Jesus our Sanctuary

"Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered."

Proverbs 11:21

The world is filled with uncertainties and realities which can fill us with debilitating fear.  Countless conspiracies (imagined or genuine) increase concerns and cynical views of everything.  People live in fear of governments, of schemes to disseminate "alternate facts" by media outlets, hidden agendas, secret plans to cull populations, and the collusion of individuals to gain money, power, and control.  Just like music, news reporting, and sport, conspiracy is big business which preys on the alleged ignorance of people to deliver the real truth and secret agendas behind the scenes.  For unbelievers who have no authority in their lives greater than themselves, government, armies, and are at the mercy of this world and the systems imposed upon them, there is cause for alarm given the state of things today.  But one who fears God ought to not be unsettled by a thing.

I am admittedly cynical about most every "conspiracy theory" I have ever heard, and this murky pit of intrigue has drowned many willing victims who clamour for more.  Conspiracies are nothing new and remain as unsatisfactory as ever.  Should a confederacy or conspiracy prove true, what can a person do about it beyond knowledge and attempts to convince others about this plot you can do nothing to stop?  Or you can live in constant fear - and that is what happened to the inhabitants of Jerusalem in the days of Isaiah.  The Assyrian war machine was mowing down nations, and word came to Jerusalem they did not stand a chance against them because there was a confederacy - the Assyrians and others - plotted against them.  The people were troubled because of this conspiracy, but God directed Isaiah to address the people.

Isaiah 8:12-14 says, "Do not say, 'A conspiracy,' Concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. ¹³ The LORD of hosts, Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. ¹⁴ He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem."  How amazing is this!  What people called "a conspiracy" was known by God and was no cause for fear.  Instead of God commanding the people to spread the word of the so-called conspiracy, they were to fear God above all and heed Him.  God was as a sanctuary, a place of safety and refuge for His people in a world filled with deceit, hatred, murder, and schemes.  To God's people He is a Saviour and Deliverer, but to all who opposed God and His people He would cause them to stumble and be trapped.  People joined forces against God's people, but the schemers would be the victims of the their own plot!

In hindsight since Jesus Christ has come, we know He is this "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence."  He is the One whom we ought to fear, not the schemes of Satan or men.  Looking forward scripture reveals one day all the nations of the earth will be deceived by Satan to come against Jesus Christ as He is enthroned with His saints in Jerusalem.  The conspiracy to overthrow Him will be strong, but Jesus will destroy them all simply with the words of His mouth.  Isn't God greater than man?  Aren't His plans sovereign and good?  Can Satan and all the demons together overthrow what God has ordained?  Is God threatened by the nations of the earth, or is He unsettled and fearful of the governments and how they conspire against His people?  Please.  Not a chance.

In our Saviour Jesus Christ we have a place of refuge, and when we sanctify Him in our hearts and look to Him in reliance we will not be afraid or unsettled.  Should adopted children of the King waste effort in unbelief, lamenting "cover ups" or boasting over hidden truth which has nothing to do with Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life?  This world is in a hopeless state, yet followers of Jesus who are in the world are not of the world.  We are not at the mercy of this world or our enemies; we will not go as the world goes and can lead others to THE Truth, Jesus Christ received through faith.  May the LORD be our fear and dread, not schemes or plots of men.  He has promised those deemed righteous by faith and their posterity will be delivered.  Praise God who can keep such promises.  Is there any greater than our God?

Grace Isn't Fair

From a young age in varying degrees we all have a sense of what is right, wrong, and fair.  It is this third parameter which we can hold in greatest esteem.  We may break the rules or even the law because we believe it is unfair.  People who have uttered the words, "Life isn't fair!" in response to someone saying "That isn't fair" still have a sense of fairness they appeal to when it suits them.

I love how God's grace trumps "fair" every time.  There is a parable Jesus told where the people in it protested against the king's wisdom and generosity.  In Luke 19, Jesus spoke of a man who gave an equal amount of money (a mina) to 10 of his servants (sounds fair).  After being crowned king, he returned and interviewed each of his servants concerning how successful they had been in conducting business.  One man had gained 10 minas with only one to start, and another man gained five.  There was one servant, however, who had buried the mina in the ground and said, "Here is your money."

