Belief and Behavior

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Pete

Been reading a book on asking the right questions when it comes to thinking through how to be intentional in leading people in the church towards following Christ. It’s what we’re commissioned to do, “Go and make disciples” (Matt 28:19-20). Baptize them into the body of believers and teach them how to follow the Head of the body.

The church is to make disciples, not just coddle believers. And a disciple is a learner and a follower. An imitator of their Teacher, walking in His ways, wanting what He wants. The Greg Laurie quote resonates with me: “Every disciple is a believer, but not every believer is necessarily a disciple.”

In the book I’m reading, the author suggests three fundamental areas of learning which are vital for making followers: bible, belief, and spiritual habits. Knowing the story, understanding theology, practicing the rhythms and ways of the kingdom.

Many get the need to at least read their bible if they want to mature as followers of Christ, some also will buy into the need to study their bible. The idea that spiritual disciplines are also helpful, also resonates with some, at least in my circles, as to their importance for growing in Christ. But mention doctrine, talk about getting a handle on theology, and the herd seems to thin pretty quickly. Seems too theoretical, some would argue, too ethereal. They want application, not academics.

But something I read in Acts this morning emphasized for me, again, the connection between right belief and right behavior.

“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.”

(Romans 24:14-16 ESV)

Paul is testifying before Felix, governor of Judea, at the governor’s residence in Caesarea (Acts 23:23-34). Defending himself against accusations of “stirring up riots among all the Jews” and “profaning the temple” (24:5-6). Paul’s rebuttal, in essence? Not true. They didn’t find me arguing with or stirring up the crowd. They can’t prove that I profaned our temple, because I didn’t. And here’s why I didn’t act in such a way, my theology. I believe that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

The resurrection of the just and unjust, that’s doctrine. That our bodies will materially be raised, reunited with our spirits, and required to stand before God at the resurrection is deep doctrine. And because Paul worshipped the God of his fathers by knowing and believing in such theology, he took great pains to maintain a clear conscience before both God and man. What Paul believed had a direct impact on how he sought to behave. What, by faith, he knew to be the certainty of standing before the throne of God someday, had a great influence on how he ordered his life today.

To be sure, we can be true believers and have very little knowledge of the divine and the ways of the kingdom of heaven. It’s how we all start. Born again, babes in Christ, the gospel so rudimentary that even children can respond. But to be true followers, to be deep disciples of Jesus Christ? That’s gonna require growing up a bit, require maturing in the things of Christ.

That part of making disciples is to teach, implies that part of being a disciple is to learn. That part of being a sojourner is also being a student. That part of being “doers of the word” is to first be “hearers” (James 1:22). Learning, not for the sake of knowledge alone, but so that we might live — practically, purposefully, and productively — as followers of Jesus Christ.

By His grace. For His glory.

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I Am Sorry

Posted on February 10, 2021 by Pete

Don’t know what David did, but he did. Don’t know if the effects he was suffering were but natural consequences of sinful behavior divinely permitted, or if they were supernatural repercussions divinely inflicted. What is clear is that David saw a cause and effect dynamic.

Read Psalm 38 and it is clear that David is in great physical and mental anguish. Unable to stand up straight (v.6), sides burning (v.7), heart palpitating (v.8), eyes dimming (v.10). So sick his friends and family keep their distance (v.11). So sick he can’t even muster up the strength to take action against his enemies who would seek to take advantage of his situation (v.12-14). He’s hurting, no doubt!

As one who knows God, then, he knows his dire situation is the result of Sovereign determination. And, through the Spirit’s illumination, has been convicted of his own moral relaxation.

O LORD, rebuke me not in Your anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath! For Your arrows have sunk into me, and Your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness.

(Psalm 38:1-5 ESV)

Your anger . . . Your wrath . . . Your indignation. My sin . . . my iniquities . . . my foolishness.

Busted! Bent over. Broken. Where do you go when where you are is of your own foolish making?

O Lord, all my longing is before You; my sighing is not hidden from You.
. . . But for You, O LORD, do I wait; it is You, O Lord my God, who will answer.
. . . . . . Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

(Psalm 38:9, 15, 22 ESV)

Without strength, without resources, and without excuse, the songwriter looks to His God knowing He is a “merciful and gracious” God, a God “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”, a God who keeps “steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Ex. 34:6-7).

