An Act of Grace

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Pete

Honestly, it’s not really all that intuitive. Not how you’d expect the numbers to add up. But I guess that’s as a good a description of grace as any — it doesn’t add up.

AFFLICTION
+ ABUNDANCE OF JOY
+ EXTREME PROVERTY
WEALTH OF GENEROSITY

Noodle on that. Adds up for you? According to Paul, that’s how the math played out for the churches in Macedonia. And, writes Paul, this manifestation of head-scratching generosity was the grace of God.

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

(2Corinthians 8:1-2 ESV)

Paul wanted the Corinthians to know the unusual way the grace of God had showed up among some churches in northern Greece. The manner in which these brothers and sisters demonstrated amazing grace had invaded their midst was through their own amazing generosity. They gave to the needy in Jerusalem “according to their means, . . . and beyond their means, of their own accord” (8:3). Not only were they willing to part with disposable income they didn’t have, but “they begged us insistently for the privilege of sharing in the ministry to the saints” (8:4 CSB).

Now, naturally at least, people without a lot material means tend to be pretty careful about saving it up to prepare for their own future. Penny-pinching only makes sense where there’s little prosperity present. Even more so if you’re one of these Macedonians trying to scrape by amid “extreme poverty.” Add to that tough times, a “severe test of affliction”, and the natural tendency is to be even tighter with your cash. It’s no longer about saving for a rainy day, it’s about getting through the present storm. And yet, when the need of the saints in Jerusalem hit their radar, they responded beyond their means. How come? “Abundance of joy.”

Though it was hard in their circumstance, it was well with their soul. Though they weren’t sure where the next meal might come from, they had tasted and seen that the Lord is good. Though they walked by faith, they were sure that God would “supply every need of [theirs] according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Php. 4:19). For they were sons and daughters of the Father. They abided in close communion with the Son. They walked in heavenly context with unearthly power by the Spirit.

They had been raised up and seated with Christ in heavenly places and thus were possessors of “every spiritual blessing in heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3, 2:6). Though their bank accounts on earth kept over-drafting, their treasures in heaven were overflowing. And so, they personified the grace of God in their actions.

AFFLICTION
+ ABUNDANCE OF JOY
+ EXTREME PROVERTY
WEALTH OF GENEROSITY

It just doesn’t add up. Unless of course the math has been modeled for you already by Someone else.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.

(2Corinthians 8:9 ESV)

Those who have known the grace of God should manifest the grace of God. God’s people should be among the earth’s most generous for they have generously received of divine abundance. Not because they were worthy, but because of their great need. Not because they could ever pay it back, but because they would have the opportunity, in the name of Christ, to pay it forward.

. . . see that you excel in this act of grace also. (2Corinthians 8:7b ESV)

Because of the joy known through His overwhelming grace. For the privilege of giving Him the all deserved glory.

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Give Me A Man

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Pete

If David is a type, or foreshadow of Jesus, then is Goliath a type of Satan?

Goliath of Gath — literally, “the splendor” of “the winepress” — was an imposing figure. He stood over 9 feet tall and was massive enough to carry over 125 pounds of armor on his frame. He wielded a spear as thick as a fence post, the spearhead alone weighing in at over 15 pounds (1Sam. 4-7). And his over-sized appearance was only matched, and then some, by his over-sized ego.

Arrogantly, he goes rogue, stomps onto the battle field, and issues a challenge (there’s no indication it had been sanctioned by his commanders in chief, but really, no one even in his own ranks was big enough to stand up to him).

And the Philistine said, “Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us. I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man, that we may fight together.”

(1Samuel 17:8b-10 ESV)

Give me a man. Sounds like Satan.

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

(1Peter 5:8 ESV)

But in his arrogance, while he’d delight in chewing on any man, Goliath wanted the man. Israel’s best man. The man who was above all men. The strongest and bravest and most accomplished of all Israel’s army. For when the giant defeated that man there would be no disputing his unmatched power.

That’s why he was so ticked when David walked out towards him with a sack of rocks and sling.

And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

(1Samuel 17:43 ESV)

I’m a lion, not a dog. I am power, not some powder puff. He was insulted. Enraged. So belittled by this apparent boy who walked onto the battlefield, that he couldn’t see straight. But soon, he wouldn’t see at all.

