Ascribe Strength to God

"Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel, and His strength is in the clouds. ³⁵ O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!"

Psalm 68:34-35

Because God is awesome and strong, the outlook of Christians should never be grim.  When we focus on the problems in the world, regrets of our past or feelings of anxiety, it is natural for us to be overwhelmed and to despair.  This was our lot before coming to Jesus Christ as Saviour, but we cannot justify our procrastination of God's praise any longer due to fear or cares of this world.  God allows unhappy situations so we might be drawn to Him who gives fullness of joy and peace that passes understanding.

Psalm 68 is wonderful as it extols the awesome strength and salvation of God, and I also love the descriptions of God's people throughout the chapter.  These are not people hunkered down in foxholes at war against fearsome foes, but people publicly and joyfully praised God without a sword, shield or bow among them.  These are people who celebrated and worshipped the almighty God who had taken captivity captive, who delivered them from death, who had gifts for them and graced them with His presence.  One would think they did not have a care in the world apart from glorifying God, and this is a snapshot of the joyous life God supplies for all who fear Him.

The glad countenance of the people described in this chapter is a far cry from the kind of Christian who is quite taken with their own spiritual authority, who expend their energies in forcefully rebuking Satan when praising God would have greater impact to shine for Christ.  When God arises His enemies scatter, and there is nothing we can do or say to add greater effect to His powerful words and judgments.  There is a Christian who imagines walking in victory depends on their knowledge and verbiage when the experiences of Jehoshaphat and countless other believers by faith stood still and saw the salvation of the LORD who fought their battles.

As Paul said, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers, rulers of darkness in the heavenly places where God reigns as sovereign KING OF KINGS!  The purpose of our wrestling is not to take the devil to the mat and pin him, but that we would be strong in the LORD and the power of His might to stand and not remain cast down.  God grants victory, not to those who are strong to tout their divine authority, but who recognise Christ's supremacy and humble themselves before Him by faith and obedience.  Rather than wasting our breath rebuking Satan, how about praising and thanking God who is already victorious?  Isn't blessing God with praise and gratitude in tough times walking in victory Jesus has provided by His grace?

Evil From Within

When God confronted both Adam and Eve for their sin of disobedience to Him in the Garden of Eden, it is telling both of them blamed others rather than taking personal responsibility.  Adam blamed God for the wife He gave him, and Eve blamed the serpent who deceived her.  Adam and Eve presented themselves as unsuspecting pawns in the devil's game, except the devil wasn't the problem:  the situation exposed the sin that was in their own hearts.  Like a warm compress brings a boil to a head, Satan worked to bring mankind's natural corruption into full view.  All the descendants of Adam and Eve share their sinful, fallen condition.

I have heard people quip, "If only Adam and Eve didn't eat that forbidden fruit!" not realising sin had already stirred in their hearts it entered their mouths.  The Law of Moses put great emphasis on commands to do and to avoid what was deemed sinful, and thus people saw physical acts as sinful--which they certainly can be.  What the Law could not address was the sinful condition of the heart.  Jesus taught sin does not begin with the action but takes place in the heart and mind before sin is brought forth in our members.  Eating without washing hands according to the tradition of the elders did not defile the disciples of Jesus, for it is what comes from within that defiles.

The disciples of Jesus asked Him about the meaning of the parable, and Mark 7:18-23 reads:  "So He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,¹⁹ because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" ²⁰ And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man."  Cain did not begin to sin when he killed Abel, but he sinned by pride, hating and being envious of his brother Abel before he struck him.  Before Cain murdered Abel, God warned Cain that sin was at the door.  I have often viewed this as Cain was inside and sin waited outside, but it may be more accurate in light of what Jesus said that sin crouched inside the door of Cain's heart, waiting to be released by angry blows.  When our sins are revealed by our actions, we ought to take personal responsibility to confess our hearts are sinful, the driving force of our own transgression--and we were at the wheel.

God is not sinful for allowing temptation, and the only reason we are tempted is because of our sinful desires.  God is gracious to bring the secret sins of our hearts into full view in the light of His Law so we can see our need to repent and seek cleansing and pardon found in Jesus Christ alone.  James 1:13-15 says, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  God is not willing any should perish, and sin brings forth death.  While our lives continue the merciful God provides opportunity to repent of our sins and receive Jesus by faith.  He gives us new hearts, yet in these bodies of flesh old habits die hard.  It is good we avoid sinning with our bodies, but know we need transformation of the heart, a divine renovation God does within us that we must choose to yield to.  It isn't what goes into your mouth that defiles you, but what comes out of your heart.

