As Unto God

Jesus spoke of a future time when He would come in glory and all people would be gathered and judged.  After commending them for feeding Him when He was hungry, giving Him a drink when He was thirsty, visiting Him when He was sick or imprisoned, housing Him whilst a stranger, and clothing Him when He was naked, He said to the wondering chosen who would enter into eternal rest in Matthew 25:40,  "...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."  There is an example of this in the book of Jeremiah with the Rechabites.

In Jeremiah 35 God used the house of the Rechabites as an object lesson for His erring people.  The patriarch Jonadab the son of Rechab gave his sons clear commands:  they were not to drink wine, build houses, plant vineyards, sow seeds in a field, and were to only live in tents for all their generations.  Generations later the family members faithfully heeded the words of their grandfather Rechab and passed down the commands and prohibitions to their children.  Jeremiah 35:18-19 reads, "And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you, ¹⁹ therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever."

The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab would be established before God forever, and God ascribed their obedience as unto Him.  Paul lays out this principle of those who live by the grace of God in Romans 14:6-8:  "He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's."  We are to be intentional in living for the glory of God, and God also credits us with obedience to Him when we do so unto the least of these.

The Rechabites honoured their father and God would fulfil His promise to those who do so, proclaiming they would not lack a man to stand before Him forever!  Pretty awesome how God rewards eternally those who honour the authority He has ordained in our lives.

Faith and Humility

Today I was reminded of when Cain and Abel brought offerings before the LORD in Genesis 4:3-5:  "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. ⁴ Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, ⁵ but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell."  Cain was a tiller of the ground and brought an offering before the LORD, and Abel also offered of the firstborn of his flock.  Abel's offering was accepted by God, and Cain's was not.

Now the explicit reason why Abel's gift was accepted and Cain's was rejected is not mentioned here.  It would be unwise to claim we know hearts only God can righteously judge.  Personally I do not believe the issue is primarily what was offered but the condition of the heart of the one who offered it.  Hebrews 11:4 says Abel gave a more excellent offering because it was done so in faith and was therefore deemed righteous by God.  It is therefore implied if Cain had given humbly in faith in God, he too would have been accepted.  See in verse 5 God "did not respect Cain and his offering."  It was not that the offering was unworthy, but since Cain himself was not accepted by God his offering was also rejected.  The scriptures say that whatever is not of faith is sin (Romans 14:23), and though Cain acknowledged the existence of God and even conversed with Him, there was no reliance upon God or humility before Him.  1 John 3:11-12 reads, "For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, ¹² not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous."  The wickedness of Cain was not only in a faithless offering but the murder of his brother, refusal to repent when convicted by God, and his self-pity when faced with consequences.

Humility before God is a result of faith in Him, for genuine humility comes from God alone.  I have seen people bowing with their faces touching the ground before monks on the street, but that does not mean they are humble people.  The outward show of humility or presentation of an offering is not always indicative of a heart of humility and faith before God.  The fact Cain's "countenance fell" suggests he was in some way lifted up.  Those who fear God and recognise His greatness - and our great sinfulness - will be drawn to Him in humility.  Jerry Bridges made excellent observations in the book Respectable Sins:

In Luke's account of the sinful woman who washed and anointed the feet of Jesus (Luke 7:36-50), Jesus said, "He who is forgiven little, loves little" (verse 47).  The opposite is also true, as Jesus clearly indicates in verses 41-43; that is, he who is forgiven much loves much.  Simon the Pharisee did not realise how sinful he was and how much he needed to be forgiven, so he loved little or actually not at all.  The sinful woman realised how sinful she was and how much she had been forgiven, so she loved much.  The way to grow in our new affection (for Christ) that Chalmers preached about is to grow in our awareness of Christ's love for us as revealed to us in the gospel.  The apostle Paul wrote that it is Christ's love for us that constrains us to live for Him (see 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).  Such love for Him that will drive out our love for the world can only be a response to the deep, heartfelt sense of His love for us. (Bridges, Jerry. Respectable Sins. NavPress, Published in Alliance with Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2016. page 174-175)

When we humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD, He will lift us up.  He divinely condescends to behold and have respect unto us.  Psalm 138:6-7 states, "Though the LORD is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. ⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."  How great is our God, that He will not only look upon or hear us but also desires to dwell with us.  He did not remain at a distance from us but Jesus Christ came to earth.  He not only dwelt among us but He chose to die on our behalf, willingly becoming a sacrifice for our sins.  How awesome is our God!  Let us bow humbly before Him, presenting ourselves as living sacrifices for this is our reasonable service.

Clothed With Humility

Some of my favourite fairy tales as a lad were ones written by Hans Christian Andersen:  "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes."  I especially enjoyed the latter because of the incredible ridiculousness of the concept but how apt a depiction it was of the human heart.  The pride and vanity of the Emperor was targeted by deceptive and greedy weavers who promised to make him the most lovely apparel.  They sat before looms without yarn or linen, moving their hands without a thread to be seen.  The weavers claimed the fine fabric they wove was invisible to anyone who was unfit for their office or hopelessly stupid, and because the Emperor was obviously neither he agreed it was the finest he had ever seen.  The whole charade reached a climax when the "clothed" Emperor made a grand appearance before the townspeople who murmured with approval.  Only a child had the sense to say what all the people knew when the foolish king paraded by them nude:  "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"  Sometimes there is wisdom in a simple observation of a child which adults blinded by greed or ambition cannot see.

