This morning I have turned back to some verses that our Pastor spoke out of this past Sunday, out of Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth. I think that maybe this summarizes as we ll as anything I have read the call of an apostle. Here are the verses - 2 Corinthians 5:12-21 NIV:
[12] "We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. [13] If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. [14] For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
[16] "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. [17] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! [18] All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: [19] that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. [20] We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. [21] God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
Paul is writing, in this section, to a church for which he has great affection, and one that has swooning after other teaching and teachers who are less favorable towards Paul. Many times in his letters he has had to defend himself, or explain himself, especially as it pertains to the Gospel of Grace, of which Paul was the primary defender.
I like that Paul speaks about those who take pride in what is seen rather than what is in the heart. This seems to me to be the very core of judgmentalism and a critical spirit, which is so common in religion. The Lord moves and speaks to peoples hearts, and although we have no knowledge of what God is doing, we tend to judge based solely on what we observe. We tend to judge those that are lowly, those that are humble, those that are poor as if they have been or are being judged by God. Yet - if we look at the very words of Jesus, it is apparent God takes the exact opposite view - Matthew 5:3-5 NIV:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
Another saying of Jesus popped into my mind - having to do with the focus on lost sheep. Here are the passages - Luke 15:1-4 NIV:
[1] "Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. [2] But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
[3] "Then Jesus told them this parable: [4] “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"
My thinking is that from a worldly perspective of ministry, those individuals called to go after the lost sheep, leaving the "flock" to go and seek the lost, would be viewed as inconsequential, or maybe less than the ones who have the large flocks, and stay focused on them. I know I am stretching the context a bit here, but Jesus was defending the heart of the Father for the lost, against those who felt that His focus should be on them, the righteous.
Paul is saying something similar, in that He seems "out of his mind" in following the directions of the Lord. He could have settled down and effectively rested on the laurels of many of the successful churches he birthed, yet he was always pressing forward to reach and reconcile the lost. Paul's motivation was the love of Christ, which compelled him ever forward.
Paul then speaks of throwing of a "worldly" perspective, and taking up a view that all is new in Christ, literally a new creation! This is such a radical difference in perspective than many preach even today. If in the receipt of salvation in Christ, we become a new creation, how then could we ever go back to being the old or previous creation? How can that which is newly created, erase itself, and go back to the way it was before? No!
Paul then jumps forward to the whole purpose of the Gospel, to bring reconciliation between man and God. The purpose of the purpose of the ministry of Jesus was to make a way for all men to be restored to right relationship with God (reconciliation). He was sent to destroy the works of the evil one (1 John 3:8) and the primary work he did was cause man to be separated from God. Jesus is about restoring that which was lost, and this is the work of reconciliation that has been given to us!
Paul's last line quoted above is the heart of the message of reconciliation. Jesus willingly took upon Himself our sin, becoming sis, that He might exchange our sin for His righteousness. The Greek word for reconciliation is katallage and it is defined as follows:
1) exchange
a) of the business of money changers, exchanging equivalent values
2) adjustment of a difference, reconciliation, restoration to favour
a) in the NT of the restoration of the favour of God to sinners that repent and put their trust in the expiatory death of Christ
In other words, it is making accounts right, exchanging something of equivalent value, to restore right balance, or right relationship. Jesus in willingly laying down His life (John 10:18) so that He might restore right relationship, trading His righteousness for all the sin in the world, that we might be restored to the Father, as His sons and daughters!
Oh, to see just one lost sheep restored to right relationship! Oh, to see the whole world, every son and every daughter, restored to the Father who loves them, who gave everything for them! Oh, to be compelled by the Love of Christ for the lost! Oh, to let our hearts beat as His, looking to the heart rather than outwardly as the world does. Oh, to have this understanding of the value of each and every son and daughter!
Amen!
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Jesus Came to Save NOT Judge
This morning I am continuing my reading out of John's Gospel, turning back a few chapters from where I have been recently. I was once again struck by the straight-forward language Jesus uses here - John 12:44-50 NIV:
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
There is much to reflect upon here, and I will start with the first two sentences - where Jesus speaks about His representation of the Father. If we have seen Jesus, if we meditate on His words and actions, we will see and understand the Father. Believing Jesus, is the same as believing the Father, because Jesus is saying exactly what the Father told Him, and doing everything as the Father directed. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, captured this in their opening statement calling Jesus the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3), and we would do well to take notice and let our heart receive this significant truth. The Father is just like Jesus, or Jesus is just like the Father. Let our hearts resonate with this truth!
Furthermore, Jesus didn't come to judge, but rather He came to save the world! (verse 47 above) So often God is portrayed as wanting to judge, waiting to judge, bringing judgment on the earth, etc., and yet here is Jesus saying the exact opposite. This is one of those verses that we need to make a bed-rock of our theology and practice. If Jesus didn't come to judge, then who do we think we are setting ourselves up as judges of those who are lost, those who have different opinions, those living under deception, those who have been wounded?
Jesus came to save the world, and He did just that! He laid His life down, to pay the price for our sin, that we wouldn't have to be judged. When God looked down on the earth and saw our condition, He chose to save us rather than judge us. This is the perfect revelation of the Father, spoken from the mouth of the Son, anything else is a wrong understanding, or partial revelation.
I can't imagine the impact these words would have had on the Jews who lived under the law, with its rules an judgments. It must have been freeing and at the same time disconcerting to have to change their understanding of God. We find that many just couldn't adjust or adopt what Jesus was saying, and instead embrace a salvation with the addition of the Law. Paul spent quite a bit of time, trying to correct this wrong perspective, devoting much of his letter to the Galatians to this topic. He penned the the following statement - Galatians 5:1 NIV: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (speaking of the requirements of the Law)." Peter and James both wrote about this freedom in Christ, and it was a clear message.