Was the prince of darkness also confused when the Command of the Lord’s Army entered the battlefield of earth as a human infant? Did he feel disrespected as his demonic minions were later cast aside by a Rabbi of unimpressive stature, one having no form or majesty that anyone should take note of Him (Isa. 53:2)? Was the cross the ultimate insult? “This?” thinks the enemy, “this is what you come to battle a lion with? I said, ‘Give me a man, ‘and now you come to me with these Roman sticks? Am I a dog?” No, Satan, you are done!

And the son of Jesse approaches, a foreshadow of the Son of God entering the arena to do battle with the enemy once and for all, and he speaks,

“You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear.”

(1Samuel 17:45, 46b-47a ESV)

I hover over David’s victory. Resisting any temptation to place myself in the story in his sandals. I’m not David in the story, I’m in the ranks of those who were oppressed by the enemy, in fear of the enemy, and needed another to provide deliverance from the enemy. I’m to resist the devil (James 4:7), not run onto the battlefield seeking to confront him. I am to put on the whole armor of God so that I can stand firm against his schemes and weather his assaults (Eph. 6:11), not seek to engage him so that I might slay him. For he has already been defeated. The greater David, Jesus Christ the Lord, the Son of David, the Son of God, has fought the fight, defeated the enemy, and won the battle. And that, not with a bag of rocks, but through a wooden Roman cross.

Satan said, Give me a man. And he got more than he could handle.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.

(Colossians 2:13-15 ESV)

A Man by God’s grace. The Man, Christ Jesus, for God’s glory.

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The Full Potential of Grace

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Pete

Cleaning up and re-posting something from this day’s readings 10 years ago.

Grace. Amazing Grace. Wonderful Grace of Jesus. Grace Greater Than My Sin. Unmerited Favor. God’s Richest At Christ’s Expense.

If there’s a single word that captures the gospel it could very well be grace. And I shuddered a bit this morning as I read in 2Corinthians. In this letter written to a church, these instructions written to a body of believers, Paul says to these saints:

We appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain . . .

(2Corinthians 6:1b ESV).

Some suppose that the reference here is to salvation. That it’s a warning not to reject God’s offer of free (for us not for His Son) forgiveness — for “Behold, now is the favorable time, behold, now is the day of salvation” (6:2 ESV). Could be. But the sense I get as I read the chapter is that, continuing on from chapter 5, Paul makes an appeal to maximize the potential of grace and not render it void through continuance in living after the world and in the pursuit and indulgence of sin. I especially think this based on what I see as the other “bookend” for this section:

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

(2Corinthians 7:1 ESV).

Catch that? We are to cleanse ourselves so that holiness will be brought to completion in the fear of God. While we are saved by grace, and while we are to live in His all sufficient grace, we are to also seek to allow grace to complete the work begun in us. To determine, by His grace, to pursue holiness. When we do, it is then, I think, that we are not receiving the grace of God in vain.

The work of grace is intended to go way beyond our spiritual rebirth. It is the foundation for our sanctification, for the taking on of the character of Christ. But, should we determine to be “unequally yoked” with those outside of grace — with lawlessness, darkness, and idols (6:14-16) — then we are in danger of receiving the grace of God in vain.

We can take the riches of God and ignore the potential to make eternal investments and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven. We can take the seed of the living Word implanted within us and be careless with watering it and nurturing it so that it bears fruit for His glory. We can take all the tools which God has given to us to participate in the divine nature and, instead, leave them in the toolbox and seek to build nothing upon the foundation laid by Christ. Oh, how I shudder at the thought of receiving God’s grace in vain.

“For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty.’ ”

(2Corinthians 6:16b-18 ESV)

Oh, the privilege of grace! To be made a place where God desires to dwell. To be called His people. To be owned as His children. “Do not!” says the heart of the apostle, “Do not receive it all in vain!”

Instead I am to pursue it, by His grace. To be a welcoming habitation for the Lord, by His grace. To own as precious beyond precious, the title, “People of God”, by His grace. To lean into the Spirit of adoption who resides within and, as a child of God, cry out, “Abba, Father!”, desiring no family above His, by His grace. To say no to the world, to the old nature, to the voices of those who walk the path of destruction, by His grace. And to embrace the call to bring holiness to completion in the fear of God. By His grace.

It is Amazing Grace. It is Wonderful Grace. It is Grace Greater Than My Sin. It is God’s Riches At Christ Expense. And, as much as lies within me, I desire that it will be grace that achieves its full potential in me.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.

