Our Best Intentions

Over 20 years ago I cut this ad out of a magazine because I thought it was weird and hilarious.  I still do.  The punchline in small print at the bottom reads, "Not even the best intentions can guarantee finesse 'n' success."  If there was ever a photo worth more than a thousand words, this might be it.

As the picture illustrates, best intentions do not guarantee a good outcome.  A classic example of this from the Bible is seen in the life of David when he decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem.  His intentions were admirable, but the lack of preparation and negligence in the execution of the deed resulted in the sudden death of Uzza.  The party atmosphere was immediately hushed by death and the frustration of David's best intentions angered him.  He decided it was not the time to bring the Ark into Jerusalem.  Ultimately there was a good outcome, for during three months after the tragedy David sought guidance from the Bible which explained the proper order God had established.

David's best intentions could not atone for negligence and the disobedience which followed.  After reading the scripture he realised only Levites who had been sanctified were to transport the Ark by carrying it on their shoulders.  Their failure to follow God's due order - despite their "good" intentions - resulted in disaster.  David told the priests in 1 Chronicles 15:12-13, "You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel to the place I have prepared for it. ¹³ For because you did not do it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order."  The Levites were sanctified, the singers organised, they were instructed about the song, and doorkeepers were prepared for security appropriate for the occasion.  Tears of sadness at the death of Uzza were turned to joy when the Ark was successfully brought in with rejoicing.

We can make the mistake of assuming our intentions are pure and honourable in our service for God.  Yet even if our intentions are honourable as David's were they do not guarantee we have sought God or if our actions are pleasing in His eyes.  In our day of grace we might casually excuse our negligence or sloppiness with, "God knows my heart" - as if we assume this releases us from guilt before God for sin.  Let us not forget in our flesh there dwells no good thing and our hearts are naturally deceptive and wicked, capable of sin which escapes our notice.  If my saving grace is the goodness of my heart, I am damned without hope!  I need Jesus to give me a new heart and to purify me by the power of the Gospel.  The Bible is of critical importance so I might know God and see myself in truth according to God's righteous judgments.

Our best intentions are not sufficient to glorify and please God, even as a dinner date and a "Laser" haircut do not eliminate the potential of awkward blunders.  Sharing a meal is one thing, but the worship and honour of God is of far greater importance.  If we will take pains to look our best before going out for a meal, how much more circumspect we ought to be as we walk on holy ground in the presence of God!

Make Known Your Requests (To God)

I remember the first prayer meeting I ever attended.  I was impacted to see men taking time to speak with God together when there were many other things we could have been doing that Saturday.  It was a men's breakfast hosted at our church, and based on the location I was 11 or 12 years old.  I was a follower of Jesus at the time, but it seemed odd to gather in a circle and pray as a group - for what seemed a very long time.  Time flies away when you are in the presence of the LORD, and having matured I have grown to relish it.  Gathering with fellow believers in one accord to seek God and to commune with Him is precious.

In reflecting upon times of prayer, the best times were those spent praying.  It is ironic praying can be the very thing neglected when Christians gather to pray.  Much of the time that could be spent praying is often taken up by personal sharing or discussing how we should pray.  Isn't it strange that we have access to the Almighty God and yet we can spend the majority of time telling each other what we think He should do?  There is a place for sharing your heart with caring believers or sending a message for others to pray, but let us take literally the admonition given in Philippians 4:6-7:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Making our requests known to people should never take the place of letting our requests be made known to God.

Making our requests known to God means praying specifically and concretely.  We are able to talk much but say little, and it is a good practice to examine our prayers to insure they have a definite request.  If we reflect upon our prayers but cannot do this, perhaps we have not even asked!  Because the Word of God is true and His promises sure, if you remain anxious after praying it is likely because you have not met God's conditions.  Abiding anxiousness reveals we have not been thankful, we have not made a specific request in faith, and we have made our requests to men and not God.  When we do meet God's conditions, however, we will experience the peace of God which passes all understanding which guards our hearts and minds through Jesus.  

I exhort your brothers and sisters, in your next gathering for prayer let you requests be made known to God.  Hold back nothing from Him, and do not be afraid.  He is the Almighty God whose understanding is infinite, and His ways are higher than ours.  Who are we to prescribe the course of action He ought to take?  Share your requests with others for prayer as God leads, but do not neglect the bringing of your requests before God.  It isn't the praying of others in which we place our hope, but we trust in the God who answers our prayers and supplies everlasting peace.