All wrote that there were dangers in this freedom, for there were those that completely misunderstood the purpose. The purpose of Jesus was to open the way once again to relationship with the Father, which exactly what He accomplished. He pointed to the Father constantly, was directed by the Father, and spoke what the Father asked Him to speak. He was urging all to embrace relationship with the Father, rather than rules, which don't require relationship. He wanted to establish us as sons and daughters, not slaves and servants.
Finally, looking at verse 50, Jesus says, "I know that His (Father's) Command leads to eternal life." When we read this our modern mindset tilts a bit, because we don't associate commands with relationships. We think that commands are rules (10 Commandments) and we don't see this as a relational statement (at least that is how it works in my mind). The original Greek word that is translated command is the word "entole" and it is defined as follows:
1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
Now if I read this from a law and judgment perspective, it sounds like it is affirming that approach. However, if we read this with an understanding that the Father doesn't want to judge, but rather save us, then maybe it can be understood differently. I like the a) part of the definition, because I can understand that from the perspective of my doctor. She is a great doctor who only wants to help me. She will sometimes give me a prescription to take, to help me with a certain condition or situation. The prescription is up to me to take, she doesn't force me! The choice is mine to make whether I take the prescription or not. There are natural consequences to my choice, but her motivation is simply trying to help me. If we change the word from command to prescription in verses 50, it certainly takes on a different coloring. Add to that change of wording, the knowledge that the Father loves us and wants to extend eternal life to us, has made the way, and is now guiding us towards that path, and we can see the heart of the Father, and it is to invite us into relationship that leads us to eternal life!
Thank You Lord for Your revelation! Thank You for revealing the heart of the Father! Thank You for inviting us into relationship, that we might have eternal life! Thank You for saving us! Thank You for setting us free from the Law, that we might experience freedom! Thank You for not judging me in my human weakness and sin, but rather extending to me salvation and mercy!
Amen!
[44] "Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. [45] The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. [46] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness."
[47] “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. [48] There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”
There is much to reflect upon here, and I will start with the first two sentences - where Jesus speaks about His representation of the Father. If we have seen Jesus, if we meditate on His words and actions, we will see and understand the Father. Believing Jesus, is the same as believing the Father, because Jesus is saying exactly what the Father told Him, and doing everything as the Father directed. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, captured this in their opening statement calling Jesus the exact representation of the Father (Heb 1:3), and we would do well to take notice and let our heart receive this significant truth. The Father is just like Jesus, or Jesus is just like the Father. Let our hearts resonate with this truth!
Furthermore, Jesus didn't come to judge, but rather He came to save the world! (verse 47 above) So often God is portrayed as wanting to judge, waiting to judge, bringing judgment on the earth, etc., and yet here is Jesus saying the exact opposite. This is one of those verses that we need to make a bed-rock of our theology and practice. If Jesus didn't come to judge, then who do we think we are setting ourselves up as judges of those who are lost, those who have different opinions, those living under deception, those who have been wounded?
Jesus came to save the world, and He did just that! He laid His life down, to pay the price for our sin, that we wouldn't have to be judged. When God looked down on the earth and saw our condition, He chose to save us rather than judge us. This is the perfect revelation of the Father, spoken from the mouth of the Son, anything else is a wrong understanding, or partial revelation.
I can't imagine the impact these words would have had on the Jews who lived under the law, with its rules an judgments. It must have been freeing and at the same time disconcerting to have to change their understanding of God. We find that many just couldn't adjust or adopt what Jesus was saying, and instead embrace a salvation with the addition of the Law. Paul spent quite a bit of time, trying to correct this wrong perspective, devoting much of his letter to the Galatians to this topic. He penned the the following statement - Galatians 5:1 NIV: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (speaking of the requirements of the Law)." Peter and James both wrote about this freedom in Christ, and it was a clear message.
All wrote that there were dangers in this freedom, for there were those that completely misunderstood the purpose. The purpose of Jesus was to open the way once again to relationship with the Father, which exactly what He accomplished. He pointed to the Father constantly, was directed by the Father, and spoke what the Father asked Him to speak. He was urging all to embrace relationship with the Father, rather than rules, which don't require relationship. He wanted to establish us as sons and daughters, not slaves and servants.
Finally, looking at verse 50, Jesus says, "I know that His (Father's) Command leads to eternal life." When we read this our modern mindset tilts a bit, because we don't associate commands with relationships. We think that commands are rules (10 Commandments) and we don't see this as a relational statement (at least that is how it works in my mind). The original Greek word that is translated command is the word "entole" and it is defined as follows:
1) an order, command, charge, precept, injunction
a) that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office
Now if I read this from a law and judgment perspective, it sounds like it is affirming that approach. However, if we read this with an understanding that the Father doesn't want to judge, but rather save us, then maybe it can be understood differently. I like the a) part of the definition, because I can understand that from the perspective of my doctor. She is a great doctor who only wants to help me. She will sometimes give me a prescription to take, to help me with a certain condition or situation. The prescription is up to me to take, she doesn't force me! The choice is mine to make whether I take the prescription or not. There are natural consequences to my choice, but her motivation is simply trying to help me. If we change the word from command to prescription in verses 50, it certainly takes on a different coloring. Add to that change of wording, the knowledge that the Father loves us and wants to extend eternal life to us, has made the way, and is now guiding us towards that path, and we can see the heart of the Father, and it is to invite us into relationship that leads us to eternal life!
