Concerning Questions

The good deeds of some men are plainly seen and other good works follow later.  May God see fit to greatly use the godly influence of His followers during their pilgrimage and beyond.  By virtue of age a book is not necessarily better, yet I appreciate when I read words written hundreds of years ago which are perfectly relevant to me and others today.  Time has changed but man remains the same, for man's nature and thirst for knowledge goes back to the beginning.  This drive to discover has many good points, but there can be a sinister side as well.  When it comes to searching out spiritual truth, much time and effort can be wasted straining gnats while swallowing camels.  The theoretical can be more attractive than the practical.  In a quest to search out obscure truths God in His wisdom has hidden, we can ignore the personal implications of what God has plainly said.  We all have to know what is in the locked chest, whether it is intended for our possession or not.

Consider what Henry Smith, the 16th century "silver-tongued preacher" had to say on this subject:

"It is not necessary to know that which God hath not revealed; and the well of God's secrets is so deep that no bucket of man can sound it; therefore we must row in shallow waters, because our boats are light, and small, and soon overturned...Let men desire knowledge of God as Solomon did; but not desire knowledge as Eve did.  For these aspiring wits fall again like Babel, and run into doubts, while they seek for resolutions...Curious questions and vain speculations are like a plume of feathers, which some will give anything for, and some will give nothing for.  Paul rebuked them which troubled their heads about genealogies; how would he reprove men and women of our days, if he did see how they busy their heads about vain questions, tracing upon the pinnacles, where they may fall, while they might walk upon the pavement without danger!  Some have a great deal more desire to learn where hell is, than to know any way how they may escape it; to hear what God did purpose before the world began, rather than to learn what he will do when the world is ended; to understand whether they shall know one another in heaven, than to know whether they belong to heaven.  This rock hath made many shipwrecks, that men search mysteries before they know principles; like the Bethshemites, which were not content to see the ark, but they must pry into it, and finger it.  Commonly the simplest men busy their heads about the highest matters; so that if they meet with a rough and crabbed question like a knob in the tree, and while they hack and hew at it with their own wits to make it plain, their saw sticks fast in the cleft, and cannot get out again; at last in wrath they become like malcontents with God, as though the Scripture were not perfect, and either fall into despair, or into contempt of all.  Therefore it is good to leave off learning where God hath left off teaching; for they which have an ear where God hath no tongue, hearken not unto God, but to the tempter, as Eve did to the serpent." (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's works as published in his monthly magazine The sword and the trowel. Vol. 1. Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. Print. pages 202-203)

God be praised, for even when we ask the wrong questions God graciously answers with Himself.  God's aim is not to keep men ignorant, for Jesus is wisdom for us.  How can we know if the questions which puzzle us are "vain speculations" which have no practical use?  I answer with another question:  do you so value God's revelation of Himself and His commands that you labour to walk according to them?  When we put into practice what we already know, God will reveal Himself to you in ways you cannot imagine now.  He will open your eyes and transform your heart.  The first time when God revealed Himself to Moses in a burning bush Moses averted his eyes because he was afraid to look at God (Ex. 3:6).  After obeying God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, when Moses communed with God face to face as a man speaks to a friend he asked, "Please, show me your glory." (Ex. 33:18)  Moses was satisfied, even though God withheld him from seeing all.

Are you willing to accept there is much about God and the Bible we will never understand?  Some content themselves with saying, "We'll never know this side of heaven," inferring that in our glorified, eternal state all our questions will be answered.  I believe many burning questions we have today will not be remembered or be relevant in heaven and therefore not asked.  God will answer many honest questions we ask Him, and others are sealed up for another time.  Let us be content in knowing God, for He is the answer we truly seek.    

Stand in Awe

"Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. ⁹  For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast."

Psalm 33:8-9

How good it is to stand in awe of God!  When God says something, it is done.  We are talking about the God who spoke the earth and universe into existence, who imagined life and created it in all its varied forms.  He spoke, and it was done.

There was a centurion who came to Jesus in Capernaum to ask Him to heal his beloved servant.  Jesus agreed immediately, and said He would be glad to go heal him.  The centurion then said something which caused Jesus to marvel in Matthew 8:8:  "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed."  This man perceived the incredible authority Jesus possessed, and with the power of His words alone - like when God said "Let there be light!" and there was light - Jesus could heal his servant.  According to the faith of the man it was done, and that very hour the servant was healed by Jesus.

Do you believe Jesus can just "say the word" and it will be done?  Our trouble comes when we think Jesus ought to speak what we desire this very hour and doubt His authority and power if He does not.  We must remember that our lives are in God's hands, and He will do with us as He sees fit.  God is utterly trustworthy, and we should stand in awe of Him.  As our King He has all authority over us, and as our Father He loves us with an everlasting love.  Let us be obedient to His voice, even as the water separated from the dry land at His word alone.  There was no debate, no discussion, no explanation:  only words coming forth from God.

We want God to speak a word on our behalf, but will we stand to obedience at His word?  Do we regard His word because He is worthy who speaks?