Stiff-Necked No Longer

"Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the LORD your God, also the earth with all that is in it. ¹⁵ The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. ¹⁶ Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer."

Deuteronomy 10:14-16

Many times in scripture God referred to the children of Israel as "stiff-necked."  God was gracious to choose the Jews as His inheritance, honouring the covenant He made with Abraham.  God did not choose them because they were the greatest, and they were not the most stubborn.  Like all people they inherited the sin nature of Adam which leads to sin and death, and all people today share this in common.

When we say we have a "stiff neck," it is typically a reference to tightness in our physical neck.  Being "stiff-necked" presented a picture to the Jews in ancient times we might not consider in modern western culture.  A calf would be called "stiff-necked" when it was unaccustomed to and resisted being in a yoke.  Calves must be broken before they are useful for work.  When male calves are young they will be castrated and halter-trained to respond to verbal commands.  The master gently trains the calf which will quickly grow to be a powerful ox.  After learning the basics, the ox is fitted with a training yoke.  At first the calf will strain and push against the yoke because it feels foreign to him.  In time he will become accustomed to wearing the yoke and with training can work in tandem with another ox.

God brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and so birthed a nation whose God was the LORD.  He led them gently with His physical presence, provided for their needs, spoke kindly to them, and protected them from harm.  But they were stiff-necked, meaning they were not accustomed to His commands and refused His directives.  God gave His people the Law through Moses and bid them to hearken to all He said.  The generation God brought out of Egypt perished in the wilderness because they refused to hear and obey His commands.  The potential of being "stiff-necked" did not die with that generation but has continued naturally in all people to this day.

This picture of the well-trained ox is beautifully presented through Christ's invitation to all people in Matthew 11:28-30:  "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  Satan and sin are cruel taskmasters before whom all people must yield and results in beatings and death, but Jesus Christ provides an alternative:  He offers us a yoke where we discover rest and life at His side.  His yoke is not a terrible burden but a joy for those redeemed through the Gospel.  Before we can be Christ's yoke-fellow we must first be broken for our sin, repent, and be born again.  As we are led by the still small voice of the Holy Spirit we are empowered to obey through Christ who strengthens us.  In choosing Christ's yoke we discover a depth of love, belonging, and purpose we could not experience elsewhere.

The Longing of God

"Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"

Deuteronomy 5:29

This verse shows the heart of God longs to bless those He greatly loves.  He is not a cosmic killjoy intent on ruining the lives of people, nor does He deny fun out of selfishness or spite.  We do not argue the fact on earth what goes up must come down, that there exists natural laws which govern gravity our opinion cannot influence.  It is fine for a scientist to tell us why the force of gravity as it stands is important to sustaining life on earth, but this provides little comfort for the one who falls down.

The force of gravity is not the only law God has established on earth.  There are spiritual laws the wise consider in addition to physical ones.  Deuteronomy 5:29 shows there is a clear correlation between obedience to God and blessing which endures.  The source of the problem with God's people was in their heart.  Their hearts were filled with sinful desires and affections, and they often resisted the Spirit of God.  God said through the prophet in Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  God provided His law so people could begin to comprehend the lofty standards of God's righteousness and their inability to measure up.  God longed that people would fear and love Him, for such would obey Him.  For them it would be "well with them and with their children forever."

See what God also declared in Deuteronomy 7:9-11, "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; ¹⁰ and He repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. ¹¹ Therefore you shall keep the commandment, the statutes, and the judgments which I command you today, to observe them."  People are hardly faithful or constant, but God is the faithful God who always keeps His Word for a thousand generations!  Since Jesus has come, the covenant of Law has been trumped with the new covenant established by the shed blood of Jesus.  This new covenant is personally appropriated by repentance for sin (having broken God's Law) and placing faith in Jesus Christ as LORD.  Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."  Those who love Him will obey!

In every heart there is a hunger for God's love and there are many poor imitations of the real thing.  God loves people and longs for opportunities to reveal this love to those joyful to receive it.  The fear and love of God will bring blessing to you and future generations by God's grace.  God is not a means to blessing for He is the blessing Himself:  there is no other.  He receives those who receive Him, and those who refuse Him He will repay to their face, though His heart is always to bless.

