Our Consuming Fire

The Bible has been a part of my life for as long as I remember.  Yesterday I recalled an occasion as a child when I was inspired by a passage in 1 Kings 18 to build a small altar of rocks in the back yard.  My actions were inspired by God's response to the prayer of Elijah atop Mount Carmel by causing fire to fall from heaven and consume the sacrifice.  I hoped to be amazed by divine fire igniting the dried pine needles I carefully perched on a pile of rocks.  Around the altar I had carved a trench I dutifully filled with water as Elijah had.  I prayed to the God of heaven, but alas, no fire fell.  And it was a good thing too.  God would not indulge a child with the equivalent of playing with matches.

Looking back on that day long ago under the big pine tree, it is instructive of common mistakes even adults can make when it comes to miraculous signs:  I was focused on the wrong things.  I wanted to see fire fall from heaven, but I didn't consider why God caused fire to fall and consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel.  God caused fire to fall and consume the sacrifice for the purpose of revealing His reality, power, and superiority over the idols the people worshipped - not just to show Elijah was a genuine prophet or to amaze the people.  People enjoy seeing incredible, even miraculous things.  And there is something in us which enjoys the thought of harnessing such power to achieve our ends - even just to impress others.

Another thing I did not consider was God's desire for the people to re-establish the worship of God according to His prescribed order.  The people were divided in their allegiance between God and Ba'al.  Because of wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel the prophets of God had been hunted and slaughtered whilst the prophets of Ba'al numbered in the hundreds.  1 Kings 18:30 reads, "Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down."  Even as the altar had broken down, so the relationship with God had been broken through idolatry and neglect.  My thoughts weren't focused at all on the glory and worship of God but what I wanted done.  Calling down fire from heaven was about what God could do for me.  After the altar was restored 1 Kings 18:36 says, "And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word."  Elijah drew near to God in prayer and affirmed all he did that day was for God's sake in obedience to God.

Though I tried to follow the example of Elijah, my model had one crucial omission:  the lack of a sacrifice!  I believe it was Leonard Ravenhill, a man revered for his praying who said, "Everyone wants my mantle, but no one wants my sackcloth and ashes."  The gist of this quote is suggests people desire to have influence with the almighty God, yet are unwilling to present themselves before God as a living sacrifice.  Isaac was willing to be bound and laid upon the altar by Abraham according to God's command, and God graciously supplied a ram as a substitute.  It is Jesus Christ who is the Lamb of God who was slain on Calvary as a sacrifice for sinners once for all and therefore put to death the need of sacrificing animals according to the divine Law.  God caused divine fire to fall in the person of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost who regenerates, fills all believers, and guides us into all truth.

If we desire to see fire to fall from heaven, we must be willing to be the living sacrifice upon whom it falls.  Paul exhorted believers in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."   Fire purges, purifies, and consumes; it heats and provides light in darkness.  May it be our lives would provide opportunity for God to restore people to Himself through our obedience so He might be glorified.

Take the Lead to Love

During our family's recent visit to the States, I was blessed to have a meaningful conversation with my brother and his wife.  I appreciate the enlightenment which comes from the thoughtful observations of others from a different perspective.  In the discussion my brother brought up he did not approve with the common suggestion from pulpits that men are called to be the "spiritual leader in the home."  What bothered him was not the call for men to lead well according to scripture, but the statement can be a subtle suggestion men's leadership in the home, marriage, work, or child-rearing is limited to spiritual matters.  I had not thought of this before, and it is a fair point.

We have observed many not-so subtle changes in society and culture today which have eroded what we could call "traditional" values for better or worse.  One wonderful aspect of God and His Word is that it does not change and we can count on God to guide us into all truth regardless of our culture or upbringing.   God has made a distinction between males and females throughout the scripture and provided guidance for what constitutes marriage, roles, duties, and responsibilities.  Though males and females are different and their roles in a family distinct, the role of the our hearts being surrendered before God as believers is of primary importance.  Dealing with the sin in our own hearts is a common struggle we all must face.

