Redemption for Every Affliction

"Come to the foot of Calvary, 'cause there is redemption for every affliction here at the foot of Calvary."

Rescuer, by Rend Collective

Songs written to worship God are a great benefit to believers.  Whilst songs should never be our source of biblical doctrine, they often contain truth upon which to meditate and proclaim.  How good it is for our minds to be drawn to consider the greatness of our God and the power of the Gospel.

Some people imagine they must labour to be accepted by God and saved.  Some make pilgrimages to distant lands to visit holy sites, and others seek the counsel of gurus and shamans desiring to be healed.  The Gospel transcends this world because all freely offered by God's grace is eternal.  There is no holy mount to ascend, no temple to visit, or a sacrifice to give to receive salvation, healing, and redemption:  these are received by faith in Jesus Christ, the "Good LORD" the song speaks of.

Since God has redeemed us from the curse for the blessings of God forever, it follows every affliction (and what we perceive to be good) are also redeemed by Jesus.  When we receive the Gospel by faith, we are born again by the Holy Spirit spoken of in Romans 8:26-28, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. ²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  God has redeemed us, and though we cannot know how God will redeem our afflictions the example of Jesus shows He can.  He has divine purpose even in afflictions.

"Everything happens for a reason," people say, but this cliche falls woefully short of the reality:  what man intends for evil, God can use for good (Genesis 5:20).  God allows people to be afflicted so they might see their need for Him.  Being afflicted is not attractive, but it is profitable as orchestrated by God.  Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes."  Affliction for sins can even lead to redemption of our souls.  Webster describes "redemption" like this:  "the purchase of God's favour by the death and sufferings of Christ; the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ."  Affliction has a way of strengthening faith times of ease cannot.

The redemption of the Gospel does not promise the end of our current struggles, temptations, or weakness, but that we have been redeemed by God's grace.  Redeeming does not mean alleviating but leveraging even painful experiences for God's good, eternal purposes.  Knowing our God and what Jesus has accomplished through His suffering on Calvary helps place our light affliction in perspective.  Praise the LORD He is a Redeemer, and in Jesus Christ we are most blessed.

You Are Salt and Light

At the Refresh Conference in Secret Harbour WA, pastor John Spencer made a good observation from the Sermon on the Mount.  He read the words of Jesus spoken to His disciples in Matthew 5:13-15:  "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. ¹⁴ You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house."

During a talk pastor John mentioned he previously heard this passage preached to urge people to make an effort to be salt and light.  He pointed out Jesus did not teach this as an ideal to strive for, but the reality of our identity because of our faith in Jesus Christ:  we are the salt of the earth; we are the light of the world.  No one can earn status as salt or light because of the efforts of their flesh, just like we cannot call God our Father unless we are born again through faith in Jesus.  Because we are the salt of the earth and light of the world we are to recognise this as aspects of our God-given identity and embrace it.

God has created us to be salt and light to have a profound impact on people and this world as Jesus lives His life through us.  Salt is flavourful, and light exposes what is in darkness.  If salt is to impart flavour to foods, it must be mixed in.  Jesus mixed in with the people and spoke the truth of God's Word faithfully.  He did not alter the flavour of God's Word because some people would dislike what it said.  Jesus continued concerning light in verse Matthew 5:16:  "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  Just as a lamp was placed in an elevated position to give light to an entire room, so we are to hold God's Word in high esteem.  We do good works - not so we might be seen or recognised by men - but because God has prepared them for us to enter into.  When we do good works as unto the LORD, God will receive the glory even if we are forgotten.  He has seen it, and that is what counts.

Jesus told the disciples they were salt and light so they could be intentional in fulfilling the purposes God intended for them.  We are only salt and light by the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, so our reliance must remain upon God to live up to our high calling.  It was the mistake of the Galatians to be born again by faith in Jesus through the Holy Spirit and then try to earn God's favour through working, and we can also mistakenly think it depends upon us to work to become salt and light by our efforts.  Knowing who God is and what He has called us to be instructs us how He has called us to His good purposes, and teachings in the Sermon of the Mount is a great picture of what salt and light looks like:  "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

God's Word Tries Us

God's ways are higher than ours, and His ways are far better too.  God has plans and purposes He is faithful to fulfil, redeeming things meant for evil for good.  What we perceive as setbacks and obstacles God makes most fruitful as He brings us to His desired end.

The life of Joseph provides a great example of this.  In his youth God gave him two dreams recorded in scripture whose interpretations were understood:  God would elevate Joseph to a position above that of his father, mother, and brothers though the eleventh of twelve sons.  His brothers hated him and cast him into a pit, he was sold as a slave in Egypt, falsely accused of sexual assault, and then thrown into prison where he remained for years.  All his life seemed caught in a downward trajectory.  Yet in his trials Joseph continued to look beyond his circumstances in fear of the God who ordained them.  Far removed from family and the familiar, Joseph trusted God.

