The Torch Lesson

Live long enough and you will have experiences that supply beneficial lessons God can use to live wisely.  Today I had one of those moments when a situation provided insight beyond the surface and speaks spiritual truth.

When I went to change the batteries in my favourite torch, I noticed the lack of the familiar rattle of the batteries inside.  To my surprise the alkaline batteries over a year had swollen in size and were stuck fast in the aluminium housing.  Try as I might, I could not make them budge.  Tapping the end of the torch on a piece of wood making use of gravity had no impact, and grabbing the end of the battery with needle-nose pliers popped the circular end off!  I could see the end was blackened and oily, welded tight to the torch all around.  This was not a good sign.

So I did what many people had before me:  look for posts on the internet by people who had the same issue and succeeded in fixing the problem.  This led to me drilling a pilot hole in the battery for a lag bolt to pull it out, using washers as leverage.  All I did was take a core-sample from the stubborn battery.  I warmed the housing with a heat gun:  nothing.  What was very interesting is when I tried to grab the hollowed-out battery with pliers the light flicked on brighter than it had when it was switched on previously.  Ultimately I reached a point where methods of extraction required so much force I ran the very high risk of permanently damaging the torch or injuring myself, so into the bin it went.

Thankfully I had another torch of the same kind stored away that will work nicely for the foreseeable future.  But what occurred to me is the long passage of time I knew the light from the torch was growing more dim and I never bothered to open it up and change the batteries.  I have tons of batteries of the proper size, so that wasn't the issue.  Neglect of doing the simple act of opening up the housing and taking a look when performance began to suffer ended up in the torch being unusable and destroyed.  It reminded me of our need as followers of Jesus to take the time to examine our own hearts.  Just because we are in fine health on the outside does not mean our thoughts or motives are pure or we are free from sin.  Even as the torch was amazingly able to function with a massive hole drilled through the centre of a battery, so we can go through the motions of life, family and ministry when we are in dire need of personal revival and restoration.

The light of a torch shines away from the batteries, and thus it is necessary for someone to use a different light to examine them.  As insightful as we might be concerning ourselves, we are not nearly as discerning as our God who created us.  It is His gaze we must invite and submit to, choosing to heed His voice.  That is why David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; ²⁴ and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."  God knows and sees what man cannot, and in love He will point out of sins and worries man tries to justify.  Praise the LORD He knows us and loves us, and the Light of the World Jesus Christ makes us to shine bright by the power of the Holy Spirit according to His grace.  A new heart and a renewed mind is ours when we humble ourselves before the LORD in contrite faith.

God and Rights

In the book What's Wrong With Human Rights, David Cross makes a strong case the zeal for standing up for human rights is a religious one born of the tenets of humanism.  Those who would paint religion, "social constructs" or politicians as the cause of all conflicts have ignored and dismissed the sinful bent of their own hearts.  Cross sums up the introductory chapter of his book in this way:

"A right is an entitlement conferred on a person by another who has the authority to give such entitlement.  In order for foundational and innate human rights to be legitimate, they must be conferred as part of our creation.  Some have argued that God has indeed given universal basic rights simply as part of our human existence, but this cannot be supported by the Bible.  Some have argued that such rights are a self-evident aspect of human development, which must be enforced by law, in order to bring justice to the world.  However, the Bible says that it is only the resolution of man's sin that brings true justice, not the claiming of man's rights.  Furthermore, Jesus expressly teaches us to forgive rather than to claim a right of retribution against those who have hurt us." (Cross, David. What's Wrong with Human Rights: Uncovering a False Religion. Sovereign World Ltd, 2018. page 35.)

If a right exists, it is conferred upon people by God or even by a government upon citizens upheld by law.  From a biblical worldview all governments and those in power are placed there by God, and thus we honour them not only as public servants but as those responsible to serve God.  This responsibility exists whether a politician believes or admits this, and in a secular society this would flatly be denied--even as the existence of the God who created all things is denied.  But scornful denials do not make this untrue.  The God who graciously gave us life will hold all people accountable and will judge us all according to His righteousness.  All legitimate rights must come from someone greater before whom they submit, and thus a claim of rights acknowledges God.