Goodness That Leads to Repentance

Today we sung a song in church which reminded me it is God's goodness which leads to repentance.  Paul held forth this truth in Romans 2:4:  "Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"  God's lovingkindnesses are many, and it is due to His mercy which has stayed His hand from justly destroying men for their sin instantly.  Whilst it could be truly sin we should "Repent or else!" with knowledge of God's judgment, God does not threaten us with pain or torment should we refuse His righteous demands.  It is not the fear of God's wrath but the kindness and goodness of God which moves us to repent.

For many Christians, it may have been fear of death and hell which caused us to trust in Jesus - more than the goodness and kindness of God toward us.  Like Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison conveyed in the book Cat & Dog Theology, our posture towards God is important.  There are people who came to God because they were backing wide-eyed away from the abyss of hell, and those who have turned towards God because He is a glorious God and a worthy Saviour.  It is a awesome day when we learn to fix our eyes primarily upon Jesus rather than turn to Him as a last resort.  If we are in the habit of backing away from troubles and not looking where we are going, we will ultimately trip over and have no sense of direction.  It is the love and trust of Jesus - not the fear of hell - which should move us to repentance and do what is right.

Even faithful dogs can have curious moments, like when they wander out of the back yard.  Concerned for the safety of the animal, a caring owner will pursue their pet.  Many times I have witnessed dogs who know full well their owners who are trying to coax them to return to the yard, but the dog is more interested in sniffing everything in sight, happy to stay just out of reach.  God is like a loving Shepherd who pursues His sheep, not threatening us with hell to make us return.  It is His kindness and patient pursuit which leads to our repentance, and He is kind and gracious even when we have been stubborn and foolish.  If we are more moved by the fear of punishment than the love of God for us, it seems we need a change of perspective which aligns with Romans 2:4!

We have been greatly enriched by God's goodness, forbearance, and patience which suffers long.  Let us be patient with others as He has been patient with us.  May we also do good in God's sight, realising and walking in kindness and mercy God has freely bestowed upon us.  God, forgive me when I have repented to save my own skin and thought little of your goodness and grace!

Think On These Things

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Psalm 46:1

The Bible provides great insight and objective truth to all who believe.  Memorisation of scripture is good, but to understand and personally apply scripture is better still.  When I was a kid I went to Awana, a youth group which placed a high priority on scripture memorisation.  Admittedly I learned to repeat verbatim many scriptures I did not understand and could not explain.  If we will emphasise the importance and value of memorisation, let us not miss the crucial steps of understanding and obedience to the scripture.  At the end of Lesson 2 in the Self-Confrontation Manual developed by John C. Broger, after suggesting several plans to memorise scripture and to recite them to others it reads, "When you recite your verses to this person, also explain what the verse(s) mean and how they are to be applied to your life."  To this I say, amen!

The meaning of a verse of scripture has the depth and breadth of an ocean of God's wisdom, and most of the time we are content to splash around in the shallows.  We may understand what the verse says and means, even in context, yet there is more.  How good it is when we stop and think about each word or phrase carefully.  God has much for us to glean in the 12 words of Psalm 46:1.  Just for fun (because it truly is for a hungry soul!) let's break this verse down into parts to consider fully the truth presented here.

• "God is..." Here is objective, unchanging truth.  God not only is, but has always been and will always be.  His gracious love, infinite strength, wisdom, provision, protection and salvation are available to all who repent and seek Him in faith.
• "our..."  God has united all who fear Him, having accepted us in the beloved through faith in Jesus Christ.  We have continual access to our heavenly Father who has chosen and called us to trust Him.  He will never leave or forsake those redeemed with the blood of Christ.  We are never alone!
• "refuge and strength..." Just like we run to the shelter of our homes in a massive storm, Christians find refuge in God who protects and keeps us.  Unlike a house which can be flooded, burnt down, or rendered unsuitable for living because of a destroyed foundation, our God has all strength.  The foundation we have in Christ will endure forever.
• "a very present help..." Emergency services have standard response times, but the help God can provide is immediate.  God is more than nearby or "on-call" but He is very present - in fact, the Holy Spirit lives inside of born-again Christians and can help us and others simultaneously according to every need.  God knows what help we need and how to provide it for our good and His glory.
• "in trouble." If we have car trouble we go to a mechanic; when our bodies are ill we go to a doctor.  Whilst we require specialists for our troubles, God is able to be a very present help in any kind of trouble.  Our troubles do not trouble God.  He invites us to be casting our cares upon Him at all times because He cares for us.

Now wasn't that fun?  What verses have you memorised?  Have you applied the eternal truth of them to your situation?  Take time to think them over and how you might apply them to your own life.  Expect God to expand your understanding of what you think you know when you obey what He has said.  We haven't hardly scratched the surface of fully appreciating the wisdom of Psalm 46:1, and God delights to teach and reveal Himself to all who humbly seek Him in faith.  God has much to say to us when we will listen and obey!