How important it is to place your trust in God! Many people rely upon things that are not God and have no power to save. Even we Christians can be deceived or deluded into trusting in an arm of flesh when only Christ can deliver us. Daniel was a man who trusted in God. Because God was with him, he had been highly promoted in both the Babylonian and Medea-Persian empires. There were high-ranking men in the Medea-Persian empire who were envious of Daniel and sought to kill him. Through treachery, they passed a law that prohibited anyone from praying to anyone but King Darius. Daniel, being a devout and faithful man, was unmoved by the law. He continued to openly pray as he always did three times daily. Thus he was found guilty of breaking the law, and King Darius reluctantly sentenced him to be thrown to the lions. He said to Daniel when they parted in Daniel 6:16, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."
During the night, Daniel was protected by an angel who shut the mouths of the hungry lions. When morning came, Darius hurried to the den and called out in Daniel 6:20: "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" Daniel answered in the affirmative, for nothing is too hard for the One True God. He was safely pulled from the den and the king greatly rejoiced. Verse 23 says no manner of hurt was found on him because "he believed in his God." For those men who had conspired to kill Daniel, the end of their story came swiftly without mercy. Daniel 6:24 reads, "And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions--them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den."
We see in this passage a picture of Christ and the severe retribution which will come upon all those who oppose Him. Jesus was wrongly condemned to death, yet He trusted fully in God the Father to deliver Him. Though He tasted the bitter cup of death and wrath of God when crucified and was buried in a tomb, God raised Him triumphant and victorious three days later. Though Jesus bore scars, no manner of hurt was found in His glorified body - because no sin was found in Him. Satan and all those who reject Christ, will face eternal damnation in hell which makes the quick end made by lions seem a delightful cakewalk. The accuser and enemy of our souls, who even now is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, Satan, that old serpent, will be utterly overcome and broken to pieces. His head has already been crushed under the foot of Christ and he rages on, knowing his time is short.
Blessed are those who trust in the Almighty God, the great I AM, YHWH, the Creator and Saviour of all who repent and trust in Christ. Like Daniel, we ought to trust and serve Him continually. When we walk in faith, the accusations and even violence of the enemies of God will not sever us from fellowship with Him. In Jesus Christ we find eternal life and pleasures evermore. David wrote a fitting conclusion in Psalm 56:1-4: "Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; fighting all day he oppresses me.
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My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
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Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.
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In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?"
11 September 2012
10 September 2012
A Life Without Worry
Late this morning I took my wife Laura and my sons Zed and Abel to the Sydney International Airport. For some time now they have been looking forward to this return visit to the United States. It was on 5 January, 2010 when our family moved to Sydney. Since relocating to Australia we have been blessed to host both my in-laws and parents, pastors, a family friend, and even a young man we had never met before! So now Laura and the boys are able to be visitors and spend time with family and friends. We praise God for the prayer and monthly financial support, and this trip was made possible through a special gift for that purpose. We thank God for His provision and faithfulness towards us, and many people have been the conduits of that blessing.
It's a strange feeling, sending the family away with a few bags while I stay home. Almost every other time we head to the airport it has been the other way around - me leaving and the family staying behind. All sorts of crazy thoughts scamper through the mind. My main effort is in making sure they scamper through and I do not encourage them by dwelling upon thoughts not grounded by faith in God. There is no substitute for the pervasive peace and contentment which comes only from God. Perfect love drives out all fear. Because my family has been committed to God, I know they are in His hands. I do not need to load myself down with the burden of worry. By worrying I cannot add a centimeter to my height, nor can I protect my family from overseas. I rejoice in knowing that God is able to do so!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34: "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Christ intends we live a life without worry as we rest all our hopes and desires upon Him to faithfully fulfill His Word. What have we to fear when we have such a Saviour and King?
It's a strange feeling, sending the family away with a few bags while I stay home. Almost every other time we head to the airport it has been the other way around - me leaving and the family staying behind. All sorts of crazy thoughts scamper through the mind. My main effort is in making sure they scamper through and I do not encourage them by dwelling upon thoughts not grounded by faith in God. There is no substitute for the pervasive peace and contentment which comes only from God. Perfect love drives out all fear. Because my family has been committed to God, I know they are in His hands. I do not need to load myself down with the burden of worry. By worrying I cannot add a centimeter to my height, nor can I protect my family from overseas. I rejoice in knowing that God is able to do so!
Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34: "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Christ intends we live a life without worry as we rest all our hopes and desires upon Him to faithfully fulfill His Word. What have we to fear when we have such a Saviour and King?
09 September 2012
Biscuit Bombers
I am in the middle of reading Kokoda by Paul Ham, a comprehensive overview of the Australian involvement in New Guinea during World War II. Facing obstacles of all kinds, the Japanese, Australians, and native carriers braved unthinkable suffering from the boggy jungle, difficult terrain, disease, and starvation - not to mention fighting a war through it all. One common problem which plagued both sides was the inability to adequately supply the fighting men. The Allies had control over the air and employed transport planes the Aussie troops nicknamed "biscuit bombers" to supply the troops. But there was a huge logistical problem: most of the time parachutes were not used and the contents of the drop were severely damaged or rendered unusable. Sometimes mortars would fuse from the impact and later detonate in the tubes, killing the Aussies who tried to use them.