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Swallowed Up By Life

Posted on April 27, 2021 by Pete

The best is yet to come. For the believer that’s always a true statement. No matter how good it has been, the best is yet to come. No matter how good it is, or might get, the best is still yet to come. And, no matter how bad it’s been, or it is, or it might become, guess what? The best is yet to come. That’s a promise to claim!

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened — not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

(2Corinthians 5:1-5 ESV)

An earthly tent exchanged for a heavenly building. A temporary dwelling fashioned from the dust of the earth replaced with a permanent house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The child of God prepared for this very thing. Take it to the bank. For the Spirit indwelling us is a guarantee of the reality awaiting for us.

And here’s what I’m chewing on this morning: we are going to be swallowed up by life.

Don’t think I’ve ever heard that phrase used at a funeral. We’ll talk of someone who has died as having “departed” or “passed on.” As we mourn differently than others who have no hope (1Thess. 4:13), we might even encourage one another in our grief by referring to a brother or sister who has left us as having been “promoted into glory.” But what if, as we laid their mortal body in the ground, we reminded ourselves that their mortality has been swallowed up by life?

A dear departed one more alive now than ever before in their life. Those who have gone before now fully, tangibly enveloped with a love we can but sense from within. Those who have traded in the tents of their sojourning, now in the presence of the Author of Life (Acts 3:15), as He fulfills His promise to give them life and life more abundantly . . . superiorly . . . extraordinarily . . . surpassingly . . . more exceedingly (Jn. 10:10).

Swallowed up by life. We know it’s coming. Don’t know when. Don’t know how. But we know that while to live is Christ, to die is gain (Php. 1:21). For we know that to be “away from the body” is to be “at home with the Lord” (2Cor. 5:8).

And then, we will thank Him, face to face, for His amazing grace. Even as we behold Him, face to face, in all His awesome glory.

The best is yet to come! Amen?

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Manifested

Posted on April 26, 2021 by Pete

Since reading Rankin Wilbourne’ book, Union with Christ, I have been more mindful of the implications of “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). That not only am I “in Christ”, but He is actually living through me. That’s why I can do “all things”, because I’m strengthened by Christ who lives in me (Php. 4:13). That’s why I have a run at being holy as He is holy (1Pet. 1:15-16). Because it’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. I think, in part, that’s why these verses in 2Corinthians popped this morning. The other part, I’m sure, is because my resident Teacher loves me too much for me to think that “Christ in me” is only about what I can do and not also about what I may have to bear.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

(2Corinthians 4:7-11 ESV)

Pretty familiar with this portion of Scripture. But my focus has tended to be on being a jar of clay (4:7). Or of not losing heart when the going gets tough (4:1, 4:16). Or of the inner self being renewed though the outer self is wasting way (4:16). Or the comfort of knowing that everything this side of eternity is but a “light momentary affliction” (4:17).

But what caught my eye, and my soul, is thought of manifesting the life of Christ in our bodies. The visibility of Christ living through us in our mortal flesh. And how’s that done? By “always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake.”

Okay, so who’s looking for a premature death? Not this guy. Who naturally embraces the possibility of having to endure afflictions in life which just leave you confused? Not me. Tell me that I going to be persecuted and struck down, and do you think I’m forcing my way to the front of the line to sign up? Uh, huh! But what if, in “dying” in this way, it actually manifests the life of Jesus in me? Hmm . . .

Not crushed, not driven to despair, not forsaken, not destroyed. Only explanation? The Christ who lives in me. Being given over to death, whether literally or metaphorically, and not just surviving but actually thriving — that’s got to show the reality of the One who conquered death living in me. This is union with Christ.

It not just what we must endure for the sake of the cross, but what we get to demonstrate of the power of the empty tomb.

Jesus is alive and well and living in us through His Spirit. Wanna know how? It’s manifested every time we are tried but not defeated. Every time we take a licking and keep on ticking (older generation reference). Every time these fragile jars of clay are stressed and, though cracked, are not broken — demonstrating for all who have eyes to see that it’s possible only because of the reality that Jesus lives in us. The power belonging to God and not to us. Jesus manifested in our bodies.

Like I said, I’m not looking for trouble. I’d be happy if me and trials and sufferings walked parallel paths. But if they’re permitted by my Sovereign Father then I trust it will be to manifest, to myself if not to anyone else, the reality of my union with Christ.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Jesus Really is the Answer!

Posted on April 23, 2021 by Pete

It’s Sunday School humor 101.

“What’s the answer to every question asked in the little kids class?”

“Jesus!”

