Waiting and Working

Waiting is a regular part of life, and something that is often not our first preference.  That may be putting it lightly:  I'm not sure anyone finds waiting wonderful in itself.  We wait out of necessity or because of beneficial end results.  When shopping we survey our options based on which lane will save the most time.  If the lines to pay are very long and the self-serve area is open, we might choose that option to save time.  If waiting wasn't an issue, we wouldn't regret our choice if our lane took the longest.

I have discovered recently I often view waiting as wasting time.  This is a perspective I believe God wants to change in me.  I recognise waiting is inevitable, but sometimes I am annoyed at what appears to be unnecessary delays.  On the golf course I aim to be as efficient as possible, approaching golf as an aerobic exercise rather than a leisurely stroll.  When there are players in front of me who are overly social and have no sense of urgency to clear the green, feelings of impatience begin to mount.  These feelings can spring upon us suddenly:  whilst driving behind a slow moving vehicle, when you have been placed "on hold" on the phone, or when the garage door button needs to be pressed and held for the door to open.

The Bible reveals waiting times are always working times.  God is always working, and in ways which He sovereignly has ordained to take time.  Think about planting seeds or the gestation of a child in the womb.  Without proper time to develop, plants nor people can survive.  It takes time for the sun to rise and set.  Cities are not built overnight, nor can nations form in an instant.  Skills at mathematics or sports are developed over many years and through much training.  We do not question any of these things.  But when we are suffering or struggling, we wonder why comfort and respite seem so far away.  We wonder why God doesn't do something.  But God is doing many excellent things, whether we recognise them or not.

We find perseverance to joyfully endure with unfailing hope when our gaze is fixed on our LORD Jesus Christ, the One who will never leave or forsake us.  God has given us exceedingly great and precious promises we ought always to lay to heart.  The scripture is full of examples of people who waited a long time and were blessed to see the LORD fulfil His Word.  And even when they were not able to see with their eyes the salvation of the LORD, it has been recorded for our benefit that we might believe.  We can gladly entrust our souls to our Maker, for our times are in His hands.  He is not ignorant of our struggles, nor is He easily overwhelmed as we are.  He rules over all and is able to do miraculously, marvellously, and great wonders for the glory of His name and our good.

God does not waste time but He works, and this is for our benefit.  Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-29, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."  All the circumstances of our lives are able to be utilised and leveraged to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ as members of His eternal family.  Can anything be better than this end result?

God's Chosen Fast

"Hunger strikes" can be employed as non-violent protests to raise awareness of perceived injustice or as a means to achieve a desired purpose.  Youth at our church have participated in World Vision's "40-hour Famine" to raise funds for the hungry or displaced refugees.  Those who deny themselves food or the convenience of furniture or technology for 40 hours receive funds from willing supporters to pass on to people in need.  It is good to bring awareness to the needs of others, but we too can have pressing needs which seem unmet - despite or best efforts or sacrifices.

Based upon Isaiah 58, it seems the children of Israel made fasting and wearing sackcloth a practice as they sought God.  They thrived on seeking after God by observing His ordinances.  But after afflicting themselves - kind of like people on a hunger strike - it didn't seem like God was listening to their prayers.  They weren't receiving the response or reward they felt their sacrifices warranted.  So they ramped up the duration and intensity of their fasts, almost like the prophets of Ba'al who cried out louder the longer their god remained silent.  Then suddenly, above the din of man's misguided expectations and zeal, the God of heaven spoke to His people:

"Is it a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? ⁶ "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? ⁸ Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. ⁹ Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, ¹⁰ if you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. ¹¹ The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:5-11)

God questioned the people concerning their self-imposed fasts.  They fasted from eating food He had provided them when they would have been better served fasting from their sin.  What were they doing with the food they weren't eating?  What about the clothes they had laid aside to wear scratchy sackcloth?  Were they giving their extra food and clothes to people in need or just hoarding it for themselves?  They put themselves under bondage to fast and afflict themselves to gain God's favour when they should have released the oppressed and broken the heavy yoke of slavery.  God saw everything His people did and said and He saw the motives of their heart.  If they would put as much effort into speaking truth and extending grace to others rather than accusing fingers as they did in their observance of traditions and law, they would be better served - because then they would actually be serving God, not themselves.

See the promises and gracious rewards God gladly offered to those who trust and obey Him, not looking to their own works to justify them before God!  Light would shine in their darkness and healing would come speedily.  Righteousness would go before them and God's glory would be their rear guard.  God would answer their cry - not because of their self-imposed affliction - but because they honoured Him by doing good.  They would be guided, guarded, and satisfied with good things even in difficult and dry times.  God has Living Water for all who repent and trust in Jesus.  He has promises for us by grace which are far greater than the Law could ever supply.  Let us remember the fast God has chosen:  to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo heavy burdens, to release the oppressed, and break every yoke.

Lose the Labels!

Though God has created people to be unique individuals, He also created us for community.  The way human reproduction works it takes a man and a woman to start a family.  As we grow we begin to identify ourselves arbitrarily according to personal views shaped by a number of factors:  our parents, church, society, interests, etc.  We can view ourselves as being a "morning person" or a "night owl," and "introvert" or an "extrovert."  These labels often provide insight more on our personal preferences than our physical needs.  It may be one person can operate well on less sleep than another person, and that is an obvious fact.  But I believe it is possible to bind ourselves to a particular label to justify our decisions, lack of discipline, or even disobedience to God.