Psalm 105:16-19 gives insight into God's providential plan:  "Moreover He called for a famine in the land; He destroyed all the provision of bread. ¹⁷ He sent a man before them-- Joseph--who was sold as a slave. ¹⁸ They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons. ¹⁹ Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him."  Verse 17 says God sent a man before Israel and his children.  His brothers desired to murder Joseph, but God prevented this and had him sold as a slave.  He was purchased by slave traders, made a slave in Potiphar's house, then laid in irons.  From the age of 17 until he was 30 years old, Joseph was deprived of all freedoms he once enjoyed.  All the while the dreams he had as a teen were in the back of his mind, reminding him of what God had said.  Until God fulfilled His word, the seeming disconnect between God's promise to him and his situation tested him:  would Joseph give room to despair, or would his faith remain in God alone?

There are many ways God uses to test and refine our character, and a couple of means often employed are painful trials and the passage of time.  Will we trust God in the midst of pain and uncertainty?  As the days and decades fly by will we continue to cling to the promise of God which seems impossible?  God brought Joseph from the pit to the palace in His time.  The lessons Joseph learned as a slave served him well as a ruler, and God granted him wisdom and discernment to prosper in seasons of abundance and famine.  No matter the circumstances, God remained sovereign and worthy of reliance.  Joseph needed refinement before God's plans would be fulfilled, and it is true for us as well.

What seemingly impossible promise has God made to you?  There will be temptations to doubt and to speed along the process by leaning on our own understanding, by doing what seems best to us.  Refuse this temptation, to take matters into your own hands.  The truth of God's word which seems to contradict reality works to refine us in preparation for the fulfilment.  Trust the word of the LORD, that the doors Jesus opens none can shut, and the doors Jesus shuts none can open.  It is only in His strength we can walk through the door, and He will accomplish His plans concerning us today and always.

Love's Lasting Impact

A couple years ago I was sitting on a lounge reading a book by Isobel Kuhn, a missionary whose story has always touched my heart.  It was in the midst of a tough season, and it was refreshing to read of God's faithfulness to His people and the power of the Gospel.  As I sat reading, a little girl walked up smiling and offered me a yellow piece of paper.  "What's this?" I asked.  "It's a love-heart," she replied.  I thanked her and tucked it into my Bible where it has remained to this day.

It was a touching gesture, a wonderful reminder of the love of God through His little ones.  It illustrates to me how simple yet profound love is and the great impact it has upon our hearts and minds.  God's love is pure and enduring, gracious and full of compassion.  I had not said or done anything worthy of the attention of the little girl, but she freely gave me a symbol of love which to me ministered God's love I will not forget.

Perhaps you wonder how you can possibly share God's love with others.  This gift illustrates the simplicity of doing just that.  The love-heart I received is made from a simple folded slip of paper.  This is what it looks like unfolded:

There's nothing special about this slip of yellow paper in itself, but after being intentionally folded and trimmed it conveyed a message of love.  If a scrap of paper without words can express love, how much more can our words, use of time, and genuine interest share God's love with others.  Love is costly, but it does not require expensive gifts to convey it.  What a treasure God's love is, and may we be used by God to remind others of it often in simple ways.

Divine Sifting

"And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  ³² But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Luke 22:31-32

Last night at the Refresh Conference at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour a message was preached on this passage by pastor John Spencer.  I enjoyed and appreciated the insights he provided, and since hearing it have continued to meditate on implications of the passage in relation to what is commonly called "spiritual warfare."

The context of the passage is the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest among them.  Peter was an assertive and vocal guy, and it would not surprise me at all if he had just trotted out his opinions about why it could (or should be) him.  The ironic thing is it does not seem Jesus Christ was in the running!  Anyway, Jesus singled Simon Peter out and revealed Satan had asked for him to "sift" him as wheat.  Instead of rebuking Satan for such a bold request, Jesus had already prayed that Peter's faith should not fail.

When something bad happens to people or their plans are foiled, it is not uncommon for people to wonder if they are facing a spiritual attack of Satan.  Pastor John made a great point in his message that Satan's aim was very specific:  to cause Peter's faith in God to falter and fail.  Scripture affirms this is a tactic of the enemy, to attempt to undermine our faith.  He cannot destroy God and hinder him at all, but he can effectively hinder and destroy people who do not trust in God.