And I’m reminded that the means by which a holy and just God can forgive unholy and just wrong behavior is through the finished work of His Son on the cross. That mercy and grace can flow freely to cleanse sin because water and blood flowed freely from the lifeless body of our once for all sacrifice. That David’s hope for recovery from his dilemma is ultimately founded in the hope that comes from the Savior’s resurrection from the dead.

So, what’s the bridge from desperation to deliverance? The key to unlocking forgiveness when I have failed?

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin. (Psalm 38:18 ESV)

I am sorry for my sin. Only the perfect man, or the deceived man, or the callous man, finds such words absent from his tongue on a regular basis. Don’t want to wait until I am bowed by physical despair — whether permitted or inflicted — before I admit I am in desperate need of forgiveness from the Lord of my salvation.

O, that by His goodness I would flee sin. But also, should I be over taken by it, that I would be quick to recognize sin and even quicker to confess it. That I would keep short accounts. That I would remain long in His shadow. That I would be familiar with those three words, “I am sorry.”

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(1John 1:8-9)

By His grace. For His glory.

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What’s Their Names?

Posted on February 9, 2021 by Pete

Wrapped up Exodus this morning. And while I think I probably should be meditating on the wonder of the glory descending on the completed tabernacle, I find myself wondering about why I can’t seem to ever remember the names of the guys who built the tabernacle.

For as many times as I’ve read the account; for as much real estate as is devoted to their work (four entire chapters of Exodus); for as big a deal as is made of the fact that they were commissioned by God Himself, and specifically filled with Spirit of God for the job of creating the place where the glory should dwell, for me at least, they pretty much remain anonymous.

Think of the other places where the glory of God would dwell and I bet you know who made them without even thinking. Who created the earth? God. Who birthed the church? Jesus. Who built the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon. Okay, so who in the world fashioned the tabernacle? Crickets . . .

Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses; and with him was Oholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver and designer and embroiderer in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen.

(Exodus 38:22-23 ESV)

Bezalel and Oholiab. Don’t even know how to pronounce their names. Partly because they never make many sermons. Pretty sure they’ve never had a flannel graph figure stuck on a board as part of a Sunday School story. It could just be me, but I’m thinking they are unknowns for the most part.

They are kind of nobodies to the world at large. Even though God Himself knows them by name, and identifies them by name — and that, on the holy mount where He gave Moses the ten commandments, the basics of the law, and the blueprints for the tabernacle. Even though God specifically calls them out as being filled with “the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and craftsmanship” (31:3, 35:30). Even though 1/10th of the book of Exodus is devoted to the work they did.

So how come? That’s what I’ve been noodling on for the last two days of readings in Exodus.

Think of Exodus, and of the great characters developed in its story, and Moses and Aaron immediately come to mind. But Bezalel and Oholiab? Nope! Good grief, even Pharaoh has more notoriety than these guys (and a flannel graph figure to boot!). And yet, they built the place where the glory of God would dwell.

But it’s Moses’ name that ends up on the dedication plaque.

So Moses finished the work.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

(Exodus 40:33b-35 ESV)

So how come, when the glory falls on the work they’ve completed, they get so little glory? So how come, when they did so much work, they remain so anonymous? So how come, with all the detail in Scripture concerning their contribution to God being in the midst, I can’t seem to remember their names? That’s what I’ve been chewing on.

Welcome to the kingdom. Some will get accolades, others with remain anonymous. For some they reap in the here and now, others are asked to wait for their reward until the there and then. The endgame isn’t notoriety, it’s faithfulness.

Oh, that came up this morning in my readings as well!

Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

(Psalm 37:3 ESV)

Probably won’t remember their names until next year when I read about them again, Lord willing. But inspired by their faithfulness. In awe of the God who filled them with His Spirit to accomplish His purposes in order to reveal His glory — even if they remain in the shadows. After all, like the John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30 ESV)

In service by His grace alone. In service for His glory alone.