Then we chuckle to ourselves, “Ha, ha! How cute!”

Uh, no. Actually, pretty profound. An “out of the mouth of babes” thing. ‘Cause Jesus really is the answer.

But [the Israelites] minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

(2Corinthians 3:14-16 ESV)

Paul’s contrasting the old covenant with the new. The law of Moses, “the ministry of death” carved in letters of stone, which came with “such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory” compared to the “ministry of the Spirit” which gives life, imputes righteousness, and comes with far exceeding glory (2Cor. 3:6-11). And the key which unlocks the old to reveal the new? The super power which opens up hardened minds and removes the cover from veiled hearts? Cue everyone’s go to Sunday School answer — “Jesus!”

I recall an old southern gospel classic sung by Jake Hess, Prayer is the Key to Heaven (But Faith Unlocks the Door). Well, if I’m picking up what Paul’s laying down, reading and meditating and studying might unlock the door, but Jesus is the key to the Scriptures. He is the fulfillment of all that is written in what we call the Old Testament (Lk. 24:44). He unlocks the reasons, the foreshadows, and the ultimate fulfillment of everything written by Moses and the Prophets (Mt. 5:17, Lk. 24:27). He’s all over the pages of the Psalms (Lk. 20:41-44). Think Jesus as you’re reading the Old Testament and light bulbs start coming on as you’re reading the Old Testament.

Encountered that this morning as I read in Psalm 98. A call for all to sing to the LORD a new song when His right hand and holy arm is revealed. A day when His righteousness is known in the sight of the nations. A day when all the ends of the earth will have seen the salvation of God. A day when the LORD comes to judge the world with righteousness. A day when trumpets will sound, and a joyful noise is made before the King, the LORD! What’s the psalmist talking about? Who’s the songwriter singing about? Jesus!

Jesus, the One who has come as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, is the One who is coming again as the King of Kings to rule in glory over all the earth. The first time, the promised Messiah came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (read that also this morning in Mk. 10:45), but the next time He comes every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Php. 2:10-11).

Jesus really is the answer. Only through Christ is the veil removed. He alone unlocks the Scriptures.

Opening my Bible every morning there’s a sense of anticipation. Where’s Jesus? And rare is the morning when I don’t, at some point, experience a sense of exhilaration. There He is!

Unveiled by His grace. Revealed for His glory.

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Entering the Kingdom

Posted on April 22, 2021 by Pete

Hovering over the story of the rich young guy who came to Jesus in order to complete his portfolio. He already had “great possessions” (Mk. 10:22b), but wanted to know how to invest wisely so as to “inherit eternal life” (Mk. 10:17b).

But the counsel he received from Jesus “disheartened” him. It made him sad. Eternal life was going to require too much of his temporal goods.

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

(Mark 10:21 ESV)

After the young man walks away, Jesus seizes the encounter as a teachable moment for His followers.

And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

(Mark 10:24 ESV)

To walk away from that which is seen for that which is unseen is difficult. To trade what’s in the bank today for treasures in heaven tomorrow is really hard. It so goes against our grain that Jesus’s disciples couldn’t help but ask, “Then who can be saved?” But praise God! “For all things are possible with God” (Mk. 10:26-27).

And while I’m no rich young man compared to others (not rich, nor so young), I do have a few possessions, a comfortable balance in the bank account and, compared to many others on this terrestrial ball, I camp on the wealthier side of the scale. And, by God’s grace, as I look back, I always have.

So, do I sit here this morning and thank God that, because He is able to do all things, this camel got through the eye of the needle (Mk. 10:25)? For sure! For I have entered the kingdom of God despite my material privilege. To God be the glory!

But something we talked about in our men’s study last night has me thinking this morning. Last night we talked about Jesus calling those who would embrace the kingdom He taught of, to “enter by the narrow gate.” And to keep entering, remaining in the way and resisting the allure of the way which is wide and easy but leads to destruction (Mt. 7:13-14). And if that’s true, the need to keep entering, then is it also true that it continues to be difficult for those who have wealth to keep on wanting to pursue and enter more deeply into the ways of the kingdom? I’m thinkin’ . . .

The more I seek first the kingdom, the more I need to be prepared to loosen my grip on the ways of this world. The deeper I desire the way of the cross, the more it’s going to cost. The more I want to store up treasures in eternity, the more I may have to let go of in this moment. Even though “I’m in”, I still need to be willing to give it all away.