It is good for us to recognise God is very active in spiritual warfare.  It is a war God fights and has won.  Today the term "spiritual warfare" is a loaded one, and when it is mentioned the context is most commonly in light of 1) Satan attacking us and 2) what we can do to resist him.  Little or nothing is often said concerning God's role in this warfare.  I believe He is by far the greatest player in this conflict.  There is nothing Satan can do (or we can do for that matter!) without the permission and power of God.  Think about how many times God was directly involved in what we would call a "spiritual attack."  He sent a wicked spirit to trouble King Saul, sent a lying spirit to speak through Ahab's false prophets, and gave Satan permission to vex Job.  The Father allowed Jesus to be tempted by the devil, and a messenger of Satan was permitted to buffet Paul often.  There are many other examples of God in scripture employing good and malevolent spiritual beings to accomplish His glorious purposes.

Satan was permitted to sift Simon because God knew that is exactly what Simon Peter needed.  God incredibly utilised Peter's sifting to purify him, even as threshing separates grain from the worthless husk.  Today people would have rebuked Satan, assuming his "attack" must be outside the will of God or beyond redemption.  But Jesus did not rebuke Satan:  He prayed for Simon.  Guess what?  God heard the prayer of Jesus and answered in the affirmative.  Peter was absolutely shattered by his own denial of Jesus:  his pride, arrogance, and unbelief was broken in pieces and swept away in repentance.  He was able to draw near to Jesus in humility once again and be useful for the LORD's glory.

Peter was self-absorbed and self-confident, believing he was great in God's kingdom.  It was not until he was sifted he was in a posture to return to Jesus and be used by Him to strengthen the brethren.  I bet Peter in his future ministry often dealt with people who denied they even knew Jesus when persecution was intense and prolonged - just like he denied Jesus.  His own failure provided compassion and grace for others Peter at one point didn't believe he needed.  Instead of rebuking real or imagine satanic attacks, how good it is for us to know Jesus has prayed for us even before an attack comes, drawing near to Jesus Christ in divinely ordained seasons of sifting with humility, relying upon Him for strength, trusting nothing can separate us from the love of God.  Warfare isn't about our power to fight or resist, but Jesus Christ in us.  If He says sifting is what we need, He will enable us to endure by His grace.

Our Need to Know

Since I was young, it was a practice in my household to pray together as a family before bed.  Many of our prayers, though extempore, tended to be very similar day to day.  After a while I could almost predict what others would pray!  So I made it a point to try to switch up the words I would say, even if the subject matter remained the same.

I have been impacted during my recent study of Ephesians by the things Paul prayed for the Ephesian believers.  Most of my prayers in my youth and in adulthood tended to deal with temporary subjects:  giving thanks, asking for help for a problem, or interceding on behalf of others.  The focus of Paul's prayer revealed a priority on spiritual blessings which are enduring and essential.  When Paul prayed for the Ephesians he did not pray the way I would if I knew people were being persecuted, under threat of violence, and in need of support.

This is a portion of what Paul prayed in  Ephesians 1:15-19:  "Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, ¹⁶ do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: ¹⁷ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, ¹⁸ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹ and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power..."

See the things Paul prayed for!  After giving thanks for the Ephesians, he asked God they would be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, having their understanding enlightened, that they would know what is the hope of his calling, the riches of His inheritance, and the exceeding greatness of His power towards believers.  When you pray for others, does this resemble your prayers for them at all?  For me not so much.  But God-willing my prayers shall continue to develop to reflect absolute faith in God's power and sovereignty, increased knowledge of God, and great value of enduring spiritual blessings given us through Christ.  There are things that are important we know, even as it is important for God to do.  Once we better know the things Paul prayed for, I believe it will change how and what we pray.

Living in Light of Reality

What we believe and what we say we believe can be two different things.  We say we trust God, but the worry and fear we struggle with says we don't - at least not as much as we say we do.  We say we believe God's divine Word, yet we do not always obey it or seek guidance from it.  We ask for God to intervene and "do" something, ignoring the fact He is working through that situation to accomplish plans we know nothing about.  We are a funny bunch who desperately need Jesus to open our eyes and provide understanding of God's Word so we might know Him.

The disciples of Jesus mourned His death on Calvary.  They had believed He was the promised Messiah, but His death was an unexpected and shocking end to the dream Jesus would someday sit on a throne.  From our vantage point with the benefit of the historical account we might smirk at the women finding the tomb empty, the apostles not believing their testimony, or the morose disciples trudging 7 miles to Emmaus.  Ah, ye of little faith - coupled with ignorance of the Law, prophets, and Psalms we might say to ourselves.  But are we any wiser, stronger, or spiritually savvy?  Nope.

In Luke 24 there is an insightful portrayal of the disciples sadly walking to Emmaus mourning their deceased sovereign when He met them in the flesh on the road.  They didn't even realise it was Jesus with whom they conversed.  It was only as they ate a meal together the veil of ignorance was peeled away in Luke 24:30-31:  "Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight."  Their eyes were open during the whole walk and as they conversed and ate with one another:  it took Jesus opening their eyes so they were enabled to recognise and know Him.

