Pleasure in Prosperity

We humans have a thing about convenience.  If we can find machines and devices to makes life easier, we are all for it.  There was a time when people needed to stand up and turn on the television manually and adjust an antenna for the best reception.  Then came cable TV and remote controls.  We can push a button and recline our seat with minimal effort while experiencing surround sound.  VHS (video home system) tapes gave way to DVDs that do not need to be rewound with superior audio and clarity.  Our penchant for convenience spills over into work and jobs we need to do.  We often have the luxury of waiting for a convenient time because our lives do not depend on it.

This same tendency to make plans based upon what is convenient was observed by king Solomon.  He recognised a desire for convenience and minimal risk actually hindered necessary work from being done.  He wrote in Ecclesiastes 11:4-6:  "He who observes the wind will not sow,and he who regards the clouds will not reap. ⁵ As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. ⁶ In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good."  One farmer may work rain or shine, but another might not sow because of the chance of rain.  To prevent potentially being soaked to the skin (if it did actually rain) the farmer puts off work he needs to do for a harvest.

Solomon explained that there are things we can predict but there are also many things we cannot know or fully understand.  We don't know where the wind comes from nor how the bones of a baby develop in the womb of a pregnant woman.  God's works and ways are also unknown to us, though we see the result of His work all around and within us as His people.  Solomon's advice is to do the job God has given to us without making excuses.  The weather might be threatening on a particular morning, but it could start sunny and suddenly start raining as well.  If we are governed by what is convenient or how we feel, the important task may never begin.  If we are paralysed by fear or failure, getting wet, and wasting our efforts, we are wasting valuable time and opportunity God has given us today.

So do not withhold your hand, Christian!  If we hold back from service to God because it isn't convenient or out of fear our labour will be in vain we will miss the chance of a great harvest.  Better to take a risk of sowing on an overcast morning than leaving the seed in the bag because seed in the bag never grows:  it rots and is ruined.  When we are about God's business, whatever the weather, He will cause our efforts to be fruitful according to the riches of His grace.  Even when the rain is pouring down and outside work is impossible Psalm 35:27 rings true:  "Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, "Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."  Praise Him who makes us to prosper!

Instruction and Inspiration

How important context is in helping us understand what is being said.  Have you ever come into a conversation "at the wrong time" and what was being discussed by others was bizarre, strange, and required an immediate explanation to keep from walking away?  Having the reason for a topic explained to us clarifies misunderstandings and brings us up to speed with why what was said is appropriate and reasonable.  This situation can be amusing in a friendly conversation, but it can have serious consequences if we approach passages of scripture in similar fashion.  Jumping from book from book, chapter to chapter, and verse to verse means statements used to prop up an interpretation have meaning beyond face value.

A very useful book titled Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck is a terrific resource to help readers of scripture to accurately interpret it.  I am convinced the best meals are cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients, and reliance upon Bible commentaries instead of learning to study the Bible yourself is like eating frozen dinners with high salt content.  Buying packaged biscuits is the quick and easy option for a snack that will never be as good as something you prepared yourself from scratch.  When it comes to studying the Bible we must be born again so we can be taught by the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.  I am not for a moment suggesting sermons or commentaries have no place in the lives of believers, but it is better to teach a person to study and glean the rich goodness of God's Word for themselves than to train them to put on a bib and wait to be spoon-fed.

When I was young my mother took pains to teach me to bake and cook from scratch.  I started with very simple dishes like scrambling eggs, hot dogs, and instant noodles.  At a point I moved to mixing and cooking pancakes and cookies.  I learned to read recipes, set the temperature of the oven or electric skillet, where the ingredients were stored, how to measure and mix the ingredients together, how to set a timer, and clean up after myself.  My mum started the ball rolling which has continued to this day.  From an early appreciation of baked goods and tasty food I have expanded far beyond my original skill and have tackled dishes I never ate growing up.

I remember watching Martin Yan on the show "Yan Can Cook" on PBS as a kid and was entranced by his cheerful demeanor and the constant affirmation of his unseen viewers:  "When this is nice and done, so beautiful!  See, how easy!  You can do this at home!"  His aim in cooking delectable food was more than eating himself but to invite, instruct, and inspire people to do the same in their own kitchens.  This is what teachers of God's Word ought to do, to provide concrete examples with basic instructions people can learn and run with.  With the Word of God lighting our path and the Holy Spirit guiding us, we will advance in knowledge of God and His truth.  Not everyone may be gifted by the Holy Spirit to teach, but all God's people are called to study, learn, and rightly divide the word of truth.  The truth God teaches us from His word is like a delicious meal He has prepared for us.  It is too much to possibly eat it all by ourselves and are prompted to share joyfully with others.

