My Tribe

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Pete

Continuing to read in Joshua. Continuing to think about the Levites.

Yesterday, I wondered what it was like to watch the other tribes be allotted their inheritance in the promised land and for your tribe’s name never to come up in the draft, because you didn’t get a chunk of land. I wondered if it was like opening Christmas presents around the tree and there wasn’t one with your name on it. Or like going out with your family trick-or-treating and being the only one to come back with an empty bag.

But as I read this morning, I realize I may have overstated things a bit. They actually did get toys to play with on Christmas morning, just not their own, they had to settle with one of their brothers’ toys. And it’s not like they were left out of the Halloween candy windfall, its just that they had to rely on each of their siblings giving them some from their bags.

Then the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites came to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua the son of Nun and to the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel. And they said to them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, “The LORD commanded through Moses that we be given cities to dwell in, along with their pasturelands for our livestock.” So by command of the LORD the people of Israel gave to the Levites the following cities and pasturelands out of their inheritance. . . . The cities of the Levites in the midst of the possession of the people of Israel were in all forty-eight cities with their pasturelands.

(Joshua 21:1-3, 41 ESV)

If their brothers were landowners, then maybe you could think of the Levites as renters. However, the cost of their rentals was zero dollars down, with zero dollars per month, for forever. So, maybe not such a bad deal. But still, at the end of the day, they owned nothing. Nothing was theirs to pass on to their kids. So, like I said yesterday, they had to be content that their heritage was the priesthood. Satisfied that their legacy would be found in serving an eternal God. And thus, ultimately, their’s was an inheritance that would last.

But here’s the thing that hits me this morning. Their identity was also found in their ministry. And their community would only be realized through their calling.

Whereas the other tribes were given big chunks of land in which to live together, the Levites were to be scattered throughout the land in forty-eight cities. They were to live “in the midst of the possession of the people.”

Though their brothers would have identity through proximity, the Levites were to live, in a way, as strangers in a land not their own (sound familiar). And they would be most connected as a common people when they would come together for service to the tabernacle. Though apart, what would most define them was the fact that, rather than being given an inheritance, God had chosen them as an inheritance (Num. 3:12). And though scattered, what would bring them most into a sense of community and common purpose was when they came together to minister at the tent of meeting.

And it’s got me thinking that maybe there’s something in the Levites of old that paints a picture of what gospel community is about for believers today.

We don’t have an inheritance here. We’re scattered among the people. And while we might tend our pasturelands just like our neighbors, what truly defines us is when we’re in service to our God. And what ultimately unites us is not a common up-bringing, socio-economic status, or natural affinities and interests. Rather, what brings us together is a shared burning desire to worship our God, to serve Him, and to represent Him.

And guess what? COVID quarantine doesn’t change that one bit. While proximity certainly promotes community and unity, and while that is God’s preferred way for us to encourage one another and be built up in our faith (and I can’t wait until that day when we’re doing so again face to face), I’m reminded this morning that our ultimate bond is found by being in Christ, sealed with His Spirit, and set apart for a common mission. That our ultimate identity is not in how much, or in what manner, we gather, but in how faithfully we serve. That our ultimate community comes not from proximity but in purpose.

Like the Levites, God has owned us as His own (1Pet. 2:9). Like the Levites, we’ve been told our inheritance isn’t found in this land (Heb. 13:14). Like the Levites, we’ve been scattered, as salt and light (Matt. 5:13-14), among a world owned by others (yet still ruled by God). And like the Levites, our family is most defined by our faithfulness to our God (Mk. 3:34).

That’s my tribe. Praising God for them this morning.

Because of His grace. For His glory.

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An Inheritance that Lasts

Posted on March 30, 2020 by Pete

Most of the conquering’s been done. Big chunks of land have already been deeded to the larger tribes. Time to divvy out the rest of the promised land.

