Thoughts and Prayers

The news of a mass school shooting in Florida reached our fair shores in Australia on news broadcasts and the familiar inundation on social media of caustic and defensive posts.  A recurring theme was the disdain of people offering "thoughts and prayers" for the victims of the shooting without taking drastic practical action to eliminate these terrible tragedies.  There is palpable frustration for some people when others respond with "thoughts and prayers" after a tragedy because in their minds if tragedies happen what has thinking and praying accomplished?  On the other hand, cursing and making memes does not bring comfort to anyone, alter what has happened, or prevent future tragedies.

This recent shooting occurred on Valentine's Day, a day when cards, letters, and messages are sent with the recurring theme "Thinking of you."  It is not an offensive thing to be remembered and thought well of.  Based upon this, it is likely not the thoughts which riles people up but the mention of "prayers."  It is a confronting and uncomfortable for people to be "prayed" for because this assumes the reality of a God who hears and answers prayer - a concept which many people (especially when suffering is involved) vehemently oppose.  I remember an Australian Prime Minister in the face of tragedy said to victims, "You are in our thoughts" and as a Christian I wondered what mere thoughts could accomplish.  To think of others is kind, but to intercede on behalf of others in prayer to an Almighty God does more than all the thoughts in the world.

Even a child is known by his doings, and horrible stories of violence coming from the United States and others parts of the world are deeply troubling.  Never in my life have I seen the people of the United States more divided and fractured, and like Humpty Dumpty after his fall I do not think horses or men can unite them again.  There is no hope in politics, education, money, or legislation to change the hearts and minds of people.  If everyone had a gun for each hand or no guns at all nothing engineered or conceived in the minds of man can bring salvation for a country intent on tearing itself apart.  It is God - the One who people love or love to hate - who provides hope for the lost, rest for the weary, and salvation for the damned.  Blaming God or scorning prayers offered to Him is to ignore the only hope in this world.  There is no hope in prayer apart from the Living God who answers the prayer of faith in Him according to His Word.

For all those who are convinced there is value in praying to God, let us be the ones who walk in obedience to His revelation and answers.  Tragedy and pain prompts many questions, and what is the point of God's answering if we will not repent and change our ways?  Men commit senseless tragedies with no regard for God or men every day, yet God is a Redeemer.  In the face of murder, abuse, neglect, and destruction I do not see a ray of light, but I know God is good and without sin.  God has providentially placed His people all over the globe so His light will shine bright through them offering love, comfort, and compassion for all those who suffer.  It is love of God which leads to the love of people and even enemies.  The power of God's love demonstrated by Christ on the cross the wise recognise.  All who have received God's love keep believing, keep trusting, and keep praying no matter what.

Cultivating Companionship

Friends are a blessing from God, and cultivating friendship requires individual effort as well.  As it is written in Proverbs 18:24, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."  We are not "close" to brothers and sisters by virtue of having the same parents, sharing a room, or having grown up together.  We can be distant or detached from people who live in the same house as we do!  But if we want friends, it falls to us to be the kind of friend we would appreciate ourselves.  Friendship is not restricted to a handful, for even Jesus called His disciples friends.  If Jesus was not above cultivating friendship with sinners, let us not be so proud to scorn friendship with others - especially of the household of faith.

This morning I read through a list of notable people during his reign in Jerusalem.  Here is portion of the list in 1 Chronicles 27:32-34:  "Also Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons. ³³ Ahithophel was the king's counsellor, and Hushai the Archite was the king's companion. ³⁴ After Ahithophel was Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, then Abiathar. And the general of the king's army was Joab."  As king David had many counsellors, for in counsel there is great wisdom.  Jehonathan was a scribe and counsellor, and Ahithophel was also an adviser - business associates one could say.  Abiathar was a priest, and Joab was the general of the army.  But the person who stood out to me is Hushai, "the king's companion."  It is amazing the king would have a companion, someone he spent time with as a friend.

The friendship forged between king and subject withstood the test other relationships failed.  Ahithophel turned against David and sided with his usurping son Absalom who sought his life.  The priest Abiathar and general Joab supported Adonijah's rise to power behind David's back, disregarding the will and command of the king.  Yet through it all Hushai was a valuable friend who risked his own life for the good of his friend and king.  His relationship with the king was greater than respect for David's calling or position ordained by God but Hushai valued his person.  Christians and especially pastors have a need of friends of this kind where there is trust without suspicion, transparency without fear, and delight in companionship which goes both ways.