Difficult? Yup. Really hard? Could be. Disheartened? No, but also not taking it lightly. Up for the trek of continuing to enter, deeper and deeper, into the economy of the kingdom of heaven? Not in my own power — but with God all things are possible.

Because of grace. For His glory.

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Old and Heavy

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Pete

It’s probably not fair to compare Eli with Paul. But that’s what I did as I read this morning in 1Samuel.

During our Sunday morning preaching series we’re working our way through 2Timothy. Running, as it were, with Paul on the final leg of his last lap, ready to hand the baton of faith off to Timothy his beloved child in the faith, his apprentice concerning the gospel and contending for the faith. And I know what’s coming pretty soon. Even while Paul is being”poured out like a drink offering”, he knows that as death approaches he has fought the good fight; he has finished the race; he has kept the faith. And so, even though imprisoned, in spirit he sprints toward the finish line anticipating the victor’s crown for all who love the Lord’s appearing (2Tim. 4:6-8).

What a contrast to how Eli crosses the finish line. Unlike Paul who, I imagine, breaks the tape with arms raised in victory, Eli falls over it backwards in tragic defeat.

As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.

(1Samuel 4:18 ESV)

The man was old and heavy. How’s that for an epitaph?

Now, in all fairness, the man was old. Eli was 98 years old (1Sam. 4:15). Probably in the neighborhood of 35 years older than was Paul when he was promoted into glory. And, to be clear, I’m not being critical of Eli just because he was sporting a BMI in the 40’s or higher. But that God inspires the author or 1Samuel to record this last assessment of Eli’s life I think is purposeful. And profitable if I have ears to hear.

That Eli got old wasn’t Eli’s fault. Not his call. God had determined his days (Ps. 139:16). But that he got lazy in his calling, and loose with the things of the LORD during those days? I think that’s on him. The priesthood was a mess.

Read the first four chapters of 1Samuel and you’ll find that Eli’s sons, the priests in charge of day to day operations in the tent at Shiloh, were out of control. Hophni and Phineas were running amok as they served their own sensual desires rather than their sacred calling. In fact, the holy record declares they were “worthless men. They did not know the LORD” (1:12). They ate what should have been the LORD’s, treating the offering of the LORD “with contempt” (2:12-17). What’s more, they abused their power and slept with women who were at Shiloh to serve the LORD (2:22). And while Eli protested the actions of his sons (2:25), he seems to have retired from protecting the name of the LORD.

That Eli was overweight wasn’t necessarily a problem in and of itself, either. Unless of course it was because, along with his sons, he ate from the temple sacrifices the fat which should have been the LORD’s. He may have protested their inappropriate behavior, yet he participated in the contempt they showed for the LORD’s sacrifice. We know that’s the case as the LORD calls Eli on it through prophetic voices.

“I gave to the house of your father all My offerings by fire from the people of Israel. Why then do you scorn My sacrifices and My offerings that I commanded for My dwelling, and honor your sons above Me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of My people Israel?”

(1Samuel 2:28b-29 ESV)

“And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them.”

(1Samuel 3:13 ESV)

Paul was much younger than Eli. Paul was probably a lot leaner than Eli, but that may have been simply because you can’t bulk up too much when, if you’re not on the run from rioting mobs, you’re in a Roman prison. Nevertheless, Paul was running the race and fighting the good fight until the end. Eli, on the other hand, as much spiritually as physically, was old and heavy.

Not judging him. Learning from his tragic finish.

I don’t want to cross the finish line old and heavy. I want to be on my feet leaning into it, not on my rear falling backwards over it.

Only by God’s grace. Desiring God’s glory.

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Relying on God — Always a Good Thing

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Pete

Utterly burdened. Completely overwhelmed. Beyond strength. Way past the ability to endure. Despairing even of life. Thinking this is it, it’s over, not going to make it!

That’s the situation Paul describes in the opening chapter of 2Corinthians (vv. 8-9a). For as many bullets as Paul had dodged throughout his ministry, the affliction they experienced in Asia seemed to carry with it “the sentence of death.”

So what do you say to Paul & Co. in the midst of that? Suppose that somehow you’re permitted to walk alongside these servants of God as they are run through the wringer, not sure they’re gonna come out the other side — what do you say to them? Quoting Romans 8:28, “that for those who love God all things work together for good”, doesn’t quite seem to fit, perhaps comes across a bit trite. Or does it? After all, it was Paul who came up with it (well, actually it was God via the Holy Spirit as He moved Paul to write it). But what possible good could come from such a desperate state? This morning, I’m chewing on Paul’s implicit to that question.