And I wonder what it was like for the leaders of the different tribes of Israel to gather round as the lot was cast “in Shiloh before the LORD” (Joshua 18:7). Shiloh, that’s the first place where the tent of meeting was first set up after the dust had settled. And it was there Joshua and “the heads of the fathers’ houses of the tribes of the people of Israel” met “before the LORD” and allotted the land (19:51).

But what I’m really chewing on is what it was like for the tribe of Levi?

Hovering this morning over a simple, matter of fact statement, that I’m thinking kind of has huge eternal implications. Wondering how satisfied those Levites really were with an inheritance that lasts.

The Levites have no portion among you, for the priesthood of the LORD is their heritage.

(Joshua 18:7 ESV)

Was it like being gathered ’round the tree with family on Christmas morning and watching as gifts were passed out to everyone else but you? Or coming home from hours of trick-or-treating on Halloween with your brothers and sisters and your bag is the only bag that comes home empty? And what does dad say? “Oh, never you mind! Sure, your brothers are getting land, and cities, and fields and such. But you, you’ve got the priesthood as your heritage.” Hmmm. How might that play?

I’ve got the priesthood too (1Pet. 2:5) by the grace of God and through the finished work of the cross. But I also have a house I call mine (though, it really isn’t, is it?). And some retirement savings (well, a little less these days). But what if all I had to “call my own” was the priesthood? What if that was it?

What if being consecrated for God’s service was all I could call “mine” in this world, while those around me had the privilege of accumulating stuff and passing it on to their kids? Would it be enough?

Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21). Would it mess too much with what Jesus said to also say that where our inheritance is, where our legacy lies, there our heart will be also? I’m thinking not.

If our heritage is found in the name we make for ourselves here on earth, or the amount of stuff we can leave behind to our kids and others, then that’s where we are going to be investing our discretionary resources — the time, talent, and treasures we have left over after we’ve put food on the table and paid the bills. But if our inheritance lies somewhere else, if it is ultimately found in being set apart for God’s work in us and through us, then that’s where we’ll be investing our “surplus” — investing it in an inheritance that lasts.

If this current pandemic season reminds us of anything it’s that life is fragile and so much of what we might seek to live for just doesn’t stand up.

But this current season can also remind us we’ve been given a priesthood as our heritage, and that’s an inheritance that’ll be around forever.

And when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

(Revelation 5:8-10 ESV)

O Father, give us the heart of the Levite, so that, if we had nothing else to call our own, we’d be content with the priesthood as our heritage. That we would faithfully “practice” being priests, here and now, in anticipation of reigning with Your Son, there and then. Might we know the peace, security, and blessing of living for an inheritance that lasts.

By Your grace. For Your glory.

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Always a Song to Sing

Posted on March 27, 2020 by Pete

He wanted to sing again. He wanted songs of praise to flow freely and words of worship to be offered up once more before his God. But no matter how hard the songwriter tried, he couldn’t. ‘Cause life was really, really getting hard. Like, “God are You there” hard.

Whenever He tried to remember God, he moaned. When he tried to be still and meditate, rather than priming the pump of wonder he was overcome with weariness. He would lay awake at night, his mind racing so fast and so full of stuff that, if you asked him, he couldn’t even tell you all that was troubling him. No way he could make sense of his current situation. And no way, seemingly, he could break the crazy cycle of despair feeding despair.

He wanted to sing again. He wanted to be immersed in the deep things of God again.

I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.”

(Psalm 77:6a ESV)

But as he tried to find God in his current season he only came up with questions. Will the Lord spur forever? Has His steadfast love ceased? Are His promises done, has He forgotten to be gracious? Have I so angered Him that His compassion has dried up? (77:7-9). Everything in his current life circumstance seemed to be pointing to a heaven which had closed its door to him. “Selah,” he says. Pause. Reflect. Heavy sigh!

But then, an idea. Rather than obsess on this time when God seems so far away, what if, instead, I take every thought captive and focus on a time when I knew God’s presence, when, without question, I saw His hand at work.

Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.” I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds.