Thank You Lord for Your revelation! Thank You for revealing the heart of the Father! Thank You for inviting us into relationship, that we might have eternal life! Thank You for saving us! Thank You for setting us free from the Law, that we might experience freedom! Thank You for not judging me in my human weakness and sin, but rather extending to me salvation and mercy!
Amen!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
The Two Becoming One - A New Creation
I woke up at about 430am this morning thinking about how the mystery of marriage, the two becoming one flesh (Gen 2:24) is very similar to us becoming hidden in Christ through our salvation, and Christ's taking our form as a human. This certainly isn't a normal topic of thought, in fact I can safely say, that particular thought had never crossed my mind before. I can only assume this is an invitation from the Lord to dive deeper into His mind and heart concerning these mysteries.
First, I guess I should lay out some assumptions that I have concerning these:
1) These are God's perspectives, opened to us through scripture.
2) No matter how much thinking I do on them, I can't possibly capture the fullness of truth that exists in Him.
3) God is constantly at work drawing us deeper in relationship with Him, and this includes how we are thinking about Him.
4) Deeper revelation is meant to draw us deeper in faith and open up new areas of thought and action (basically opportunities for repentance).
Starting at the beginning in Genesis, two things are clear. God created everything. He made man and woman in His image and created them for relationship with Him. Since we are created in God's image, we have in us some of God's nature. We often find that when God is bringing revelation, that He sets out the foundational truths the first time something is mentioned in scripture. He then builds on those foundational truths over time, and through following revelations. This is called progressive revelation, and it is important to note that is in play here.
In the creation story where God takes a rib from man and builds a woman out of that, we see some foundational truths, namely that every person since that point of creation, is made up of parts of others. We didn't know until much later that we are made up of two sets of chromosomes, and the DNA from both of our parents. We could see this truth reflected in the faces and characteristics of children who looked like one or both of their parents, sharing similar body characteristics. It was only much later that we could tell exactly what parts we received from our parents. So, in a very real sense, every child born is one "flesh" made out of two. While that is an understandable reality, we still have the mystery of the the two becoming one in God's eyes. I don't really know how to dive deeper into that but maybe some day I will understand more.
Back to the idea I woke up to, the thing that grabbed my attention was the idea that in some way I am now part of Jesus, and it is related to two becoming one. Paul writes that we are hidden in Him. He expresses this a few times but most clearly states it in Colossians 3:1-3 NIV:
[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Paul is writing about what happens to use when we experience salvation - Colossians 2:6-7 NIV:
[6] "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
When we receive Him as our Lord, (Salvation) we enter into Christ's life in some manner, and now from the Father's perspective we are hidden in Christ Jesus. Our lives are joined to His, a sort of two becoming one. Wow! I hadn't really ever thought of it that way before. In the same way that physically we are creations, the result of joining parts of two humans, we now experience something like that spiritually, and become "new creations".
Paul writes about this new creation twice, first in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Secondly, in Galatians 6:15 NIV: "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation." Paul's point in both of these is that we need to recognize that we are new creations, and act as if we are new creations!
In the same way that two become one in marriage, living their lives differently, uniting their lives to a common purpose, a combining of hopefully the best in both, we are called to become a new creation in Christ. Our lives are hidden in Him, we are seen as part of the literal Body of Christ. We have a deeper Spiritual reality to embrace which is meant to change us. We should have in us, and it should be visible outwardly, some of the characteristics of Christ.
Jesus spoke multiple times of God living in us, making His home in us, joining His life to ours (John 14: 17; 14:20; 17:23). He left so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell us (John 16:7). We are meant to recognize this spiritual reality, and it is meant to bear fruit in our outward lives. I guess we could think of our actions (which are visible to others) as being part of the two becoming one of this new creation! (Wow - had to stop and think about that for a while).
This spiritual reality (new creation) is not meant to be some forced or coerced following of rules, obeying the commands against our will, but rather the result of loving embrace and relationship, on behalf of both parties! The Father created us for relationship with Him! He has made a way in Christ Jesus, and now we can combine our lives to Him, and live in the fullness of the purpose we were created to experience and fulfill. It is our choice and it God's desire!
Finally, if we are a new creation, then we have in us parts of each! We have birthed into us from God, abilities, gifts, characteristics, and inheritance. We are actually His sons and daughters! Our spiritual DNA has changed! When the Father looks at us, He can see the DNA of Jesus running through us, changing us, and developing in us some of His character!
Amen Lord! Help me to embrace this new creation, this spiritual reality!
First, I guess I should lay out some assumptions that I have concerning these:
1) These are God's perspectives, opened to us through scripture.
2) No matter how much thinking I do on them, I can't possibly capture the fullness of truth that exists in Him.
3) God is constantly at work drawing us deeper in relationship with Him, and this includes how we are thinking about Him.
4) Deeper revelation is meant to draw us deeper in faith and open up new areas of thought and action (basically opportunities for repentance).
Starting at the beginning in Genesis, two things are clear. God created everything. He made man and woman in His image and created them for relationship with Him. Since we are created in God's image, we have in us some of God's nature. We often find that when God is bringing revelation, that He sets out the foundational truths the first time something is mentioned in scripture. He then builds on those foundational truths over time, and through following revelations. This is called progressive revelation, and it is important to note that is in play here.
In the creation story where God takes a rib from man and builds a woman out of that, we see some foundational truths, namely that every person since that point of creation, is made up of parts of others. We didn't know until much later that we are made up of two sets of chromosomes, and the DNA from both of our parents. We could see this truth reflected in the faces and characteristics of children who looked like one or both of their parents, sharing similar body characteristics. It was only much later that we could tell exactly what parts we received from our parents. So, in a very real sense, every child born is one "flesh" made out of two. While that is an understandable reality, we still have the mystery of the the two becoming one in God's eyes. I don't really know how to dive deeper into that but maybe some day I will understand more.