Spiritual Small Ball

When it came to the game of baseball, my dad always had an appreciation for "small ball" to manufacture runs.  While hitting home runs and driving balls to the outfield gaps are flashy and impressive, my dad loved it when the batter noticed the infielders playing deep and dropped down a bunt for a base hit.  He would cheer what is called a "sacrifice bunt," when the batter bunts to move runners to the next base--even though he would be out at first.  Moving the runners set the table for the next hitter to drive in runs rather than grounding into an inning-ending double play trying to be a hero.

As a kid, I never quite understood the draw to small ball.  Preceding the All-Star Game Major League Baseball hosts a "home run derby" where the league's best sluggers compete to see who can hit the most home runs.  They never had a bunt derby (and never will), though bunting remains a fundamental skill most players ought to practice and master.  Many games have been won by splashy home runs, but well-placed bunts have also resulted in famous victories.  Unexpected bunts have ended no-hitters and created opportunities for baserunners that broke games wide open.

When it comes to Christian service, my desire is to do my best and make the greatest impact possible.  I would like every sermon I preach to be like a fastball hit out of the park.  The thought came to mind today that just as the manager gives the sign to "swing away," he may also give the sign to "bunt" or "hit and run."  The player may want to swing for the fences at every opportunity, wanting the chance to make the big play and win the game in an instant, but the batter needs to follow the sign given from the coach.  The LORD may choose to do the equivalent in spiritual matters, to call for a bunt or to even take a pitch rather than swinging:  it is not God's design every sermon will be a home run.  Laying down a bunt to move the runner along may be the manager's call, and to execute the play is always the right call.

The harder a batter tries to swing, the easier it is to miss.  We can make the mistake in spiritual matters to put all the pressure on ourselves to do everything, to win a battle with a single swing of the bat when there are many other players on our team who also can make meaningful contributions for a team victory.  Isn't this encouraging to consider in regards to the church?  Even when we fail in our execution and strike out, having done our best, we can trust Jesus has power to redeem all for good and His glory.  Our Little League managers used to give out game balls as trophies to a kid who hit a home run as well as the player who laid down a sacrifice bunt.  I believe God is even more generous with His rewards He gives those who love and serve Him the best we can.

He Is All Fair

 "You are all fair, my love, and there is no spot in you."

Song of Songs 4:7

In the love story Solomon penned, the Beloved and the Shulamite had a romantic relationship that resulted in an unlikely but happy marriage.  Both husband and wife were enraptured in the love of one another, and in their eyes their spouse was perfect in every way.  This is how people can be in the throes of romantic love, so smitten with happy emotions they overlook faults which become plain to them over time.  Though we admit theoretically no one is perfect, when someone exceeds our ideals we imagine we have found a person who is an exception to the rule.  Modern rates of infidelity and divorce suggest the discovery of flaws in one once chosen to be their lifelong partner.

I have found the greater my familiarity is with something or someone, their flaws become more apparent.  Take the purchase of a house, for example.  No matter how carefully I have observed the structure, appliances, roofing, flooring and landscaping, it is not until I have lived in the house for weeks and months I suddenly become aware of imperfections and faults that escaped my notice previously.  Some issues could not be seen on the surface, like a loose wiring connection to an aerial or a faulty globe in a garage door opener.  My focus in testing the door was making sure the door opened--not that the light was working.  Other things were in plain view the whole time, yet were easily overlooked because I had not shined light directly upon them or run my hand across the uneven surface.

It was not until months after moving into our current house I noticed a crack in the wall where a previous repair had come loose.  I tackled the project, imagining I was fixing the only gyprock damage in the house.  In the midst of the repair I began scouring the house, making sure there was no other significant damage.  I found a few more dents and holes I patched and primed--only to find more faults--which included affixing the whole ceiling of one room that was sagging from the ceiling joists.  There have now been three occasions I believed I was done with screws, fiberglass tape, mud, sanding, primer and paint only to start right back at the beginning because I discovered more problems.  The faults were always there, and it took close examination to notice them.  It would be utter folly to suggest the walls and ceilings are in pristine condition, for even my repairs are imperfect.

What is wonderful about Jesus Christ is the exact opposite is true:  the closer we examine Him and the more familiar with Him, His righteousness, goodness and holiness exceeds our wildest imaginations.  He who loves us is all fair, and there is no spot in Him.  The longer I have followed Jesus, the more impressed with Him I am.  The Queen of Sheba was overwhelmed when she came to visit Solomon in person, for the stories she had heard did not do him justice.  I have found this to be even more the case with Jesus, for He routinely impresses me and blows my mind.  He is continually faithful, true, gracious, keeps His promises and never disappoints.  He does not forget or forsake us.  The more I grow to know Him, the more His perfection appears.  I am convinced there is nothing or no one remotely like the almighty God who is perfect in all His ways.  I will joyfully stake my life on the reality of the perfection of my God and Saviour Jesus, and I urge you to do the same.