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One Word

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Pete

They were certain Paul had defiled the temple. Convinced he had brought unbelieving, uncircumcised, and unclean Greeks into the holy place. But it was based only on circumstantial evidence. They had seen Paul earlier with Trophimus the Ephesian. So, when later the Jews saw Paul in the temple, they “supposed” Paul must have brought his uncircumcised friend into the temple area with him. And they went nuts. They seized Paul. They beat Paul. If not for the intervention of Roman law enforcement, they would have killed Paul. (Acts 21:27-33)

Hovering over Acts 22 this morning, where Paul speaks to the crowd of his accusers. He asks the Roman tribune who has arrested him for permission to address the crowd. The Roman tribune, wanting to get to the bottom of a near riot, grants the request. And so, Paul speaks. Shares his testimony. Tells his story. Of once being a persecutor of the followers of Jesus. Of delivering both men and women to prison and death for being people of the Way. But then, of meeting the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Of an unearthly encounter of the divine kind so that he no longer regarded Jesus simply as a rogue teacher from Nazareth but as the Righteous One sent from heaven. An experience which converted him from being a persecutor of Jesus to giving his life to following the Lord. (Acts 22:1-16).

And it was going pretty well. The hushed crowds listened to him. That is, until he spoke one word.

“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw [Jesus] saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ . . . . And He said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”

Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”

(Acts 22:17-18, 21-22 ESV)

“Up to this word,” the Scriptures says, “they listened.” But then “this word” was spoken and the listening stopped. And, at first, it hits me as somewhat unbelievable. Really? One word is all it took? And then I think about our current cultural moment, and maybe it’s not so hard to relate to after all.

One word. Up until that one word the Jews listened to Paul. Between his credentials as a student of Gamaliel, an activist zealous for God, and his supernatural, firsthand experience on the road to Damascus, Paul’s story was compelling. But then he spoke that one word, “Gentiles,” and things came unglued again.

The facts flung aside by the Jews because of their predisposed filter. The truth tanked because they had taken to heart a pre-supposed narrative. The basis for understanding Paul’s gospel undermined because of their bias towards Paul’s friends.

One word. That’s all it took to trigger the crowd. Think about it, and it sounds all too familiar. So often, that’s all it takes for well-intentioned people to stop listening. A word, a phrase, a sentence or two, and we jump to conclusions that end the conversation. We stop listening. We stop asking questions. We cease to seek to understand. Instead, we fill in the details according to our own understanding and make judgments founded on our own views of justice. And bottom line, we miss out. Subjugating truth to temperament. Bona fide belief for unbridled bias.

The Jews were up close and personal with gospel truth and one word derailed them from considering something they weren’t prepared to consider.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

(James 1:19-20 ESV)

Oh, for ears to hear. Despite that one word.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Faith to Face

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Pete

This morning I awoke, put another pillow under my head, laid back and with eyes closed whispered, “Good morning, Father. Good morning, Lord Jesus.” Able to do this because of the Spirit within me. Kind of Trinitarian moment, it now occurs to me.

I don’t do this every morning. Not even most mornings. In fact, rarely do I awake with such an immediate awareness of God’s abiding presence. But this morning I did. Wondering if it wasn’t intended to set me up for one of my favorite readings every year — Moses’s one-on-one with God (Ex. 33) after the golden calf incident (Ex. 32).

Here’s what I’m hovering over this morning:

And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. . . . So the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

(Exodus 33:9, 11a ESV)

And the LORD said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”

(Exodus 33:17 ESV)

So much in Exodus 33 to stir the soul. The stirred up soul of Moses a catalyst for all who’d hunger and thirst for an up-close and personal encounter of the divine kind. Show me Your ways that I may know You. . . . If Your presence will not go with me, I don’t wanna go. . . . Please show me Your glory! (Ex. 33:13, 15, 18)

Thus, the pervasive passion of one accustomed to meeting God in the place where the glory dwelt. Thus, the persistent plea of one who knew what it was to speak with the LORD face to face. Thus the personal persuasion of someone who God knows by name. Maybe the sort of things someone might say who wakes up in the morning and first thinks, “Good morning, Father.”

I don’t’ speak face to face with the God of glory, but His Spirit bears witness with my spirit that I’m a child of God (Rom. 8:16). Sounds pretty intimate to me. You might even argue closer than face to face.

And what I hear Him saying this morning through His word is, “I know you by name.” As Gill puts it in his commentary, “I have a particular and special knowledge of thee, and distinguished thee from others, and have a personal affection for thee.”

He knows my name. And all the good, bad, and ugly that comes with it. Intimately familiar with all my fears, failings, and frailty. Knowing, better than I know myself, my struggles and their source. Yet still whispering back to me, “You have found favor in My sight.”