Back to the idea I woke up to, the thing that grabbed my attention was the idea that in some way I am now part of Jesus, and it is related to two becoming one. Paul writes that we are hidden in Him. He expresses this a few times but most clearly states it in Colossians 3:1-3 NIV:
[1] "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."
Paul is writing about what happens to use when we experience salvation - Colossians 2:6-7 NIV:
[6] "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, [7] rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
When we receive Him as our Lord, (Salvation) we enter into Christ's life in some manner, and now from the Father's perspective we are hidden in Christ Jesus. Our lives are joined to His, a sort of two becoming one. Wow! I hadn't really ever thought of it that way before. In the same way that physically we are creations, the result of joining parts of two humans, we now experience something like that spiritually, and become "new creations".
Paul writes about this new creation twice, first in 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" Secondly, in Galatians 6:15 NIV: "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation." Paul's point in both of these is that we need to recognize that we are new creations, and act as if we are new creations!
In the same way that two become one in marriage, living their lives differently, uniting their lives to a common purpose, a combining of hopefully the best in both, we are called to become a new creation in Christ. Our lives are hidden in Him, we are seen as part of the literal Body of Christ. We have a deeper Spiritual reality to embrace which is meant to change us. We should have in us, and it should be visible outwardly, some of the characteristics of Christ.
Jesus spoke multiple times of God living in us, making His home in us, joining His life to ours (John 14: 17; 14:20; 17:23). He left so that the Holy Spirit could come and indwell us (John 16:7). We are meant to recognize this spiritual reality, and it is meant to bear fruit in our outward lives. I guess we could think of our actions (which are visible to others) as being part of the two becoming one of this new creation! (Wow - had to stop and think about that for a while).
This spiritual reality (new creation) is not meant to be some forced or coerced following of rules, obeying the commands against our will, but rather the result of loving embrace and relationship, on behalf of both parties! The Father created us for relationship with Him! He has made a way in Christ Jesus, and now we can combine our lives to Him, and live in the fullness of the purpose we were created to experience and fulfill. It is our choice and it God's desire!
Finally, if we are a new creation, then we have in us parts of each! We have birthed into us from God, abilities, gifts, characteristics, and inheritance. We are actually His sons and daughters! Our spiritual DNA has changed! When the Father looks at us, He can see the DNA of Jesus running through us, changing us, and developing in us some of His character!
Amen Lord! Help me to embrace this new creation, this spiritual reality!
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Love Like Spring Rains, not Morning Mist
This morning I felt like I should read from the book of Hosea. This is not in my repertoire of normal readings, but an interesting book nonetheless. I felt like I should read from chapter six, and the following verses grabbed my attention, partly because I had highlighted them previously, but also because of the relational paradigm they entertain. Here are the verses - Hosea 6:3-4,6 NIV:
[3] "Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth. ”
[4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears."
[6] "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
In typical prophetic literature, there is a back and forth between warnings and promised blessings, and encouragements for the people and God's encouragement and perspective. These verses represent some of the promise of the Lord, His encouragement, and His desire for relationship.
Hosea calls this relational paradigm "Acknowledgement" as in admitting that He is God, that He is their Lord, that He has given them a way of life, and that He has asked them to follow it, and that He has promised blessing if they do. This is much more that just saying - yeah there's God over there. It involves a recognition of their special relationship with God.
Hosea then gives us God's perspective when He is looking at Ephraim and Judah, two of the tribes. He calls them out for their short-term love and likens it to morning mist or dew that disappear quickly, where as His love, as described in verse three, is faithful and waters the whole earth. What a vast difference in comparison! God's enduring love for us, His constant blessing, His refreshing visitations are meant to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. He is always looking towards us and desiring our relationship.
The Lord continues on and says something that Jesus later quoted (Matt 9:13), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings." These two acts were the core components of the rituals of the law, and God is saying quite clearly He prefers our hearts to acknowledge and follow Him. He desires relationship over ritual! He doesn't want people following a law without embracing the whole purpose of the law, which was relationship with Him.
God speaks of the short-term love of Ephraim and Judah, and that certainly rang home with me, for so often my passion for the Lord seems short-lived and passing. I can be all gung-ho in pursuit of Him, and then something comes along and I get distracted and away my mind and heart go, pursuing something else. I am grateful that He constantly is inviting me back, welcoming me back, making every day fresh with new mercies, like a morning rain!
Lord, thank You for never turning Your back on me, for always welcoming me back into Your intimate embrace! Thank You for your faithfulness in the face of my waxing and waning passions. Thank You that You desire relationship, that You have made a way for us to have relationship, and that You are always with me! Help me to return Your love, with something more than passing love that resembles morning mist.
[3] "Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises, he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth. ”
[4] “What can I do with you, Ephraim?
What can I do with you, Judah?
Your love is like the morning mist,
like the early dew that disappears."
[6] "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."
In typical prophetic literature, there is a back and forth between warnings and promised blessings, and encouragements for the people and God's encouragement and perspective. These verses represent some of the promise of the Lord, His encouragement, and His desire for relationship.
Hosea calls this relational paradigm "Acknowledgement" as in admitting that He is God, that He is their Lord, that He has given them a way of life, and that He has asked them to follow it, and that He has promised blessing if they do. This is much more that just saying - yeah there's God over there. It involves a recognition of their special relationship with God.
Hosea then gives us God's perspective when He is looking at Ephraim and Judah, two of the tribes. He calls them out for their short-term love and likens it to morning mist or dew that disappear quickly, where as His love, as described in verse three, is faithful and waters the whole earth. What a vast difference in comparison! God's enduring love for us, His constant blessing, His refreshing visitations are meant to draw us deeper into relationship with Him. He is always looking towards us and desiring our relationship.
