Are You Hungry?

I have heard it said, "Beggars can't be choosers" but I assure you they can.  I have met some selective and demanding beggars over the years.  I have met many people who would regularly come into the church I attended in San Diego to receive food kept for that purpose.  They preferred to pick and choose what they wanted rather than receive what they were given.  So what we did is have bags prepared beforehand ready to give to those who requested food.  Sometimes we would find some of the food thrown on the ground or deposited in the rubbish bin outside.  Most of the time these people who were not actually hungry at the time, but they were doing their rounds like people go to the shops to buy groceries.

I remember one time I was enjoying some carne asada burritos in Point Loma with friends and we struck up a conversation with a homeless man.  He said he was hungry and we offered to buy him a burrito.  He assured us one burrito alone would not satisfy his ravenous hunger so he wanted money to buy the most expensive item on the menu, something that "would really stick to the ribs," he said.  The more we spoke with him, however, it became apparent that he wasn't really hungry for food but wanted money to use elsewhere.  If the man was truly hungry, I'm thinking he would have been grateful for the offer of quality food we enjoyed ourselves.  (By the way if you know of a quality Mexican taco shop in Sydney, I am keen to hear recommendations.:) )

One thing I find most refreshing in pastoral ministry is when people are actually hungry for the word of God.  We do not need to be prompted to speak enthusiastically about our favourite restaurant or dish because we enjoy freely sharing our discoveries with those who also may appreciate the benefits.  I have found the more physically active I am, the more ravenous my appetite.  Those who are walking in the Spirit and exercising faith in Jesus are more apt to have a spiritual appetite for the word than the sedentary, sleepy Christian.  There is a kind of Christian that resembles a food critic who is much more focused on plating and ambiance than satisfying their spiritual need by feasting on God's word.  Because they are not hungry they sample this or taste that and leave their plate basically full.  A Christian can be like picky eaters who only eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese who fill up before going out.  Already full, they have little appetite for the unfamiliar and uncomfortable truths presented by the scriptures for their nourishment.  A spiritually dead person has no appetite for God's word, and thus a desire to receive God's word is a positive sign of life.

Many times my family and I have sat down to eat and we are treated to a rare thing in our household, that of silence.  This is typically an indication we are hungry and the food is great and being enjoyed.  Everyone at some point likely have sat down to eat lunch or dinner because it was the time for lunch or dinner, not because we were really hungry.  It was more of an obligation to appear at the table for the sake of the gathered family or the one who prepared the food than because we are starving and need sustenance.  Brothers and sisters, if we are not hungry for God's word there is likely is something off with our spiritual digestion.  Perhaps we have been feeding on junk and sweets; perhaps we have fasted from spiritual nutrition so long we no longer feel hunger pangs.  It ought not to be pangs of guilt that prompt us to go to church on Sunday or read the Bible but a desire to know God and to feed on His faithfulness.  We joyfully anticipate a special meal to savour every flavourful bite and appreciate the texture, and every word God has written to us is pure and good as He is.

Those who have had their spiritual hunger satisfied by the word of God will be those who tell others of the wondrous things God has revealed to them.  Tasting and eating are things we must do for ourselves, and those who find what is good become walking advertisements of quality establishments.  Having found our satisfaction in Jesus Christ and the scripture, it is ultimately Jesus we proclaim--not a particular church, doctrine or controversial subjects.  We ought to be in fellowship at a church were the word of God is preached and where the fear and love of God unifies.  No church or pastor is perfect, but the problem does not lie in the preaching or teaching when we are not hungry for God's word.  Humbly loving, serving, praying and helping one another in fellowship gives us an appetite for the scriptures the almighty God has provided.  Having received the Living Bread Jesus by faith, our Good Shepherd guides us to pastures of green where we can daily feed and find our hunger satisfied by Him.

Where No Thieves Can Steal

I read an article that detailed a recent 60% increase of theft on construction sites as reported by A Current Affair.  Jessica Nagel wrote, "Supply shortages and price hikes combined with items sitting on site for longer periods of time has created the perfect storm for an increase in theft."  Whilst this on the surface may seem true, this statement is akin to shaming victims of sexual assault for their choice of clothing.

I happen to live in a suburb that has many incomplete new home builds all around.  As I take early morning walks I see building materials piled high on job sites awaiting the break of day:  bricks, sand, steel, timber, tiles and windows are staged behind locked fences with the oversight of security cameras.  And guess what?  People walk by the stuff day after day of "supply shortages and price hikes" and there it sits secure until it is installed or a greedy, selfish thief steals it.

God commanded people in His law, "Thou shalt not steal."  The problem isn't a supply issue or price increases but the wicked hearts of men who justify their sin.  A victim of theft can feel entitled to steal from others.  Better locks, more cameras, stronger deterrents or actually putting teeth in the judicial system doesn't fix what ails us.  Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."  Stealing is a heart problem, not a supply issue.

Because we live in a world rife with sin, it is important for us to be wise and take necessary precautions to deter theft.  Left to his own devices man will lie, steal, make pathetic excuses and justify himself all the way into hell.  I am grateful to Jesus Christ for the way of forgiveness and salvation He has provided through the Gospel, for even the thief being executed beside Him on Calvary was provided an opportunity to believe in Jesus as LORD and Saviour.  Praise the LORD for the new hearts given us by faith in Jesus and the future in heaven where thieves cannot break in and steal.  Our treasure is in heaven since we are in Christ.