Ham writes concerning the "biscuit bombers" on page 337: "Radio signals were meant to guide in the planes and, at the appointed time, bags of food would hurtle to earth. The pilots were instructed to aim for burnt patches of ground, or logs arranged as markings. Their maps were as good as useless. Where the planes missed the marked clearings, hundreds of bags came crashing through the canopy and free fell to the jungle floor. Occasionally they struck the men below - biscuit bombs killed or wounded several Australian soldiers. Most airdrops still lacked parachutes, and a large percentage of supplies were lost. Virtually all the bags split open, biscuits were reduced to powder and sugar scattered over the jungle floor." Isn't it ironic the careless method of deploying supply drops to save lives actually caused the death of people they intended to save? How unspeakably awful, and what a gross waste! Had parachutes been used, much of the precious supplies could have been useable. I can almost see the relief and satisfaction on the face of the pilot after completing his drop and banking to return to base for another load - completely unaware that a mere fraction of the load was salvageable. He had done his duty, braving enemy fire, successfully locating the drop zone in the misty jungle, and unwittingly ended up killing his mates by dropping supplies on them. The lack of parachutes was a tragic oversight.
It occurred to me that this is a great object lesson concerning a Christian's presentation of the Gospel. Jesus has committed unto us the words of life. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should repent and be born again. Though the Gospel saves souls for eternity, if it is deployed like a load from a biscuit bomber - without the parachute of love - it is an insult and a disgrace. Harsh, judgmental tones in presenting the Gospel do much more harm than good. Spiteful words mingled with pride from the mouths of Christians have greatly injured the cause of Christ. A discussion without love can degrade into vicious debate. I have witnessed an unbeliever stomp off angrily while the believer laughs and shrugs it off. Happy he has done his duty by quashing the spirit of another sinner, the self-assured Gospel bomber seeks his next victim. Of course the opposite is the fearful pilot who would not risk a drop because of the potential of offense. The bright light of scriptural truth can hurt the eyes and wound the pride of those long in darkness. But when delivered with the love of Christ, it causes sorrow which produces repentance not to be repented of and brings ultimate joy.
We should be faithful to share the Gospel with others, seeking to save the lost. Always be sure to be led by the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the love of Christ through compassion, grace, mercy, and kindness. Unlike those pilots without specific guidance to drop sites or parachutes for their loads, God has given us a most comprehensive map in His Word to help and guide us to abide in Him. He has provided us love we are to demonstrate faithfully so others might be drawn to love God too. People will know we are Christians by our love.
Ham writes concerning the "biscuit bombers" on page 337: "Radio signals were meant to guide in the planes and, at the appointed time, bags of food would hurtle to earth. The pilots were instructed to aim for burnt patches of ground, or logs arranged as markings. Their maps were as good as useless. Where the planes missed the marked clearings, hundreds of bags came crashing through the canopy and free fell to the jungle floor. Occasionally they struck the men below - biscuit bombs killed or wounded several Australian soldiers. Most airdrops still lacked parachutes, and a large percentage of supplies were lost. Virtually all the bags split open, biscuits were reduced to powder and sugar scattered over the jungle floor." Isn't it ironic the careless method of deploying supply drops to save lives actually caused the death of people they intended to save? How unspeakably awful, and what a gross waste! Had parachutes been used, much of the precious supplies could have been useable. I can almost see the relief and satisfaction on the face of the pilot after completing his drop and banking to return to base for another load - completely unaware that a mere fraction of the load was salvageable. He had done his duty, braving enemy fire, successfully locating the drop zone in the misty jungle, and unwittingly ended up killing his mates by dropping supplies on them. The lack of parachutes was a tragic oversight.
It occurred to me that this is a great object lesson concerning a Christian's presentation of the Gospel. Jesus has committed unto us the words of life. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should repent and be born again. Though the Gospel saves souls for eternity, if it is deployed like a load from a biscuit bomber - without the parachute of love - it is an insult and a disgrace. Harsh, judgmental tones in presenting the Gospel do much more harm than good. Spiteful words mingled with pride from the mouths of Christians have greatly injured the cause of Christ. A discussion without love can degrade into vicious debate. I have witnessed an unbeliever stomp off angrily while the believer laughs and shrugs it off. Happy he has done his duty by quashing the spirit of another sinner, the self-assured Gospel bomber seeks his next victim. Of course the opposite is the fearful pilot who would not risk a drop because of the potential of offense. The bright light of scriptural truth can hurt the eyes and wound the pride of those long in darkness. But when delivered with the love of Christ, it causes sorrow which produces repentance not to be repented of and brings ultimate joy.
We should be faithful to share the Gospel with others, seeking to save the lost. Always be sure to be led by the Holy Spirit and demonstrate the love of Christ through compassion, grace, mercy, and kindness. Unlike those pilots without specific guidance to drop sites or parachutes for their loads, God has given us a most comprehensive map in His Word to help and guide us to abide in Him. He has provided us love we are to demonstrate faithfully so others might be drawn to love God too. People will know we are Christians by our love.