The king chastised his wicked servant for being so foolish, for he should had kept the money in the bank and at least generated interest.  Luke 19:24-25 says, "And he said to those who stood by, 'Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.' ²⁵ (But they said to him, 'Master, he has ten minas.')"  Those who stood by questioned the king's decision, as it didn't seem fair to give the mina to the man who had the most.  But if you were master, who would you want investing your money?  The one who buried it in the ground, the one who gained 5, or the one who gained 10?  The one who gained 10, of course!  The master knew exactly what he was giving and why he was giving it to his good and faithful servant.  He was gracious to give a mina to a servant he knew was wicked.

Then Jesus delivered the parable's punchline for our application in Luke 19:26:  "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."  This may not seem fair, but it is righteous and gracious for God to reward His faithful servants.  The lives of unbelievers and all they acquire will be lost forever, but it is God's good pleasure to give believers eternal life and the kingdom (Luke 12:32).  This isn't fair by any means, of course, but all of grace.  What a privilege and responsibility we have in serving our King!

Aligned with Christ

This week I have started a little building project at church, framing a wall to create space for storage.  More than additional storage, this wall will allow us to centre the video display and better utilise the area up front.  Already the project has resulted in long days and countless trips to the local shops for materials and tools.  One of my purchases was a new spirit level.

For years - probably about 15 years or so - for building I have been using a 4' level given to me by my dad.  Some of the bubbles were obviously inaccurate, but a couple of them were still functional.  As I was framing, I struggled mightily to determine what bubble was the accurate one!  When held vertically, there are bubbles at the top and bottom which indicate if studs are plumb.  It was obviously time for a new level, and after checking my work I re-positioned several studs which were out of plumb because of my faulty level.

It was a guessing game with a single bubble as a guide, but two makes a huge difference.  This is an illustration of the importance of Christian fellowship and accountability.  In my opinion (which matters little) "accountability" is a word I seldom use because it is a bit of a broken buzzword and vague.  Like two bubbles are much more accurate than one alone, so Christians experiencing genuine fellowship help each other remain aligned with Jesus, the Vine in whom we are to abide.  A spirit level needs to be carefully calibrated, and Jesus is always righteous and His Word is always true.  He is the standard by whom we walk uprightly, and we can help one another to do what is right.

Our eyes are not a good guide for building, and our hearts, feelings, and even our own rationale is not sufficient to determine right from wrong.  Praise the LORD for the indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth and helps us to follow Jesus faithfully.  Is it we who need re-adjustment and re-alignment, and we can support one another in the process.

Trust God, Not Self

The Bible is filled with divine revelations which instruct us concerning God and people as well.  God and sinful men have something in common, that we are totally consistent.  God and His immutable righteousness is established and unchanging, and so is the folly of man and his ways.  Even as plant varieties grow well in particular conditions and species of animals have instincts and behaviours which are predictable, so it is with the natural man to trust himself.

The introduction to a parable Jesus told reveals an consistent connection amongst people we should take note of.  Luke 18:9 says, "Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others..."  He went on to talk about a Pharisee who prayed with himself and a tax collector who did not feel worthy to even look to heaven because of his sin.  I expect the people were shocked when Jesus confirmed it was the humble sinner and not the Pharisee who went home justified.  Jesus spoke this parable to people who trusted in their own righteousness and consequently hated others.

Just today I was reminded of an interaction I had with a fellow Christian years ago who believed it was an ethical imperative to only buy clothing and shoes which he deemed "ethically sourced."  He seemed to pride himself on paying a premium for materials and he knitted his own clothing to ensure his high standards were met.  He believed his purchasing decisions were an extension of his faith in Christ, and he spoke disparagingly of Christians who did not share his strong convictions.  In that conversation the connection between self-righteousness and thinking poorly of others who did not measure up to his ethical standard was on display.

A more personal example to illustrate the truth of scripture is in my own life.  I was once mired in a self-righteous mindset and also looked down on others with disdain.  I was disgusted with the hypocrisy in others I was keenly enabled to see because it was also true of me.  I was the one straining out a gnat and swallowing camels!  Paul wrote in Romans 2:1, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."  Praise the LORD God showed grace, love, compassion, and mercy on me when I was unwilling to do the same for others.  When we realise our own righteousness is a liability and our righteousness comes only by faith in Jesus Christ by His grace, it opens up an avenue of love through us which never existed before.