God Of War

It may not be easy to read genealogies in the Bible, but the impact of them cannot be ignored.  Included in the Bible are reckonings of generations from Jesus all the way back to Adam the first man created.  Every name is a link in the chain which validates the creation of the world, man, and every living thing by God.  Though the names are hard to pronounce and may seem to have little significance to us personally, the fact genealogies exist and can be confirmed by secular sources is awesome.  For those who read them there are wondrous truths nestled in them, like coming across a tree loaded with ripe fruit when hungry.

Today I read of valiant men of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh who went to war.  1 Chronicles 5:20-22 says, "And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. ²¹ Then they took away their livestock--fifty thousand of their camels, two hundred and fifty thousand of their sheep, and two thousand of their donkeys--also one hundred thousand of their men; ²² for many fell dead, because the war was God's. And they dwelt in their place until the captivity."  In the battle the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, and He helped them because they trusted Him.  These capable warriors did not trust their weapons, training, or strength to defeat their enemies but cried out to God in the battle.  This is a good lesson of what true valiance looks like.

The men of Israel prevailed "because the war was God's."  The KJV phrases this in a slightly different way, saying:  "For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God."  I suspect Christians are more familiar with the concept that the "battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam. 17:47) rather than any war could be "of God."  The spectre of war is truly gruesome and horrible, yet this passage shows us God not only heeds the cries of people who trust Him in battle but also shows some conflicts are ordained by God which accomplish His purposes.  War at times must precede peace, and war is also required to keep peace.  In Ecclesiastes 3:8 wise Solomon said there is a time for war and a time for peace, and the order is significant.  Exodus 15:3 says, "The LORD is a man of war; the LORD is His name."  There is no one mighty like God and at the same time He is no warmonger, for He can easily resolve conflicts without a shot being fired.  Victory is His sovereign domain.

God is with His people not only in global wars or in violent skirmishes but in every personal battle we face.  Jesus came not to wage war on sin by raising an army but defeated and overcame it by putting Himself in the line of fire.  He spoke words of life and peace, but those who opposed Him were for war and death.  Jesus has provided an example for us that the war we wage today as overcomers through Him is not a war fought primarily with sword or spear but through unwavering faith and obedience to Him.  It is written in 1 John 5:4, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith."  Our battle is not against flesh and blood but is of a spiritual nature (Eph. 6).   Should our spiritual defences fail we will not be able to stand in any conflict.  But thanks be to God:  when we find ourselves in a battle, it is glorious to have God on our side.

It is not by might, nor by power, but by God's Spirit a mountain can become a plain.  Only God can bring the victory to the valiant.  We can rejoice in God regardless if our victory involved plundering enemies or crucifixion because God has overcome and we are in Him.  Take to heart the victory Christ has already accomplished as 1 John 4:4 says, "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

The Whole Bible

When it comes to things of God, the natural man is unable to comprehend (1 Cor. 2:14).  Misconceptions and errors abound in the haphazard approach unbelievers and even Christians can take to the Bible.  Because it is compiled of sixty-six individual books written by different people inspired by the Holy Spirit there is perfect unity.  Perhaps due to being organised in Old and New Testaments people can view the Old as outdated and the New as more relevant.  No scripture can be wrenched from the context of a chapter without reconciling it with the book and the overarching truth and themes of scripture.

Context is key to understanding or interpreting anything, and it is amazing how easily this practice is ignored in the quoting of scripture.  People quote scriptures to support their position or oppose others without even knowing when, why, or to whom it was spoken in the first place.  Sceptics produce countless of these tired chestnuts to accuse, and sadly many believers who respect the Word of God use it as a cloak to shield themselves from the very truth they profess to believe.  God has given us the whole Bible so we might know, worship, and serve God in truth.  The Bible is not a treasury of anecdotes or stories for our amusement but the Word of God for our salvation.