The Lord continues on and says something that Jesus later quoted (Matt 9:13), "I desire mercy, not sacrifice, acknowledgement of God, rather than burnt offerings." These two acts were the core components of the rituals of the law, and God is saying quite clearly He prefers our hearts to acknowledge and follow Him. He desires relationship over ritual! He doesn't want people following a law without embracing the whole purpose of the law, which was relationship with Him.
God speaks of the short-term love of Ephraim and Judah, and that certainly rang home with me, for so often my passion for the Lord seems short-lived and passing. I can be all gung-ho in pursuit of Him, and then something comes along and I get distracted and away my mind and heart go, pursuing something else. I am grateful that He constantly is inviting me back, welcoming me back, making every day fresh with new mercies, like a morning rain!
Lord, thank You for never turning Your back on me, for always welcoming me back into Your intimate embrace! Thank You for your faithfulness in the face of my waxing and waning passions. Thank You that You desire relationship, that You have made a way for us to have relationship, and that You are always with me! Help me to return Your love, with something more than passing love that resembles morning mist.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
Worhsip and Gratitude in the Place of Need
Lord, as I was wading back into Your word this morning, and feeling directed back to John 11 again, and questioning Your direction, I realised that I am so focused on my own stuff, that I can't hear You speaking about other things. My need is great for direction and guidance, and provision, and it is so loud, I can't seem to get my mind on other things, please help me to lift up my eyes and see You! Help me to clear my ears of my on need, so that I an hear Your Word clearly. I want to be used by You, and right now I am tripping over myself. I know You are good, and that You will guide us and direct us. I know that You are about teaching me who I am in You. As I look at scripture and read about You, I try to follow You, but I rarely if ever imagine myself in Your shoes, doing what You are doing. If I imagine myself in these stories, its usually as an outside observer, or at best one of Your disciples, However, You said the following - John 14:11-14 NIV:
[11] "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
I find my heart conflicted this morning, because I realize that rather than asking, I have been expecting, knowing that You are good and that You have directed me down this path. Rather than being grateful and continuing to ask, I have been expecting, thinking I knew how things were supposed to go, and when they don't go that way, becoming upset, and accusatory towards You. Oh Lord, forgive me!
When I read about Martha and Mary's response when they first meet You, after their brother's death, I see varying degrees of understanding and relationship. Martha was quite straight-forward in her statement - John 11:21-23 NIV:
[21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
[23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Mary, when she approached Jesus, did so as one with a more intimate identity in Him, John 11:32-33 NIV:
[32] "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
[33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."
It is interesting that both of them said basically the same thing, but Jesus was moved deeply by Mary. I am not saying He wasn't moved by Martha, but John specifically calls out Jesus' response to Mary. I would imagine that Martha's conversation with Jesus occurred with them both standing, while we are told Mary came and fell at Jesus feet. We are also told by John, that Mary was known for this, (See John 11:2) and had wiped Jesus feet with her hair (See John 12:3 and Luke 7:38). There is something about worship in the face of great need that moves His heart.
I would even say the Lord's desire for us is to embrace gratitude even in the face of great need. A grateful heart recognizes that all we have, even the ability to approach Him is due to His Grace, His gift, His movement towards us! He Loved us first. He has us in His heart, called us forth as part of His creation, knit us together in our Mother's womb (Ps 139:13) and has been with us everyday of our lives. He is the source of all life, truth and love! All good things come from Him (James 1:17)! He paid for our sins, and took our punishment upon himself (Is 53:4-6). In light of these truths, our heart should be moved in gratitude, even if we never receive another gift or blessing from Him!
Going back to John 11, where I started this reflection, Jesus knew the Father's heart from the very start, and knew that Lazarus would not end up dead, but alive. John, looking back on this event, calls to mind that which Jesus said upon hearing Lazarus was sick and dying - John 11:4 NIV: "When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.”
In looking back, knowing that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead by His prayers to the Father, we can read those lines with an assurance, and faith. I know for sure that Martha and Mary didn't have that opportunity, and they went through the valley of death, suffering the loss of their beloved brother. Yet, into that situation, God moved, He showed Himself great and powerful, commanding even death and nature, in the resurrection and restoration of Lazarus to life. We can be assured that the Lord is just as much in love with us, as He was with Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and that He is intimately aware of our needs.
So this morning, in the midst of my own struggles, questions, and need, I am desirous to worship the Lord for His goodness! I am reminded of all the good things with which He has filled my life! I am reminded of His nearness, His love, His compassion and His mercy! I am happy to come and worship at His feet!
[11] "Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. [12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
I find my heart conflicted this morning, because I realize that rather than asking, I have been expecting, knowing that You are good and that You have directed me down this path. Rather than being grateful and continuing to ask, I have been expecting, thinking I knew how things were supposed to go, and when they don't go that way, becoming upset, and accusatory towards You. Oh Lord, forgive me!
When I read about Martha and Mary's response when they first meet You, after their brother's death, I see varying degrees of understanding and relationship. Martha was quite straight-forward in her statement - John 11:21-23 NIV:
[21] “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. [22] But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”
[23] Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Mary, when she approached Jesus, did so as one with a more intimate identity in Him, John 11:32-33 NIV:
[32] "When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
[33] When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled."
It is interesting that both of them said basically the same thing, but Jesus was moved deeply by Mary. I am not saying He wasn't moved by Martha, but John specifically calls out Jesus' response to Mary. I would imagine that Martha's conversation with Jesus occurred with them both standing, while we are told Mary came and fell at Jesus feet. We are also told by John, that Mary was known for this, (See John 11:2) and had wiped Jesus feet with her hair (See John 12:3 and Luke 7:38). There is something about worship in the face of great need that moves His heart.