He knows my name. A name written in His book (Ex. 32:32). Written in red by the blood of Jesus. Ready, willing, and able to show me His way, send me with His presence, and reveal to me His glory. Not because of who I am. Despite what I have done. But only because I have found favor in His sight.

And that’s how come, while not yet face to face, yet faith to face, I can awake and whisper, “Good morning, Father!”

Such wondrous grace. One day to behold His unimaginable glory.

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A Radiance

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Pete

As much I realize that Scripture is to be read in context, often I find myself spring-boarding off a verse to some truth that, while it is truth, it isn’t necessarily the truth the particular verse I’m chewing on is intended to convey. Something I read this morning is a good case in point.

Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

(Psalm 34:5 ESV)

Paused after reading that and Moses came to mind. The man who had been in the presence of God at Sinai, having had such a mountain top experience that, when he came down off the holy hill, his face literally “sent out rays”. His face shone. To such an extent, that those who saw him were afraid to come near him (Ex. 34:29-30). Talk about having a glow. Talk about reflecting the glory of God. Talk about a promise to claim. Those who look to Him are radiant.

Yeah, but . . .

While I think that’s true, perhaps its more true from Exodus 34 than it is from Psalm 34. Different context, different meaning.

David’s not coming down from the mountain. He’s sitting in a cave. He’s not recounting having been on holy ground, but before an enemy monarch. He’s not thinking about the face he had gazed upon but the spittle he made run down his own face as he faked insanity in order to avoid being conscripted into service against his own people (1Sam. 21:10-15). David’s penning this verse not with a mountain top experience in mind, but recalling the fear and humiliation of having walked through the valley.

Now read those words.

Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

The radiance spoken of here, specifically, isn’t the reflective radiance of having encountered God’s glory, but the shining assurance of knowing God’s abiding presence. The CSB translates it “radiant with joy.” The darkness of difficult situations dispelled with the light of the promises of God. I will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:8). The aura that comes from hope founded in the word of God. The radiance of a countenance that has faith in God.

That’s why the songwriter could continue to pen:

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

(Psalm 34:6-8 ESV)

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in the LORD. Happy, even joyful, are those who look to Him, in testing and trial and even terrible situations of their own making.

For, while eventually there will come rescue, in the meantime there will be radiance. The shining of the presence of God, the promises of God, and the power of God, emitted from those who trust in God. On the mountain, and in the valley.

By His grace. For His glory.

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I’ve Got My Eye on You

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Pete

Chewing on God’s vision this morning. Vision, not as in His plans for the future, but vision, as in what He sees today. 20/20 vision. Perfect vision. All knowing vision. I get that. Not surprised by it. It’s kind of what you’d expect from God. But reminded also this morning, that He also has His eye on me.

The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the children of man;
from where He sits enthroned He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,
He who fashions the hearts of them all and observes all their deeds.
The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love,
that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

(Psalm 33:13-19 ESV)

Sometimes I think about a heavenly balcony. A bird’s-eye view of all that transpires here on earth. Whatever else it might be, it is no less than the very throne of the LORD of heaven and earth, the Holy God, our Creator. He looks down from heaven. He sees everyone and everything. Familiar with every deed. Like I said earlier, not surprised that an omniscient God would have omni-vision.

But then I hit verse 18 and my immediate thought is, “This seems somewhat redundant?”

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His steadfast love,

Of course God sees the believer if He can see everyone. It just stands to reason that if God sees all the children of man He’s going to obviously also see all His children of faith.

As I noodle on it, though, I notice the songwriter wants me to see something. To behold that, not only does God see those who fear Him, but He has His eye on them. Far from being but dots amongst the 7.8 billion earth inhabitants, God is acutely aware of those who revere Him, of all who stand in awe of Him. His mental and spiritual faculties (literal meaning) keenly attuned to them.

En masse, men look to their leaders and military strength for their salvation. They look to their own resources and self-realized abilities to gain victory over the challenges of the day. God looks down from heaven. Sees them. All of them, and their misdirected deeds. And He says, in effect, Nope, that’s not where your help should ultimately come from. It can only come from “the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).

See, His eye is on those who hope in His steadfast love. Intimately familiar with their frame, their frets, their inflictions and failures, He is ready, willing, able, and sufficient to keep them from falling (Jude 24).

Our God who looks down from heaven and sees all the children of man, is the God who whispers this morning, “I’ve got My eye on you!”

By His grace. For His glory.