(Psalm 77:10-12 ESV)

And so where does the songwriter go to remember such a time? What does he determine to recall to know again that no god is great like our God? Where does he direct his mind, what does he chew on, to be reminded that his God is a God who works wonders?

You with Your arm redeemed Your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

(Psalm 77:15 ESV)

The songwriter sings to himself, “Self, behold your redemption! Recall your deliverance. Remember your salvation.” Selah . . . just chew on that.

So he thinks of the God who made Himself known as He walked His people out of Egypt. He thinks of the God who showed Himself mighty as He led His people out of bondage even as they encountered deep waters that seemed unmanageable. The God known in the thunder of the whirlwind. The God known in the lightnings that lit up the world. The God who walked them through deep waters, on route to a land of promise. Just like a shepherd would lead His flock (77:16-20).

When the waters saw You, O God, when the waters saw You, they were afraid; indeed, the deep trembled. . . . Your way was through the sea, Your path through the great waters; yet Your footprints were unseen.

(Psalm 77:16, 19 ESV)

God’s way was through the sea, then. Evidently, it seemed to be that way again.

But been there, done that, recalls the songwriter. And redemption was realized. If God saved me then, he can save me now. If God was with me then, surely, though I don’t sense His presence at this time, He is with me now.

I may not be able to sing about my current season and all its uncertainty, but I can sing of that rescue which I have known, my redemption and His wondrous works to secure it. I may not be seeing the hand of God right now, but we never saw the footprints of God then, either. But He was then, and is still now, mighty to save!

Unseen footprints. Isn’t that how our God operates so often? But unmistakable promises . . . and unchangeable character. So, if God says through His Spirit, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” — and He does (Php. 1:6) — then we should focus on the “good work begun” even when we have trouble figuring out the crazy world we’re in now.

Other than maybe the “COVID Blues,” there’s not much to sing about now. But we can still sing . . .

. . . for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

(2Timothy 1:12 ESV)

There’s always a song to sing. The song of our redemption. The song of our Redeemer. If He saved us then, truly, with God all things are possible now (Matt. 19:25-26).

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

Got 5 more minutes? I was blessed by eavesdropping on this old-time congregation gathering in this old time way (probably not gathering together these day, but will be soon), singing this old time hymn. The words gripped my heart afresh, making me wanna sing too. Check it out if you’ve got the time.

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Jesus Saw Their Faith

Posted on March 26, 2020 by Pete

Reading in Mark 2 this morning and encountered one of my favorite statements found in all three of the synoptic gospel accounts. Four simple, mono-syllable words, that never cease to inspire. Never cease to capture the bottom-line of what was a chaotic and complex event.

Jesus is back in Capernaum, and after a few days it gets around that He’s back in town. His fame has spread everywhere (Mk. 1:28). So much so, that He “could no longer openly enter a town” (Mk. 1:45). So when they find out Jesus was at home, they packed the house where He was staying. No room inside for anyone else to get in. No room around the house, either — you couldn’t even get near the front door (Mk. 1:2). Crowded and chaotic. So filled with people you wonder if the house would burst at the seams. Nope! But the roof would cave in.

Enter the fearsome five. Four able-bodied guys along their paralytic buddy who they carried on a cot. Five guys on a “Jesus or Bust” mission to get the one who needed healing before the Healer. And they were not to be denied. To rip off USPS, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night (nor packed-full house with no apparent access) stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

So if you can’t go in the front door, and you can’t go in the back door, and the windows are plugged up with people too, go in through the roof.

And when they could not get near [Jesus] because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.

(Mark 2:4 ESV)

Love trying to imagine what it must have been like to witness this over the top demonstration of determination. Crazy!

But then, that simple, mono-syllable statement . . .

And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

(Mark 2:5 ESV)

Jesus saw their faith. Chew on that for a bit.

I wonder if most often we don’t think of faith as an intangible. As something invisible. More sensed than seen. More perceived than presented. But Jesus saw their faith. The newly created skylight above Him, the dust of fallen roofing material settling around Him, the paralyzed guy lying flat on his back in front of Him. Jesus took it all in.