Strengthened by Remembering

Psalm 77 portrays a troubled man during a sleepless night.  Penned by Asaph, this song is relatable to those who feel overwhelmed, filled with complaints, and without comfort.  After examining his heart the author mused in Psalm 77:7-10:  "Will the Lord cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? ⁸ Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed forevermore? ⁹ Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies? Selah ¹⁰ And I said, "This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High."  In thinking things over Asaph realised God was not the problem or the cause of his anguish.  His troubled feelings and sleeplessness moved him to seek God and remember the great things God had done.

What a wise principle this teaches us:  considering the goodness and faithfulness of God in the past strengthens our faith in Him today for the future.  Psalm 77:11-12 continues:  "I will remember the works of the LORD; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. ¹² I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds."  Asaph's mind went back to God's deliverance from bondage in Egypt--long before he had been born--and the mighty works He did to save His beloved people.  He considered the parting of the Red Sea with lightning that split the sky and thunder roared overhead and shook the earth.  God made a path through the sea which was unseen and unknown by men, but He led them step by step to safety.  Psalm 77:20 concludes Asaph's song:  "You led Your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron."

Dear troubled heart weighed down with complaints, cares, and without comfort, allow the word of God to minister to your need.  You may not see the path forward and do not know how to progress, but turn your eyes to Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd who leads us to lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and restores our souls.  Even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we need not fear because God is with us and will never leave or forsake us.  Consider the miraculous wonders God has done for His people in the scripture.  Meditate upon the love demonstrated by God to send His only Son Jesus Christ to die as a sacrifice for sinners and be raised from the dead in eternal glory.  Recall to mind the grace and mercy God has shown you as well, how He has delivered you from destruction, and provided you eternal life by His Gospel.  The God who redeemed your soul has provided for the needs of your body and your household in years gone by will continue to be faithful forever.  

Created Unique

It's amazing how different God makes people in appearance, personality, and preferences.  He has given us all a unique perspective on how we see the world and aspects of life which are important to us.  God has given my wife and I two sons who are quite different from one another yet not as different as Esau and Jacob were.  They were twins but as far from identical as could be:  one was born covered in red hair and the other was smooth skinned.  Esau enjoyed hunting and the great outdoors while Jacob preferred cooking stew and staying home.

When God heard the prayer of Isaac He caused Rebekah to conceive.  Undoubtedly she had expectations of what a "normal" pregnancy would be like, having spoken with many mothers with experience, yet these romantic notions were dashed with pain and discomfort.  Genesis 25:22-23 gives us insight into what was happening out of sight before sonograms:  "But the children struggled together within her; and she said, "If all is well, why am I like this?" So she went to inquire of the LORD. ²³ And the LORD said to her: "Two nations are in your womb, two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger."  God caused Rebekah to conceive twins that did not play well with each other!  The struggle in utero would continue throughout their lives and their descendants would comprise two separate nations.

Isn't it remarkable God would create two twin brothers who were different in appearance and attitude and even when in the womb did not get along?  I find it amazing how God can do a similar thing in the Body of Christ, the church.  We, like Rebekah, can have a romantic notion of what unity looks like and how other Christians would be best served to share the same beliefs and views we hold.  We imagine this new life in Christ should be without conflicts, struggles, and pain.  It does not take much engagement in church fellowship to realise how unique people are from one another.  Through the Gospel Jesus unites people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds as members of His church of which He is the Head.  Even as twins with the same genetic input are totally different people, pastors and parishioners alike have unique convictions, areas of emphasis, personal needs, experiences, maturity, and social engagement.

Believer, do you know pastors or fellow believers you see as a bit weird or different because of what interests them, their political leaning, or the stance they take (or don't take) on social issues?  How easy it is to fall into the snare of thinking everyone would be better off being more like us when God has intentionally made people different from one another.  God designed the bone structure, tendons, ligaments, and skin of hands and feet to be different because they serve different purposes--though part of the same body.  Even all feet and hands are not the same size or shape!  One hand can swing a hammer with precision and another is gnarled with arthritis.  Some people cannot buy shoes at a department store because their feet are large, not the same size, or need a custom sole fitted because their legs are different lengths.  The God who created countless stars and calls them by name, the God who created the trillions of cells in our bodies, He saw fit to create people unique in His own image.  Instead of being annoyed or threatened by differences of others, let us celebrate God's wisdom, praise Him for our brothers and sisters, and thank Him for such rich diversity of gifts, calling, and leading.

By faith in Jesus Christ and the filling of the Holy Spirit we are united as one for His glory.  The miracle of conception and human life is amazing, and being spiritually born again into the family of God is even more so.  The differences of Easu and Jacob are nothing compared to our vast separation of sinners from God because He is holy and righteousness.  God said to naturally wicked mankind in Psalm 50:19-23, "You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. ²⁰ You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. ²¹ These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. ²² "Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: ²³ whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."  How different man naturally is from God though created in His image, and praise the LORD He redeems, forgives, and accepts all who trust in Him as His own.  God has demonstrated His love towards us while we were His enemies, and may we demonstrate grace and love in showing kindness towards others.