How happy was David to have a friend like Hushai, and blessed beyond measure is the man who makes Jesus Christ his friend.  The most profound and lasting friendships are those formed in the shared fear of the LORD and obedience to His Word.  In a world of superficial "friends" and "likes" profound friendship is found through a relationship with God and enduring friendships which spring from this one.  Jesus has not held back anything from us, and may we not hide from the One who sees and knows all.  Through His demonstration of love on the cross for sinners and patience with His disciples we are provided a perfect picture of the kind of friend we ought to be.  As Hushai was a companion of David, may we be towards our King and other friends in His name.

Getting Off the Ground

Faithful to His promise, God gave His people victory over Jericho.  God commanded the spoils of the fallen city to be brought into the treasury of the LORD.  Anyone who took of the gold, silver, or articles of brass or iron would bring upon themselves a curse.  All the Israelites who stormed the city were obedient to God's command - all except one.  The Bible tells us Achan the son of Carmi took of the treasures for himself and stashed them in his tent.

All seemed well as the congregation set their eyes on overthrowing Ai, a small city in comparison to Jericho.  When the men of Israel went up to battle against Ai, however, the Israelites fled before their enemies.  36 men died in the assault, and the men retreated back to camp and Joshua their commander.  Joshua and the elders tore their clothes in grief and put dust on their heads for the remainder of the day.  How could this be?  Why had God brought them this far to allow them to be defeated?  Wasn't it a horrible thing that God's people should be put to flight?  What if the surrounding nations heard of it!  Oh, the shame!

God's response certainly grabbed Joshua's attention in Joshua 7:10-11:  "So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it among their own stuff."  Joshua's humiliation served no purpose when there was sin which needed to be confessed, exposed, and dealt with biblically. The covenant God made with the people had been broken, and Joshua lying in dust couldn't repair the damage nor restore the loss of life.  The children of God needed to be determined to walk in victory over their own sin even as they desired the defeat of those who chased and slaughtered them.

Sin in the life of the believer has an undermining effect which ruins all.  It reminds me of a verse I read last night of those who pray but doubt in James 1:7-8:  "For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."  Unbelief and disobedience in our lives makes us unstable, unable to stand upright.  The hearts of the men melted when the men of Ai rushed at them even though God had promised them victory.  The victory of God's people is often contingent upon faith and obedience, and this is true under the New Covenant of the Gospel.  Jesus has removed the curse and power of sin, and if we will stand girded in the armour of God and fearless in battle we must confess sin and repent.

This passage teaches me humility without repentance for sin avails little.  Thankfully God spoke to Joshua and revealed the truth.  After atonement for sin the children of Israel were victorious over Ai, and so it is with us.  In our distress let us humbly cry out to the LORD, but let us also be vigilant to confess our known sin and forsake it.  God will not keep us in the dark because in Him is light and no darkness at all.  It is His will we would repent, be forgiven, and victorious.  Grieving over our loss is not adequate to deal with sin which must be repented of.  Praise the LORD God has supplied His righteousness not by works which we have done but according to His mercy and grace.

The Sin of Dread

I was impacted recently by words David spoke to his son Solomon.  The passage of God's Word exposed my own sin, bringing to light a connection I was previously blind to.  This revelation also illustrates the power of words, how we can use them to justify ourselves.  An Australian politician recently said, "I'm not a saint" yet this is hardly a revelation.  This statement really says nothing because most everyone would also say it of themselves.  Had he said, "I am a liar and an adulterer" that is saying something!

Christians know they shouldn't worry, so some will avoid saying they are worrying.  They will use a different word, like they are "concerned."  Christians also know they should not be afraid because God commands us to "Fear not!" and trust Him.  Joshua, Solomon, and many others in scripture were told to "Fear not" because it was their natural tendency.  Guess what?  It is our tendency too - and that includes me.

See what David said to Solomon, the man called and chosen by God to be king of Israel and to build the Temple in Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 22:11-13:  "Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee. ¹² Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God. ¹³ Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed."  There are two words David used in the KJV which are often translated "fear" or "afraid" in the Bible:  dread and being dismayed.