Did these guys believe Jesus could make a difference? Evidently. Was it tangible. Oh, yeah!

He saw their faith because He saw the evidence of their faith. He could see they trusted because of the track they took. He knew they believed because of how they behaved.

No packed rooms here at my place. Just me rattling around in this big house. Not fighting for access to Jesus, no need to break a door down or tear a roof open. Just aware of His promised presence. And thinking that, I too, want Jesus to see my faith. That my abiding will be manifest in my actions. That my resting, made evident in how I’m responding to being sheltered in place. That what we so often think of as being intangible and invisible, would be demonstrated through a pressing desire to be faithful, . . . despite the temptation to fear.

Jesus saw their faith. Yes He did!

Might He see ours this day as well.

By His grace. For His glory.

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It Is Good To Be Near God

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Pete

Feeling isolated yet? If you’re an introvert who normally racks up a fair amount of on-your-own time, maybe you’re scratching your head saying, “What’s that?” But maybe, if you’re more used to going a million miles an hour and having a million things on the go, cabin fever’s starting to set in and you’re starting to go a bit stir crazy. Could be, if you’re wired for more of a wait and see approach to life, you’re still chillin’. But, if you’re not wired that way, this lack of feeling like you’re in control might have your wiring starting to fray a bit.

But regardless of how we’re normally inclined to operate, there’s a lot that just isn’t normal about how day to day life is happening right now. And I’m thinking, the longer we’re sheltered in place trying to do normal when all is not normal, it’s gonna start getting to most of us in some way. The more we’re sequestered, the more we’re likely to feel secluded.

So something I read in Psalm 73 was a helpful perspective setter . . . or re-setter, as the case may be.

For the psalmist it wasn’t about dealing with a pandemic and all the “Why this? Why now? Why me?” questions that might come along with it. For the songwriter it was about, “Why the wicked? And why do they seem to prosper?”

He was so bent out of shape over trying to figure out the apparent injustice in his world that his feet “had almost stumbled” and his “steps had nearly slipped” as he became “envious of the arrogant” and fixated on the “the prosperity of the wicked” (73:12).

Same as us, but different. Get too locked into 24-hour news sources and it’s hard for the panic to not set in or, depending on which source you’re watching, for the callousness of cynicism to not start forming. Spend too much time worrying about tomorrow’s “what if” scenarios, and it’s going to start to drastically change how we determine to live our lives today. Faith giving way to fear. Trust giving way to turmoil.

So, how do we regain proper perspective? How do we get a grip again on a heavenly view of earthly happenings?

But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

(Psalm 73:16-17 ESV)

We can read about COVID-19, hear about COVID-19, and noodle on COVID-19 until the cows come home, but, honestly, we’re never going to fully understand COVID-19. Talk about your “wearisome task.” But COVID-19, like everything else under God’s sovereign hand, falls into line when we enter into “the sanctuary of God.” When we come back to where the glory dwells. When we reconnect with God through His word. When we realize, no matter how secluded we might feel, we need not be far from God.

The songwriter gets that he was going a bit crazy with his obsession with the prospering of the wicked. His soul was embittered, he says. He was becoming “brutish” and “arrogant” and even “like a beast” toward God Himself. But then, by God’s grace, he realized afresh:

Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand.

(Psalm 73:23 ESV)

Praise God for moments of clarity. For His Spirit restoring us to our senses. Despite all that’s going on around me, says the songwriter, regardless of everything I just don’t get . . . no matter how wacked out I feel like I’m becoming, I am with you, God! Continually, always, without interruption! You hold my right hand. You can be my 24 hour news network. Your Word, alleviating my worry. Your presence, providing my peace.

And then, this bottom-line, at-the-end-of-the-day, when-all-is-said-and-done declaration by the songwriter:

But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

(Psalm 73:28 ESV)

A bottom-line statement by the songwriter after twenty-seven verses of working through his current situation. My bottom-line as well.