A well-directed point Cross makes (among many) is the difference between ability to do something and a right to do it.  God has given every person the freedom to make choices concerning our beliefs, what we choose to say or do.  We have the choice between doing what is right and wrong, walking in faith and obedience to God or going our own way.  The Beastie Boys song goes, "You gotta fight for your right to party," and people have taken up many fights for rights that are just as biblically illegitimate.  When He came to earth Jesus voluntarily laid down His divine right to rule as the only begotten Son and took up residence in a human body that grew in Mary's womb of the Holy Spirit.  He humbled Himself, made Himself of no reputation and was a servant of all though LORD of all.  He carried His cross to Calvary to satisfy the justice of God and atone for the sins of the world through the Gospel.

God had given the nation of Israel that land occupied and ruled by the Romans, but Jesus did not espouse the right of Jews to fight to own their land.  Luke 9:23 says, "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."  Jesus did not teach passivism, capitalism or socialism but the denial of self and submission to God in faith marked by obedience.  All people alive today, regardless of their circumstances, have been given life by the grace of God.  To those who answer the call of Christ to follow and enter into the covenant in His shed blood are given the right to become children of God--and with that other rights as citizens of His eternal kingdom are included.  In our unregenerate, sinful condition we are stripped of these rights, yet we are so loved and valued by God He sent His own Son to redeem us, fill us with His presence and crown us with glory.  We have no right to be saved but except for the grace and mercy of God.

I have observed a lot of anger and frustration in people when they feel their "rights" are being stripped away.  The religion of humanism that looks to government, politicians, legislation, self and the "power of the people" cannot provide comfort for our souls at the best of times, for legislation passed today can be overturned tomorrow; when the majority rules they do not always walk in righteousness.  Until people are willing to acknowledge God's sovereignty and resolve to confess our sin, repent and follow Jesus in faith, the crusade for human rights will charge on with soul-crushing impact.  The claim and pursuit of human rights can be at its core a denial of God who is our only Hope and falsely claim humanity alone is capable to save the planet and ourselves.  Instead of fighting for rights, let us choose to do what is right by seeking forgiveness from God for our own sin.  Then we will be led in love towards others and walk in newness of life, and the future will never look more bright.

Ebed-Melech, Man of Faith

Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian may not be a household name, but he stands along with Abraham, Moses, David and Jeremiah as people of faith in God He called by name.  Ebed-Melech was a eunuch who was in king Zedekiah's house in Jerusalem.  We are introduced to him in Jeremiah 38 when he went to the king out of concern for the prophet Jeremiah who had been thrown into a dungeon.  After he appraised the king of the inhumane and woeful conditions Jeremiah faced, the king commanded Ebed-Melech to take 30 men to haul Jeremiah out of the pit to be kept in the court of the prison.

It was not long thereafter Nebuchadnezzar came against Jerusalem and besieged it.  With no hope of overcoming his adversary, king Zedekiah attempted to flee by night and was captured.  The king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah, put out his eyes, burned the king's house and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.  Jeremiah 39:15-18 reads, "Meanwhile the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, ¹⁶ "Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. ¹⁷ But I will deliver you in that day," says the LORD, "and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. ¹⁸ For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me," says the LORD.'"

The words God said concerning the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians came to pass, and the promise God gave to the Gentile eunuch Ebed-Melech would come to pass as well.  God did not just have a word for the King of Judah but for this man who trusted in Him.  Though the city would fall, Ebed-Melech would be delivered and would not be given into the hand of those of whom he was afraid.  He would not fall by the sword and his life would be spared because he trusted in God.  And these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah would have been most comforting to a person who did indeed trust God.  God had outlined the means of deliverance to the king previously, yet he refused to heed them.  He was unwilling to meet the demands of faith, which is obedience to God.