2 Peter 3:13-15 says, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."  God is longsuffering even towards thieves so they might repent, be forgiven and saved.  As long as thefts continue we can know this world is not all there is, for there are new heavens and a new earth awaiting us where righteousness dwells.  As we look forward to our inheritance provided by Jesus in His presence, we ought to "be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless."  Since we are going where righteousness dwells and no thief can enter, by faith in Christ we can be content, generous and gracious today.

God Reigns Over All

At times I admit I am baffled by the idealistic ways people describe themselves or others.  I read an article recently where an aspiring model was called "independent and strong," and have seen t-shirts emblazoned boasting "Girl Power" and car decals that espouse the "power" of a race or ethnicity.  Apparently some find inspiration in terms like "Mommy Warrior" and from a biblical worldview these titles and aspirations are puzzling, for what is the power of a man or fierceness of a woman compared to God?

It seems to me the aspirations of the world is to be and do what only God can, and this at the core is a satanic notion:  "I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14)  People may raise their children to be fiercely independent, but the scripture puts forth a completely different view of what is good and right.  God's will is we would be increasingly dependent on Him by faith.  Strength is not achieved by standing up for one's rights, by lifting weights or facing hardships, but by the recognition of our weakness and need for God to deliver us.  People have been called "fighters" for their tenacity and fearlessness, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.  Knowing the God who fights our battles and that the battle is the LORD's prompts a joyful countenance rather than a hateful sneer.

Towards the end of David's reign 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 says this:  "Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. ¹³ "Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name."  David blessed the LORD who rules and reigns over all, the One who has all greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty.  He has power, might and gives strength to all.  The glorious God who rules over all is the powerful one, and the nations are a drop in the bucket compared to Him.

A chief problem in the world is not misogyny or feminists who labour to tear down the patriarchy but  any who contemptuously oppose God's sovereignty.  While people in the world follow their own hearts, godless philosophies and idealistic agendas contrary to the God revealed in scripture, God provides wisdom and strength for living by faith in Him.  Jesus taught us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us.  He has taught us when we are weak then we are strong because His grace is sufficient for us.  It is folly to boast in our strength or power when all we have is a gift from the God who has breathed life into us.  The world may deem Christians losers, but in Christ we have obtained victory over sin and death, peace that passes understanding and fullness of joy forever.  No man or woman can hang onto a kingdom or empire on earth, yet God's kingdom will endure forever.

Contrary to the wisdom of the world, the KING OF KINGS Jesus said to His servants in Matthew 23:11-12:  "...he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Jesus Christ, the mightiest man who ever lived humbled Himself, was meek, lowly and the servant of all; His strength was exerted to love others, speak truth, show compassion and mercy.  As a willing slave of the Father God has exalted His name above all others, and we humbly bow the knee before Him in reverence, praise and worship.  How glorious is the LORD, and how good!

Be Still and Know God

One interaction in the Bible I love is what Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth who had just proposed marriage to Boaz.  Ruth 3:17-18 reads, "Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."  Ruth was the antithesis of a sedentary person, one who would work all day in the field to gather food her mother-in-law and herself.  She was industrious and had an impressive work ethic.  Sitting still required her to stop pacing, exerting nervous energy or bustling around the house.  There was no need for her to prepare to leave because the matter had not been settled yet, nor would her toil advance her desire to be married.  In that moment she was wise to heed the words of Naomi, having committed the matter and her future into the hands of the LORD and her future husband.

Naomi knew the quality of character possessed by Boaz and she knew he would not forget nor neglect the task set before him.  There was a potential kinsman redeemer who was a closer relative than he, yet he did not throw up his hands or procrastinate.  At the breaking of the day he went and assembled the other relative and required witnesses, and as Naomi predicted the matter was concluded that day.  Much profitable progress was made in short order even when Ruth sat still.  Whilst the biblical account does not explicitly say Ruth sat still at Naomi's request, it would be entirely consistent with her character as revealed throughout the narrative she was obedient.

There is a difference between sitting still and being still.  Psalm 46:10 brings a sudden shift of perspective to the song as God spoke in first person:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"  Sitting still describes a physical posture and being still goes much further and includes the mind, heart and soul.  One focuses on doing something and the other is state of being, choosing rest by faith and reliance upon God to accomplish all He has promised to do.  The only way a person can truly be still and at peace with God is by finding the rest only Jesus Christ can provide by faith in Him.  We can cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us, and we need not worry, be afraid or troubled.  There is nothing we can do to earn forgiveness and salvation from God, for He has already concluded the matter by providing salvation by grace through faith in Jesus.  Our union with our Redeemer and Saviour is according to His promise, and our knowledge of Him is a partial fulfillment of what He intended to do when Psalm 46 was penned by the sons of Korah.

Let us hear and obey the word of the LORD to us today:  "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"  Faith demonstrated by obedience is an intentional action and in no way is it lazy or careless.  We are still knowing God is God, and we are not.  He will do all He has promised and we can rejoice with assurance of salvation, righteousness and redemption through Jesus Christ.