No matter how sheltered in place I might be, it is good to be near God. No matter how rocked my world might seem, He remains my refuge.

Never alone.

True statement for every believer. For every child of God who can enter the sanctuary, approach the Father, abide with Son, all because they are filled with the Spirit.

Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

(Psalm 139:7-10 ESV)

Never alone. It is good to be near God. Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Be Strong and Courageous

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Pete

No way you read the opening chapter of Joshua and you’re not inspired afresh.

Impossible to not sense the anticipation. This is it! Mission “Take the Land” will soon be launched.

And hard not to imagine that Joshua’s feeling the pressure. Moses is dead, and now Joshua’s the top guy.

But the promises made to Moses, and to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are alive and well. For God is faithful (read that this morning in 1Corinthians 1:9). And now it’s Joshua who is to lead the people into the land. Who is to be the focal for the fight, the boss who everyone’s going to look to in the battle. No pressure, Josh!

But he’s not the ultimate commander for the conflict (that will be made clear in my reading tomorrow). He’s the leader of the people’s army but heads into battle under the direction of Another who has determined the battle plan and will be calling the shots. Under the protection of Another who has Joshua’s back and is providing air cover with an army of mighty angels, the army of the LORD. Another who is present, promising never to leave Joshua nor forsake him.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9 ESV)

Be strong and courageous. Third time I read that in just the first nine verses of the book of Joshua. Third time the LORD speaks it to Joshua.

Game on, Josh! This is it, buddy! The ground’s gonna shake, but don’t tremble. It might get pretty scary, but don’t shake. Could get fierce, but don’t be frightened. It might get pretty bad, but don’t be broken. Desperate, but don’t be dismayed. Be strong and courageous. For the LORD your God is with you.

Be strong and courageous! Three times (1:6, 1:7, 1:9) the LORD encourages Joshua with these words.

But it’s the fourth time I read these words in this chapter that’s got me thinking this morning.

And [the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh] answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you, as he was with Moses! . . . Only be strong and courageous.”

(Joshua 1:16-18 ESV)

Be strong and courageous. The God who had promised to lead Joshua commanded it. The people who would follow Joshua depended upon it.

Can’t help but think that each of us is on the edge of a battle that’s going to last awhile. Even when the “enemy” is defeated, the collateral damage is going to take some time to work through. Also can’t help but think that each of us has people in our lives that need us to be strong and courageous, too.

Might be our kids watching to see how we trust. Other family members fearful for the future. Might be a friend in need of a friend. Could just be a neighbor who sees us drive out to church every Sunday morning, who’s now got their eye on us to see how we respond at a time like this. There’s someone, likely multiple someones, in our world who needs us to be strong and courageous.

Not so we can boast of our fearlessness, but that we might bear witness of His faithfulness. Not so we can show how strong we are, but how sufficient His grace really is (2Cor. 12:9-10). Not so we can contend for what is ours, but show what it is to be content in whatever state we’re in (Php. 4:11-13). Not so we can show how to hang in there until our “lost wealth” is recouped, but so, for His Name’s sake, we might continue to invest in laying up treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21).

Be strong and courageous. Our Lord commands it of us, and that, with a promise, “I will never leave your nor forsake you” (Josh. 1:5). Others need it of us. To see that our faith is not fiction, and that our God is more than able.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

(Jude 24, 25)

Amen?

By His grace. For His glory.

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Sheltered in Place, Sheltered in Peace

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Pete

Good Sunday with the church yesterday. Not, at the church, but with the church.

Our “sheltered in place” body met together via the wonders of technology, some “connecting” afterwards with texts and emails of mutual encouragement. After “going off the air”, my co-production buddy and I sat with the Lord around His table and remembered His past work on our behalf on the cross and, rejoiced in His current work on our behalf making intercession at the right hand of the Father. Then we transitioned from our makeshift “broadcast studio” to his office, pulled out our guitars and worshiped. So sweet! And after an afternoon of more sheltering in place (which I do most Sunday afternoons in a semi-conscious fashion, so not too different), I got to hang out with my small group via video conferencing last night. Just seeing those saints is a balm for the soul.