It is important to see God delivered Ebed-Melech, not because he delivered the prophet Jeremiah from the dungeon, but due to his trust in God.  He did not put his trust in the savvy of Zedekiah or the promises of Nebuchadnezzar.  God looked upon Ebed-Melech with lovingkindness and was prompted to speak to assuage his fears and build his faith in the LORD Most High.  God does the same for all people who put their trust in Him today:  will you receive God's words as spoken to you?  In a world full of adversity and we need not be troubled when we believe in Jesus because He says so.  Even when we have failed to walk in faith like Peter, we can have confidence in God's goodness and faithfulness.

Ebed-Melech was afraid of sword-wielding men yet God delivered him; Peter denied knowing Jesus but God would restore Him.  John 13:38-14:1 records the words of Jesus to Peter, "Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times. ¹ Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me."  Our faith in God does not make us without flaws, and those who believe in Jesus ought to receive His words to walk accordingly.  Praise the LORD He is God over Jew and Gentile, free and slave, apostle or eunuch, and He speaks to us words that comfort and guide us to trust Him more.

Responsible for Reckoning

It may be from a movie, old TV show or personal experience but I recall a time on the playground when a classmate took offence at what was said.  "Take it back!" he shouted, doubling up his fists to show he was going to take action against the offender.  If he took back the unfounded, snide comments made about a family member all would be forgiven, but if he refused to back down from the offending statements there would be hell to pay.  Even if the offended person lost the fight, at least he demanded a reckoning for the rude and inflammatory words.

While physical violence is in no way a godly response to offensive statements, there is a simple principle demonstrated we in recent times can neglect.  When a lie is told publicly, it ought to be refuted publicly face-to-face--not out of personal offence but of love of the truth and others who can be misled by it.  In a conversation I shared with a friend recently he spoke of the desire I share to see those who make false claims to face a reckoning so they would stand corrected, take back the things said and be more careful in the future.  We have all said things we have regretted immediately but were too proud to confess our error, and other times it was not until someone reacted that we took the time to examine ourselves in truth, were convicted and repented.

Ultimately God will bring a reckoning upon everything we have said, typed, emailed, texted or even thought in our hearts as Jesus said in Matthew 12:35-37:  "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. ³⁶ But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. ³⁷ For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  It can be an act of love for God and for others to call attention to things people have said so they might recognise the error of their words and ways.  Out of the fear of offending others or because we realise we are not without flaws ourselves we can be slack in this area, and I include myself.  But we see examples of this in the scripture we ought to take to heart and put in practice as led by the Holy Spirit, for sometimes the responsibility for a reckoning lies with us.

God asked pointed questions at times to His faithful followers like when He asked the prophet, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  He asked Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry?"  Jeremiah 37:18-19 provides another example:  "Moreover Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What offense have I committed against you, against your servants, or against this people, that you have put me in prison? ¹⁹ Where now are your prophets who prophesied to you, saying, 'The king of Babylon will not come against you or against this land'?"  After Gaal had boasted in his strength Judges 9:38 says, "Then Zebul said to him, "Where indeed is your mouth now, with which you said, 'Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?' Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out, if you will, and fight with them now."  If God holds people to account for what they say, it is fitting we as children of God would do the same in the fear of God.

What the kid ready retaliate and throw hands on the playground has all wrong is the desire to inflict pain and punish the offender for hurtful comments.  Our modern-day fault can be the opposite, to ignore such comments out of fear as if the words were never said yet stow them away secretly in our hearts.  Like a viper held in our bosom a root of bitterness can grow and poison our attitudes and perspectives of others and foster division and discord.  Should so-called watchmen make predictions that do not come true it is fitting we would question them and not excuse them without a reckoning.  There is no need to enter a debate or argue with one who will not heed God's word or sound reason, but humbly speaking the truth in love ought to mark our conduct with all.  Should our words lead to us being reviled as Jesus was, let us not threaten or revile in response, knowing He is the One who will bring the ultimate reckoning--not only of what was said but how we responded to it.