I would even say the Lord's desire for us is to embrace gratitude even in the face of great need. A grateful heart recognizes that all we have, even the ability to approach Him is due to His Grace, His gift, His movement towards us! He Loved us first. He has us in His heart, called us forth as part of His creation, knit us together in our Mother's womb (Ps 139:13) and has been with us everyday of our lives. He is the source of all life, truth and love! All good things come from Him (James 1:17)! He paid for our sins, and took our punishment upon himself (Is 53:4-6). In light of these truths, our heart should be moved in gratitude, even if we never receive another gift or blessing from Him!
Going back to John 11, where I started this reflection, Jesus knew the Father's heart from the very start, and knew that Lazarus would not end up dead, but alive. John, looking back on this event, calls to mind that which Jesus said upon hearing Lazarus was sick and dying - John 11:4 NIV: "When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.”
In looking back, knowing that Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead by His prayers to the Father, we can read those lines with an assurance, and faith. I know for sure that Martha and Mary didn't have that opportunity, and they went through the valley of death, suffering the loss of their beloved brother. Yet, into that situation, God moved, He showed Himself great and powerful, commanding even death and nature, in the resurrection and restoration of Lazarus to life. We can be assured that the Lord is just as much in love with us, as He was with Lazarus, Martha and Mary, and that He is intimately aware of our needs.
So this morning, in the midst of my own struggles, questions, and need, I am desirous to worship the Lord for His goodness! I am reminded of all the good things with which He has filled my life! I am reminded of His nearness, His love, His compassion and His mercy! I am happy to come and worship at His feet!
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Developing Hunger and Cravings
This morning I am reflecting on a few verses from 1 Peter 2:1-3,9-12 NIV:
[1] "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
[11] "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
The two phrases that first caught my attention were verse 2 and verse 11. The thought that caught my mind was that these two verses are related in that they speak of appetites, or at least can speak of appetites. I love the encouragement to "crave pure spiritual milk" as in this should be something we can't get enough of every day. I actually like the NASB translation better as it is closer to the original Greek - it says - 1 Peter 2:2 NASB: "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation". It isn't just spiritual milk, it is a hunger for the Word of God!
Our pastor Kellie spoke recently about our hunger for God, and Peter here is exhorting them to develop a craving, a longing, and ardent desire, to pursue with love the Word of God! It is interesting that Peter starts by saying they should rid themselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. I see this a encouragement for them to clean out their refrigerators and cupboards of everything that was bad, but for which they had developed a taste. He says rid yourselves, as in throw it away! It is only when we stop eating these other things that we can start developing a craving for that which is real food. As I look at that list, I would imagine that many of the popular TV shows might be so described. What would happen if we turned off the media for a while and instead just started feasting on the Word?
The second verse that seemed similar was verse 11, and here Peter again is speaking of abstaining from sinful desires. The Greek word means to "hold one's self off" as in exercising self control over something, and not partaking. Again, if you stop eating something, in time you start to lose a taste for it. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but find that if I stop eating sweets in time, I am no longer craving the sweets. It is interesting, the same could be said for the good things as well, like the Word, the longer we go with out being in the Word, the more likely we are to lose our taste for it! Ouch!
Looking back at the verse from Peter, he is encouraging them to abstain from sinful desires. The NASB translates this phrase "fleshly lusts" as in having to do with our purely human or animal instincts. Peter says these war against our soul. Again, its like trying to walk by the candy bars at the checkout line, when you are no longer eating sweets! For me, there is a definite war between my body and mind and spirit. Abstaining completely helps me gain self-control. The more I say no to that desire, the easier it is to say no. Abstaining, like ridding one self, is a choice we need to make. It is in our heart and mind that we make a choice and decide to put that choice into action.
The whole point of Peter's encouragement is not to just get rid, or abstain from these things that we have developed an appetite for, but to learn to crave and desire that which is better! The more we taste that the Lord is good, the more we want to feast on that goodness. The mercy of the Lord is sweet, the Word of the Lord is sweet, the faithfulness of the Lord is sweet, and all are meant to feed our soul, to nourish our spirit, to strengthen our inner man! The really good news is that there is no shortage in God's ability to provide good food! He is constantly speaking, constantly desiring our relationship and interaction, and the more we allow His Word to fill us, the more like Him we will become. The old saying is that "you are what you eat."
This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, and see what old, nasty stuff still exists, and to rid myself of all of it. I am encouraged to steer clear of all things that wage war against my soul, against the will of the Lord, and His Word. I am encouraged to learn to feast on the Word, to allow the Word to fill me and become that which I desire more than anything and everything else. To be clear, in light of my recent reflection - John 1:1-5,14 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
What I hunger for is the Lord, and His written word! I want to get to teh point where I crave Him and His Word!
Amen!
[1] "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. [2] Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, [3] now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
[9] "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
[11] "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. [12] Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us."
The two phrases that first caught my attention were verse 2 and verse 11. The thought that caught my mind was that these two verses are related in that they speak of appetites, or at least can speak of appetites. I love the encouragement to "crave pure spiritual milk" as in this should be something we can't get enough of every day. I actually like the NASB translation better as it is closer to the original Greek - it says - 1 Peter 2:2 NASB: "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation". It isn't just spiritual milk, it is a hunger for the Word of God!