Like I said. A good Sunday with the church yesterday. Last night’s sleep was the best sleep I’ve had all week.

But, here we are, another week of uncertainty in front of us.

And, as I’m reading in Psalm 71 this morning, a reminder of something that irks me about the current situation we’re enduring. The constant reminder that I am in the “at risk” group. The reminder that I’m not the young and the invincible any longer. That I’m way past the “spring chicken” season of life. (Also a reminder that my ego still has some sanctifying to undergo.)

As I hover over the songwriter’s song this morning, guessing it’s David, he’s older and still having to deal with troubles in his life. And still having to make the conscious decision, every day, to take refuge in the LORD, to “continually come” to the One who is his rock and his fortress (71:1, 3).

Seems his “golden years” aren’t so golden. You know what I mean. In our culture, in particular, we want to believe that our latter years should be our more leisurely years. That it should be a season of more ease than exertion, of more comforts than concerns, of more carefree wandering then constant worrying. Isn’t that what the golden years should be about? Not necessarily, it would seem.

And here’s the perspective offered by the songwriter that’s got me thinking this morning. Here’s what I’m chewing on . . .

O God, from my youth You have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like You?

(Psalm 71:17-19 ESV)

The stuff the songwriter had known from his youth, would be the stuff that would sustain him in his golden years, even when, at times, the gold seemed a bit tarnished.

While things around us might change ever so drastically, and ever so quickly, our God never changes. He still the God of the wondrous deeds of the past. His power is still all-powerful. His righteousness, still perfectly righteous. His faithfulness, always faithful.

And I’m inspired by the psalmist’s motivation for running to his Rock, for wanting to keep on keepin’ on, for wanting to finish well — so that he could proclaim the might of His God to another generation. To not just shelter in place to self-preserve, but, even in how he sheltered in place, to model what it is to trust in his Rock and his Refuge. To live out what it is to really “walk by faith and not by sight” (2Cor. 5:7).

For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.

(Psalm 71:5 ESV)

Another week ahead of us, if the Lord be not come, to declare His goodness to another generation. To testify of His power to all who might hear. Even as we shelter in the shadow of His wings (Ps. 57:1).

I might be in the “at risk” stage of life, but I also want to be in the “at peace” rhythm of life.

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are . . . . (Thanx Casting Crowns for those lyrics!).

Sheltered in place. Sheltered in peace.

By His grace. For His glory.

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Be Firmly Convinced

Posted on March 20, 2020 by Pete

Okay . . . so pretty sure this is the worst of devotional practices . . . taking verses — worse yet, pieces of verses — way out of context. But gonna anyway. Here’s what I’m chewing on this morning . . .

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime . . .

(Romans 13:11-13a ESV)

Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

(Romans 14:5b ESV)

Context for these verses (the context I’m kinda ignoring in a way)? Found in Paul’s “so what” section of his letter to the Romans. In light of the glories of the gospel presented in chapters 1 thru 11, chapter 12 thru the beginning of 15 provides some pretty practical instruction on how to present our bodies as living sacrifices to God in response to His abundant grace and many mercies. The Romans 13 verses above are found in a section dealing with fulfilling the law by loving each other. The partial verse from Romans 14 is from some practical counsel on how Christians should get along when it comes to permissible, yet perhaps controversial, practices.

But here’s what I’m thinking after a weird, calm and chaotic week (Calm, cause we’re all staying home. Chaotic, because the situation around us is changing daily and increasingly distancing itself from anything we’d consider normal). If anything, this relatively sudden “upset condition” should cause everyone to take pause. To recognize how fragile our seemingly solid worlds really are. It’s an hour to wake from our sleep, and give some serious thought to our goals, our priorities, our securities, maybe, for some of us, reconnecting with the real source of our identity.