Alan Redpath wrote these simple and profound words concerning the Bible in the preface to his book, Victorious Christian Living:  "Once we regard the Bible as a whole it begins to take on a new meaning.  The Old Testament is preparatory to the New.  The New cannot be understood apart from the Old, nor can the Old be appreciated apart from the New...It has been my profound conviction for some years now that the greatest need of the Christian Church is a revival of the New Testament standard of Christian living.  There seems to be a very wide gulf between what we believe and how we live, a marked contrast between our position in Christ and our actual experience.  Too often do we claim to believe our Bibles from cover to cover, but fail to live out its truths in daily conduct.  Before we can ever see a real movement of the Spirit of God in blessing to the world in our day, surely the church must face afresh the New Testament pattern, the whole revelation of the Word of God, in its claims on holiness of life and ethical conduct." (Redpath, Alan. “Victorious Christian Living: Studies in the Book of Joshua.” Redpath Family, 2013, pp. 13–14.)

Here Redpath touches on a key point:  it is one thing to explain historical context or expound upon the scripture, but it is all meant to be practised.  If we believe the Bible is the Word of God, it will impact our conduct, choices, relationships, words, and deeds.  If we will not practise it, what is the point of reading or even quoting it?  If it has merit - and nothing ever written is more true or profitable for men - then it ought to be responded to with praise and obedience.  The Jews wrongly used the Law to approve themselves of righteousness before God when it only condemned them, and Christians can do the same with knowledge.  Knowledge is not righteousness, but the more a man knows makes him more accountable to God for what he knows and does not do.  Choosing ignorance is not safe either, for what man who heartily approves of God's truth hides from it?  Only a man who knows better.

Is it time to start reading the Bible from the beginning and continue all the way cover to cover?  You would never read only the last third of a novel over and over without starting at the beginning.  Instead of reading favourite or known portions over and over, how about reading all God has written?  There is great blessing to graze over familiar and comforting passages, but God knows we need more than that.  I encourage you also to pray over and put into practice the truth of God's Word as led by the Holy Spirit.  God will never lead you astray!  We need the whole Bible to understand and become all God would have us be.

The Days of Peleg

"To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan."

1 Chronicles 1:19

This is an intriguing verse because in a few words it says something which both agrees and contradicts modern scientific thought.  It is commonly taught the continents today were once connected to one another but over time they split and drifted apart.  This is believed to have taken an incredibly long time according to the current rate of movement.  Scripture affirms the division of continents and islands happened, but it took very little time at all.

Eber had two sons and one he named "Peleg" which means "earthquake."  He was named this because "in his days the earth was divided."  At the time of Peleg's birth the seismic activity was so pronounced Eber named his son Peleg.  It was in the days of Peleg - during his lifetime - the earth was divided.  Perhaps the movement of the continents had not fully shifted to their current position, but there was a distinct beginning and end to this remarkable process which occurred in Peleg's days.

Can you imagine living in the days when the earth was divided?  It would be an unimaginable thing to see land fleeing from your view to be replaced with an ocean!  After an earth-shaking event such as this I imagine people were terrified of even small tremors.  Neighbours and perhaps family were separated by a seemingly infinite sea of water.  To access regions which were previously landlocked would require large ships engineered to handle the high seas.  I imagine after the dust settled this dividing of the earth led to far greater development of seafaring for travel, exploration, and trade.

I can't imagine the feeling of despair people felt in those days where the earth was divided, cities were split in the middle, and families happened to be on other sides of the crack which expanded to be the Pacific Ocean.  All communication would be cut off; there would be no way to know where to go or what to do.  This reminds me in a spiritual sense of how sin separates us from God.  Because of man's sin we are cut off from communion with God:  there is no relationship possible because we cannot communicate.  By the grace of God Jesus came to save us from sin and make first contact with us, demonstrating His love through His sacrifice on Calvary.  We who were far off have been brought near through the Gospel.

We have all kinds of ways to communicate using technology people in Peleg's days did not have.  Vast oceans can be crossed in a matter of hours with aeroplanes, and using satellites and GPS we are able to track the location of a mobile phone within a few feet.  Despite all our advances in technology, aviation, and travel, we remain as sinful and helpless spiritually as man ever was.  Thank the LORD for His goodness to us, for we who were separated from God have been made one by Jesus Christ.  This is earth-shaking truth for all time!