Our pastor Kellie spoke recently about our hunger for God, and Peter here is exhorting them to develop a craving, a longing, and ardent desire, to pursue with love the Word of God! It is interesting that Peter starts by saying they should rid themselves of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander. I see this a encouragement for them to clean out their refrigerators and cupboards of everything that was bad, but for which they had developed a taste. He says rid yourselves, as in throw it away! It is only when we stop eating these other things that we can start developing a craving for that which is real food. As I look at that list, I would imagine that many of the popular TV shows might be so described. What would happen if we turned off the media for a while and instead just started feasting on the Word?
The second verse that seemed similar was verse 11, and here Peter again is speaking of abstaining from sinful desires. The Greek word means to "hold one's self off" as in exercising self control over something, and not partaking. Again, if you stop eating something, in time you start to lose a taste for it. I have a terrible sweet tooth, but find that if I stop eating sweets in time, I am no longer craving the sweets. It is interesting, the same could be said for the good things as well, like the Word, the longer we go with out being in the Word, the more likely we are to lose our taste for it! Ouch!
Looking back at the verse from Peter, he is encouraging them to abstain from sinful desires. The NASB translates this phrase "fleshly lusts" as in having to do with our purely human or animal instincts. Peter says these war against our soul. Again, its like trying to walk by the candy bars at the checkout line, when you are no longer eating sweets! For me, there is a definite war between my body and mind and spirit. Abstaining completely helps me gain self-control. The more I say no to that desire, the easier it is to say no. Abstaining, like ridding one self, is a choice we need to make. It is in our heart and mind that we make a choice and decide to put that choice into action.
The whole point of Peter's encouragement is not to just get rid, or abstain from these things that we have developed an appetite for, but to learn to crave and desire that which is better! The more we taste that the Lord is good, the more we want to feast on that goodness. The mercy of the Lord is sweet, the Word of the Lord is sweet, the faithfulness of the Lord is sweet, and all are meant to feed our soul, to nourish our spirit, to strengthen our inner man! The really good news is that there is no shortage in God's ability to provide good food! He is constantly speaking, constantly desiring our relationship and interaction, and the more we allow His Word to fill us, the more like Him we will become. The old saying is that "you are what you eat."
This morning I am encouraged to look at my life, and see what old, nasty stuff still exists, and to rid myself of all of it. I am encouraged to steer clear of all things that wage war against my soul, against the will of the Lord, and His Word. I am encouraged to learn to feast on the Word, to allow the Word to fill me and become that which I desire more than anything and everything else. To be clear, in light of my recent reflection - John 1:1-5,14 NIV:
[1] "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
[14] "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."
What I hunger for is the Lord, and His written word! I want to get to teh point where I crave Him and His Word!
Amen!
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
I Don't Need to Understand Fully
This morning I have been reading from Numbers, chapter 19, which describes the use of the ashes of the red heifer to create the water of purification. It is a strange ordinance, and I was reading a couple of commentaries and both spoke of this being a type and shadow of what would be revealed in and through Jesus. I have no issue with that at all, but it got me thinking about how we understand our present times.
As we read through scripture, it is clear that people often didn't understand what they were going through, and specifically why they were experiencing things. Jesus told the disciples many things that they only understood later. In fact, all of the Gospels were written quite a bit later, so they are being written with retrospective wisdom. When we read the stories and the accounts, we are almost always reading with an understanding of what happened and how these things fit into a framework of our faith.
What I was thinking about this morning, was how the people who had to follow these ordinances thought about them. If these were types and shadows of Christ, they were given 1500 years before Jesus was born. The Lord, in his vast wisdom and plan, had many such things that were required, which set up a pattern of life that one day would be completely fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. For us, that isn't so hard to grasp, for those who were walking through life at the time these ordinances were set into place, they probably had no idea at all what God was doing, nor why He was requiring this of them.
This gives me some hope regarding my present lack of understanding about my own situation and circumstances. I think one of the greatest struggles we have is understanding our present situation, season or even our purpose! As we see in looking back at history, looking back at the scriptures, we often find that seemingly insignificant events were catalysts for major changes, sometimes even major moves of God!
As I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a story I had read about the chain of events that lead to Billy Graham's salvation, and its started with an obscure man who taught Sunday school. Here is a basic list of how it happened -
Sunday School teacher Edward Kimball helped lead Dwight L. Moody to Christ; J. Wilbur Chapman was converted at a Dwight L. Moody evangelistic meeting;
Billy Sunday was converted at a Chapman meeting; Mordecai Ham was converted at Billy Sunday meeting; and Billy Graham was converted at a Ham meeting.
I guess that there are a few technical discrepancies in this list, but the point should be understood, that very few people would have ascribed any significance to the life of Edward Kimball, or to the effects of his ministry. Many people in Christian circles have heard of Dwight Moody, the rest of the guys on the list, less so, yet each had some important role to play. According to the the statistics gathered on Billy, there were estimated to be 2.2 billion people who heard him preach; 215 million – estimated number of people he preached the gospel to at live events; 2.2 million – estimated number of people at his crusades who responded to the invitations to become a Christian.
Going back to my original thoughts this morning, it is only in retrospect that we understand and honor the work of Edward Kimball. It is often only in retrospect that we fully grasp the significance of our present situation. Rather than struggling to understand, or being stuck in analysis paralysis, we should be trusting that God has a plan, that He has a purpose and one day it will be clear. We don't need, nor should we expect to fully grasp the breadth of God's plan and purpose for our lives. We can however hold tight to several truths that will keep us on track with God (this is just a very short list off the top of my head):
1) He loves us (John 3:16-17)
2) He has made a way for us to be in relationship with Him (Heb 10:19-24)
3) He has promised to lead us and guide us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
4) He has promised eternal life to those who believe and entrust their lives to His Lordship and relationship. (John 3:15)
5) He has all authority and power (Col 2:10)
6) He has promised to complete the good work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6)
7) He is good (Ps. 106:1)
8) He is our provider (Ps. 111:5)
While we wait on the Lord, we can be assured that He is at work in and around our lives. We will never fully understand everything that He has accomplished through us here on earth, but one day it will be revealed to us in eternity. We can take great assurance that we are highly valued and treasured by God, and not a hair on our head has gone without His notice. Our lives matter to Him!
