Marching Forth!

One thing I often observe among genuine believers is confusion and uncertainty concerning what is commonly called "spiritual warfare."  Generally speaking, there is a kind of Christian who, when facing conflicts, perceived setbacks, losses or trials, assumes this must be the result of a spiritual attack.  To give an example, I remember a fellow who was suspicious he had been cursed by a spiritist because of the placement of a large zit on the tip of his nose.  When we go down this murky path of anything or everything negative in our lives being the result of demonic forces coming against us, rest and peace is replaced with fear and obsessive vigilance.  The problem is, on our own we are like blind people swatting in the dark at perceived threats that are active only in our own imagination. Through a combination of teaching that emphasises a believer's authority in Christ, a personal leaning towards a desire for control, and ready access to formulaic and prescriptive ...

When I was in high school, I remember going with a friend to a country club for a round of golf.  Because there were only two of us, we figured we would be able to "walk on" without booking a tee-time previously.  Perhaps it was because it was a Saturday morning or due to our intentionally loud sweaters, but we were turned away by an unimpressed staff member who said curtly, "You're not playing here today."  Being excluded from the golf course was a disappointment, and even a reasonable explanation wouldn't have changed anything.  We wanted to play golf, and it wasn't happening. Everyone, to some degree, has experienced being excluded from something we wanted to take part in.  Our job application has been rejected; our offer of friendship was rebuffed.  We have been made redundant from a job or had people refuse to even speak with us.  Even when we have achieved or obtained our desire, the actual experience may fall short of our expectations.  I p...

" As a dog returns to his own vomit, s o a fool repeats his folly ." Proverbs 26:11 Like seasons are cyclical and predictable, so we sinners tend to repeat our sins.  Like in the Steely Dan song "Do It Again," the gambler who swore he didn't have a gambling problem found himself back in Vegas with a handle in his hand without explanation.  Almost like by instinct, people are driven to sin and find themselves enslaved to it.  Though people have been created by God in His image, our freedom to choose and make wise decisions can be forfeited when we feed our flesh and go our own way.  Like babies born addicted to narcotics, all humanity lies under the curse of sin passed down from Adam, a chain broken only by Jesus Christ.  Without God's gracious intervention, we will continue pursuing and practicing what works to harm and destroy us forever. In Psalm 73 , Asaph wondered why those who continued in their sin seemed to flourish and not suffer trouble--despite t...

God created mankind in His own image, making human beings intrinsically unique among all living things fashioned by Him.  The almighty God also took human form and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Messiah sent by God to save lost sinners.  As G.K. Chesterton masterfully argued in his book The Everlasting Man, mankind towers distinct and separate from all creatures in the animal kingdom, and Jesus is revealed in Scripture to be infinitely higher in wisdom and holiness above all other men.  Even a casual comparison reveals this to be truth as plain as day. Because God has created mankind in His image, it is natural for God's enemies who cannot touch or sully Him to turn their proud fury upon His image bearers.  During my lifetime I have observed an ongoing assault upon the human race by dehumanising the unborn, objectifying and degrading people in lust, and humanising animals.  It is a strange world we live in where domesticated pets a...

Our Bible study last night reminded me of an awkward interaction at camp when a worship leader emphasised David's joyful abandon in worshipping God when the Ark of God was brought into Jerusalem.  "He was so caught up in worship, he was dancing naked."  He looked at me to affirm the truth he claimed.  "He was naked, right?"  Actually, no:  David was not dancing in the nude.  The Bible passages say clearly he was wearing fine linen and a linen ephod, similar to what the priests or Levites wore ( 2 Samuel 6:14 ; 1 Chron. 15:7 ).  The idea of David being naked is likely based on the snide comments of Michal, David's wife, about David being "uncovered," which was to say he was not wearing his royal robes.  She was offended because she viewed his behaviour as immodest and inappropriate as a king.  Thinking someone should "cover up" does not assume total nudity. The worship leader's comments about David dancing naked in public made me unco...

" The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; t he wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah" Psalm 9:16 I have been meditating on this verse lately, thinking about God's judgments according to His righteousness.  Though He is absolutely just, He remains gracious, compassionate and full of mercy.  His desire is not to destroy but to draw people to Himself to be delivered and saved from sin and death.  God's judgments are inescapable, yet He provides sure deliverance for all who trust in Him. The LORD is known to be sovereign over all creation because He judged the whole earth with the great flood.  He observed humanity, not only their wicked deeds, but how the imaginations of their hearts was only evil continually ( Genesis 6:5 ).  He did not spring the coming judgment upon unsuspecting people without warning, but explained what was coming through Noah who built the ark and was a preacher of righteousness ( 2 Peter 2:5 ).  God...

"' I said to the boastful, 'Do not deal boastfully,' a nd to the wicked, 'Do not lift up the horn.  5 Do not lift up your horn on high; d o not speak with a stiff neck .'" Psalm 75:4-5 What goes up must come down, the cliche goes, and and those who are lifted up with pride God can easily bring low.  On the other hand, those who humble themselves God will exalt.  The Bible is filled with examples that illustrate God's ability to bring low the proud whether it be king Saul, king Nebuchadnezzar, Haman--or even Satan himself.  Asaph urged people not to be proud or boastful when they were promoted or advanced in stature, for he remarked in  Psalm 75:6-7 :  " For exaltation comes neither from the east n or from the west nor from the south.  7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one,  a nd exalts another ."  One distinction between God and all other judges is He is perfectly just and remains gracious and merciful.  Sometimes there is no jus...