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Implications of Passing the Test

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Pete

They had been schooled by the Master. Taught in parables. First, as part of a “public school”, Jesus having first spoken a number of parables to the “great crowds gathered about Him” (Matt. 13:1-35). Then, the disciples were privately tutored. Presented with additional insight concerning fields, weeds, and the harvest at the end of the age, followed by three additional, short-snapper parables (Matt. 13:36-50).

And, as any good teacher is ought to do, He gave them a test. A one question,”Yes” or “No”, test.

“Have you understood all these things?” (Matthew 13:51a ESV)

Got it? “Are you starting to get a handle on all this?” (MSG) Is it ALL coming together? That’s the quite the question. Especially if it’s viewed as the be-all and end-all determiner of whether they passed or failed the course. But they were quick to respond.

They said to him, “Yes.” (Matthew 13:51b ESV)

Yes, Master. We get it.

I can’t help but wonder if they were rightfully answering or just giving the right answer. The former very likely as they had “ears to hear”, hearts ready to receive the seed of the word of the kingdom, and the Author of the Word sowing the seed firsthand. The latter, though, a possibility. Who, after all, would have admitted that simple stories about treasures and pearls and nets were too much for them to grasp. Who would risk saying, “No” in front of the others? And not gonna lie, if for some of those disciples it was just giving the right answer, then what Jesus says next kind of brings a smile to my face.

And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”

(Matthew 13:52 ESV)

Got it? Good, says Jesus. Congratulations! You are now scribes trained for the kingdom of heaven.

A scribe? A learned man? Someone trained in the Law? Someone qualified to share the Law? Someone who could be expected to speak to the Law? Or, as the case might be given their recent schooling — someone trained in the Kingdom, qualified to share about the Kingdom, and able to speak to the Kingdom?

Wait a minute! I’m a fisherman, a tax collector, a political activist, some guy who was sitting under a tree and responded to a call to come. Me? A scribe? A learned one? Uh, uh, I’m no academic. Not a brain. I’m just a follower.

Yup, says the Master. A follower who has been taught something. Has gained some insight into the good news of the kingdom. Now, a follower who can teach what he’s learned of the kingdom. What you’ve grasped now regard as treasure in your house. New treasure to go along with the old stores of Moses and the Prophets. Not treasure to be stored up and hidden, but to be stewarded, brought out and distributed.

If some of those disciples weren’t really picking up what Jesus was laying down but were just giving the right answer, can you imagine the shock when all of sudden they “pass the course” and are conferred the title, “Scribe”? I find it kind of amusing.

But the amusement fades quickly as I chew on the implications of being taught by Jesus. Because they got it, they were expected to give it. What they had freely received they were expected to freely give (Matt. 10:8). They were not instructed by Jesus so that they could be reservoirs of knowledge, instead they were to be channels of blessing.

What they had learned about the kingdom was to be regarded as a sacred trust to be shared with others. They were now expected to be teachers and interpreters to others. Not necessarily behind a public pulpit, but certainly around their own dinner table. Not expected to be an orator, but at least open about their faith. Not that they should be regarded as some expert, but that they would be noticed as an everyday guy, or everyday gal, who had been with Jesus.

Yes, they got it. Now, they were to give it.

Expectations of having attended the training. Implications of having passed the test.

Only by His grace. Always for His glory.

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Words Without Weight

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Pete

Itinerant exorcists. It was a thing. Jews who traveled the land expelling demons. Those who used formulaic catch phrases to cast out evil spirits. Jesus was aware of them (Lk. 11:19). They later traveled in the same circles as Paul (Acts 19:11-17).

There was a troupe of them in the Ephesus region. Among them, seven brothers, a family business. Sons of a Jewish high priest in Ephesus who was known as Sceva. I imagine that if they had a business card it might have read something like: “Down in the dumps with demons? Who ya gonna call? Seven Sons Housecleaning!”

Paul comes to Ephesus and they hear about the “extraordinary miracles” he’s doing (Acts 19:11). He didn’t even have to be present in order to heal diseases and cast out demons. To simply carry to the sick and shackled “handkerchiefs or aprons that touched his skin” was enough to restore and release. And I’m thinking that the Seven Sons got wind of Paul’s mighty “magic” and were wanting in on some of that power. After all, it would be good for business and reputation.

So, what was Paul doing that they weren’t? He was talking Jesus talk. Maybe that was the secret sauce. Or . . . maybe not.

