beyond His view or removed from His awesome power.  He is the eternal, self-existent, and all-powerful God before whom all other spirits and gods are nothing.

The northern kingdom of Israel fought against Syrians who were struck down before them.  The Syrians explained why they lost the previous battle in 1 Kings 20:23, "Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they."  What they didn't realise was the God of the Jews is the God who created all things - the hills, plains, seas, mountains, the sun, moon, and stars.  He is the God of everything and everyone!  1 Kings 20:28 gives us the response of God:  "Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, "Thus says the LORD: 'Because the Syrians have said, "The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys," therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.'"  The God who knows all things, speaks, and reveals Himself with a mighty hand gave the Jews the victory.  The Jews, Syrians, and all nations of the earth shall know God is LORD of all!

God is nothing like an idol that has areas of strength or weaknesses but is God over all.  After Job received a revelation of God's power he said humbly, "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You."  God is able to heal, comfort, and strengthen us in  mind, body, and soul.  He supplies guidance, counsel, and provides for our physical needs.  He is God of heavens, earth, sea, and all that is in them.  He gives wisdom and knowledge, and in Him all things consist (Col. 1:17).  Praise the LORD for revealing Himself to us as the God of the hills and the valleys.  In both good and bad times He is still God, and is able to save and deliver us.

Jesus Paid Your Fee

Today in my travels I came across a sign which made some blasphemous boasts, claiming to do what only my God - the Creator of the world and King of the Jews Jesus Christ - can do.

This "Holy Spiritualist" claims to be able to "Handle Any Problem."  The Bible says the approach of seeking spiritists to solve problems only creates more significant ones!  People can be so desperate for knowledge or to affect the outcome of a situation they will go into financial debt, selling even their souls for guidance and power.  King Saul sought the advice of a medium when there seemed no other option, and he was a fool to do so.  The sign I saw welcomed all religions, but my relationship with the Almighty God prohibits such activity because of the abominable nature of it.  Impostors of the true God have legitimate power, but seeking the aid of unclean spirits always brings a curse with it.

What grabbed my attention was the numerous stickers fixed around the sign, informing potential patrons that Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and electronic funds transfer were all acceptable forms of payment.  I have heard people say things like, "All churches care about is money" and it would be a shame if it was true.  Interestingly I have not heard the same criticism of fortune tellers or astrologers who charge fees for their services.  This advertising offers the false promise any problem can be handled for a fee.  Everything in this world which seems too good to be true often is, but God is not of this world.  He sent Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world so we could be saved from the devil, sin, death, and hell.  The world offers a grab-bag of solutions for a price, but nothing and no one in this world has the power to save.

The prophet spoke in Isaiah 55:1-3:  "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ² Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. ³ Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you-- the sure mercies of David."  God offers salvation at His own expense.  There is no cover charge to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Only the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ received by faith is able to redeem men from death.  Being "spiritual" cannot satisfy you.  All the power of this world will leave you thirsty for more.  Eat what is good, the Bread of Life Jesus Christ.  Allow Him to satisfy you with the Living Water of the Holy Spirit.  Everyone has problems, and only God is able to save us from ourselves and He has paid this fee at His expense.

The Generous God

I was thinking today of how generous God is.  There are so many generous people God has brought into my life who have blessed me beyond belief.  Out of all we have been freely given by God we should freely give, and what great blessing we receive when we do so.  During this time of the year every time I say "Christmas" it reminds me how God gave His only Son so all could be saved and receive everlasting life through faith in Him, and how thankful I am.

Giving cheerfully and freely is a practical way of giving thanks to God for all we have received.  All we have is a gift from God (James 1:17).  This life and all the facets of it we enjoy are gracious gifts freely given by a God who created and loves us.  Our food, homes, money, and daily necessities are met masterfully by the God who knows our needs and how to best supply them.  I am continuously in awe of the many people God has continued to prompt and provide money on a monthly basis and gifts for my family according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  How I can testify of God's generosity through fellow followers of Jesus Christ of time, effort, service, and love!  There is bountiful wealth God gives which transcends possessions, money, or any earthly security.