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

(2Corinthians 1:8-9 ESV)

Paul was at the end of himself, it forced him to look beyond himself. His strength was gone, he needed to draw on some other power. Nothing left in the gas tank, had to trust in another kind of fuel. I smile at the way Peterson puts it:

As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally–not a bad idea since He’s the God who raises the dead!

(2Corinthians 1:9b MSG)

Isn’t that the ultimate good in any desperate situation, that it compels us to rely on the Lord? I’m thinkin’ . . .

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ . . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in his death . . .

(Philippians 3:8, 10 ESV)

Isn’t it the opportunity in any suffering situation, to have to rely on Him? To be compelled to trust in Him? To be cornered into experimentally knowing Him and the truth of His ever-present help in time of need? A help sourced in the power to raise the dead? Yeah, I’m thinking that’s always the opportunity.

If no other good comes from a desperate season of life, the good of having had to draw near to God so that we might know the supernatural dynamic of God drawing near to us (James 4:8) is of eternal worth. We can know God in our sufferings in a manner less accessible to us in our self-sufficiency.

Then, when deliverance is realized, we reap more than just an escape from a particular situation. We harvest the fruit of a built up faith — more convinced than ever that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Possessing a firsthand knowledge that His grace really is sufficient and that His strength really is manifest in our weakness (2Cor. 12:9).

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will deliver us again.

(2Corinthians 1:10 ESV)

He delivered us. He will deliver us. He will deliver us again!

Thus, on Him we have set our hope. A more sure hope. A tested hope. A hope based on the experience of being comforted by the God of comfort. And having known up close and personal His supernatural presence and power, we not only survive but, in fact, we thrive. Because relying on God is always a good thing.

Easier to say than to actually step through. But true none the less. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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This Kind

Posted on April 19, 2021 by Pete

There’s different kinds. I guess that’s not too surprising. It’s just not something I’ve really paused to noodle on. There’s different kinds of demons, different types of evil spirits.

And when [Jesus] had entered the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And He said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

(Mark 9:28- 29 ESV)

This wasn’t the disciples’ first encounter with demons. Jesus had given them “authority over the unclean spirits” and they had previously exercised that authority. They had already “cast out many demons” (Mk. 6:7b, 13a). So why not this one? Why couldn’t they cast this one out?

Since childhood this man’s son had been demonized. In bondage to a spirit that had stricken him mute and had repeatedly seized him, thrown him to the ground, and caused him to foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid. It might have looked like epilepsy, but evidently what the boy suffered from was anything but natural causes. His was not a battle against flesh and blood. He was wrestling with “cosmic powers” of darkness and “spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:12). And whatever it was that owned the boy, it wasn’t your run of the mill demon, it was this kind. The kind that could only be driven out by prayer.

Though Jesus’ disciples had experience with dispossessing demons, they had failed to recognize that not every kind was the same kind. Perhaps they thought they had the casting out demons thing down pat. Just place your hand here, give an authoritative command there, top it off with “in the name of Jesus” for good measure, and, “Presto!”, demon be gone. But apparently that’s not how it works.

The disciples failed to discern. Perhaps they had become over-confident. Eventually, it seems, they became desperate. Wonder if they also weren’t doubting, thinking somehow they had lost the “magic touch” (in the Matthew 17 parallel count, Jesus says their failure to cast out the demon was “because of your little faith”).

I guess I’m thinking there may be a broader application beyond casting out demons. We can’t rest on past victories. We can’t allow ourselves to go on auto-pilot thinking that because we figured out something once, we’ve got the next thing in the bag. Can’t be lulled into a complacent stupor which fails to recognize that today’s battles with the flesh, the world, and the forces of darkness may not be the same as they were yesterday. Rather, we need to be awake, alert, and ready of this kind. A new kind that requires new dependency, new humility, and new importunity through prayer.

Don’t know what needs to be “cast out” today. But I’d be foolish to think it’s the same as yesterday. Even more foolish to coast into today thinking that the skirmishes won yesterday guarantees victory in the battle today. That I’m up for whatever. That I’ve got it.

“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Father, help me to be awake, alert, and ready for this kind no matter the kind. Let me enter today’s battle against the flesh in the power of the Spirit. Let me engage the things of earth with my mind set on things above. And, along the way, whether I encounter this kind or that kind, help me to do so in dependent, believing prayer without ceasing.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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