I would not claim to be afraid often, but dread?  Dread is a kind of fear repackaged without traditional warning signs of sin.  The Strong's Concordance explains being "dismayed" as "to break down in confusion or fear."  It took reading the Word of God applied by the Holy Spirit to discern fear I didn't know I had in the form of dread and being dismayed.  There are plenty of things I can honestly say I dread, so I was led to confess my sin and begin viewing dread as sinful fear.  It is lovely when God destroys strongholds in an instant which have held our minds and hearts hostage for as long as we can remember.  The God who exposes sin is able to cleanse us and liberate us from bondage, releasing us to praise and serve the LORD like never before.

Praise the LORD that dread now has a recognisable face, like a criminal caught in the act on film.  Never again need I be terrorised with dread because I have been provided the victory through my Saviour.  How about you?  Does dread have a place in your heart or life?  When we repent and trust God we too can be strong and of good courage as Solomon was, and God gave him great success.

Take Another Lap

When I assisted the coach on my eldest son's soccer team, we had a fun-loving bunch of kids with heaps of energy.  Often they were so hyped up during training they were incapable of focusing on simple drills.  During coach orientation we were told it was potentially "abusive" to single out a single player for discipline, so if one player was made to run a lap around the ground for messing around the entire team was also required to run.  The team did a lot of extra running that year, but I'm not sure they learned the discipline running was intended to teach.  Because their energy was often misdirected they didn't play up to their potential.

I have heard Christians (jokingly and seriously) say they have been told to "take another lap" by God because they have not yet learned a necessary lesson.  Personally I have never used the analogy, and I find the implications of this perspective concerning.  It runs the risk of placing the emphasis on our measuring up to God's standard by our own efforts rather than extolling the grace of God.  I have seen many people facing difficult circumstances racking their brains to discover some unknown "lesson" they need to learn so God will change their situation.  Again, this sounds a lot like man making himself central rather than God.  This view places the focus on me learning the lesson rather than the grace of God to provide a lesson at all.

During our earthly pilgrimage God will ensure we learn many lessons, yet we do not learn them all well.  When we do learn a lesson, however, we only could do so because God instructed and helped us every step of the way.  Consider for a moment why God fed the children of Israel manna for 40 years in the wilderness as it is written in Deuteronomy 8:3:  "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD."  I ask you:  did all the children of Israel who grew up in the wilderness learn the lesson man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?  Hardly.  These are the same people Joshua upbraided before his death for carrying the idols worshipped by their fathers into the Promised Land.  People who have learned lessons can still repeat their mistakes, but glory to God He is faithful and will still fulfil His Word by His grace.

From beginning to end, it isn't about you or me:  we exist only by the grace of God who loves us, teaches, guides, and helps us.  Life is all about the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last, Jesus Christ the Son of God who gives eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him.  As we follow Him we will thankfully learn many lessons along the way because He is a good teacher - not because we are model students.  We ought to put forth effort to seek after Jesus and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly.  During our walk with Jesus our disobedience demands discipline from a loving Father.  People may even be disqualified from service for a season due to rebellion or pride.  But it is not about our stellar performance should we be restored - it never was.  God uses unworthy sinners to do excellent wonders in His strength, and this should not embolden us to sin.  Recognising the grace of God towards us keeps us from even the appearance of sin because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.

It is not about you "learning the lesson."  God has far greater than lessons for us as we follow Christ in obedience, for we are graced with His presence.  Will there be things God teaches us along the way?  Certainly!  But they are all given and received by His grace - not because you ran an extra lap.

Overcoming Faith

Jesus Christ was a man who routinely did the impossible.  He healed people lame and blind from birth, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead.  Once he cursed a leafy fig tree and caused it to wither up from the roots completely in a night.  The disciples were amazed and Peter pointed out the sight to Jesus the next day.  Mark 11:22-23 reads, "So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. ²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."

Causing a healthy tree to wither completely from the roots overnight or casting a mountain into the sea by merely speaking are both in the realm of the miraculous.  In one sense no miracle is greater than another, for every miracle transcends human ability and knowledge.  Jesus taught His disciples faith in God is of primary importance in God doing the impossible.  Everything Jesus did was significant and accomplished His purposes.  Whilst man would be content to harness the miraculous power of God for a party trick to impress others, Christ's purpose in causing the tree to whither was an object lesson to illustrate the importance of faith.  It is not our goal in following Jesus to whither trees or throw mountains around, but to recognise our need for faith in our praying.  It is God who does the impossible!