07 September 2012
Making Sense of Scripture
Anyone who has read the Bible thoughtfully at times will wonder, "What does that mean?" I must admit, when I was younger I would plow through chapters without even thinking! But times of quality, prayerful reading trumps quantity every time. We should open the word with a humble heart seeking to learn from God. It is good for us to read again and consider even well-trod passages, for within them many priceless gems are hidden. Sometimes our questions generated from a text are clearly answered later in the text if we would only keep reading. Last night was one of those times, when reading a little further clarified with precision what Jesus meant.
As I read John 15, I came to verse 9: "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." I stopped there and asked my family, "What does Jesus mean that we are to "abide" in His love? How do we do that?" Blank looks from my sons made it evident they had no idea what I was talking about. This should be expected: who uses the word "abide" in common conversation anymore? After I explained that abiding means to remain, continue, or stay, I asked "How can we abide in Christ's love?" Again, no answer was promptly given. I continued in verse 10: "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." We abide in God's love by keeping Christ's commands. When we kept reading we learned the result of obedience and what command Jesus is talking about: John 15:11-12 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Jesus loves us, and Christians ought to abide in His love. We abide in His love by keeping His commandments. His commandment is that we love one another as He has loved us! So we abide in Christ's love when we love one another. Had we stopped reading at verse 9, the abstract language Jesus uses could have kept us in doubt as to what He specifically meant. But when we continued to read, the logical progression makes perfect sense. This was a good illustration to our family that when we are stumped by a scripture, we should pause and pull it apart into bite-sized pieces. No one would think to shove a 72oz. steak into their mouth without first cutting it up into manageable pieces, and it would be presumptuous to think we can understand in one quick read everything contained in a single statement made by Christ. When we read in context, reading many verses on each side of a verse we don't comprehend, often the Bible will explain itself. This is especially true when reading parables told by Jesus. If you're not sure what He means, keep reading!
Reading the Bible is not merely an intellectual or literary exercise. We need the aid of the Holy Spirit to comprehend and properly apply the truths of scripture. Anyone can buy a pallete, oil paints, brushes, and a canvas, but that does not mean he can paint! Owning a Bible does not mean that you can make any sense out of it without divine aid! When Phillip overtook the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading in Isaiah, Phillip asked him if he understood what he read. He wisely replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" The Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father to guide us into all truth. We need to be born again and ask God to do for us what Jesus did for the disciples who were spiritually blind in Luke 24:45: "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." Even as Christ opened the eyes of the physically blind, He can open the eyes and ears of our heart to receive His Word in truth if we humbly ask Him. God has given us His Word, not so He might cleverly shroud Himself from plain view, but so we might intimately know Him. As the old song says, "Open our eyes, LORD. We want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him." This is God's will for all people!
As I read John 15, I came to verse 9: "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." I stopped there and asked my family, "What does Jesus mean that we are to "abide" in His love? How do we do that?" Blank looks from my sons made it evident they had no idea what I was talking about. This should be expected: who uses the word "abide" in common conversation anymore? After I explained that abiding means to remain, continue, or stay, I asked "How can we abide in Christ's love?" Again, no answer was promptly given. I continued in verse 10: "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." We abide in God's love by keeping Christ's commands. When we kept reading we learned the result of obedience and what command Jesus is talking about: John 15:11-12 says, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
Jesus loves us, and Christians ought to abide in His love. We abide in His love by keeping His commandments. His commandment is that we love one another as He has loved us! So we abide in Christ's love when we love one another. Had we stopped reading at verse 9, the abstract language Jesus uses could have kept us in doubt as to what He specifically meant. But when we continued to read, the logical progression makes perfect sense. This was a good illustration to our family that when we are stumped by a scripture, we should pause and pull it apart into bite-sized pieces. No one would think to shove a 72oz. steak into their mouth without first cutting it up into manageable pieces, and it would be presumptuous to think we can understand in one quick read everything contained in a single statement made by Christ. When we read in context, reading many verses on each side of a verse we don't comprehend, often the Bible will explain itself. This is especially true when reading parables told by Jesus. If you're not sure what He means, keep reading!
Reading the Bible is not merely an intellectual or literary exercise. We need the aid of the Holy Spirit to comprehend and properly apply the truths of scripture. Anyone can buy a pallete, oil paints, brushes, and a canvas, but that does not mean he can paint! Owning a Bible does not mean that you can make any sense out of it without divine aid! When Phillip overtook the Ethiopian eunuch who was reading in Isaiah, Phillip asked him if he understood what he read. He wisely replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" The Holy Spirit has been sent by the Father to guide us into all truth. We need to be born again and ask God to do for us what Jesus did for the disciples who were spiritually blind in Luke 24:45: "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures." Even as Christ opened the eyes of the physically blind, He can open the eyes and ears of our heart to receive His Word in truth if we humbly ask Him. God has given us His Word, not so He might cleverly shroud Himself from plain view, but so we might intimately know Him. As the old song says, "Open our eyes, LORD. We want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him." This is God's will for all people!
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