Worship in Secret

During a conversation a friend of mine made a wonderful observation of genuine worship by Gideon who trusted God.  The Bible reveals God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites who oppressed them.  Though he did not feel worthy or even competent to do what God commanded him, he was obedient as God led him step by step.  God was gracious to speak to Gideon and confirmed his calling, and he was emboldened and empowered to take a leadership role.

As the Midianites and Amelekites camped in numbers beyond measure, one night God commanded Gideon to venture into their camp because He had delivered it into Gideon's hand.  God told Gideon if he was afraid to go alone he could bring his servant with him--and he did.  Judges 7:13-15 describes what Gideon and his servant encountered:  "And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, "I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian; it came to a tent and struck it so that it fell and overturned, and the tent collapsed." ¹⁴ Then his companion answered and said, "This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp." ¹⁵ And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand."

How amazing is this?  In enemy territory and darkness Gideon silently worshiped the LORD.  The Hebrew word translated "worshiped" means "to prostrate, bow down, do reverence, made to stoop."  When he heard the dream of the man and the interpretation which included God delivering Midian into his hand, worship was his reflex.  The text does not tell us Gideon even said a word as he worshiped God, but it was real and received by God who knows the hearts and thoughts of men.  It is good to sing praises unto the LORD and express our gratefulness through words and deeds to extol and glorify Him.  In the secret place of our hearts, having been made holy by faith in Jesus Christ, we find a private and personal temple to honour and worship the almighty God whose presence dwells within us.

Jesus taught in Matthew 6:5-6, "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."  Those who are born again can pray to our heavenly Father "who is in the secret place," who created, redeemed, and loves us.  Part of a routine health exam is the testing of knee reflexes:  is the worship of God in the secret place of your heart a regular reflex for you?  In darkness we can worship God in light of His goodness and faithfulness.  In the camp of the enemy we are enabled to celebrate God's triumph and faithfulness--even before the conflict is complete.

Remembrance and Responsibility

Remembrance Day is observed in Australia on 11 November to remember and honour Australians soldiers.  What was once called "Armistice Day" was later called "Remembrance Day" after World War II, and many in Australia pause and observe a minute of silence at 11am to respectfully remember those killed or wounded in warfare.  Though it is not a national holiday from work, it is fitting such sacrifice and bravery be remembered today and for generations to come.  Those who have been granted knowledge also have a responsibility to enlighten their children.  This is a very light burden compared to those who lost family members in war or being a soldier who never lived to have children of their own.

This coupling of remembrance and responsibility is seen when the children of Israel were brought into the promised land by Joshua.  God caused the Hebrews to pass through the Jordan on dry ground and directed 12 men to each carry a large stone from the river to make a memorial.  To be numbered among those who experienced the miracle by God's hand meant there was responsibility to instruct their children of the future generation.  Joshua 4:21-24 says, "Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land'; ²³ for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."

God commanded stones be arranged as a memorial so a future generation would know of God's great salvation, deliverance, and faithfulness--and it wasn't to stop there.  Generation after generation of God's people were to be taught of God and His fame was to spread to "all the peoples of the earth," that all would know the mighty hand of God and fear Him forever.  If God's people neglected to teach their children, how would their children know God?  How could all the people of the earth hear of His mighty works?  Memorials or special days do not guarantee the knowledge of God, for Judges 2:10 describes what happened after the death of Joshua and those he commanded:  "When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the LORD nor the work which He had done for Israel."  We cannot blame the first generation for the second not knowing the LORD, for how many believers in God have raised their children with the benefits of church who did not fear Him?

Whether or not our children are receptive to the things of God does not release us from our responsibility before God to teach them of Him.  The Joshua passage shows in answering simple questions we can wisely include wisdom from the scriptures as we remind ourselves of the mighty hand of God.  It is not for us to change people or guilt them into church or ministry involvement to please us.  Jesus commanded His followers to receive communion together and "Do this in remembrance of Me."  The death and resurrection of Jesus impacts our lives every day forever, not just on Christmas or Easter.  What humility Jesus showed by taking on human flesh as the only begotten Son of God!  What love He demonstrated for us unworthy sinners by laying down His life on Calvary!  What power over sin and death He displayed when He rose from the dead and ascended to the Father in glory!  We who remember are responsible before God to walk in light of His salvation, redemption, and forgiveness in the fear of the LORD.  If we will not teach our children by Christ's example, who will?

As You Follow

"Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. ¹⁵ Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel.'"

Amos 7:14-15

Angered by what Amos said, Amaziah the priest of Bethel scorned Amos for being a foreigner and accused him of being a self-appointed profiteer in prophet's clothing.  In response Amos pointed out he had no aspiration or desire to be a prophet but God took him as he followed the flock as a sheepbreeder (and seasonal harvester) and directed him to prophecy to Israel.  Being a prophet did not run in his family, nor had Amos the benefit of schooling or training.  His prophecies which came to pass were the best evidence God had called, ordained and gifted him as a prophet.  The fulfillment of prophecies over time would confirm the calling of Amos.