Praise the LORD Jesus opens the eyes of the blind - and the eyes of ignorant, senseless, and unbelieving believers as well.  He opens our eyes, not just so we can rattle off facts, but so we might know Him.  After their eyes were opened the disciples rushed 7 miles back to Jerusalem to share the awesome news and confirm the resurrection of Christ Jesus.  This moves to a second purpose of their eyes being opened:  that they might know Him and make Him known to others.  Too often we can limit the context of sharing Christ to people who are unbelievers, but believers need a revelation of Jesus as well.  Suddenly Jesus stood in the midst of the amazed believers in Jerusalem, and they could hardly believe for joy.

May God open our eyes so we might know Him and make Him known.  Then we will live in light of the reality of His life and the power of His resurrection.

The Silent Times

It struck me yesterday how on several occasions Jesus remained silent when addressed.  Ignoring people seems impolite, but as the supreme God Jesus was never under any obligation to speak - especially to those who did not believe He was the Son of God and refused to trust Him.  If they would not listen or believe the words He spoke, why bother?  Many times Jesus spoke truth to people who did not heed Him because He is gracious, but His unexpected silences have me thinking.

I do not assume I know exactly why Jesus remained silent, but the Bible relates many times when He was.  When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Him by the scribes and Pharisees, He stooped and wrote on the ground as if He did not hear.  When questioned by Pilate, Jesus was rebuked for not answering the one who had "power" to release him.  He was also brought before King Herod who was keen to see Jesus, and hoped to see a miracle done by Him.  Luke 23:9 says, "Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing."  All these interactions were attempts to put Jesus on the spot by people who refused to follow Jesus, minds which were stubbornly opposed to faith in Christ.

We are blessed to have the testimony of the Bible, for there is much recorded of the things Jesus said and did.  He said to His disciples in Matthew 7:6, "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."  Dogs and pigs are not capable of sanctifying what is holy or treasuring valuable items.  It is not in the nature of animals to discern and appreciate such things, and both dogs and swine were unclean for eating under the Law.  Jesus warned against entrusting holy things to unholy people, and all it would do is agitate them.  Jesus set a good example by following His own commands.

Sometimes in our Christian walks there can be periods of silence, times where the LORD seems strangely quiet.  King Saul found the LORD did not answer Him because he had disobeyed God without repentance and sought honour for himself.  I believe Christians also can have seasons of the "silent treatment," so to speak, times when God withholds clear directives because we are acting similar to the Pharisees, Pilate, and Herod:  we are not trusting in Jesus, are testing Him, believe we are in control, and we want to see a miracle.  We are the ones who can resemble snarling dogs and wallowing pigs and in an unrepentant, fleshly state incapable of responding to the wisdom of God honourably and obediently.  Praise the LORD He is gracious to speak and when we repent, obey, and look to Jesus in faith we find ourselves hearing Him speak:  "Well done, good and faithful servant.  Follow me!"

We Have Opportunities

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Galatians 6:9-10

The farmer sows seed knowing the process of planting, growing, tending, and harvesting crops will take time.  Walking in obedience to God doesn't always bring the tangible results or changes we hope for, and we can wonder if our efforts could be better spent.  Paul exhorted the believers in Galatia to persevere through seasons when there doesn't seem to be much growth or fruitfulness, trusting God will make us fruitful according to His plans and purposes.  He said, "As you have opportunity, let us do go to all."

The Greek word translated "opportunity" is most often translated "time" (64 times) and "season" (13 times), and when I think of opportunities I think of chances - often which can be unplanned.  A few months ago I had the opportunity to go to a Grand Final match, but because of the late notice I was unable to attend.  I could have attended, but it would have negatively impacted other plans I had made.  Opportunities can be inconvenient, involve a degree of risk, and seem to impose themselves upon us.  We all have opportunity to do good as long as we remain on this planet, for God has provide time to invest in loving and serving others.  It is good for us to be prepared for opportunities by determining to seize them when they arise, even when inconvenient or unexpected.

We are not at the mercy of others or the overwhelming amount of needs in the world, for we look to Jesus for strength and guidance.  It is true our resources and time are limited, but it is good for us to be willing to give of our time to seek the LORD and bless others - even when there is no promise of reward, compensation, or recognition.  Let us do good to all as unto the LORD, knowing He will cause us to reap in due time.  Those who are of the "household of faith" are to receive special care from us, for we are part of the same Body of Christ, the church.  Jesus was willing to enter the constraints of time and a human body and did good to all, and He is our glorious example.