Selective Hearing (and Believing!)

When the children of Israel reached the border of the land God promised to give them, they sent 12 men into the land for 40 days as spies.  They brought back fruit from the land a report that the region truly flowed with milk and honey as God had said.  But 10 of the spies brought back a damning report and asserted they were unable to enter the land because of the inhabitants.  They said in Numbers 13:28-29, "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. ²⁹ The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan."  Though God brought the children out of Egypt and through the Red Sea with signs, wonders, and a mighty hand, they faltered at the sight of those who dwelt in the land God promised.

It seems the spies and people who mourned the bad report assumed the land would be gifted to them without needing to exercise a degree of faith in God!  Their hysterical grief and refusal to trust God after being "tricked" to leave Egypt "because there weren't enough graves there for them" suggests they did not listen to the promise God had given them.  Notice the repetition of God's word to Moses, and how He mentioned again and again the many inhabitants of the land He would give them:

• Exodus 3:8:  "So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites."
• Exodus 3:17:  "...and I have said I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, to a land flowing with milk and honey."
• Later after instituting the Passover, God said in Exodus 13:5, "And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month."

Overall the Israelites were pleased to be free from bondage in Egypt, but they faltered when they discovered there were strong fortifications and mighty people in the land.  They had joyfully travelled to the promised land thinking of milk, honey, and fruit but forgot what God had promised:  there were many people in the land and the almighty God swore to bring them in.  This selective hearing and believing bears a resemblance to us at times, doesn't it?  We might come to Jesus desiring peace and rest, and when there is tribulation and trials we wonder how such things could befall a child of God!  Jesus promised in this world we will have tribulation but to be of good cheer because He has overcome.  Peter later wrote to Christians 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."

God does not trick us with disclaimers and caveats in fine print, but He will allow circumstances to unfold which test our faith in ways we did not expect.  The problem begins for us when we do not heed God's Word and when we refuse to trust Him, looking to ourselves rather than Him.  Our flesh rebels against a life of faith, justifying we are right to mourn because of the giants in the land:  we didn't sign up for this!  But Caleb and Joshua maintained the correct and godly perspective, that their enemies would be as bread easily consumed.  Have you ever been intimidated by a loaf of bread?  I haven't.  Sliced bread makes a great sandwich and when it grows mould it is easily chucked in the bin.  In Sydney we have to take special precautions with our bread because of the heat and humidity and without special care will go mouldy in days!

Let's be those who trust God and heed His Word.  When our expectations are dashed because of our selective hearing or believing, let's choose to look to God who is greater than any giant, can level any stronghold, and will keep His promises without fail.

Kept Night and Day

"In that day sing to her, "A vineyard of red wine! ³ I, the LORD, keep it, I water it every moment; lest any hurt it, I keep it night and day."

Isaiah 27:2-3

Many times in the Old Testament the nation Israel is compared to a vineyard.  The day spoken of here is after Jesus defeats Satan and establishes His throne over all.  God chose Israel as His inheritance, and His eyes are always upon His people for good.  He caused the nation of Israel to flourish, and even now offers Living Water to all who come to Him and drink.

When a vineyard was planted, the wine dresser took many steps to ensure it was fenced, guarded, irrigated, and carefully pruned to be more fruitful.  There are many varieties of grapes which produce wine, and in this passage Israel is compared to a vineyard which would produce red wine.  Night and day God remains vigilant to protect and provide for the needs of His people.  Under the New Covenant ushered in through the shed blood of Jesus, He has purchased other sheep (Gentiles) who are adopted into the family of God by the Gospel of grace.  But His eyes are on Israel still, and will not disinherit them.

As I read this text this morning, it reminded me of Naboth who treasured his own inheritance provided by God, land passed down through generations.  King Ahab desired the vineyard of Naboth because it was close to his residence and wanted it for a garden of herbs.  He offered a better vineyard in return or the agreed cash value.  Naboth's response could not have been more clear in 1 Kings 21:3:  "But Naboth said to Ahab, "The LORD forbid that I should give the inheritance of my fathers to you!"  Naboth refused to sell the inheritance he treasured, and God will not part with Israel His vineyard either.

King Ahab ended up with the vineyard through his wicked and crafty wife Jezebel.  She organised false witnesses to claim Naboth blasphemed against God and the king - interestingly the same false accusations levelled against Jesus!  Naboth was stoned for his vineyard, and Jesus was crucified for the sins of the world.  After the death of Naboth the prophet Elijah was sent by God to prophesy against Ahab as he took possession of the vineyard - and Jezebel too.  God has prophesied death and destruction upon Satan for his crimes:  the anti-Christ and Satan that old serpent will one day be utterly destroyed for their wickedness.

How good God is to His people, to willingly die so we might live!  The LORD keeps His vineyard, and He keeps followers of Jesus night and day.  By faith we are grafted into the Vine who is Jesus.  1 Peter 1:3-5 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."  Our hope is a living hope in Christ and we are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation.  Night and day we are safe in His hands for all who are in Christ are His chosen inheritance.

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."