See how Jesus continued in Mark 11:24-26, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. ²⁵ "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. ²⁶ But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."  Unbelief that grows in our hearts can be withered by God and unforgiveness which resembled an immovable mountain in our minds God can remove when we trust and ask Him.  We are called to believe God and forgive others, regardless what they have done.  Jesus said if we have "anything against anyone" we are to forgive them. Have you found this impossible?  Forgiving the sins of others is just as impossible as forgiving ourselves of sin.  Through the shed blood of Jesus and faith in Him God forgives us.  Praise God nothing is hard for Him!

Alan Redpath wrote a fitting conclusion concerning the impossible:  "My friend, I do not know your problems, but I know my Lord, with whom nothing is impossible.  Therefore, if some of you face mountains of impossibility, and you say to yourself wistfully that life can never be any different for you, I believe that the Lord has something to say to you through His Word that can mark the end of your defeat by the impossible, and the beginning of a life of victory which overcomes the world, even our faith in God." (Redpath, Alan. “Victorious Christian Living: Studies in the Book of Joshua.” Redpath Family, 2013, pp. 49.)

Our Manner of Serivce

Today I had a new thought as I read 1 Chronicles 18 which provides insight into man's relationship with God.  Having a "relationship" with someone in no way ensures it is a healthy one.  There are strained relationships, dysfunctional ones, business relationships or relationships for convenience, and distant or failed relationships.  Based upon all the kinds of interpersonal relationships humans are capable of having a healthy, close relationship is exceptionally rare.  All people have a relationship with God as those created by Him, but it does not ensure our hearts are inclined or right before Him.

After God established David as king, He gave him victory over his enemies.  1 Chronicles 18:13 says, "He also put garrisons in Edom, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went."  The Edomites were defeated by David's army and were subjugated to Israel.  The people of Edom became David's servants, and their manner of servitude was of a different sort from the Jews who dwelt in Jerusalem.  Through battle David had become ruler of Edom, but there was no love or loyalty towards David, a foreign king.  David conquered them but they remained Edomites.  They would happily shrug off an obligation to serve David if a better deal came along, and therefore David strategically placed garrisons in Edom - military installations which neutralised the threat of rebellion.

I wonder:  how many relationships of God's "servants" resemble the one between David and the Edomites?  Perhaps they were obliged to bring tribute or gifts to their new king as the defeated Syrians did in 1 Chronicles 18:6, "Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. So the LORD preserved David wherever he went."  Having been conquered by the love of Jesus Christ, do we serve Him out of love or obligation?  Do we bring offerings to our LORD because we are required to demonstrate our allegiance or because we desire His presence?  The Syrians and Edomites may have been glad to have David as their king should they be attacked, but the garrisons were likely intrusive and a source of bitterness.  The garrisons were reminders they were an occupied people, and I believe professing believers can have this sort of animosity brewing against God.

Those who have tasted and seen God is good do well to embrace their new identity in Christ, choosing to reject their old loyalties and give their allegiance, love, and respect to their new King!  May our sacrifice and service be out of love and thankfulness for who God is and how He has delivered us from sin and death.  The flesh is unwilling and unable to convert, but the Gospel makes new creations through faith in Jesus.  The flesh can be subjugated for a season, yet only those who are born again can be genuinely subject to God.  Once we are born again by faith in Christ can we have a right relationship with God, a closeness well represented by a father and his beloved child.

Revelations Belong to Us

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."

Deuteronomy 29:29

This verse follows a long and extensive list of commands in the Law of God given through Moses.  There were many promises of blessings for the obedient and even more curses for the disobedient.  Though Christians are not under the condemnation of the Law's covenant because a new covenant has been established through Jesus and the Gospel, this truth and principle of this verse is incredibly relevant today.

The first thing this verse asserts is there are secret things only God knows, and they all belong to Him.  They are His to conceal or reveal as He sees fit.  No amount of searching on our part can unlock them.  God has freely chosen to reveal many mysteries to us not previously known, but other things He has not revealed nor will He.  The secrets we do not know, however, should not hinder us from heeding and observing the truth God has revealed.  Things God has plainly written in His Word are for us and our children forever that we may do all God has commanded us.