One of the common threads throughout the tale is how even good men cover for themselves and others.  At one point the Emperor couldn't see the clothes on the loom, so he sent a trustworthy old minister to report of the progress.  The elderly man was shocked when he did not see any fabrics or patterns, but did not want to admit he could not see them so he played along with the sham and provided a detailed report to the Emperor.  A trusted official was sent as well and he too was alarmed when he could not see the clothes!  He could not admit before the Emperor there were no clothes to be seen, for in doing so he would be admitting he was unfit for his position or hopelessly stupid.  So he too played the fool and repeated the words of the swindler weavers, using lies to cover his folly and insecurity.  It seems it was not only the Emperor who was laid bare by the weavers, but the minister, trusted officials, and all the townspeople who vainly praised the clothing they could not see.  It seems good standing before the Emperor was the clothing people used to cover their own pride.

This compelling fable, which well-describes the conflict in a human heart when we seek to please others or cover for ourselves, is an allegory applied to many circumstances we face in life - even when it comes to matters of faith.  The Jewish Pharisees wore clean clothes and searched the scriptures to find eternal life, but Jesus declared it was a cover-up for the rottenness they hid within.  They were like a cup which had been carefully buffed and polished to a high shine, but the cup was filthy within.  Just because the Emperor thought or hoped he was actually wearing clothes does not believe clothes are a sham, for evidence of genuine clothes are all around.  To say the Pharisees used religion as a cover for their own wickedness does not suggest there is not a God who has revealed Himself and can forgive and cleanse people from sin.  The fact there are many gods worshipped does not mean there is not one true God who ought to be feared and worshipped.  Because people have misplaced trust does not mean there is not an almighty God in whom we ought to trust.

Followers of Jesus Christ are not exempt from the folly of the Emperor or the people of the town.  In our Christian circles we can plaster on a smile, act like life is great and all is fine when we are struggling, depressed, and perhaps not even walking with Jesus.  Our lives can be full of compromises and contradictions.  Our knowledge of scripture and theology can be the invisible clothes with which we try to cover the nakedness of our lives polluted with doubts and sin.  We can know about God but it does not mean we are seeking Him; we can say prayerful words with heads bowed but never enter into the LORD's presence because we have never invited Him into us.  Scriptures or Christian catch-phrases can be repeated - not because we actually believe or are experiencing these truths - but if we say them enough perhaps they will.  How we need the truth of God's Word to pierce our hearts and to admit we are unfit for the task of following Jesus and hopelessly stupid on our own!  The ones who humble themselves before God are the ones He will lift up.

Jesus said in Mark 10:15, "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  It was the shrill voice of reason which snapped the townsfolk to their senses in Andersen's fable, and may the words of Jesus strike us to our souls.  Let us never suppose we can rely upon our strength, resolve, or knowledge any more now than we did when we first believed.  We need Jesus to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and we desperately need Jesus to stay the course.  The faith of a child in Jesus - not the deceitful ambitions of an adult - is what is needed to be born again, fruitful, and faithful.  Instead of being puffed up with pride, let Christians of all ages heed the exhortation of 1 Peter 5:5:  "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  This is fine clothing which is always in style and fit for the Kingdom of Heaven..

Lifted Hands in the Sanctuary

This morning I was impacted by Psalm 134:1-2, a passage put to music in my church long ago:  "Behold, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, who by night stand in the house of the LORD! ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD."  The priests and Levites were servants of the LORD who stood in the Temple and courts and "blessed" the LORD.  This blessing of God was an act of adoration, like kneeling before the king.  It is interesting the priests are described as doing this by night, as this typically was a time reserved for rest and sleep.  It is fitting to praise and bless the LORD at all times, especially since His people find rest in Him.  This posture of praise with upraised hands is most appropriate, for these hands would have been washed and empty before the LORD.  Night is a good time to sleep, and hands are designed for holding things and performing work, and to dedicate these to the LORD in service and praise is a beautiful act of worship.

I was prompted during prayer to look up a scripture and my eyes came upon Psalm 63:1-4 which described seeking the LORD in the early hours as well:  "O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. ² So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. ³ Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. ⁴ Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name."  Whether morning or night, the one who blessed the LORD is portrayed with uplifted hands in the sanctuary.  David thirsted and longed for God in a dry land, and found satisfaction only in the presence of the Almighty.  He desired to see God's power and glory, and he lifted up his hands in praise.

A sanctuary is a holy or sacred place, and the Temple was a place set apart for the presence of God to dwell.  Since under the New Covenant we have been purchased with the blood of Jesus, Christians are now the temple of the Holy Spirit where God dwells.  Though God does not dwell in temples made with hands - as if He could be contained - it is good for us to praise the LORD in places set apart for His praise and worship with fellow believers.  The servants of the LORD stood and worshipped with hands raised unto the LORD in ancient times, and it is good for us to do the same today in churches, hired halls, and homes for the glory of God.  In raising our empty hands stretched out to our LORD and Saviour we present ourselves as living sacrifices of praise.  Our lips should utter praise to God and bless Him while we live, for it is He who has provided us abundant and eternal life.

In some churches (unfortunately) it is seen as inappropriate or even a self-seeking gesture to stand with arms raised to the LORD.  Only the LORD knows the heart, and He knows if we are putting on an act or are genuine.  There are practical ways to avoid being an distraction and to be discreet in worship, for we can truly worship God in Spirit and truth kneeling, sitting, or even as a prisoner in the stocks in a dungeon.  It is good to realise even evangelical and charismatic people and churches can have a style or culture of worship formed over the tradition of many years.  Instead of giving place to criticism or distractions, we can be as the servants of the LORD in the sanctuary whose sole focus was on the LORD God.  His lovingkindness is better than life and as long as we live He is worthy to be blessed - even if raising hands is a foreign idea or an odd practice to us.