In this season when we remember Jesus Christ, the greatest gift ever provided for men, may we be like those wise men who sought Him and bestowed kingly gifts for His use.  Most of us do not have gold, frankincense, or myrrh on hand, but we can offer Jesus our entire selves - our hands, feet, resources, time, our very breath - to the end others will know His love and generosity through us.  God does not desire a "pay back," for how could we possibly give according to His infinite measure of generosity to us?  He is pleased when we respond through giving to others as He has done for us, "paying it forward" in a sense.  Our primary motive is not to be arbitrary social justice but to give freely to others for the LORD's sake, meeting needs and seeking to bless in Jesus' name.  All benefit from this outworking of God's love.  God has purposefully and intentionally caused amazing, miraculous blessing to rain down upon us in our undeserving state.  In light of this reality as we have received, so let us give ourselves.

It is an appalling contradiction for one who has received love, forgiveness, salvation, and new life from Jesus to be miserly.  Again, I am not speaking primarily about money, though our handling of finances can provide an indication of a heart condition.  We are to be bountiful and free concerning the proclmation and living out of the Gospel.  That is the context of the often quoted words of Jesus when He said, "Freely you have received, freely give."  Matthew 10:7-8 told the twelve as He sent them out, "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' ⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."  As God has placed upon our hearts let us freely give, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7).  Our resources have an end, but God supplies of love, grace, and goods are endless.  God looks favourably upon generosity, and every signpost along that path was well-set by Him.  This is a path without end, and as we walk along this way we can enjoy have sweet fellowship with our loving and generous Saviour.

A Vessel of Honour

"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." ²⁰ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."

2 Timothy 2:19-21

It is faith in Jesus Christ which brings forgiveness of sins and cleansing through His shed blood on Calvary.  On their own no one can cleanse their hands or heart from sin.  Yet all who have been born again through the Gospel of Jesus Christ have been washed, justified, sanctified, and have been made righteous.  God knows all people in whom this divine transaction has taken place.  Though this cleansing is initiated by God, Christians are responsible and able to keep their "vessel in sanctification and honour." (1 Thessalonians 4:1-7)  As led by the Spirit according to God's Word, we are to take intentional steps in putting off sinful habits and corrupting influences from our lives.  Then we can be a vessel of honour and useful for the Master.

In the passage above, Paul explained to Timothy that in a great house or palace there were many kinds of vessels.  There were vessels for cooking, water storage, drinking vessels, and buckets to collect waste.  These vessels were made of materials like gold, silver, wood, and clay.  The wealth of the owner and the intended practical use of the vessel likely impacted the chosen material.  One point Paul made is all believers have the potential to be a vessel of honour, prepared for the use of the master.  A large clay vessel to hold drinking water and a golden goblet both have their practical use, but they are only useful when clean.  It would be silly for the clay pot to declare that if it was a golden goblet it would take its role more seriously.  A clay pot with a dead rat befouling the water is not fit for the master's use.  Even as a rat carcass must be removed before the clay pot could be sanitised for future use, so there can be sins, possessions, and pastimes which we must choose to put away from us permanently before we can realise our purpose.

The prophet exhorted God's people returning from captivity in Babylon in Isaiah 52:11-12, "Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD. ¹² For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."  There was a temptation for the Jews to bring idols or unclean things out of Babylon and carry them back to Jerusalem, even as they had brought idols of Egypt into Canaan.  Idols were often crafted of gold and silver and had great monetary value.  But God's people were to value personal holiness over money, and even be willing to suffer financial loss to remain pure before God as those called to bear His vessels.  Because God was going with them they could entrust their finances and future to Him.  If they defiled themselves with unclean things they would not be fit for the Master's use.  Why should we Christians continue to carry with us memoirs of our captivity because we value them?  Don't we value God's presence more than things which marked our old life of bondage?

Christians today do not bear silver bowls or golden candlesticks in the worship of God in a temple, for we are the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells among us!  Our heart has been made the "Holy of Holies" where the Spirit of God has taken up residence.  Since God is with us and inside us, we are to keep our vessels - our physical bodies and minds - clean from sins and free of worldly defilement.  God has cleansed us, and we also need to cleanse ourselves from fornication, lusts, pride, greed, idolatry, and all things which war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).  Then we can be a vessel of honour.  Vessels of dishonour are put aside until they are willing to be washed and cleaned so they can be used.  It is a sad thing that a perfectly good pot or goblet could sit unused and not fulfill its intended purpose because it refuses to be clean.  Depart from the unclean thing, O Christian!  Put all that is wicked far from you so you can be the vessel of honour God created you to be.