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.” Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva were doing this. But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

(Acts 19:13-16 ESV)

I adjure you by Jesus! Invoking the Name, but with nothing behind it.

Words without weight. Pronouncement without power. A sentence devoid of any substance. Simply a mantra missing any meaning. A command absent of content. Revelation, but no reality. That’s all the boys brought to the battle against “cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). And they got whopped! Sent home to dad in shame.

“Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?”

Says something about the spiritual world. The evil spirits know who Jesus is. They recognize the Holy One of God when they encounter Him (Mk. 1:24). They’re all too aware of their indisputable submission to the Son of the Most High God (Mr. 5:7).

They’re also familiar with those called and commissioned by the Christ. Those once dead in trespass and sin and raised with power in newness of life and seated with Jesus in heavenly places (Eph. 2:5-6). Those who know the Word and are not simply mouthing the words.

Not saying that I’m looking to get into the itinerant exorcist business. Not looking to go one-on-one with a member of the forces of hell. But I am thinking that should I come face to face with such a foe, I want them to at least pause and think to themselves, “Hmm, him I recognize.”

Not because I’m anything. But because I authentically abide in the One who is everything.

Not because I fake the walk or mimic the talk. But because I have been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Because I seek to submit to, and be led by the Spirit, even as I battle the flesh (Gal. 5:16-17). Because I walk by faith, trusting in the promise that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world (1Jn. 4:4).

And all this, by His grace and for His glory.

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Chewing on Manna

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over my reading in Exodus 16, this morning. So, in a sense, I’m actually chewing on manna.

Bread from heaven, that’s what this chapter’s about. And I know that it’s primary theological intent is to point to the TRUE Bread from Heaven, the LIVING Bread from Heaven, the Lord Jesus (Jn 6:41, 51). That’s the big picture. That’s the for sure foreshadow.

But something hit me this morning which created another connection. Not incompatible with Jesus, but a wonderful facet of some of what the Son reveals about the Father. This morning I’m thinking about what manna can teach me about grace.

And the LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.’ ”

(Exodus 16:11-12 ESV)

Manna. Bread from heaven. The morning bread with which the people would be filled. Not given as a reward for being really good, or a blessing for being really obedient, but gifted despite their incessant grumbling.

The people were getting hungry in the wilderness. And so, they grumbled. Eight times in this chapter that point is made. They complained. They murmured.

“O, why were we ever delivered from Egypt?” they whispered among themselves, “better to die there than live here.” And their whispers became shouts. Their inner thoughts outwardly vocalized toward Moses and Aaron. But in reality, so points out Moses, “Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD” (Ex. 16:8b). Underline that in black — a sin to avoid.

But here’s the thing that grabbed me: God’s response to their grumbling is grub. His reaction to their lack of faith is an abundance of food. Sounds like grace to me.

Remember the old Sunday School adage? Mercy is NOT GETTING what you DO DESERVE, but grace IS GETTING what you DON’T DESERVE. They didn’t deserve the bread! They were whining. Ungrateful. So preoccupied with their own stomachs that, not only did they fail to consider the implications of the glory of God before them in pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, they actually questioned God’s wisdom and power. That God didn’t strike them with lightning from heaven was mercy. That He determined instead to bless them with bread from heaven, well, that’s grace.

And with that connection in mind, check out some of the lessons being laid down about grace that I think I’m picking up.

  1. God’s grace is needed in the wilderness. God’s grace is heavenly provision to satisfy an earthly hunger.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day . . . ”

(Exodus 16:4a ESV)

  1. God’s grace needs to be appropriated.

“This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Gather of it, each one of you, as much as he can eat. . . .’ ” And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less.

(Exodus 16:16-17 ESV)

  1. God’s grace is always sufficient. It’s always what we need. Never comes up short. Never is too much.

. . . whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat.

(Exodus 16:18 ESV)

  1. God’s grace is for the day. No drawing from our own stores of grace from the past. No trying to hoard today’s grace for the future.

And Moses said to them, “Let no one leave any of it over till the morning.” . . . Morning by morning they gathered it, each as much as he could eat; but when the sun grew hot, it melted.

(Exodus 16:19, 21 ESV)

  1. God’s grace is a window through which we can see God’s goodness and God’s faithfulness.

” .. . . and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God.”

(Exodus 16:12b ESV)

Chewing on manna this morning.

Tasting God’s grace. Only for God’s glory.

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