It is a ploy of the devil to undermine and sabotage the good things God has created like marriage and the family structure.  He will point to abusive and domineering husbands why a woman ought not to submit according to the biblical mandate, and use contentious or disobedient wives as an example why men shouldn't love them as Jesus loves the church - or be married at all.  The world seizes the language used in the Bible and hijacks it according to fallacious caricatures embracing excess, marital rape, manipulation, and oppression.  This is not to say there are never cases of abuse or oppression among Christians, nor does it suggest non-believers cannot have satisfying relationships.  The fact is we are all sinners, and just because Christians have not lived up to Christ's righteous standards does not mean the standard is evil or wrong.

The Bible outlines not only the roles of husbands and wives, but also the attitude and way we are to do things:  in the love of God.  There is to be grace, mercy, compassion, and caring of the needs of others more than your own desires.  It is not a sentimental relationship but sacrificial as both are obedient to the LORD.  In a marriage the husband is responsible before God to lead as the head, and the wife is to manage the home and children with his authority.  Both have equal responsibility before God to do their part as He leads together.  The marriage relationship is one formed by God and under God, and whether married or single we are all to submit under Him.  Ephesians 5:15-21 is a great exhortation for all people regardless of gender or marital status:  "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God."

It is in this context and heart wives are to submit to their own husbands and husbands are to love their wives.  Whether or not a man believes his wife is in submission to his will, his duty before God is to keep loving his wife as Jesus loves the church - the church for which He purchased with His own blood.  As a married man I must be occupied with this one thing, not being preoccupied with perceived failures of others.  The words Jesus spoke to Peter ring true concerning the issues of others:  "What is that to you?  You follow me."  Husbands ought to take the lead in communicating, serving, sharing, giving, providing, and encouraging.  We ought to be leaders in showing mercy, giving grace, forgiving, helping, and strengthening.  Think of all Jesus has done for us - and what He keeps doing for us despite our faults.  He intercedes for us with the Father, and we ought to pray for our wives.  We should remain chaste in body and mind for our wives, even as Jesus is pure.  In everything we ought to take the lead, and this includes spiritual nurturing and training.  And brothers, if we do not do the first thing to love our wives as Christ loves the church, awful spiritual leaders we will be.

Grief and Love

The life, experiences, and example of Jesus are a constant source of comfort to Christians.  He was in all points tempted, yet without sin.  This demonstrates how He walked in obedience to the Father and He will always lead us according to the Father's will.  The prophet Isaiah spoke of the Messiah being a "man of sorrows" and "acquainted with grief."  We have all experienced sorrow and grief, but never to the level of a holy God who completely knows the thoughts and hearts of men.  There is much which grieves God that escapes our notice, yet Jesus retained fullness of joy. Though He grieved Jesus did not despair, and this is a trap we can avoid by His grace.

Today in prayer I was speaking with God about things which grieve me.  The Webster's 1828 dictionary defines "grieve" in these ways:  "1. To give pain of mind to; to afflict; to wound the feelings; 2. To afflict; to inflict pain on; 3. To make sorrowful; to excite regret in; 4. To offend; to displease; to provoke."  I was reminded how Esau's choice of wives brought about great grief of mind to his mother, Rebekah.  Then in dawned on me:  Esau's poor decisions were a grief of mind to Rebekah because she loved her son.  She cared about him and wanted only the best.  This instance shows grief can be a result of love for others.  Love, when provoked by pains or harm of those dear to us, can respond with grief.

This is a surprising development, that increased love for others brings about additional grief for us - and in addition great happiness and satisfaction.  I am most pleased to be married to my wife and to be blessed by God with two sons.  Their friendship and companionship is a treasure to me, and it is a pleasure to know and spend time with them.  At the same time, because I do love them, their struggles or decisions can be a source of grief.  Their decisions do not grieve someone down the street or across the globe because they do not know or love them.  But because I love them I care, and I become more acquainted with grief because of God's love in me.

