Reproach Rolled Away

There is great richness found in the Bible.  Details which are minor and seemingly insignificant can help us better understand other passages of scripture.  My morning Bible reading finds me in the book of Joshua, and I am enjoying reading the familiar passages as if it is the first time.  One detail which stood out to me like never before occurred after the children of Israel passed over Jordan on dry ground.  Obedience to God was required before a visit from the "captain of the LORD's host" and the victory at Jericho.  God commanded the males to be circumcised, for during the 40 years after the exodus from Egypt no males had been circumcised.  Circumcision was commanded under the Law and important because it identified people with the covenant God made with Abraham.

Joshua 5:8-9 states, "So it was, when they had finished circumcising all the people, that they stayed in their places in the camp till they were healed. ⁹ Then the LORD said to Joshua, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." Therefore the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day."  The name "Gilgal" means "circle of stones, rolled away."  The circumcision of the flesh was the path to healing and wholeness, for in the voluntary shedding of blood people submitted to God in obedience.  The people bore the reproach of Egypt and their neglect of obedience to the Law for decades, but God graciously rolled their reproach away.  "Reproach" is shame and disgrace, and only God can free us from the burden of sin.  It is not the circumcision of the flesh which is now required, but the circumcision of our hearts by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Deut. 30:6; Acts 15:8-9).

After Jesus was crucified on Calvary, He was wrapped in linen and buried in a tomb carved out of solid rock.  A massive stone was laid on the opening, secured with Pilate's seal, and guarded by Romans.  The sins of the world had been laid upon Christ, and He carried our guilt and shame.  When He rose from the dead, the stone was rolled away from the opening of the tomb.  This reminded me Jesus has rolled away the reproach of sin and shame for all who repent and are born again through trust in Him.  We must be regenerated according to the new covenant in Jesus' blood before we can have our shame rolled away, be at peace with God, and walk in the victory He delights to give us.  In one sense Calvary is our Gilgal, for Jesus has rolled away our reproach and made us righteous in His sight.  Glory to God!

Why Are You Anxious?

Are you a person who defines yourself as a worrier?  Anxiety is something everyone battles or succumbs to in varying degrees, and through Jesus Christ we can conquer it.  I don't know anyone who enjoys being anxious, but I know many people who are.  Worrying is so common in many people's lives they do not even recognise when they are carried away by worries like driftwood in floodwater.  When we follow the "what if" road to the final destination we discover it is a circuit that only leads to more worry without an end in sight.  Recognising our tendency to worry is a key step to seeking the deliverance we need by the grace of God.

Jesus commanded His disciples not to worry.  He said in Luke 12:24-30:  "Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? ²⁹ And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. ³⁰ For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things."  Instead of worrying about circumstances, stuff, or the future, the eyes of a child of God are to be fixed on Him with expectancy, realising He knows our needs and is able to supply them.  In Sydney there is abundant wildlife, and God daily provides for the many beautiful birds that roost here.  Worrying or considering every possibility does not provide the power to address my problem.  Jesus asked, "If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?"

Having one bird as a pet requires a fair bit of planning, resources, and care, yet God is able to supply the needs of all.  A child does not grow by worrying, and flowers do not bloom by working at it.  If we will answer Christ's question honestly, we worry because we really do not trust Him.  We cannot see how God could redeem a situation, so we wonder if He will.  In our desperation to see our needs supplied worry blinds us to God's past provision and promise to provide presently.  Instead of seeking what to eat or drink, we are to seek God and His righteousness (Luke 12:31).  The greatest need we have in this life is to trust God and repent of our sin, and this includes worry.  We typically justify our anxious minds because no one seems to realise the gravity of our situation as we do; our situation feels like an sensible exception to the command of Philippians 4:6-7:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

The things we worry about are the things we ought to pray to God about - with thanksgiving!  We often do not know the peace of God because we have not met His conditions to seek God and make our requests known to Him.  When we choose to thank God in any circumstance without an anxious mind, it reveals we actually are walking in faith.  Then the peace of God will guard us from all worries, fears, and cares of this world which try to worm their way into our minds and hearts.  Praise the LORD this peace does not depend on my resolve or ability, but through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us.  We cannot help worrying, but God will help those who ask Him believing and thanking Him no matter what.