One thing which resonates with me about Amos is his testimony that God took him as he followed the flock.  There is no suggestion Amos possessed passion for public speaking, to labour for government reform, or for ministry beyond his ordinary sphere:  God had other plans.  Amos was a man who feared God and simply was going about his business when God gave him a clear directive to speak on His behalf to Israel.  I do not believe Amos earned the role due to his faithfulness but was called because God is gracious and faithful.  Though God's ways are higher than ours, perhaps the principle Jesus held forth in Luke 16:10 was a factor:  "He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much."  Amos was faithful in the secular arena and God provided a spiritual revelation for him to share.

The testimony of Amos has the potential to provoke a similar response in skeptics and believers:  how did Amos know God was calling him?  It is not the skeptic who makes arrogant demands upon God to prove Himself which concerns me (for even miracles do not make believers) but believers who genuinely are curious for themselves.  The first thing is not to obsess over what God might call you to do, when the call will come, or what future ministry might look like.  Believers can make the mistake of looking for our future "calling" instead of looking to Jesus as we are faithful today in what seems a little thing.  Working in a shop, farm or office as unto the LORD is as important as delivering a message from God to a wayward nation.  Colossians 3:23-24 exhorts us, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  Having responded to the call of Christ we are directed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God as we go about our business.

The God who took Amos as he followed the flock also enabled him to accomplish the good works God ordained for him.  Breeding sheep and picking fruit is not a career path to being a prophet, but God often takes the unqualified in the eyes of others and equips them supernaturally to show the work is of God.  Jesus called fishermen from Galilee and a tax collector to be apostles; He called a murderous Pharisee to be an apostle to the Gentiles!  He put it in the hearts of people who were uniquely skilled in business and sport to go to seminary or go as missionaries to spread the Gospel.  People have given their lives to toil anonymously in remote places without recognition because God was faithful who called them.

The call to "go" is not just for prophets but for all followers of Jesus Christ.  What is often called the Great Commission is not limited to evangelism in foreign fields but primarily making disciples of Jesus in the place on earth God has placed you.  Matthew 28:18-20 reads, "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."  In the authority of God Amos went and spoke and it is Jesus Christ we stand and proclaim His glory through faithful service unto Him right where we are.  Being connected as a branch to the Vine Jesus Christ ensures we will be fruitful and experience His abundant life as He leads us.

About Churchgoing

I have been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a clever and unique book.  It is a fictional series of letters from uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, the older demon giving advice concerning how to influence his "patient," the soul assigned to his care, to ensure he goes to hell.  In this book everything is upside down:  the "Enemy" is God and the "Father" is Satan.  Whilst this book was never intended to be a book of theology, it turns the thinking of born again Christians to profitable self-examination.  We are told there is a spiritual battle we are to contend in, having been provided spiritual armor by the Holy Spirit, yet the reality of it can be lost on us.  The insights of C.S. Lewis are helpful to expose the subtle ways the enemy of our souls works to undermine the good work God intends to do in and through us.

Lewis hit upon a topic of great relevance for people today:  the need for Christians to be in regular fellowship.  Consider what uncle Screwtape wrote to his demon trainee:

"You mentioned casually in your last letter that the patient has continued to attend one church, and one only, since he was converted, and that he is not wholly pleased with it.  May I ask what you are about?  Why have I no report on the causes of his fidelity to the parish church?  Do you realise that unless it is due to indifference it is a very bad thing?  Surely you know that if a man can't be cured of churchgoing, the next best thing is to send him all over the neighbourhood looking for the church that 'suits' him until he becomes a taster or connoisseur of churches.

The reasons are obvious.  In the first place the parochial organisation should always be attacked, because, being a unity of place and not of likings, it brings people of different classes and psychology together in the kind of unity the Enemy desires.  The congregational principle, on the other hand, makes each church into a kind of club, and finally, if all goes well, into a coterie or faction.  In the second place, the search for a 'suitable' church makes the man a critic where the Enemy wants him to be a pupil.  What He wants of the layman in church is an attitude which may, indeed, be critical in the sense of rejection what is false or unhelpful, but which is wholly uncritical in the sense that it does not appraise--does not waste time in thinking about what it rejects, but lays itself open in uncommenting, humble receptivity to any nourishment that is going. (You see how grovelling, how unspiritual, how irredeemably vulgar He is!)  This attitude, especially during sermons, creates the condition (most hostile to our whole policy) in which platitudes can become really audible to a human soul.  There is hardly any sermon, or any book, which may not be dangerous to us if it is received in this temper.  So pray bestir yourself and send this fool the round of the neighbouring churches as soon as possible.  Your record up to date has not given us much satisfaction." (Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity & the Screwtape Letters: Complete in One Volume. HarperSanFrancisco, 2003. pages 321-322)

I have often marveled at the diversity of backgrounds, ages, interests, and personalities at one church.  It is Jesus Christ who unites us as one Body yet we are so different!  When our hearts are humbled and meek before God by the indwelling Holy Spirit we can be receptive and discerning of truth at the same time.  We can joyfully attend a fellowship where God has directed us to go even when personalities, programs, and philosophies differ from our liking.  It is love, grace, and unity only Christ brings which keeps us from clashing and instead labour to edify and strengthen the Body as we follow our Saviour faithfully.  When Christians walk in an attitude of humility we are receptive to God and this is most devastating to Satan's devices.  Until God takes you elsewhere according to His divine purpose, flourish in the local church where He has established you.  Instead of becoming critics of others let's remain receptive and teachable by God--and this means we will welcome instruction and correction of men.