He does work to help us understand what we need to do next, what season we are in and what His purpose is for us, and all this is revealed through conversation and relationship with Him (John 16:13-14). He does desire to guide us and teach us and lead us, and He does want informed friends (John 15:15), but that doesn't mean we will fully understand everything. Like the Israelites from Numbers, there will be things that God does in our lives and through us that we will only understand slightly, if at all. Paul talks about us seeing dimly (1 Cor 13:12), and I think that is likely the best we will get this side of Glory.
So today, I am encouraged in my lack of understanding of my present situation. I am encouraged, because I know God. As my friend said this past Sunday, "There is no waste in God." In other words, God uses all things in our lives for His purposes! He can redeem the difficult times, He can bless the good times, He is always at work, and uses everything to draw us nearer to Him, and to glorify His name. I can entrust my life to Him, knowing that He is good, that He is loving, that He will complete the work He began in me, and that He will guide me unfailingly, whether I understand or not.
Amen!
As we read through scripture, it is clear that people often didn't understand what they were going through, and specifically why they were experiencing things. Jesus told the disciples many things that they only understood later. In fact, all of the Gospels were written quite a bit later, so they are being written with retrospective wisdom. When we read the stories and the accounts, we are almost always reading with an understanding of what happened and how these things fit into a framework of our faith.
What I was thinking about this morning, was how the people who had to follow these ordinances thought about them. If these were types and shadows of Christ, they were given 1500 years before Jesus was born. The Lord, in his vast wisdom and plan, had many such things that were required, which set up a pattern of life that one day would be completely fulfilled in the Life of Jesus. For us, that isn't so hard to grasp, for those who were walking through life at the time these ordinances were set into place, they probably had no idea at all what God was doing, nor why He was requiring this of them.
This gives me some hope regarding my present lack of understanding about my own situation and circumstances. I think one of the greatest struggles we have is understanding our present situation, season or even our purpose! As we see in looking back at history, looking back at the scriptures, we often find that seemingly insignificant events were catalysts for major changes, sometimes even major moves of God!
As I was thinking about this, I was reminded of a story I had read about the chain of events that lead to Billy Graham's salvation, and its started with an obscure man who taught Sunday school. Here is a basic list of how it happened -
Sunday School teacher Edward Kimball helped lead Dwight L. Moody to Christ; J. Wilbur Chapman was converted at a Dwight L. Moody evangelistic meeting;
Billy Sunday was converted at a Chapman meeting; Mordecai Ham was converted at Billy Sunday meeting; and Billy Graham was converted at a Ham meeting.
I guess that there are a few technical discrepancies in this list, but the point should be understood, that very few people would have ascribed any significance to the life of Edward Kimball, or to the effects of his ministry. Many people in Christian circles have heard of Dwight Moody, the rest of the guys on the list, less so, yet each had some important role to play. According to the the statistics gathered on Billy, there were estimated to be 2.2 billion people who heard him preach; 215 million – estimated number of people he preached the gospel to at live events; 2.2 million – estimated number of people at his crusades who responded to the invitations to become a Christian.
Going back to my original thoughts this morning, it is only in retrospect that we understand and honor the work of Edward Kimball. It is often only in retrospect that we fully grasp the significance of our present situation. Rather than struggling to understand, or being stuck in analysis paralysis, we should be trusting that God has a plan, that He has a purpose and one day it will be clear. We don't need, nor should we expect to fully grasp the breadth of God's plan and purpose for our lives. We can however hold tight to several truths that will keep us on track with God (this is just a very short list off the top of my head):
1) He loves us (John 3:16-17)
2) He has made a way for us to be in relationship with Him (Heb 10:19-24)
3) He has promised to lead us and guide us through the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:26)
4) He has promised eternal life to those who believe and entrust their lives to His Lordship and relationship. (John 3:15)
5) He has all authority and power (Col 2:10)
6) He has promised to complete the good work He began in our lives (Philippians 1:6)
7) He is good (Ps. 106:1)
8) He is our provider (Ps. 111:5)
While we wait on the Lord, we can be assured that He is at work in and around our lives. We will never fully understand everything that He has accomplished through us here on earth, but one day it will be revealed to us in eternity. We can take great assurance that we are highly valued and treasured by God, and not a hair on our head has gone without His notice. Our lives matter to Him!
He does work to help us understand what we need to do next, what season we are in and what His purpose is for us, and all this is revealed through conversation and relationship with Him (John 16:13-14). He does desire to guide us and teach us and lead us, and He does want informed friends (John 15:15), but that doesn't mean we will fully understand everything. Like the Israelites from Numbers, there will be things that God does in our lives and through us that we will only understand slightly, if at all. Paul talks about us seeing dimly (1 Cor 13:12), and I think that is likely the best we will get this side of Glory.
So today, I am encouraged in my lack of understanding of my present situation. I am encouraged, because I know God. As my friend said this past Sunday, "There is no waste in God." In other words, God uses all things in our lives for His purposes! He can redeem the difficult times, He can bless the good times, He is always at work, and uses everything to draw us nearer to Him, and to glorify His name. I can entrust my life to Him, knowing that He is good, that He is loving, that He will complete the work He began in me, and that He will guide me unfailingly, whether I understand or not.
Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)