A brother asked me yesterday if I thought COVID-19 was a sign of the end times. Of course it is, as have been many natural disasters over the millennia. Paul was looking for Christ’s return when he wrote. We still should have an “eye to the sky” as we read Paul 2,000 years later. Every day our “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Just most days we don’t think about it. These days . . . maybe a little more. So, it’s another opportunity for a wake up call. Another opportunity to shake the dust off, take a run at evaluating the status quo, and recalibrating what it means to “walk properly as in the daytime.”

And that brings me to the partial verse in Romans 14. Whatever we do, however we react in these unprecedented times, we’ll do because of what we are fully convinced of in our own minds. We’re gonna default to that which is dictated by our doctrine. Our course will be determined by our convictions. Our path directed by our principles. Our way forward informed by our faith.

If that’s true, then it makes sense to pause and ask ourselves, “What do I really believe about what I say I believe?”

How firmly convinced am I that I can trust in the Lord with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, knowing He, ultimately and faithfully, will make straight my paths (Prov. 3:5-6)? Or, that I am part of a body of believers that needs me to engage in loving one another (Rom. 13:8). Or, that I’m salt and light in the world and I need to figure out how to love my neighbor as myself (Rom. 13:9)? Or, that through the Spirit I really can operate with the mind of Christ and put the interests of others before my own (Php. 2:4-8)? Or, that to live really is Christ and to die really is gain (Php. 1:21)? Or, . . . you get the idea.

What are we firmly convinced of in our own minds? What promises have we memorized that now we’re ready to mobilize?

Why is this important? To quote someone who quoted Tozer in something I read: “A scared world needs a fearless church.”

Perfect love — God’s perfect love, the love we say we have known and experienced — perfect love casts out fear (1Jn 4:18). If we’re firmly convinced of God’s unfailing, unchanging, steadfast love in our minds, then it casts out fear when fear tries to creep in. And, it makes for the fearless church our frightened world so needs. Fearless not in our own power, but in gospel power.

“I believe; help my unbelief!”

(Mark 9:24b ESV . . . another partial verse out of context . . oh well)

Let the church be the church.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.

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Not Just for Our Good

Posted on March 19, 2020 by Pete

Until I got to the songwriter’s song this morning, I was kind of overwhelmed by the sheer volume of “commands to obey” I was highlighting in my readings in Deuteronomy and Romans. Ready to perhaps compare and contrast, in some manner, the instructions of Moses to purge the evil, maintain their distinction, and honor their God, with Paul’s commands to present our bodies, conform not to the world, and seek to do the will of the Father beginning with the Body of Christ.

But then, I read Psalm 67. And the first line in this song pointed to something else from the writings of Moses, something my daughter tried to put on my radar a number of days ago but I which I listened to only last night before turning in. Two signposts, encountered in less than a twelve hour period — one as I prepared to sleep, the other shortly after I awoke — pointing to the same thing. Coincidence? Nope.

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us,

Selah

(Psalm 67:1 ESV)

Clearly a reference to the priestly blessing God gave Moses and Aaron for His people back in Numbers (6:22-27). Just like the song my daughter shared with me.

A prayer given for God’s people. A prayer, as is evident in this song, to be prayed by God’s people.

A prayer, frankly, we should always be praying. Always acknowledging our daily need for the grace, blessing, and face of God upon us. But one which, I confess, seems less “necessary” in times of stability when I think I have all things well under control.

So the songwriter paraphrases the blessing and then, mid-sentence, pauses. Selah.

Selah. Stop. Take a breath. Wait. Let the singing cease, let the instruments play. Think on what you’ve just sung. Meditate on what you’ve just uttered. Chew on what you’ve just read. Selah.

God, be gracious to us. Oh, how we need Your unmerited, undeserved favor. Father, bless us. Act according to Your promises. Intervene in our situation. Let the rain fall and the land bear much fruit. Creator and Sustainer, make Your face shine upon us. May we know Your nearness. Let us experience the warmth and reality of Your presence.