God delights to reveal Himself to us, and may we each have open eyes and ears to behold wondrous things from the Bible concerning God and His ways.  But never let what has not been revealed weaken your grasp or resolve concerning what God has already revealed.  From the beginning man has shown great interest in new things, but when it comes to scripture the new is confirmed and supported by what God has already said.  God revealed the Law for a clearly stated purpose:  so His people might do all the words of the Law.  In a similar way Jesus has demonstrated His love for us while we were yet sinners so we might respond accordingly.  Based upon Christ's divine revelation of sacrificial love during His life culminating on Calvary, we too are to love others.

We might have a thirst for hidden knowledge, but God's will is for us to live according to the knowledge we already possess, to walk according to His will as already revealed in His Word.  If you want to know God, the best way to do so is through the testimony of scripture.  God wants much more than to fill our heads with knowledge but so we would walk in the fear of the LORD and obedience to Him.

Our Need of Holiness

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled..."

Hebrews 12:14-15

The writer of Hebrews strongly asserts personal holiness is essential in the lives of Christians.  This is an exhortation to be Christlike and a warning against the negligence of examining ourselves according to God's Word.  Holiness is an established and constant quality of God's character, righteousness revealed in the Bible.  No man can be holy by the efforts of the flesh, but spiritual regeneration through faith in Jesus will lead to a life marked by holiness.  Ours is a faith that works.

To be holy is to be pure, and there is much in this world and in our own flesh which defiles.  It is always fashionable to the flesh to ignore sins as defined in scripture in ourselves and others.  We can use grace as a cloak for sin or otherwise the many warnings of Paul and others are without merit.  How we think and live matters, and every tree is known by its fruit.  The things we think about, what we do, and the desires of our hearts are clear indicators to the discerning if we are in Christ or not.  Since we are the ones God will hold accountable for our conduct and words in this life, it is wise for us to closely monitor ourselves in the light of His Word.

Our primary aim should always be to take our own sin personally when God reveals it:  to admit it, forsake, confess, and repent of it.  Then we ought to put into practice choices which honour God in obedience.  We live in an age of grace, and Hebrews suggests people fall short of it.  As Hebrews 12:16 continues Esau is provided as an example of a person poisoned by bitterness:  "...lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright."  As the firstborn Esau had the birthright, an inheritance, and a blessing his father delighted to give him.  But he was profane and a fornicator who missed out on everything.  His descendants (Edom) rejoiced to see the children of Israel in strife, plundered them, and delivered them to their enemies (Obadiah, Amos 1:11-12).  Hatred and bitterness toward Jacob began with Esau, and it burned for generations defiling many.

Holiness is completely foreign to human beings born in sin and steeped among sinners.  Holiness is not what seems good to a man but is defined according to God's unyielding righteousness and purity.  It is only through the Bible we know what holiness looks like (and like God it cannot change) and Jesus is the personification of holiness for us.  God's people were never to be like other people, and what is acceptable and promoted in the world will always be contrary to God.  The people who say they love Jesus but love the world do not know Jesus.  They cannot perceive the need for holiness.  God said to His people in Leviticus 20:7 as He did at many times and in many ways:  "Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the LORD your God."  Because we have been born again through Jesus Christ our lives ought to be marked with God's holiness.

We are not made "holy" through keeping the 10 Commandments because they are incapable of changing us within.  Jesus came and fulfilled the Law so our sins could be washed in His blood shed on Calvary through faith in Him.  Having been born again, the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to us.  Since we are recipients of the Spirit which raised Jesus from the dead, all believers are called to lead holy lives because we walk in His grace.  The way we once lived and approved of sin is well contrasted with the character of the indwelling Spirit in Galatians 5:19-25:  "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Is your life marked with the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit?  Without holiness not one of us will see the LORD (regardless of your theoretical theology), and therefore personal purity is of great importance.  I close with a quote from Alan Redpath:  "God does not wait for clever people; He wants clean people.  Are we clean enough for God to use?  Are we humble enough for God to entrust us with blessing, or would we take the glory to ourselves?  I know that we can be sanctified only by the God of peace.  Yet though holiness, in the positive sense, is nothing more and nothing less than the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Ghost, expressing the life of the Lord Jesus in me, on the negative side it is the putting away of all known sin.  Have we done that?  Are we clean enough for God to give us revival?  Are we broken enough and humble enough for God to use us, or are we to go through our lives on the wretched wilderness level of failure and see nothing happen?" (Redpath, Alan. “Victorious Christian Living: Studies in the Book of Joshua.” Redpath Family, 2013, pp. 44–45.)