Selfie Worship

Do you remember the old days of taking pictures and having to wait days or weeks before knowing how they turned out because actual film was being developed?  These days the majority of time spent taking photos is the review process.  Everyone has a chance to review the shot and personally approve their appearance!  With the advent of digital technology and the mobile phone, "selfies" have become mainstream.  I read somewhere on average it takes about five tries to have a selfie worthy of posting to social media.  As the name "selfie" suggests, it is one of many ways we can employ to make ourselves the centre of attention.  We have matured beyond the little child who shouts at his mum, "Look at me!" but there is an undeniable urge to promote self which remains in us to this day.

One thing I find quite irksome is when I am at a worship gathering (typically a well-attended pastor's conference), and it isn't long before I see people in front of me raising their hands.  These are not hands raised in praise of God, but these hands hold mobile devices to capture the moment with the perfect panorama.  My mind screams in these moments, "This is about God!  This is not about us!"    Now I understand the rationale people might use to justify taking a quick snap, and there is nothing inherently sinful about taking a picture in church - even during worship.  But my question simply is, "Why are you taking a picture?"  Is it to impress others?  It is to post to social media to show where you are?  Is it a keepsake?  Is it because a notable worship musician is on the stage?  Why does the congregation or the band or the venue prompt you to take the picture?"  If' God isn't the reason, there is a problem.  And I think He knows perfectly what a gathering of believers looks like.

Have you ever been to a beautiful location where a picture or video cannot do it justice?  The vibrant colours and grandeur cannot translate fully to film or an SD card.  If if is impossible to capture a nature scene of the beautiful things God has made, how can you hope to convey the glorious assembly of God's people filled with the Holy Spirit pouring out their hearts in praise to Him in one accord?  Well, everyone might be if they weren't taking and reviewing so many pictures.  Better than a picture to memorialise the occasion, how about turning your focus to God alone so the crowd and the voices fade away as you approach God's throne in humble praise?  There will be no mobile phones in heaven, no recordings of worship music, and no digital mixing or amplification.  They will be completely unnecessary, for we will praise God in real time with all the heavenly hosts.  I exhort you brothers and sisters for the sake of God's glory, consider leaving your device in your pocket during the service - or at home!  As we gather in the name of Jesus and praise Him, there is no room for selfies because it is all about Him.

God Will Not Fail You

I was young when I watched "Star Wars" for the first time, and my favourite character was the villain Darth Vader.  Dressed in black with his distinct helmet, flowing cape, mechanical breathing, and red light saber, he captured my imagination.  His powers and persona were far greater than any clean-cut uniformed imperial officer or the expendable Stormtroopers.  As the saga of films continued, each installment revealed additional powers and abilities never seen before.  Darth Vader's supernatural abilities in "Empire Strikes Back" were tempered by his seemingly incompetent Admirals whom he dispatched with force-chokes.  He famously said as Admiral Ozzel breathed his last, "You have failed me for the last time."  Definitely not the kind of monster anyone wants as their superior!

What prompted me to consider Vader's warnings of his men "failing" him was a verse I read this morning in the book of Joshua.  This verse shows the grace and power of God, and revealed that for all his supernatural powers and knowledge, Darth Vader was a weak leader.  When Darth Vader's admirals failed, he also failed.  His plans were thwarted by their poor judgments and incompetence.  There were no learning moments, and no room for error:  in the end all Vader could do was kill those he viewed as failures and install a weaker leader in their place, thus perpetuating the cycle of failure.  Their efforts or profession of loyalty meant nothing, for Vader had no loyalty to those he ruled with fear.

When Joshua was called and established by God to lead the people of Israel after the death of Moses, God encouraged him with promises.  God did not "swear in" Joshua concerning his personal loyalty or make a promise to do his best:  God was the One who made promises to Joshua!  God said in Joshua 1:5, "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."  What a contrast!  Darth Vader said menacingly to his underlings "Do not fail me," but God said, "I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."  What confidence Joshua could have in a God who had called him and promised not to fail him!  The NKJV rendering of "fail" is "leave," and God's presence would remain with Joshua to guide and help him.  How wonderful it is to have a God who will not fail us.

Isn't it amazing God would say to a humble servant, "I will not fail you?"  God takes born failures, common sinners who have no ability in our flesh to accomplish His will, and He promises not to fail us.  This world, governments, policies, businesses, money, and all that is in this world will eventually fail us.  Only in God is there salvation, redemption, and eternal life.  God's love never fails, and He has promised to never leave or forsake us.  When man promises he will not fail it means nothing, but when God says it we can count on His goodness, grace, and power forever.  Like it or not, we fail.  But God did not fail Joshua, and He will not fail me, you, or anyone who places their trust in Him.