When we grow in love of God and others, we will experience grief.  God never does anything to be grieved over, but I can be grieved how I have often grieved Him by sinful choices, selfish behaviour, and hurtful words.  I have grieved him by my unbelief and folly.  I dislike the feelings of grief very much and try to avoid them, and my life has given cause for Jesus to be grieved.  But praise the LORD, I do not need to drown in grief perpetually because my Saviour does not.  He knows me, has saved and washed me, and made me righteous by His grace.  I do not need to grieve continually for others either, having committed them into the hands of God who loves them far more than I ever could.  We should keep on loving, but we don't need to grieve forever as those without hope.  Grief will someday be a thing of the past, and we can always rejoice in the our Saviour's love.

To God We Belong

"And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. ²³ For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ²⁴ saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.'"

Acts 27:22-24

During a voyage, the ship bearing Paul to Rome was caught in a severe storm in the Mediterranean sea.  When all hope had been given up of being saved, Paul addressed the men.  He shared with them a fantastic revelation spoken by an angel sent from God that every one of their lives would be preserved.  God had answered Paul's prayer and there would be no loss of life among them.  It was not uncommon for people to worship and serve many gods in a polytheistic culture - including the emperor.  People had household idols for protection, prosperity, good fortune, and countless more.  What was unique about Paul's statement was that he did not have gods or charms in his possession which belonged to him, but he belonged to God.  I imagine in the violent tempest many pagan gods literally overturned, were lost, or thrown overboard in a desperate attempt to lighten the ship and save their lives.  Paul could not lose his God, nor could he be lost by the God to whom he belonged.  What comfort this brings all who fear the God of Israel!

Idolatry has been a common error throughout history.  Micah was a man in the book of Judges who was a religious man.  He was religious, but was not at all righteous.  He was a thief who made a shrine full of idols in his home, made carved and moulded images, fashioned a copy of the ephod used by the priests in the tabernacle, and consecrated one of his sons and later a travelling Levite to be his priest.  He believed God would do him good because of his religious efforts and expense.  A day came when scouts from the tribe of Dan saw the shrine with the valuable images and spoke with the Levite.  They offered him the opportunity to be a priest not only of a household but a whole tribe!  The Levite was glad for a status upgrade, and so the shrine was robbed of both idols and priest.  As you might imagine, Micah was not pleased to be so robbed!  He and his household pursued, overtook the company from Dan, and boldly confronted them.

Judges 18:23-26 says, "And they called out to the children of Dan. So they turned around and said to Micah, "What ails you, that you have gathered such a company?" ²⁴ So he said, "You have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and you have gone away. Now what more do I have? How can you say to me, 'What ails you?' " ²⁵ And the children of Dan said to him, "Do not let your voice be heard among us, lest angry men fall upon you, and you lose your life, with the lives of your household!" ²⁶ Then the children of Dan went their way. And when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back to his house."  The gods which belonged to Micah were stolen, and he did not have the power or ability to take them back from the men of Dan.  Some gods those were which needed protection and security provided by Micah!  Micah felt he had lost everything because gods which belonged to him were taken, but the reality was he lost nothing.  Though fashioned with precious metals by a skilled craftsman artistically, those gods had no power to hear, speak, or save.

What a difference it is to belong to God who has chosen all who fear Him, rather than serving a god of your own devising and choosing.  Paul said to the intellectuals of Athens in Acts 17:29-31, "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. ³⁰ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."  We have not chosen the one true God but He has chosen us, and proved Himself to be Saviour and Judge of all the earth by raising Jesus Christ from the dead.  What a glorious relationship God has invited us to enter, that we could have the right through faith to be children of God!  We may not feel like we belong anywhere in this world, but as Christians we belong to God.  Our belonging and endurance does not depend upon our grip because He holds us close and speaks even in storms.