Through the Fire

"Then Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who had gone to the battle, "This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD commanded Moses: ²² only the gold, the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, ²³ everything that can endure fire, you shall put through the fire, and it shall be clean; and it shall be purified with the water of purification. But all that cannot endure fire you shall put through water."

Numbers 31:21-23

When the children of Israel took spoils of war from their defeated enemies, purification was required under the Law.  The principle was anything which could survive the fire which was taken needed to be put through fire so it could be purified.  The water of purification would also be sprinkled upon it, the water which had the ashes of the red heifer in it (explained in detail in Numbers 19).  This water was required to be cleansed after touching a dead body.  If a person was not cleansed according to the Law he would be cut off from the congregation as a consequence.

This passage lends insight for what is written to Christians cleansed with the blood of Jesus in 1 Peter 4:12-13:  "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."  Every person saved through the Gospel has been plundered from Satan's grasp and control.  To God who loves us we are of infinitely greater value than gold, silver, or bronze.  Because we can endure the fiery trials God allows us to face them.  Peter urged his readers not to think it strange they would be tried or tested by difficult trials.  Our souls are purified by faith in Jesus, but God uses fiery trials to refine our character and strengthen our faith.

In fiery trials for Christ's sake we are able to rejoice as partakers of His sufferings.  There is a depth of fellowship experienced with Jesus only realised through suffering.  No one wants to suffer, but the Bible makes it clear every Christian will certainly experience suffering in this life.  Praise God for all suffering He allows He also provides abundant consolation.  As it is written in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 by a Christian intimately acquainted with suffering for Christ's sake, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ."  In this world we will experience tribulation, but in all tribulation God has provided comfort received when we wait on the LORD in faith.

Are you experiencing a fiery trial today?  Take heart believer:  if you are being put through the fire God will without fail bring you safely through it.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego experienced the presence of God in the midst of the fiery furnace which killed their oppressors and were divinely enabled to emerge safely without a hair being singed.  Even if the flames are permitted to consume our flesh, God will keep our souls safe and present us before His presence with exceeding joy for eternity!

God Knows!

Humans have a way of bringing God down to our level.  Because we have brains which reason and think we figure it is sensible for other people to see things the way we do.  We also do this with God.  Though we have been created by God in His image, God is not comparable to us.  His wisdom, strength, justice, and love are infinite.  We are ever learning but He is the unchanging truth.  Every new scientific or medical discovery no one on the planet had previously known God already knew and designed it to be so.  We learn by trial and error but God does not make mistakes.

God spoke through the prophet in Isaiah 40:25-26, "To whom then will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?" says the Holy One. ²⁶ Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things, Who brings out their host by number; He calls them all by name, by the greatness of His might and the strength of His power; not one is missing."  God spread out the heavens as easily as we pull back a curtain or pitch a tent.  He knows the number of planets and stars in the universe and calls them all be name.  Most people know we have 9 planets in our solar system, but did you realise there is estimated to be 100 billion planets in our galaxy alone?  It is estimated there are 150 to 250 billion stars in just our galaxy as well!  There are about 5,000 stars observable with the naked eye, but God knew about those billions of stars and planets people in Isaiah's day had no idea about - and I have no knowledge of!  The knowledge of God is beyond compare.

In light of God's power, wisdom, and knowledge, He asked in Isaiah 40:27, "Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God"?  If God knows so much about the heavens, doesn't He have complete knowledge of your current situation?  God's people figured He had forgotten about them or was in the dark concerning their suffering and present needs, but God doesn't need reminding.  He is only light and in Him is no darkness.  God did not go to school to learn law for He established all the natural laws which govern the universe discovered through physics, biology, mathematics, astronomy, and all other sciences.  Nothing which happens to us escapes God, and His love for us never wavers.  Praise the LORD He does not need reminders but we are invited to come into His throne room of grace at any time to find help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

If we believe God knows and loves us, we will boldly approach him in prayer at our time of need.  At times we have not because we ask not.  Choosing to pray instead of exercising other options shows we do trust God and provides opportunity for Him to help us in ways no one else can.  When you look up at the stars, it is likely you know very little about them.  They are far away from us, but God is near all who cry out to Him.  There may be billions of people on the earth today but the nations are as a drop in the bucket compared to what God knows.  Praise God that every person on this planet is deeply loved by God, and He is able to redeem and save those who trust in Him.