Allow me to illustrate:  I am sure Moses was one of those people (along with Elijah and Jesus) who enjoyed regular meals.  But a key lesson God taught the children of Israel was spelled out in Deuteronomy 8:2-3:  "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ³ So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."  God knows people need to eat for health and physical strength, but He allowed His people to feel the pinch of hunger.  He fed them with manna they had never seen before, and based upon the biblical account before very long some wished they had never seen it!  God supplied His people with bread daily so they might learn that man doesn't live by food only but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.  Moses on two occasions went over a month without food as he went before the LORD to receive the Testimony.  Moses was a man who ate like the rest of us, but through faith in God and obedience to His will found himself miraculously sustained.

As a parent, it bothered me when my children said they "couldn't" or "I can't!" when they could but simply didn't want to.  It was a matter of preference, not ability.  I wonder if it bothers God when His children say "I can't!" when we can actually do all things through Christ who strengthens us!  I don't care if you identify as a "people person" or an "introvert":  I believe God has ministry He intends to accomplish which will bless and impact others through your willing obedience.  Through Jesus frightened disciples were able to cross a troubled sea made calm; through Jesus a great number of people were fed with scant resources.  The Israelites plundered slain enemies for days they did not lift sword or spear against because God fought for them.  If Jesus can still the wind and waves with a word, can't He tame the preferences or demands of our flesh?  This morning I read in Psalm 107:17-21:  "Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, were afflicted. ¹⁸ Their soul abhorred all manner of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. ¹⁹ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. ²⁰ He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. ²¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

We ought to praise God for His goodness and wonderful works, for we have tasted and seen the LORD is good.  The children of Israel ate manna and were sustained for years in the wilderness, but we have received the Bread of Life Jesus Christ who has provided us eternal life!  As much as God has called us to do, however, let us be sure we cannot accomplish His work through the strength of our flesh.  We need to humbly rely upon His sustaining grace.  I read a quote in a Sports Illustrated article about Orioles slugger Chris Davis concerning the Gospel:  "One of the biggest misconceptions of the gospel, in my mind, is that you have to be perfect,” he says now. “That is the complete opposite of the truth. Christ paid for our sins on the cross knowing that we would never be able to measure up."  Christianity is a game of failure, too, he says. The idea is to fall short, then wake up the next day and try again."  I believe I understand what is meant by Christianity being a "game of failure," pointing out the obvious fact all have sinned before God.  Faith in Christ is no claim to perfection but our ongoing need of sanctification.  But I would contend with the conclusion suggested by the author, that having fallen short the next day we are to try again - and the implications are to fail again.

No, the glory of the Gospel is not our ability to do, nor in the opportunity to try again:  it is who Jesus is and all He has done.  When Jesus died on Calvary, He said "It is finished!"  It is no longer about me trying to measure up to God's impossible standard, but having been made free from sin to walk righteously in the power of the Holy Spirit through faith.  There is no room for boasting, even if we are able to walk uprightly without sin because Jesus has washed us clean.  He has made us new creations for His glory.  It is not about our continual failure but Christ's victory; it is not about measuring up but responding joyfully and righteously to the great love God has demonstrated for us.  Before God there are no "introverts" or "extroverts," just treasured souls graciously redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.  God is not limited by our failures, nor impressed with our devotion.  But He is pleased when we live uprightly led by the Spirit, do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God whatever the circumstances.  We are not perfect, but whatever God tells us to do through Him we can do it - regardless of arbitrary labels - because it is through Him our strength comes.

The Stench of Flattery

Motive of the speaker is the primary difference between a genuine compliment and flattery.  A compliment is a polite way to acknowledge quality efforts and accomplishments of others, but flattery is false praise with the aim of gaining advantage for self.  Those who flatter can say the exact same words as the one giving a compliment, but for them those words are sin.  Words of flattery are an indication of a perverse and wicked heart.  Because we do not even know the depths of depravity natural in human hearts, we may not even realise how commonly we employ nuances of flattery.  God knows, and praise the LORD He is gracious to shine His truth to expose our need to repent and guides us in the way of truth.

People in positions of power are often targets of flattery, and King David was no exception.  He wrote in Psalm 5:8-9, "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face. ⁹ For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue."  Not all of David's enemies hurled spears of insults at him, but frequented his courts with smiles, gifts, and kind words.  They were sprinkled amongst his countrymen and those who offered counsel.  Spoken words are indicators of the condition of the heart, and David was not ignorant or immune to flattery.  Because these verbal bribes posed a danger to upholding righteous judgment, David was on his guard against receiving flattery.

As a man after God's own heart, David was one who valued integrity.  He sought advisers who were faithful to God and honest with men.  In Psalm 5 David described his enemies as without faithfulness and full of destruction or calamity.  They spoke smooth, sweet words but David was savvy to their flattery, for he compared their breath to an open tomb full of rotting corpses.  If they only suffered from halitosis it would be a small issue compared to their perverse motives and lies.  Those who spoke flattery only pretended to be loyal and faithful friends, and by the grace and wisdom of God David was wise to it.

It is good for us to recognise flattery so that we will resist the subtle temptations to use it ourselves.  Felix hoped for a monetary bribe from Paul, and as money greases the palm so flattery strokes our pride.  God is good to free us from the sins of pride and flattery (along with all manner of wickedness), makes us increasingly sensitive to recognise it in ourselves, and provides power to refuse to use it.  Our call is to edify and encourage others in truth, not to gain advantage for self through insincerity.  I am glad God does not flatter men, for if He did we would still be bound in sins and heading for hell.  Even the compliments we receive work humility in us, for all that is praiseworthy in us exists only by God's grace.