How does that not resonate, especially in times like these?

God is for us. No one and nothing can be against us. Greater is He that is in us than anything that is in the world. He has redeemed us, and has done so for our good.

True statements. Amen?

But wait . . . there’s more!

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us,

Selah

that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.

(Psalm 67:1-2 ESV)

More than for just our good, He has owned us as His for His glory. Thus, we seek His grace, blessing, and His face, for more than just our benefit, but that others might know He is God. That His favor upon His people would make Him known throughout all the earth. That His power to save, sustain, and deliver would be recognized among all the nations.

We seek God’s favor at times such as these (right thing to do), but may it not be just for our self-preserving good, but also for His Self-revealing glory. That our neighbors might see a peace that passes understanding pointing to the Prince of Peace. A hope that is abiding making known the One in whom we abide. A confidence that is unfailing, not because of who we are and what we can do, but because of who He is and what He has done. His face shining on us, then reflecting off us to those who need to know His light.

Not just for our good — though, Lord, how we long for protection and power in our lives — but more importantly, for His glory.

Selah.

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A Place of Abundance

Posted on March 18, 2020 by Pete

Hovering over Psalm 66 this morning. Funny how the psalms have a particular connection in stressful times. Funny, too, how encountering a reference to testing seems to be a beacon that, in this current season, seems to say, “Listen up, here!”

For You, O God, have tested us; You have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; You laid a crushing burden on our backs; You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water . . .

(Psalm 66:10-12a ESV)

Pretty descriptive. Kind of paints a picture. Brought into a net. A crushing burden on their backs. Men riding over their heads. Trying to endure the flames of fire only to then try and keep their heads above water. Ouch!

And who has allowed all this? Where does the buck stop for bad things happening to God’s people or, as the case might be, to all people? God, You have permitted this, says the songwriter, You have tested us. Passing us “like silver through refining fires” (MSG).

But here’s the thing about this song, Psalm 66 isn’t a song of lament. It’s actually a song of praise.

Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise! . . . Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man.

(Psalm 66:1-2, 5 ESV)

While we might be tempted, at times, to want to retreat into a corner, cover our ears and close our eyes, now’s the time to “come and see” what God’s doing. Time to tune in. It’s in the context of testing, and refining, and exposing flimsy foundations, where God shows Himself always true, unshakably reliable, and the firmest of all foundations.

And, while not wanting to be trite or appearing to minimize the gravity of the current situation, isn’t the principle at play that, after a wilderness wandering, there’s inevitably a promised land (or, at the least, you’re getting closer and more ready for the promised land)? And that, my friends, is reason to rejoice. That’s why the songwriter calls God’s people to praise. Because, after the desert, there’s a place of abundance.

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance.

(Psalm 66:12 ESV)

I’ve got enough to deal with for today, but thinking it’s worth pausing to remember that there’s hope for tomorrow. To take a deep breath, be still, and know afresh there’s a place of abundance.

Right here, right now, because our God in heaven is near, our flesh on earth can dwell secure (Ps. 16:8-9). That is a place of abundance.

Increasingly feeling confined to our homes (not just feeling), yet mindful that, our ability to abide in Him, and abide with Him, is unaffected. That’s also a place of abundance.

Knowing that this temporary time of wilderness wandering is only beginning, we call to mind the unceasing, steadfast love of the Lord as the source for the daily sustaining realities of a faithful God whose mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:21-23). Abundance . . . even in this place. Right here, right now.

And, not to forget, the place promised to me on that Day, “and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2Tim. 4:8). That place where being absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2Cor. 5:4-8). An eternal place of abundance!

A song of praise on our lips, though we bear burdens on our backs, because we know there is right now, and there always will be, a place of abundance.

And because of that, it is well with my soul. And that, my friends, is an awesome deed, indeed!

Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for my soul.

(Psalm 66:16 ESV)

Reason to rejoice. Power for praise. Worthy of our worship.

By His grace. For His glory.

Amen?

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